SYDNEY - More than 700 students from 34 programs will graduate from Cape Breton University Saturday at its annual spring convocation, including its first class from its campus in Egypt.
Chancellor Annette Verschuren will be on hand to confer the degrees, diplomas and certificates, and also pay tribute to two honorary degree recipients: Beatrice LeBlanc and Kenneth Mann.
LeBlanc is an humanitarian and advocate for women and children who have been threatened by abuse. A native of Arichat, she relocated to Sydney 40 years ago and, in 1981, began working at Cape Breton Transition House, where she is executive director. Mann, a noted scholar, author and world leader on aquatic ecology research will be recognized for his innovative and influential career.
Saturday’s convocation ceremony starts at 2 p.m. in the Canada Games Complex.
Tuesday, May 6, 2008
Valedictorian: Cindy Butler
I would like to take this opportunity to congradulate the valedictorian for the class of 2008, Cindy Butler. She has worked hard as tutor coordinator for the students' union for the last year and she will be addressing students, their families, faculty and staff this Saturday. I'm glad to see the best candiate won.
Monday, May 5, 2008
A lot of people make convocation possible
It is no secret that layoffs and general doom and gloom are sweeping through the hallowed halls of CBU. Many unfortunately individuals found out last week that they were being laid off because of predicted declines in enrollment.
There were some worries that these layoffs would result in union actions that would interfere with the President's Dinner or convocation or both. Thankfully, these fears proved to be unfounded and there are actually people who are getting laid off working extra hours to make sure convocation can happen. These people deserve so much thanks, gratitude and respect.
If you read my columns or posts or listen to my rants you know what I think of convocation. Regardless of what I believe, it is an important thing to a lot of people and an event that marks the climax (even if it is the most boring one you'll ever have) of four years (or more in some peoples' cases) of hard (or slack-ass) work.
To those people facing layoffs but continuing to work for the students of CBU, thanks for being bigger than most, putting students above politics and making one of the most important events for a lot of people possible. This year's grads owe you their day and their ceremony, they best not forget.
There were some worries that these layoffs would result in union actions that would interfere with the President's Dinner or convocation or both. Thankfully, these fears proved to be unfounded and there are actually people who are getting laid off working extra hours to make sure convocation can happen. These people deserve so much thanks, gratitude and respect.
If you read my columns or posts or listen to my rants you know what I think of convocation. Regardless of what I believe, it is an important thing to a lot of people and an event that marks the climax (even if it is the most boring one you'll ever have) of four years (or more in some peoples' cases) of hard (or slack-ass) work.
To those people facing layoffs but continuing to work for the students of CBU, thanks for being bigger than most, putting students above politics and making one of the most important events for a lot of people possible. This year's grads owe you their day and their ceremony, they best not forget.
Convocation 2008
I know I don't usually do blogposts (I usually just post by columns), but I've decided to put some extra effort into this site and see what happens.
If you are a CBU student or a relative of a CBU student, I am sure you are aware that convocation will be held on Saturday, May 10. Last year, around this time, I wrote, what some people referred to as a derogatory and disrespectfuly, but what I considered an thought provoking piece. Nevertheless, people wrote me nasty e-mails and verbally confronted me in the street and hallowed halls of this institution (it was great!).
I this article I explaned the roots and meanings behind the rituals of convocation and argued that the meaning of the rituals means that convocation has nothing to do with celebrating students achievements. The garbs, the silly hats and robes, the wizard-like get ups and all such nonesense are all rooted in traditions and rituals that are meant to celebrate the power of the powerful.
Tradition states that the more colourful the robes the more "important" the individual that is wearing them (where "important" means the more powerful). I believe I concluded, "Therefore, convocation is nothing more than a chance for academics to behave like peacocks..." or something along those lines. I stand by that article and everything contained therein. I will not recant or apologize or power or beg....to hell with that.
Friday, May 2, 2008
Plesant surpsises for CBU students and university
Both students and Cape Breton University received some long overdue good news last week. The provincial budget proposed a new "grant" program for students and the province's education minister, Karen Casey, announced that CBU could go ahead with its plans to offer their own Bachelor of Education program in 2009.
In an attempt to live up to a previous promise, the Conservative government is freezing tuition for the next three years and offering a new "grant" program. Under the proposed program, students that apply for debt relief would have the first 20 per cent of their loan, up to a maximum of $1,560 annually, turned into a non-repayable grant.
Student groups – ANSSA and the CFS – have applauded the move calling it a, "Big win for students." ANSSA executive director, Paris Meilleur said she was pleased that the province was heading in the right direction; however, it is only "one of the puzzle pieces."
I could not agree more. For a student to qualify for the maximum rebate of $1,560 a person would have to be awarded an overall amount of $7,800. When we subtract the non-repayable portion of the award we are left with approximately $6,200 per year in debt. Over four years, the normal length of time for an undergraduate degree, the person the most in need (based on student assistance calculations) would have to repay close to $25,000. The students who need assistance the most will still be buried in debt for years.
Introducing a small non-repayable grant for students is a step in the right direction, but it is barely a baby step.
Also, CBU has received permission from the education minister to begin their BEd program, pending the approval of from the Maritime Provinces Higher Education Commission. Fortunately for CBU, Minister Casey decided not to accept the recommendations put forward by her education review panel. Without a doubt, the move was the result of terrific pressure and outrage that manifested in Cape Breton in the aftermath of the report's release.
Dr. John Harker, President, Cape Breton University, acknowledged the role played by the community and said that, "The voices of our university, of our community were loud and clear and today we are moving forward in this exciting, new chapter of education and towards the great future of Cape Breton University."
The additional 40 seats will generate some much needed revenue for the university that recently has had to come to terms with some unpleasant realities it will face in the near future.
Both stories – increased student aid and CBU's BEd program – are the result of what happens when the public mobilizes behind an issue. Students have been working hard to bring attention to the horrible situation of students brought on by years of poor provincial fiscal policy. The pubic also made its feelings about the review panel's recommendations blatantly clear. We can't mistake the government's decisions as examples of political altruism. Instead, they were example of political necessity.
The decisions were necessary because without the proposed "grant" program and without the Bed "approval" the government would have lost a tremendous amount of face and suffered for it the next time Nova Scotians went to the polls.
The "grant" proposal is a good idea, but it is not enough and is an attempt to remove the student debt monkey from the governments back. However, as I showed, the student debt issue is not solved; students will still owe tens of thousands of dollars unless more is done.
The province is starting to move in the right direction, but they are moving at a tortoise's pace when they should be responding with a greater sense of urgency.
In an attempt to live up to a previous promise, the Conservative government is freezing tuition for the next three years and offering a new "grant" program. Under the proposed program, students that apply for debt relief would have the first 20 per cent of their loan, up to a maximum of $1,560 annually, turned into a non-repayable grant.
Student groups – ANSSA and the CFS – have applauded the move calling it a, "Big win for students." ANSSA executive director, Paris Meilleur said she was pleased that the province was heading in the right direction; however, it is only "one of the puzzle pieces."
I could not agree more. For a student to qualify for the maximum rebate of $1,560 a person would have to be awarded an overall amount of $7,800. When we subtract the non-repayable portion of the award we are left with approximately $6,200 per year in debt. Over four years, the normal length of time for an undergraduate degree, the person the most in need (based on student assistance calculations) would have to repay close to $25,000. The students who need assistance the most will still be buried in debt for years.
Introducing a small non-repayable grant for students is a step in the right direction, but it is barely a baby step.
Also, CBU has received permission from the education minister to begin their BEd program, pending the approval of from the Maritime Provinces Higher Education Commission. Fortunately for CBU, Minister Casey decided not to accept the recommendations put forward by her education review panel. Without a doubt, the move was the result of terrific pressure and outrage that manifested in Cape Breton in the aftermath of the report's release.
Dr. John Harker, President, Cape Breton University, acknowledged the role played by the community and said that, "The voices of our university, of our community were loud and clear and today we are moving forward in this exciting, new chapter of education and towards the great future of Cape Breton University."
The additional 40 seats will generate some much needed revenue for the university that recently has had to come to terms with some unpleasant realities it will face in the near future.
Both stories – increased student aid and CBU's BEd program – are the result of what happens when the public mobilizes behind an issue. Students have been working hard to bring attention to the horrible situation of students brought on by years of poor provincial fiscal policy. The pubic also made its feelings about the review panel's recommendations blatantly clear. We can't mistake the government's decisions as examples of political altruism. Instead, they were example of political necessity.
The decisions were necessary because without the proposed "grant" program and without the Bed "approval" the government would have lost a tremendous amount of face and suffered for it the next time Nova Scotians went to the polls.
The "grant" proposal is a good idea, but it is not enough and is an attempt to remove the student debt monkey from the governments back. However, as I showed, the student debt issue is not solved; students will still owe tens of thousands of dollars unless more is done.
The province is starting to move in the right direction, but they are moving at a tortoise's pace when they should be responding with a greater sense of urgency.
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