Sheridan’s Screen Industries Research and Training (SIRT) Centre was honoured to host the Italian Contemporary Film Festival (ICFF) Industry Day on Thursday at its Pinewood Toronto Studios soundstage.

Now in its second year, the goal of the ICFF (http://icff.ca) Industry Day is to provide guests with the opportunity to network with industry experts and expand their knowledge through presentations in a particular focus area. This year’s Industry Day took a close look at Animation from multiple perspectives, through presentations from Canadian and Italian artists working in classical and computer-generated animation, and applying animation principles to emerging film technologies such as motion capture and virtual production.

As an applied research centre that extends Sheridan’s leadership in the technical artistry of animation and visual effects, SIRT was proud to host the day’s presentations and discussions in partnership with ICFF, Castlepoint Numa, and lead co-sponsor of the Industry Day, media production firm ETV Film Inc.

“SIRT works extensively with industry and fostering collaborative discussions within and beyond our community is a big part of our mission,” said John Helliker, Director, Strategic Partnerships and SIRT. “We’re very honoured to co-host the ICFF Industry Day and represent Sheridan’s leadership in the evolving field of animation.”

The day’s programming included presentations from Matt Lyon, Creative Director of Canadian animation studio AIC Movie Inc. (a Sheridan classical animation graduate himself) and Vincenzo Nisco, Art Director at Italian studio Rainbow CGI, both of whom discussed their studios’ recent and upcoming work. Sheridan Animation was well-represented by professors Nancy Beiman (Bachelor of Animation) and Mark Simon (Computer Animation), who shared with attendees several exemplary student short films and reels while providing an overview of Sheridan’s internationally-acclaimed programs. During his presentation, Matt Lyon pointed out that while at Sheridan, Mark Simon was one of his valued professors.

The Industry Day concluded with a presentation from SIRT collaborator Animatrik, as President Brett Ineson discussed the role of animation within the virtual production process through examples of Animatrik’s work on feature films including Elysium, District 9 and Chappie. Brett and the SIRT team then took guests through a full virtual production demo, showcasing SIRT’s motion capture and camera tracking technology. Michael Longstaff and Miranda Edwards, two members of Canada’s performers union, ACTRA, and actor/stunt coordinator Jamie Youngblood of Zero Hour Industries Inc. brought the demo to life through several short scenes.

Following the formal programming at SIRT, guests continued networking at a reception held at the Stirling Room in Toronto’s Distillery District.

About the Screen Industries Research and Training Centre (http://sirtcentre.com):

The Screen Industries Research and Training Centre (SIRT) is an applied research centre established by Sheridan College in 2010 at Pinewood Toronto Studios in the east end of Toronto. It’s dedicated to fostering collaborative innovation in Ontario’s film, gaming and television industries. SIRT works with industry, academic, and government partners to conduct collaborative research and provide Ontario’s professionals the training needed to build the province’s competitive advantage in the screen-based entertainment industries.

I am excited to announce a realignment of the leadership structure within the Human Resources Department.

The Sheridan Strategic Plan 2013 – 2020 identifies three key Strategic Goals. One of those goals is to “Build our reputation as a leading employer”. As part of this goal Sheridan is committed to focus on People Management Transformation, Total Rewards Review and Communication and Transformational Change Capabilities as key priorities.

In support of Sheridan’s exciting future, the Human Resources Department will realign our current leadership structure into three Centres of Expertise: The Centre for Talent Management, The Centre for Employment Relations and Partnerships, and The Centre for Equity and Inclusion.

This change will allow the HR team to expand the range of programs and services over the coming months and years while partnering with the organization to deliver on the Strategic Plan.

The Centre for Talent Management:

The Centre for Talent Management will be responsible for a set of integrated organizational processes designed to source, attract, select, retain, and promote motivated and engaged employees at Sheridan such that together we can deliver on our strategic goals. Key functions of this area will consist of integrated workforce planning, strategic talent acquisition, HR strategic planning and goal alignment, and total rewards management which includes compensation, pension and benefits and the management of HR systems and information.

This team will be led by Rebecca Sprague who has been appointed to the position of Director. Rebecca will provide leadership to this important department which will include Toni Umerez, Manager of Total Compensation Services and her team, as well Dana Golding, Manager of Talent Acquisition and her team.

The Centre for Employment Relations and Partnerships

The Centre for Employment Relations and Partnerships will lead all employee and labour relations activities and strategy for Sheridan. Key functions of this area include continuing to enhance partnerships with Sheridan leaders to implement departmental strategies, drive HR initiatives that facilitate implementation of Sheridan’s Strategic plan, and provide expert guidance and advice on the interpretation of the collective agreements and all employment matters.

This team will be led by Ryan Piper who has been appointed to the position of Director. Ryan will provide leadership to this important department which will include the Human Resources Portfolio Managers and the Labour Relations Specialist.

In light of Ryan and Rebecca’s new roles, recruitment is underway to replace their former HR Portfolio Manager positions. During this time, they will continue to provide support to their existing clients. Following the recruitment process, announcements will be made regarding the realignment of the current client groups.

The Centre for Equity and Inclusion

The Centre for Equity and Inclusion will consist of the Diversity and Inclusion portfolio, as well as the Human Rights and Harassment programs and services that will support all members of the Sheridan community including employees, students and visitors. Marla Terreberry-Portfilio, Manager of Human Rights and Workplace Harassment, and Margaret Sanderson, Manager of Diversity and Inclusion will provide leadership to this important area. This team will report to me until further notice.

I believe that this new management structure will provide a solid foundation for Sheridan’s Human Resources Team to deliver the broader range of programs and expertise that Sheridan College and all members of the Sheridan community will need as we continue our journey together towards achievement of the Sheridan Strategic Plan 2013 – 2020.

Megan Mascarin
Associate Vice President
Human Resources

Additional Payments

The college has developed two payroll forms to accommodate additional payment requests. Compensation in any amount for work performed (as defined below) cannot be processed through Accounts Payable, P.O. request or petty cash.

Non-Teaching Academic Work Contract Letter (For Employees Only)

This work is related to the delivery of non-teaching academic services. Earnings are subject to all legislated payroll deductions and income is reported on a T4.

Examples include:  Academic Advising, Attending Faculty Meetings, Coordinator, Curriculum Development, Panellist, Judge, Critique, Reviewer, Field Supervision, Grading, Marking, Invigilation, Proctoring, Research, Research Grant, etc.

Special Payments Form

A token payment can be made to individuals performing the following work at the College:  Choreographer, Costume Designer, Events Assistance, Guest Entertainer, Gratuitous (thank you payment), Interpreter, Lecturer, Lighting Coordinator, Makeup Artist, Panellist, Judge, Critique, Reviewer, Photography, Pianist, Musician, Production Director, Set Design, Construction, Stage Manager, Stage Production Assistant, Videographer, etc.

For Non-Employees, Earnings greater than $500 will be subject to lump sum tax rates and all income is reported on a T4A. A SIN number and mailing address must be provided. If an invoice is available, please attach it to the Special Payment form so HST can be accurately recorded. If more than three special payments are processed within a calendar year, the employment relationship may be reviewed by HR and the individual may be considered an employee of the College.

For Employees, hours of work and rate of pay are required. Income is subject to all legislated & voluntary payroll deductions and income is reported on a T4. If you have been paid for a contract in the current tax year, you are considered an employee for any other payments occurring in that year, unless you are performing work under the Canadian Actors Equity Association.

Work performed by a Non-Resident of Canada; payments are subject to a 15% withholding tax and all income is reported on a T4A-NR.

Samples of these forms can be found on Access Sheridan/Human Resources Centre/Forms/Payroll & Compensation

Please note that Trafalgar’s C-wing will be open on Tuesday, June 23. The IT Service Desk and Library and Learning Commons will be operating at their normal locations with all services in place.

The expected closure, which was communicated to you on Friday via email has been postponed due to an unforeseen delay in construction over the weekend. The renovation work taking place will necessitate the closure of Trafalgar’s C-wing at some point this summer.  As soon as we have a firm date, we will notify you via email.

Please direct any questions or concerns about the project to constructionfeedback@sheridancollege.ca

Thank you for your patience and understanding.

I am pleased to announce the launch of The Institute for Creativity and Creative Campus at Sheridan.

The Institute is will function as an interdisciplinary cross-Faculty Sheridan unit that embodies Sheridan’s commitment to purposeful creativity. The Institute aspires to become an established hallmark of Sheridan’s Creative Campus. As such, its intent is to:

• mobilize a framework for creative engagement that aims to bring together disciplines, departments and people in order to catalyze and support advanced interdisciplinary exchange;

• facilitate co-curricular collaborations, incubate interdisciplinary scholarship and research, advance public and creative activities, and form inspired connections which serve to open and expand the relationship between Sheridan and the wider community.

Effective August 15, 2015, Dr. Yael Katz will assume the leadership of the unit as the Dean, Institute for Creativity and Creative Campus. Having spent the past two years, as the Special Advisor to Sheridan for the Creative Campus initiatives, Yael is well positioned to provide thoughtful and strategic leadership to this important portfolio. Initiatives under Yael’s purview will include:

• The Creative Campus Complex: A series of creative spaces opening in September 2016 with the expansion of the Hazel McCallion Campus. These include an Office for the Institute, a Creativity Gallery and a Creativity Commons.
• SRCA supports such as the Scholars and Creators Fund, Scholars and Creators Awards, Scholars and Creators Conference, Fellows and Visitors/Scholars, Innovation Funds, etc.
• A series of ‘real’ and virtual creative galleries (e.g. CTL Gallery, Institutional Repository), across all campuses, for interdisciplinary and cross-campus showcasing of SRCA initiatives.
• A series of innovation spaces that aim to reinforce Sheridan’s commitment to creativity and innovation.

The Institute will sponsor the Creative Campus Advisory Council to provide leadership, strategic direction and oversight in keeping with Sheridan’s mission, vision, values and goals. The Institute will maintain close affiliation with each Faculty and with Sheridan’s academic units/departments (e.g. Library, CTL and the Office of Undergraduate Research) which will serve to lead, mobilize and sustain the spectrum of initiatives and activities that comprise the Institute’s engagement framework. The Institute will maintain close partnership with areas such as Student Affairs, Office of the Registrar, Corporate Planning, Facilities, and Communications and Advancement. Through these links and partnerships, the Institute will aim to facilitate a collaborative and inclusive approach to creativity and innovation across Sheridan.

Please join me in congratulating Yael on her new position.

Due to construction in the Trafalgar C-wing, the Trafalgar Library will be closed during weekends for July and August in order to prepare the building for use by the beginning of the fall academic term.

From Monday through Friday, the Library will be open from 8:30am – 4:30pm.

If you plan to visit the Trafalgar Library during weekdays, you can access the Library via the SCAET building.

If you are looking for academic support on weekends, you can:

* Chat with us via the link on the Library homepage: http://sheridancollege.libguides.com/askalibrarian ;
* Make an appointment with a librarian, for research assistance;
* Book an appointment with a tutor or citation specialist, for writing, math and citation help;
* Email us at library@sheridancollege.ca.

Library and Learning Services wish you a safe and happy summer.

Marian Traynor

The Animation department has recently completed an inventory of materials and supplies, and has identified a number of surplus items.  Please see the list and description here.  If you are interested in acquiring any of these items at no charge, please contact Jason Teeuwissen:  jason.teeuwissen1@sheridancollege.ca.

The Pan Am/Parapan Games will be hosted in venues throughout the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area from July 10 – August 15, 2015.  As Toronto prepares to welcome athletes from 41 countries, it is expected that traffic in and around the GTA will exceed peak levels.

The Ministry of Transportation Ontario (MTO) is working with regional partners to keep athletes, spectators, residents and businesses moving during the Games.  Sheridan, OPSEU Local 244, and OPSEU Local 245 have collaboratively agreed to add flexibility to scheduling practices where it can benefit employees and not disadvantage students.

Managers have been encouraged to be flexible where it is operationally reasonable in granting vacation requests, facilitating flexible start and end times, and considering work-from-home arrangements during the Pan Am/Parapan Am Games.

It is important to note that Sheridan will remain open and operate as usual during the Games, so it is imperative that operational needs balance flexibility. Not all options will be available to all employees and there are some positions with duties which may not permit any change in schedule.

Any work arrangements will be in place only for the period of the Pan Am and Parapan Am Games, which run July 10 to 26, and August 7 to 15 respectively. Agreements may be extended to the period between the games from July 27 to August 6 with agreement between employees and their manager.

Here are some potential considerations:

–          If possible, managers may wish to allow additional vacation requests during the Games.

–          Working from home may be an option for some employees, but can only be approved in cases where the work can be done from home, where it’s operationally feasible, and with written agreement between manager and employee. The same applies to flexible start and end times.

There may be other options mutually acceptable to managers and employees but any change in work arrangement needs to be documented. Managers and employees should discuss options so that arrangements can be made as soon as possible.

Check here for information about transportation and traffic plans for the Games.

If you have questions or concerns, please contact your manager or a union representative.

Ryan Piper, Director, Employee Relations and Partnerships

Jay Jackson, President, OPSEU Local 245

Jack Urowitz, President, OPSEU Local 244

Sheridan Undergraduate Research (SURe) is delighted to introduce The Innovator (http://innovator.sheridancollege.ca). This is a new space to share and celebrate applied research news and stories. Make sure to subscribe to stay updated!

Research news submissions from the Sheridan community are most welcome and should be sent to research@sheridancollege.ca, or through the following form: http://innovator.sheridancollege.ca/contribute/

On October 28, 2015, Sheridan will hold its inaugural Conference of Scholars and Creators, a day-long event meant to engage, celebrate and advance a range of scholarly, research and creative activities across disciplines and departments at Sheridan. This event will feature a keynote address, interactive sessions and workshops, and some exciting announcements related to SRCA at Sheridan, so plan to be there.

On October 29, 2015, the 3^rd annual Showcase for Teaching and Learning is taking place. This exciting day will be dedicated to exploring and sharing ideas around critical thinking, reflective practice and innovation. Faculty and staff will have an opportunity to connect with colleagues through posters and sessions dedicated to enhancing their teaching and learning practice.

Go to http://sheridancreates.sheridancollege.ca/ for more information and to submit your proposal for a presentation/workshop/poster/roundtable/creative marketplace session/exhibits/performance pieces/etc. Feel free to get creative with your proposal!

A wide range of Sheridan people, programs and events were featured in the media last month. The following are some highlights of Sheridan ‘in the news’:

A new email has been created for general education, to better serve students, faculty and staff over the coming years. This also alleviates confusion during the Spring/Summer term and faculty transitions.

Please direct all questions or concerns related to general education and advanced standing for general electives to:

generaleducation@sheridancollege.ca

BA:IEN GOES GLOBAL!

Please join Kateryna Yavorska-Vietrova, Research Assistant, and the other Centre team members for a morning of networking and a discussion on shaping BA:IEN’s growth. See flyer for details.

Please be advised that Facilities Services will be conducting roof replacements over the following areas at the Davis Campus starting in mid-July and continuing into August.

1)      B315 and B316 classrooms – to begin mid-July (weather dependent) and expected to last 6 to 8 working days

2)      B207, B201 and upper seating of the cafeteria                                   }

3)      B306 Mechanical Room – (access via area above B305 Office)      }  expected to last 14 to 21 working days

Facilities Services is working closely with Sheridan Occupational Health & Safety Department during this process.

Please note that there will be noise and odours associated with this work project. We will work closely with our contractors to minimize any impact our working environment.

Hoarding will be set up at ground level around the work site to contain and make safe the staging area for our contractors and Sheridan community.

Questions or concerns can be directed to my attention or to Sheridan OHS office.

Regards,

Gord Ide, Manager, Building Maintenance & Services, Facilities Services

In the recent weeks, Giant Hogweed (also known as Giant cow parsnip) has been found on Davis Campus near the pond. Giant Hogweed grow 3 to 4 metres in height and when in bloom, carries numerous small, white flowers that form an umbrella shape. The stem also contains coarse hairs (see the photo below, right).

The clear watery sap of Giant Hogweed contains toxins that can cause severe dermatitis (inflammation of the skin). You can get severe burns if you get the sap on your skin and the skin is then exposed to sunlight. Symptoms occur within 48 hours and consist of painful blisters. Purplish scars may form that last for many years. Eye contact with the sap has been reported (in the media and by various web sites) to cause temporary or permanent blindness. If you get sap on your skin wash the area well with soap and water. Keep the affected area out of the sun. If photo dermatitis (inflammation of the skin caused by exposure to sunlight) occurs, see a doctor. If you get sap in your eye, flush your eye with water immediately and see a doctor immediately.

If you spot Giant Hogweed, avoid the area and report the sighting to Security (ext. 4344) immediately.

Thank you.

OHS Services

Ext. 2515

In order to facilitate additional onecard features, such as using your onecard as a payment card for services around Sheridan campuses, the onecard Office is moving to a one-card-per-person model starting July 8, 2015. If you are an employee with a single onecard, no action is required on your part to enable these additional services. However, if you have a student card in addition to your employee card, you will need to trade in your existing onecards for a single “Employee/Student” card.

All individuals with dual roles are asked to come to the onecard Office starting July 8^th 2015 and no later than July 17, 2015 to trade in their onecards for a single “Employee/Student” card. Individuals who currently have active room access on multiple onecards will have their access temporarily combined onto their Student card on July 8, 2015. If a dual role individual does not replace their onecards for a single card by July 17 their onecards will no longer work.

Door access on “Employee/Student” cards will be removed one week following the end of each term by default. If employee door access needs to be retained for the following term OR employee door access needs to be removed prior to the end of term, the manager can contact their faculty’s door access administrators or the IT Service Desk.

If you have any questions or concerns please contact the onecard office at onecard@sheridancollege.ca

As mid-terms and break week are wrapping up, instructors will be aware of students in their classes who may be struggling with their studies and may be in need of assistance. As part of supporting student development, we welcome any referrals of these students to Student Advisement.

Student Advisors are developmental advising specialists who work with students to:

• investigate why they are experiencing difficulties
• recognize underlying issues that may be related to life outside of school
• discuss strategies to improve learning and referral to additional campus resources
• explore factors that students will need to consider in their future planning
• provide a step-by-step student success action plan for them to follow

Our goal is to help students to get on the right track while there is still time to turn things around.   We also talk with them about their options, to empower them to be successful at Sheridan. For those students that are completing condensed session courses, we also welcome discussing their academic progress, reviewing what went well and what things can be improved upon moving forward.

Please take a few minutes to remind students about our services and refer them to our offices:

Davis – B230

HMC – Welcome Desk

Trafalgar – B104 (also for STC students).

If you have any questions about our services, please contact Joanne Islip, Coordinator, Student Advisement at joanne.islip@sheridancollege.ca  (or extension 2164) or visit Student Advisement yourself.  We’re always happy to help!

Welcome to the Canada’s Wonderland online ticket program.

To access your discounted tickets, please click on the link below, and log into the system using the username and password provided. Please note that the username and password are case-sensitive.

Special Ticket Link:

https://shopcf.accesso.com/clients/cedarfair/affiliate/index.php?m=6787&ec=200

Save the date for Fall 2015 orientation now – we hope to see you there!

Davis Campus Dates:

Monday, August 31

9AM – Faculty of Applied Science & Technology

12PM – Pilon School of Business

Tuesday, September 1

9AM – Faculty of Applied Health & Community Studies [Schools of Public Safety & Community Studies] + Faculty for Humanities & Social Sciences

12PM – Faculty of Applied Health & Community Studies [Schools of Applied Health & Education]

5PM – Graduate Certificate Students

Have questions or would like to get involved? Please contact a member of First Year Student Transition team:
Dawn Sweeney [ext.2655 or dawn.sweeney@sheridancollege.ca]
Wendy Kanko [ext.2039 or wendy.kanko@sheridancollege.ca]