News In Brief
Construction Update
Queen’s Centre construction will continue to affect vehicle and pedestrian traffic across campus through August and September.
Division Street, between Earl Street and Union Street, and Union Street, between Fifth Field Company Lane and University Avenue, will be closed until Aug. 10.
University Avenue, between Stuart Street and Union Street, will reopen Sept. 1.
The intersection of University Avenue and Union Street will reopen before fall term begins on Sept. 7. Pedestrian access, as well as wheelchair access, will be maintained during the closure.
University Avenue, north of Union Street, will be closed until Sept. 30.
Traffic on Earl Street, between Division Street and University Avenue, will continue to flow one way—west—until September 2009.
Detailed information and a campus map can be found on the Queen’s Centre website at queensu.ca/pps/roadclose/roadclose.html.
—Gloria Er-Chua
Orientation committees won’t miss grant money
The $70,000 fund granted to faculty orientation committees last year to offset inconveniences caused by the cancellation of house gatherings during Frosh Week won’t be renewed for Orientation 2007.
In June 2006, acting Dean of Student Affairs Janice Deakin announced that house gatherings would be banned as an orientation activity. Later that summer, Dean of Student Affairs Jason Laker gave each faculty orientation committee a share of a one-time grant of $70,000 to cover the extra costs of planning replacement activities. Principal Karen Hitchcock,Vice-Principal (Academic) Patrick Deane and former Vice-Principal (Advancement) George Hood also contributed to the fund.
The money covered the all-faculty frosh picnic and pre-semi-formal supper. Head Gael of 2007 Orientation, Mike Reddick, said these two events have been cancelled this year due to the expense.
“This will not be a big change to ASUS Orientation. Our schedule is as jam-packed as ever.”
—Gloria Er-Chua
AMS hires new media director
The AMS has hired Gillian Wheatley, ArtSci ’08, as its media director. She will oversee CFRC, Studio Q and the Journal.
Five applicants applied for the position. John Manning, AMS vice-president (operations), said the AMS was particularly impressed by Wheatley’s energy, passion and enthusiasm for media.
He said he thinks Wheatley will have the opportunity to make media services relevant to all students.
Wheatley, who was Assistant News Editor at the Journal last year, said she’s confident her previous experience in media has prepared her for the position.
Wheatley’s first task will be to help interview a new business manager for the Journal. She hopes to use her portfolio of services to aggressively advertise the position.
Additionally, Wheatley will have to deal with the financial strain that CFRC and Studio Q have faced over the past few years.
She said she plans to target local businesses to generate funding through advertising.
—Whitney Bell
University hires new vice principal (advancement)
The University hired David J. Mitchell as its new vice-principal (advancement). The announcement was made on Friday, Jul. 27.
Mitchell is currently the vice-president of university relations at the University of Ottawa. He also served as vice-president of external relations at Simon Fraser University. He has a Master’s degree in history from Simon Fraser University.
Mitchell frequently acts as a commentator on Canadian politics on the radio and television and he was an independent member of the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia from 1991 to 1996.
The Office of Advancement is responsible for raising funds for the University. The job comes with a salary of $279,147.14.
Mitchell’s term begins on Sept. 1.
He takes over from former vice-principal (advancement) George Hood, who retired on Dec. 31, 2006.
—Gloria Er-Chua
Peer Observation Program ended
The University shut down the Peer Observation Program for liability reasons, but says the Campus Observation Room will make up for the observation program’s loss.
The program was closed at the end of winter semester because a shortage of volunteers made it a liability for the University, said acting Residence Life Director Lee Fisher-Goodchild.
The Campus Observation Room (COR), is located in Victoria Hall, supports alcohol education programs and provides a detoxification centre for students.
Associate Dean of Student Affairs Roxy Denniston-Stewart said Dr. Mike Condra, director of Health Counselling and Disability Services, decided to close the Peer Observation Program (POP) with the understanding that the COR’s hours would be expanded.
“What is being proposed for next year is that [the COR] be open in the fall and key dates known to be a little more problematic…Dates like St. Patrick’s Day,” Denniston-Stewart said.
—Charlotte Yun and Katie Elphick
