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Wednesday, Apr. 7, 2021

Communications Office, From the Director General

Dawson College launching Branding Project

Building on over 50 years of history, Dawson College is embarking on a Branding Project today.

“Over the years, Dawson has established a reputation as a CEGEP with excellent and innovative academic programs and an active campus life, with opportunities to grow and learn both inside and outside of the classroom,” said Director General Diane Gauvin. “We have much to be proud of.”

Click Read More to go to the full announcement.

Read More - Dawson College launching Branding Project

Communications Office

Help Dawson rebrand by participating in our survey

Your opinion is important! Please take 5 minutes before April 14 to participate in a survey, which will provide important insights for the College's Branding Project.

Employees and students can find a survey on Omnivox under what's new: https://dawsoncollege.omnivox.ca/Login/Account

Retirees, alumni, employment partners, donors and others are invited to fill out a survey here: https://lnkd.in/dPbh5Yj 

IST

We are all part of Dawson’s cyber defence plan

Before the pandemic, technology was very important. Over the past year, our technology has become even more critical and has allowed us to continue our work and teaching by providing the space to meet and platforms to work on and share files.

Click Read More for a report about Dawson's cyber defence plan and the need for it.

Read More - We are all part of Dawson’s cyber defence plan

Decolonization, Faculty Hub

Introducing the Dawson Decolonizing and Indigenizing Community Exchange!

Please join this MS Teams site that is a forum for discussion, resource sharing, support and inspiration.

The forum is open to all employees of Dawson (Sign in to MS365 required). Please join in!

Topics for discussion include:

  • Pedagogical Resources
  • Community Collaborations
  • Envisioning and Aspirations
  • Land-based Pedagogy
  • Research Projects and Initiatives
  • Seeking Dialogue or Specific Resources
  • Supporting Indigenous Students

Additional information can be found on this page of the Faculty Hub website.

Campus Life, Events, Peace Centre, Sustainability, Well-being for all

Earth Weeks are April 19-30

This year, we have added an s to Earth Weeks and scheduled two weeks of events.

Here are some highlights:

Sustainability Programs Open House Wednesday, April 21 at 10 a.m.

Come meet representatives from colleges and universities that offer Sustainability degrees and/or certificates, including Dawson’s Environmental & Sustainability Certificate.

Beehive Opening Wednesday, April 21 at 12 p.m.

Take a peek inside Dawson’s 4H rooftop hive – and  experience honey bees remotely!

Zoom link: https://dawsoncollege.zoom.us/j/95885539661

Keynote Speaker Dr. Ingrid Waldron Thursday, April 22 at 1 p.m.

Author of There’s Something in the Water: Environmental Racism in Indigenous and Black Communities, which was turned into a 2020 Netflix documentary, Dr. Waldron recently co-founded the Anti-Environmental Racism Coalition. Organizations in the environmental and climate change sector are collaborating on projects and sharing expertise and resources to address environmental racism in Indigenous, Black and other racialized communities across Canada.

For more info, click Read More to go to the full schedule. To get zoom links and reserve your class, contact sustainability@dawsoncollege.qc.ca

Read More - Earth Weeks are April 19-30

Milestones

Geoff Kloos appointed Coordinator of Student Services

Geoff Kloos was recently appointed Coordinator of Student Services and began his new role in late March. Prior to taking on this position, he had been coordinating the First-Year Students’ Office since its inception in 2017.

"We are very excited about having Geoff join our management team in Student Services," said Monique Magnan, Director of Student Services. "He brings a wealth of knowledge and experience about Dawson and our students to our team.  His dedication to Student Success, his enthusiasm and energy will definitely impact the services he will be supervising."

Geoff’s career at Dawson spans over 20 years, during which he has held positions including Communications Counsellor, Academic Advisor, Coordinator of Professional Development and Research, and his most recent role supporting students in their transition from high school to CEGEP in the First-Year Students’ Office.

With a Master of Education degree from Université de Sherbrooke and his experience supporting students, Geoff will continue to promote student success through the services in Counselling and Career Development, the First-Year Students’ Office and the Student AccessAbility Centre. These departments, along with other student and academic services, have been crucial in helping our students navigate the academic and emotional turbulence of the past year.

The Student Services coordination is shared with fellow Coordinator, Dan Boyer, and Athletics Manager Sébastien Rivest under the leadership of Student Services Director Monique Magnan.

The Student Services team welcomes Geoff and looks forward to the gradual return of students to on-campus learning and social activities, while preparing to meet the unique challenges that will bring.

Events, Well-being for all

April 14: Seeking understanding: as an ally and an activist

Through the seeking understanding discussion on April 14 at 5:30 p.m., participants will learn concrete techniques as allies when supporting those who have experienced or witnessed racism or prejudice, and for engaging in difficult conversations as an activist. Speakers include Annick Maugile Flavien and Audrey Greenberg.

Click Read More for additional info and link to join this intercollegiate event.

Read More - April 14: Seeking understanding: as an ally and an activist

Academic News, Faculty Hub

Learning Communities update

Winter 2021 course development is underway in the Learning Communities project, with six teams and a total of 12 teachers working on eleven new courses to be launched in the F21 and W22 semesters. Working remotely imposes significant constraints on the course design process, just as it does with teaching. However, as in the second half of last year’s winter semester, MS Teams is allowing co-teachers to work on documents asynchronously, meet via video chats, access all the relevant course design resources, and in short, create an almost satisfactory stand-in for in-person collaboration.

Click Read More to go to the full blog update.

Read More - Learning Communities update

Academic News, Faculty Hub, IST

Dawson’s new HyFlex classrooms

Chantale Giguère and Mark Mattei (co-coordinators of the E-learning Community of Practice), along with Rafael Scapin (Coordinator of Educational Technology), David Bannout (Multimedia Technician ), Cameron Campbell (Ped Counsellor, IT Solutions) and Mike O’Hara (Helpdesk Manager) tested one of the 20 new Dawson HyFlex classrooms (4E11) last week. Here are their first impressions and reflections on HyFlex course design.

Click Read More for the report.

Read More - Dawson’s new HyFlex classrooms

Events, Sustainability, Well-being for all

April 20: Engaging with the SDGs in Higher Education with Prof. Charles Hopkins

Students and staff are invited to attend a virtual inter-collegial talk entitled ‘’ Engaging with the SDGs in Higher Education with Prof. Charles Hopkins’’ on April 20 from 5:30-6:45pm. Charles Hopkins’ presentation will be about how we can incorporate the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in our college communities, from a student and staff perspective.

Click Read More for link to register and additional info.

Read More - April 20: Engaging with the SDGs in Higher Education with Prof. Charles Hopkins

Book/article/video recommendation, DawsonAI

DawsonAI presents Coded Bias April 12-18

Filmmaker Shalini Kantayya´s Coded Bias, which premiered at the 2020 Sundance Film Festival, will be available to everyone at Dawson College for a week beginning Monday, April 12. Presented by DawsonAI, the film explores the fallout of MIT Media Lab researcher Joy Buolamwini´s startling discovery that facial recognition does not see dark-skinned faces and women accurately, and her journey to push for the first-ever legislation in the U.S. to govern against bias in the algorithms that impact us all.

For faculty wishing to screen this film synchronously with their students and/or make the screening part of their asynchronous curricular activities, please inform Myriam Dimanche via email at mdimanche@dawsoncollege.qc.ca.

To get your free access to view the film on demand April 12-18, send an email to ai@dawsoncollege.qc.ca

Faculty Hub

Over at the Faculty Hub

Check out the April events at the Faculty Hub!

Suggested Article:  Strategies for Antiracist and Decolonized Teaching

Decolonization, Faculty Hub

For teachers: featured content from First Peoples’ Post-Secondary Storytelling Exchange

Looking for resources to support you in your process of Indigenizing and decolonizing your curriculum and pedagogy?

Check out https://fppse.net/resources/ "For Educators" for a curated list of resources for teachers. You will find accessible and engaging Indigenous created media suitable for the college classroom, lesson plans on topics including Residential schools https://fppse.net/wp-content/uploads/Indigenous-Education-Residential-Schools.pdf and Fashion and cultural appreciation vs appropriation https://fppse.net/wp-content/uploads/Indigenous-Education-Appropriation.pdf.

Resources also include the latest Calls to action & recommendations related to Indigenous education, websites, podcasts, readings on Indigenous pedagogy, storytelling, research & ethics. Whether starting to explore Indigenous topics, expanding your substantial knowledge base or adding to your teaching tool box, there is something here for you!

DawsonAI, Events

An Introduction to the Ethics of Artificial Intelligence April 12

Monday, April 12from 4-5:15 p.m.

Abstract:  This talk will propose a map of the main ethical issues raised by recent developments in artificial intelligence: the existential risk of a hostile AI, human replacement, surveillance, and manipulation. It will also discuss the best way to program robots, such as autonomous cars or chatbots.

Zoom link:  https://dawsoncollege.zoom.us/j/95584252870

The entire Dawson community is invited to attend (no RSVP needed, unless you intend to bring a class).  For more information, please email Carl Saucier-Bouffard at cbouffard@dawsoncollege.qc.ca.

Bio:  Martin Gibert is a researcher in the ethics of artificial intelligence at the Université de Montréal (affiliated with IVADO and the Centre de recherche en éthique). He has published Faire la morale aux robots: une introduction à l’éthique des algorithmes (Atelier 10), L'imagination en morale (Hermann) and Voir son steak comme un animal mort (Lux).  He also keeps a blog on the ethics of artificial intelligence, La quatrième blessure.

Dawson Remembers, Milestones

In memoriam Alan Moscovitch

We regret to inform you that Alan Moscovitch, retired teacher from the Psychology Department and the Reflections interdisciplinary option, died on March 20. Alan taught at Dawson from 1971-2011. He spent time on various committees, including the Board of Governors, during his tenure at Dawson.

Click Read More to go to the obituary.

Read More - In memoriam Alan Moscovitch

Perks for Dawson Employees, Sustainability, Well-being for all

Dawson’s bike gang launches web page

Do you want to start your day doing something fun that will make you happier, help you work smarter and keep you healthier?

Bike to campus!

Some of your friendly bike enthusiasts have put together the resources to make your ride easy, comfortable and a great option now that the weather is getting warmer.

Check out the new Biking at Dawson web page.

Highlights are:

  • Bixi Promotions
    • A FREE one-month Bixi trial for employees OR
    • 10% off seasonal or monthly pass for students and employees
  • Guaranteed return home
  • Route finders
  • And many more tips to ride with confidence!
Facilities Management, Perks for Dawson Employees, Sustainability, Well-being for all

Join Dawson’s Bixi bike gang and get 10% off until May 31

Bixi is offering 10% off to all Dawson students and employees who sign up for monthly or seasonal memberships before May 31. A season is only $89 for members of the Dawson community.

If you are not sure about signing up, Dawson will give you a free month of Bixi membership.

To get the promotional code for your 10% off Bixi or to receive a free month of Bixi courtesy of Dawson, contact Richard Dugas at rdugas@dawsoncollege.qc.ca

Campus Life, Events, Facilities Management, Perks for Dawson Employees, Sustainability, Well-being for all

Free bike tune-up with Dawson’s bike gang

Do not miss Richard Dugas at Earth Week on April 27 at 12 p.m. for a Bike Tune Up Workshop. You will learn about bike inspection, cleaning, lubrication and inflating tires.

That afternoon Richard will also be on campus (outside the Security entrance) between 3 -4 p.m. for a Bike Café Meetup. He will be offering spring riding tips and personalized troubleshooting. RSVP to bring your bike.

Come say hi and join the bike gang!

Dawson Foundation, Dawson Gives

Golf Tournament cancelled for 2021

The Annual Dawson College Foundation Golf Tournament has been cancelled due to the ongoing pandemic. However, we look forward to the next tournament, planned for June 2022.

The Golf Tournament brings together the Dawson community and friends of Dawson to raise funds to benefit students. Over the years, the tournament has raised over $500,000 to benefit the College.

While the tournament has been cancelled, there is still a need for donations. We invite those who usually attend to consider making a donation to help support our students. Click here to donate now.

We sincerely hope that we will see you on the greens in 2022! We can look forward to a daylong event, which includes breakfast, a round of golf, a banquet supper and prizes. Past honourary chairpersons include Dawson Blues hockey player and Olympic gold medallist Marie-Philip Poulin and actor Catherine Bérubé (Class of 2004, Theatre).

Well-being for all, Working from Home Wellness

Well-being while working from home

Jean Nagy (Laboratory Technician, Civil Engineering) attended a good webinar about working from home earlier this year and has compiled the best tips, endorsed by the College Nurses.

Click Read More for a series of tips by topic to help you stay healthy during this extraordinary work situation.

Read More - Well-being while working from home

Book/article/video recommendation

Escape with a short fantasy film

Retired colleague Simon Davies shared a film with Dipti Gupta (Faculty, Cinema | Communications). "I sent it to our students and I got a lot of messages this morning - so I realized that others might feel the same," Dipti wrote.

"We could all enjoy a little bit of escape and float in our dreams," she said in her message encouraging it to be widely shared with Dawson employees and students. "The end is a bit abrupt - but I was thinking it would be wonderful if students and all who watch the film add their dreams and thoughts to it."

Click Read More to view the short film Anywhere Can Happen by Argentinian filmmaker Fernando Livschitz.

Read More - Escape with a short fantasy film

Well-being for all

Spring’s arrival captured by Dawson colleagues

Suzanne Bellefleur-crocus2

On March 24, Suzanne Bellefleur (Library, Reserves and Circulation) wrote: "Spotted these purple croci at my 88-year-old Mum's home this afternoon. I visit her every day after work to bring her groceries, baking, meals and her Gazette.  She has stayed in her home and on her property for this past year.  We spotted these today in her flower bed, one week after I took her for her first COVID-19 vaccination.  She was so excited to see them. They were tightly furled yesterday and today they exploded with colour."

Darlene Tucker-crocuses

Darlene Tucker (IT Operations) also captured crocuses. She says: "It's so nice to see the crocuses, snowdrops and all the early bloomers arrive!  Brightens our spirits!"

Geranium macro spessart

Christina Parsons (Communications) is amazed by some of her perennials (geranium, pictured). She wrote: "I thought that perennials died in the winter and that new growth comes up from the roots in the spring. I have several perennials that are intact and alive, looking just as I left them in the fall. They are fully alive a few weeks after the snow melt revealed them. The old leaves are alive and new leaves are growing too!"

Peace Centre, Well-being for all

Meditation every Monday and Wednesday

Monday Meditation with Daniel Goldsmith

Meditation every Monday 12:30 - 1 p.m.

https://dawsoncollege.zoom.us/j/98920973208

Meeting ID: 989 2097 3208

Wednesday Meditation with Ivan

Meditation every Wednesday 12:30 - 1 p.m.

https://dawsoncollege.zoom.us/j/95996123375

Meeting ID: 959 9612 3375

Human Resources

General Offer of Service due April 30

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 April 30, 2021 at 23:59 PM.

Stay safe and healthy,
Human Resources Department
hrfaculty@dawsoncollege.qc.ca

DawsonITE

DawsonITE Newsletter # 507

DawsonITE is your weekly curated news related to IT and Education prepared by Dawson's Rafael Scapin. In this issue:

• Hybrid Flexible Class: A Professor’s Guide to HyFlex Teaching

• Researchers: We Learn Better Using Paper Than Laptops and Phones

• Virtual learning leading students to cheat more often

Read More - DawsonITE Newsletter # 507

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Last Modified: April 7, 2021

 

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