NSAC E-Bulletin

Please forward your submissions to the NSAC E-Bulletin to Stephanie Rogers (news@nsac.ca) by Friday at 3:00 p.m. for inclusion in the next week's edition.

Feb. 16, 2004 --- Week 166

President’s Regional Advisory Board Update

On Friday Feb. 6, a one-day meeting of the President’s Regional Advisory Board (PRAB) was held, at which time a wide range of subjects was discussed, including name change, governance structure, enrollment management and marketing, academic planning, etc. The full minutes of this meeting will be publicly posted once the draft minutes are approved at the next PRAB meeting, currently scheduled for 27 May. In the interim however, it’s good for us all to be aware that a subcommittee was struck from the PRAB membership that will focus attention on the issue of what options are available for changing the NSAC structural/governance framework as it exists today. This is a very complicated and difficult issue for us to come to terms with -- as was revealed through the Strategic Plan process we just went through these past couple of years -- but the importance of the topic cannot be overstated. Whether we must continue to move forward into our next hundred years as an arm of government, or whether we become autonomous, or whether we form a close and abiding partnership (or merge) with another institution of post-secondary higher education, or even whether we choose some other structure for ourselves, will determine very much how we operate and will define “what” we are as an institution. Hence, this subcommittee will endeavour to come up with various scenarios for consideration by the PRAB and by extension of that body, for consideration by NSAC senior management. When we can do so, because there would be some messages to disseminate emerging from those subcommittee deliberations, we’ll keep you posted!

Philip

MacRae Library Goes Wireless

The MacRae Library is the first building on the NSAC campus to have a wireless internet node installed.

Any computer or hand held device that has a wireless network adaptor using the 802.11b standard should be able to connect and get access to the Internet. Tests have shown the coverage extends to all parts of the library although connection speeds are best on the main floor closest to circulation desk and the magazine section.

Staff and students are encouraged to use the service and provide any feedback to the IT or library staff. Wireless connectivity may be an important feature of future Information technology development on campus so we want to give it good test. If this trial proves successful and the service useful, there are plans to extend the coverage to other buildings.

Class of '44 Lecture Date Announced

Be sure to reserve April 8th from 12:00 noon until 1:30 for the 2004 Class of '44 Lecture. It will be held in Cox 24. This years' lecturer will be Dr. Robert Dykes, Professor and Director, School of Physical & Occupational Therapy and Associate Dean, Faculty of Medicine, School of Physical & Occupational Therapy. His presentation is entitled "The Social Context of Knowledge Translation. The scientist's lament - Why don't they understand me?" and should appeal to a broad segment of campus. More details will follow.

News from the Road

As you all know, University Day is coming up quickly and we are looking forward to having a large group of students join us here on campus. So far 88 students have signed up for the day, and we’re expecting many more to register in the next couple of weeks. We’d like to send out a gentle reminder to all of those organizing program tours or putting together displays for the EXPO to send in their forms to us as soon as possible. We’d love to have all areas of campus represented during the event, so if your area of campus would like to have an exhibit and you haven’t received a form, please contact us at 893-3432. If you are a student planning to be around during the break and would like to have some fun helping out on University Day, please contact Jenna at jtingley@nsac.ns.ca.

As always, we’d like to invite the campus community (staff, faculty and students) to join us for lunch on University Day. We’d like our guests to get to know everyone on campus, so when you arrive for lunch, we’d ask you to sit with one of our visiting students and their family. Let’s really spread out and mingle, and show off what a friendly campus community we have! Anyone who would like to join us for lunch I’d ask to RSVP to Jenna at jtingley@nsac.ns.ca by Monday Feb. 23rd.

Aside from University Day, we are still busy with visits to high schools. Last week Brian and Craig visited with students from JL Ilsley in Halifax, Dr. John Hugh Gillis in Antigonish, and St. Mary’s Academy in Sherbrooke. This week finds Brian in New Brunswick and Craig in the Annapolis Valley.

Centennial Logo Unveiled at 99th Birthday Party

The centennial logo was unveiled at the 99th Birthday party held on February 13th. The winner of the logo contest was Laurie Sandeson, Manager of the AgriTECH Park. She received a plaque and an NSAC blanket in recognition of her winning design. Thanks to everyone who came out to help celebrate and special thanks to Professor Greg Bishop and students Luke MacDonald, Kelly Leighton, Neil Cameron, Calvin Thompson for providing entertainment. Preparations for the Centennial year are getting underway. Please lend a hand for this once in a lifetime happening.

Varsity Sports Results

STIHL Challenge

NSAC's Nick Graham finished the circuit competition in 1st overall with two seconds and a first in the NSAC leg of the circuit. This qualifies Nick for the STIHL International Collegiate Competition in Iowa in August. Nick and Coach Russell will travel to Iowa (courtesy of STIHL Canada) to compete in the Inaugural Competition.

Name Change Submissions

The list of Name Change Submissions can be viewed at:
http://inside.nsac.ns.ca/services/geninfo/notices/februarynotices/namesub.pdf
Please see the information at the top of the document regarding guidelines for consideration of names and to whom you should direct your comments. Also note. This page can only be viewed from on campus.