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April 11, 2024

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Sootsiman project shares knowledge and culture

Indigenous-inspired hands-on capstone project in the Maker and Media Commons space allowed students to purposefully create their own meaningful sootsiman. Building upon the Blackfoot tradition, the sootsiman becomes a personalized and unique keepsafe for accumulated knowledge about the world and oneself. Learn more.

Melanie Rogers named as new MRU Vice-President, University Advancement

Following a national search, Melanie Rogers has been selected as the successful candidate for Vice-President, University Advancement, and will return to Mount Royal to begin her new position on June 3.

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TVP students embrace the moment at Special Olympics Winter Games

Students from MRU's Transitional Vocational Program (TVP) were well represented throughout the Special Olympics Winter Games. Approximately 800 athletes participated in various events at this fun and exciting event. 

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From astronauts to pillownauts

Dr. Nick Strzalkowski, PhD, is part of a team studying countermeasures that could help astronauts deal with skin sensitivity changes by studying participants spending 60 days in head-down bed rest to better understand sensory adaptations that occur during space flight.

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Stress Less week from April 10 to 16

If students are feeling stressed about winter semester final exams and projects, recommend that they check out SAMRU’s Stress Less events and resources. All Stress Less programs and activities are free, so students can refresh their body and mind without leaving campus or spending a dime.

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Announcements

Undergraduate Research Leadership Program

 

The Library and the Office of Research, Scholarship, and Community Engagement are hiring four senior students for the new Undergraduate Research Leadership Program. With support from the program coordinator, the students will work together and individually to support and mentor fellow student researchers and contribute to undergraduate research initiatives at MRU. Applications accepted until April 30. Learn more.

 

 

Work from home expenses for 2023 taxes (T2200 form)

 

If you’re a Mount Royal employee who worked remotely in 2023, you may be eligible to deduct eligible home office expenses on your T1 income tax filing. Please note: The Canada Revenue Agency discontinued the temporary flat-rate method for work-from-home expenses and instituted new requirements. Learn more.

 

 

Meeting Mount Royal’s strategic aspirations via HR and FR

 

The Embracing the Opportunity report — a roadmap to evolving Mount Royal’s Human Resources and Faculty Relations functions — was generated from internal interviews with MRU community members. Learn more about HR and FR’s commitment to meeting MRU’s strategic aspirations and supporting ongoing service enhancement by reading the report, linked from the HR section of the MyMRU Employee page.

 

 

Bargaining update

 

For updates on the weekly meetings between the Board and the MRFA negotiating committees and the Board and the MRSA negotiating committees, visit mru.ca/Bargaining. 

 

 

Cobra chicken alert! 

 

It’s that time of year: the nesting Canadian geese on campus are feeling very protective. That means hissing, much flapping of wings and even nipping. Please give the wildlife a wide berth and respect their space.

 

 

Contribute to a clean and comfortable campus


If you notice a caretaking issue, let Environmental Services know by emailing mrufrontline@mtroyal.ca, calling 403.440.6417 or submitting a Frontline request via MyMRU or the MRU Now app.

 

 

ADaPT program deadline extended to April 14

ADaPT is a free digital skills training program designed to prepare final-year undergraduate students, post-secondary graduates and young adults under 29 with the skills they need to succeed in today’s job market. Ninety per cent of ADaPT participants have landed paid work placements upon completion of the program. The application deadline is April 14. Learn more and apply now.

 

 

 

De-stress with Employee Wellness

 

Join Employee Wellness on April 17 from 10 to 11 a.m. for From Worry to Wellness, a webinar presented by The Centre for Addiction and Mental Health. Register for an in-person talk on Stress: The Four Dances with the Tiger with Dr. Beverly Huang, ND, on May 1 in EA2030 from 10 to 11 a.m. Look for health-focused events for our campus community throughout the year. Learn more and register now

 

Discount for Jazz on Lincoln Park tickets 

The third installment of Jazz on Lincoln Park takes place in the Nickle Theatre on April 19. Use code MRUCOMMUNITY for 15% off tickets and see Jon McCaslin and guests live. Learn more.

 

 

Library Awards for Research Excellence

 

Do you know a student who has completed an outstanding project, paper or creative work while attending MRU? Encourage them to apply to this year's Library Awards for Research Excellence for a chance to win cash for their hard work. More than $3,000 in awards are available. Deadline to apply is May 5. Learn more.

 

Register now for Celebrate! Teaching & Learning at MRU

Don't miss out on this unique opportunity to celebrate the passion, dedication and creativity that define teaching and learning at MRU. Uncover new perspectives, connect with your colleagues and students, and discover innovative teaching approaches at this campus-wide event on May 9. View the program schedule and register visit: mru.ca/celebrate.

 

Exploring sustainability with Facilities Management

Did you know that the first solar panels capable of generating electricity on campus were installed on the E-Wing rooftop in 2018? Through strategic initiatives and innovative projects such as this, Facilities Management actively minimizes our community’s environmental impact while enriching campus life. Learn more.

 

Sign a farewell card to Dr. Davies at the Health Services Clinic

 

MRU Health Services is asking patients of Dr. Martin Davies to stop by the clinic and write him a farewell message on a postcard provided at reception. Please join in acknowledging the care he provided to our campus community for more than 30 years. All postcards will be collected and shared with Dr. Davies prior to his retirement in June.

 

How much do you know about MRU Camps? 

Did you know that MRU Camps is an out-of-school education program provider, with more than 30 unique programs, focused on delivering camps for children ages four to 15? Program categories include Early Learning and Elementary Education, Creative Education, STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) Education, and Sports & Outdoor Education. Learn more.

 

MRU in the Media — In case you missed it

Mount Royal University’s community-based research making world a better place

Calgary Herald – Connie Van der Byl, AVP; Matthew Swallow, Breda Eubank, Julie Booke, faculty

 

Calgary startups embrace AI technology: ‘We’ve only scratched the surface'

Global News – Crystal Chokshi, faculty

 

Is Calgary doing enough to reduce waste?

CityNews – Israel Dunmade, faculty 

 

Billie Eilish, Arkells among musicians pleading for protections against AI copycats

CBC News - Richard Sutherland, faculty

Mount Royal University, faculty, students and alumni are often featured in the media. To subscribe to the daily MRU Media report, email mediarelations@mtroyal.ca.

 

Bleed Blue

Three M.O. Mitchell Book Prize finalists announced

(CTV News – Natalie Meisner, faculty: Jann Arden, honorary degree recipient)

Natalie Meisner’s It Begins in Salt (Single Author book) is a finalist for both the W.O. Mitchell Award and the Stephan G. Stephansson Award for poetry for 2024. Meisner believes in the power of the written word to change hearts and minds and mentors student writers who have gone on to publish, edit, screenwrite, perform, and become songwriters, community developers and artists in Calgary and across the country. Learn more.

 

Emily Wilson Class of 2023 BE-d Elementary

Wilson was nominated by her school division, Chinook's Edge for the prestigious Edwin Parr Award for outstanding first-year teachers. The annual Edwin Parr teaching award goes to six outstanding first-year teachers in Alberta’s public school system, and is presented by the Alberta School Boards Association. This nomination is a reflection of the outstanding education that Wilson received at MRU. Learn more.

 

Events

Featured event

The Right to Read: a film screening and discussion

Join the MRU community on April 24 from 6:30 to 9 p.m. in the Jenkins Theatre for a riveting film screening of the documentary The Right to Read followed by a lively discussion that bridges the film’s ideas into local context. Register now.


Check out all the events happening in and around campus on our new events calendar.

 

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. Review 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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