Most of us are not on site, but the Peace Garden is putting on its annual spring bulb show. Here is a photo of hyacinths, taken by Carey-Ann Pawsey of the Communications Office on April 20. She also saw daffodils in full bloom.
Educators from across Canada will learn about the Resist Violence Pedagogy developed at Dawson on April 28 at Changing Narratives, CICan’s national conference.
Pat Romano (Faculty, Humanities), Kim Simard (Faculty, Cinema | Communications) and Anick Legault (Faculty, Psychology) are the presenters along with Dawson graduate Miryam Guirguis (Class of 2020, Health Science).
Click Read More to learn more about the pedagogy, get a link to resources and find out what's planned next.
Read More - Resist Violence Pedagogy to be shared nationally
The work of Dawson’s Facilities Management team to make Dawson College Carbon Neutral Forever has been nominated for an environmental award that is a Réalisation championne in the institutional category, announced the Conseil régional de l’environnement de Montréal (CRE-Montréal) on April 15.
Click Read More for the homepage news story and a link to the virtual event on April 29.
Read More - Carbon Neutral Forever project of Facilities Management nominated for CRE award
The summer semester will take place online except for activities that are considered essential. All optional in-person teaching and non-teaching activities remain suspended until further notice. The semester will run from June 14 until Aug. 5.
In the lead up to Earth Day on April 22, Dawson students shared their thoughts about Dawson achieving the gold level for leadership in sustainability from the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE).
Click Read More to go to the homepage news story, which features a video.
This year has been particularly competitive for applicants to Dawson College. A record 12,810 applications were received for the Fall 2021 semester, an increase of 16 per cent from last year. The Science Program was especially popular and its applications are up 27 per cent.
In addition, the College has fewer spots to offer this year due to the impact of the pandemic on current students. About 250 Dawson students are taking longer to complete their studies.
There have been recent media reports about the disappointment of students and parents who did not get a spot or were placed on a waiting list. Dawson’s popularity has been growing and there is a demographic boom coming up through the Montreal high schools. However, Dawson does not have more spots than previous years.
The application review process is thorough and equitable. Decisions by the Registrar’s Office are based on outstanding academic performance and there is no admissions appeals process.
Dawson remains committed to providing excellent academic programs to the greatest number of students we are permitted to admit. With regards to the English-speaking community of Quebec, to date approximately half the students offered admission for Fall 2020 claim English as their mother tongue.
For almost two years, Dawson’s white pine has stood near the Peace Garden just west of the main entrance at 3040 Sherbrooke Street West.
Click Read More to find out more about the significance of the white pine and to see a 14-minute video segment of Kanien’kehá:ka storyteller and Sub Chief Aronhiaies Herne's lecture at Dawson. This video is a suggested activity for Dawson's Earth Weeks.
Students on track to graduate this semester received their invitation on April 19 to a special experience of Convocation. While it will be virtual, each graduate who chooses to participate will be the star of their own experience.
Each graduate can submit their personalized and shareable content through Stage Clip, a platform Dawson has chosen to give the Class of 2021 something special.
Convocation is scheduled to take place as a virtual ceremony on June 30 at 7 p.m. All names of graduates will be announced and speeches will be given by the valedictorian, some teachers and presenters of awards. Details to follow for employees who would like to attend.
Click Read More to preview the experience.
Read More - Graduates will star in personalized Convocation experience
Dr. Sabrina Jafralie will facilitate a discussion on anti-black racism in Canada and Quebec with a focus on what diversity, inclusion and social equity look like in a variety of cases and situations in educational institutions. She will provide actionable tools for being an ally in promoting anti-racism, and help build a stronger community through dialogue.
With a view to building upon on-going conversations at Dawson and in support of professional development and employee engagement articulated in Dawson’s strategic plan, all Dawson employees are invited to participate in this presentation. This session builds upon presentations geared towards teachers and all staff including those animated by Shanice Nicole, Rachel Zellers, Tiffany Callender and a variety of speakers hosted or co-hosted by Human Resources.
When: Wednesday, April 28, 9 a.m.-11 a.m.
Where: Zoom link
*All employees are welcome to attend this session. Support Staff and Professionals who wish to attend should have approval from their manager.
Environmental Science Coordinator Tonia De Bellis has found a way to give Science students a unique hands-on learning activity that is perfect for a pandemic.
Click Read More for the homepage news story.
Read More - Students to take stock of trees in Montreal and Westmount this summer
There is a major initiative to prevent cyberattacks at public institutions across Quebec.
“If I could only say one thing to colleagues, it would be: ‘don’t click on a link in an email before thinking,’” said François Paradis, Director of Information Systems and Technology at Dawson College.
Click Read More for the second article in a series about preventing cyberattacks.
SPACE has recently launched SPACEpod, a podcast which brings together students from the Arts and Sciences to interview guests about complex issues such as AI, social justice, climate change and the global pandemic, to name just a few, and to share from a student-perspective how those issues impact them.
Click Read More for brief updates and links to more information about SPACEpod, the annual writing competition and the installation TransLuminal.
The last meeting of the Board of Governors of Dawson College took place April 14.
The Board approved the preliminary capital budget for 2021-2022, which considers all new equipment required at the College including computers, accessories, software and furnishings. The budget also covers renovation projects for the upcoming year. The College is planning several renovation projects, including but not limited to the construction of a rapid prototype lab in the Industrial Design studios in 1G, the beautification of Oliver’s, the phase I renovation of Interior Design labs in 3G and more.
Dawson’s new Code of Conduct was also approved by the Board. The Code of Conduct was drafted by a committee comprised of representatives from all unions and associations of the College, student representatives from the Dawson Student Union, members of Student Services, Human Resources, the Academic Sector and the Ombudsperson.
The Code of Conduct will replace the Student Code of Conduct and apply to all members of the Dawson Community as well as visitors and contractors who come to the College. It will be effective in August and more details will be shared with the Community in the near term.
Finally, the Board also approved the sale of a small parcel of land to the Société de Transport de Montréal to allow clearance for the construction of an elevator for the Atwater Metro. The addition of an elevator will benefit the general public and the Dawson Community by improving access to the Atwater metro landing.
SALTISE is calling for nominations of teachers and pedagogical counsellors for best practices and pedagogical innovation awards. Past Dawson winners include Ian Mackenzie in 2020 and Yann Brouillette in 2019.
Click Read More for more information.
The Professional Theatre Department of Dawson College presents excerpts from 365 days / 365 plays by Suzan-Lori Parks. In 2002, Pulitzer-Prize-winning American playwright, Suzan-Lori Parks, decided to write a play every day for a year. From this massive work, director Stefanie Buxton has curated a selection of short plays, each with resonating power, creating a One Act show. Performed by the third-year students, 365 days is a rich journey.
The show opens Wednesday, April 28 and runs to May 1, as well as May 5-8. All shows begin at 8 p.m. Please note that this show has content warnings for: violence, violence against women of colour, graphic language, war, sexual themes, death and police brutality.
Click Read More to go to the Dawson Theatre Facebook page, where the play will be livestreamed.
Walking Out Ceremony is one of the many films you can find at fppse.net, the First Peoples Post-Secondary Storytelling Exchange website.
The six-minute film follows Dawson College student Alexandrea Matthews as she and her family hold a traditional Cree ceremony on the Dawson grounds. A Walking Out ceremony is a long-held Cree tradition that honours a child's first steps and their future role.
Members of the Dawson Community were present to witness this special event and celebrate a milestone with Alex's niece and her family. For Alex, whose home community is nine hours north, she was "so happy to bring something from my home to Dawson."
Click Read More to watch it.
Read More - Walking Out Ceremony: Sharing Cree culture with the Dawson community through film
Walking outdoors is known to be beneficial. Studies have shown that being in Nature reduces tension and depression, energizes you and much more.
Both Julie Drolet (Health Services) and Gavin Sealy (Athletics) would like to encourage us to walk more as part of our working from home wellness strategy.
Click Read more for information and tips from Julie and Gavin.
Don't miss all the great activities planned for Earth Weeks.
Click Read More to go to the schedule.
Read about structuring your online discussions to encourage learners to apply concepts that they have learned or to further explore a concept they have studied in class.
DawsonITE is your weekly curated news related to IT and Education prepared by Dawson's Rafael Scapin. In this issue:
• Researchers say AI will ‘greatly impact’ the future of education
• How to use Microsoft Word and Teams as a teleprompter for presentations
• These helpful camera apps can scan documents, old photos and enhance Zoom teaching
Final reminder
All non-permanent teachers are strongly encouraged to submit the General Offer of Service (GOS) for all available day or continuing education teaching assignments for 2021-2022.
The online application must be received by Human Resources no later than May 1, 2021 at 23:59 PM.
Stay safe and healthy,
Human Resources Department
hrfaculty@dawsoncollege.qc.ca
Last Modified: April 21, 2021
