Announcements

Holiday closure includes Dec. 24

Most University services will close for the holidays from Dec. 24, 2019 to Jan. 1, 2020, inclusive, reopening on Jan. 2. President Tim Rahilly has chosen to extend this year’s closure to include Dec. 24, where feasible. If you are unsure whether your department will be operating during the break, please check with your supervisor or manager.

Registration for winter 2020 continuing education programs open

Discover the professional and personal development opportunities available through the Faculty of Continuing Education and Extension.

Join in some festive cheer on Dec. 11
Employees are invited for a holiday mix and mingle on Wednesday, Dec. 11, from 2:15 to 4:30 p.m. at the Bella Concert Hall. Take in a 40-minute holiday concert at 2:30 p.m., including performances by the Conservatory's Artio choir and award-winning alumna Kate Stevens, to name just a few. Then enjoy refreshments with your colleagues in the lobby. No RSVP necessary.

Changes coming to transit routes to Mount Royal
On Dec. 23, Calgary Transit is changing routes in southwest Calgary, impacting how people get to and from campus. Drop by Calgary's Transit's information session on Nov. 27 on Main Street from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. or visit calgarytransit.com/RouteChanges to learn more.

Your health and/or personal spending account choice is due Friday
Friday is the deadline for employees to choose how to allocate funds between a health spending account and/or personal spending account for 2020. Indicate your preference using this form. Unless you denote otherwise, your funds will default to your health spending account. Refer to the Nov. 1 email from benefits@mtroyal.ca for more information.

Tips for coping with common holiday stressors

Resources are available to help employees cope with this busy, and often stressful, time of year. Learn to recognize signs of stress and how to alleviate them by taking care of yourself. Read more.

Annual TVP holiday fundraiser
Celebrate the holidays and support Mount Royal's Transitional Vocational Program. Purchase beautiful, locally grown poinsettias, arrangements, wreaths and planters before Nov. 22, with on-campus delivery planned for Dec. 5 and 6. Find out what is available here.

Complete the annual cybersecurity survey for a chance to win
Your input helps shape the MRU cybersecurity program. Complete the survey to receive a contest entry code for the Cybersecurity Challenge and a chance to win a $250 Best Buy gift certificate or a $50 gift certificate to The Table. Visit mru.ca/cybersecurity for more information about cybersecurity efforts at MRU.

Did you know?
Mount Royal sends approximately 200 students abroad each year to more than 26 different countries. There are outbound exchange opportunities for all credit disciplines and guaranteed funding of up to $1,500 available for each student who is accepted.

Bleed Blue – Celebrating MRU

Students play part in lead pipes exclusive
On Nov. 4, Global News and Star Metro Calgary, in conjunction with Mount Royal’s journalism program, published the results of a year-long investigation funded by the Institute of Investigative Journalism at Concordia University into lead in the water in Calgary and cities across Canada. Mount Royal student Alannah Page received a lead credit in the Star story, with Karina Zapata and Stephanie Hagenaars credited for research.

An attempt to scale Canada’s highest peak gives pause to "think deeply"
Associate Professor Ian Sherrington of the Department of Health and Physical Education challenged himself to summit Mount Logan, the highest peak in Canada, last May. Along with his brother-in-law, a mountain guide and high-angle rescue specialist, the pair decided to try the more difficult East Ridge route, which Sherrington describes as “an involved climbing objective including knife-edged snow ridges, short sections of rock and ice-climbing, and almost continuous exposure of up to 1,500 metres down on both sides of the ridge.” Read more.

Cross-disciplinary course receives international attention
Professors Duane Bratt, PhD, and Brett McCollum, PhD, have been invited to present in Paris at the Nuclear Energy Agency in December, contributing to a workshop on speaking across the disciplinary divide in nuclear and social sciences. Their presentation will focus on almost a decade of teaching the general education course CHEM 3802: The Science and Politics of Nuclear Energy. Read more.

An in-depth look at the mysteries of violence
Associate Professor Mark Ayyash, PhD, of the Department of Sociology and Anthropology recently saw his book, A Hermeneutics of Violence: A Four-Dimensional Conception, published by the University of Toronto Press. Read more.

Child Studies student art to be displayed at zoo
On Nov. 20, National Child Day, second-year students in the Bachelor of Child Studies program will present their Image of a Child artwork exhibition at the Calgary Zoo as part of the Calgary Play Summit. The pieces were created as part of Assistant Professor Carolyn Bjartveit, PhD, and contract faculty Lea Blust's Guidance and Planning course, which challenged the students ― all early learning majors ― to address their preconceptions. Read more.

Events – More information at mru.ca/Events

Virtual Exploration
Thurs., Nov. 14 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. — EL1355 (Virtual Experience Lab)
See pandas in Asia, visit markets in South America and poke around European port cities in the Experience Lab. This event is part of International Education Week.

International Potluck
Thurs., Nov. 14 from noon to 1 p.m. — E140
Bring a favourite food or cook a special dish and attend this International Education Week potluck.

Women's Entrepreneurship Day Summit
Thurs., Nov. 14 at 12:30 p.m. — Ross Glen Hall
Join like-minded individuals and organizations wanting to ignite change and make a positive impact for women in business. Details and tickets.

A Career in the Canadian Foreign Service
Thurs., Nov. 14 from 1:40 to 3 p.m. — EC2025
Attend this presentation by a migration officer who will share what a career as a foreign service officer looks like. This event is part of International Education Week.

Protecting Yourself Against Cybercrime
Thurs., Nov. 14 from 1:30 to 3 p.m. — E125
This informative workshop gives you all the tools you need to keep you and your family cybersafe and fulfills the annual mandatory cybersecurity training requirement. Register.

Button Making: Flags and Languages
Thurs., Nov. 14 from 2 to 3 p.m. — EL1245 (Maker Studio)
Come and design buttons to represent your country’s flag and the languages you speak. All supplies provided. This event is part of International Education Week.

Virtual Exploration
Fri., Nov. 15 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. — EL1355 (Virtual Experience Lab)
Using virtual reality technology, explore every corner of the Earth. This event is part of International Education Week.

Calgary Youth Orchestra
Sun., Nov. 17 at 7:30 p.m. ― Bella Concert Hall
Under the direction of Edmond Agopian, the Calgary Youth Orchestra is the flagship orchestra in Mount Royal Conservatory's Orchestral Program. Tickets.

Using KeePass
Mon., Nov. 18 from 9:30 to 11 a.m. — T104
Learn how to use KeePass to safely store your passwords electronically. Register.

Sim Racing and 3D Printing with Michal Waissmann
Mon., Nov. 18 from 11 a.m. to noon — EL1245 (Maker Studio)
Join Michal Waissmann, creative lead in Marketing and Communications, as he explains how he experimented with the tools and technologies in the Maker Studio. Register.

Peasants and Policing in the Middle Ages: How Villages Dealt with Crime in 13th-Century England
Mon., Nov. 18 from 4:30 to 7 p.m. — EL1270 (Ideas Lounge)
Kenneth Duggan, PhD, will discuss how, without a police force, criminals were apprehended in 13th-century England. More information.

Blackfoot Language Lunch and Learn
Wed., Nov. 20 from noon to 1 p.m. — EB3013 (Trico Changemakers Studio)
Bring your lunch and join campus Elder Roy Bear Chief as he shares his knowledge of the Blackfoot language.

Beginner's Guide to 360-Degree Cameras
Wed., Nov. 20 from noon to 1:30 p.m. — EL1441 ( Visualization Classroom)
Learn how to use 360-degree cameras to create highly immersive environments for education. Register.

The Working Mind Manager Session
Wed., Nov. 20 and 27 from 12:30 to 4:30 p.m. each day — Location available upon registration
This session, tailored to those in management positions, promotes positive mental health and stigma reduction in a workplace setting. Register.

Techno Tampons: Menstrual Hygiene Products as Technologies Workshop
Wed., Nov. 20 from 1 to 5 p.m. — EL1245 (Maker Studio)
Information design professor Milena Radzikowska will challenge participants to think about the space created by menstruation, design, and technology through a critical lens. Register.

Miistakis Institute Wine and Cheese
Wed., Nov. 20 from 4:30 to 7 p.m. — EL1441 (Visualization Lounge)
All are invited to learn more about the work of Miistakis and potential opportunities for research and community-engaged collaboration. Register.

Preparing for Change
Thurs., Nov. 21 and Fri., Nov. 22 from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. — EC2025
This two-day workshop tackles how to prepare for and navigate change. Register.

Are You an Executor? Duties, Responsibilities and Probate
Thurs., Nov. 21 from 12:05 to 12:55 p.m. — Y224
Before appointing your executor or saying “Yes!” when asked to be an executor, be sure you know what the responsibilities and legal obligations are and why probate may be needed. Register.

Ecotourism and Outdoor Leadership Film Night
Thurs., Nov. 21 from 7 to 10 p.m. — Bella Concert Hall
Attend this visual media showcase of adventure wilderness-based activities and outdoor education by students and alumni. Tickets.

Using HLOOKUP in Excel
Fri., Nov. 22 from 10 to 11:30 a.m. — T104
The HLOOKUP function in Microsoft Excel allows you to look up and retrieve data from a specific row in a table. Register.

Hawksley Workman
Fri., Nov. 22 at 8 p.m. — Bella Concert Hall
Singer-songwriter, producer and multi-instrumentalist Hawksley Workman performs at Mount Royal. Tickets.

Harm Reduction and Naloxone Training
Mon., Nov. 25 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. — EA1055
Participants will learn how to recognize and respond to an overdose, including how to provide naloxone by practicing injections in a safe and non-judgmental setting. Register.

Calgary Transit Changes Information Session
Wed., Nov. 27 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. — Main Street
On Dec. 23 Calgary Transit is making changes to routes in southwest Calgary, impacting how people get to and from campus. Learn more.

Ethics 101 Workshop
Wed., Nov. 27 from 2 to 3 p.m. — EB2061 (Bissett Boardroom)
Open to faculty, this session will consider principles of Ethical Conduct for Research Involving Humans as required by the Canadian Tri-Council Policy Statement. Register.

Creating a Basic Google Site
Thurs., Nov. 28 from 9:30 to 11 a.m. — T104
Learn the basics of creating a Google site, including inserting calendars, embedding video and selecting your page template. Register.

Conflict Management
Fri., Nov. 29 from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. — EC2025
Gain an overview of conflict management principles and best practices. Learn to assess and manage your own response and approach to conflict in the workplace. Register.

Managing and Sustaining Change
Tues., Dec. 3 and Wed., Dec. 4 from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day — EC2055
Examine specific tools and methods for defining metrics and assessing the success of implemented change efforts. Register.

The Fundamentals of Change and Transition
Tues., Dec. 3 from noon to 1 p.m. — Y324
Explore strategies, frameworks, self-care tools and resources to navigate the change process successfully. Register.

Department of Mathematics and Computing Showcase 2019
Tues., Dec. 3 from 5 to 8 p.m. — EL1270 (Ideas Lounge)
Come and see exciting work from senior computing students, support their growth and help them advance their projects. Register.

Blackfoot Language Lunch and Learns
Wed., Dec. 4 from noon to 1 p.m. — EB3013 (Trico Changemakers Studio)
This program provides an introduction to Blackfoot language teachings by Elder Roy Bear Chief in a relaxed, supportive environment.

Winter Fantasia
Sun., Dec. 8 from 2 to 5 p.m. — Bella Concert Hall
Winter Fantasia is a showcase of the work of the MRU Conservatory choral ensembles. Tickets.

Have a story, announcement or info to share?

Summit and website stories

We would love to hear about your story! Go to the online story submission tool and guidelines.

MyMRU announcements

Please send announcements for MyMRU's homepage to mymru@mtroyal.ca. Here are the guidelines.

Start of semester emails, with option for distribution list sign-up

As each semester begins (August/September and December/January), areas with ongoing employee activities can send an email to all employees describing their semester activities. Employees can then choose to opt in to that area's distribution list (Google Group) for regular updates. If you would like to send an email and/or set up a Google Group for your area, please contact Marketing and Communications for guidelines.

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