Our Community

Your Mount Royal News
Sept. 3, 2020

Top stories
Welcome back

President and Vice-Chancellor Tim Rahilly, PhD, welcomes back those learning and working remotely and on campus for a semester unlike any other at Mount Royal.

Transcription available.
MRU gets in the game

A new Esports Management Certificate being offered through Continuing Education will provide the skills to make an impact in this burgeoning $1 billion industry.

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Strong demand for programs

Despite the impacts of COVID-19, demand for Mount Royal's programs remains strong, with the University
showing a slight increase in enrolment this fall.

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Making sport accessible to everyone

MRU is partnering on the Adaptive Hub, which is being chaired by Professor David Legg, PhD, and will develop sport and recreation programming for Calgary families in need with a specific focus on those with disabilities.


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Roy Bear Chief an Alumni Achievement Award nominee

A survivor of the residential school system, Elder Bear Chief was Mount Royal's first social work alumnus to work at the Siksika Family Services Calgary office when it opened, and today acts as a campus elder-in-residence.

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Announcements


Livestream video and slides, as well as op-ed available
For those who were unable to watch the Town Hall livestream on Tuesday, the complete recording has been posted for employees, as well as the presentation slides and a link to the Calgary Herald op-ed written by Dawn Farrell, chancellor, and Tim Rahilly, PhD, president and vice-chancellor.

The Table now offering on-campus dining
On-campus dining is now available at The Table. To help provide safe service, cash transactions are unavailable at this time.
MRU Food Services is also launching MRU dining plans for those living in Residence, to students with in-person course exceptions and to employees who are required to be on campus. Masks can be removed to eat or drink, but please maintain distance from others.
Learn more.


Save the date: Budget Town Hall on Sept. 15

Please save the date for a virtual town hall on the budget on Tuesday, Sept. 15 at 9:30 a.m. Further details will be announced soon.

Resources to support your mental health and well-being

For many, September is always a busy time with the start of a new academic year at work and at home. The pandemic adds to the stress and anxiety you may be feeling. There are resources to help you and your family members here, including a new section specific to COVID-19 that covers topics like managing anxiety as the lockdown lifts and advice for parents of children going back to school.
 

MRU Now app provides one-tap access to COVID-19 resources

Whether you’re coming to campus now or preparing for the future, all COVID-19 information and resources are available quickly and easily through the MRU Now app for iOS and Android. Use the app to access the Welcome Back website, the MRU People Plan and the daily health declaration forms.

Employee parking permits available in Lots 3 and A               
Employees can purchase temporary parking permits for Lot 3 at the West Gate entrance and Lot A near the Grounds Building using the 
MRU Parking Portal. When operations on campus return to normal, those who previously parked in Lots 3 and A will have first right of refusal. Parking remains available in the East Gate parkade and Lot 2. The first 30 minutes are free, and then the flat rate of $5 per day can be paid using the HotSpot appMore information.    

 

Recreation entrance opens via OneCard or intercom Sept. 8

The Recreation Entrance will be open to credit students and employees starting on Tuesday, Sept. 8 using their OneCards. This will also be the entrance for those who have an appointment at the Injury and Prevention Clinic. Community members will use the intercom to speak with Security. The doors between W-wing and U-wing will be locked on Sept. 8, so this will be the only way to access the clinic and Recreation Centre. 

 

Your responsibilities if you’re coming to campus

Complete the mandatory return-to-campus orientation if you haven’t yet done so. Enter campus one at a time and tap your OneCard to enable contact tracing if it becomes necessary. You’re required to submit the daily health declaration form, wear a mask in all indoor public spaces and maintain a two-metre distance from others. Masks can be removed to eat or drink, but ensure you maintain distance from others. Everyone is responsible for cleaning their own areas and belongings.

New policy has changed authority levels for signing contracts      
A new Contractual Signing Authority Policy was approved by the Board of Governors and took effect July 1. Authority levels and responsibilities have changed. If your authority to approve contracts has not been confirmed by Finance or the Office of General Counsel, please refer any contracts you may be involved with to your faculty or administrative departmental leader. 

Gmail changing to integrate Chat, Meet and Gmail         
Google recently announced a new integrated Gmail experience that brings together Chat, Meet and Gmail on desktop and mobile applications. Mount Royal is transitioning to the newest collaboration product, Google Chat, to replace Hangouts. More information.          
                                                  

Secure your data
Ensure your data stays secure even when working from home: save your files on Google Drive or an MRU network drive. Files saved locally (on your device) are not backed up. The blog post “File Management when working from home” provides more details. Display the digital sticker "I Save my Files on Google Drive" in your email signature for a chance to win a $250 Best Buy gift certificate.  

Free access to news and films
New online resources have been added to the Library database collection providing free access to the New York Times and Criterion-on-Demand. Log in from this page. Browse all databases available through the MRU Library website.


Did you know?
There are 203 washrooms on campus. Washrooms that are not frequently used or are close to other washrooms will be closed to enable enhanced cleaning in those that are open. 

Bleed Blue – Celebrating MRU

Remembering those who have died due to COVID-19
Assistant professor of journalism Archie McLean and MRU journalism students Christian Kindrachuk, Angela Lackey and Tristan Oram are participating in the Maclean’s magazine COVID-19 obituary project, which pays tribute to every Canadian who has lost their life to the pandemic. Continuing this fall, “They Were Loved” provides an intimate snapshot of each victim.

Board member new chair of AESO
Member of Mount Royal’s Board of Governors Karl Johannson was recently named chair of the Alberta Electric System Operator’s Board of Directors. He is also a member of the Board of Directors for ClearStream Energy Services Inc., was chair of Cancarb Limited’s board, and served on the Board of Directors for Bruce Power LLP., the Canadian Energy Pipeline Association, Canadian Gas Association and the Canadian Electric Association.


Events – More information at mru.ca/Events

Pride Parade
Fri., Sept. 4 to Sun., Sept. 6 — Facebook
MRU and the Students' Association have scheduled a full week of activities to celebrate Pride, culminating in a virtual parade. Learn more.


Beginner's Guide to Transforming Social Connections With Virtual Reality
Tues., Sept. 8 from noon to 1 p.m. — Google Meet

Learn how social VR platforms are changing the way we connect with one another during this new era of social distancing. Register.

XR Toolkit Series: Creating Virtual Reality Experiences With Google Tours VR
Thurs., Sept. 10 from noon to 1 p.m. — Google Meet

Create your own interactive 360-degree tours that can be viewed using VR (Google Cardboard) or traditional computer monitors. Register.

Stories of Innovation During COVID-19
Tues., Sept. 15 from 11 to 11:45 a.m.
Online
Meet four MRU alumni who got creative in developing strategies for ways to pivot and prosper during COVID-19. Register.


Beginner's Guide to Virtual Reality
Tues., Sept. 15 from noon to 1 p.m. — Google Meet
Explore VR and learn how to integrate this emerging technology into classes and research. Register.

Academic Podcasting: Communicating Research and Getting Creative
Tues., Sept. 15 from 1 to 2 p.m. — Google Meet
Discover the basics of podcasting and how to use the platform for research and academic interests. Register.

XR Toolkit Series: Creating Augmented Reality Experiences with Adobe Aero
Thurs., Sept. 17 from noon to 1 p.m. — Google Meet
Build, view and share interactive augmented reality experiences using your Apple device and the Adobe Aero platform. Register.


Beginners's Guide to Augmented Reality
Tues., Sept. 22 from noon to 1 p.m. — Google Meet
Learn about augmented reality applications in the class and for research, as well as the available Library supports
. Register.

Intro to Audacity: Managing Your Audio Project, Editing and Recording
Tues., Sept. 22 from 1 to 2 p.m. — Google Meet
Use Audacity software to create simple audio projects such as podcasts, voice recordings and more. Register.


Protecting Yourself Against Cybercrime
Tues., Sept. 22 from 2 to 3:30 p.m. — Google Meet

This workshop gives you all the tools you need to keep you and yours cybersafe and fulfills the annual mandatory cybersecurity training requirement. Register.


XR Toolkit Series: Editing 360-Degree Photos and Videos with Adobe Premiere and Photoshop
Thurs., Sept. 24 from noon to 1 p.m. — Google Meet
Process, edit and view your 360-degree videos and photos using Adobe Premiere Pro and Photoshop. Register.


CyberCafe

Thurs., Sept. 24 from 3 to 3:30 p.m. — Google Meet
Join MRU's cybersecurity expert, who will be combing the latest cybersecurity news to find engaging and timely topics for discusson. 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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