the Legend
M A RC H 2013
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UNIVERSITY OF LETHBRIDGE
Diversity celebrated with dedicated week of events BY TREVOR KENNEY
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ow in its third incarnation, the annual University of Lethbridge Respect and Diversity Awareness Week is an established campus event that brings to light issues related to diversity and respect both in the workplace and beyond. Presented by the University of Lethbridge Faculty Association’s Gender, Equity and Diversity Caucus, the week runs Mar. 11-15 and features six events over the span of five days. The goal, of course, is to have the themes that are discussed throughout the week resonate long after the event spotlight has faded. “I think it’s great to highlight the week and to bring in speakers and all the bells and whistles, but this is something that should be infused in our everyday,” says caucus member and Chair of Respect and Diversity Awareness Week, Dr. Noella Piquette. An associate professor in the Faculty of Education, Piquette says that issues of diversity are becoming a greater part of main-
stream conversation but there is much work to be done. ‘Diversity Includes All’ is the theme to this year’s week and is designed to get faculty members to think about their own diversity as well as the student diversity that exists on campus. “We do a fantastic job at this university talking about students and how we can support them, and while we’re not trying to shift the focus, we’re broadening the focus to include the fact that we have a huge faculty and staff component on campus, and it’s important to think about the diversity that exists within those groups,” says Piquette. The week kicks off with a presentation from assistant professor of neuroscience Dr. Robbin Gibb as she presents Sex Differences in the Brain, Monday, Mar. 11 at noon in TH241. Gibb will outline some of the factors influencing brain development that are mediated by sex differences. What promises to be a lively question and answer session follows her talk. On Tuesday, the Spoken Word – Poetry Slam event is
at noon in AH176. This gives presenters a platform to speak, read, rhyme or rant their words in a two-minute window as they discuss diversity and inclusion. “I think this will be so much fun and really puts a new slant on discussing diversity,” says Piquette, who notes that the Lethbridge Public Interest Research Group is also supporting the event. Faculty, staff and students are all welcome to take part. Participants just need to sign up in advance by contacting Piquette at noella.piquette@uleth.ca. Wednesday’s event is a presentation with Jeff Meadows and Brad Reamsbottom of the Teaching Centre. They will discuss Supporting Faculty in Supporting Students with Learning Disabilities, focussing on some of the key issues that students may be experiencing within reading and writing tasks, and specific strategies that can be employed to assist them. A pair of events takes place Thursday, beginning with a wheelchair basketball demonstration hosted by Dr. Mary Dyck
(kinesiology and physical education) and with the Lethbridge Wheelchair Basketball Association (10:45 a.m. in the 1st Choice Savings Centre gym), followed by a special film screening of Shameless: The ART of disability (7 p.m. in PE264). “It’s a heartwarming movie, but at the same time it’s also very comical,” says Piquette. “They really try and show that disability is not all about being sad and serious, it’s a part of life and they do a great job at portraying that message.” The week wraps up with Friday’s Strengthening Academic Capacity: Gender Dimensions presentation by Mary Butterfield of the Office of Research and Innovation Services. Butterfield will speak to gender equality in academic research at 12:15 p.m. in TH277. Piquette has long been involved with issues related to diversity. She was a special education teacher and guidance counsellor for 14 years at the school level and now as an associate professor, teaches courses in special education at the under-
graduate level and in counselling at the graduate level, focusing on a broader picture of diversity and mechanisms to advocate for inclusion within all community systems. “We’ve done our best to represent as many different approaches to the discussion of diversity issues as we could with this week’s events,” she says. “I really do urge everyone to find a topic that might be of interest to them and to engage in the conversation.” For more information on any of these events or any issues related to the Gender and Diversity Caucus, contact the following members: Chair, Dr. Carly Adams (carly.adams@uleth.ca); Sandra Cowan (sandra.cowan@ uleth.ca); Dr. Hester Jiskoot (hester.jiskoot@uleth.ca); Dr. Kevin McGeough (mcgekm@uleth. ca); Dr. Luz Ospina (luz.ospina@ uleth.ca); Dr. Noella Piquette (noella.piquette@uleth.ca); Dr. Jennifer Thannhauser (jennifer.thannhauser@uleth.ca); Dr. John Usher (john.usher@ uleth.ca); or Ilsa Wong (ilsa. wong@uleth.ca).
NOW SEEKING NOMINATIONS
NATIVE AWARENESS WEEK OFFERS UNIQUE INSIGHT INTO FNMI CULTURE The annual University of Lethbridge Native Awareness Week takes place Mar. 4-8. Always one of the most popular cultural weeks of the year, it features a variety of interactive events, including:
Wednesday, March 6 Event: Elders Presentation Hosted by FNMI Director, Roy Weasel Fat Location: Andy’s Place Time: 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Event: Recital Theatre- Art Now Hosted by Faculty of Fine Arts, Ruth Cuthand Location: W570 Time: 12 to 1 p.m. Event: U of L FNMI Alumni Panel on Leadership Faculty of Management Location: Markin Hall Atrium Time: 1 to 3 p.m.
Thursday, March 7 Event: Seven Traditional Teachings Play (G.R. Davis School) Sponsored by Morrison & Hershfield; Hosted by Native American Studies Department & Native American Student Association Location: University Hall Atrium Time: 10 to 11 a.m.
President’s Award
Event: Performance Arts Showcase Hosted by Faculty of Fine Arts, Chris Grignard Location: University Hall Atrium Time: 11 a.m. to 12 p.m.
FOR SERVICE EXCELLENCE The President’s Award for Service Excellence is awarded annually to an
Event: Seven Traditional Teachings Play Sponsored by Morrison & Hershfield; Hosted by Native American Studies Department & Native Student Association Location: University Hall Atrium Time: 12 to 1 p.m.
administrative staff member or team in recognition of their provision of exceptional service to the University of Lethbridge and members of the University community. Award recipients will be honored at the annual Long Service Awards and Retirement Recognition Ceremony.
Deadline for nominations and supporting documents:
March 22, 2013
Event: On IDLE Hosted by the Native American Student Association Location: University Hall Atrium Time: 1 to 3 p.m.
Awarded to one APO and one AUPE/ESS staff member, the award is open to all permanent or term (part-time or full-time) AUPE Support Staff, APOs and Exempt Support Staff members who have continuous service of at least three years.
Friday, March 8
For nomination forms or for more information, contact: Office of the President, 403-329-2286
Event: Blackfoot Digital Library Presentation Location: University Hall Atrium Time: 11 a.m. to 12 p.m.
www.uleth.ca/president/awards/service-excellence
Event: Recital Theatre- Art Now Hosted by Faculty of Fine Arts, Richard William Hill Location: W570 Time: 12 to 1 p.m.
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