Message from the president

This week’s message from President and Vice-Chancellor Tim Rahilly, PhD, speaks about how Mount Royal is starting to plan for the Fall 2020 semester to be delivered primarily using alternative formats, not in person. A final call will be made on June 30. To reflect this new stage, the COVID-19 website has been refreshed. Visit mru.ca/PlanningAhead and email covid19@mtroyal.ca with any unanswered questions.

*A full transcript of this message can be found here.

Announcements

New faculty appointments
This is the complete list of new faculty appointments for terms starting in the fiscal year of 2020/2021.

Faculty of Arts ― Dean Jennifer Pettit, PhD

Department of Economics, Justice and Policy Studies ― Chair: Associate Professor Kari Roberts, PhD
Department of English, Languages and Cultures ― Chair: Professor Robert Boschman, PhD
Department of Humanities ― Chair: Associate Professor Scott Murray, PhD
Department of Interior Design ― Chair: Professor David Hyttenrauch, PhD

Faculty of Business and Communication Studies ― Dean Elizabeth Evans, PhD

Department of Broadcasting and Journalism ― Chair: Associate Professor Sally Haney
Aviation Diploma ― Chair: Associate Professor Deanna Wiebe, PhD

Faculty of Science and Technology ― Dean Jonathan Withey, DPhil

Associate Dean, Academic: Associate Professor Melanie Rathburn, PhD
Department of Biology ― Interim Chair: Associate Professor Sarah Hewitt, PhD
Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences ― Chair: Professor Gwen O'Sullivan, PhD

Faculty of Health, Community and Education ― Dean Stephen Price, PhD

Acting Associate Dean, Teaching and Learning: Associate Professor Genevieve Currie, PhD
Department of Education ― Acting Chair: Assistant Professor Shannon Kell, PhD

Teaching and Learning ― Vice-Provost and Associate Vice-President, Academic Michael Quinn, PhD

Academic Development Centre, Academic Director: Associate Professor Christian Cook, PhD

University Library ― Dean Meagan Bowler

Chair: Associate Professor Alice Swabey, PhD

Career services webinars for students
Career Services is offering webinars for students that focus on personal and professional development. Topics include brushing up on LinkedIn skills, tips for conducting virtual interviews and help with creating a resume that stands above the rest. Encourage your students to register for webinars or book an appointment with a Career Advisor for one-on-one help.

Extended locker clean-out
As some students did not have an opportunity to clear out lockers in the main building, the Security and Facilities departments are working to provide access from May 11 to June 5 for a scheduled clean-out by area. Find the schedule here.

Chatting with Mount Royal alumni
The Office of Alumni Relations has launched a bi-weekly online event series. Join the next on May 26, featuring Mount Royal President and Vice-Chancellor Tim Rahilly, PhD, and alumnae Shanon Pestun and Keri Smith discussing "The Role Universities Play in Changing Times." Complete details and registration are available here.

Error message from Our Community
Members of the community reported receiving an error message along with the delivery of Our Community last week indicating that Mount Royal University could not verify the origin of the email. This issue should be resolved at this time. Please report any difficulties with receiving Our Community to ourcommunity@mtroyal.ca.

Did you know?

May is International Internal Audit Awareness Month. Internal auditing is an independent, objective activity that helps an organization accomplish its goals by evaluating and improving the effectiveness of risk management, control and governance processes. Mount Royal's executive director of internal audit, Sohail Saleem, can be reached at ssaleem@mtroyal.ca for more information or help.

Bleed Blue – Celebrating MRU

School of Nursing and Midwifery COVID-19 outreach and initiatives
Mount Royal’s School of Nursing and Midwifery (SnoM) faculty have gone above and beyond with their efforts during COVID-19. Not only have they created new and innovative ways to deliver courses and interact with students, they have also volunteered their valuable time. Discover how the SNoM has been making a very real difference in the lives of many through donating time, expertise, support and care.

Peace Prize recipient offers thanks
Acclaimed Globe and Mail foreign correspondent, author and speaker on social inclusion Stephanie Nolen has accepted the 2020 Calgary Peace Prize, supported through Mount Royal's John de Chastelain Peace Studies Initiative. In lieu of April’s cancelled in-person event, more will be heard from Nolen in September in celebration of World Peace Day. Read her words of acceptance.

Mount Royal team advances to Map the System finals
Mount Royal’s winning team from the Institute for Community Prosperity’s 2020 regional Map the System competition performed well enough at the Canadian finals on May 8 to be advanced to the global finale, which will be hosted by the Skoll Centre for Social Entrepreneurship at the University of Oxford from June 5 to 7. The trio is investigating the question, "Is Canadian charity designed to fail?" Watch their five-minute submission video.

Bissett students take the podium in the Alberta Not-for-Profit Association case competition
The last Our Community newsletter sent out on May 1 mistakenly identified the Bissett Stock Market Competition as the same as the Alberta Not-for-Profit Case Competition. This is an error, as the two are separate entities. Bissett students from S ocial Innovation and Accounting placed third in the Alberta Not-for-Profit Association case competition in February. Read the blog post.

Stepping Up to start again
Registered Social Worker Michelle Chimenti, who is a Social Work Diploma alumna, has returned to the Stepping Up program coordinator role as the research-based program returns for 2020/2021. The Stepping Up program focuses on healthy relationships and the prevention of dating, domestic and sexual violence.

Events – More information at mru.ca/Events

Maker Studio Meetup
Thurs., May 14 from 11 a.m. to noon — Google Meet
Join the virtual Maker Studio to discuss your projects, explore new possibilities, ask questions, or just visit with the community you are missing. Register.

Finishing School
Thurs., May 14 from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. — Google Meet
Drop in to work on your your fibre projects in a supportive and social setting. Register.

Logo Design in Adobe Illustrator
Fri., May 15 from 11 a.m. to noon — Google Meet
Learn to use Adobe Illustrator to use text and shapes for the creation of a simple logo, which can be used in a variety of applications. Register.

Storytelling in 360-Degrees With Photos and Videos
Fri., May 15 from noon to 1 p.m. — Google Meet
Discover how 360-degree cameras can be used to create highly immersive environments for education. Register.

Beginner's Guide to Augmented Reality
Mon., May 18 from noon to 1 p.m. — Google Meet
Explore augmented reality, 3D modelling, development tools and available content and learn how to integrate them into your classes and research. Register.

Orientation to the Maker Studio
Tues., May 19 from 11 a.m. to noon — Google Meet
This basic orientation to the Maker Studio will introduce all of its tools and technologies and discuss associated health and safety concerns. Register.

Beginner's Guide to Virtual Reality
Tues., May 19 from noon to 1 p.m. — Google Meet
Learn about the MRU Library Experience Lab, available library services and how to integrate them all into your classes and research. Register.

3D Modelling in Tinkercad

Tues., May 19 from 1 to 2 p.m. — Google Meet
Navigate and create a 3D modelling environment with the Maker Studio staff. Register.

Protecting Yourself Against Cybercrime
Wed., May 20 from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. ― Virtual
This informative workshop provides all the tools needed to keep you and yours cyber safe, plus fulfills the annual mandatory cybersecurity training requirement. Register.

Introduction to 3D Printing and Setting Up a 3D Printer
Wed., May 20 from 1 to 2 p.m. — Google Meet
Find out about the common settings of 3D printer software and how to adjust them for the desired result. Register.

Maker Studio Meetup
Thurs., May 21 from 11 a.m. to noon — Google Meet
Join the virtual Maker Studio to discuss your projects, explore new possibilities, ask questions or just visit with a community you are missing. Register.

Finishing School
Thurs., May 21 from 12:30 to 1:30pm — Google Meet
Bring in your fibre projects to this weekly drop-in to work on in a supportive and social setting. Register.

Learn a Programming Language: Python I (Dice Roll Generator)
Tues., May 26 from 10 to 11 a.m. — Google Meet
Program your own dice roll generator in Python, the most beginner-friendly, high-level language that is in use by developers today. Register.

Learn a Programming Language: Python II (Mad Libs)
Tues., May 26 from 11 a.m. to noon — Google Meet
Expand your knowledge of Python through learning about string data types, user input, "if" statements, dictionaries and arrays. Register.

Beginner's Guide to Augmented Reality
Tues., May 26 from noon to 1 p.m. — Google Meet
Explore augmented reality, 3D modelling, development tools and available content and learn how to integrate them into your classes and research. Register.

Orientation to the Maker Studio
Wed., May 27 from 11 a.m. to noon — Google Meet
This basic orientation will introduce all of the Maker Studio's tools and technologies and discuss the associated Health and Safety Concerns. Register.

Storytelling in 360-Degrees With Photos and Videos
Wed., May 27 from noon to 1 p.m. — Google Meet
Discover how 360-degree cameras can create highly immersive environments for education. Register.

Make a Cellphone Holder — 3D Modelling in Fusion 360
Wed., May 27 from 1 to 2 p.m. — Google Meet
Learn the software interface of Fusion 360 software by creating a cell phone holder. Register.

Maker Studio Meetup
Thurs., May 28 from 11 a.m. to noon — Google Meet
Join the virtual Maker Studio to discuss your projects, explore new possibilities, ask questions, or just visit with a community you are missing. Register.

Creating Virtual Reality Experiences with Google Tours
Thurs., May 28 from noon to 1 p.m. — Google Meet
Create interactive 360-degree tours that can be viewed in virtual reality using the Google VR Tours platform. Register.

Logo Design in Adobe Illustrator
Thurs., May 28 from 1 to 2 p.m. — Google Meet
Learn to use Adobe Illustrator to for the creation of a simple logo. Register.

Image Tracing in Adobe Illustrator
Fri., May 29 from 10 to 11 a.m. — Google Meet
Find out how to use Adobe Illustrator to import and vectorize an image, which can then be edited and modified. Register.

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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