News & Events
January 7, 2021
Welcome to a new year! We hope that you had a restful break and enjoyed the holidays. As we forge ahead amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, this newsletter is designed to keep you connected and informed of the latest news and developments at the university. Look forward to twice-weekly editions featuring messages from President Joy Johnson, outstanding achievements by fellow faculty and staff, updates from across the university and virtual opportunities to engage.
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Looking back at the top SFU stories of 2020
The pandemic proved last year as difficult and full of challenges. Despite this, the SFU community rallied together to support each other. Join us as we look back at the highlights of 2020, from welcoming SFU chancellor Tamara Vrooman and president Joy Johnson to our continued commitment and action toward reconciliation.
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University News
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Reconciliation at SFU
Catch up on the important work being done university-wide to advance reconciliation. From the Ground Awakening Ceremony for a First Peoples’ Gathering House on the Burnaby campus, to developing the Indigenous Outdoor Classroom and TRC Memorial Garden, to Indigenizing and decolonizing curriculum – learn more about SFU’s progress towards reconciliation.
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752 memorial scholarship
On Jan. 8, 2020, the Ukraine International Airlines Flight 752 crashed after it was hit by a pair of missiles fired by Iran’s Revolutionary Guard. Of the 176 people on that flight, 63 were Canadian. Now, on the first anniversary, SFU and the Djavad Mowafaghian Foundation would like to announce the Flight 752 Memorial Scholarship. The scholarship honours the lives lost that night and supports SFU graduate students who are advancing Persian culture and the Iranian community through volunteerism or research.
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Remembering SFU's first woman chancellor, Barbara Rae
It is with sadness that SFU shares news of the passing of Barbara Rae, the university’s first woman chancellor and a champion for women’s empowerment and education in B.C. An SFU alumnus, Rae was an advocate for women's athletics and work rights.
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Lara Aknin's flexibility and approachability are vital for remote learning
Lara Aknin, a distinguished SFU professor in the Department of Psychology, reflects on the teaching insights she's gained from and about remote learning since the start of the pandemic. Being creative and kind, recording lessons for students and keeping in touch with students are some of her tips.
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SFU alumnus inspired by her organization's 2020 Nobel Peace Prize
Since graduating from Simon Fraser University, and over the past 25 years, alumnus Cynthia Jones has seen many challenges to global food security working for the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) both on the front lines and at head office. Despite the ongoing impact of COVID-19, she says the recent 2020 Nobel Peace Prize, awarded to the WFP, has been a highly motivating and inspiring factor.
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Educate yourself during sexual assault awareness month
Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM) is hosted by the Sexual Violence Support & Prevention Office (SVSPO) in partnership with campus partners. Faculty, staff and students are invited to participate throughout January by attending SAAM events, using the SAAM Zoom background for virtual meetings or classes, sending a message of care and support to survivors and following SVSPO on Facebook or Instagram for regular SAAM updates.
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Operational Updates
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Live transcription is now available for Zoom meetings
Zoom accounts now have access to a new speech-to-text transcription feature to help improve virtual accessibility while collaborating online. This new transcription feature provides real-time captions during Zoom meetings and enables downloadable transcriptions after your meeting has ended.
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Though 2020 is behind us, we recognize that we continue to live in very difficult and uncertain times. SFU would like to remind faculty and staff of the 24/7 mental health support available through our Employee Family Assistance Program provider Homewood Health at 1-800-663-1142.
Are you doing all you can to protect the privacy of others while working from home? Learn about your obligations and tips to keep the SFU community’s privacy protected with new training through our Access & Privacy Program. If you haven’t taken the training yet, why not get started today?
Nominations are now being accepted for the 2020 Champions for a Healthy Campus Community Awards. If you know of a person, program or group that has made an outstanding contribution to the Healthy Campus Community initiative and are supporting the health and well-being of the SFU community, we encourage you to submit a nomination now. Nominations close January 19, 2021.
The Jack P. Blaney Award for Dialogue, presented by the Morris J. Wosk Centre for Dialogue, seeks individuals who demonstrate excellence in using dialogue to increase mutual understanding and advance complex public issues. This year's nomination includes new criteria involving individuals or teams committed to systems change that advances anti-racism through dialogue. Nominations close February 5, 2021.
Applications for the Spring 2021 Community Leaders Igniting Change (CLIC) cohort are due January 8. CLIC provides an open, collaborative environment to build skills such as relationship-building, strategizing, critical thinking and self-reflection with the goal of teaching participants how to navigate the complicated challenges they face in their communities, organizations and/or personal lives.
The Nora and Ted Sterling Prize in Support of Controversy looks for candidates who are doing work that challenges complacency. The prize is awarded annually for work that presents new ways of looking at the world that are daring and creative. Deadline for nominations is February 15, 2021.
Art is a great way to de-stress and relax. Download the Creative Collective at Home Activity Calendar for daily art prompts to help.
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Featured Events
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January 8 | Hosted by SFU External Relations
Addressing the Impact of the Pandemic on Families of Children with Special Needs
Join us virtually this Friday, January 8 for “Addressing the Impact of the Pandemic on Families of Children with Special Needs.” Psychology professor and director of SFU’s Autism and Development Disorders Lab, Grace Iarocci and B.C.’s Representative for Children & Youth, Dr. Jennifer Charlesworth, among others, discuss how COVID-19 has impacted families caring for children with special needs and how these concerns can be addressed. Opening remarks by Dr. Joanne Curry and moderated by Sobhana Jaya-Madhavan.
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January 12 | Hosted by SFU Morris J. Wosk Centre for Dialogue
Universal University? On Space and Inclusion in Higher Education
What role does physical space play in feeling included? What conditions are needed to make them inclusive and diverse? How can we ensure these standards are authentic? Join the Morris J. Wosk Centre for Dialogue for a conversation and discussion with Dr. Saladdin Ahmed, author of Totalitarian Space and the Destruction of Aura.
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January 14 | Hosted by Canadian Centre for Diversity and Inclusion
CCDI Webinar: Diversity and inclusion fundamentals
What is diversity and inclusion? Why is this important for workplaces across Canada? What is the business, people and social imperative? Join the Canadian Centre for Diversity and Inclusion (CCDI) to cover the building blocks of your D&I comprehension. This event is offered in partnership with SFU Human Resources.
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January 14 | Hosted by SFU Human Resources
Leadership Coffee Conversation: Employee Engagement in a Remote Context
Join fellow SFU leaders for a timely discussion about how we can enhance employee engagement in a remote context. With the pandemic continuing for the foreseeable future, how do we create remote workplaces that foster a sense of connection and camaraderie, where employees feel supported and inspired to do great work? This is an opportunity to share and learn from colleagues.
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Online Events and Webinars
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