What’s new this fall?
With the new term now upon us, The Ring put out a call to find out what’s new and quirky or unique on campus. Here is a small selection of the many things happening at UVic.
POLICIES AND SERVICES
New campus wayfinding signs
You may have noticed the new exterior signage being installed in several locations around campus. This new wayfinding system has been developed over the past two years in conjunction with consultants and numerous campus stakeholders. The signage program includes a family of signs that addresses the needs of both vehicular and pedestrian users and includes 17 different sign types. This wayfinding strategy will become the new signage standard on campus and will be implemented in a phased approach over the next few years. Phase 1 of this work is being implemented this month in the north and east areas of campus.
Info: Neil Connelly, director of Campus Planning and Sustainability, nconn@uvic.ca
Smoking policy
As of Sept. 1, smoking on the UVic campus is permitted only in designated areas outside Ring Road and the main campus perimeter. These areas are all within a three-minute walk of any campus building. More info, including a campus map outlining the designated areas: www.uvic.ca/smoking To provide feedback: clearair@uvic.ca
Food services
Changes are under way for campus food services with a focus on sustainability, buying local, and finessing the menu selection to be reflective of the campus community. The main cafeteria in the University Centre is being revamped and other improvements include a new cafeteria in the Fine Arts Building and renovations to the existing Mac’s Bistro in the MacLaurin building. Trying to eat healthy? Have special food needs? Food Services has a registered dietician starting this month—Coordinator, Nutrition Programming and Services Leanne Halligey. GetFood Services info on Facebook or follow on Twitter: http://twitter.com/UVicFood
Libraries go mobile
The UVic Libraries Mobile Web provides essential library information and services, anytime, anywhere, on your mobile device with an interface optimized for on-the-go access. The site automatically detects the device you’re using and delivers an experience optimized for it. UVic Libraries is also offering a trial service till Nov. 15: students and other library users can send questions by SMS/text directly from their telephones and receive answering text from reference librarians. This service will be monitored weekdays between 9 a.m. and 4.30 p.m.
Your career in co-op and the future
Whether students are on the fast track to dream jobs or not sure where to start, UVic Co-operative Education Program and Career Services can help make it happen. Sept. 13 is Co-op and Career Info Day, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the SUB. Co-op and Career Week takes place Sept. 19 to 22 and includes Résumania (Sept. 19, 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. in various locations on campus) and the Co-op and Career Fair (Sept. 21 to 22, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the SUB). For new alumni and soon-to-be graduates, there are Horizons and Navigator programs. Visit www.uvic.ca/coopandcareer/ for more info.
PROGRAMS AND COURSES
Health and society
UVic’s new School of Public Health and Social Policy—its first new school in 20 years—begins educating students this month about the societal conditions that diminish the prognosis for overall good health. Students will learn how to develop public health education programs that enhance quality of life, reduce premature death and minimize the impact of disease and disability.
The school will offer a master’s degree and graduate diploma in public health and a bachelor’s degree in health and community services. Students will learn primarily online and only come to campus for three short periods each year.
English
Welcome to worlds inhabited by mountain spirits, post-apocalyptic survivors and time-travelling descendants of slaves. This special studies course (ENGL 475) explores how writers grounded in traditional belief systems—African, Native American, Chinese—can push the boundaries of reality.
Computer Science
A new course (SENG 130) designed for undergraduate students who have little or no experience in using mobile technologies, programming or web page design is being offered this fall, specifically for those who are interested in developing web applications for mobile devices. More info: wordpress.csc.uvic.ca/seng130/
Continuing Studies
Chinese medicine, Swedish conversations and bloodthirsty pirates. This is just a hint of the hundreds of topics behind the new line up on offer this fall from the division. Details: http://bit.ly/ol6X5x
Business
The Gustavson School of Business is introducing its new entrepreneurship graduate certificate and diploma program this fall after a pilot project over the summer session. More info: http://bit.ly/pyN4Do
Nursing
The School of Nursing is offering its PhD program as a distributed learning option this fall. It will be available every second year, with the first cohort of five students beginning this September. More info: http://nursing.uvic.ca/
Medical Sciences
UVic is a hub of neuroscience expertise right here in Victoria, and the new graduate interdisciplinary program, hosted by the Division of Medical Sciences, is yet another example. More info about neuroscience program at UVic: http://bit.ly/oKj4IO