Dalhousie Student Life Experience

The Dalhousie Student LIFE Experience Our Report to Dal Students Office of the Vice-President Student Services 2010–2011

Need more nature in your life? Dal’s three campuses are all located within 300 metres from the Atlantic Ocean. You can also check out our very own ocean pond on campus. Complete with nine different eco-systems, the pond is nestled in between the Chase Building and the Henry Hicks Building, and is an ongoing research project of Professor Martin Willison in the Department of Biology.

Fruitful collaboration To help offset the environmental costs of print distribution in Student Services, the Office of the Vice-President, Student Services, in partnership with the DSU and the Office of Sustainability, planted an apple tree and a cherry tree in the new urban garden and is contributing over $3,500 to support design and construction at the new site. As the fruit trees grow, look forward to enjoying their great benefits, including sweet smelling blossoms, shade from the sun and a beautiful place for you to rest in between classes!

New Dal garden Check out progress at the new Dalhousie SeeMore Green garden on Henry Street, just behind the Computer Science Building. The new spot has way more space and really great sunlight.

Want to know how to get involved with the garden? Contact the Dalhousie Student Union (DSU) Sustainability Office in the Student Union Building or email dsu.sustain@dal.ca.

Good things growing at Dal Kudos to students and staff for your efforts to grow a greener tomorrow at Dal. 2007: Dal students vote in favour of a DSU fee referendum to pay $3 per student per year to help fund the new DSU Sustainability Office. A portion of the fee also supports World University Services Canada (WUSC) and DalOUT programs.

2007: The university’s Office of Sustainability is created to address rising concerns about global and local environmental and sustainability challenges.

2008: Food Services at Dalhousie University introduces the Farm-to-Table program, purchasing close to 50% of food served in residence dining halls from local providers. By eliminating trays in dining halls, Dal decreases food waste by 4,000 pounds and conserves 197,000 gallons of water a year.

2009: Dal students and teachers share tips and advice on easy ways of living a more eco-friendly life on campus with the inaugural publication of the Campus Green Guide.

2010: In March 2010, residence students in Gerard Hall score gold in Dal’s first Eco Olympics for their 5% reduction in electricity and water consumption when compared to early 2009.

2010: Dal opens the Mona Campbell Building, built to LEED Silver standards. All new building projects at Dal now focus on achieving LEED Gold or Silver certification levels.

2011: Student produced Green Guide celebrates its fifth anniversary.

What does it mean to be a Dalhousian?

Every year, I see more and more Dalhousian spirit in action. It is infused in everything that you as Dal students do – in the classroom, across campus, on the web and in local, national and international communities.

–Bonnie G. Neuman, Vice-President, Student Services

What does it mean to be a Dalhousian?

2010–11 was certainly a banner year for Dal spirit and pride. Successful collaborations between Dal students, staff, faculty and alumni led to multiple new initiatives to enhance student engagement. As of fall 2010, orientation programming now features an annual attempt to set a world record, Dal introduced a new football club, and we had our first Homecoming in over 15 years. Thanks to your interdisciplinary conversations and communal efforts as part of the Dalhousie Student Union’s (DSU) Brains for Change

INSIDE The Dalhousian Way: Spirit and Engagement – 3 Enhancing Your Campus Environment – 6 Celebrating Dalhousians: Student Leadership – 8 Helping Dalhousians Succeed – 10 Partnerships for Positive Change – 16 The Dal Experience at Home and Abroad –18 Looking to Our Future – 20

conference, exciting new traditions develop each year; 2011 will see the launch of Dalhousie’s new studentdesigned flag.

The DSU now spices up Dalhousie’s welcome every fall with a new video; “Dal-ifornia” in 2010 and “See you in September” in 2011 are national hits! The videos and the flag, much like our brightly coloured Adirondack chairs, are welcoming symbols of Dalhousie’s friendly campus environment. Many innovations have occurred since these popular chairs were introduced in 2006–07. In that same year, we

distributed for the first time our Student Services at Dalhousie Report, to let you and other members of the Dal community know about changes being made to improve your university experience. This year we have a new title – The Dalhousie Student Life Experience: Our Report to Dal Students.

This report communicates Dalhousie’s strategic vision to offer a superior student experience. We focus on engaging our students across four dimensions of their university lives. At the core of our vision is the Student Services Engagement Model, supporting your success through Learning; Community; Wellness; and Leadership and Career Connections. Over the years, we’ve made significant improvements across each of these dimensions of your experience. Much of this progress was made possible by the generous support of our donors and partners, such as David and Leslie

Percentage of students who agree or strongly agree that

“I am satisfied with my decision to attend this university” 100 90 80 70

88.8

86.4

28.6

25.5

85.9

87.9

23.2

24.6

62.7

63.3

92.1

90.2

AGREE STRONGLY 34.1

29.1

AGREE

60 50

57.8

63.3

58.0

61.1

40 30 20 10 0

2005

Bissett, the Mark A. Hill family, TD Bank, the Johnson Foundation and many more partners across Canada and the world. Such investments have helped you, and thousands of Dal students like you, achieve your individual goals and aspirations.

It is important to note that improvement wouldn’t be possible without the routine and remarkable efforts of our local Dalhousie community, including you! Whether you’re a student orientation leader, a Gazette journalist, student volunteer, or the best Tigers fan ever, you make the Dalhousie student experience the best in Canada. The same can be said for our outstanding faculty, staff and alumni, who regularly go above and beyond to help students in need – from providing one-on-one support, to memorizing the names and faces of every student in their classes, to meeting with senior students over coffee to discuss opportunities for post-graduation success.

In recent years, you’ve been telling us in surveys that we’re on the right track when it comes to our concern for you as individuals. You’ve also been vocal when it comes to areas that need changing. For example, in 2010 our student leaders partnered with Dalhousie’s Board of Governors on a plan to address your biggest complaint – the need for better fitness facilities. A new $180 Fitness and Recreational Facility Renewal Fee will help fund construction of a new state-of-the-art fitness centre. The fee, which 2 The Dalhousie Student Life Experience

2008

2011

will go into effect only after the centre opens for use, will be a phenomenal contribution on the part of students. This project is currently at the planning stage in terms of site and facility specifics. On behalf of our Student Services team and the entire Dalhousie community, thank you for your dedication to improving the student experience here at Dal. Much has been done and more can be accomplished to make the Dal experience the best university experience in Canada. For a glimpse of other plans for the next five years and beyond at Dalhousie, check out the “Looking to Our Future” part

Source: Canadain University Survey Consortium (CUSC), Undergraduate Students Surveys, 2005, 2008, 2011

of this report. As we continue to change, remember, Dal wouldn’t be Dal without your active participation, your hard work and your voice. Continue to have your say by participating in the upcoming surveys we will send to you this fall and winter. In this time of budget restraints, we’ll be asking you to tell us what’s most important to you in Dalhousie’s services and campuslife environment.

If you have more advice for us, let us know; email us today at student.services@dal.ca to share your feedback.

The

Dalhousian Way: Spirit And Engagement Your Dal experience includes the learning that occurs in your academic classes, assignments, labs and group projects, and the learning that results from your participation in campus-life traditions, peer networks and student societies. Students who engage fully in both areas benefit most from their overall university experience. One of our key goals in Student Services is to enhance your campus spirit by effectively engaging you in building new traditions and by providing great service consistent with Dal’s values.

Dal Reads delights

Ready, set, ROAR!

A capacity crowd greeted Canadian author Lawrence Hill upon his arrival at Dal in September 2010.

Hill thrilled an audience of over 500 with a public lecture on his prize-winning novel, The Book of Negroes. The visit marked the second year the novel was selected by the campus-wide program, DalReads, to encourage a common intellectual experience among new and continuing Dal students, faculty and staff.

In 2011–12, the DalReads initiative will focus on Nikolski, a novel by Quebec writer Nicolas Dickner.

Shimmering with originality, Nikolski charts the unexpected courses of personal migration among engaging anti-heroes, from modern-day pirates (aka computer hackers) to a professor specializing in contemporary urban archaeology (aka “dumpster diving”). Like The Book of Negroes, Nikolski was also a Canada Reads competition winner in 2010.

A jam-packed line-up of orientation events help new Dalhousians transition to the campus environment and make some lasting memories. New students discover Dal spirit at favourite events, such as hypnotist Tony Lee, the Big Ticket Concert and the annual cystic fibrosis fundraiser, Shinerama.

Nikolski – The DalReads choice for 2011–12

Dal spirit in action Every year, Dal students take to the streets of Halifax to raise money for Shinerama, collecting an impressive $46,000 in 2010. In 2011, Dal students reinvented Shinerama once again, with a “Shine the City” campaign to add impactful action, in addition to asking for donations. However, Shinerama is just one example of Dal spirit in action – Dal students have a strong tradition of having fun while helping others. From annual Charity Balls to student societies such as Engineers Without Borders and events like

looking back: Lawrence Hill is no stranger to Dal campus. In 1993, Dalhousie was host to one of the author’s first literary readings, for his just-published novel, Some Great Thing.

fall Community Day on the first Saturday of October, Dal students contribute to making their world a better place.

Helping you transition In addition to great Dalhusie Student Union (DSU) orientation programming, Dalhousie’s Academic Orientation helps new students navigate their first year of university, from setting up your email address to identifying academic support services.

DID YOU KNOW? On September 8, 2010, close to 580 Dalhousians braved fog rain at Wickwire field as they attempted to set a new World class. In 2011, three thousand students gathered to create a spelling out “Dal” at halftime during a varsity game.

The annual Family and Friends Information Session started as part of Academic Orientation in September 2009. Over 200 moms and dads and other fans of Dal students attend every year to get tips on how to support you in achieving your academic inspirations.

International students participate in an additional International Orientation with a Welcome Breakfast with deans and specialized information sessions on how to settle into their new Dalhousie home in Canada.

95% of students report they experienced very much or some success meeting their academic demands.

Source: Canadian University Survey Consortium (CUSC) First-Year Students Survey, 2010

Welcome to the Dal Family New students celebrate the start of a lifelong relationship with Dal at the annual Induction Ceremony. Added in September 2006 as an official welcome for incoming undergraduates, the Induction Ceremony gives students a fun glimpse of their future convocation.

Starting in 2010, students attending the Induction Ceremony get an exclusive piece of “Dal 4 The Dalhousie Student Life Experience

Wear” – convocation t-shirts in 2010 and black and gold scarves in 2011.

88% of students report very much or some success feeling as if they belong at Dal. Source: CUSC First-Year Students Survey, 2010

Have questions? AskMe! Introduced in 2006 as part of Academic Orientation activities, the AskMe! Orientation Campaign has become a regular hit with new students on campus. Each September, our friendly staff and faculty members wear green AskMe! pins and answer your questions about life at Dal – everything from “How can I get to the Chemistry Building without getting wet?” to “Where can I find the closest Tim Hortons?” to “Oops – I seem to be at the Dunn Theatre – where’s the Dunn Building?”

Returning traditions Why should only first years have all the fun? Dalfest, created in 2006 by the DSU, welcomes all returning students back to campus with games, celebrity dunk tanks, music, information and the famous Beer Tent.

Homeward bound Dalhousie alumni are over 100,000 strong and although they come from all over the world, they always have a home here at Dal. To celebrate our alumni and their continued support for the student experience, in 2010 the university brought back Homecoming for the first time since 1995.

Three days of Homecoming festivities kicked off in October 2010, with an alumni dinner and dance at the Cunard Centre featuring alumnus and international best-selling author, Robin Sharma.

Also on the agenda: faculty-specific lecture series, receptions and tours; a pumpkin-carving contest; Sport Hall of Fame induction ceremony; and a tailgate party to rev up spirit for our competing varsity and sport club athletes, including Dal’s long-awaited Football Club.

Community Day: cookies, canvassing and random acts of kindness Introduced in 2008 in the Residence Community, Dalhousie’s Community Day provides another opportunity for Dal students to really make a difference in the Halifax community. On October 2, 2010, Dalhousie residence students shared their good will by handing out cookies and hosting a food drive for Feed Nova Scotia. Enthusiastic Dal students also

Did you know?

120 Dal alumni from the Football Founders Club donated $60,000 toward the purchase of 55 new uniforms, field lines, uprights and other gear and equipment necessary for the Club’s start up. The Club operates with volunteer coaches, and student players pay a participation fee to cover costs. A great addition to Dal Spirit!

71% of students said they participated in an orientation program last year – a 15% increase since 2004.

Source: CUSC First-Year Students Survey, 2010, 2004 gy weather and the threat of Record for the largest Zumba huge human glow stick design,

cleaned-up playgrounds for local youth and washed down cars in support of breast cancer awareness initiatives.

Our challenge to all Dalhousians going forward – can we make the first Saturday of October a campus-wide Dalhousie Community Day? Whether you’re part of a student society, a class, a staff group – go for it and make a difference! Then come back to campus for the annual Homecoming “Lobster Tailgate” party and Tigers game.

55% of Dal students strongly agree or agree that their Dalhousie experience helped them make a difference in the world.

CUSC Undergraduate Student Survey, 2011.

A world under one roof The start of a brand new tradition, the World of Winter Festival in January 2011 celebrated the season and a world of cultures on campus. Members of the Spanish Department, Dalhousie’s Improv Club and over a dozen other societies demonstrated their hidden cultural talents – from jazz and Persian piano, to knitting and Acadian and Italian cooking.

Thanks to the Dalhousie Arts and Social Sciences Society (DASSS), in collaboration with the Dalhousie International Students Association (DISA), for

over 1,700 students registered for orientation on the DSU website in 2011.

organizing the World of Winter Festival in 2011. We hope you’ll keep it going, bigger and better every year!

Have your say: blog it!

Want to share your school spirit and connect with other Dalhousians? You can post comments and get instant updates on all that’s new at Dal at…. blogs.dal.ca/sustainabilitynews: Created by the College of Sustainability, the Dalhousie Office of Sustainability and the DSU Sustainability Office, to keep you up to date on the latest sustainability news on campus. blogs.dal.ca/tigers: Get an inside look at Dal’s varsity teams from the perspectives of athletes.

Go behind the scenes and find out more about your varsity Tiger athletes. blogs.dal.ca/formulaSAE: Dal engineering students with a need for speed have started a new annual tradition! Support their progress as they design and construct a working Formula-style race car for the annual Formula SAE competition. www.dal.ca/news.html: Read DalNews online and post your thoughts and responses on the stories highlighted there.

http://www.dalgazette.com/: Read the Dalhousie Gazette online to have your say on student news at Dal. Does your society or cause have a blog or Facebook page that you’d like other students to know about? Submit your information to Dal Sticky Notes at myguide.dal.ca and we will advertise it for you in the Student Services Sticky Notes monthly e-newsletter.

The Dalhousie Student Life Experience 5

ENHANCING

YOUR CAMPUS ENVIRONMENT Over the last decade, Dalhousie has made considerable investments in renovating your residences, constructing new buildings and modernizing classroom and extracurricular facilities. You can see signs of our efforts in the Mona Campbell Building; in the renovations to the Tupper Link and the Life Sciences Centre (LSC); and in the brand new Life Sciences Research Institute on Carleton Campus, opened in spring 2011. To learn more about what is to come, see the “Looking to Our Future” section at the back of this report.

Your comfort zone Even as we build and grow at Dal, we continue to pride ourselves on our distinctive small-school feel and great opportunities for community building. To facilitate your social interactions, we introduced a number of improvements in our common spaces over the years: everything from adding

colourful Adirondack chairs across campus; to new furnishings, tree lights, and a second-floor Learning Commons in the Killam Library. Other additions include the beautiful outdoor square on Carleton Campus, the Student Commons and renovated Alumni Lounge on Sexton campus, and safer sidewalks outside of Shirreff Hall.

Looking back: Between 1999 and 2011, Dal opened the doors of seven major new buildings: the Goldberg Computer Science Building, Fountain House, the Marion McCain Arts and Social Sciences Building, Risley Hall Residence, the Kenneth C. Rowe Management Building, the Mona Campbell Building and the Life Sciences Research Institute.

After being torn down in 2009 due to its aging structure, the Grad House re-opened in September 2010. In its new location at 1252 LeMarchant Street, the Grad House is an excellent spot to grab a bite or beverage with friends – out on the deck or inside by the cozy fireplace in cooler weather.

What’s all the “HUB” bub?

As part of the Dalhousie Campus Plan, the university is proposing four new learning commons or “HUBS” on campus, located at the LSC, Killam Library and on the Carleton and Sexton campuses. The HUBS comprise a mix of informal lounges, study space and support services to create central places for socializing and informal study. Watch for construction in summer 2012 in the LSC, as a student-oriented donor has provided funding to construct the new LSC Learning HUB. Want to offer comments? Send them to the Office of the Dean, Faculty of Science, at science@dal.ca.

Moving up You’ve told us via surveys that study space at Dal is a priority for you. We’ve taken your feedback to heart.

One example is the remodel of the Chase Building Math and Stats Student Resource Centre in 2008–09.

This successful project brought our students “out of the basement” and into a much expanded and creatively stimulating spot on the main floor.

Kudos to 2010–11 Rosemary Gill Award recipient Gretchen Smith, administrator in the Math

and Stats Department for her participation on the project. Gretchen’s careful planning, including commissioning mathematically themed artwork from the Dalhousie Art Gallery, helped make this site the “hot-spot” for math and stats students.

Enhancements in the Killam Library The 2008–09 school year was definitely a time for change in the Killam Memorial Library. Centralized space for Imhotep’s Legacy program was created in the Learning Commons and a new quiet-learning space was introduced on the second floor. To provide you with extra study time, the Killam also extended its hours until midnight.

Burning the midnight oil is common practice for university students in the weeks leading up to and during exam periods. To better accommodate your late night study habits, and in direct response to your requests, in 2009–10 the Vice-President of Student Services and the University Librarian collaborated to extend hours in the library’s Learning Commons past midnight. Aptly titled Dal Night Owls, the project continued to be a huge success in 2010–11, with close to 3,000 students using the Learning Commons

during the extended hours of midnight to 3:00 a.m. for five weeks at the end of each fall and winter term.

Keeping the momentum going in 2009–10, the Killam added new graduate study space on the fourth floor. Fondly dubbed the “Grad Pad” this stylish space includes amenities to facilitate grad students’ success, like wireless access, a 12-person conference room, study areas and a kitchenette and lounge.

Did you know? Located right next door to the Killam, the Mark A. Hill Student Accessibility Centre is home to the Student Accommodation Office. The Centre opened in September 2008, providing over three times the number of exam rooms previously available.

Making space for Sexton students Student enrolments in the Faculty of Engineering have increased by 26% since 2006–07. To better support growing student numbers on Sexton campus, new Student Services space is now open for the 2011–12 academic year. The Writing Centre, International Centre and Studying for Success Centre have weekday and evening hours for Sexton students in engineering and architecture programs. Look for their offices across the hall from the DSU information desk.

Student Services thanks the Engineering Student Society and the International Students’ Association for their input and collaboration on how to maximize the service and resources in this space.

Engineering at the movies Expanded enrolments and ongoing classroom renovations briefly threatened the future of the Sexton Gymnasium. To preserve the gym for students’ recreational activities while still providing additional daytime lecture space for growing engineering classes, Dean of Engineering Joshua Leon came up with the great idea to use the Empire Theatre Park Lane cinemas for weekday-morning lectures. Kudos Dean Leon!

Five courses from the second-year engineering program are taught in the converted space. The theatre is fully equipped with tablet arms for note taking, WiFi, computers and data projectors. Students will also enjoy free coffee, courtesy of Empire Theatres, for a limited time in fall 2011 to help their transition to the new kind of lecture space. Kudos Empire Theatres!

Chase Building Math and Stats Student Resource Centre The Dalhousie Student Life Experience 7

CELEBRATING DALHOUSIANS:

STUDENT LEADERSHIP Dal students have a strong tradition of academic excellence combined with leadership in service and action. In 2007, the Dalhousie Student Union (DSU) created their first annual Leadership Symposium for student society leaders, which continues every September, helping student society leaders sustain success. By 2010, the highly popular and impactful Brains for Change Conference (B4C) was born, establishing student leadership as a core part of campus life.

Dalhousian pride

B4C: The sequel

Joel Tichinoff was inspired by the 2010 B4C conference to spearhead the “Design the Dal Flag” competition, designed to enhance school spirit and pride. He invited students, faculty, campus staff, and alumni to be part of Dal history in the making by posting their creative flag designs on Facebook. The five most popular designs on the site were forwarded to a “Three Presidents’ Selection Committee.”

Dalhousie Alumni Association President Jim Wilson, DSU President Chris Saulnier and university President Tom Traves selected the winning design, which was announced at the B4C Project Showcase on March 22, 2011.

For the DSU Leadership Team, the more brainpower brought to the table, the better. At the second-annual B4C conference, the team placed strong emphasis upon encouraging more first- and second-year students to participate. New and emerging campus leaders conversed with influential movers and shakers from Dal and the local community on key issues faced by our campus and surrounding area.

The following are examples of leadership projects resulting from the 2011 conference.

Music to your ears Roundtable discussion at B4C on such diverse topics

as music, poverty and mental health, struck a chord with Tim Disher, Faculty of Science, and incoming student Daniel Gillis. The pair introduced an exciting new initiative, Unplug, to explore music’s potential to positively impact members of Halifax’s homeless community.

Tim and Daniel collaborated with other Dal students, Nursing faculty members and two local non-profit organizations, Community Action on Homelessness and Connections Clubhouse, to create the program Unplug, which aims to improve participants’ well-being by providing opportunities for them to explore and express their emotions through music. Find out more at www.dalunplug.com.

Did you know?

Orientation kits in 2011 included the flag, and more are on sale at the Bookstore – pick yours up to cheer on your fellow students at campus events this year.

Fair Trade Town

Dinner of Champions

TIgers Think Pink

Kudos to Commerce student Jesse James Mawhinney for his winning design of the Dal flag Blue Man Bob Huish

Brewing something good Your morning caffeine kick and late-night study buddy: coffee has a lot of great qualities, but did you know that coffee can also support global communities and bring your own community together? Sales of “Fair Trade” certified coffee on campus help support fair labour standards, environmental sustainability and equitable terms of trade for farmers and workers in the developing world.

Did you know? Dal introduced Fair Trade coffee on campus in 2006. Today, Fair Trade products can be found in every one of our dining halls and in retail locations in the Rowe and Dentistry Buildings, Life Sciences Centre food court and the Alumni Lounge at Sexton.

Fair Trade Town Andrea Robinson, a first-year student in International Development Studies (IDS) and Emily Stewart, a fourth-year student majoring in environmental science and economics, have a proposal for our fair city: let’s make Halifax a certified “Fair Trade Town.”

Fair Trade Towns take action by passing city council resolutions to support sales of Fair Trade products.

Andrea and Emily’s proposal, introduced at the 2011 B4C conference, met with huge interest and support from students and community members.

The pair is currently working on building a Fair Trade Halifax website and partnering with local businesses to create a searchable online database of Fair Trade

$30,000

products and their local providers. Congratulations Andrea and Emily for brewing up something good!

Daring to Care For IDS professor Bob Huish, being blue never felt so good; especially when it can help support African communities affected by HIV/AIDS. As part of the Stephen Lewis Foundation’s Dare to Remember Campaign, Huish agreed to dye his entire body blue on the condition that IDS students fulfill their own courageous acts to raise HIV/AIDS awareness.

Kudos to IDS student Michael Wilson for walking 62 kilometres over seven hours and to IDS student Charity May and engineering student Luke Dempsey for remaining duct-taped together for an entire day! As a result of their collective efforts, the 2010 Dalhousie IDS Team raised $8,400 for the cause – more than any other campus group in Canada!

In acknowledgement of their achievements, Huish painted his body blue while IDS professor John Cameron showed his “green” side, dressing as the sustainability-themed super hero “Sustainable Development Person” for the day.

Dinner of Champions In addition to Christmas carols, guests at the first-annual Dalhousie Tigers Women in Leadership Spotlight Dinner in December 2010 were treated to a feast of leadership, followed by an ample serving of camaraderie.

Funds Raised for the IWK Foundation by Dal Residence Students

$25,000

$25,000

$20,000

$20,000

$20,000

Attended by 150 members of the Dal community, including athletes from our Tiger’s Women’s Basketball and Volleyball teams, the event featured speeches from three outstanding women athletes, renowned for exhibiting leadership on and off the sports field: Ann Dodge, Dianne Norman and Colleen Jones.

In response to the questions of Dal varsity athletes Alex Legge, Raeesa Lalani and Brooke Sullivan, the elite athletes shared their compelling stories of how they got to the Olympics and World Championships, the leadership skills they learned along the way, and how they learned to cope with stress and adversity.

Did you know? In November 2010, Alex Legge was one among 96 varsity athletes honored at Dalhousie’s Academic All-Canadian celebration. Since 1999, the number of Dal varsity athletes named “Academic AllCanadians” by the Canadian Interuniversity Sport (CIS) has more than doubled.

Varsity Tigers Think Pink for breast cancer research The Tigers Women’s Hockey team joined forces with the Women’s Basketball and Volleyball team throughout January and February 2011, to support the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation (CBCF), Atlantic Region.

Proudly donning pink jerseys, the Women’s Hockey team hosted a “Think Pink” game on January 29. The following weekend the Women’s Basketball team hit the court to “Shoot for the Cure,” while the Women’s Volleyball team “Served for the Cure.”

Total proceeds from the games, along with revenues from sales of Think Pink t-shirts, raffle tickets and canvassing raised $3,418 for the CBCF. Way to go Women’s Tigers!

Residence Charity events $15,000

The Howe and Risley Residence Charity Cup hockey game was cemented as a successful fundraiser in support of the IWK Health Centre Foundation in 2008.

Since that time, monies raised from this event and its sister fundraiser, the annual Residence Kick-Off soccer game, have totalled an impressive $75,000.

$10,000

$10,000

$5000

$0

2008

2009

2010

2011

Source: Residence Life Manager, 2011 Source: Residence Life Manager, 2011

The Dalhousie Student Life Experience 9

HELPING

DALHOUSIANS SUCCEED In Student Services, we take a holistic approach to enhancing our students’ experience that embodies all of Dalhousie’s values, including personal growth and achievement, meaningful contribution, community building and exemplary leadership. To this end, we developed the Student Engagement Model for engaging students across four dimensions of their university lives: Learning Connections; Community Connections; Wellness Connections; and Leadership and Career Connections.

Learning Connections Wellness Connections

DALHOUSIE STUDENTS

Community Connections

Leadership & Career Connections

Studen t Service Delivery

Enrolment Management

Student E ngagement Vision

The Writing Centre not only provides me with an opportunity to help other students, but it also provides me with an opportunity to develop my own writing skills. I have definitely become a better writer and communicator in my time at the Writing Centre….

– Melissa Oldreivre, Writing Centre Tutor, MPA Program

Your

Learning Connections Generous financial support from donors David and Leslie Bissett helped Dal launch our Learning Connections initiative in 2003. Since that time, the initiative continues to grow, offering you integrated service to support your academic persistence and achievement.

Easy online bookings for Academic Advising

Your foundation for academic success

We’ve got your back

When it was introduced in the Killam Memorial Library in 2006–07, the Bissett Centre for Student Academic Success Services became the focus of major enhancements in academic advising processes. Home to a professional advising office and a re-organized suite of summer advising services for first-year students, the Bissett Centre now also features a first-year academic advisor specialist responsible for improving students’ transition experiences on admission through summer and first year and a full-time Studying for Success advisor. Our Studying for Success advisor works with a team of upper-year Studying for Success student coaches to provide additional study skills and tutoring support in first-year classes.

Are you worried about selecting your program or major, understanding your educational goals, improving your study habits or sorting through other academic concerns? The academic advisors in the Bissett Centre can give you advice tailored to your unique academic needs.

You learn a lot at university, but one of the most important lessons you can learn is that you’re never alone at Dal. Timely and targeted supports are available to help you address your concerns and meet your academic goals.

In 2007–08, we introduced the Early Alert and Back on Track support programs through the Bissett Centre to help students at risk of falling behind stay on track with their studies. Visit academicadvising. studentservices.dal.ca to find out more. More recently, the faculties of Engineering and Arts and Social Sciences have added new support programs for students on academic probation.

The write stuff Dalhousie’s Writing Centre continues to add new ways of offering services to better meet your needs. Since 2006, the Writing Centre has helped on average 1200 students per year improve their writing skills – and improve their grades.

Percentage of students who are very satisfied or satisfied with their university’s concern for them as individuals percentage

2010

DAL PEERS

2005

DAL PEERS

2008

DAL PEERS

2011

DAL PEERS

100

DAL PEERS

90

2007

80

DAL PEERS

70

2004

38

60

DAL PEERS

50

2009

40

UNDERGRADUATE

2006

DAL PEERS

30

FIRST-YEAR

DAL PEERS

20

10

0

GRADUATING

2003

•

To serve you better, in 2010, we introduced a pilot program so you can make and change advising appointments automatically on the web. To schedule your appointment online, simply login to your My.Dal account and click the “Learning Resources” tab.

50

Dalhousie

43 45 48

•

•

•

In the last five years, we’ve added two additional full-time advisors in the centre and increased the number of senior-student tutors to 26. In response to your requests for more flexibility, the Writing Centre extended one-onone appointments and in-class visits by an extra 30 minutes – from a half-hour to one hour – when required by students.

In June 2010, the Writing Centre hosted the second-annual Writing Week for Graduate Students, creating opportunities for graduate students to write and share progress reports on their work.

The Writing Centre’s main location is at the Killam Learning Commons, but they also provide services at Sexton and Carleton campuses and at the Law Library.

Staff in the Writing Centre partnered with the Centre for Advanced Management Education last year to build an interactive, e-learning blog, where Writing Advisors can respond to Master of Business Administration students’ questions and direct them to materials and services to help them write.

GPA change for the better To better represent the positive learning outcomes of students who repeat courses, Dalhousie made a significant change to how it calculates grade point averages (GPAs). This means that only the highest grade you achieve in a repeated course will be included in your GPA calculation.

Approved by the Senate in January 2011 and effective April 2011, the change recognizes your learning outcomes and places you on a level playing field with students from other institutions when competing for awards and graduate admissions purposes.

Peers* 55

*Peers:

A sub segment of our G13 peers — a data-exchange consortium consisting of Canada’s top-13 research-intensive,

61

57

medical/doctoral level schools. Dal is a member of the G13.

66 64 72

60 51

58

56

Source: CUSC Graduating, First-Year, and Undergraduate Students Surveys, 2003-11

62 72

63

Did you know? Universities have what’s called “bicameral governance.” The Academic Senate, comprised mainly of faculty members and two elected student representatives make the final decisions on academic issues.

The Board of Governors, comprised mainly of community leaders from across Nova Scotia and Canada, and with three student members, make the final decisions on financial matters.

100

90

80

70

60

50

40

30

20

10

0

The Dalhousie Student Life Experience 11

Your

Community Connections Whether you are returning or new to Dal, you’re bound to encounter new faces and spaces on campus. While our student community grows every year, what remains constant are our core values of mutual respect and appreciation of the diversity in our community and the traditions, activities and memories that unite us as Dalhousians.

Living-learning experience Residence life is a big part of the Dal student experience. New students, who are all guaranteed a space in residence, may choose to live in Rez for many reasons, such as easy access to classes and the downtown core, flexible meal plans and enhanced security. Rez life is also important for building peer networks to support your success at Dal. Over 100 student leaders build community in their roles as Residence Assistants.

Did you know? Through Dal’s Academic Cluster program, students taking similar courses can live in the same area of a residence to connect with friends in their academic program, improve their study skills, think critically and grow personally.

No time to cook?

Meal plans aren’t just for residence students.

Students living off campus (and faculty and staff) can pay as you go or sign up for meal plans. Go to dal. campusdish.com to find out about the variety of plans available.

Throughout 2011–12, expect exciting new additions to food services offerings on campus: • Renovations in the Killam Library will add Subway to the existing options in this busy location.

• Keep a look out in Dal’s dining halls – guest chefs from local restaurants will be on site to share their delicious recipes.

• Early morning risers can fuel up sooner on the weekends, from 8–10:30 a.m., with continental breakfasts in all four residences. For night owls, all-day dining on Saturdays and Sundays helps you grab some much-needed shuteye.

• New at Sexton campus, O’Brien Hall is open for all-day service seven days a week.

New service for exchange students In 2010–11, the International Centre piloted a program to assist exchange students with landlord/ tenant issues via a new Community Liaison housing assistant. In 2011–12, the Centre expanded the program to include off-campus support on housing issues for all international students.

African Night: A celebration of African culture With the support of the Black Student Advising Centre (BSAC), the Dalhousie African Student Association collaborated with SMU’s African Student Society to host Africa Night 2011 at the World Trade and Convention Centre. Attendees at this sold out event enjoyed a true taste of Africa, including exciting cultural performances and authentic African cuisine, and welcomed the presence of Nova Scotia’s Lieutenant Governor, the Honorable Mayann E. Francis. Africa Night has been an annually recurring event for over 20 years!

Chefs from Dalhousie Food Services check out local sources.

Dalhousie Rez Life team Sexton Gymnasium

Your

Wellness Connections An integrated focus on student wellness is one of our four core Sudent Services strategies to improve your campus-life experience. Maintaining your good health is a proven strategy for better grades and your overall satisfaction with university. We create wellness connections programs to help support your physical, as well as mental, emotional, spiritual and financial health.

Student Wellness Dalhousie offers a wealth of information and support to help you stay healthy and focused on your studies.

Physicians and nurses in Health Services, as well as our Counselling Services staff, are supported by the Health and Wellness fee that is part of your overall student service fee at Dal. Like every large organization, Dal has well developed communicable illness protocols in place to deal with any issues that may arise, from mumps to pandemic flu planning. If you’re home ill, but need some advice, you can email thenurse@dal.ca.

Be a quitter Are you interested in quitting smoking but not sure you can do it alone? Good news: in 2010–11, the Peer Health team introduced a support group component to its Smoking Cessation program. Run by students, including former smokers, the six-week support group provides encouragement, solidarity and support for students attempting to break the habit.

Here ‘s what one Dalhousie student has to say about the program and support group: “Attending the weekly support group helped to keep me honest because I did not want to let myself or others in the group down.”

Dalhousians rock Kudos to Faculty of Engineering student Benjamin Blakney, who organized the development and ratification of the Climbing Club in 2010–11. The Club’s popularity grew to over 40 members in its first year and encouraged many students to try the sport.

Make over for Dalplex and Sexton Gym Did you know? You can receive updates on snow closures and emergency information through the Dal Alerts text messaging system.

Subscribe today at dalalert.dal.ca.

Did you know?

Dalplex offers the best climbing structure east of Ontario, featuring expert route settings and comprehensive program offerings for novice to advanced climbers, as well as national sanctioned competitions.

The approval of a $180 Fitness and Recreational Facility Renewal Fee creates a source of base funding for the construction of a new state-of-the-art fitness centre and the overhaul of the university’s aging fitness and recreation facilities. The fee will go into

effect only after the new fitness centre is open for use.

In the meantime, at Sexton, we added a new exercise room containing weights, stability balls and mats. The Sexton weight room was also refurbished with several new weight machines, a new treadmill, and a stretching area.

Relax like a pro Dalhousie Theatre student Jennette White knows first-hand how important it is for professional actors to develop methods that release tension, strengthen their concentration and convey an authentic performance. Applying similar techniques as a facilitator for the Counselling Services workshops “Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction” and “Sleep and Relaxation,” Jennette helped students develop strategies to cope with stress, sleep better, and generally feel more in control of their lives.

The Multifaith Centre has expanded to two floors at their location at 1321 Edward Street. More prayer and meditation space opened for students in September 2011. An additional multifaith quiet room is scheduled to be part of the new residence and student services project on LeMarchant Street, opening in fall 2013.

Your

Leadership and career Connections Campus life at Dalhousie provides you with a host of opportunities to explore possibilities, try out new activities and work with other students and groups to make a difference in this community. With every choice you make, you will learn more about yourself, clarify your personal value system and ultimately become the person that your choices and actions reflect – that’s part of what our logo “inspiring minds” means! Who will you become at Dalhousie?

And where will that take you?

Student engagement and you Research on student outcomes at American and Canadian universities shows that students who get involved in at least one or more activity on campus beyond their classes, actually do better academically.

How will you engage – through sports, student societies, a campus job, or being the best possible Tigers fan at the games?

opportunities, as well as part-time and full-time employment is a critical part of your success. To make the job hunt easier for students and employers alike, in January 2011, the Career Services Centre introduced the integrated web portal myCareer for use in Career Services and our faculty-based Coop/Career Offices. Check it out at mycareer.dal.ca.

continued refinement will help enhance students’ engagement and success.

Did you know? Staff at the Hill Centre can help students who have disabilities apply for government grants to support their academic success. Want to learn more? Attend one of our Question & Answer sessions.

Supporting students with disabilities Improving the way we serve students is an ongoing process. In fall 2010, the staff in the Mark A. Hill Centre for Student Accessibility and Accommodation introduced a new service model for delivering individualized accommodation plans. All students registered with the Mark A. Hill Centre now have accommodation plans to suit their varying needs, from class to class and year to year. Through ongoing assessment of the effectiveness of students’ accommodation plans,

Celebrating Dalhousian diversity In addition to acting as a crucial link to the larger African Nova Scotian community, Dalhousie’s Black Student Advising Centre (BSAC) – located at Room 418 of the SUB – offers resources to address students’ concerns on issues of inclusion, finances and employment, and provides advice on course and career selection.

New in 2010–11, BSAC provided black students with on-site writing tutorials supported by staff in the

Dalhousie’s Student Centre for Engagement, Leadership and Career Development These days, it’s not only career planning and job-search skills needed to leverage your university degree into an enjoyable and rewarding career. You need hands-on experience as well, whether it be through paid employment, volunteering, student leadership, or some combination of all. Our new Student Centre for Engagement, Leadership and Career Development will integrate services and staff support from two previously separate service areas: the Career Services Office and the Lawson Career Information Centre, both on the fourth floor of the Student Union Building.

Our new Centre will offer more online support to help you develop your job-search skills and career planning. We’ll also be launching major new initiatives to: recruit more employers from across Canada; connect you with alumni online and in‑person for “real life” advice and examples; highlight opportunities via a new Volunteer Centre; connect you with leadership and business training support; document your achievements with a co-curricular record and – most of all – provide a campus HUB for you to meet and learn with other students, recent graduates, successful alumni and interesting employers.

myCareer – Your one-stop-career shop Your search for volunteer, co-op or internship 14 The Dalhousie Student Life Experience

Governors’ Awards recipients: Rob Jamie Arron, and Alex Legge.

Dalhousie’s Black Student Advisor, Oluronke Taiwo, helps our students achieve success.

Writing Centre. Watch for a new expanded BSAC in 2013 in the new building on LeMarchant Street.

Join the conversation: WiTS Girls Talk Tech Dalhousie would like to see more women enrolled in computer science. In November 2010, the Dalhousie Women in Technology Society (WiTS) hosted the inaugural “Girls Talk Tech” networking event for 45 students, professors and alumni in technology programs. The event featured professionals from the IT industry, who spoke about how to manage work-life balance.

With so much left to talk about, WiTS hosted a second Girls Talk Tech event, “Flexible Work Options,” in the spring of 2011. Be sure to join the conversation at upcoming Girls Talk Tech events, held every year.

Governors’ Awards recipients: Jamie Arron: In addition to building student leadership and developing a shared sense of community on campus, Jamie – a Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences student – was recognized for his community-service activity throughout the Halifax Regional Municipality. Jamie is serving as DSU VicePresident (Student Life) in 2011–12.

Rob LeForte: A Political Science Major, Rob was recognized for excellence in contributing to campus life and university governance at Dalhousie.

Alex Legge: A 2010 graduate of Dal’s Faculty of Science and a first-year student in the Faculty of Medicine, Alex was honoured for her outstanding leadership in campus life, community service and national varsity athletics competition.

Emily Stewart: A student leader in the Faculty of Science, Emily received recognition for her global citizenship, community engagement and outstanding leadership in residence and campus life.

and second place in the accounting and finance, and entrepreneurship and debate Central Case competitions, respectively. Financial support of $1,500 from the Vice-President, Student Services (VPSS), helped 31 Dal commerce students attend the competition, held at Wilfred Laurier University in Waterloo.

Did you know? Donors, student societies and parents can arrange to give funds to permanently “endow” a valuable activity or student society. The VPSS often provides startup funding for new leadership initiatives from student societies, for a maximum of three years.

During that period, student leaders are expected to develop sustainable funding sources.

The underdogs have done it again

Governors’ Awards winners

Dalhousie Commerce students returned from the Jeux du Commerce (JDC) for a second year in a row with an impressive list of accolades, including first

The Board of Governors established the Governors’ Awards in 1992 in recognition of outstanding student leadership. Dalhousie was proud to honour four 2011

Use of student services increasing

82%

4290

2006-07

Academic Advising Appointments (including in-person appointments, drop-ins, emails)

2007-08

5327

2008-09

5884

2009-10

7359

2010-11

7797

2006-07

1560

2008-09

1525

2009-10

1558 1996

2010-11

2350 2731 5000

4000

2008-09

3000

2007-08

2000

1000

2006-07

Student appointments with a Writing Advisor

2800

2600

2099

2009-10 2010-11

Writing Centre

increase since 2006-07

1782

2008-09

increase since 2006-07

44%

1900

2007-08

Exam accommodations

2400

2006-07

2200

2000

1800

1600

Student Accommodations

35%

1476

2007-08

increase since 2006-07

2000

Students who came to the Centre for individual or group counselling sessions

1500

1000

LeForte, Emily Stewart,

Counselling Services

8000

6000

4000

Academic Advising

35%

1051 2858 3723

2009-10

4864

2010-11

4863

increase since 2006-07

number of students Source: Dalhousie Student Services, 2010-2011

The Dalhousie Student Life Experience 15

PARTNERSHIPS FOR POSITIVE CHANGE Partnerships deepen Dal’s capacity to enhance student engagement and create opportunities for members of our Dal community to share their skills, knowledge and resources. Partnerships also help us evaluate how well we are doing when it comes to offering you the best student experience possible.

Impactful conversations Your feedback on the Dal experience over the last five years has helped impact change in impressive ways: • a new recreation facility in the planning stages; • a new system for Student Ratings of Instruction; • a Fall Study Day in mid November to help you catch up on assignments and readings; • Dal Night Owls study times at the Killam Library near the end of term; • $150,000 in new investment in career and co-op online resources and a Dalhousie co-curricular transcript presently in development – the list goes on and on!

collaboration this year through a new mentorship program, The Power of Word.

Leveraging the leadership capacities of Dal students to support the literacy skills, self-expression and critical thinking of local youth from grades 6 and 7, this four-week summer program helped Dalhousians become more engaged in the broader community, specifically, Halifax’s vibrant and resilient North End. The Power of Word was supported by combined financial contributions of $10,500 from the Office of the Vice-President, Student Services; the DSU and the Halifax Community Health Board.

The Power of Word

A legacy of learning

An example of the power of partnership in action, the Dalhousie Student Union’s (DSU) annual Brains for Change conference continued to foster community

Led by Dal’s Faculty of Science in conjunction with community partners, Imhotep’s Legacy Academy promotes the educational, social, and personal development of young African Nova Scotian learners in the fields of math and science. Imhotep mentors – Dal students of African descent – provide hands-on instruction to junior high and high school participants throughout the school year, creating a supportive environment for youth to learn about real world applications of science, technology, engineering and math.

The Power of Word

Did you know? Imhotep’s Legacy Academy involves 70 junior high school students and 15 university mentors in its afterschool program. The program has expanded beyond Dalhousie and includes mentors from St. Francis Xavier University, Cape Breton University and Nova Scotia Agricultural College.

In 2011, Imhotep’s Legacy Academy evolved to include an online tutoring component. Twenty-five African Nova Scotian students in six high schools across the province enjoyed access to virtual science tutorials in math, chemistry, biology and physics, communicating with their mentors and peers in real

time through audio or video. All they required was an internet connection.

Did you know? In February 2011, Dalhousie announced the TD Black Student Opportunity Grant, with a $1 million donation from Toronto Dominion bank endowed to fund university scholarship commitments to local black students completing grade 7 in the Imhotep Program.

Living well @ Dal Good health supports academic success, so to help you stay healthy in 2010–11, Student Services partnered with the DSU, Human Resources and the Office of Human Rights, Equity and Harassment Prevention to introduce LiveWell@Dal Week.

Kicking off on September 30, 2010, the wellness campaign featured a Pink Day BBQ, where students and staff donned pink in support of a bully-free and respectful Dal community; the new football club home opener; a night of stand-up comedy in support of mental-health awareness; and workshops from Dalhousie Counselling Services. LiveWell@Dal now continues every year.

Online opt out for DSU health/dental plan All fulltime Dal and Kings students are charged $253 for the Student Union Health and Dental Plan. (Parttime? You have to apply.) If you have full extended coverage through your own or your parents’ plan, you can opt out of this fee online on your Dal student account, and the change will appear one business day after it is approved by the Student Union. This online option is part of our goal to improve Dal’s website every year, to help you go online whenever you need and reduce your “in-line time.” Watch for more big web changes in 2012!

International Student Health Plan International students studying in Canada need protection to cover unexpected health costs. Dal’s International Student Health Plan provides students with insurance coverage to pay for physician’s visits, medical tests, hospital stays, ambulance trips, etc.

With ambulance charges around $1,000 per trip and just one day in an intensive-care hospital bed costing

over $10,000, the International Student Health Plan is critical to reduce your financial risk.

Did you know? If you plan to visit another country, including short trips to the USA, you need to arrange extra health insurance, whether you are an International or Canadian student. No one plans to get sick when traveling … but protect your bank account, just in case!

Learning Skills Support Last year’s budget processes eliminated the funding for the learning support specialist in our Counselling Services Centre. We’re very pleased to report that the university and the Dalhousie Student Union have partnered to fund the position on an interim basis, and a plan is now in place to make this position permanent. Thanks to our students for telling us how important our services are to you!

New for 2011–12: A new bursary endowment fund in Student Services has been established to provide financial assistance to Dalhousie students recommended for learning disability assessment and for students who need more extensive support than can be provided by our on-campus learning support specialist.

Would this be a great idea for your society’s Charity Ball? Student societies, parents and alumni can support this important new service with fundraising and charitable gifts, made payable to Dalhousie University Learning Support Fund and sent to the attention of Mr. Peter Fardy, Office of External Relations.

Your opinion counts In recent years, the need for better campus recreation and fitness facilities has been a common theme in your responses on national student surveys. In the effort to cast a wider net and hear from more Dal students on your expectations for campus recreation and fitness facilities, in 2011, we launched the Dalhousie Recreation Survey.

In addition to telling us what you’d like to see in the new recreation facility for 2015, which is supported by the $180 student fee that comes into effect only after it’s completed, this survey identified areas that we can improve upon right now – in our service offerings, recreational programs, club sports, and more.

87% of 2,550 Dal students surveyed strongly agree or somewhat agree that Athletics and Recreational Services activities and programs contribute to the quality of life at this institution.

You set the priorities With government funding reducing, costs going up and constraints on fee increases, Dalhousie University has challenging budget decisions to make every year, and Student Services is no exception. The only way to reduce costs is to stop doing things – but everything that happens in Student Services is important to at least some students. You have a chance to tell us what you think is most important to retain – watch for our survey this October and respond!

Hats off to you!

Dal students play a key role in supporting essential services at the university through annual Student Services Fee contributions. The following are just some examples of the support services made possible by your contributions.

Implemented in 2001, the Student Services Administrative Fee eliminated individual charges for student services in the Registrar’s Office, Student Accounts and the Faculty of Graduate Studies – everything from a $5 charge for non-priority

transcripts to a $25 “Leave of Absence” fee.

Effective September 2009, a $5 portion of your Student Health Fee was allocated to support new part-time counsellors in the Counselling Services Centre. As a result, in 2009–10, the wait time for non-urgent counselling services was reduced by 55%, from 38.6 days in 2009, to 17.2 days in 2010.

Our varsity and competitive sport teams and our overall athletic and recreational offerings at Dal are also supported by a portion of your Student Services Fee.

Our donors help make it possible Through their long-standing commitment and generous financial support, our donor partners help create an enduring legacy of student engagement at Dalhousie. We would like to take this opportunity on behalf of the Office of the Vice-President, Student Services (VPSS), the entire Student Services team and you, our Dal students, to thank these people who recognize the difference that support, services and financial assistance make in our students’ experience.

Donation-funded endowments are one of the best means to sustain student leadership projects well into the future. If you, or your society, or your family would like to make a difference with a studentfocused donation, we’d like to talk to you. Contact the Office of External Relations or the Office of the VPSS.

Our donors: Thank you for supporting student success and enriching the Dalhousie student experience.

Volunteering Student Leadership Sustainability

Campus Spirit Arts and Cultural Events

Student Societies

Learning Support Engagement Scholarships, Bursaries, Fellowships International Student Experience

Accessibility

Student Health and Wellbeing

Career Services

Mentoring & Tutoring

Student Spaces The Dalhousie Student Life Experience 17

THE DAL EXPERIENCE: AT HOME AND ABROAD Dalhousie extends further than its multiple campuses within Halifax, reaching out to various locations across the province, nation and in countries all over the world. Whether you come from Dartmouth, Yarmouth, Toronto, Vancouver or abroad, we offer you support to help you transition to life at Dal, as well as cross-cultural experiences to expand your horizons.

Share Dal love Spreading Dal spirit in 2010–11, the team of 10 recruiters in the Registrar’s Office traveled to over 20 countries and all across Canada, visiting every high school in the Maritimes, over 300 schools in Ontario, and more than 160 schools in western Canada.

Dalhousie is increasingly the university of choice for students with excellent academic preparation who want to make a difference in the world.

Westward bound In a new initiative in 2010, Christine Squire, academic advisor in the Bissett Centre for Student Academic Success Services and previous Dal residence life manager, began her role in western Canada. Based in Vancouver, Christine provides prospective Dalhousians from B.C. and Alberta with

Did you know? Dalhousie University’s bursary program provides funds to assist students in financial need. Reflecting an increase in our enrolments, total undergraduate bursary expenditures have increased by 12% since 2006–07 to $2,167,300. With the help of the provincial government, every Nova Scotia student received an additional $1283 bursary in 2010–11 and 2011–12.

Improved enrolment services The Registrar’s Office continues to improve service delivery to Dal students. To create a more welcoming service area for our international students, we

New name, same great service The International Centre (formerly known as “ISES”) offers a wide range of support services to incoming international and exchange students, and to Dal students going on exchange or interested in studying abroad. A major focus for the Centre is to provide new international students with a solid foundation for living in Halifax, transitioning to Dalhousie, and making the most of their studies. The staff in the International Centre can assist you with issues related to study permits, travel, health insurance and living arrangements.

STUDENT ENROLMENT

by Faculty

by place of residence

Source: Dalhousie Office of the Registrar, Dec. 1, 2000, 2005, 2010

admission advice and advising service from the comfort of their own provinces.

renovated our front counter in 2010. Our most significant “renovations,” however, have been online.

Letters of confirmation (used for financial institutions) can now be printed online; no need to come to the Registrar’s Office and wait in line. Sorry – government offices still require us to see you in person for visas or study permits.

You can also apply for a bursary online. And, in response to student requests, you can now use your DalCard for printing in labs.

18 The Dalhousie Student Life Experience

degree at Dalhousie, from our many Engineering students who start their program at our associatepartner universities in Nova Scotia, to international arrangements such as the joint 2 + 2 program for Economics students in third and fourth year, studying here from Shandong University of Finance (SUF) in the city of Jinan and Renmin University of China (RUC) in Beijing.

Some of our “distance” arrangements are much closer to home. Nursing students in Yarmouth complete their entire program on site in their home

Did you know? In 2011–12, international student numbers passed the 2,000 mark for the first time in Dal’s history.

Over 110 countries are represented in our student population.

New services for international students In the last five years, the International Centre has introduced a two-day International Student Orientation program, started a weekly online newsletter for international students, supported the creation of the Dalhousie International Student Society (DISA), added a number of new exchange programs, and piloted a housing-assistant program to mediate landlord/tenant issues in the community.

With additional financial support in 2011, the Centre added airport arrival services in September, expanded the social program offerings that enable international students to explore more of Nova Scotia, and initiated more on-site service at Sexton Campus.

town, with our professors coming to them—inperson and online—instead of the other way around.

Perhaps our most innovative arrangement, introduced in 2010-11, is the Dalhousie Medicine New Brunswick (DMNB) program, where 30 students from our neighbouring province experience simultaneous student and faculty classroom interaction with our Halifax campus Medicine students. State-of-the-art video technology in specially designed classrooms at both the NB and Halifax sites makes it all possible.

Did you know? Halifax universities

Success at a distance Attending class in Halifax is not the only way to get a great Dalhousie experience. Dal offers an array of online courses, with students from afar – and some right here on campus – opting to take select courses online.

Dalhousie partner universities launch students who then complete the last two or three years of their

INTERNATIONAL STUDENT ENROLMENT

48.4% increase

The Dalhousie International Student Association (DISA) hosted International Night 2011 in February. The evening featured Dal’s international students performing to the beat of Bollywood, Flamenco, Chinese, Nepali and Egyptian Safedi dance, and to the tune of a Korean musical ensemble..

46.8%

Asia

18.8%

Middle East

11.5%

Americas

7.9%

Europe

7.1%

Bermuda and Caribbean

7.9%

Other

Total

1,757

36.8%

Asia

15%

Middle East

16.8%

Americas

12.4%

Europe

10.2%

Bermuda and Caribbean

8.8%

Other

Total

1,184

Source: Dalhousie Office of the Registrar, Dec., 2010

by region

The Dalhousie Student Life Experience 19

LOOKING TO OUR FUTURE Working towards being Canada’s best university takes passion, persistence and patience, among many other things. As we co-create the Dalhousie student experience with you, our students, we use the information you give us to select our priorities for the coming years ahead. We are working diligently to deliver student-focused outcomes on all fronts.

Here are some of our current strategic initiatives:

Strategic Plan for Dalhousie Student Services, 2011–15 Strategy: Student Community Connections – developing Dalhousie’s campus life • • • • •

Partner with the Dalhousie Student Union (DSU) to enhance Orientation and build campus spirit Implement new Academic Orientation components for transfer students Partner with Communications and Marketing, student societies and the DSU to identify and celebrate student civic engagement in the community Promote “Community Day” on the first Saturday of October across campus Improve current student communications: - Website student experience redevelopment for improved student access to information - New Student Leaders newsletter - Assist student societies’ communications with their membership

A scene from Dal’s 2011 welcome video “See you in September” 20 The Dalhousie Student Life Experience

Strategy: Student Learning Connections – supporting students’ academic success

Strategy: Leadership and Career Connections – supporting students’ personal and career development

•

•

• • • •

Continue Learning Support Specialist services with improved access procedures Review student accommodations policy and refine procedures for improved service for students Ensure student-focused learning and service spaces Begin construction of the new LeMarchant Street residence and student services building (to open 2013–14) New Life Sciences Centre Learning Commons (to open 2013)

• •

Continue partnership with DSU Leadership Program (Brains for Change) Implement new student co-curricular record system Begin planning collaboration for new Student Centre for Engagement, Leadership & Career Development, Student Union Building renovation project in 2014–15

Strategy: Enrolment Management – meeting Dalhousie’s enrolment goal of 17,500 students •

Strategy: Student Wellness Connections – ensuring sustainable health and recreation programs • • • •

Open new LiveWell@Dal Resource Centre at Dalplex Strategic planning for continued recreation services enhancement Collaborate with campus planners, students, consultants for new fitness and recreation building Develop new community partnerships to implement financial literacy programming for students

Implement new international recruitment and retention sub-committees of the Enrolment Management Steering Committee, to refine strategic planning and make recommendations for enhanced action • Participate in Nova Scotia Agricultural College merger processes • Continue to compensate for demographic downturn in Atlantic Canada: reinforce Ontario and western Canada recruitment initiatives and expand international recruitment reach • Enhance services for international students:

- add new airport welcome service

- add onsite international advisor service at Sexton campus

- Plan programs for new International Centre and new intercultural Residence Life community in new LeMarchant Street building (2014)

The Dalhousie Student Life Experience 21

Gretchen Smith, Math and Stats; Donna Edwards, Classics; Claire Chisholm, Engineering (above, l-r); and Sara Faridi, Math and Stats, are the 2011 winners of the Rosemary Gill Award, given to staff who “go above and beyond “ to help Dal students.