Jan. 2009 insideLaurier

CAMPUS | COMMUNITY | CONNECTIONS VOL. 1 | NO. 1 | APRIL 7,2008

CAMPUS | CONNECTIONS | COMMUNITY VOL. 1 | NO. 1 | APRIL 7,2008







7 Meet The Hawk, Laurier’s energetic mascot, motivator and sports fan.

4 Laurier delegation travels to China to explore educational partnerships and opportunities.

8 Staff and faculty celebrate the holiday season with a turkey lunch with all the trimmings.

Wilfrid Laurier University • January 2009

President Dr. Max Blouw says difficult decisions will have to be made.

By Lori Chalmers Morrison

Canada’s federal Parliament has been suspended until Jan. 26, but Laurier’s political science professors are being kept busy amid the flurry of media interest in the political wrangling in Ottawa.

Dean of arts and associate professor Dr. David Docherty’s long-standing relationship with the Canadian Broadcast Corporation has led to appear-ances on CBC’s The National and interviews for newspapers across the country on topics such as the Liberal leadership and the opposition’s attempt to form a coalition.

“Often the media calls political scientists to get a more objective analysis of background issues or possible scenarios of upcoming events,” says Docherty. “But when we get calls about the more unusual aspects of politics such as prorogation, it is a lot of fun. We get to comment about

the kinds of things we research and the immediate impact it has on politics.”

But long before Prime Minister Stephen Harper stepped out of Rideau Hall from his December meeting with Governor General Michaelle Jean, the media were calling on Laurier’s political science department. The university’s political science professors were sought-after resources in the weeks leading up to October’s federal election and during the American presidential race.

Associate professor Dr. Barry Kay is known for his research on Canadian voting behaviour, what the polls mean and how they are changing. Kay has been quoted in media stories across Canada, even serving as a frequent guest on a Regina radio station. He writes a regular political column for the Waterloo Region Record and has appeared

POLITICAL SCIENCE see page 2

Media calls on political science professors for expert insight

Laurier science dean appointed vice-president: academic and provostBy Kevin Crowley

Dr. Deborah MacLatchy likes to keep busy.

In addition to her current duties as dean of Laurier’s Faculty of Science, she runs a research lab, teaches a fourth-year course in endocrinology, and does weight training or aerobics most days of the week.

“The research and teaching help keep me connected to students and faculty,” she says. “And aerobics is my stress reliever.”

MacLatchy’s ability to manage a variety of demanding roles will come in handy when she starts her new job as Laurier’s vice-president: academic and provost on March 1.

“I am delighted that Dr. MacLatchy has accepted this appointment,” says Laurier president Dr. Max Blouw. “The vice-president: academic and provost plays a vital role within the university, and Dr. MacLatchy brings a tremendous amount of experience, talent and energy to the job.”

Reporting to the president, the

vice-president: academic and provost is the academic leader of the university, working closely with the president, the other vice-presidents, the deans and faculty to develop academic programming and to advance the university’s strategic plans.

MacLatchy’s appointment received the unanimous endorsement of the university Senate and Board of Governors.

“I am very excited by this new challenge,” says MacLatchy.

“Laurier has a well-deserved reputation for academic excel-lence and I look forward to working with my colleagues to strengthen and expand that reputation.”

A distinguished biologist with considerable experience in research, teaching and admin-istration, MacLatchy joined Laurier as dean of science in July 2007. She spent the previous 13 years at the University of New Brunswick, Saint John, where she served in several senior admin-istrative roles, including dean of science, applied science and engineering, and director of the

university’s international office.A native of Nova Scotia,

MacLatchy earned a BSc at Acadia University and a PhD at the University of Manitoba. Her research, which she continues at Laurier, involves ecotoxicology and comparative endocri-nology, with a specific focus on contaminant effects on endocrine (hormone) systems in fish.

MACLATCHY see page 3

Dr. Deborah MacLatchy

By Kevin Crowley

Laurier plans to implement significant cuts to its operating budget to deal with the unprec-edented financial challenges affecting the university sector as a result of the global economic downturn.

Universities continue to be hard hit by a combination of issues that include a dramatic drop in the value of pension and endowment funds, and an ongoing struggle to secure sufficient funding from the province for annual operating and deferred-maintenance costs.

“Universities are not immune to the severe diffi-culties rippling through the global economy,” said Laurier president and vice-chancellor

Dr. Max Blouw. “In fact, the financial challenges facing Laurier and other universities are extremely serious. The situation demands that we take action, but we are mindful that a strategic approach is required so that Laurier can emerge on a strong academic and financial footing once the economy bounces back.”

Based on its latest financial modelling assumptions, Laurier must reduce its operating budget by nearly 16 percent — about $31 million — over the next three years. To achieve this target, the university is planning budget reductions of 6.4 per cent in fiscal 2009-10, and depending on future financial directions, 7.7 percent in 2010-11, and 1.8 percent in 2011-12.

“We must proceed with budget planning based on the best information we have,” said Blouw. “Unfortunately, that information suggests that there will be no quick relief from government and no significant improvement in market condi-tions in the year ahead.”

A major expense driving the cutbacks involves regula-tions that require universities to make special payments to top up their shrinking pension funds. In Laurier’s case, its pension fund has lost more than 20 percent of its value in the past year.

Another concern is the structural deficits that Ontario universities face each year. The provincial government has

BUDGET see page 2

Budget cuts needed to address serious financial challenges

CAMPUS COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS VOL. 1 NO. 1 APRIL 7,2008

CAMPUS CONNECTIONS COMMUNITY VOL. 1 NO. 1 APRIL 7,2008



January 2009

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Difficult times aheadAs you are all aware, the financial health of Laurier has been seriously challenged by the worldwide financial turmoil that is having deep effects in all sectors of the economy, including universities.

The biggest impact to Laurier, but not the only one, is through loss of value in our pension fund

— a decline of about $60 million by the start of 2009. Another area of concern is the ongoing struggle to secure sufficient and stable funding from the province for annual operating and deferred-maintenance costs.

The financial challenges we face are compounded by uncer-tainty about government policy responses. In Ontario, for instance, hospital beds have been closed, a signal that government is ready to

exercise difficult priority decisions that will have negative impacts on fundamental public services.

Our budget modelling for 2009 through 2011 must reflect prudent planning based on the assumption that there will be no quick relief from government and no signif-icant short-term improvement in market conditions. While it is anticipated that markets will indeed recover, based on what we know today the recovery is not expected to be fast enough, or dramatic enough, to substantially mitigate the issues we face.

Based on our assumptions and in light of all the information currently available to us, the university must cut approximately 16 percent — or $31 million — from its base operating budget over the next three years (6.4

percent in 2009-10; and depending on future financial directions, an additional 7.7 percent in 2010-11 and a further additional 1.8 percent in 2011-12). Given that some areas of the budget cannot be reduced, however, budget reduction targets for individual areas of the institution may in fact be higher than the 6.4, 7.7 and 1.8 percent global figures, depending on what savings can be realized centrally.

The cuts will demand difficult decisions, adjustments by everyone to new and significantly more challenging realities, and, unless things change signifi-cantly, job losses. What’s more, it is possible that even while we are making cutbacks to the operating side of our budgets, the government may fund

capital projects designed to help stimulate the Ontario economy.

Laurier is not alone in this complex and uncertain situation. All universities in Ontario are subject to the same forces, and each university will be struggling with similar decisions.

Over the coming weeks, all faculty, staff and students will have opportunities to engage in discussion as decisions are made regarding cuts. The university will share information about the specific operational results of the budget cutbacks once that infor-mation is available, likely near the end of the fiscal year in late April.

There is no doubt that making the difficult decisions that are necessary during this period will test the strength of our community. I am deeply aware of

how difficult this situation is for our entire community, but I am confident that everyone will work cooperatively to make strategic decisions that will enable Laurier to be as strong as possible when economic conditions return to a more favorable state.

Dr. Max BlouwPresident and Vice-Chancellor

PrESIDENT’S MESSAGE

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All submissions are appreciated, however not all submissions will be published. We reserve the right to edit all copy for accuracy, content and length.

InsideLaurier

Volume 1, Number 8, January 2009

Editor: Stacey Morrison

Assistant Editor: Lori Chalmers Morrison

Design: Erin Steed

Contributors: Tomasz Adamski, Kevin Crowley, Scott Harris, Mallory O’Brien, Dean Palmer,

Barry Ries, Mike Whitehouse

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Deadline for submissions: January 19

POLITICAL SCIENCE continued

on CTV’s Mike Duffy Live. “It’s about popularizing

information from the academic sphere,” says Kay. “It’s a matter of being keen on politics and being able to provide quotable quotes and pithy statements.”

Docherty and Kay each appeared in more than 30 print media stories between September and mid-December and, combined, fielded over 200 media calls. Docherty joined the CTV southwestern Ontario news desk on the night of the federal election while Kay worked with Global TV.

“Each election, the media remembers you from the one before,” says Kay. “It helps to get Laurier into the Toronto market

and the national market in a way that we may not be able to do otherwise.”

The Laurier Institute for the Study of Public Opinion and Policy (LISPOP) has also generated national media attention. Last fall the National Post ran a six-part series on the institute’s analysis of Ipsos Reid 2006 Election Day Survey data (donated to Laurier in 2007), which showed the correlation between voting behaviour and marital status, religion, sexual orientation and even gun ownership. The studies generated media interest across the country.

“The Ipsos Reid survey data we have at Laurier allows us to profile voter subgroups that no one has ever studied before,” says Steven Brown, director of LISPOP.

“It’s not surprising the media ate these reports up when we released them.”

In the lead up to the federal election in October, LISPOP’s election website, complete with maps, graphs and a seat-projection calculator, became the go-to resource for journalists and the public, with 160,000 hits on its seat-projection feature.

Laurier’s link to Canadian politics — specifically coali-tions — goes beyond providing expertise on the political hot topic of the day.

“Laurier’s former chancellor (The Hon. Bob Rae) was front and centre in the recent effort to topple the Conservative government and have a coalition take its place,” says Docherty. “Back in 1979, Rae played a role in the fall of Joe Clark’s minority government, and, of course, in 1985 Rae was the chief architect of the Ontario NDP-Liberal accord.”

After defeating the PC party in ’85, Liberal leader (and later Ontario premier) David Peterson visited the lieutenant-governor, who made the constitutional decision that an Opposition party had the right to govern.

“And who was the lieutenant-governor at the time?” asks Docherty with a grin. “None other than Laurier’s former chancellor, The Hon. John Black Aird.”Dean of arts Dr. David Docherty, left, chats with CBC news anchor Peter Mansbridge.

Correction: On page three of the December issue of InsideLaurier, Jeanie Baetz’s degree should have been a Bachelor of Music Therapy.

BUDGET continued

suggested that it will no longer provide the one-time-only year-end funding that has offset these deficits in the past.

The Council of Ontario Universities continues to lobby government for pension relief and for a more stable and suffi-cient funding system.

Laurier has been communi-cating its financial challenges to staff, faculty and students through townhall meetings, presentations and communi-cations on the web. Budget managers have been directed

to identify ways to achieve cutback targets in their areas. These plans will be reviewed by the university’s president’s group, which will make a final budget proposal to the Board of Governors this spring prior to the start of the next fiscal year on May 1.

Given that salaries and benefits comprise the bulk of the university’s operating expenses, job losses are a possibility.

The university will share information about specific budget cutbacks once the information is available.





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More than 240 attend gala for Arthur StephenMore than 240 friends and colleagues of Arthur Stephen filled the ballroom at the Waterloo Inn last month to pay tribute to a man who has had a significant and positive impact on Laurier over the course of a remarkable 35-year career.

Stephen retired at the end of December from his post as special advisor to the president and acting vice-president: university advancement. He first came to Laurier as a student in 1969, joined the university as an employee in 1973, and went on to serve in numerous senior administrative posts, including

vice-president: university advancement, a position he held for more than a decade.

Numerous speakers, including Laurier president Dr. Max Blouw and Board of Governors chair Beverly Harris, praised Stephen for his contributions to Laurier.

“I know my experience of Wilfrid Laurier University has been rich in no small measure because of Arthur’s accomplish-ments and the successes of the people with whom he has worked,” said Dr. Terry Levesque, a long-time friend and chair of Laurier’s Economics Department.

Proceeds from the gala will help create a scholarship in Military History in Stephen’s name.

Laurier’s pool stays open on day-to-day basisIn light of substantial fund-raising efforts by the swimming commu-nities in Kitchener-Waterloo and the apparent interest of municipal councils in offering support, Laurier will keep its 50-metre swimming pool open on a day-to-day basis as long as it remains safe.

The university had previ-ously announced that its aging pool, which has been used by community aquatic groups for 35 years, would close permanently Aug. 31, 2008, due to the need for significant and costly repairs. In response to community concern, the university extended the deadline to Dec. 31.

“We are encouraged by the community’s commitment to aquatics programs and we will keep the Laurier pool open for as long as we can to give the community and local munici-palities more time to raise all of the funds necessary to repair the facility,” said Laurier president Dr. Max Blouw.

However, Blouw stressed that the pool’s status will be subject to daily evaluation until the funds are secured to make significant repairs.

“Safety is our first priority,” he said. “The pool is currently safe to operate, but we will continually monitor the situation. If necessary, we will close the pool on short notice.”

Laurier will continue its contri-bution by paying operating costs

— about $300,000 per year — to run the pool if the estimated $2.2 million in capital funds for the interim repairs is forthcoming.

Laurier business grads earn top marks in accounting examsLaurier business graduates have again excelled in professional accountancy exams, earning the highest mark in Canada on the Certified Management Accounting (CMA) case exami-nation for the second year in a row and capturing the Ontario gold medal on the Canadian Chartered Accountants’ Uniform Evaluation (UFE).

Elias Zeekeh, a recent graduate of Laurier’s combined MBA/CMA program, earned 99 percent on the 2008 CMA exam, the highest mark in Canada. Laurier graduates of the MBA/CMA program have achieved a 100 percent pass rate on both the 2007 and 2008 CMA exams.

Anna Nowak, a 2007 graduate of Laurier’s Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) program, won the Ontario gold medal for the highest mark in the province on the 2008 Canadian Chartered Accountants’ UFE exam. Nowak, who now works with Deloitte & Touche in Kitchener, Ontario,

is the seventh Laurier graduate to earn the UFE Ontario gold medal since 1993. Since that time, Laurier’s School of Business & Economics accounting graduates have achieved gold more often than any other Canadian university at both the national and provincial level.

rIM’s Jim Balsillie named Outstanding Business LeaderJim Balsillie, co-chief executive officer of Waterloo-based Research In Motion (RIM), has been named Laurier’s Outstanding Business Leader for 2008. The award will be presented at a private luncheon on Jan. 22 at the Waterloo Inn.

Balsillie was selected for this prestigious award in recognition of his significant achievements in the global mobile communi-cations industry, including the unparalleled success of Black-Berry, as well as his far-reaching community involvement.

The Laurier Outstanding Business Leader Award has been presented annually since 1987 by the Laurier School of Business & Economics.

NEWS What’s new and notable at Laurier

Test your stock market skillsRisk your virtual money in the Staff and Faculty Stock Market Competition

By Mallory O’Brien

Buy low. Sell high. Repeat. It doesn’t matter whether you’re a risk-taking short seller or don’t know what short selling is, playing the stock market is easy and fun at Laurier.

Since 2003, every two years Laurier’s staff and faculty have been testing their skills with stocks in the Laurier Staff and Faculty Stock Market Compe-tition. The free competition, which runs from March 2 to 27, is a great way to learn how the stock market works without risking your own money.

“Participants get four weeks to spend $100,000 of virtual money,”

says Lisa Fanjoy, manager of online learning and continuing studies at Laurier. “You can take risks you would never take in the real world or you can simply learn the basics of trading.”

Almost 100 part-time and full-time staff and faculty participated in the 2007 compe-tition and won daily, weekly and grand prizes. Anyone who makes a trade is automatically entered for that day’s random draw. Weekly and grand prizes are awarded to participants with the highest level of acquired capital. In 2007, staff member Barry Ries won the competition with a final portfolio value of $108,744.05

Fanjoy has run all of Laurier’s stock market competitions for the last 10 years. She says she is happy to talk to anyone about how to get started.

“I know the stock market can be intimidating, especially right now with the financial crisis, but there’s no better way to figure out how something works than doing it — and then how much you win depends on how savvy you are.”

So, what is short selling anyway?

“Short selling is basically selling a stock you don’t own yet because you expect the value of the stock to go down. When it does go down, you buy the stock for less money and bank the rest,” explains Fanjoy.

If you expect the value of a stock to increase, you might want to consider margin buying, which is getting your broker — or in this case the virtual broker

— to loan you money so you can buy more stocks, increasing your profit. Of course, you will have to pay back the loan with interest, so you better be pretty sure the value of the stock is going to go up.

“There are lots of online resources through the compe-tition website that can help you as you go,” says Fanjoy.

“Everyone should give it a try; it’s a fun, free and friendly compe-tition. Even if you lose it all you could still win some great prizes!”

Registration begins in February. For details, visit http://invest.wlu.ca/laurier or contact Lisa Fanjoy at [email protected].

Arthur Stephen and wife Yvonne get piped into the ballroom by Dr. David Docherty.

Jim Balsillie

MACLATCHY continued

MacLatchy has authored or co-authored more than 80 articles and publications, and has served on the boards of a number of professional organi-zations, including a term as president of the Canadian Society of Zoologists.

As dean of science at Laurier, MacLatchy has contributed to many initiatives, including the establishment of a BSc in Health Sciences, the launch of the Laurier Institute for Water Science, and the advancement of the univer-sity’s research agenda.

MacLatchy is taking on the role of vice-president: academic and provost at a time when Ontario universities, including Laurier, are facing serious financial challenges.

“The academic mission is at the core of the university,” she says. “With the current financial situation, the challenge is: How

do we continue to deliver quality education to students and motivate and engage faculty and staff?”

Laurier also has some important decisions to make about future growth. As vice-president: academic and provost, MacLatchy will play a key role in developing the strategic plans needed to operationalize Laurier’s new vision statement, and she will assist with the continued investigation into the possibility of opening a Laurier campus in Milton.

“Laurier has many strengths, and it does certain things very well,” she says. “We have some challenges ahead and some important choices to make, but we also have opportunities.”

Dr. Peter Tiidus, chair of the Kinesiology & Physical Education Department, will assume the role of acting dean of the Faculty of Science.

January 1, 1959: Fidel Castro seized power in Cuba after leading a revolution that drove out dictator Fulgencio Batista.January 11, 1990: The U.S. Surgeon General declared cigarettes may be hazardous to health, the first such government report.January 21, 1993: A reception is held at Laurier to celebrate the naming of the Robert Langen Art Gallery. Langen, a professor emeritus who retired in 1985, is credited with establishing the Fine Arts program and building the university’s art collection.January 28, 1986: The U.S. space shuttle Challenger exploded 74 seconds into its flight, killing all aboard.

This month in history: what happened in January?





January 2009

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By Barry Ries

It’s a 13-hour, non-stop flight from Toronto to Beijing. That’s a long haul by any definition. It’s even longer when you disembark in Beijing, collect your luggage, and board a China Eastern Airlines plane for a three-hour flight to Kunming, in one of China’s southernmost provinces, Yunnan.

By the end of the day — Oct. 14, 2008 to be exact — it was a very tired group of Laurier people who were met with flowers by cheerful students from Yunnan Normal University at the Kunming airport, and then taken on the university bus to their hotel.

The Laurier party consisted of Peter Donahue (director of Laurier International), Dr. Paul Maxim (associate vice-president: research), Dr. Bruce Arai (principal and acting vice-president, Laurier Brantford), Bev Harris (chair of Laurier’s Board of Governors), Lise Pedersen (international student recruitment co-ordinator) and Barry Ries (editorial/commu-nications officer in Research Services and staff rep on the Board of Governors).

The purpose of our two-week trip was to meet with some of

our partner institutions, inves-tigate possible links with other institutions, and meet representa-tives of the Chongqing Municipal Education Commission and the Department of Education of Yunnan Province, among others, to reinforce and develop Laurier’s interests in China.

For some of us, it was our first trip to China. It was Donahue’s fifth in four years.

“My first trip, in 2005, was to explore options for Laurier in China,” he says. “There was a feeling that something was happening in China and we weren’t part of it. We discovered that the east coast was sewn up” by universities from the U.S., Britain and Australia.

Then Donahue met Peter Liao of the Canadian Consulate in Chongqing, a city of several million people in a larger munici-pality (the size of Austria) of the same name. Located abut 1,200 kilometres northwest of Hong Kong, it is home to 33 million people and 50 universities and colleges. Liao said local univer-sities were approaching the consulate looking for Canadian partners, but so far without success.

On his next trip to China, Donahue and Maxim went to Chongqing. “We were the first

(Canadian university) to bite at the invitation extended by the Chongqing consulate and the doors were thrown open,” says Donahue.

After meeting with extremely enthusiastic representatives from area universities, the next step was obvious: If Laurier was serious about having a presence in China, southwest China was the place to do it.

“The idea of an office in China came out of this,” says Donahue.

“Setting up a permanent office would enable us to be a lead

player in southwest China, and it made business sense to hire local people (Nikita Zhu and Ruth Chen) to staff it.”

Laurier is the first Canadian university to set up an office in mainland China, and the only Canadian university with a formal presence in southwest China. Laurier’s office, located on the campus of Chongqing University

“really matters,” Shawn Steil, Canada’s consul in Chongqing, told the Laurier delegation.

It matters not just to Laurier, but also helps to raise Canada’s

profile in the area.“Our office has created a huge

amount of goodwill,” says Donahue. “Everything is now coming to us first.”

For example, Chongqing Technology and Business University, with 24,000 students, is a fairly new institution. It was formed from an amalgamation of technical schools, and with its new status there is an enormous need for faculty upgrading across all its disciplines.

“They are building capacity to teach,” says Donahue. “Our

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Dr. Paul Maxim speaks at the 2008 Maple Leaf Cup English Language Competition in Kunming, China. Members of the Laurier delegation were among the judges.

Laurier explores educational opportunities in

After becoming the first Canadian university to establish an office in mainland China, Laurier continues to develop interests in the Far East





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January 2009

professors have received foreign expert status” in areas such as supply chain management and social work.

“For us,” he adds, “we can develop a partnership and study supply chain management in a developing context,” as Chongqing becomes a regional transportation hub.

That’s just one example of how an exchange agreement can be developed. There are many models and lots of potential, as the October Laurier delegation learned.

Kunming, the capital of Yunnan province, gained fame in the Second World War as a desti-nation for Allied fliers bringing in supplies from India over the Himalayas (commonly known as

“Crossing the Hump”). Known as the City of Eternal

Spring because of its temperate climate and 1,900-metre elevation, the city of three million boasts half a dozen colleges and universities.

During a visit to Yunnan University of Finance and Economics (YUFE), which has 12,000 full-time students, YUFE vice-president Zhou Yue told the Laurier group that his university is trying to expand into interna-tional research.

“Our goal is to make this university more international, (to benefit) this area and do more contribution to the world, to make our graduates more international, with more work experience internationally.”

Yue said his university is interested in 3+1 programs (three years here, one year there) at the undergraduate level, and 2+1 programs at the master’s level.

As with most Chinese univer-sities, many courses at YUFE

are offered in English.At Yunnan Normal University

in Kunming, Laurier’s visit coincided with a visit by venerated American journalist and author Seymour Topping, who covered the Chinese civil war for The Associated Press. He was accompanied by his Chinese-born wife, Audrey, daughter of the late Chester Ronning, Canada’s ambassador to China from 1945 to 1951, and a photo-journalist who accompanied Nixon to China.

Yunnan Normal University president Yang Lin says Topping’s 1972 book, Journey Between Two Chinas, is “one of the 25 most read books for scholars working on Chinese issues,” and it was clear that Seymour and Audrey Topping were the guests of honour at a ceremony to mark the establishment of a Canadian Studies Centre at the university.

“We have much to learn from the Canadians and Wilfrid Laurier University,” Topping, a long-time Pulitzer Prize admin-istrator, said at the unveiling of a plaque to mark the official opening of the centre.

Donahue said at the event that Laurier can help develop Yunnan Normal’s capacity in Canadian Studies through exchanges of professors and students.

The next day, the Laurier delegation left Kunming for Chongqing. Yunnan Normal University’s president Yang and two of his most senior adminis-trators came to the hotel at 7 a.m. to see us off. Clearly, the Chinese are glad to have Laurier here.

Chongqing was the wartime capital of China under Kuomintang leader Genera-lissimo Chiang Kai-shek.

Located on the Yangtze River,

the city of Chongqing has a population of about five million, making it the seventh largest city by population in China. In 2007, the economic growth of the municipality of Chongqing was 15.6 percent, well ahead of the national average of 11.9 percent.

Opportunities for Canadian business abound in Chongqing, according to Shawn Steil, the Canadian consul, particularly in clean energy, mining technology, management expertise and business services, health care and social security solutions.

“There is a real hunger for education” because of China’s one-child policy, he adds.

Chongqing has 57 universities and colleges, and the central government is pushing for stronger universities.

The universities are now all

comprehensive in nature, and local authorities are “not sure if that is the correct path,” says Yue Yong of the Chongqing Education Commission.

“We are quite grateful to you (Laurier),” he adds. “You are coming to help us.”

Chongqing University (CQU) has about 40,000 full-time students, including 2,500 studying for their doctorates.

In a meeting with the Laurier delegation, CQU vice-president Chen Demin says, “I hope our co-operation can be strengthened by this visit. It is the first time we

have hosted another university’s office on our campus. That is an indication of our sincerity in co-operating with each other.”

CQU (along with several other universities) is moving most of its operations to a new University City development about 28 kilometres from the existing campus inside the city. The last bus to downtown Chongqing is at 10 p.m.

“Theoretically,” explains Li Bin, deputy director of the Office of International Co-operation and Exchanges at CQU, “we don’t support students having a nightlife.”

Laurier Brantford’s acting principal, Dr. Bruce Arai, set off independently on a couple of occasions to explore possibilities for his campus and came back with solid prospects.

The presidents of Kunming Medical University and Chongqing Medical University are drafting memorandums of understanding that could lead to the establishment in Brantford of a complementary or alter-native medicine program centred around traditional Chinese medicine, which would be “a central feature of what we want to do in health studies,” says Arai.

Over the course of two weeks (or more, for some people) Laurier’s delegation visited about 10 universities and education officials, while international recruitment coordinator Lise Pedersen visited schools and ran the Laurier booth at a recruitment fair in Beijing. We also worked in a few touristy things.

For Board of Governors chair Bev Harris, the trip was a chance to see the opportunities available for Laurier.

“It’s not just about (Laurier)

providing services and getting money for it,” she says, although that is a real possibility.

“It’s the opportunity to partner with a country, to have a better understanding through partner-ships, the potential to break down barriers.

“The overall impression I had of our partners, if I had to come up with a word, it would be

‘enthusiastic’. I was struck by how strategic they are, how deter-mined, and how much money they have. They are marching single-mindedly to that goal (of improving quality and interna-tionalization), and they will do it with you or without you.”

Laurier’s presence in China is enabling the university to develop partnerships which will, if properly developed, bring Chinese academics and students to Laurier (there were four students from Chongqing on campus during the fall term), and provide opportunities for Laurier academics and students to experience a part of the world that is important and exotic, yet which conducts much of its business in English.

The opportunities for faculty are especially appealing.

Laurier has a number of offers from Chinese universities for faculty to teach or conduct research or study in China, says Donahue. And those universities are offering to pay for transpor-tation and accommodation, and maybe also to pay for teaching.

“I see huge opportunities worth considering,” says Harris.

“Now we need to hear from faculty, to understand whether these opportunities make sense for the university and whether they would be enthusiastic participants.”

It’s the opportunity to partner with a country, to have a better understanding through partnerships ...

“

Peter Donahue, below left, director of Laurier International, with the staff of Laurier’s China office, Ruth Chen, centre, and Nikita Zhu.

’’

Left: Bev Harris, Laurier Board of Governors chair, presents an engraved silver plate to Yunnan Normal University president Yang Lin to commemorate the university’s 70th anniversary.





January 2009

6

Golden Hawk athletics update

Laurier’s men’s and women’s curling teams will travel to Harbin, China, this month to compete in the 24th Winter Universiade. Both teams secured spots in the Universiade by winning the inaugural Canadian Interuniversity Sport curling championships in March 2008.

“The Chinese women’s team actually lives in Canada for a few months to train and play,” says women’s skip Holly Nicol.

“We’ve played the team we’ll be facing in Harbin before and we lost, but it was a close one. We look forward to facing them again.”

Laurier’s curling teams will be joined by Peter Baxter, the university’s director of athletics

and recreation, who has been appointed chef de mission for the Canadian team.

The biannual Universiade takes place in countries around the world. The 2009 event in China will feature over 50 events in 12 sports, with almost 4,000 athletes and coaches participating.

In other athletics news, Laurier’s bid to host the 2011 CIS women’s hockey champi-onship was successful. The bid was supported by the City of Waterloo, and the event will take place at the Waterloo Memorial Recreation Complex in March 2011, which coincides with the university’s 100th anniversary.

“We are excited to be hosting a national event in the university’s

centennial year,” says Baxter. The Golden Hawk Women’s

hockey program has won the last five OUA titiles and the CIS championship in 2005.

This season, the team is ranked second in Canada and has a 15-0 record in regular season play (as of Jan. 8).

Languages and literatures professor Dr. Mercedes Rowinsky-Geurts has been

elected as a member of the board of directors of the Society for Teaching and Learning in Higher Education (STLHE). The STLHE is a national association of academics focused on the improvement of teaching and learning in higher education.

“This is a new and exciting challenge that will offer me the opportunity to have a large-

scale impact on issues related to teaching and learning,” said Rowinsky-Geurts, who won the STLHE-sponsered 3M National Teaching Fellowship in February 2008.

New appointments:

Sharline Doss, administrative assistant, Schlegel Centre.

Wojciech Ekiert, custodian.

Mark Frisen, custodial/mainte-nance person — Brantford.

Gregory Mudry, special constable.

Sheri Robblee, food service associate: WCH.

Anjelisa Skinner, career consultant, Disability Programs.

Linda Verth, food service associate.

Maria Zabalza, intermediate administrative assistant, Geography.

Xinyu Zhang, business intelli-gence analyst.

Changes in staff appointments:

John Fraser, Senate secretariat officer.

Richard Hertzberger, leadhand- custodian.

Diane Litt, OneCard systems assistant.

Mary Mason, administrative assistant, Physical Resources.

Judy Nicholl, leadhand- custodian.

Wayne Steffler, assistant vice-president: administration.

PEOPLE AT LAUrIEr For a complete list of appointments visit www.wlu.ca/hr

What are you reading?

What are you listening to?

Name: Mary Jo DaSilva Job Title: HR/Pension Administrator, Human Resources Book Title: The Time Traveler’s Wife Author: Audrey Niffenegger

This unconventional love story is from my daughter’s collection and she strongly recommended it after falling in love with the main characters. As soon as I read past the first chapter, I too understood the attraction of Henry and Clare’s story. Their undying relationship surpasses time, constant complications and turmoil, illustrating the true epitome of unconditional love.

What are you reading?

What are you listening to?

Name: Dawn Wharnsby Job Title: Graphic Designer, Public Affairs CD Title: Till the Sun Turns Black Artist: Ray LaMontagne

From the moment as the music slowly seeps in, to the final lyrics and note of the last track, this recording is pure beauty. The arrangements and lyrics are punctuated by the poignant life experience of a musician who has made an amazing transition from a modest upbringing. Richly poetic, simply timeless and highly recommended, regardless of your musical taste.

Do you have a professional or personal milestone to share with the Laurier community? Email your announcement and photo to [email protected].

Laurier to host women’s hockey nationals, men’s and women’s curling teams prepare for world’s in China

Laurier signed football head coach Gary Jeffries to a five-year contract extension. Jeffries, 61, enters his 32nd season at the university in various coaching roles and has been head coach of the football team since 2003. He is one of the winningist active coaches in the country, and has coached over 700 games for Laurier (in football and basketball). He also led the Golden Hawks to two Yates Cup victories (2004, 2005) and the Vanier Cup title in 2005.

History professor Dr. Cynthia Comacchio’s latest book, The Dominion of Youth: Adolescence and the Making of Modern Canada, 1920 to 1950 (Laurier Press 2006), was announced as the winner of the Canadian History of Education Association (CHEA) 2006-2008 Founders’ Prize for English-language book/anthology. It also received an honourable mention in the 2008 Canadian Historical Association Sir John A. MacDonald compe-tition for the year’s best book.

“I’m especially honoured to receive the CHEA award,” says Comacchio. “Many of its members have produced inaugural studies that have very much informed my own work over the past 20 years.”

Through her archival research, Comacchio uncovered not only what it meant to be a Canadian adolescent between 1920 and 1950, but also how their experiences echoed what the country was going through at the time.

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7

January 2009

How long have you been at Laurier?

I have been representing the university since 1960.

But Laurier has been around for longer than that. Was there another mascot before you?

Waterloo College didn’t even have team names until 1951, when we became the Mules. I’m told it was a funny take on our affiliation with Western and its team name, the Mustangs. As far as I know, there was no Mule mascot. When we became Waterloo

Lutheran University in 1960, people decided we needed a new team name.

How did Laurier go from a mule to a Golden Hawk?

Hawks was the most popular suggestion for a new name. I think it might have something to do with my breed’s visual acuity and keen intellect. People wanted me to be golden because they thought it would work with the school colours. When the change occurred in 1961, the headline in The Cord read, “From ‘Jackass’ to ‘Bird of Prey.’” I think it was a step up.

I hear you’ve had a makeover. What did you look like back in the 1960s?

Like a stuffed hawk. After a few years the athletic director and some athletes spray-painted me gold.

I think we all want to know — are you a male hawk or a female hawk?

Thanks for your sensitivity. I’m actually gender neutral. And I’m not very chatty, so it’s very rare that I grant interviews.

What else does it take to be The Hawk?

I’m an entertainer, a motivator, a sports lover, and a bit of a dancer. I also love kids. I’m very good at keeping secrets, so no one knows much about my identity.

What’s the most challenging part of your job?

Being recognized in public takes some getting used to

— sometimes it’s challenging being a local celebrity. I also get pretty warm, and sometimes people step on my

feet. But overall, it’s a very rewarding job.

What’s your favourite sports memory?

The Vanier Cup victory in 2005 when hundreds of people ran onto the field. It was electric. I loved being in the thick of it. But there have been many athletic triumphs over the years, and Laurier has so many incredible athletes and fans that every event is a treasure.

By Lori Chalmers Morrison

COFFEE WITH A CO-WOrkEr A look at staff and faculty across campus

Name: The Hawk

Job: Laurier mascot.

Where you can find The Hawk: At Laurier varsity sports games firing up the crowd or major university events. How do you take your coffee: As an athletic mascot in peak condition, I drink water instead of coffee to stay well hydrated.

Soheila Esfahani: The Seeker & The SearchWhen: Until Jan. 31Where: Robert Langen Art GalleryCost: Free

Artist Soheila Esfahani’s acrylic on canvas pieces will be on display.

K/W Alumni Annual Family Skate and Pizza PartyWhen: Jan. 173 p.m. –10 p.m.Where: Waterloo Memorial Recreation CentreCost: $7/person, $20/family (4)

Alumni, staff, faculty and community members are invited to bring the family and cheer on the Golden Hawks hockey teams, skate with the women’s team and enjoy a pizza party and hot chocolate. For a detailed schedule and tickets visit www. lauriera-lumni.ca/skatingparty.

Music at NoonWhen: Jan. 2012 p.m. – 1 p.m.Where: Maureen Forrester Recital HallCost: Free

Bring your lunch and enjoy the music of David Braid on piano and Matt Brubeck on cello.

Religion and Ethnicity in CanadaWhen: Jan. 2110 a.m.Where: Seminary BuildingCost: FreeThe Waterloo Lutheran Seminary lecture series welcomes Dr. David Seljak, professor of religious studies at St. Jerome’s University and chair of the Department of Religious Studies at the University of Waterloo.

Reflecting on Teaching: The 3M ExperienceWhen: Jan. 2211:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.Where: BA102Cost: Free

This workshop will provide the opportunity to explore techniques aimed at helping professors reflect and revitalize their teaching methods in a dynamic workshop environment. Facilitated by Laurier’s 2008 3M Teaching Fellowship award winner Dr. Mercedes Rowinsky-Geurts. To register, visit www.wlu.ca/edev.

Noon-Hour Seminars: Trans-Disciplinary SeminarWhen: Jan. 2212 p.m. – 1:30 p.m.Where: 5th floor lounge, DAWB

* Open to all faculty

Bring your lunch and take part in an informal trans-

disciplinary discussion with other faculty around topics of popular interest. For more information, contact Dr. Bob Sharpe at [email protected] or ext. 2684.

Strengthening Your Personal RelationshipsWhen: Jan. 2212 p.m. – 1 p.m.Where: Paul Martin CentreCost: Free

This Lunch & Learn Wellness session focuses on the positive power of communication. Learn about communication techniques to help your relationships move forward. To register, visit www.wlu.ca/ilovemyjob.

Workshop: Re-Presenting Canadian-Arabs in a Globalized WorldWhen: Jan. 231:40 p.m. – 3:40 p,m.Where: The Centre for Interna-tional Governance Innovation (CIGI)Cost: Free

Keynote speaker Dr. Karim Karim is the director of Carleton University’s School of Journalism and Communi-cation, and an internationally acclaimed author. For more information contact Dr. Jenna Hennebry at [email protected] or ext. 4489.

COMING EvENTS For a complete list of events visit www.wlu.ca/events

Winter driving safetyWinter driving can be tricky. Here are some tips to keep you safe behind the wheel:

Check your tire pressure often — •when the tires are cold. Properly inflated winter tires will give you the best traction on winter roads.

Replace windshield wiper blades •that streak with wipers designed for winter use. Top up washer fluid with a solution good to -40ºC.

Before setting out, remove all snow •from your vehicle’s hood, roof, windows and lights.

Give yourself extra time, reduce •your speed and leave lots of room

between your car and the one ahead.

Avoid using cruise control on •slippery roads.

Pack an emergency kit with items •such as a shovel, blankets, flashlight, candle, first-aid kit and food.

Travel with a fully charged cell phone. •

Entertainer and sports fan

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The Hawk hard at work getting the fans cheering for Laurier’s football team at University Stadium.

Adapted from information provided by Transport Canada. For more information, visit www.tc.gc.ca.





January 2009

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IN THE CLASSrOOM A look inside the lecture hall

Professor: Dr. Shohini Ghose

Class: Astronomy I: Our Place in the Cosmos

Description: An introduction to the science of astronomy, includ-ing the local sky and solar system.

Astronomy has fascinated Dr. Shohini Ghose since she was a child. “Like every kid I wanted to be an astronaut,” she says.

“It’s exciting to share and pass on my own sense of wonder about this amazing universe.”

Ghose, whose PhD is in quantum physics, describes the course as being unlike any other because the ideas are literally mind-boggling. “The facts about the universe — its size, age, number of stars — are more bizarre than fiction.”

Ghose feels that studying other planetary systems gives us insight into our own planet and important issues like global warming.

“Astronomy is arguably the oldest science and is intimately linked to the development not only of modern technologies but also our culture, traditions, festivals, religions and everyday lives,” she says. “The study of the universe allows us to understand our own place in the cosmos, our origins and our future.”

By Mallory O’Brien

Spreading holiday cheer

Putting stars in their eyes

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Laurier kicked off the festive season with the staff and faculty seasonal lunch

Dr. Shohini Ghose, centre, has been fascinated with astronomy since she was a child, and she enjoys sharing her own sense of wonder about the universe with her students.

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Jan. 2009 insideLaurier

Documents

Transcript of Jan. 2009 insideLaurier