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Public information session: Proposal for new student residence building

Thursday June 13, 2019

Queen’s is proposing to build a new student residence building on the north-west side of its main campus in Kingston.

A public information session is being held to give interested members of the community an opportunity to learn more about the proposal and speak with members of the project team, in advance of the site plan submission to the City of Kingston:

Tuesday, June 25, 2019
6 - 8 PM
Queen’s University
Mitchell Hall, main foyer
69 Union Street, Kingston, ON

This event is a casual drop-in format featuring information boards and an opportunity to interact directly with project team members. You will also have the opportunity to sign up to receive project updates. Attendees will also have the opportunity to tour Queen’s recently opened Mitchell Hall. 

Tags: Campus Community|Student Learning Experience

Vice-Provost (Teaching and Learning) and Interim Associate Vice-Principal (International) accepts position at University of Ottawa

Thursday June 13, 2019

Jill Scott will continue in her role until June 30, 2019.

Jill Scott, Vice-Provost (Teaching and Learning) and Interim Associate Vice-Principal (International), will be leaving Queen’s to join the University of Ottawa, where she will serve as the Provost and Vice-President, Academic Affairs.

“Throughout her time at Queen’s, Dr. Scott has had an unwavering commitment to advancing teaching and learning to support positive learning experiences and outcomes. She leaves behind an important legacy for future Queen’s students,” says Tom Harris, Interim Provost and Vice-Principal. “Please join me in congratulating Dr. Scott as she embarks on her new role at the University of Ottawa.”

Since her appointment as Vice-Provost (Teaching and Learning) in 2013, Dr. Scott has focused on initiatives that support teaching excellence and enhanced student learning. Under her leadership, Queen’s has been recognized as a national leader in learning outcomes assessment. Dr. Scott worked with faculties and schools to expand online learning which contributed to Queen’s success in the provincial competitions for funding for online course and program development. She has spearheaded other important initiatives, including the development of the Queen’s University Learning Outcomes Framework; classroom renewal; the Teaching and Learning Action Plan; the adoption of onQ; providing leadership to Queen’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission Task Force through her role as co-chair; and, more recently leading the development of the Queen’s Survey of Student Experience of Teaching (QSSET).

In additional to her Vice-Provost (Teaching and Learning) responsibilities, Dr. Scott has led the international portfolio for the last several months as Interim Associate Vice-Principal (International) providing oversight and direction to the unit, and representing Queen’s with international partners. Dr. Scott joined Queen’s as a faculty member 2001. As the Head of the Department of German, she was part of the team that worked to create the Department of Languages, Literatures, and Cultures, which paved the way for creative, interdisciplinary programming including Indigenous Studies.

Dr. Scott will continue in her role until June 30, 2019. Sandra den Otter will provide leadership for the international portfolio, for one year, as the Associate Vice-Principal (Research and International) effective July 1, 2019, pending the search for a permanent Associate Vice-Principal (International) under the direction of Principal Designate Dr. Patrick Deane. John Pierce will become the Vice-Provost (Teaching and Learning) for one year, effective July 1, 2019, pending a search for a permanent replacement.

Tags: Campus Community

New University Council members elected

Tuesday June 11, 2019
By Communications Staff

Online vote by Queen's alumni selects ten representatives for four-year terms.

Queen’s alumni have elected 10 new representatives to University Council.

The successful candidates are:

  • Judith Brown
  • Doug Bruce
  • Mervin Dewasha
  • Mary Dodd
  • Mary Drinkwater
  • Anita Jack-Davies
  • Zehra Sheerazi
  • Dan Tisch
  • Yanique Williams
  • Marcus Wong

An online vote for the 10 four-year term positions was held May 27-June 10. The term begins Sept. 1, 2019.

Established by statute in 1874, University Council serves as an advisory body to the university. Members provide advice on issues relating to the prosperity and well-being of Queen’s. The council’s responsibilities include the appointment of the chancellor and the election of six members to the Board of Trustees.

For more information visit the University Secretariat and Legal Counsel website.

Questions can be directed to the University Secretariat at 613-533-6095 or email.

Tags: Campus Community

Spring convocation comes to a close

Tuesday June 11, 2019
By Communications Staff

Four ceremonies and an honourary degree round out 2018/2019 graduation events.

  • Honorary degree recipient Gerald Sutton (Com'48) shakes the hand of Rector Alex Da Silva during the convocation ceremony for the Smith School of Business Commerce program on June 11, 2019. (Queen's University/Garrett Elliott)
    Honorary degree recipient Gerald Sutton (Com'48) shakes the hand of Rector Alex Da Silva during the convocation ceremony for the Smith School of Business Commerce program on June 11, 2019. (Queen's University/Garrett Elliott)
  • Smith School of Business Commerce graduates being hooded during a convocation ceremony on June 11.
    Smith School of Business Commerce graduates being hooded during a convocation ceremony on June 11. (Queen's University/Garrett Elliott)
  • Graduating Commerce students attending spring convocation on June 11, 2019.
    Graduating Commerce students attending spring convocation on June 11, 2019. (Queen's University/Garrett Elliott)
  • A graduate of the Smith School of Business Commerce class smiles after being presented with a Pendleton blanket.
    A graduate of the Smith School of Business Commerce class smiles after being presented with a Pendleton blanket. (Queen's University/Garrett Elliott)
  • A Commerce graduate shakes hands with David Saunders, Dean of Smith School of Business.
    A Commerce graduate shakes hands with David Saunders, Dean of Smith School of Business. (Queen's University/Garrett Elliott)
  • Engineering and Applied Science students arriving to June 12, 2019 spring convocation.
    Engineering and Applied Science students arriving to June 12, 2019 spring convocation. (Queen's University/Garrett Elliott)
  • Engineering and Applied Science students seated with their peers during the June 12, 2019 convocation ceremony.
    Engineering and Applied Science students seated with their peers during the June 12, 2019 convocation ceremony. (Queen's University/Garrett Elliott)
  • Daniel Woolf addresses Engineering and Applied Science graduates at Spring convocation; his last ceremony as Principal and Vice-Chancellor.
    Daniel Woolf addresses Engineering and Applied Science graduates at Spring convocation; his last ceremony as Principal and Vice-Chancellor. (Queen's University/Garrett Elliott)
  • Kevin Deluzio, Dean of Engineering and Applied Science, addresses graduates at spring convocation.
    Kevin Deluzio, Dean of Engineering and Applied Science, addresses graduates at spring convocation. (Queen's University/Garrett Elliott)
  • A graduate of the Engineering and Applied Science class being presented with a Pendleton blanket.
    A graduate of the Engineering and Applied Science class being presented with a Pendleton blanket. (Queen's University/Garrett Elliott)
  • An Engineering and Applied Science student shakes hands with university Chancellor Jim Leech.
    An Engineering and Applied Science student shakes hands with university Chancellor Jim Leech. (Queen's University/Garrett Elliott)

Spring Convocation has officially come to a close following four ceremonies this week.

On Tuesday, June 11, the season's final honorary degree was conferred upon Gerald Sutton, former president of Canada's first venture capital company.

Gerald Sutton arrived in Canada from England in 1941 and settled in Chatham, Ont. Two years later he joined the RCAF at the age of 17 and would be commissioned as a pilot. Following his service he enrolled in the Commerce program Queen’s University, graduating in 1948. A year later he graduated from the Master of Commerce program. Working in the head office of the Bank of Montreal he would become Assistant Economic Adviser but left in 1958 to be Director of Research at Nesbitt, Thompson And Company Limited, now BMO Nesbitt Burns. In 1961 he organized Canada’s first venture capital company, Canadian Enterprise Development Corporation Limited (CED). He was appointed General Manager in 1964 and subsequently President of CED. Throughout his career, Sutton was also a pioneer in organizing and supporting not-for-profit organizations to improve the quality of life for developmentally handicapped people. Sutton and his wife Margaret, also a graduate of Queen’s, are enthusiastic supporters of Queen’s and have established a number of bursaries, awards and scholarships. Two rooms in Goodes Hall bear their names.

Faculty of Engineering and Applied Science undergraduates were conferred during the final spring ceremony on the afternoon of Wednesday, June 12. The occasion also marked Daniel Woolf's final convocation as Principal and Vice-Chancellor, before he leaves the post on June 30 after 10 years of service.

A total of 18 ceremonies were held for Spring Convocation, with seven honorary degrees conferred by Queen’s during the events.

More photos of this season's convocation events can be viewed at the Queen’s University page on flickr.

Tags: Business|Campus Community

Marketing Queen’s a collaborative effort

Monday June 10, 2019
By Communications Staff

The Marketing MUSE Conference brings together the university’s marketing and communications professionals for a day of development and inspiration.

  • Marketing MUSE Conference 2019
    Graeme Owens of LinkedIn discusses how to 'Creating Killer Content' during the lunch keynote presentation of the Marketing MUSE Conference.
  • Marketing MUSE Conference 2019
    Lindsey Fair, Director, Marketing, Communications, and Recruitment for the Faculty of Arts and Science leads one of the many workshops offered at the Marketing MUSE Conference.
  • Marketing MUSE Conference 2019
    Andrew Ashby, Accessibility Coordinator, Queen's Equity Office, discusses the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) during a presentation titled 'Legalities, Licensing, and Must Dos.'
  • Marketing MUSE Conference 2019
    Michael Fraser, Vice-Principal (University Relations), welcomes the close to 200 participants to the Marketing MUSE Conference.

A recent pan-university conference brought together close to 200 marketing and communications staff from across Queen's for a successful day of skills development, sharing of experiences, and a bit of inspiration.

Organized by University Relations and the Faculty of Arts and Science, the Marketing MUSE Conference is delivered by and for staff and faculty from across Queen’s University and offers professional development for those engaged in marketing and communications activities.

“The theme that inspired us along for this conference was the importance of collaboration and finding new ways to foster it across the university,” says Michael Fraser, Vice-Principal (University Relations). “Whether we are attracting students, recruiting new faculty, promoting research breakthroughs, or talking to governments, we are all supporting and building the Queen’s brand at all times. It’s important work.”

Sessions were divided into three tracks – beginner, intermediate, and advanced – with attendees able to select from a variety of topics throughout the day, from fostering organic social media and branding and design trends to writing a memorable speech or creating integrated communications plans and campaigns, and much more.

The day is also an important networking opportunity for Queen’s community members who may be working in similar jobs but in very different fields.

“The world of marketing and communications is continually transforming as a result of the advances in digital and social communications,” says Helen Vasilevski, Interim Associate Vice-Principal (Communications). “By bringing so many people together the conference participants were able to learn from their colleagues and contribute further to the ongoing effort in telling the Queen’s story.”

Participants represented a broad cross-section of the university, with members of all of Queen’s faculties attending, as well as the majority of departments. 

“We are happy see the Marketing MUSE Conference continue to grow,” says Lindsey Fair, Director, Marketing, Communications, and Recruitment for the Faculty of Arts and Science, and the organizer of the first four conferences. “The ongoing success of the conference shows what can be accomplished when you bring the innovative and creative people here at Queen’s together.”

Two new initiatives were also announced at the conference:

  • The development and future launch of Queen’s University Brand Central , an online resource  that will bring together information and links to such things as the Queen’s Visual Identity Guide, AODA guidelines, social media guidelines, Queen’s Style Guide, and web publish resources, to ensure that Queen’s is being represented in a consistent effective, and accurate way across all platforms.
  • The launch of a HR Certificate Program in Marketing , comprising seven  courses that can be completed over a two-year period, to enhance Queen’s employees’ knowledge of marketing fundamentals).

More information on both initiatives will be published by the Gazette when available.

Tags: Arts and Science|Campus Community

Leading the way in supporting the community

Monday June 10, 2019
By Communications Staff
Members of the Queen’s Varsity Leadership Council (VLC) helped organize a number of events that resulted in Queen's Gaels student-athletes raise more than $61,000 for charitable causes. (Supplied photo)

Queen’s Gaels student-athletes were very successful in raising championship banners this year as well as raising funds for charitable causes.

Led by the Queen’s Varsity Leadership Council (VLC), student-athletes raised over $61,000 for charitable causes and continued to build connections in the Kingston community through volunteer initiatives.   
 
In September, the VLC donated 643 pounds of food to Partners in Mission Food Bank at the Athlete Welcome Event.  
 
In October, student-athletes raised $39,226 for the Run for the Cure, with the men's rugby team leading the way, raising more than $30,000 of the final amount.
 
Heading into the holiday season student-athletes donated 35 holiday food baskets and over $600 to Martha's Table, a nonprofit organization that provides nutritious meals for those in need. 
 
During the season, the VLC hosted two Super Saturdays which supported the Autism Mentorship Program and become involved in mental health initiatives with Bell Let's Talk day.
 
The VLC hosted its first annual Varsity Sports Championship Day with all proceeds donated to the Heart and Stroke Foundation.
 
In March, 150 student-athletes from 18 different teams and clubs, matched up with 32 Special Olympics athletes for the Motionball Marathon of Sport and raised over $23,000 for Special Olympics Canada.
 
“This was an extremely successful year for the Varsity Leadership Council. Through a love for sport, the Gaels were able to bring our Kingston community closer, one initiative at a time,” says VLC co-president and men’s basketball student-athlete Harry Range. “One of my favourite highlights from the 2018-2019 school year would be our Pathways to Education Day. The kids were engaged the entire day through various games and speakers.”

Pathways to Education Day aims to support first generation students of sport and personal development.
 
To cap off the year the VLC was nominated for the Association of Fundraising Professionals, South Eastern Ontario Chapter Award for Outstanding Youth in Philanthropy for dedicating their time to volunteering efforts in the Kingston community.

Tags: Campus Community

Camps on campus

Thursday June 13, 2019
By Dana Mitchell, Division of Student Affairs
[Science Quest]
Science Quest is one of the many camps that are available for kids during the summer at Queen's. (University Communications)

Planning out the summer for the children in your life?

Queen’s University offers a wide variety of summer camps for kids of all ages. Not only do they provide children as young as four years old with fun, safe and educational experiences, they employ hundreds of Queen’s students, helping them build additional valuable skills and experience they can take with them after graduation. 

From arts and science, to sports, to gardening, cooking, superheroes, leadership, and eco-adventures, there is something for every interest!

Check out some of the exciting offerings below and find out how to register.

Athletics & Recreation Q-Camps
Q Camps offers a large variety of theme and sports camps for all age groups and skill levels that provide a welcoming and inclusive environment, from beginner preschool camps to Elite Gaels high-performance camps.

Our camp counsellors are sport-minded mature university students who create a positive atmosphere designed to help participants develop friendships, improve their athletic skills, and most of all have fun!

This year, Q Camps has introduced a 1-on-1 inclusion program for campers who need additional support. We meet with parents in advance to develop and implement individualized plans to support the successful inclusion of each child. In addition, Q Camps now has Comfort Zones for any campers who need a little downtime during the day. These zones include comforting items and sensory toys.

Visit gogaelsgo.com to see all of the camps on offer and to register!

Contact:
Queen’s Athletics and Recreation
613-533-2500
qcamps@gogaelsgo.com

Enrichment Studies Unit (ESU)
ESU offers four camps during the week of August 11-16 that allow students to develop their leadership skills and apply their knowledge beyond the classroom:

  • Summer Enrichment Experience @ Queen’s (SEEQ) gives students in grades 8-12 the opportunity to take an academic course on campus, connect with like-minded peers and learn more about planning for post-secondary education. This program has both commuter and residence options.
  • The Leadership Training Program is offered in three levels to students in grades 7-10. This innovative program is for students who strive to become effective leaders in academic, extracurricular, and business situations, and includes a retreat to the Elbow Lake Environmental Education Centre.

To learn more and to register, visit esu.queensu.ca

Contact:
Enrichment Studies Unit
613-533-3181
esu@queensu.ca

Queen’s French Camp
The Queen’s French Camp is offered in 4–5 day sessions in June, July and August, and is open to children ages 4-9. The program allows students to learn and experience the French language and culture in a fun, interactive, recreational setting. No French experience is required.

Visit queensu.ca/french/queens-french-camp to learn more and to register.

Contact:
Department of French Studies
613-533-2090
frenchcamp@queensu.ca

Science Quest Camps
Queen’s Engineering Society is offering 7 different Science Quest camps in July and August for students in kindergarten to grade 8. Campers will have the opportunity to participate in a variety of science-based activities and learn about topics such as robots, music production and coding. There are also programs open just for girls, including Girls Quest and Girls Quest Tech.

For more information and to register, visit sciencequest.ca.

Contact:
Engineering Society
613-533-6870
info@sciencequest.ca

Math Quest
Math Quest is a residential mathematics camp for high school girls interested in math and science. The program runs Aug. 20-23 and focuses on problem solving, and includes hands-on activities led by female mathematicians, statisticians and physicists.

To learn more and the register, visit mast.queensu.ca/~mathquest.

Contact:
Department of Mathematics and Statistics
613-533-2432
mathquest@queensu.ca 

GIRLS Camp
GIRLS (Girls for Innovation, Research, Leadership & Science) Camp is a 5-day camp from July 22-26 concentrating on hands-on activities related to astronomy and physics. The program gives students going into grades 7, 8, and 9 the opportunity to explore the cosmos and carry out real science experiments with the close guidance of leading female scientists.

For more information and registration details, please visit physics.queensu.ca/girlscamp.

Contact:
Department of Physics, Engineering Physics & Astronomy
girlscamp@queensu.ca

Queen’s Summer Engineering Academy (QSEA)
Connections Engineering Outreach offers a variety of summer programs for students in grades 5 to 11. The programs provide participants with an introduction to the Queen’s Engineering experience in the form of the Queen’s Summer Engineering Academy (QSEA), QSEA Intermediate, or QSEA Junior.

Visit queensconnections.ca/qsea to register.

Contact:
Faculty of Engineering and Applied Science
eng.connections@queensu.ca

Arthur B. McDonald Institute at Queen’s University
McDonald Institute- Queen’s University Astroparticles & Research for Kingston Students (MI-QUARKS) is a free afternoon enrichment program for keen high school students, including students graduating this June, that explores what it’s like to be a scientist and physicist. The program will be held over 12 afternoon sessions between July 9 and August 15. Students will have the chance to learn from undergraduates and scientists at the McDonald Institute, and explore a variety of content and practices through hands-on activities. The goal of this program is to supplement the focus on scientific content in the classroom with the practical tools that are at the heart of actually doing science.

Visit https://mcdonaldinstitute.ca/mi-quarks/ for more information and how to register.

Contact:
Mark Richardson, Education and Outreach Officer at the Arthur B. McDonald Canadian Astroparticle Physics Research Institute
Mark.Richardson@mcdonaldinstitute.ca
Outreach@McDonaldInstitute.ca

Eco-Adventure Camp
Eco-Adventure offers educational day programming with unique weekly themes for campers aged 9 – 14. Participants will enjoy day camp in the great outdoors at the Elbow Lake Environmental Education Centre, a campus of the Queen’s Biology Station. There will also be a Leader in Training Week on July 2-5 for older campers, ages 15 to 18.

Free Family Night programming and optional cabin rentals will be available every Thursday evening at Elbow Lake. Family Night is open to everyone.

To learn more about programming at Elbow Lake, visit ecoadventurecamp.ca.

Contact:
613-533-6000 ext. 77058
director@ecoadventure.ca

ASUS Summer Camps
The Arts and Science Undergraduate Society (ASUS) runs one-week themed camps through July and August for children ages 4-8, that incorporate the Ontario Curriculum . This year’s themes include Summer in Space, Superhero Academy and Fairy Tales and Fables.

To register and to see a full list of offerings, visit asuscamps.com.

Contact:
Arts and Science Undergraduate Society
613-533-6258
camps@asus.queensu.ca

Barefoot Players Summer Theatre Camp
Barefoot Players offers three one-week sessions of theatre camp in July and August. Campers aged 6-12 will learn more about theatre, acting, dance and music from members of the Barefoot Players theatre troupe.

Visit sdm.queensu.ca/community/barefoot-players to learn more and to register.

Contact:
Dan School of Drama and Music
613-533-2066
barefoot.players@queensu.com

Explore Summer Camp
Explore Summer Camps give campers, in senior kindergarten to grade 8, the chance to engage in innovative science experiments, learn about different cultures and people, meet new friends, play games, and spend time exploring the outdoors. Programs focus on a different topic each week, from wildlife to space, and include a weekly field trip.

Learn more and register at queensu.ca/geographyandplanning/explore-camp.

Contact:
Department of Geography and Planning
613-533-6000 ext. 77214
explore.geography@queensu.ca

Agnes Etherington Art Centre Camps
The Agnes Etherington Art Centre offers two summer camp programs:

  • The Agnes Art Academy is for teens who are ready to take their art to the next level. The one-week course, which runs from July 2-5, includes creativity exercises, individual skill-building and group creations.
  • The Agnes Art Camps are five one-week art day camps for children aged 6–12. The program provides weekly themes, guided artmaking exercises and lots of time for creative play.

Visit agnes.queensu.ca/learn/summer-camps to find out more and to register.

Contact:
Agnes Etherington Art Centre
613-533-2190
aeacpa@queensu.ca

Tags: Campus Community

Building a strong foundation of leadership

Monday June 10, 2019
By Andrew Carroll, Gazette Editor

  • Human Resources Foundational Leadership Program
    Kate Kittner and Viet Tran talk about their experiences in taking the Queen's Foundational Leadership Program during the graduation ceremony.
  • Human Resources Foundational Leadership Program
    Participants in the Queen's Foundational Leadership Program speaks with sponsors and visitors about their final presentations at the Isabel Bader Centre for the Performing Arts.
  • Human Resources Foundational Leadership Program
    Principal and Vice-Chancellor Daniel Woolf speaks to the latest cohort of the Queen's Foundational Leadership Program during the graduation ceremony.

When Kate Kittner signed up for the Queen’s Foundational Leadership Program offered by Human Resources, she was hoping to build upon her managerial skillset and to enhance those skills through formal training and interaction with others from across the university.

Reflecting as she completed the program, that’s exactly what she got, she says.

The comprehensive program helps managers at Queen’s gain advanced training in leadership development including best practices in management, communication and coaching skills, and strengthening employee engagement. Gaining skills through 14 classroom sessions, the participants then form teams and apply this knowledge as they develop a project that supports an aspect of the university’s strategic framework.

The groups presented their final projects during a graduation event at the Isabel Bader Centre for the Performing Arts.

A key element of the program is the use of self-reflection, something that Kittner found very useful.

“I gained a better understanding of my strengths and how to leverage those, but also how to improve my weaker areas. Through self-reflection on my weaknesses, I can focus in on how to do things differently,” says Kittner, Office Manager of Professional Development & Educational Scholarship at the Faculty of Health Sciences. “It’s not a massive change, but a different way of approaching things depending on who you are working with. It is meeting them in a more comfortable, collaborative way, resulting in successful working relationships. It really makes you think about what you bring to the team, good and bad, and how to adapt your approach to teamwork.”

Viet Tran, Mechanical Engineer at Physical Plant Services, heard about the Queen’s Foundational Leadership Program from colleagues who had taken it previously and thought that it would help him further develop his skills and provide a valuable networking opportunity.

“I consistently try to improve myself and the program was definitely a great opportunity to assist us in growing as leaders, especially the first part when we completed numerous self-assessments,” he says. “I also liked the group component, the Action Learning Project. I had a similar experience in an MBA program. It’s a good opportunity to take the things that you’ve learned in the beginning and apply them at the end.”

This year’s Action Learning Projects touched upon an array of topics including academic advising, employee recruitment, institutional data, and support for students with autism spectrum disorder.

The Queen’s Foundational Leadership Program has been running for 10 years now and over that time Shannon Hill, Learning and Development Specialist, Human Resources, has seen the course evolve and improve with each cohort. Looking over the long term, Hill says that the status of the program has continued to grow and meet the needs of the participants while at the same time creating an extensive network across the institution.

“We’re seeing some good momentum in terms of numbers of graduates. You talk about the tipping point when enough managers have been involved in this program and a common language, understanding and competency level is achieved. I think the main thing is the camaraderie, the network they develop and continue to grow and sustain themselves over years, so that’s been nice to see,” Hill says, adding that past graduates return for the closing event to support their colleagues. “You’re really seeing that reputation of the program grow and the results we’re seeing from it are quite pervasive across our professional managerial group at Queen’s.”

Announced at the final event is that the office of the Vice-Principal (Finance and Administration) will formally review all the projects and provide support for those meeting the university’s priorities.

Another new development, Hill adds, is the creation of the Foundational Leadership Alumni Group, which will meet for the first time on June 20. This meeting will bring together past participants in the program to discuss the direction for the new group.

“This is really going to formalize that community of practice, that professional network for graduates of the program of the last 10 years,” Hill says.

The next cohort is scheduled to start January 2020 with applications being accepted December 2019.

Visit the Human Resources website to learn more about the Queen’s Foundational Leadership Program.

Tags: Campus Community

Championing sustainability on campus

Friday June 7, 2019
By Andrew Willson, Senior Communications Officer

Queen’s Hospitality Services is making the university’s carbon footprint smaller.

Queen's Hospitality kitchen staff preparing meals.
Queen's Hospitality staff participating in Forward Food - a two-day culinary training program focused on plant-based meals.

Each year, Queen’s Hospitality Services works to reduce waste and make its carbon footprint smaller. Sustainable Kingston, a non-profit organization created by the city, has recognized these efforts by naming Hospitality Services the 2019 Organizational Sustainability Champion.

Hospitality Services operates the food services on campus, and it runs a range of initiatives to lessen its environmental impact and promote food security. One of its ongoing goals has been to significantly cut down the number of single-use items on campus. In September 2018, for instance, all in-house retail brands operated by Hospitality Services switched entirely to paper straws, which has diverted an estimated 280,000 plastic straws from landfills over the past academic year.

Through the ECO Beverage Card incentive program, Hospitality Services has also reduced the consumption of single-use cups on campus by 10 per cent. Launched in 2018, the ECO Beverage Card rewards customers for using reusable mugs by granting one free coffee or tea when they collect 7 stamps on their card.

Most recently, Hospitality Services has prevented the waste of approximately 100,000 single-serving plastic cups simply by adopting bulk sauce pumps, which customers use to apply condiments directly to their food.

Through its We Love Local initiative, Hospitality Services pairs its environmental mission with investment in the regional economy. It works with Deodato’s, a local produce wholesaler, to purchase in-season fruit from over 27 farmers in Ontario and Quebec. Buying food this way not only supports area farms, it is environmentally friendly, as it does not rely on the large amounts of fossil fuels that are required to transport produce internationally.

Since early 2018 Hospitality Services have facilitated the donation of over 1,700 meals at campus dining halls through Swipe It Forward. This program enables students to give their unused meal-plan swipes to peers who are facing food insecurity, simultaneously diverting waste and distributing food to those who need it. All unused food on campus is also donated daily to local charities.

Hospitality Services is also working to lessen its carbon footprint by expanding its offerings of plant-based foods, which are more environmentally friendly than meals centred on meat. Over reading week, for example, nineteen chefs at Queen’s took part in Forward Food, a two-day culinary training program focused on preparing plant-based food. Rustic Roots, which serves only vegan dishes, also opened this year in the Ban Righ dining hall.

“By paying attention to every detail, we’re working to eliminate as much waste as we can and to constantly reduce our carbon footprint,” says Jennifer Pete, Associate Director Housing and Ancillary Services. “At Hospitality Services, we see ourselves as an integral part of the university’s efforts to promote sustainability. I think we’re showing that promoting food security and protecting the environment go hand in hand. And we’re very honored that Sustainable Kingston has chosen us as the 2019 Organizational Sustainability Champion.”

The initiatives run by Hospitality Services are a part of Queen’s broader efforts to create a culture of sustainability. Ongoing initiatives, such as the 2019 Commuter Challenge, the Transpass Program, and Dropbike, for example, have encouraged members of the Queen’s community to use sustainable methods of transportation. And recent infrastructure developments, such as the District Energy Project, have increased energy efficiency and reduced emissions. All of these different initiatives are helping Queen’s fulfill its Climate Action Plan. Signed by Principal Woolf in 2016, this plan sets the goal for the university to become carbon neutral by 2040.  

Tags: Campus Community

Sources of inspiration for new graduates

Thursday June 6, 2019
By Communications Staff

  • Faculty of Law Convocation 2019
    Honorary degree recipient Fiona Sampson (Artsci’85, Law’93) is hooded by Dean Bill Flanagan during the convocation ceremony for the Faculty of Law on Thursday, June 6. (Queen's University/Garrett Elliott)
  • Faculty of Law Convocation 2019
    Honorary degree recipient Fiona Sampson shakes hands with Bill Flanagan, Dean of the Faculty of Law, as Principal and Vice-Chancellor Daniel Woolf, Chancellor Jim Leech, and Rector Alex Da Silva look on.
  • Faculty of Law Convocation 2019
    Graduates from the Faculty of Law are hooded while Erik Knutsen, Associate Dean (Academic), struggles with a hood during the convocation ceremony on Thursday afternoon.
  • Sir Richard Evans honorary degree
    British historian and author Sir Richard Evans receives his honorary degree from Queen's University during Thursday morning's convocation ceremony. (Queen's University/Lars Hagberg)
  • Sir Richard Evans honorary degree
    Sir Richard Evans speaks to the graduands from the Faculty of Arts and Science after receiving an honorary degree at Grant Hall on Thursday, June 6. (Queen's University/Lars Hagberg)
  • Sir Richard Evans honorary degree
    Principal and Vice-Chancellor Daniel Woolf, Chancellor Jim Leech, and Rector Alex Da Silva share a funny moment on the stage at Grant Hall on Thursday. (Queen's University/Lars Hagberg)
  • Faculty of Education Convocation
    Two graduands from the Faculty of Education are hooded during the Spring Convocation ceremony on Thursday afternoon at Grant Hall. (Queen's University/Garrett Elliott)
  • Faculty of Education Convocation
    Elder-in-Residence for the Faculty of Education Deb St. Amant presents a blanket to a graduate during Thursday afternoon's convocation ceremony. (Queen's University/Garrett Elliott)
  • Faculty of Education Convocation
    A group of graduates from the Faculty of Education celebrate outside of Grant Hall on Thursday, June, 6. (Queen's University/Garrett Elliott)

Queen’s presented two more honorary degrees on the sixth day of Spring Convocation at the university.

Sir Richard Evans, a British historian and author, was presented with his honorary degree during the morning ceremony at Grant Hall. Throughout his academic career Sir Richard has received a number of key appointments, including as Regius Professor of History in 2008 until retiring in 2014, and as president of Wolfson College, Cambridge from 2010-2017. He is currently Provost of Gresham College in the City of London, which has been offering free lectures for the general public since 1597. Sir Richard is the author of more than 20 books. His three-volume history of Nazi Germany (The Coming of the Third Reich, The Third Reich in Power, and The Third Reich at War) has been translated into 15 languages.

Fiona Sampson (Artsci’85, Law’93) was recognized during the afternoon ceremony for dedicating her 20-plus year career to seeking justice for society’s disadvantaged: disabled persons, refugees, Indigenous persons, and victims of violence. Sampson founded the equality effect, an NGO that uses international human rights law to make girls/women’s rights real and, as CEO, led her team to the landmark 160 Girls High Court victory in Kenya. She has published widely relating to women’s and girls’ equality and has received many awards and much recognition for her human rights work.

A total of seven honorary degrees are being conferred by Queen’s during convocation.

Spring Convocation will resume on Tuesday, June 11 with two ceremonies being held at main gym of the Athletics and Recreation Centre (ARC).

A total of 18 ceremonies are being held for Spring Convocation, with the final one scheduled for Wednesday, June 12. The full schedule of the ceremonies is available online.

Live ceremony feeds will begin approximately 15 minutes before the scheduled start of each ceremony.

More information about Convocation at Queen's is available on the website of the Office of the University Registrar.

More photos can be viewed at the Queen’s University page on flickr.

Tags: Arts and Science|Campus Community|Education|Law

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