Trent University Announces Vaccine Mandate

Trent University has announced that as of September 7 anyone on campus must provide proof of both doses of the COVID-19 vaccine.

Photo courtesy of Trent University

Photo courtesy of Trent University

Anyone who does not have two vaccinations will have to complete COVID testing before coming on campus. Exemptions will be allowed on medical or other protected grounds under the Ontario Human Rights Code.

To encourage student participation in this initiative, the names of all students who submit proof of their two vaccinations by September 7 will be included in a draw which will provide the winning student with free tuition for the fall semester.

In addition to requiring proof of vaccine Trent will be enforcing the mandatory use of face masks in indoor settings, health screening, enhanced ventilation and air filtration, robust cleaning and sanitization, on-campus testing, and wastewater surveillance. The University is also partnering with Public Health to host on-campus pop-up vaccine clinics for staff, faculty and students.

For more on Trent’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic click here.

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PTBOCanada Featured Post: Fleming College's Continuing Education Business Computer Applications Certificate program

PTBOCanada Featured Post: Fleming College's Continuing Education Business Computer Applications Certificate program

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PTBOCanada Featured Post: Fleming College's Volunteer Management Certificate

PTBOCanada Featured Post: Fleming College's Volunteer Management Certificate

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Three Trent University Researchers Receive over $300,000 in Federal Funding through John R. Evans Leaders Fund

Three Trent University researchers, Dr. Huy Dang, Dr. Marguerite (Maggie) Xenopoulos, and Dr. Carlo Bradac, received a combined $328,351 in funding through the Canada Foundation for Innovation (CFI).

Photo courtesy of Trent University

Photo courtesy of Trent University

The CFI, through its John R. Evans Leaders Fund (JELF), awarded Professor Dang $146,553 for his project titled Unravelling the emerging environmental risks of pollution from the High-Tech Industry.

They awarded $54,257 to Professor Bradac for a project titled Quantum-enabled nano-transducers for (bio)nanotechnologies.

Recently, Professor Maggie Xenopoulos, Trent’s newly appointed Canada research chair in Global Change of Freshwater Ecosystems, received $127,541 towards infrastructure associated with her new position.

“Our researchers have always thought big. Now, more than ever, they need state-of-the-art labs and equipment to turn their visions into reality,” said Francois-Philippe Champagne, minister of Innovation, Science and Industry. “Investing in our university research infrastructure is key to our continuing role as an innovation leader in wide-ranging fields, from Indigenous research to quantum computing, from neurobiology to advanced robotics. These investments will not only support our ground-breaking contributions to science and research but also improve our economy, environment and quality of life.”

The CFI, through the John R. Evans Leaders Fund will support 332 new research projects at 50 institutions across Canada.

It also supported 29 Canada research chairs at 19 universities through its infrastructure support funding. The funding aims to help universities attract and retain top research talent from around the world and provide the specialized infrastructure they need to excel as leaders in their field.

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Lang Pioneer Village Will Resume Self Guided Living History Tours

Lang Pioneer Village will be open for self-guided living history tours on Wednesday.

A GUIDED TOUR OF THE MUSEUM THAT COMPLIED WITH THE COVID-19 PROTOCOLS IN 2020. PHOTO COURTESY OF LANG PIONEER VILLAGE.

A GUIDED TOUR OF THE MUSEUM THAT COMPLIED WITH THE COVID-19 PROTOCOLS IN 2020. PHOTO COURTESY OF LANG PIONEER VILLAGE.

The Museum has been operating under an altered guided tour format since the beginning of the pandemic however the province has moved to a stage that is permitting the Museum to resume living history programming with all necessary safety protocols in place to ensure a safe experience for all.

The Museum will be open from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday until Sunday, Sept. 5.

Under the living history format, guests will be able to visit the Museum on the date and time of their choosing with no time limit to their visit.

Visitors will tour the village at their own pace and costumed interpreters stationed in some of the historic homes and businesses will introduce them to the building’s history and demonstrate traditional trades.

Visitors are required to wear masks when entering all buildings on the property, maintain two metres distance between themselves and visitors from outside of their group and are asked to practice proper hand sanitization and follow all posted signage while on site.

Only one visitor group will be permitted in the historic buildings at a time. Advance booking is not required but it is recommended.

We’ve had our sights set on the day when we can open up again to a living history experience for our visitors. It is finally here,” said Laurie Siblock, museum manager, “Staff and volunteers are excited to welcome visitors back to a village filled with the sights, sounds, tastes and smells of the 19th century.”

Click here for more information.

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Trent University Supports the Creation of 100 New Student Summer Jobs

More than 100 student summer jobs have been created through the renewed Trent Summer Work Experience Program (TSWEP), providing undergraduate and graduate students at Trent University career experience through paid summer employment opportunities announced Friday.

File Photo.

File Photo.

"While a summer job provides an important opportunity for university students to earn income, it also offers an excellent opportunity for personal and professional development by building connections and developing skills that will serve them well in their future career paths," explains Dr. Michael Khan, provost and vice-president Academic. “The Trent Summer Work Experience Program is one of the many ways Trent equips students with guaranteed career-building experiences alongside leading faculty and staff from across the University.”

A joint initiative of Careerspace and the Office of the Registrar, TSWEP provided funding support to create both part-time and full-time employment opportunities for Trent students this summer.

Through the program, positions were created in more than 60 departments at the University including the Office of Student Affairs, Housing Services, Bata Library, External Relations and Advancement, as well as within academic departments.

These positions allow students to access diverse hands-on work experience with opportunities to engage in research, marketing, data analysis, completing independent projects, assisting and developing ways to pivot department resources online.

“I’ve gained invaluable hands-on experience working for the Trent Community Research Centre,” says Momina Shahid, a Trent Business student. “TCRC has provided me with the ideal research experience as well as an amazing opportunity to work directly with members of the local community and community organizations.”

TSWEP covers the full cost of student salaries, at the regular student rate, for approved summer positions with Trent departments and faculty. To have been eligible for these new positions, students must be returning to study at Trent in the fall and have demonstrated financial need.

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New Environmental Sciences Pathways Between Trent University and Sault College Plants Seed for Sustainable Future

Trent University has reached a new agreement with Sault College to have a School of Natural Environment degree available on the Peterborough campus in two to three years.

Both institutions have signed four new articulation agreements, allowing graduates from Sault’s Fish and Wildlife Conservation, Forestry Technician, Natural Environment Technician and Natural Environment Technician Advanced Diploma programs to complete their Environmental and Resource Studies/Science degree at Trent, one of the only Environmental Careers Organization (ECO) Canada-accredited environmental science programs in the country.

“Over the last 50 years, Trent has gained a reputation as a leader in the field of environmental education, and we look forward to welcoming Sault College students to our School of the Environment, where we offer unparalleled hands-on learning opportunities,” said Dr. Holger Hintelmann, dean of Science at Trent University. “This partnership builds on our commitment to creating pathways for students between college and university and draws on the strengths of both our institutions in providing environmental science programming that prepares students to address some of the biggest global challenges of our time.”

The new partnership gives students access to the broadest range of environmental courses available at any Canadian university, 12 on-campus nature areas and globally recognized experts tackling some of the world’s most complex challenges – from climate change to environmental policy and food security.

“Sault College is proud to partner with Trent University and offer our learners expanded and meaningful opportunities to continue their studies. This partnership is another great example of our commitment to enhancing the educational experience and providing innovative ways for our learners to learn and grow and build upon the quality education and foundational knowledge they receive at our College,” said Dr. Ron Common, president of Sault College. “Together with Trent University, we are providing a unique pathway for learners to pursue their passions and further contribute to this important area. We look forward to continuing a rich and long-standing relationship with Trent University.”

Both institutions believe in the importance of offering a range of learning opportunities to ensure transformative post-secondary experiences. At Trent, students will have the opportunity to gain real-world experience through on-campus fieldwork or community-based research projects. They can also take advantage of international study opportunities that offer a global perspective on the environment.

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The Canadian Canoe Museum is Open

After a long winter and spring The Canadian Canoe Museum has opened their doors to the public.

The Canadian Canoe Museum is welcoming visitors as Ontario opens Stage 3. Photo Courtesy of The Canadian Canoe Museum.

The Canadian Canoe Museum is welcoming visitors as Ontario opens Stage 3. Photo Courtesy of The Canadian Canoe Museum.

Visitors are invited to walk through galleries, admire the waterfall, and view the more than 600 watercraft on display currently.

Masks, physical distancing, limited capacity, and all other COVID safety protocols are in effect. Visitors are encouraged to visit The Canadian Canoe Museum website prior to their tour so they know what to expect in terms of COVID precautions.

Staff ask that if possible visitors purchase their admission tickets online prior to arrival to limit contact and make for a quick entrance.

Cash will not be accepted in the on-site gift shop.

Current hours of operation are Friday - Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

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Local Teacher Uses Running to Aid In Students' Mental Health Issues

Running not only maintained teacher Julie Vaillères’s physical health but her mental well-being and uses her story to help students with similar issues since 2015.

Vaillères has taught core and French immersion classes at St. Peter’s Catholic Secondary School. She has also taught drama, religion and science classes with some as part of the immersion program. Photo Courtesy of Julie Vaillères.

Vaillères has taught core and French immersion classes at St. Peter’s Catholic Secondary School. She has also taught drama, religion and science classes with some as part of the immersion program. Photo Courtesy of Julie Vaillères.

Vaillères suffered a major depressive breakdown in 2014 where she believed she could never teach again. During her time off work, her psychiatrist suggested running again, an on-and-off hobby throughout her life.

Since returning to St. Peter’s Catholic Secondary School in the fall of 2015 after having time off recovering, the French teacher shared her stories with students. Vaillères’s pupils were inspired to open up about their mental health problems to her as a result.

“I use running to explain how it manages my mental illness,” said Vaillères. “It helps you with self-confidence, energy and how physical health goes hand in hand. It’s my me time and my way of meditating. I love nature and it’s my way of grounding myself.”

The group was unable to run in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic but with in-person learning returning in the fall of 2021, the “Change Your M;nd’s” revival is the plan for Vailleres. Photo Courtesy of Julie Vaillères.

The group was unable to run in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic but with in-person learning returning in the fall of 2021, the “Change Your M;nd’s” revival is the plan for Vailleres. Photo Courtesy of Julie Vaillères.

Students would confide in Vaillères and then be redirected to professional help from the school board or a social worker for further treatment.

The group became known as “Change Your M;nd” for students to have weekly meetings to open up about their mental issues. They would do collaborations with organizations such as the Canadian Mental Health Association and Peterborough Memorial Centre to raise money for mental health awareness.

Since forming the group back in 2015, Vaillères and students are helping erase the stigma of having mental health issues, creating awareness while promoting healthier choices.

Photo Courtesy of Julie Vaillères.

Photo Courtesy of Julie Vaillères.

Vaillères volunteers her time as the school’s cross-country and track and field coach and shares her story to inspire the student-athletes.

“The students that we get are so strong mentally and the perseverance they show and support that they give to one another is amazing,” she said. “We’re all in this to better ourselves.”

Photo Courtesy of Julie Vailleres.

Photo Courtesy of Julie Vailleres.

Vaillères says when she was a child, mental health was highly stigmatized but when she was admitted for treatment, it was a huge relief. It is a message she wants to spread to anyone suffering from any issues.

“There’s a positive story behind painful times,” said Vaillères. “There’s a light at the end of the tunnel when you reach out for help. We shouldn’t be feeling ashamed. Now I feel the need to share my story because if I’m able to help others, it’s the best reward I can get.”

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Fleming Congratulates Students That Completed their Indigenous Perspectives Designation

Fleming College along with members of the Indigenous community hosted a special event to recognize students who completed an Indigenous Perspectives Designation (IPD) on July 9.

Aerial shot of Fleming Sutherland Campus. Photo Courtesy of Fleming College.

Aerial shot of Fleming Sutherland Campus. Photo Courtesy of Fleming College.

The IPD gives students the chance to learn about Indigenous perspectives, peoples, cultures, histories, traditions and contributions to our shared society. To graduate with an IPD it is required that they take discipline-specific Indigenous curriculum in each semester, beyond what is already required in the two mandatory Indigenous Studies courses, as well as experiential Indigenous activities.

“Very proud of the IPD graduates and faculty who work hard each year to incorporate Indigenous knowledge and pedagogy into their learning,” said Elizabeteh Stone, Academic Chair for Indigenous Studies at Fleming. “This is reconcili-action! As described by the Downie Wenjack Foundation: ‘A ReconciliACTION is a meaningful action that moves reconciliation forward. ReconciliACTIONs aim to bring Indigenous and non-Indigenous people together in the spirit of reconciliation to create awareness, share and learn.’ Nishin Graduates.”

The IPD is available to students enrolled in certain programs. For more information click here.

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