FEATURE

SFU RETAINS CANADA'S NO. 1 COMPREHENSIVE UNIVERSITY IN MACLEAN'S RANKINGS

Simon Fraser University has once again been named the top comprehensive university, according to Maclean’s Magazine’s prestigious 2023 university rankings. The university has placed first in the comprehensive category for 14 of the last 15 years. In ranking SFU as Canada’s top comprehensive university, the magazine recognized a number of major initiatives it has undertaken as students were welcomed to its three campuses for the fall 2022 semester.

“It’s an honour for Simon Fraser University to once again be ranked as Canada’s top comprehensive university by Maclean’s,” says SFU president Joy Johnson. “Everyone at the university has worked so hard to improve programs, bring new life to campus and stay committed to SFU’s values as we prepared for a return to full in-person learning this fall. I’m grateful to see that work recognized and celebrated.”

CELEBRATE SFU'S OCTOBER 2022 CONVOCATION

More than 1,800 graduands will cross the stage in their gowns and mortarboards during four ceremonies, held Oct. 6 and Oct. 7 on Burnaby campus. In the spirit of celebrating their achievements, we’re happy to share some stories about these amazing SFU graduands.

MEET OUR GRADUANDS

SFU STAFFER TRANSPORTS LIFE-SAVING MEDICAL SUPPLIES TO UKRAINE

Rob McTavish, program director in SFU’s Centre for Educational Excellence, recently delivered $500,000 in orthopedic surgical equipment, packed into five suitcases, to hospitals and front-line medics in Ukraine.

UNDERSTANDING THE RISKS OF LOCAL VOLCANOES

Earth Sciences professor Glyn Williams-Jones and his team have observed how thinning glaciers caused by climate change are making an active volcano, Mount Meager (Qw’elqw’elústen), increasingly unstable. He is one of many SFU researchers working with partners on community-centred climate innovation.

LEARN MORE

RESOURCES + OPERATIONAL UPDATES

FACULTY AND STAFF BUDGET CONVERSATION SURVEY NOW LIVE

As part of 2023-24 Budget Conversations, the inaugural Faculty and Staff Budget Conversation Survey is now live and will remain open until midnight on October 25, 2022. The survey is another way for you to provide input on upcoming budget priorities. Responses will help us understand how best to allocate resources in the upcoming fiscal year. The survey should only take a few minutes to complete and all responses are anonymous.

If you haven’t already, please also register for the Faculty and Staff Budget Conversation session and join us via Zoom on Monday, Oct. 17.

LEARN TO SPOT THE PHISHING HOOK

Ever wonder how to report something suspicious, how to spot it and what it actually is? IT Services shares a few simple steps to protect your personal information online.

BE CYBER AWARE

SFU’S 2023-2028 STRATEGIC RESEARCH PLAN

After engaging with the SFU community this past spring, the first draft and its implementation plan are now ready for public review and feedback. We invite you to read each plan and provide your thoughts. SFU's next strategic research plan will launch in 2023.

SPOTLIGHT YOUR RESEARCH AND EXPERTISE WITH THE MEDIA

New research and stories
B.C. themes: Local elections and mayoral races (to Oct. 15), BC NDP leadership vote (Nov. 1), salmon run (Oct.), record high temperatures (agricultural impact, storms), labour issues/job actions, crime/gun violence, toxic drugs
2022 Canadian Census: Immigration, place of birth, and citizenship; Ethnocultural and religious diversity; Mobility and migration (Oct. 26)
Global population projected to reach 8 billion (Nov. 1)
COP27 (Nov. 6)
International affairs: Bear market, world conflicts, nuclear threats, Iran protests and sanctions imposed by Canada, price of oil, inflation
Canada: Halloween and Fall themes; changes to monarchy images, arms and insignia in Canada and the cost of it; threats against politicians; cost of climate change; inflation/interest rates and the cost of living; mental health crisis; the housing market correction; labour shortages and difficulties with hiring minimum wage employees; return-to-office policies
COVID: Travel, new research and vaccines, COVID public health developments, long COVID

CELEBRATE AN OUTSTANDING INSTRUCTOR

You are invited to nominate outstanding instructors for the Awards for Excellence in Teaching, which have been expanded this year to include three new specialized awards. Deadline to submit is October 17, 2022.

SURVEY PARTICIPANTS NEEDED: CAMPUS COMMUTER BEHAVIOURS + IMPACTS

SFU’s Living Lab program is working to better understand commuting patterns and sources of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from transportation sources across all campuses to help meet 2025 Sustainability Plan targets.

The survey will close on October 17, 2022.

FEATURE EVENT

AN EVENING OF POETRY CONVERSATION WITH AFUA COOPER

October 11 | Hosted by SFU Library, SFU Black Caucus

Join SFU honorary degree recipient Afua Cooper for Those Who Left Without Saying Goodbye, an evening of conversation and poetry. A leader in African-Canadian Studies, she has brought international attention to issues of racism, inclusion, Black culture as well as advancing social justice and cultural awareness.

RESERVE NOW

RESEARCH IN FRANCE INFO SESSION

October 11 | Hosted by SFU International

SFU International invites researchers to a one-hour, online session to learn about a selection of funding programs in support of research collaborations in France. Faculty members interested in applying for the FCRF New Collaboration Support Program are encouraged to attend this session.

INDIGENOUS PEOPLES & LOCAL COMMUNITY PERSPECTIVES ON SUSTAINABILITY & RESILIENCE

October 13 | Hosted by SFU President's Office & Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies

In this session, Monique Gray Smith will share her personal journey with truth and reconciliation and how the journey has transformed her and her family. She will also share her Cultural Resilience model and strategies for weaving resilience into our lives as well as help explore critical aspects of Canada's history and the continued impacts.

CENTRE FOR EDUCATIONAL EXCELLENCE WORKSHOP SERIES: EVEN BETTER TEACHING

October 24 | Hosted by Centre for Educational Excellence

Looking for new ideas to try out in the classroom? Explore ways to increase student engagement, try out practical and time-saving approaches to designing lessons and lesson materials, and evaluate student learning. Attend any of CEE's new Even Better Teaching workshops to build on your existing strengths.