Last week, President and Vice Chancellor Jeff Zabudsky kicked off the first President’s Advisory College Council Town Hall meeting, a refreshed format for the traditional President’s Town Hall meetings. As part of the new format, the meeting took place at the Trafalgar Campus and was broadcasted to all campuses through designated viewing locations. In addition to taking questions from the audience at Trafalgar, Jeff also took questions submitted anonymously to the Communications team via reps at the viewing locations. The new consolidated format for Town Hall events will see the meetings held on a monthly basis from September to April, the “live site” rotating among the four campuses.
Before the question and answer period, Jeff made a few special announcements.
Completion of Aboriginal Initiatives Partnership with Mohawk College
Jeff acknowledged a special guest in the audience: Ron McLester, Director and Special Advisor, Indigenous Initiatives at Mohawk College. During the past three years, Sheridan has partnered with Mohawk College and worked closely with Ron to design and implement our Aboriginal Initiatives at Sheridan, including establishing the Aboriginal Initiatives Office, where students have the opportunity to gain cultural teachings, knowledge, and build community. To symbolize the completion of our formal partnership with Mohawk, Jeff presented Ron with a Wampum Friendship Belt, which represents our thanks and friendship.
President’s Creative Challenge Winners
Jeff then announced the winners of the 2015 President’s Creative Challenge. This year, we challenged students, faculty and staff to find ways to make health and wellness easy and fun at Sheridan. The winners of the challenge will be awarded funding to implement their ideas.
The winners are as follows:
Gold:
- “The Wellness Portal” by Jacinda Frazer, Ida Gianvito, Mark Orlando and Vicki McAllister.
- “Experience Sheridan Health and Wellness” by Mandi Buckner, Rossana Gorys, Michael Cassidy, Tanya Bedrossian, Che Marville and the ELT student group.
Silver:
- “Mindfulness Strategies” by Alyse Nishimura, Basil Joseph, Nicole Korstanje, Ryan Kelly, Paula Laing, Jenna Pulver, Diana Herholz, Carol Appelby, Vicki McAllister, Ally Paul, Natalie Fasano, Susan Anderson, Mary Ventrella, Amanda Latourell, George Georgopolous, Janice Galloway, Tania Iveson and our Peer Mentors.
Bronze:
- “On Campus Food Garden” – Jessica Derrick, Susan Hutton, Anna Pautler, Herb Sinnock, Andrew Staples and Michelle Szabo.
Honourable Mention:
“The Amazing Race by Sophie Clement, Nicole Jenicek, Roshell Maidment and Brooke Nairn – students in the Bachelor of Health Sciences (Kinesiology and Health Promotion) program. Our Student Affairs team will be identifying opportunities to incorporate elements of this proposal into Orientation activities this fall.
Congratulations to all the challenge winners!
Sheridan Named Among Forbes Top 250 Canadian Employers
Jeff shared with the community that in late February, Forbes ranked Sheridan among Canada’s Top 250 Canadian Employers. Sheridan was named as the 13th top employer in Canada. Click here (link: https://www.sheridancollege.ca/news-and-events/news/forbes-ranks-sheridan-among-top-250-canadian-employers.aspx) to learn more.
Announcement of Sheridan’s Inaugural Chancellor
Lastly, Jeff touched on the announcement of Hazel McCallion as Sheridan’s new Chancellor-designate in February. The announcement of our inaugural Chancellor is an important milestone on Sheridan’s journey to become a university. Ms. McCallion will be formally installed prior to the commencement of Convocation ceremonies in June. Click here (link: https://www.sheridancollege.ca/news-and-events/news/hazel-mccallion-named-as-inaugural-chancellor-of-sheridan.aspx) to read more about the announcement event.
Question & Answer Period
Jeff then opened the floor the questions from the audience at Trafalgar and at the viewing stations at STC, HMC and Davis, during which time the following items were discussed:
Is there an update on the new building in Mississauga?
The new building at HMC is on schedule to welcome students in September 2016. The exterior façade is almost complete, and construction personnel are currently working on the building interior. The builder has advised that Sheridan may take possession in July 2016, a month later than originally planned. There may be some minor finishes that will still be under completion when the building opens, but it will be fully ready to support classes in September.
At what stage are we on the Journey?
Earlier this winter, we received positive feedback from consulting reviewers on the self-study report and site visited conducted as part of our “dress rehearsal” for membership application to Universities Canada in the Fall. The feedback recognizes the many steps we’ve taken so far towards becoming Sheridan University: the growth of our degree programming; the introduction of our Senate and its work so far to approve policy and programming; the growth of faculty academic credentials; and most recently, the appointment of our very first Chancellor-designate. The Board of Governors has approved our plan to formally apply for membership to Universities Canada in 2017, a process which may take up to 18 months.
Are there any updates on moving the classes and employees currently at the Skills Training Centre?
The construction of the new A-wing at Davis, the new home of the STC programs, is progressing on schedule. The building will open for general use in January 2017, and the programs currently at STC will move throughout summer 2017 and begin at Davis in September 2017. In the coming months, we will begin to coordinate with faculty and staff currently at STC regarding the move logistics. Click here (link: http://journey.sheridancollege.ca/?p=blog-Update-The-New-Home-of-Skilled-Trades-at-Brampton) to read a recent update on the construction of A-wing.
What other programs are moving to HMC to begin classes in Fall 2016?
The new building at HMC will welcome the following programs in Fall 2016: Advertising and Marketing Communications; Advertising and Marketing Communications Management; Advertising Account Management; Tourism and Travel; Bachelor of Interior Design; Interior Decorating; Visual Merchandising Arts; and Architectural Technology/Technician.
Based on the success of the Board Undergraduate Certificate in Creativity and Creative Problem Solving, are there any plans to mandate a creativity course in every program?
While the Certificate has seen significant participation to date, no plans are currently in place to mandate creativity courses in every program. We will be doing research in the coming months to investigate the impact of these courses so far.
Are there any plans in place to improve transportation between campuses?
Sheridan is currently working with the Sheridan Student Union to better understand how the current shuttle system is being used by our students and staff, and create solutions that truly meet the needs of those using the service. These discussions are ongoing.
Are there any plans in place to improve student spaces at HMC?
We’ll be looking at how to enhance student space at HMC following the completion of the new building.
Are there any construction plans for the Trafalgar Campus in the near future?
The Board of Governors recently approved plans to move forward with the design of a new theatre and welcome centre at Trafalgar B-Wing, which could potentially begin construction in 2017. Other projects on the horizon for Trafalgar beyond 2017 potentially include a new student residence.