DAL STUDENT LIFE EXPERIENCE · Pharmacology and associate dean, Faculty of Graduate Studies); Susan Mansour (associate director of undergraduate education, College of Pharmacy); and

DAL STUDENT LIFE EXPERIENCE2013-14 REPORT TO STUDENTS

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Total enrolment18,440 115

countries represented

Female: 55% Male: 45%

WHO WE ARE

90%of Dal students in 2nd and 3rd year agree or strongly agree that they’re in the right program for them

83%of Dal students in 2nd and 3rd year say that Dal has met or exceeded their expectationsCUSC Middle-Years Student Survey (2014)

CUSC Middle-Years Student Survey (2014)

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During my nine years at Dalhousie, I have been witness to a university on the rise. The total

enrolment numbers continue to increase, as do the number of international students coming to Dal and the countries they call home. The academic programs keep expanding and diversifying, offering unique areas of study to engage every interest. The physical presence of Dalhousie has evolved with the addition of the LeMarchant Mixed-Use Building, the Steele Ocean Sciences Building, and the Life Sciences Research Institute—and continues to expand with such upcoming projects as the Wallace McCain Learning Commons, the Collaborative Health Education Building, and IDEA Building. Of course the biggest change to the Dalhousie family in recent years was the addition in Truro-Bible Hill of the Faculty of Agriculture and Agricultural Campus (or Dal AC as it has become known). One thing that hasn’t changed, though, is our commitment to creating the best student experience in Canada. Our faculty and staff members are dedicated to supporting you inside the classroom and out, and to helping guide you on your journey from the moment you first register to the day you receive your degree—and in the years after graduation. We have worked hard to create the services and resources that help set you on your way. Thanks to the generosity of Dal alumnus David Bissett and his wife Leslie, you have been able to receive timely and unparalleled academic support from Advising and Access Services, Study Skills, and the Writing Centre—all parts of the Bissett Centre for Academic Success. Our integration of advising and accommodation services is unique in North America, and ensures that we reduce academic risks for all of our students.

We also recognize the importance of your physical and mental health and wellness. Every year we work to reduce waiting times and establish new programs for personal counselling and health services, and increase the opportunities for participation in intramural and recreational sports. We listened to you when you said you wanted better fitness facilities on campus, which is why a new fitness centre is nearing construction on Studley Campus and improvements are being made to Dalplex and the Sexton facilities. We also understand the vital roles that your level of community engagement and participation in extracurricular activities play in your future endeavours. We have made it easier for you to get involved with the outside community through programs such as DALConnects and our support of student societies. With the establishment of the Student Co-Curricular Record program, you can now develop a running log of your achievements and activities, and receive an official transcript of your extracurricular participation. We continue to improve upon student services and resources at Dalhousie for one simple purpose: to create an environment in which you thrive academically, emotionally, socially, spiritually, and physically. As I begin my retirement, I am humbled by the notion of helping to shape such an incredible and diverse group of student leaders. And I am heartened to know that when you finish your time at this wonderful university, you will join the ranks of our alumni who continue the great Dal tradition of community engagement, leadership, and excellence.

– Bonnie G. Neuman, Vice-President, Student Services

The Student Services staff and DSU executive send a huge thank you to Bonnie

for being a tireless advocate for Dal’s students and proponent of creating the best

student experience in Canada. Good luck and enjoy your well-deserved retirement!

CREATE YOUR DALHOUSIE LEGACY

FEATURED INSIDEAnother Dal First 5Listening to Class Notes 6Hair for a Good Cause 11Leadership in Truro 12

New Focus on Student Health Services 19Student Medical Responders 22Creating a Safe Haven 25Hockey Players for Kids 28

LEARNING CONNECTIONS

Alex HardingElectrical Engineering Hometown: Hammonds Plains, N.S.

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LEARNING CONNECTIONSKenyan refugee camps, and published a mathematical model to cut errors in estimating wind turbine power by 30%. As part of the fellowship, Alex attended the Society for Teaching and Learning in Higher Education conference in June. “The conference is something that’s hard to describe in words,” he says. “You’re inspired, humbled, and challenged by some of the most impressive professors from top schools. We talked about radical ideas like allowing all students to write a portion

Third-year Electrical Engineering student Alex Harding knows that when academic and extracurricular worlds meet, fantastic things can happen. In late March 2014, Alex became the first Dal student to be awarded a 3M National Student Fellowship, and only the second student in Atlantic Canada ever to receive the honour. And it was partly due to his volunteer involvement with the World University Service of Canada (WUSC). Through his work with the WUSC, he has developed a passion for assisting international refugee students coming to Canada in search of better lives. “I believe they are one of Canada’s greatest assets,” he says. “When you realize the obstacles they’ve overcome to get to Canada, it’s incredibly inspiring.” The 3M Fellowship is awarded every year to 10 college and undergrad university students who demonstrate outstanding leadership and who have taken their academic experience beyond the classroom. For Alex, that means applying his electrical engineering know-how to inter-national development. He has created a dual-axis solar stove prototype for use in

DID YOU KNOW? The Student Services Centre on Sexton Campus was renovated this year to create five new exam accommodation rooms. Completely soundproofed, the rooms now make it possible for students on Sexton who require accommodations to write their exams on campus, rather than having to travel up to the Mark A. Hill Centre outside the Killam Library on Studley Campus.

of their final exams in teams, or imple-menting a bi-disciplinary course structure (think engineering and marketing or journalism and psychology). We need to have these conversations if we want to keep Canada as a leader in international post-secondary education.”

“I know for a fact that we have some of the best and brightest student leaders

in the country here at Dalhousie”

So what’s next for the Hammonds Plains, N.S. native? In September, thanks to the fellowship, he will be at Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore helping to develop HFAC technology—a therapy to treat heart patients without the electric pain of defibrillators. After graduating from Dal in 2016, he plans to “sneak into” medical school. “I firmly believe that bio-technology is on the cusp of taking a much more pronounced role in medicine within the next decade—3-D printed organs, supercomputer-based drug modelling,

nanomedicine, you name it,” he says. “I want to break down the barriers between engineers and doctors, and hopefully improve patient care in the process.” And he has a challenge for his fellow Dal students to experience the “huge door opener” that is the 3M Fellowship. “I know for a fact that we have some of the best and brightest student leaders in the country here at Dalhousie. I’d like to personally dare them to apply to the 2015 cohort.”

ANOTHER DAL FIRST

94% of Dal students in 2nd and 3rd year agree or strongly agree that their profs are reasonably accessible outside of classCUSC Middle-Years Student Survey (2014)

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The Rosemary Gill Awards are presented each year to four staff or faculty members who make life just that much better for Dal students day in, day out. They take that extra step to provide outstanding service in non-teaching roles. The winners for 2013-14 were: Monique Comeau (department administrator, Department of Economics); Eileen Denovan-Wright (professor of Pharmacology and associate dean, Faculty of Graduate Studies); Susan Mansour (associate director of undergraduate education, College of Pharmacy); and David Matthias (assistant dean of student matters, Faculty of Arts & Social Sciences).

Thanks to you all for everything you do to help build the student experience!

Advising and Access Services unveiled a new tool to help Dal students with their note-taking and studying. The text-to-speech software, Read&Write, was originally geared towards students with learning disabilities or students with English as their second language. But with a large variety of features, anyone can find a use for it. Imagine listening to your notes on the way to class.

“This tool is fairly universal in that you can use it in a number of different applications,” says Quenta Adams, director of Advising and Access Services. “It’s a great study guide for all students.”

Whereas other text-to-speech software requires users to be actively using the program, Read&Write has a stand-alone menu bar on the computer desktop for easy access. The voice can be set to male or female and have different accents. Speed, pitch, and volume can also be modified.

“The fact that it has the stand-alone bar, and can be used in whatever format I need it to be used for has been some of the biggest benefits,” says second-year law student, Margarete Daugela.

The program can also translate any digital content—including onscreen

ROSEMARY GILL AWARD WINNERS

>

selections, website content, or digital textbooks—into multiple languages and read it back again.

“Say you’re trying to take notes, maybe you’ll set it a little slower, and maybe somebody’s voice doesn’t sound great slow, so you’ll change it around a bit,” says Margarete.

Maria Currie, technology resource advisor, explains the versatility of the highlighting feature. “If you’re taking some highlights from the book or the Internet, you can collect them into one document. It also gives your sources: which document it came from, the page, the date of publication.”

As a law student with sight challenges and also a large volume of readings, Margarete is sold on the program. “Anybody who’s reading a lot knows the strain on their eyes. And the portability of it — just being able to take it on your iPod is hugely beneficial. Some days it’s nice to be reading and listening at the same time.”

Dalhousie has purchased an unlimited site licence for Windows and Mac, so any Dalhousie student can download the software by logging onto software.dal.ca with their NetID.

ACADEMIC ACCOMMODATIONS

4,233 exam accommodations were given in 2013-14 (a 25% increase over the previous year)

1,439 students had approved accommodations in 2013-14 (summer, fall, and winter terms)

685exam accommodations were given at Dal AC in 2013-14

232 academic accommodations appointments at Dal AC in 2013-14

465 advising appointments at Dal AC in 2013-14

LISTENING TO CLASS NOTES

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BUILDING THE FUTURE OF HEALTH EDUCATION Ground was broken this year and construction is well underway on the new Collaborative Health Education Building on Carleton Campus. Targeted for completion in 2015, it will be a centre that brings together students in the Faculties of Medicine and Health Professions to learn about each other’s roles in health care, through an integrated approach in the same way they will practice in the workforce.

1,055 Writing Centre appointments at Dal AC in 2013-14 (a 30% increase over the previous year)

1,650 student visits to Dal AC’s Math and Physics Help Centre in 2013-14

1,032 Number of hours of peer tutoring at Dal AC in 2013-14

The five-storey building will include:

�shared classrooms designed to promote collaborative learning across different disciplines

�skills simulation labs where students will practice working together in a collaborative environment, learn about each other’s roles, how to communicate with each other and with patients and their families

�student study and social areas in a Learning Commons

�an atrium connecting the building with the Life Sciences Research Institute next door

With students in the two faculties currently spread over numerous buildings on Carleton and Studley Campuses, the new building will bring them together under one roof for interprofessional classes, labs, and social gatherings. By having students in different but related disciplines working and learning side by side, Dalhousie will continue to steer the future of health education and health care delivery.

THE DAL STUDENT LIFE EXPERIENCE

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INNOVATIVE TEACHINGUniversities are alive with ideas. Whether in the classroom, the cafeteria, or residence room, students are full of them. But how do you know if your idea is any good? And if it is, how do you bring it to fruition? Mary Kilfoil, an assistant professor in the Rowe School of Business, wanted students to start thinking about what to do with their ideas. So she started a new interdisciplinary course this year, Innovation: A Practical Approach to Concepts and Implementation, to help them learn how to make their ideas happen. Open to undergraduates in at least their third year from any Dal faculty, the course is offered in both Halifax and Truro. “It’s not just for students who see themselves starting a business someday,” says Dr. Kilfoil. “It’s for students who want to be innovative thinkers wherever their career takes them.” The course builds on another one of her classes, Starting Lean, which has more of an entrepreneurial focus. The two classes have been popular with students, and this year led Dr. Kilfoil to being named the Startup Canada Entrepreneurship Educator of the Year. While the Innovation course was a pilot this year, it’s expected to continue with more interaction between students in Halifax and Truro. “When you bring students together from different faculties, different disciplines, there’s amazing potential for creativity and as-yet-unknown ideas to be generated,” says Dr. Kilfoil.

NEW LSC LEARNING COMMONS Thanks to a generous donation from Margaret and the late Wallace McCain, construction started in June 2014 on a vibrant new space where students can socialize, exchange ideas, and study on Studley Campus. Due to be completed in the fall of 2015, the Wallace McCain Learning Commons will include large open workstation areas, study rooms, and offices for departmental advisors and science co-op programs. The single-storey building is an addition to the Life Sciences Centre, connected to the corridor facing the Chase Building, and will also serve as a welcoming new entrance to campus at the end of Lord Dalhousie Dr. It’s one of four proposed learning commons identified in Dalhousie’s Campus Master Plan.

DID YOU KNOW?Able@Dal is an orientation program created specifically to introduce students with disabilities to Dal and to assist them with the transition to university. The one-day orientation focuses on self-advocacy, communication skills, and understanding rights and responsibilities. It also includes a half-day program for parents. In August 2014, for the first time, all incoming first-year students from high school who requested academic accommodations were required to attend the orientation.

ACADEMIC ADVISING

9,896 appointments in 2013-14 (scheduled in-person, drop-in, and email appointments)

52% of appointments were with 1st-year students

46% of appointments were with Arts & Social Sciences students

85% of students in 2nd and 3rd year are satisfied or very satisfied with study skills/learning support services at Dal

84% of students in 2nd and 3rd year are satisfied or very satisfied with academic advising services at DalCUSC Middle-Years Student Survey (2014)

9THE DAL STUDENT LIFE EXPERIENCE

STUDENTS TUTORING STUDENTSLaunched in January of 2013, the Studying for Success (SFS) Tutoring Program expanded through its first full year of operation of connecting students with peer tutors. The number of tutors on the roster grew from 17 during the program’s first term to 37 at the end of the 2013-14 academic year. The number of courses that were covered by the tutors increased from 125 to 252. This year more than 250 students were matched with tutors through the program. Not only do the students receive tutoring in a variety of disciplines at a competitive rate, they also all receive a free study skills assessment before being matched with a tutor. This helps ensure that they’re approaching their studies correctly and gives SFS staff the chance to determine if the students need any additional help. And, of course, any further study skills support is always offered free of charge. The program also greatly benefits the tutors by offering students employment opportunities. While they get paid for their work, if they work for at least 20 hours throughout the academic year, they can include it on their Co-Curricular Record.

INTENSIVE WRITING The Writing Centre expanded its service in 2013-14 by offering more supplemental classes for writing intensive classes. Those are the courses, usually in first year, that have a high proportion of their marks based on written assignments and exams. The Centre’s supplemental classes meet weekly to develop students’ writing skills, go over their assignments, teach them about discipline-specific writing, and organize peer reviews of their work. The classes are having a great impact on student success. In Science 1111, students were given a writing assessment by the professor on the first day of class and were then invited to attend the Writing Centre’s supplemental class. The students who scored below an acceptable level on the assessment were especially encouraged to take part. Any students who attended the supplemental

STUDYING FOR SUCCESS

673 one-on-one study skills sessions (39% more than the previous year)

88 general study skills workshops offered, with total attendance of 643 (71.9% more than the previous year)

36 department- or faculty-specific study skills workshops offered, with total attendance of 858

classes received a 2% bonus on their final grade. At the end of the term, the professor assessed their final grades. The students who attended all the supplemental classes had a final average grade of 85%. Those who only dropped in occasionally, or didn’t attend at all, scored an average of 65%.

“These classes improved my writing more than any other part of the course”

As one student said about the experience, “I loved the Wednesday night classes. It was great to be able to get one-on-one help with our assignments with people who knew all about the course. These classes improved my writing more than any other part of the course.”

WRITING CENTRE 11,457Writing Centre appointments in 2013-14

2,205 Dal students who met with the Writing Centre in 2013-14 (an average of five appointments per student)

50% of Writing Centre appointments were with international students

COMMUNIT Y CONNECTIONS

“The ability to get an education like this is a dream for most

people around the world—the availability of it, the quality of it, and the things that come from it”

- Commander Chris Hadfield

HAIR FOR A GOOD CAUSEEvery year in November, Dal’s campuses take on a new (or perhaps retro) look as large groups of students and staff grow moustaches for Movember. The annual fundraiser and awareness campaign for prostate and testicular cancer and men’s health promotion has taken off like wildfire across the world, and this year Canadian universities combined to be the top global fundraiser. Of all the Canadian universities, Dalhousie was a hairy force to be reckoned with. After the totals were added up, Dal was named the leading Canadian school in per-capita fundraising, with 645 students and staff raising an incredible $93,566! Finishing at the top of Dal’s teams (and second among all Canadian university teams), was the Rowe Mo’ Bros & Sistas, made up primarily of students from the Commerce Society. The 87 members of the team raised $33,620, and fourth-year Commerce student Mike Wilkes won the Big Moustache on Campus Momo Award for the highest individual Canadian university fundraiser by bringing in $7,595. His team co-leader, Warren Mosley, finished sixth with $4,781. Seven members of the Rowe team raised more than $1,000, and 45 of them raised at least $100. The team’s events included a launch party (with face shaving), a halfway mid-campaign party, and an outdoor charity hockey game in the afternoon followed by a black-tie event at the University Club. “It’s people buying in that makes the difference,” says Mike. “Commerce is a pretty tight-knit community, so we had first, second, third and fourth years on the team. When we started to get more attention our faculty took note and many of them got behind us as well. It was really just trying to be the best ambassadors we could be for our donors’ money, and we were grateful for their support.” To reward everyone’s efforts, one of the country’s best-known moustaches paid a visit to Dal in April. Canadian astronaut, Commander Chris Hadfield, inspired a packed house in the McInnes Room with his stories of life in space, and hosted a private reception with members of the Rowe team to personally thank them for their Movember efforts.

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COMMUNIT Y CONNECTIONS

Dal Facilities Management: $3,023, 16 membersDalhousie Men’s Rugby: $2,790, 21 membersDalhousie Tigers: $2,679, 25 membersDal Law “Schu-Like My Stache?”: $2,502, 38 membersDalhousie Medicine: $2,030, 27 members

Dal MBA (Mo)Bots: $1,662, 25 membersDalhousie Pharmacy: $1,560, 9 membersDalhousie Dentistry DDS1: $1,180, 14 membersDalhousie Pharmacologists: $1,095, 8 membersDalhousie MPA: $1,016, 8 members

SOME OF THE OTHER DAL MOVEMBER TEAMS THIS YEAR WERE:

“He has a perspective on life that very few have been given the privilege to get, and he’s earned it,” says Mike. “He talks about how preparation is key for leadership, and about giving people that overall goal and purpose to work towards. You just see it: he has a magnetic personality. I don’t think anyone took their eyes off him during his talk.” Besides astounding the students with tales about what it’s like to walk in space, and answering questions about his social media efforts, being a public figure, and sticking to his childhood dream of becoming an astronaut, Hadfield encouraged them to remember the value of their education. “The ability to get an education like this is a dream for most people around the world—the availability of it, the quality of it, and the things that come from it,” he said. “You now owe someone, whether you think you do or not. Sure, you have to pay off your debts, and you have to get established in life, but you owe somebody else an education. Make sure at some point in your life that you take the effort to enable somebody else to get an equivalent sort of opportunity.”


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SLASTING IMPACTSFrom first-year “Rising Stars” to graduating Certificate of Distinction award winners, the third annual Student Impact Awards in March celebrated the amazing extracurricular accomplishments of Dal students. “The Impact Awards reflect the incredible diversity of our student population and the varied backgrounds, interests, and talents you each bring to the university,” said Chancellor Fred Fountain in his opening remarks. To further reflect that diversity, one individual award (Student Wellness) and seven awards for most impactful student societies were added to this year’s roster: General or Special Interest Society, Competitive Sports Society, Non-Competitive Sports Society, Community-Based Society, Charitable Student Society, Levied Society, and Cultural/Spiritual Society. During the Halifax event 70 framed pennants were handed out for 32 different awards. Another 11 were

The biggest honour handed out at the AC Impact Awards was the Phillip Stead Memorial Excellence in Student Leadership Award. Presented in memory of Phillip Stead, a graduate of the Nova Scotia Agricultural College, it recognizes a student at Dal AC who has demonstrated a significant and positive impact on campus and community life through their leadership skills and initiative; has demonstrated academic achievement; is committed to team work; has influenced the development of future campus leaders; and is recognized as a role model and effective leader by peers, staff, and faculty. The award comes with a $2,500 prize donated by the Stead family, the Nova Scotia/Newfoundland Branch of the Holstein Association of Canada, and the surrounding community.

awarded to students on the Agricultural Campus during their own ceremony (organized by DASA and Student Services), in categories ranging from Community Service Leadership and Health Education to Rising Leader and Club/Organization (see “Creating a Safe Haven” on page 25). The Impact Awards epitomize the strong sense of community at Dal. Organized through partnerships between the DSU, DASA, and Student Services, with tickets to the banquets available for free to students thanks to sponsorship by various faculties and other administrative units, they bring together the entire university. And the best part? The students being celebrated do all they do because they want to make their communities the best they can be. As outgoing DSU president Sagar Jha told the crowd at the Halifax banquet, “These people didn’t do all they’ve done for the awards, and that’s why they’re being recognized.”

COMMUNITY DAYOn September 7, Res Life once again partnered with various groups around

Halifax for the annual Community Day. With residence students putting in 500 volunteer hours working for

such organizations as MADD, Ronald McDonald House, Feed NS, Arthritis

Society, and the Discovery Centre.

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LEADERSHIP IN TRURO This year the award was presented to Robyn McCallum. In 2013-14 she served as DASA president after serving as VP Internal for three years. She was a member and co-chair of the Agrology Club, volunteered with the Athletic Centre, sat on Student Representative Council for four years (including serving as chair), has been chair of the Judicial Committee for three years, participated in College Royal, and served as liaison for the College Royal, Orientation, Shinerama, Christmas float, Golden Ram, and Woodsmen committees. She has been on Faculty Council for the last two years, sits on the Alumni Association board, and has been captain of the Movember team for the last three years.

80% of students in 2nd and

3rd year agree or strongly agree that they feel as if

they belong at DalCUSC Middle-Years Student Survey (2014)

Rising Stars Angela Hou (FASS), Caroline Merner (SCI), Ntombi Nkiwane (FASS), Alyson Petsche (ENG), Maike van Niekerk (HP)

Residence Life Leader Awards Mohamed Assem (SCI), Lauren Dickhout (HP), Bobby MacPherson (FASS), Kylie Marsh (SCI), Ivan Slywka (MGMT), Layne Wilson (FASS)

Residence Life Impact Awards Caitlyn Playfair (FASS), Kate Rumbolt (SCI)

Most Impactful Residence Council Howe Hall

Green Award David Foster (SCI)

Student Entrepreneur Of The Year Anuj Shah (COMP)

Dal’s Got Talent Winner Emily Ambrose

Most Impactful General or Special Interest Society Dalhousie Agricultural Association of Graduate Students

Most Impactful Competitive Sports Society Dalhousie University Cheerleading

Most Impactful Non-Competitive Sports Society DalDance Society

Most Impactful Community-Based Society Dalhousie Feminist Legal Association

Most Impactful Charitable Society Engineers Without Borders - Dalhousie Chapter

Most Impactful Levied Society Dalhousie Commerce Society

Best Departmental Society Dalhousie Engineering Graduate Society

Most Impactful Faculty Society Dalhousie Science Society

Most Impactful Cultural/Spiritual Society Dalhousie Chinese Students and Scholars Association

Intramural Live Well @ Dal Award Jenna Clarke (LAW)

Recreation Live Well @ Dal Award Danica Cooley (HP)

Tigers Live Well @ Dal Award Kristy McGregor-Bales (HP)

Student Wellness Live Well @ Dal Award Andrew Watson (HP)

Student Activist Sheena Jamieson (HP)

Top DSU Council Member Patrick Vistini (MGMT)

DSU Community Engagement Award For King’s Students Rowan Laird (FASS)

International Student Of The Year Ranjith Kumar Murugesan (ENG)

DSU Teaching Award Michelle Coffin

DSU Certificate Of Distinction Joel Cock (HP), Nicole Droziak (MGMT), Blake Fleet (MGMT), Mark Grady (ENG), Syed Abrar Hussain (MGMT), Tommy Lieu (SCI), Nick Little (SCI), Bobby MacPherson (FASS), Ralph Redden (SCI), Ishika Sharma (HP), Tarah Truant (MGMT)

Gold D Justin Cooke (ENG), Emily Davies (MGMT), Karthikeyan Damodara (COMP), Chris Parent (SCI), Alexa Reedman (MGMT), Becky Richter (MGMT) Faculty Leadership AwardsArchitecture & Planning: Uytae LeeArts & Social Sciences: Taylor Quinn Computer Science: Raghav SampangiEngineering: Jessica LeNobleHealth Professions: Talia OrrLaw: James FoyManagement: Becky RichterMedicine: Leo FaresScience: Emma Herrington

Level Chan Award (most outstanding contribution to student advocacy and academic justice) Taylor Quinn (FASS)

Lilly Ju Award (most significant lifetime achievement of outstanding contribution to university life) Becky Richter (MGMT)

Malcolm Honour Award (an elite level of involvement and achievement in campus life over the course of a university career) Alexa Reedman (MGMT)

Board of Governors’ Awards Ding Fan (MGMT), Christopher (Kit) Moran (SCI), Ishika Sharma (HP), Taylor Thompson (MGMT), Caitlin Urquhart (LAW), George Woodhouse (FASS)

FASS - Faculty of Arts & Social Sciences, SCI - Faculty of Science, ENG - Faculty of Engineering, HP - Faculty of Health Professions MGMT - Faculty of Management, COMP - Faculty of Computer Science, LAW - Schulich School of Law

2014 DALHOUSIE IMPACT AWARD WINNERS

Community Service Leadership Erin LynchEnvironmental Leadership Victoria OliverHealth Education Jessica CompagnonClub/Organization Owen Johnstone (DALOUT Truro)Outstanding Tutor SwatiResidence Student Amanda ArmstrongStudent Government Rebecca O’Connell

Faculty of Agriculture Spirit Award Bridget WilsonRising Leader of the Year Berdien Bakker (undergraduate), Rosalie Madden (graduate)Phillip Stead Memorial Excellence in Student Leadership Award Robyn McCallum

2014 DAL AC IMPACT AWARD WINNERS

“These people didn’t do all they’ve done for the

awards, and that’s why they’re being

recognized.”- Sagar Jha, outgoing DSU president

IMPACT award winners came from

10 faculties

6 countries

8 provinces


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SRESTORATIVE JUSTICEThe Restorative Justice Pilot Program was started in 2012 as a partnership between Dalhousie, Halifax Regional Police, and the Nova Scotia Department of Justice. It was meant to foster good relationships between the university and the neighbouring communities, and help Dal students who receive summary offence tickets (SOT) for underage drinking, public intoxication, and certain other minor criminal charges. Previously, students taking part in the program were automatically sent to alcohol education sessions. Although they were useful, there wasn’t any opportunity for the students to discuss their behaviour with others and understand the impact and harm it caused. This year, while the education sessions are still being used for some students, every student in the program is required to participate in a “circle” process. Run by trained facilitators, the circles can include victims, Halifax Police or Dalhousie Security, student volunteers, and community members. The students share their own stories and experiences related to their offence, and discuss with the group what should they do to repair the harm they’ve caused and make things right. The circles have created great opportunities to build stronger ties between Dal and the surrounding com-munity. As one community rep said, “Sitting in on circles was always an

enriching experience, and seeing the students better understand the harms they may have caused made me realize that this process truly works for everyone involved.” From the students’ perspective, the circles help them understand how their actions—no matter how inconsequential they think they may be—affect the people around them. That could be other students in residence, business owners, Halifax Police, or families and other neighbours living in the community. This struck home for one student who was ticketed for a noise complaint during a house party: “Most importantly, I wish I had known my neighbours. I knew they were there and meant to be respected, though knowing them personally would have made everything so much more impactful and probably would have prevented me from agreeing to the party. I learned after the fact that one of my neighbours was going through cancer and was in a lot of pain. We dep- rived him of what little sleep he was able to get. This touched me on a very personal level because I watched my own mom suffer and battle through cancer in the last couple years. I felt terrible and it really impacted me. It made me extremely ashamed that I never took the time to really get to know anyone around me. I wish I had known to do that, it’s where mutual understanding can start to be built.”

DSU DOG SLEDS In February the DSU and HRM Urban Mushing turned the Studley Quad into a dog-sledding track to treat students to sled rides and some outdoor fun in the dead of winter.

RESIDENCE LIFE

1,030 Number of programs that Res Life staff delivered to students in 2013-14

DID YOU KNOW?Student Services created a new website this year that’s a one-stop resource for students wondering about their societal role at Dal and in the community. With information ranging from academic integrity to hazing and bullying, the Student Rights & Responsibilities site (dal.ca/srr) outlines the policies and procedures for being a standup student. There’s also a “Where to Get Help” section dedicated to resources and services available for academic and behavioural issues happening on and off campus.

INTERNATIONAL CENTRE ADVISING

1,931 Number of international student advisor appointments in 2013-14 (not including drop-in, email, and group immigration advising)

INTERNATIONAL ORIENTATION

260Undergraduate attendees

105 Graduate attendees

THE DAL STUDENT LIFE EXPERIENCE 15

FOOD FOR FINESThe Dalhousie libraries continued its participation in Food for Fines in the winter term, but extended it to three weeks from 10 days in previous years. Students were able to bring in non-perishable food items and have their library fines reduced or completely waived. For every food item donated, fines were reduced by $2 (to a maximum of $50). Food contributions, as well as cash donations, were also accepted. In total, 786 food items and $373 were donated to the DSU Food Bank, Feed Nova Scotia, and the Colchester Food Bank in Truro (up from 339 items and $115.25 collected last year). The Dal libraries waived $1,296.96 in fines (more than double the $528.36 waived last year).

NEW HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYSThe staff and volunteers at the International Centre reached out to Dal staff and faculty in December, to help them make the holidays a little more comfortable for international students staying in Halifax. The holiday stocking fundraiser raised more than $1,000 that was used for various activities for the 52 students living in residence and other international students living in the city over the holiday break. A coordinator was hired to plan and execute all the events, which included sushi-making, movie nights, and meals that highlighted different cultures. The International Centre at Dal AC also helped international students on that campus feel more at home over the holiday break. About 25 students attended a Christmas Party and went sledding in Truro.

COMMONWEALTH STUDENTS CHRISTMAS RECEPTION WITH LIEUTENANT GOVERNORIn December, a large group of Dal’s international students from Commonwealth countries had the privilege of attending a Christmas Reception at Government House with Lieutenant Governor John James Grant.

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RESIDENCES IN THE COMMUNITYDal’s residence students always step up when it comes to volunteering their time and raising money for community charities, and this year was no different. The Residence Charity Series, consisting of Kick-Off (soccer), Tip-Off (basketball), and Face-Off (hockey) not only raised $15,000 for the IWK Health Centre but also spent 1,000 volunteer hours planning and executing the events. The residence students’ Movember efforts raised more than $1,700 and contributed 75 volunteer hours for prostate and testicular cancer and men’s health research and awareness. And the Think Pink campaign raised more than $1,500 for breast cancer research and awareness and contributed 85 volunteer hours.

WHERE IN THE WORLD?


Source: Office of the Registrar

90% of students in 2nd and 3rd year are satisfied or very satisfied with international student services at Dal

2,620Total international student enrolment at Dal in 2013-14

121% International student enrolment increase from 2008-9

%

1. Asia (63%)2. Middle East (12%)3. Americas (9%)

4. Africa (6%)5. Europe (6%)

TOP 5 areas of origin for Dal’s international students

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OT STUDENTS ON THE SLOPESMichelle Mahoney, an administrative assistant in Dal’s School of Occupational Therapy (OT), was born with arthrogryposis, a muscle condition in her arms and legs that makes it difficult for her to do certain day-to-day activities. She never thought she’d be able to ski, but thanks to OT students she hit the slopes on a sit-ski this year with the Canadian Association of Disabled Skiers (CADS) program at Martock Ski Resort. She heard about the program from a first-year OT student, Kristy Taylor, who started volunteering with CADS in 2009 at Owl’s Head outside Montreal. “To see someone who has never actually slid on snow before is the best thing ever,” says Kristy.

“We help people with what they want to do, and what they need to do”

Ten of the instructor volunteers at Martock are students from Dal’s OT program—a perfect fit since occupational therapy is all about helping people with physical and other challenges adapt to the world around them. “It’s the perfect OT thing to do,” says Kristy. “You’re getting people out to do things they wouldn’t normally do. We help people with what they want to do, and what they need to do.”

GETTING REACQUAINTED IN TRUROOn January 8, over 20 student clubs and campus services participated in the Student Services Fair as part of Winter reOrientation at Dal AC. Held in partnership with DASA, the idea was to give students an opportunity to reconnect with all the campus support services and resources, and encourage them to get involved in campus life during the winter term. In addition to the Clubs and Services Fair, students were treated to a pizza party and a meet-and- greet with David Gray, principal of Dal AC and dean of the Faculty of Agriculture, to give students a chance to ask him questions about services on campus.

SWEATERS FOR SYRIAWith winter storms moving into the Middle East in late November, and the civil war raging in Syria, people on this side of the world knew they needed to help out the millions of Syrian refugees in the region. Clement Mehlman, a chaplain at Dalhousie’s Multifaith Centre, helped organize Dal students to collect sweaters for Canada Lutheran World Relief, who would then send them to Syrian refugees in Jordan. The Dal group collected nearly 200 sweaters for the cause. Community groups and Lutheran churches from all across Canada participated in the project, collecting 50,000 sweaters in total. The sweaters were sent to the Za'atari refugee camp in Jordan, where hundreds of thousands of Syrian people are living. While only sweaters were being collected for Syria, some people brought coats into the Multifaith Centre. So, to ensure they were put to good use, eights bags of them were given to the Dalhousie winter coat drive and six bags were sent to the Salvation Army Thrift Store.

DASA STUDENT LOUNGEThanks to the support of Farm Credit Canada, the newly renovated Dalhousie Agricultural Students Association (DASA) student lounge officially opened its doors on September 30. The spruced-up space offers a place for Dal AC students to hang out, socialize, or study between classes.

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84% of students in 2nd and 3rd year are satisfied or very satisfied with services for students with disabilities at DalCUSC Middle-Years Student Survey (2014)

CANFAR Dalhousie

Dalhousie Agriculture International Student

Society

Dalhousie Association of Psychology Students

Dalhousie Commerce Society

Dalhousie Feminist Legal Association

Dalhousie Students Offering Support

Dalhousie Student Pharmacy Society

Dalhousie Undergraduate Engineering Society

Engineers Without Borders (EWB) Dalhousie

Howe Hall Residents’ Society

Islamic Relief @ Dal

SRES Student Society

Tigers men’s and women’s swim teams

Tigers women’s basketball team

Tigers women’s soccer team

Tigers women’s hockey team

Varsity Council

$10,000 for HIV and AIDS research

$1,200 for Zhuhui Ye Scholarship Fund

$200+ for Canadian Mental Health Association

$33,620 for Movember prostate

cancer fundraiser and $12,000 for the IWK Oncology Unit and the Canadian Cancer Society’s Camp Goodtime

$150+ for various charitable causes

$5,500+ for construction of schools in Latin America

$3,400 for Canadian Breast

Cancer Foundation and $2,800 for Canadian Cancer Society

$3,000 for the Halifax Region Children’s Aid Foundation

$1,200 for EWB

$2,000+ for Movember prostate cancer research

$2,000 for Orphan Sponsorship Program

$1,800 for Common Roots Urban Farm and Deep Sea Coalition

$695 for Movember prostate cancer research

$600 for Lung Association of NS

$650 for Canadian Cancer Society

$450 for Canadian Cancer Society

$500 for Operation Christmas Child

and $200 for North End Parents Resource Centre

(And that’s just a small sample...)

Dal students,making a difference

INDUCTION CEREMONIESThe Induction Ceremony, while a relatively new event during Orientation Week, has already become somewhat of an institution at Dal. Part pep rally, part formal ceremony, it signifies the moment when first-year students officially become part of the Dalhousie community. This year’s Inductions included a couple of firsts: President Florizone’s first time leading the ceremony, and the first time it was also held on the Agricultural Campus. During the Halifax ceremony, President Florizone draped a black-and-gold Dal scarf around his neck and told the full house in the Rebecca Cohn Auditorium to seize all the opportunities available to them at Dal. “You are entering a new intellectual environment, where professors will expect you to think more deeply and thoroughly than you ever have before,” he said. “It will be hard work, but if you embrace this opportunity I promise this first semester will be among the most transformative experiences of your life.”

“Everything is possible and we can all achieve whatever we put our minds to”

The president also spoke to the incoming class at the Truro ceremony, but the keynote speech was delivered by another first-timer, Dal AC’s new principal and Faculy of Agriculture dean, David Gray. “It’s the spirit that counts here,” he said. “The time may be long, the vehicle may be just a bit strange or unexpected. But if the dream is held close to the heart, and imagination is applied to whatever is close at hand, everything is possible and we can all achieve whatever we put our minds to.”

DID YOU KNOW?In early February, during the midst of one of the worst winters Halifax has seen in a while, the DSU rounded up a group of about 20 eager student volunteers to help battle Mother Nature during a particularly snowy period. Armed with shovels and goodwill, the group cleared driveways and sidewalks for a number of neighbours near Studley Campus. It’s those little selfless gestures that go a long way to strengthening Dal’s relationship with the outside community.

WELLNESS CONNECTIONS

DAL AFTER DARKDal After Dark was created in 2012 to provide students with alcohol-free, low-cost alternatives for their Thursday, Friday, and Saturday nights—running the gamut from games and movie nights to floor hockey and basketball. In 2013 the Office of Student Life expanded the program by encouraging students to come up with their own alcohol-free events. Funding was made available for up to 15 grants per term, each with a maximum of $650. For this first year, 14 grant applications were chosen by a selection committee of students and staff members, with a total of $4,600 awarded. Overall, Dal After Dark offered about 50 programs this year for more than 2,900 attendees. They ranged from small-scale events (such as cookie decorating, pumpkin carving, and Valentine’s card making) to larger ones like cosmic bowling, the St. Paddy’s Day games room, and laser tag in the McInnes Room.

When Dalhousie Health Services, Coun- selling Services, and Student Health Promotion moved into the new LeMarchant Mixed-Use Building in June, it signalled a new era of student-focused health. It’s also the first time that all three related departments have come under the same roof. “For students, it means one location where their physician, nurse, psychologist, psychiatrist, and health promotion/educator are steps away,” says Verity Turpin, executive director of student wellness. “And it will be easier for our staff to collaborate on programming and services for our students.”

With the moves into one central location, the second floor of 1246 LeMarchant Street is now a hub for student health and wellness. And besides the fresh and bright new look for all three offices, other changes are taking place—particularly with Health Services.

Now known as Student Health Services (SHS), the clinic has a much larger and more comfortable waiting room, and more patient-friendly exam- ination rooms. It’s also taking on more of a student-centric approach to its services and programming. For example, starting in September, certain appointment times will be held for students so they get priority booking and can be accom-modated quickly for high-priority cases.

In the fall a nurse practitioner will be hired to work with the medical director and manager of Student Health Promotion to develop new targeted programming for students.

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WELLNESS CONNECTIONS “Mental health support is a priority for our students and the university,” says Dr. Glenn Andrea, medical director of SHS. “We’ll be finding new ways to use our existing nursing staff with the nurse practitioner to expand our support services for students. We’ll also be doing more outreach programming to students. For example, students can expect mobile clinics for things such as the flu and STIs on Sexton Campus, and educational programs that support mental health, sexual health, and alcohol harm reduction.”

“Mental health support is a priority for our students

and the university”

The changes will also allow for more hands-on learning opportunities for students in the Faculty of Health Professions. This fall, with the support of the School of Nursing and the SHS physicians, nursing students will be taking on integral roles in vaccine and STI clinics on campus.

“The opportunities for collaboration with students and faculty in Health Prof-essions are endless,” says Dr. Andrea. “Partnerships that focus on enriching the student experience, as well as inc-reasing our capacity for servicing the student population, will be a priority in the coming years.”

What are the five most common issues among students making use of Counselling Services?

There were 2,203 sessions dealing with anxiety, followed by 1,049 for depression, 718 for self-esteem issues, 601 for interpersonal issues, and 530 for relationship problems.

NEW FOCUS ON STUDENT HEALTH SERVICES


SUMMER UPASSRide Metro Transit for (almost) free this summer!

If you’re registered as a full-time student for the summer semester(three or more half-credits), you’ll automatically get the Summer UPass for only $72.50.* That’s a saving of more than $200 for May through August!

Visit dal.ca/summerupass for all the details and eligibility requirements.

* If you’re a full-time grad student, doing a co-op placement, or a clinical placement that’s a required part of your program, you can opt in with proof of study or placement from your departmental supervisor.


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STUDENT SOLUTIONSMatthew Worona’s original idea was simple. As the DSU Bike Coordinator, he just wanted one or two bike repair stands to be placed around the Halifax campuses. But after he and the team from the Dal Bike Centre met with Halifax councillor Waye Mason, the idea really took off. Mason suggested they pitch the concept at his participatory budgeting meeting for residents to vote on not- for-profit funding projects. The crowd loved the idea and the city decided it should order a bunch of them to place at strategic spots around Halifax. “The stands are a great way to make cycling a more accessible means of getting around,” says Matthew. “There can be a lot of costs associated with bike repair, and this helps bring down that barrier.” The stands allow cyclists to hang their bikes off the ground while they make repairs on them using the attached air pump and assortment of tools. And there’s a QR code on the top of the stand that can be scanned to get step-by-step instructions for most minor repairs.

Besides the ones located in front of the SUB and outside the Steele Ocean Sciences Building, there are two stands funded by the Faculty of Engineering on Sexton Campus (at the corner of Morris and Queen Streets and behind the Medjuck Architecture Building).

“It’s great to see how by empowering students to take transportation into their own hands, we can

make a difference”

Off campus, there are stands at Victoria Park (Spring Garden Rd. and South Park St.) and on the Macdonald Bridge bike lane. They will also be set up at all three ferry terminals, and are proposed for other spots around the city such as the hospitals, Point Pleasant Park, the North Commons, Hydrostone Market, Mount St. Vincent University, and Saint Mary’s University. “It’s great to see how by empowering students to take transportation into their own hands, we can make a difference,” says Matthew.

CHEAP RIDESWhen a plebiscite was held during the DSU elections in 2013, asking students if they wanted a Summer UPass, 81% of voting students were in favour of the idea. So a survey was sent to all Dal summer students in 2013 asking them if they would have wanted a Summer UPass if it had been available. The results? Overwhelmingly in favour. In 2014 an arrangement was made with Metro Transit to extend the

UPass program to all Dal and King’s students studying here full time over the summer. The deal also allowed full-time grad students and ones doing co-op or clinical placements as part of their program to opt in. And at only $72.50 for the four-month period of May through August (a regular MetroPass would cost $280), it was a steal.

80% of Dal students in 2nd and 3rd year walk,bike, or take public transportation to campus


GENDER NEUTRAL WASHROOMSMany LGBTQ people, especially those who are transgender or transsexual, face discrimination when they use gender- specific washrooms. It can be in the form of nasty looks, loud “whispers,” or overt emotional and physical harassment. If they don’t fit into either of the rigidly defined, sex-derived gender categories, they can be left feeling like there is nowhere for them to go.

That’s why we have gender-neutral washrooms on our campuses. Just look for the ones with this sign. Or you can find a list of them under the LGBTQ tab at dal.ca/livewell. But the washrooms aren’t just for the LGBTQ community. Single-person, barrier-free, gender-neutral washrooms provide accessibility and privacy to anyone who requires them, no matter what their reason.

7,535 individual counselling sessions (a 17% increase over previous year)

2,560 students registered for counselling assistance (a 16% increase over previous year)

2,248 students were seen for brief initial consultations (BICs) at Counselling Services (a 23% increase over previous year) thanks to increased availability of the BICs

COUNSELLING SERVICES

97 Counselling Services workshops or multiple-session group programs, with a total attendance of 2,035

93% of students who used Counselling Services said their issues had been negatively affecting their academic work, but 93% of them said counselling had helped

COUNSELLING SERVICES


EDUCATING THE EDUCATORSAs is the case at every university, there are many students at Dal who experience stress, depression, anxiety, and other personal and mental health issues. Luckily we have a great team at Counselling Services who are dedicated to providing the proper support and making sure no one falls through the cracks. Through its individual and group sessions, as well its variety of workshops, Counselling Services helps a growing number of students each year. In 2012-13 it launched a successful online self-help program, SHIFT, geared towards Dal, King’s, and NSCAD students who experience symptoms of depression, anxiety, and/or stress, but for certain reasons aren’t able to come for in-person sessions. This year, it changed gears when it recognized a need to educate faculty and staff about mental health issues. In the fall of 2013, Counselling Services created and distributed a folder on “Identifying and Responding to Students in Distress.” It provides suggestions on how to recognize when someone is in distress and needs assistance, along with information on how best to respond. It also includes a list of resources to which students can be referred. The director of Counselling Services held four workshops for 132 departmental reps, where they could learn more about assisting students in distress. And the folders themselves were distributed to every academic department and staff unit on all campuses in Halifax and Truro.

DID YOU KNOW?Why take a cab when you could cycle? The Dal Bike Centre offers free bike loans (including helmet, lights, and a lock) to Dal students, faculty, and staff. It’s the perfect way to get around the city!

83% of students in 2nd and 3rd year are satisfied or very satisfied with personal counselling services at Dal CUSC Middle-Years Student Survey (2014)

STUDENT MENTAL HEALTH & WELL-BEING ART PROJECTAs part of World Mental Health Day, Student Health Promotion created a mental health art awareness project that gave Dal students an opportunity to creatively answer the question, “What does mental health mean to you?” In order to foster positive dialogue about mental health, they were encouraged to paint pictures or messages on three large canvasses that were hung along University Ave. near the SUB. Students were also invited to leave their thoughts on two other questions: “How do you deal with a mental health issue?” and “What is a mental health issue on campus?”

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When Anthony Saikali, a second-year neuroscience student, wanted to join a medical response society like he had heard about at other universities, he simply started his own when he dis-covered there wasn’t already one at Dal. He approached Tarek Lawen, a first-year Master of Cardiovascular Physiology student and director of the Dalhousie St. John Ambulance division, with the idea of setting up the Dalhousie Medical Campus Response Team (DMCRT) to provide first aid services for campus events “We pitched some people at St. John Ambulance the idea of having a student-run response team on campus, and they were more than enthusiastic,” says Anthony. St. John Ambulance came on board by subsidizing some needed medical equipment and provided free first-aid training for members. This was of particular interest to students studying in Dal’s various health professions-related programs, especially since many of them are required to have first-aid training as part of their discipline. “You don’t need to be a medical response member, or a St. John Ambulance volunteer to be a member of the society,” he says. “Sometimes, being a science student, the information

we’re getting during lectures isn’t really applicable on a day-to-day basis. Being able to get this type of education for any student, science student or not, is a fantastic thing to have and be able to offer at the university.” Since it just got off the ground in January, the DMCRT welcomed many students to its membership. During the 2014 DSU elections, the society added a referendum to the ballot, asking for a $2 levy to be introduced to all full-time Dal students to help fund its operations and training opportunities. The motion was successful with 64.5% of voters coming out in favour of the idea. With a growing membership and student-approved funding, watch for the team around campus in the fall at such activities as concerts, athletic events, and Orientation Week.

STUDENT MEDICAL RESPONDERS

DID YOU KNOW?In response to student requests, this

year Dalplex introduced lower student prices for fitness classes and opened

up use of the Cardio Room to students for no additional charges.

Now students can get in their workout without worrying about paying extra for the equipment they want to use.

DID YOU KNOW?Dal AC students got some holiday spirit in December as Student Services elves visited the campus spreading some exam-time cheer. It was the perfect time for them to roam through the buildings handing out candy canes, stress balls, and exam tips.

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DALHOUSIE FITNESS CENTREPERSPECTIVE VIEW FROM NORTH WEST ENTRY

DAL AC MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESSStudent Services on the Agricultural Campus, in partnership with the Dalhousie Agricultural Students Association (DASA), hosted a Mental Health Wellness Day to help combat the winter blahs. The DASA lounge played host to therapy dogs who were available for petting and playing, students wrote down their aspirations on a big dream/goal board, motivational magnets and buttons were handed out, and Student Services provided AC students with info on mental health supports and services on campus and beyond.

BEAT THE STRESSDalhousie’s Student Health Promotion team was very active on campus this year. From setting up stations at the St. Paddy’s Day free games event to running the always-popular “beer goggles” Fatal Vision event during Orientation Week, they were busy sending their positive messages surrounding alcohol and drug use, sexual health, and overall wellness. But perhaps the group’s most well-received initiative is its anti-stress kits that it hands out to students on its “Free Hugs Day” held twice a year before the fall and winter term exam periods. In late November and early April, besides giving out a lot of free hugs, the team handed out a total of 650 kits that included:

�herbal teas �dark chocolate �anti-stress balls �condoms � information on how to naturally reduce stress � information on resources such as study skills workshops and counselling services

Interestingly, the most popular item included in the April kit was an HB2 pencil that students could use on their multiple choice exams!

DEFIBRILLATORTwo Jewish student societies on campus, Hillel Halifax and Israel on Campus, wanted to do something to give back to the Dal community. So they raised $1,500 through a concert event at the Grawood and purchased an AED (automated external defib-rillator) for the Killam Atrium.

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DID YOU KNOW?Student safety was increased at the Sexton Gymnasium this year. Since certain areas of the facility were easily accessible to the general public, card readers were installed to control that access. Now, only members of the Gym are able to enter places like the locker rooms and squash courts.

PUMPING UP THE FITNESS FACILITIESDal students have been asking for updated fitness facilities for a while now, and that wish will come true with improvements to facilities on Sexton Campus and a new building beside Dalplex. Thanks to the input provided by students, staff, and community members through more than 35 hours of consultation sessions held throughout the year, the new Fitness Centre will include cardio and strength-training facilities; group fitness studios for dance, yoga and spin; equipment rental facilities; and change rooms. It’s hoped that construction will begin in the summer of 2015, on the current South Street site of Eliza Ritchie Hall. Once the building is up and running, it will further enhance Dal’s focus on healthy living and soon become a hub of student wellness.

Veterinary Technology Hometown: Fall River, N.S.

LEADERSHIP & CAREER CONNECTIONS

OwenJohnstone

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LEADERSHIP & CAREER CONNECTIONS

Owen Johnstone saw an opportunity for change on the Agricultural Campus and seized it. A first-year student in the Veterinary Technology Program, Owen created DALOUT Truro, a safe space for all gender identities. “It’s about hanging out in a space where you can be yourself,” he says. Originally from Fall River, N.S., Owen was aware of a certain level of intolerance for LGBTQ members in rural communities. So when he was accepted into his program, he briefly considered going back in the closet, but quickly realized that wasn’t the solution. “I started thinking maybe there are other people on campus who feel similarly,” he says. He was also aware of members of the large international student population who, “maybe don’t want to be out but still want to be engaged and feel safe.” DALOUT Truro started quietly. Owen made some posters to publicize meetings, and slowly more people started to show up through word of mouth. This year the group had a presence at the Club Fair and hosted

a movie night and a bowling night. “Otherwise we’re just hanging out, not necessarily even talking about things LGBTQ-related. It’s more just a safe space to hang out and make friends,” he says.

Members are never asked to identify themselves, which Owen says creates a safer space for everyone. In the future he would love to see the club become “a bit more political.” He hopes the group will continue after he graduates and connect with different groups on campus.In recognition of his efforts, in March Owen received the Club/Organization Award at the Dal AC Impact Awards. After he finishes his program and writes the veterinary technician exam, he hopes to work in a veterinary clinic for a few years, get his skills up, and work in a shelter or a wildlife location. “I’m going to try out the clinics for a few years and see where that takes me,” he says.

“It’s about hanging out in a space where you can be

yourself”

CREATING A SAFE HAVEN

62 Number of career workshops offered at Dal AC in 2013-14

DID YOU KNOW?Student Services at Dal AC started a new program, Resumes on the Run, to help students prepare for job searches and life after university. Rather than students setting up times to meet with someone, the career advisor set up tables in various buildings around campus so students could simply drop by to have their resumes critiqued.

CREATING AN APP WITH AN INTERNATIONAL FLAIRSometimes you don’t know how far an idea will go until you actively pursue it. Five international students at Dal— Anuj Shah, Deepika Agarwal and Nilofer Mehta of the Master of Applied Computer Science program, and Katharina Glorius and Carol Tian in the Faculty of Management—took a simple idea of wanting to be alerted when certain products go on sale, and turned it into an app called Catsh.in. The team debuted their creation at an entrepreneurial competition, Startup Weekend Halifax, in November. They placed second, behind another team of Dal students who created a computer plug-in called Nudge It that tells users to get away from their screens when they’ve been staring at them for too long. That team decided not to take part in the next round of competition, so the Catsh.in group became the only Nova Scotian team in the Global Startup Battle. Competing against teams from more than 150 cities around the world, the Catsh.in crew made it all the way to the final 15 teams vying for the global prize.

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LINK 2.0

Over 150 Dal students took over the McInnes Room in January to network and brainstorm about ways to improve the university community and student experience. Called LINK 2.0: Weekend of Student Action, it carried on from last year’s inaugural LINK event.

The students gathered in groups to work together on three questions. The first one dealt with changes they would like to see on campus. Most suggestions dealt with physical changes—more green spaces, renovation of the Life Sciences Building, and more natural light in some of Dalhousie’s darker buildings, for example—but one focused on keeping students in Nova Scotia after they’ve graduated.

The second question asked students to imagine Dalhousie 10 years into the future. While many students said it would be a greener and more div-erse campus, others were concerned with growing tuition and a depressed post-grad job market.

Finally, the students were asked how they can be the agents of change. Answers ranged from partnering with NSCAD to embellishing the campus with local students’ art, to setting up a faculty/student mentorship program to foster better relationships between students and their professors.

Some of the best ideas were selected and featured on a LINK page in the Co-Curricular Record tab on myCareer for all Dal students to view, comment on, and add their own ideas.

“When a lot of people talk about ideas that they want to get off the ground, it doesn’t always happen because they don’t know about the resources that they have available to them,” says Layne Wilson, part of the LINK 2.0 organizing committee. “When we were talking about this event, we really wanted to make it easier and more tangible for people to actually follow through.”

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CAREER PEER ADVISINGThe Career & Leadership Development Centre started a new peer-to-peer advising program this year. The CLDC expanded the hours for its drop-in advising services, and hired 13 Dal students to offer support with such things as resume and cover letter reviews, help with job applications, and job search strategies. A total of 813 sessions were offered during 2013-14. Since it hires students to work as advisors, the program is all about students helping students with their career paths. And not only do the peer advisors get paid for their work, they also receive comprehensive training that will help them in their own careers. The program was definitely a hit with the students who used it. In a survey given to them by the CLDC, 97% of them said they were satisfied or very satisfied with the service they received, and 95% said they would probably or very likely use the service again.

DID YOU KNOW?The first East Coast Student Leadership Conference, organized by Dal students and staff, took place in February of 2013 with 150 attendees. In November of 2013, the second conference brought 175 student leaders to our campus from across the region. Now, after setting a firm found-ation for the annual event, Dal is passing the torch to other East Coast university hosts, with the plan to bring it “back home” every three or four years.

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OFF TO OXFORDLate in the fall of 2013, Michael Mackley became the 88th student in Dal’s history to become a Rhodes Scholar. The Rhodes is one of the most prestigious scholarship programs in the world, providing full expenses to travel to, and study at, the University of Oxford for two years, with an option for a third. The total value is more than $100,000. The biology student’s research passion is genetics and society—his honours project focused on improving prog-nostication for cancers with a common mutation in a gene called BRAF. Incredibly, Michael never took a biology class before he came to Dal and signed up for an introductory course. “It was in my first year that I discovered genetics,” he says. “There was just something about that section of the intro course that really clicked. I was sort of taken with it right away.” While the Rhodes scholarship recognizes academic achievement, it also looks at the candidates’ extracurricular activities, particularly ones that show leadership and community service. Michael is a flag football coach with Football Nova Scotia and volunteers at Ronald MacDonald House in Halifax. He’s also a classically trained pianist who has been involved with several musical groups on campus.

DALConnects MEETS SURVIVOROn a crisp day in February, DALConnects led a group of 34 students on a wilderness survival day trip to the Terence Bay Nature Reserve outside Halifax. The group hiked 2.5 km into the woods where they learned the basics of outdoor survival from instructors from Kattuk Expeditions. They then split into small groups, were given GPS units, and sent into the forest to find hidden supplies to use for shelter. Once the caches had been found, the groups had to construct a shelter that could last the night. The students also learned how to start a fire with a flint and prepared a meal together over the campfire. The retreat was a fantastic way to get students away from campus to foster teamwork, problem solving, and communication skills.

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CAREER INFORMATION CENTRE

2,268 in-person student visits to the Lawson Career Information Centre and 572 requests for career information by email

206 students participated in the DALConnects Leadership Certificate Program in 2013-14

54% of DALConnects participants were international students

41not-for-profit organizations partnered with the program (20 more than the previous year)

1,800 students registered

for a Co-Curricular Record (CCR) in 2013-14 (a 49% increase over the previous year)

2,232 opportunities in

the CCR directory in 2013-14 (a 39% increase over the previous year)


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CLUB TEAM HIGHLIGHTSWhile much of the athletic focus lands on the Tigers varsity teams at Dal, our Tier One sports clubs also proudly wear the black and gold and represent the university incredibly well every year. This year there were a few notable standouts. The women’s field hockey team had a great season, culminating with an Atlantic champion-ship game against crosstown rivals, Saint Mary’s. Unfortunately, after finishing regulation in a scoreless tie, the team lost in the sudden-death shootout. But, to comfort the blow, two of Dal’s players were given national honours: Nikki Burge was named to the Canadian Interuniversity Sport (CIS) All-Canadian team, and Samantha Spooner was named the CIS Rookie of the Year. The women’s rugby team went undefeated and outscored their opponents by 198 points to 53. The success carried over into the championship game when they beat UNB for the title. Not to be outdone, the men’s rugby teams also showed what they’re made of. The Division 1 team beat Acadia for the Nova Scotia championship before rolling over UNB to win the Maritime championship. The Division 2 team beat arch- rival King’s in a tight match to win the Nova Scotia championship. The dedicated group of students in Dal’s Rowing Club came out with a number of wins in local regattas, and capped the season by winning the inaugural Atlantic Rowing Championships. During the Canadian University championships, the men finished 9th out of 26 while the women were 10th out of 26. The men’s lacrosse team finished the regular season with a perfect 8-0 record and beat St. FX in the championship game. It was the club’s third straight title and fifth in six years!

HOCKEY PLAYERS FOR KIDSLast fall the Tigers women’s hockey team teamed up with Hockey Players for Kids (HP4K) to help students at Saint Mary’s Elementary School in downtown Halifax develop their reading skills. They were the first CIS hockey program, and the first female hockey team in the world, to participate in the program. Fifth-year forward Fielding Montgomery heard about the Stick to Reading challenge, a month-long program that encourages students to read as many books as they can, and thought it sounded like a great thing for the team to support. Since three of Fielding’s teammates—Megan O’Neill, Sarah Robichaud, and Joleen MacInnis—were all lunch monitors at Saint Mary’s, she was able to successfully pitch the program to the school’s principal. The Tigers visited the school at the begin- ning of November, with two or three players going to each classroom armed with books donated by HP4K. They talked to the students about the importance and enjoyment of reading. “Kids are awesome to work with," says Fielding. “They’re always eager to learn and they’re excited to hear what you have to say. When we visit the kids, they all want to participate in the discussions and show us how hard they’ve been working at this challenge.” When the players finished the challenge at the end of the month, they presented each student with a certificate and awarded the top-performing class (Grade Primary, with 844 books read) with the grand prize of a pizza party.

84% of students in 2nd and 3rd year are satisfied or very satisfied with career counselling services at DalCUSC Middle-Years Student Survey (2014)


ACADEMIC ALL-CANADIANSThis year, at Dal’s 15th annual Academic All-Canadian Luncheon, a record 100 Dalhousie student-athletes were celebrated for their successes in the classroom as well as the field, pool, court, rink, and track during 2012-13. To qualify as a Canadian Interuniversity Sport (CIS) Academic All-Canadian, the student-athletes have to maintain an overall average of at least 80% while competing in a varsity sport. Taryn McKenna, a fourth-year Religious Studies and Music student and goalkeeper for the women’s soccer team, received the honour for the fourth time. She also volunteers as a youth soccer coach, works as the marketing assistant for Dal Student Life, and has spent many times in the Tiger mascot suit during varsity games. “I don’t think many people realize how much effort and time goes into being a student-athlete,” she says. “So it’s really nice that Dal goes above and beyond to recognize their Academic All-Canadians.”

TRIUMPH ON THE TRURO PITCHCongrats to the Dal AC Rams women’s rugby team who won the ACAA Rugby Championship this year! After finishing first in the league, they battled a stubborn Mount Allison team to win the trophy. To top it off, Rams player Joan Cole was named the ACAA Women’s Rugby Player of the Year.

They may fly under the radar a bit on campus, but the Dalhousie Cheer Society had a spectacular year by all accounts. To cap off their undefeated season, the team finished the year by winning the CheerExpo Nationals. When it’s not training for and competing in competitions, the team can be found at Dal basketball, football, and rugby games, pumping up the crowds with its sideline performances. This year it also represented Dal at such community events as Relay for Life and Light the Night. Wanting to raise its profile on campus, the team took part in the Society Carnival and hosted a Stunt School during Orientation Week. The efforts garnered the team plenty of notice, and it won the Most Impactful Competitive Sports Society at the third annual Impact Awards. “It’s a wonderful way to become a part of our school community,” says coach Jessie Ali. “We’re really trying to help people see that Dal Cheer is a part of something bigger.”

A LOT TO CHEER FOR

TIGERS IN THE COMMUNITY

1,700 Number of hours Dal varsity student-athletes spent volunteering for charities, schools, and other groups on and off campus in 2013-14

84% of students in 2nd and 3rd year are satisfied or very satisfied with career counselling services at Dal

85% of students in 2nd and 3rd year are satisfied or very satisfied with employment services at DalCUSC Middle-Years Student Survey (2014)


Taryn McKenna with the other Academic All-Canadians from the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences


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BOARD OF GOVERNORS’ AWARD WINNERS

The Governors’ Awards are the top student awards at Dalhousie. Each year they recognize students who contribute to Dal through their academic accomplishments and their leadership in campus life. This year six inspiring students were honoured with the awards at the Impact Awards.

Ding Fan Christopher “Kit” Moran Ishika Sharma Taylor Thompson

The president of the Dalhousie Chinese Student and Scholars Association (DCSSA), Ding has worked hard to build up the society’s profile and membership, increase support for Chinese students at Dal, and internationalize the campus. She was the VP, Executive of the Dalhousie International Students Association (DISA) and has held key roles with the DSU to broaden her perspective of student life. Outside school, she created the non-profit Nova Scotia International Community Bridge Association (NSICBA) to connect Halifax’s international and domestic communities and help foreign students adjust to life in Canada. How much does she like Dal? Every summer since arriving here, she has returned to her high school in China to encourage students to make the journey to Halifax.

Despite only arriving at Dal in 2012 to start her MSc in physiotherapy, Ishika quickly made her mark on the university community. She served as VP External for DISA, VP Academic Affairs for the Dalhousie Association of Graduate Students (DAGS), and as the international representative on the DSU. She is passionate about improving the international student experience at Dal and also advocates beyond the campus: she was one of two student representatives on the International Student Policy working group headed by the Nova Scotia Department of Labour and Higher Education. Through DISA, she acted as chair for a Sexual and Gender Resource Committee, working in collaboration with South House and the DSU Equity Office to educate international students about gender oppression and the LGBTQ community.

A fixture on the varsity swim team for his first five years at Dal—including as a member of the 2012 Dal and AUS (Atlantic University Sport) record-setting 400m relay team—Kit was named a CIS (Canadian Interuniversity Sport) Academic All-Canadian each of those years. He served on the Dalhousie Varsity Council for three years, through which he was involved in organizing such events as the Special Tigers Sport Days, and has used his little free time to work as a children’s swimming instructor. In 2013 he was named the winner of the AUS Swimming Student-Athlete Community Service Award. As the athletics commissioner for the DSU he encouraged healthy and active lifestyles by organizing such activities as Dalympics, an event that attracted over 1,000 participants during Orientation Week.

Ding Fan“The idea for the NSICBA is to connect

different communities and become a platform for people to get to know one

another’s culture. I hope it benefits people who want to stay in Nova Scotia, to find

opportunities and jobs here.”

Ishika Sharma“I see so many more international students

now running for new councils and new boards, taking up executive positions in

societies, connecting with other language and culture societies. That’s really big for me.”

“As I got older, and more opportunities came my way, I was also presented with

more opportunities to give back. And I feel that’s an important part of being an athlete. You’re a community leader, and that means

taking time to offer your support to that community.”

Christopher “Kit” Moran


Caitlin Urquhart George Woodhouse

As a member of the Commerce Society and the Dalhousie business case team, Taylor’s experience at the JDC Central business case competition inspired him to organize a successful bid for Dalhousie to host the event in 2013. It was the first one held east of Quebec and became the largest event ever hosted by the Faculty of Management. As a residence assistant and senior RA, he has fostered a sense of community in Sherriff Hall and has acted as the captain of the Shirreff soccer, flag football, and hockey teams. Using his business case experience, he brought the three IWK Residence Series events (Face-Off, Kick-Off, and Tip-Off) under one banner so it could be seen as a charity that raises money through sports, instead of sports that raise some money for charity.

As an executive member of the Law Students’ Society (LSS) for three years, Caitlin has increased awareness in issues of student wellness, mental health, and work-life balance at the Law School. During her first year she founded the law students’ Wellness Committee, which organizes mental health workshops, provides healthy snacks and support during exam period, and hosts weekly yoga and meditation classes. She also lobbied the DSU for greater mental health services for all Dalhousie students, in particular a peer support network. She is a member of Dal’s equestrian team, participates in intramural sports, provides free legal services at the Family Law Information Centre, and volunteers for Pro Bono Students Canada, an organization that places law students with non-profit organizations across the city.

Over his five years on campus, George has truly become an unofficial ambassador for Dalhousie. His charisma has been put to good use in his roles as a campus tour guide, Orientation Week leader, and emcee/host for numerous events including the popular open mic nights at the Grawood. He has used his love and talent for music to advocate for student rights (with his song, “The Student Poverty Song”) and express his passion for Dalhousie and Halifax (“See You In September”). The video for that particular song has become a welcome for all newcomers to Dal and has turned him into a mini-celebrity on and off campus. His passion for Dalhousie is evident in the work he has done with the International Centre, making sure every student feels supported and welcome.

Taylor Thompson“I saw the role that residence assistants

play in building that sense of community, connecting people on the floor in the

building, just administering those connections. I gained great respect for them, in how they deal with situations

and help people.”

Caitlin Urquhart“It’s very rewarding for me to be in a

leadership role, to help shape the legal community going forward. If we promote mental health in law school, then we’re

going to have a community of lawyers who are more empathetic, more compassionate, and have a better ability to manage their

own mental health.”

George Woodhouse“Student life is where we get to apply these tools we’re learning in the classroom. It’s a place where all students—first year to fifth year, international or Canadian—can come together. There is a community here at Dal

that wants to grow with you. It wants to get to know you and give you a place to

pursue a passion.”

dal.ca/studentservices

Documents

DAL STUDENT LIFE EXPERIENCE · Pharmacology and associate dean, Faculty of Graduate Studies); Susan Mansour (associate director of undergraduate education, College of Pharmacy); and