NSAC E-Bulletin

Please forward your submissions to the NSAC E-Bulletin to Stephanie Rogers (news@nsac.ca) by Friday at 2:00 p.m. for inclusion in the next week's edition.

Holiday Wishes

Hi everyone! This is just a very brief note to say to you all: "Best Wishes of the Holiday Season". Keiko and I wish for each and every one of you the best of health, some good "down-time" with your friends and family members, as well as good fortune and happiness in all of your activities — be they personal or professional — in the coming year, the first of NSAC's second centennial.

Despite the inevitable small differences in viewpoint or outlook we sometimes encounter along the way, it is striking to see how much team-spiritedness and collegiality all those who work on our campus exhibit, day after day, as we carry out our various duties and obligations.

NSAC is a small but thriving university that works as well as it does for one main reason: that's you. I notice over and over again that every one of us tries his or her best to ensure we have a high-quality environment to work in and I want to thank you all for creating such a positive place for us all. Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays and best wishes for 2006.

Philip Hicks

Financial Services Holiday Hours

The Truro Financial Services office in Cumming Hall, will be closing for the holidays from noon on December 23rd until 8:00 am, January 3, 2006.

All documents required to be processed prior to this period must be received in Financial Services before noon, December 21st

Season's Greetings to all and Best Wishes for the New Year!

Bob Mosher
Manager of Financial Services
Tel: 1-902-893-6599
Fax:1-902-893-4601

EDUSCIENCE21 initiative under review by NSDAF

Dr. Hicks and various internal and external colleagues have had several meetings with executive members and advisors within the Nova Scotia Department of Agriculture and Fisheries on the topic of distance learning activities involving Eduscience21.

He has received a warm response to his presentation on the goals of Eduscience 21 and on his efforts to use an innovative approach to try to strengthen NSAC. The plan is one that is considered high-quality by those who have seen the details.

This option to expand the breadth of NSAC courses available to a new group of learners - the working professional, has certainly sparked significant interest. The innovative aspects of the plan however, are such that the Department is asking to have more time to consult with others in government to clarify the rules for, among other things, how to apply conflict-of-interest guidelines in such cases, as well as the validity of employing the CEDIF strategy to achieve the agreed-upon goals. This review process is certain to take us into the new year, cutting significantly into the RRSP season.

Although this delay was not anticipated, we are hopeful that we will soon be given authority to proceed with the original business plan. As developments arise in the process for review and funds-raising, we will be keeping you apprised. Watch this site!

CDE Office Closed over the Holidays

Host Families Needed for New International Student Arrivals

Students are expected to arrive between Dec. 30 and Jan. 3. It is possible that more FAFU students will be granted study permits in advance of the January 19 registration deadline. Residence will open on January 3. If students do arrive, accommodations with local families will be sought. If you are interested in hosting a student for a few days over the New Year, please call Krista Lake, International & Exchange Student Coordinator at 893-6905.

International Development Week Planning Committee
February 6-10, 2006

A planning committee is being formed for the 2006 International Development Week. If you are interested in joining this committee, or becoming involved in any of the week’s agenda, please contact Krista Lake (klake@nsac.ca) or Jill McDonald (jmcdonald@nsac.ca). The first meeting will take place at 3:00 on the afternoon of Dec. 22 at NSAC International.

IT Maintenance Scheduled

IT Maintenance day has been scheduled for 28 December, 2005 to permit maintenance to all Novell servers. The only service available will be Internet access...no email, file access, printing.

This maintenance is scheduled for NSAC Only!

Please log off and shutdown your workstations as you depart for the holidays.

Thank you.

...Sally Gallant

Long Service Awards

The NSAC Public Relations office would like to sincerely apologize for an error in the previous edition of the NSAC E-Bulletin. In the article honouring our Long Service Award winners, two NSAC employees were omitted in error. Congratulations are also extended to Edward Niles and Robin Fielding of the NSAC Maintenance Department.