Feb. 25, 2015 Volume 47 | Number 10
A m e m o r i a l u n i v e r s i t y o f n e w f o u n d l an d p u b l i c a t i o n
Registration Mail No. 40062527
Video stars Deans and unit heads featured in video series By Krista Davidson
PERFECT DAY IMAGE
The faculty, staff and students at
Research in Focus is a four-part video series that recognizes Memorial’s research aspirations for the next five years. From upper left, clockwise, are Dr. Lynne Phillips, Dr. Keith Chaulk, Dr. Ellen Waterman and Dr. Greg Naterer.
Memorial are an inventive bunch. If something doesn’t exist, they create it. One such example: the Connects iPad app. The application brings pristine audio exchange directly into the classroom and was developed by Memorial’s Dr. Jason Caslor of the School of Music and Dr. Yuanzhu Chen of the Department of Computer Science. They also care about the world and the people in it. So much so that Memorial’s own Dr. Beverley Diamond of the Department of Folklore and the School of Music received one of Canada’s highest honours for social sciences research, the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada’s Gold Medal, for her contributions to social change through music and sound.
See Research on page 6
Gateway to the world
Memorial positioned for global success with Strategic Internationalization Plan 2020 By Jennifer Batten
Memorial University has released the Strategic Internationalization Plan 2020, a plan with specific recommendations to guide the university in the implementation of a wide range of ambitious international and intercultural initiatives over the next several years. Open consultations with the university community were completed in fall 2014; the final plan was approved
said Dr. Noreen Golfman, provost and vice-president (academic), pro tempore. “This plan will bring focus and further intensity to our international efforts and help us leverage international opportunities to recruit students, enhance our learning environment, and continue to serve as the province’s gateway to the world.”
by the Board of Regents on Feb. 5. The plan builds upon the university’s current international initiatives and assets, and aligns with the Teaching and Learning Framework, Research Strategy Framework, Public Engagement Framework, the Enrolment Plan 2020 and the Strategic Research Intensity Plan 2014-20. The internationalization efforts detailed in the plan also support the province’s population growth strategy currently under
development. Implementation of the recommendations proposed in the plan will strongly enhance the university experience for students locally and abroad and position Memorial’s students, faculty, researchers, staff and broader community for global success. “For many years now, Memorial has been increasing its investment in internationalization, attracting, retaining and supporting students and faculty from all over the world,”
See GATEWAY on page 4
4 Da r k c h a p t e r
6 M e d i c a l l e g ac y
10 O c e a n a m b a s sa d o r
features
3
H a r l ow d i a r i e s
A business student reports on her winter semester abroad at Harlow Campus.
A member of the Memorial community shares his family’s painful immigration experience eight decades ago.
A new art piece celebrates the Faculty of Medicine and Newfoundland and Labrador.
An Ocean Sciences Centre aquarist oversees the world’s only harp seal research station.
Alumni spotlight That passion I have for finance and investments was first ignited in me at Memorial.
you know early on that it was what you wanted to do? JR: We were so young starting university back then. We only went to Grade 11 in high school, so I think it was even more difficult to really figure out what you wanted to do. Fortunately, business was a great choice for me. That first course I did in university with Tony Noonan – that’s when it really took hold. I’ve been hooked on finance ever since.
Jane Rowe In this spotlight of the 2014 Alumni Tribute Award recipients, we feature Jane Rowe, B.Comm.(Hons.) (Co-op.)’81. As the Alumna of the Year, Ms. Rowe has received the highest honour bestowed on a Memorial graduate. Currently the head of private equity and long-term equities groups with the Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan, she oversees an $18-billion portfolio. One of the country’s top financial leaders, Ms. Rowe was recognized in 2012 by the Women’s Executive Network as one of Canada’s most powerful women. Talking with our Gazette contributor David Penney, she reflects on her career and the role that Memorial has played in her success
DP: Where were you born? Where did you grow up? JR: I was born in St. John’s but I grew up in Carbonear. My father worked as a physician there, and we stayed until I was about 12 years old before moving back to St. John’s. I have so many fond memories from my childhood. The people and the community were wonderful. DP: How did you discover your interest in business and finance? Did
DP: How have you maintained that passion for your work? JR: If you genuinely like something, it feels less like a job. And in my mind I have one of the coolest jobs in Canada. I get to run the private equity arm of Canada’s largest single profession pension plan and work with an amazing team every day. We have an ownership position, some minority and some majority, in over 40 companies that span the globe. Part of my job involves working with their management teams to help them prosper and grow, and that is extremely rewarding.
DP: What advice would you give to students who are just starting out and trying to navigate their own career path? JR: I put my career philosophy into three buckets. The three Ps: people, performance and passion. My experience at Memorial and growing up in Newfoundland and Labrador really informed that philosophy. In terms of the first one, I learned at an early age to treat everyone as an equal and with respect. I always remind myself that it’s less about me, and more about the team I’m working with. The second P is performance. In my first year in the business faculty, a fairly large cohort was admitted to the program – I recall over 200 students. But at the end of the year I believe close to half of those students failed out. I learned that only those that work hard and meet a high standard would move forward. And of course the third part is passion.
DP: How does it feel to be receiving the Alumna of the Year Award from Memorial? JR: I was absolutely surprised. I had no idea that my name had been put forward. Things like career successes don’t happen in isolation. I think success happens in large part because we have the right support. For me this includes the teams I have worked with, my family, my friends and most importantly my partner Tammy McBrien.
EDITOR Mandy Cook GRAPHICS Shane Mills
your next project Creative Commons, Cameron Norman PHOTO
REGULAR CONTRIBUTORS
By Diane Keough
Yaffle.ca is Memorial’s online connecting tool. One of its most significant jobs is to provide a way for people from outside Memorial to ask for research help. With hundreds of community-suggested opportunities to choose from, your next project is just a click away. Here’s one... Th e o p p o r t u n i t y
Smartphones. Tablets. Apps. Laptops. Computers and their associated gadgets are deeply integrated into our society, but not everyone knows how to use them. For many seniors, it can be overwhelming to learn how to use technology. According to Rita Raymond, business owner and community volunteer in St. Vincent’s, the challenge is even more so for seniors living in rural communities. Many of Newfoundland and Labrador’s elderly residents do not have access to centres or organizations that offer training. Furthermore, with many families living and working in different locations than their parents, seniors often do not have their children, grandchildren or other family members to turn to for help. “Seniors are not always computer
savvy, but they want to be and they need to be,” said Ms. Raymond. “It can be very daunting for someone to use a tablet or computer for the first time, and some are embarrassed to ask for help. I keep telling people you can’t break it so just jump in and try it, but that approach doesn’t work for everyone.” Ms. Raymond believes that computers are a great way to keep in touch with family living in different places across the country, and enable seniors to keep their independence. “Computers open up so much, and can help with isolation. You can stay in touch with family members, and family members can check in on you which is great for those living alone.” Th e p r o j e c T
Ms. Raymond believes there is an
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opportunity to develop a training program specifically for seniors who want to learn how to use computers and the associated technology. A partnership with Memorial University, public libraries and private partners are possibilities, or a member of the School of Social Work or the Faculty of Business Administration may be interested. Ms. Raymond believes there is an opportunity to pilot the project in a small community such as St. Vincent’s. “There is definite interest here in the community. We just need someone who can take the fear out of it, and show us how it can benefit us.” Interested in learning more about this project? The Harris Centre’s co-ordinator of knowledge mobilization would be happy to tell you more. Call Amy Tucker at 709-864-6115 or email amy.tucker@mun.ca .
Courtenay Alcock Laura Barron Jennifer Batten Melanie Callahan Nora Daly Krista Davidson Paula Dyke Leslie Earle Kelly Foss Elizabeth Furey Pamela Gill Sharon Gray Jeff Green Janet Harron Jill Hunt
Diane Keough Jackey Locke Virginia Middleton Cathy Newhook Michelle Osmond David Penney Marcia Porter Kristine Power Dave Sorensen Melissa Watton Meaghan Whelan Susan White Heidi Wicks Laura Woodford
CLASSIFIED ADVERTISING Kelly Hickey PHOTOGRAPHY Chris Hammond ADVERTISING Mandy Cook T. 709 864 2142 mandyc@mun.ca Next gazette deadline March 11 for March 18 publication. The gazette is published 17 times annually by the Division of Marketing and Communications at Memorial University. Material in the gazette may be reprinted or broadcast without permission, excepting materials for which the gazette does not hold exclusive copyright. gazette, Room A-1024 Memorial University of Newfoundland St. John’s, NL A1C 5S7 T. 709 864 2142 F. 709 864 8699 mandyc@mun.ca ISSN 0228-88 77 With the exception of advertisements from Memorial University, ads carried in the gazette do not imply recommendation by the university for the service or product.
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Aquaculture achievement
ANGIE BISHOP photo
Marine Institute researcher recognized by national association
Cyr Couturier in the aquaculture facility at the Centre for Aquaculture and Seafood Development. By Leslie Earle
Armed with a degree in marine
Lifetime Achievement Award from the
of the emerging issues facing the
Aquaculture Association of Canada.
world in terms of food security,” said
This prestigious award recognizes
Mr. Couturier. “Capture fisheries
biology and 35 years of experience in
individuals for their outstanding
were under increasing human
applied research, project development,
contribution to the association and to
and environmental pressure and
teaching, and extension services in the
the aquaculture sector in Canada.
aquaculture seemed like a good
aquaculture and fisheries sectors, Cyr Couturier has been recognized with a
“I first became interested in the aquaculture sector to help solve some
option to focus on. I am honoured to receive this award and am looking
forward to continuing to help build this important industry.” As chair of aquaculture programs and a research scientist with the Fisheries and Marine Institute, Mr. Couturier has completed research on enhanced farm production, environmental management and aquaculture interactions. He has mentored about 200 advanced diploma, M.Sc. and PhD students in aquaculture, over 200 junior and high school students in aquaculture programs, and hundreds of fish and shellfish farmers around the globe. Many of the students have gone on to leadership positions in academia, government and industry. Mr. Couturier participates in a range of academic, industry and professional organizations devoted to sustainable aquaculture and community development. He has published in excess of 80 technical, industrial, peer-reviewed and science and policy commentary articles in English, French and Norwegian and is frequently invited to speak at regional, national, and international symposia on aquacultureand fisheries-related topics. In addition to receiving the Lifetime Achievement Award, he has received the Science Atlantic Hall of Fame Contributing Member Award and the Newfoundland Aquaculture Industry Association Aquaculturist of the Year Award.
Harlow diaries
As a business student I have learned the concept of work-life balance during the course of my degree. However, I sometimes forget the relevancy of this theory to my own life. Within two weeks of setting foot in Harlow, I knew it would be necessary in order to succeed in the program. While travelling every weekend, spending spare time booking tours and researching destinations sounds
The city was filled with other excited tourists and the energy was contagious. Berlin’s troubled history, current political situation, beautiful architecture and extreme cold continuously surprised us. We made our way through Museum Island, visited a number of monuments, walked the Berlin Wall, enjoyed a night out and ended our journey with a tour of the Sachsenhausen concentration camp museum. We spoke with a number of locals, and had well educated tour-guides, who explained to us that although Berlin is constantly changing,
its history has strongly defined its future in many unexpected ways. While the week of layering, hostels, and sightseeing was incredible, it was also exhausting. It’s time to switch gears and make a dent in my schoolwork, and maybe catch up on Netflix, before next weekend’s adventure to Lisbon, Portugal, arrives.
Morgan Chafe is a fourth-year commerce student at Memorial. She can be reached at mec850@mun.ca.
submitted photo
Student Morgan Chafe is completing the winter 2015 semester at Memorial’s Harlow Campus in Harlow, England. Ms. Chafe will be providing regular insight to the sights and sounds of a semester abroad in a number of upcoming editions of the Gazette.
idealistic, in reality it can become very stressful, very fast. Schoolwork gets neglected, due dates pile up and people can’t agree on which city they’d like to see next. Finding the balance between school obligations and travel opportunities has been hard, but I was forced to find it – just in time for midterm break! Midterm break in Harlow is far different than midterm break at St. John’s campus. At home it consists of Netflix, George Street, White Hills and last minute studying and papers. In Harlow, we pack our book bags and head to the airport to jump on any flight that will take us away from campus for a week. My destinations included Amsterdam and Berlin, making for an extremely cold but endlessly fascinating break! From the moment I stepped off the plane I could tell Amsterdam had an atmosphere of relaxation. People took their time getting off the plane and were in no rush to get out of the small airport. Despite the laid-back vibe, we managed to see all the sights on our list, and then some. Anne Frank House provided us with history, Madame Tussaud’s Wax Museum gave us laughs and the red light district and numerous coffee shops greatly contributed to our culture shock.
Student writer Morgan Chafe in Berlin, Germany.
Dark chapter Descendants of Chinese head tax payers tell untold stories By Kristine Power
The Chinese head tax belongs to a
Yaying Tu plays the gu zheng at the Check It Out! Celebrating Culture Series in conjunction with Engage Fest.
Gordon Jin at the QEII Library.
by a head tax. It is not a happy story. It is not in our history books. ” From 1906 until 1949, any Chinese person wishing to immigrate to Newfoundland had to pay a $300 head tax. The head tax would have totalled three years’ worth of wages in that time period. Many immigrants had to borrow money from relatives and friends and would spend many years paying it back. Similar legislation existed in Canada from 1885 to 1923, with about 81,000 Chinese immigrants paying from $50$500 head tax fees that amounted to $23 million for the federal government coffers of the day. From 1923 until it was repealed in 1947, the Chinese Exclusion Act prevented anyone of Chinese descent from immigrating. Mr. Jin Senior was one of the 400 or so Chinese immigrants who made
Newfoundland their home during the first part of the last century. He left his young wife in China and had a son who died before they could immigrate. Starvation, poverty and political instability took their toll on many of the families who were left in China waiting to be reunited with their loved ones. Relatives couldn’t afford to come to Newfoundland until the head tax was repealed in 1949. Prime Minister Stephen Harper issued a formal apology on behalf of the federal government in 2006; a week later, Newfoundland and Labrador issued a formal apology for its implementation of the head tax. Surviving Chinese head tax payers or their spouses were able to claim a $20,000 settlement; however, there were fewer than
20 of them alive at that point. Mr. Jin and other members of the Newfoundland Chinese community created a head tax redress organization in 2007. They continue to raise public awareness about the vital contributions Chinese immigrants have made to local communities in Newfoundland and Labrador and to Canada. “I am happy to do this, because it is an opportunity to tell this story to whoever is willing to listen,” said Mr. Jin. “It is about a chapter in history, as dark as it is, it is also about giving them a voice…the immigrants of that day...It is about recognizing that the Chinese immigrants who came to this country and the Dominion of Newfoundland built this country to some degree, or aspects of it.”
enrolment management through the School of Graduate Studies and a unique international offering through Harlow Campus in England, Memorial continues to develop its presence as an important international player in higher education. The recommendations in the Strategic Internationalization Plan 2020 will increase Memorial’s capacity for engagement in international activities with a thoughtful, strategic and co-ordinated approach. “Attracting and retaining global
talent to Memorial University will play a critical and essential factor in growing the province of Newfoundland and Labrador and leveraging our province’s many opportunities and resources,” said Dr. Ray Gosine, vice-president (research), pro tempore. “Each of the recommendations set out in the Strategic Internationalization Plan 2020 will set the stage for a wide range of ambitious international and intercultural activities that will increase Memorial’s value proposition and produce new opportunities
for growth for our province.” The seven recommendations proposed in the plan reflect the following themes: educating global citizens; attracting and retaining global talent; enhancing the Memorial value proposition; structuring for success; aiming for global impact; internationalization of the curriculum; and tracking progress. The full plan with detailed recommendations is available at www. mun.ca/vpacademic/sip2020.php.
chris hammond PHOTO
sinister chapter in Newfoundland’s and Canada’s past. However, it remains emotionally relevant to the families of the early Chinese immigrants who were forced to pay upon entry into this country. Gordon Jin’s father never mentioned the head tax he paid to become a Newfoundlander, but after his father passed away Mr. Jin found the head tax certificate from 1931 folded in his father’s belongings. He had kept it all that time. The discrimination and racism of those early years was a painful beginning that he didn’t want to share, explains Mr. Jin, a co-operative education co-ordinator with the Faculty of Engineering and Applied Science. Mr. Jin recently shared a personal account of his family’s struggles as part of the Queen Elizabeth II Library’s Check It Out! Celebrating Culture Series in conjunction with the Office of Public Engagement’s Engage Fest. “You could be from Europe, Ireland, England, wherever, or you could be from someplace else in Southeast Asia, as long as you were not of Chinese descent,” said Mr. Jin. “If you from China, you were tagged
cont’d from GATEWAY on page 1
Memorial plays a key leadership role in internationalization in Newfoundland and Labrador and Atlantic Canada, and has a long and distinguished history of involvement in international teaching, research and service at the St. John’s campus, the Marine Institute and at Grenfell Campus. With faculty members, instructors and academic units actively engaged in international collaborations, award-winning programming for international students, leadership and vision in international graduate
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Frameworks at work
Memorial’s frameworks in action
RESEARCH STRATEGY Sociologist recognized for excellence in research ethics By Krista Davidson
“You have to make it right to do it right,” said Dr. Larry Felt, a retired faculty member of the Department of Sociology. These were the wise words offered when Dr. Felt accepted the inaugural Marilyn Harvey Award to Recognize the Importance of Research Ethics on Feb. 13. The award was established to recognize individuals who have demonstrated leadership in creating an environment of excellence in
chris hammond PHOTO
The three overarching frameworks guiding Memorial’s future direction — the Research Framework, the Teaching and Learning Framework and the Public Engagement Framework — are the result of several years of consultations with the university community and the people and organizations of Newfoundland and Labrador. This regular feature will help showcase the frameworks in action by sharing projects and highlighting the successes that are bringing them to life.
research ethics. The award was named in honour of Marilyn Harvey, a research nurse who brought forward her concerns regarding research ethics. “Excellence is guided by research that is ethical and respectful of the rights and welfare of participants,” said President Kachanoski. “I am pleased to congratulate Dr. Felt on this immensely important accomplishment and thank him for his outstanding service to this university.” A dedicated researcher and faculty member for more than 38 years, Dr. Felt has rigorously applied research ethics methodologies to his research in working with low-income families and research collaborations involving the fishery, the environment and health and has played a significant role in guiding the research of others. Dr. Felt is one of the original members of the Interdisciplinary Committee of Ethics in Human Research (ICEHR) of which he served from 2000-03. The committee was established in response to the Tri-Council Policy Statement on
From left are Dr. Ray Gosine, Dr. Larry Felt, Marilyn Harvey and Dr. Gary Kachanoski. Ethical Conduct for Research Involving Humans, which was published in 1998. In 2007 Dr. Felt was appointed chair of ICEHR and has played an active role in defining excellence in research ethics, including his work with the Canadian Association of Research Ethics Board and his efforts with the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador toward establishing the Health Research Ethics Authority Act, which was established in 2011. Dr. Felt was appointed the first chair of the Health Research Ethics Authority. When he retired in 2013, he was appointed to the Panel on Research Ethics, joining national colleagues and government in reshaping the second edition of the Tri-Council Policy Statement: Ethical Conduct for Research Involving Humans. “Dr. Felt’s contributions to research ethics at Memorial have provided
a foundation for researchers that have come after him,” said Dr. Ray Gosine, vice-president (research), pro tempore. “Not only has he established a reputation for himself as a researcher dedicated to the fair and respectful treatment of others, but he has guided and mentored colleagues and students across the university along the way.” Surrounded by family, friends and colleagues, Dr. Felt echoed the importance of trust in the relationship between the researcher and the participant. “In the last 10 years we have built research ethics review at Memorial to a level of respect and professional acknowledgement far beyond 10 years ago,” said Dr. Felt. “I am confident we have better prepared the next generation of researchers as well as the population in general.”
Talking sex work Encouraging informed conversations about sex workers’ realities By Janet Harron
Recent changes to Canada’s prostitution laws have sparked new discussions about sex work, as have recent reports of several St. John’s sex workers being raped. The Faculty of Arts’ Department of Gender Studies believes that it is important to encourage informed conversations about sex work. In this spirit, it is hosting a threeday event, Sex Work: Soliciting Reflections, from March 5-7 that will contribute to ongoing community dialogues through a series of activities with a town hall feel. Natalie Duchesne, a lecturer in the
department, says people tend to form strong opinions about sex work, even when they don’t know the facts.
“We owe it to sex workers in our community to get informed about their lived realities. We need to get the conversation going.” – Natalie Duchesne
“But we can’t address the violence
that sex workers face if we are basing our opinions and policies on assumptions,” she said. “We owe it to sex workers in our community to get informed about their lived realities. We need to get the conversation going. Hence our slogan: Let’s Talk Sex Work. By offering a variety of activities we hope to reach different kinds of audiences: the general public, students and faculty, and the community organizing sector.” Events include a keynote address from Dr. Emily van der Meulen of Ryerson University, titled Advancing a Sex-Work-is-Work Paradigm: Sex Workers’ Reflections on Laws and Labour, various film screenings, a presentation on the rescue industry and panel discussions by community
groups and gender students. Topics to be addressed include sex workers’ rights, the myths and realities of human trafficking and potential policy options for sex work in Canada. The organizers plan on creating a space where university students and faculty as well as members of the St. John’s community can gather to learn about the realities of sex work, challenge old assumptions and participate in collective reflection. A full schedule can be found at www.facebook.com/ events/425688110915974/?fref=ts and all events will be listed on www.today. mun.ca and the Faculty of Arts’ website.
‘Dream come true’
HSIMS PHOTO
Crafting a medical legacy in Newfoundland and Labrador
From left are Drs. Leslie Rourke and James Rourke, with the art piece they commissioned to commemorate medicine in Newfoundland and Labrador. By Elizabeth Furey
For almost 50 years, the Faculty of Medicine at Memorial has been helping to mould young physicians and create research, teaching and clinical opportunities to shape a healthy tomorrow for the people of Newfoundland and Labrador. To celebrate this and the opening of the new Medical Education Centre on the St. John’s campus, Dr. James Rourke, dean, Faculty of Medicine, and his wife Dr. Leslie Rourke wanted to commission a piece of artwork. “My wife Leslie and I wanted a legacy piece to celebrate the connection between the Faculty of Medicine and our province,” said Dean Rourke. “A piece of medical history that depicted how health care and the Faculty of Medicine have shaped Newfoundland and Labrador, and furthermore, how the history, landscape and people of this province have influenced
how we practise medicine.” After much thought and discussion with people involved with many types of art, it was at the Royal British Columbia Museum that the couple saw a concept that spoke to their vision: murals of clay tiles crafted by amateur students. They saw the potential to have people connected with the faculty create a piece of art incorporating meaningful depictions of medicine and health across the province. Crafting a Legacy could be called a “clay quilt,” with artistic contributions from past and present students, faculty and staff of the Faculty of Medicine and two local professional artists, all under the instruction of celebrated mural artist and art educator Lynda Faulks. “The Faculty of Medicine, from its beginning, has emphasized working together,” said Dr. Rourke. “Therefore, it was important to us that this project could involve many who have been connected
in different ways to the faculty.” Dean Rourke himself created a tile for the mural, titled Grenfell Legacy, about the contributions Sir Wilfred Grenfell made to medicine in Newfoundland and Labrador.
next five years. Every two weeks, Research in Focus will feature three to four new subjects. The videos are directed towards all students, staff and faculty because of the significant role the entire Memorial community plays in making extraordinary research happen.
“Over the next five years, Memorial will embark on an incredible journey that will change the landscape of research, producing new opportunities for students and faculty,” said Dr. Ray Gosine, vicepresident (research), pro tempore. “Research in Focus is a testament
“He symbolizes for me pioneer doctors heading into unknown places and challenges to use all of their knowledge, skills and dedication to care for the patients, families and communities most in need.” – Dr. James Rourke
“The young Wilfred Grenfell is at the heart of my tile,” he said. “He symbolizes for me pioneer doctors heading into unknown places and challenges to use all of their knowledge, skills and dedication to care for the patients, families and communities most in need.” The clay mural, located in the atrium in the Medical Education Centre, was unveiled at an event on Feb. 10 in front of more than one hundred guests. Attendees included President Kachanoski, his wife Teresa Kachanoski, Mary House, widow of the late Dr. Maxwell House, and many others from the medical and arts communities. “Both the project and the artwork created for the atrium have far exceeded our dreams,” said Dean Rourke. “To have a dream come true better than was dreamed is truly a wonderful thing. We are thrilled that this wonderful piece of art will be enjoyed for years to come.”
cont’d from RESEARCH on page 1
These are not only the success stories of individual researchers, but also of Memorial University. That’s why Memorial has launched Research in Focus, a four-part video series that features all 15 of Memorial’s deans and unit heads and recognizes the university’s research aspirations for the
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of the commitment of each faculty and campus to be part of this extraordinary passage.” What does research mean to you? Let us know. Watch the videos at www.mun.ca/research and tweet #Researchinfocus.
History maker
DAVID HOWELLS PHOTO
Remembering an alumnus who helped select the Canadian flag
Canada’s flag, seen here in the Field House on the St. John’s campus, turned 50 on Feb. 15. By Jeff Green
An unsung chapter in Memorial’s history more than five decades ago helped define Canada’s national identity. Herman Batten, a 1933 graduate of Memorial University College, played a decisive role in helping choose the maple leaf design as this country’s national flag. Feb. 15 marked the 50th anniversary of the adoption of the maple leaf design and the first time it was flown over Parliament Hill in the nation’s capital. Mr. Batten chaired the Special Committee on a Canadian Flag – the allparty Parliamentary committee tasked with making a final recommendation to the federal government. Many members of the Memorial community are not aware of Mr. Batten’s special role in this country’s history, says local journalist and author Bill Callahan, who worked in the Division of University Relations (now Marketing & Communications) in the 1980s.
“I think he deserves a mention in the history of our nation.” – Dr. Edward Roberts
“He played a notable role in that part of our country’s history,” said Mr. Callahan. “He was a dominating force in that session of Parliament. When he was appointed to the flags committee, he ran it with an iron fist. He is the one who deserves the credit.” In 1964 the federal government fast-tracked the creation of a national flag so it would be adopted in time for the centennial celebrations in 1967. Mr. Batten and the committee pored over thousands of concepts before shortlisting three designs and finally recommending the maple leaf. On Dec. 15, 1964, a motion passed in the House of Commons
to adopt the current design. Queen Elizabeth II proclaimed the maple leaf to take effect on Feb. 15, 1965.
Educator and politician Born in 1909 in Bareneed, Conception Bay, Mr. Batten was educated at Bishop Feild College and Memorial before attending the New Haven Public School in Connecticut, as well as Acadia and Mount Allison universities. He became a well-known principal and school teacher on the province’s West Coast before being elected a Liberal member of Parliament for the riding of Humber-St. George’s. He represented that district from 1953-68. After leaving federal politics, he briefly served as an advisor to then-Premier Joey Smallwood. “I believe Herman Batten had an invaluable knowledge of the federal system,” said Mr. Callahan. “Out of Bareneed came this guy who gave Canada its everlasting symbol – that seems pretty interesting to me.” Dr. Edward Roberts, who is an honorary degree recipient from Memorial and an alumnus of the Faculty of Arts, agrees. He remembers Mr. Batten’s time in federal and provincial politics and the role he played in deciding Canada’s new flag. “I think he deserves a mention in the history of the nation,” said Dr. Roberts, who had a long and successful career in provincial politics, chaired Memorial’s Board of Regents and served as the 11th lieutenant-governor of Newfoundland and Labrador. “It fell to him to chair the committee to make the recommendation. It was a challenging assignment and from my recollection passions ran very high.” Mr. Batten died on Oct. 17, 1991, in Ottawa. At the time of his death, he was lauded for his leadership in helping decide Canada’s new flag. Since 1996, Feb. 15 has been recognized as this country’s National Flag Day.
Nominate Distinction 2015 PRESIDENT’S AWARDS FOR DISTINCTION IN RESEARCH
AWARD DEADLINES John Lewis Paton Distinguished University Professorship (Faculty) (Teaching and learning, research and scholarship and public engagement) President’s Award for Outstanding Research (Faculty) University Research Professor (Faculty)
Mar. 1
Nov. 1 Nov. 30
Recognize enthusiasm. Reward initiative. Recommend an exceptional person for the President’s Awards.
www.mun.ca/president/home/awards.php
Have car, will travel By Michelle Osmond
Second-year nursing student Emily Loder says she never takes too many bags to the grocery store. Ms. Loder lives in residence but doesn’t have a car so she takes the bus to run errands, including buying groceries. But there’s a limit to how much you can carry on the bus and to your residence. Many students are in the same boat as Ms. Loder; they occasionally need a car but not enough to own one or to secure a parking space on campus. For students like Ms. Loder, Memorial has partnered with Student CarShare. Student CarShare (SCS) is an ondemand car rental system. Students buy a membership for $50 a year plus a $25 application fee and then pay an hourly fee that includes gas and insurance. Members get a smart card that unlocks it when they make a reservation. SCS is currently available on several university campuses across the country. So far, there’s one car on campus. On Feb. 5, SCS parked the first car in lot 14 on the east side of Curtis House in Paton College. If all goes well, they’ll add a second vehicle in the near future. Jeff Fifield, assistant manager (acting), Campus Enforcement and Patrol, says Memorial’s student union, MUNSU, first approached him about the idea. The group then met with Student Housing and it was agreed SCS was worth a try. “There’s a high demand for parking and there’s a lack of space,” said Mr. Fifield. “So, I’m hoping that students will avail of a vehicle parked on campus to help them get to appointments
and groceries, errands that everyone needs to do, but they may not need a car on campus year round.” Kimberly Drisdelle is the executive director of MUNSU. She says MUNSU is “excited” to have the service at Memorial. “It’s no secret that parking on campus is a challenge,” she said. “In other cities where Student CarShare is made available, one CarShare car removes the need for up to 10 other vehicles in the area. By providing an affordable alternative, students, especially those living on campus, who do not need a car for a regular commute can choose to make use of CarShare instead of going further into debt to finance a vehicle and the costs associated with it.” Ms. Drisdelle says MUNSU is working with Memorial to create a Parking and Transit Solutions Committee, which will bring together multiple stakeholders from the university community, the city and the province, including Metrobus Transit. “Solving Memorial’s parking problem is going to take the cooperation of each of these parties and we look forward to working with them in the near future,” she said. Mr. Fifield says if CarShare is successful, CEP will look into bringing more vehicles onto campus for students to rent. MUNSU is officially launching the service the week of Feb. 23-27; a special promotion will see students who sign up in the first week get a free membership for a year. Students can enter the code “MUNSU” at www. studentcarshare.ca/MUNSU.
CHRIS HAMMOND PHOTO
One solution to campus parking pressure
Student Emily Loder is excited to have access to the Student CarShare vehicle to run her errands in during her time living on campus.
International collaboration with top petroleum engineering schools By Jackey Locke and Jinghua Nie
Over the past few years, Memorial’s Faculty of Engineering and Applied Science has partnered with several prestigious universities, including two of China’s most prestigious petroleum universities – China University of Petroleum-Beijing (CUPB) and China University of Petroleum East China (UPC). China University of Petroleum East China and Memorial University signed an exchange student agreement in June 2014. Now, six students with high academic standing from the institution in Shandong Province are studying engineering on Memorial’s St. John’s campus and will remain here until this summer. The students are enrolled in undergraduate engineering courses and are participating in process and environmental engineering research projects. Memorial engineering is also collaborating with China University of Petroleum-Beijing. Recently, Dr. Faisal Khan, head, Department of Process Engineering, and Jinghua Nie, the faculty’s international
student officer, travelled to China and met with the university’s head of petroleum engineering to discuss collaborative partnerships and to sign an exchange student agreement. Memorial’s relationship with China University of Petroleum-Beijing goes back to 2007 when Memorial delegates visited the university’s campus for the first time. To date, 17 China University of Petroleum-Beijing undergraduate students have studied at Memorial as visiting students. Many have joined thesis-based or course-based master’s programs in the faculty. “The collaboration is a win-win success,” said Dr. Khan. “Some of the best graduate students in our oil and gas engineering graduate programs have been from CUPB. For CUPB students, it is an opportunity to study abroad and enhance their learning experiences. For Memorial students, the interaction with top students from a partner university has enabled them to work comfortably in teams with students from different backgrounds – an essential skill-set that employers are increasingly seeking from graduates.” China University of
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Petroleum-Beijing student Shuting Wei studied for two semesters at Memorial as a visiting student. She was excited to return to St. John’s this past September to join the master of applied science in oil and gas engineering program. “It’s impressive to feel the spirit of exploration and innovation here,” she said. “The culture and activities here are fascinating, and the people here are really nice and friendly.” There are curriculum and accreditation requirements of undergraduate engineering programs and there are some limitations in terms of Memorial’s engineering students enrolling in courses at the partner institutions. However, several students have had co-operative work term experiences overseas. “Students from Memorial, engineering or otherwise, can visit CUPB for short periods to enrich their learning experience,” said Ms. Nie. “With the new exchange student agreement, CUPB students can now secure China Scholarship Council funding to visit Memorial.” Professor Sun, director, International Office, CUPB, hopes to take the
level of co-operation between the two institutions even further. “We would like to develop closer collaboration with Memorial in terms of joint research and faculty exchange.” During a recent visit to the Beijing campus, Dr. Khan gave a seminar on oil and gas development in harsh environments and met with students and faculty members. While there, Dr. Khan and Ms. Nie invited funded students to come and work at Memorial. “The successful collaboration between Memorial and CUPB provides mutual benefits,” echoed Dr. Leonard Lye, associate dean of graduate studies in the faculty, who played a key leadership role in creating the relationships. “I certainly would like to see further initiatives taken to promote the partnerships and resulting excellence in education and research at both universities.” Delegates from China University of Petroleum-Beijing plan to visit Memorial later again this year to pursue additional partnerships and joint projects.
Focus on Teaching: Part II The teaching dossier
A teaching dossier, or portfolio, is a document that describes the teaching activities and accomplishments of an instructor. It is a living document that requires reflection on personal experiences to highlight the strengths that demonstrate teaching effectiveness. During the month of March, DELTS’ educator development team is focusing its activities on the teaching dossier. A dossier is typically prepared for tenure, promotion and review, as well as applications for an academic job or teaching award. But the teaching dossier is valuable in other ways, too. “The critical self-reflection, as well as the collection and interpretation of material required in the process of preparing a dossier, also make it a valuable teaching development tool,” explained Allyson Hajek, instructional design specialist at DELTS. “Oftentimes, preparing a teaching dossier can be a challenging and time-consuming task, but with a little planning it need not be so.” A teaching dossier is comprised of two parts: the narrative and the
evidence. The narrative describes the instructor’s teaching experience and context, their approach to teaching and significant accomplishments. Ideally, it should demonstrate critical self-reflection on their teaching experience and ability to enhance teaching practice. Then, evidence to support the narrative is pulled from a variety of sources and is included in the appendices of the dossier.
“…it makes good sense to document teaching activities with the same care and accuracy as he or she uses to document research and scholarship. Portfolios are a step toward a more public, professional view of teaching and reflect teaching as a scholarly activity.” – The Teaching Portfolio: A Practical Guide to Improved Performance and Promotion/Tenure Decisions
When advising instructors about their dossiers, Ms. Hajek emphasizes that it is more than
DAVID HOWELLS PHOTO
Focus on Teaching is a three-part series about a new thematic format of professional development opportunities provided by DELTS for Memorial’s educators. Each month, educator development sessions will be offered on a selected theme; discipline-specific teaching consultations on each theme will also be available for individuals or groups.
Allyson Hajek is an experienced consultant on teaching dossiers. just an indiscriminate collection of all the documents and materials related to teaching activities. Instead, it is a thoughtful and selective compilation of material that documents an instructor’s intellectual work, and highlights teaching strengths and accomplishments. “It’s beneficial to reflect on your teaching experiences and collect artifacts on a regular, ongoing basis,” said Ms. Hajek. “At DELTS, we can help instructors to create an individual plan that provides an organized framework to facilitate the process.” Individual or group consultation services are available with Ms. Hajek,
an experienced consultant on teaching dossiers. Additionally, DELTS has scheduled educator development sessions focused on teaching dossiers during the month of March. The sessions offered include The Teaching Dossier: An Introduction to Documenting Teaching Activity and Effectiveness, and Peer Observation of Teaching: Roles, Goals and Guidelines. To learn more about teaching dossiers and related sessions, visit www.delts. mun.ca/faculty/workshopseminar/ FocusOfMonth.php. Or book an individual or group consultation on teaching dossiers by contacting Ms. Hajek at ahajek@mun.ca or 709-864-4064.
PAM 2015 taking place Students, faculty and staff in the School of Pharmacy will be contributing to Pharmacist Awareness Month (PAM) from March 1-31 by offering several community engagement events to help educate health-care practitioners from other health-care disciplines and members of the general public about how a pharmacist can help improve the population’s health and well-being. The Canadian Pharmacists Association initiated PAM to encourage pharmacists across the country to help create public awareness of the expanding scope of pharmacy practice. School of Pharmacy events include: Pharmacy “Phair” Organized by the School of Pharmacy Canadian Association of Pharmacy Students and Interns counsel, this booth-style set up will showcase the potential of a career in pharmacy. Students, faculty and staff will be available to offer insight on a variety of topics including entry requirements, work load, the expanded scope of pharmacy practice and pharmacists’ role in health care. This event will take place Friday, March 13, from 10:30 a.m.-3 p.m. at The Landing, third floor, University Centre.
“Med Heads” Speed Round Question: How would you deal with a depressed patient who stopped taking his antidepressant because it was causing sexual dysfunction? Scenarios
such as this will be explored with current pharmacy students and faculty during a role-playing game. Med Heads is a board game designed as a teaching and learning tool, where students can hone their pharmacist-patient communication and counselling. The game was designed and produced with funds received from Dr. Leslie Phillips’ 2010 President’s Award for Distinguished Teaching. This event will take place Friday, March 13, from 12-1 p.m. (part of CAPSI’s Pharmacy Phair) at The Landing, third floor, University Centre.
Pharmacy Research Innovation Day Researchers will showcase the varieties of undergraduate, graduate, and faculty research being conducted in the School of Pharmacy’s three strategic research directions – health outcomes, drug discovery and delivery, and teaching and learning. This full day event on Thursday, March 19, will begin with poster presentations from 10 a.m.-12 p.m. in the main foyer of the Health Sciences Centre, followed by oral presentations in the main auditorium from 12-1 p.m. A reception will follow. Selected topics include: • Booze and Berries: How do the effects of ethanol exposure in adolescents affect their longterm motor function? And can blueberries and partridgeberries help protect your brain? • Many Voices, One Community: Can a strong community help
HSIMS PHOTO
By Heidi Wicks
Student Sydney Saunders is involved in organizing student events for Pharmacist Awareness Month. prevent mental health disorders and substance abuse in youth? • Bariatric Surgery, Before and After: How effective are obesity management medications both before and after bariatric surgery?
Public Pill Drop CAPSI students, in partnership with the Royal Newfoundland Constabulary and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police are holding the annual Public Pill Drop, where members of the public can safely dispose of their expired medications. Visitors are asked to please leave labels on medications to facilitate easy identification of medications. All personal identification information will be destroyed. This event will take place Saturday, March 28, from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. at RNC Headquarters, Fort Townshend,
in St. John’s. A variety of other community outreach initiatives are planned, including presentations to primary/ elementary, junior high and high schools on topics such as smoking cessation, expanded scope of pharmacy practice and the dangers of prescription drug abuse; blood pressure testing to seniors and counselling on the services pharmacists can offer; and teaching local Sparks and Brownies groups how to make lip gloss. To keep up to date on all things PAM: Facebook.com/munpam2015 and facebook.com/ schoolofpharmacy Twitter: @MUNPAM2015 and @schoolofpharm Memorial hashtag: #MUNPAM2015. A full schedule of events will be available by early March on www.mun.ca/pharmacy.
‘Challenge and reward’ Ocean Sciences Centre aquarist an ambassador of the Atlantic Tyler is stalling. His training session is over, but he’s hanging on. His shiny, mottled head pokes above water, and his dark eyes size up the teaching assistant who has been trying to lure him from the tank. Then he turns and dives, curling away with a flick of his tail. As a harp seal who has lived at Memorial’s Ocean Sciences Centre (OSC) in Logy Bay since he was a white coat, Tyler knows that every training exercise includes tasty morsels of herring. “If he thinks there’s a chance that the training will continue, and a chance for more fish, he won’t leave the tank,” explained Daryl Jones, the OSC’s aquarist and supervisor of the seal facility. But Tyler has to make way for Deane, the youngest of the OSC’s three harp seals. Watching him twist and turn through the water, Mr. Jones tells the two teaching assistants to pack up the training gear—including the herring bucket—and store it in the shed. “We have to walk away, let him know it’s over for today. That’s how he knows we’re serious.” Mr. Jones and the teaching assistants leave Tyler alone. They close the gate and descend the stairs that connect the seal tanks to the main building. Haggling with clever, obstinate animals is all in a day’s work for the man who oversees the world’s only harp seal research station. “Harp seals are different from other seals and sea lions,” said Mr. Jones. “Very independent, very difficult to motivate. They’re like cats: give me my food and get out of my way. So it’s difficult to train them. They don’t like to be tricked.” A self-described Saskatchewan farm boy, Mr. Jones grew up exploring the
Daryl Jones
David Howells PHOTO
By Jamie Fitzpatrick Special to the Gazette
The seal tank at the Ocean Sciences Centre in Logy Bay. lakes and rivers around his home, and spent summers on the Pacific shore near his grandparents’ home on Vancouver Island. He earned his bachelor of science degree in fish biology and animal behaviour from the University of Saskatchewan, and worked at the Bamfield Marine Station in British Columbia before coming to Memorial in 1989 to pursue his master’s degree. He has been the aquarist and seal supervisor since 1998. Two of the seals have seniority on him. Babette came to the OSC in 1989, when she was captured as an adult off the Magdalen Islands. Tyler arrived from the Magdalen Islands the following year. Deane is their daughter, born at the OSC in 2002. They are local celebrities, the main attraction of the Public Education Program that draws more than 18,000 visitors every summer. Mr. Jones knows that his unofficial job title is caretaker to the stars.
“I don’t ever hear, Daryl, how are you?” he said with a grin. “It’s always, Daryl, how are the seals?” In fact, the seals are only part of the aquarist’s job. The Ocean Sciences Centre is a “wet building.” Water from Logy Bay is piped throughout the facility, topping up tanks that house fish, invertebrates and plant life. The population is constantly in flux, with divers delivering fresh samples from the North Atlantic for research and lab teaching, or to fill the Public Education Program’s touch tanks every spring. From a 200-kilogram harp seal to a periwinkle the size of a thumbnail, they are all Mr. Jones’s animals. “Animal health and husbandry is the main job. Teaching students how to look after them, and how to achieve the right conditions for good research.” Twenty minutes alone has convinced Tyler to leave the training tank. Deane moves in and begins an exercise that asks her to identify and
match coloured balls, with a bite of herring as a reward every time she gets it right. It’s a game that can reveal much about the vision, memory and learning ability of the harp seal. “Deane’s a little more eager to please, compared to Tyler,” said Mr. Jones. Though he oversees a research and education site teeming with marine life, the OSC aquarist acknowledges that working with the seals is the most satisfying part of his job. Deane, Tyler and Babette are not simply on display, a spectacle for curious visitors. They are industrious and adaptable, a constant source of discovery for marine scientists. “I often don’t know that they’re capable of doing something until they do it. That’s the challenge and the reward. We’re doing work that has never been done before with harp seals. But of course it’s more than that. They’re family. They’re important to me.”
Public policy certificate to address demand By Janet Harron
THE FACULTY of Arts at Memorial is launching a new certificate program in public policy. Designed for those who are interested in the study of governance and policy responses to public issues, the program will provide foundational knowledge for exploring topical issues
in diverse policy fields and settings. The area of public policy is a dynamic and growing field that is in demand across Canada. It is felt that the program will appeal to a large spectrum of learners including current students, those new to the university and those currently working in the public sector who wish to build their knowledge and skills.
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Students will learn to recognize public policy problems, describe them and learn how to deal with them. The program offers considerable flexibility with the choice of concentrating in economic or urban and regional policy. Program co-ordinator Dr. Christopher Dunn of the Department of Political Science sees the
certificate as only the beginning. “I see this as a building block of larger and more inclusive public policy projects that Memorial should be involved with,” he said. “Ultimately we should be aiming for degree and postgraduate programs in public policy.” Those interested in the program can visit www.mun.ca/arts/publicpolicy or contact Dr. Dunn at cdunn@mun.ca
TA Loeffler PHOTO
out and about
Winter kicks Dr. TA Loeffler, professor with the School of Human Kinetics and Recreation, and her family took to the trails of Long Pond recently for a trial run on some new kick sleds. The four new sleds, which are used in Finland for transportation and recreation, will be used to offer an innovative winter activity to HKR 4210: Winter Outdoor Activities students and to test as a method to offer access to the outdoors in winter for people with disabilities. From left are Adrian Charron and Marian Wissink , and dog Anya.
out & about For more on these events and other news at Memorial, please visit www.today.mun.ca.
Wednesday, FEB. 25 An Introduction to Graduate Studies at Memorial, 3-3:50 p.m., ED-3048, Sponsor: School of Graduate Studies Influence Without Authority, 9 a.m.-5 p.m., BN-4019, Sponsor: Gardiner Centre A Menu for Success: Dining Etiquette in the Professional World, 6-9 p.m., The Landing, UC-3018, Sponsor: Alumni Affairs and Development, Career Development and Experiential Learning
MUN Cinema Grocery Store Botany -- Coffee, Tea and Cocoa: From Garden to Campus Workshop Series, 12:30-1:30 p.m., UC-3018, The Landing, Sponsor: MUN Botanical Garden
Friday, FEB. 27 Reel Around the Fountain: Cruising ‘The Village’, Policing Public Sex, 12-1:30 p.m., A-4049D, Sponsor: Department of Sociology Speaker Series Faculty Gala Concert, 7:30-9 p.m., D.F. Cook Recital Hall, School of Music, Sponsor: School of Music When Does Offshore Oil Development Provoke Resistance?, 3-4 p.m., SN-2025, Sponsor: Department of Geography Why More People Should Choose to Have a Child with Down Syndrome, 1-2 p.m., Health Sciences Centre, Lecture Theatre B, Sponsor: People’s Health Matters
Networking 101 for Business Students, 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m., Business building, RBC Atrium, Sponsor: Faculty of Business Administration
4068, Sponsor: Academic Advising Centre Quest for Healthy Seas: A Lasting Future for People and Marine Life, 7-8:30 p.m., EN-1054, Sponsor: Department of Geography
Wednesday, MARCH 4 Arts Information Sessions, 1-1:50 p.m., SN4068, Sponsor: Academic Advising Centre
Thursday, MARCH 5 Fundamentals of Project Management, 9 a.m.-5 p.m., BN-4019, Sponsor: Gardiner Centre Developing a Human Resource Plan, 9 a.m.-5 p.m., BN-4019, Sponsor: Gardiner Centre MUN Cinema Series: Deux jours, une nuit, 7-8:40 p.m., Cineplex Theatre, Avalon Mall, Sponsor: MUN Cinema
Thursday, MARCH 12 The Best of Both Worlds: Part-Time Study at Memorial University, 1-2 p.m., online webinar, Sponsor: School of Graduate Studies Facilitation Skills Training: Getting the Most Out of Group Discussions, 9 a.m.-5 p.m., BN4019, Sponsor: Gardiner Centre MUN Cinema Series: Still Alice, 7-8:40 p.m., Cineplex Theatre, Avalon Mall, Sponsor: MUN Cinema
A Comparison of Kaizen Programming with Genetic Programming and other Techniques in Symbolic Regression, 1-2 p.m., EN-2022, Sponsor: Department of Computer Science
An Integrated State-space Stock Assessment Model for Northern Cod and Short-term Prospects for the Fishery, 1-2 p.m., EN-2022, Sponsor: Department of Computer Science
Friday, MARCH 6
FRIDAY, MARCH 13
Formate, the Key to One-carbon Metabolism in the Fetus, 1-2 p.m., SN-4015, Sponsor: Department of Biochemistry
The Way Home: Protracted Displacement and Return, 12:30-2 p.m., A-4049D, Department of Sociology Speaker Series
Breaking New Ground, 8-9:30 p.m., D.F. Cook Recital Hall, School of Music, Sponsor: School of Music
Neuroprotection in Alzheimer’s Disease Models – A Role for Coconut Oil?, 5-6 p.m., Medical Education Centre, 1M101, Sponsor: Division of Basic Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine
SATURday, FEB. 28
Saturday, MARCH 7
SATURDAY, MARCH 14
CFUW Book Collection Blitz, 10 a.m.-2 p.m., St. John’s Arts and Culture Centre and WalMart Mt. Pearl, Sponsor: Canadian Federation of University Women, St. John’s Branch
17th Annual Curling Bonspiel for Alumni and Friends, 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m., Re/Max Centre, St. John’s Curling Club, 135 Mayor Ave., St. John’s, Sponsor: Alumni Affairs and Development
Carmen Fantasia, 8-9:30 p.m., D.F. Cook Recital Hall, School of Music, Sponsor: School of Music
Business Information Session, 1-1:50 p.m., SN-4068, Sponsor: Academic Advising Centre
MONDAY, MARCH 2
Brown Bag Lunch Series: Career Progression and Balancing Work Responsibilities, 12-1 p.m., A-5014, Sponsor: Office of Faculty Relations
Thursday, FEB. 26 Application to Graduate School: Tips and Strategies, 3-4 p.m., online webinar, Sponsor: School of Graduate Studies Faculty of Medicine Research Open House for Undergraduate Students, 12-2 p.m., Bruneau Centre for Research and Innovation, lower level atrium, Sponsor: Faculty of Medicine Research, Graduate Studies MUN Cinema Series: Winter Sleep, 7-10:20 p.m., Cineplex Theatre, Avalon Mall, Sponsor:
Timed Bipedal Hop Test: A New Measure of Complex Lower Limb Co-ordination, 1-2 p.m., Health Sciences Centre, Lecture Theatre D, Sponsor: Division of BioMedical Sciences
Tuesday, MARCH 10 The Hidden Transcripts of Sex and Tourism in Cuba, 12-1 p.m., A-5014, Sponsor: Latin American and Caribbean Studies Research Group
Tuesday, MARCH 3 The Role of Calcitriol in Regulating Maternal Bone Metabolism During Pregnancy and Lactation, 11 a.m.-12 p.m., Computer Lab B, Health Sciences Centre, Sponsor: Division of BioMedical Sciences The Sound of Political Change in Myanmar, 7:30-9 p.m., MMaP Gallery, second floor, St. John’s Arts and Culture Centre, Sponsor: MMaP Research Centre
Blood Donor Clinic and One Match Event, 9:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m., The Landing, University Centre, Sponsor: Canadian Blood Services
Wednesday, MARCH 11 HSL HITS Workshop: Learn To Use RefWorks, 4-5 p.m., Computer Lab A, Health Sciences Library, Sponsor: Health Sciences Library Science Information Session, 1-1:50 p.m., SN-
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Power up Prepared to provide power in the case of an outage
When St. John’s experiences a power outage, Memorial University is a shining light in an otherwise dark city. Throughout the year, Memorial’s St. John’s campus produces its own heat at the university’s high temperature hot water (HTHW) plant for most buildings on campus as well as the Health Sciences Centre. The university purchases power from Newfoundland Power which is supplied to the main university substation. The Department of Facilities Management is responsible for the distribution of the high voltage electrical power from the substation to buildings and infrastructure on campus and the Health Sciences Centre. The campus uses about 18 megawatts on an average day; however, this requirement can go higher during the winter months. With thousands of students and employees on campus daily, it is imperative that the university is ready to act in the event of a loss of its power. To address the campus’ needs, generators are on site with a combined capacity of producing 3,500 kilowatts of emergency power for the residences, main dining hall and key safety areas, such as lighting on stairs and the operation of pumps for heating. According to Shane Lewis, electrical shop supervisor with Facilities Management, the safest place to be during a power outage is on campus. “During a power outage our team is on site to make sure everything is okay,” he said. “We are committed to keeping people safe and we are especially focused on the people who live on campus. Last year, for example, during DarkNL [a multi-day, provincewide power outage in January 2014] we ran all of our generators and conserved power wherever we could. Students on campus were fed and kept comfortable in a safe environment. That was a priority for us.” In addition to campus readiness, Memorial has four backup generators with a combined capacity to produce 3,200 kilowatts of emergency power for the Health Sciences Centre. During an outage at the hospital, the backup generators start up and supply power to both the hospital and to the required circulating equipment to produce the steam generation at the HTHW plant. Memorial’s system takes about eight seconds to get the hospital on backup power. The system recognizes when power loss begins to occur − a brown out − and starts to come online so that when power is actually lost it is just moments before power is transferred. Power is therefore maintained for operating rooms, prenatal intensive care and other life-saving systems. In Facilities Management, the electrical shop and utilities teams work hand-in-hand to ensure operations on campus and in the hospital can be restored as quickly as possible when a power loss occurs. As part of their preparations, the teams conduct regular training and tests on the system.
CHRIS HAMMOND photo
By Melissa Watton
From left are Jeff Boland and Shane Lewis in the emergency generator high voltage switchboard room in the utilities annex on the St. John’s campus.
“The HTHW plant has four boilers and, at any given time during the winter season, we normally have two of the boilers running,” said Jeff Boland, manager, central utilities. “Twice each day, we start up the other two and run them to ensure they are working properly and efficiently. We also bring in an external contractor annually to calibrate all of our instruments and to conduct combustion efficiency testing.”
Nominate Excellence 2015 PRESIDENT’S AWARDS FOR EXCELLENCE IN TEACHING AND GRADUATE SUPERVISION
“Last year, for example, during DarkNL we ran all of our generators and conserved power wherever we could. Students on campus were fed and kept comfortable in a safe environment. That was a priority for us.” –
Shane Lewis
In addition to the daily HTHW plant testing, testing is conducted weekly on the backup power system. This ensures readiness and provides employees with opportunities to maintain their familiarity with the backup process. To operate the HTHW plant, including all boilers throughout the campus, and to provide the university and Health Sciences Centre with all electrical requirements, Memorial employs 26 power engineers and 29 electrical personnel.
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AWARD DEADLINES Outstanding Teaching (Lecturers and Instructional Staff) Outstanding Teaching (Faculty) Distinguished Teaching Outstanding Graduate and Postgraduate Supervision
Mar. 18 Mar. 19 Mar. 20 Mar. 20
Recognize enthusiasm. Reward initiative. Recommend an exceptional person for the President’s Awards.
www.mun.ca/president/home/awards.php