NSAC E-Bulletin

Please forward your submissions to the NSAC E-Bulletin to the newsdesk at (news@nsac.ca). for inclusion in the next edition, which run on Monday and Thursday of each week. Remember you can post notices anytime on the NSAC Forums at http://nsac.ca/forums

February Wellness Tip

Laugh. Watch comedies and read humorous books. Get together with people who know how to look at life on the light side.

Retirement

Barrie Clark, Janitor-in-Charge, Cox Institute, is retiring after nearly 30 years of service to NSAC! Please drop by Cox 150 on Friday, Mar. 7 between 10 a.m. and 12 p.m. for refreshments and to give him the proper send-off!

Government ID Clarification

Based on the many questions about the new government IDs, below is a list of the basic details and a link to a document with more information.

Who needs it: All government employees (full time, casual or contract) are required to identify themselves with their ID when in other government departments or at a hotel to get a government rate. If the above information applies to you, you need a new ID.

Why are new IDs needed: There are a variety of IDs currently in service. This is a security nightmare as no one can determine which is legitimate and which isn't.

Click here for a full PDF document.

Upcoming Public Service Commission Courses

The Public Service Commission is sponsoring a half-day Introduction to Occupational Health and Safety Course (OHS) and a half-day WHMIS course at NSAC on Wednesday, Mar. 5 in Jenkins Hall.

Intro to OHS runs from 9 a.m. - 12 p.m. and WHMIS will start at 1p.m. and conclude by
4 p.m.

There is no charge for the courses but participants are required to register through LearnNet. Go to learnnet.gov.ns.ca for registration. While the course is free, there is a no-show penalty of $50.

The presenter for these sessions is Tim Delaney, OHS Administrator for the Departments of Agriculture and Fisheries & Aquaculture.

Upcoming Group Discussion on BSE

The Rural Research Centre, of NSAC, and the Atlantic Centre of Excellence, Dalhousie University, are involved in a research project investigating the effects on community health of the BSE crisis. Drs. Barbara Clow and Linda Snyder of Dalhousie and Professors Stiles and Sanderson at NSAC are involved in the research.

Are you a farmer, farm family member, someone who works with farmers or works in the agricultural industry? Do you have personal experience of the impact of BSE on farming in Nova Scotia, or has BSE had an impact on your work? If so, you are invited to participate in a planned focus group at NSAC on Mar. 10.

Click here for a poster with all of the details.

NSAC Receives $3 million Funding for Development Work in Ethiopia

Sunday, Feb. 24 was a big day for NSAC International and the university.

The Honourable Peter MacKay announced $3 million in funding for The Post-Harvest Management to Improve Livelihoods Project (PHMIL) which will significantly expand and continue NSAC’s development work in Ethiopia...

Click here for the full story.

New Junior HR Consultant Hired

Welcome to Amanda LeBlanc, NSAC's newest staff member. Amanada graduated from Mount Saint Vincent University and has worked in the Human Resources field for 10 years with organizations such as Crossley Carpet Mills and the IWK Health Centre. She can be contacted at 893-2358 or via e-mail at leblana@gov.ns.ca

ACTS Presentation Fast Approaching

The opening show for Agricultural College Theatre Society (ACTS) is Mar. 6. Click here for all of the details.

Visitors from Tianjin Agricultural College at NSAC

Dr. Gefu Wang-Pruski recently hosted several visitors from Tianjin Agricultural College at NSAC. The leader of the delegation, Dr. Jinghui Yang, worked in Gefu's lab for a year as a visiting professor during 2004-2005. Dr. Bernie MacDonald, Co-President, Vice-President Administration, is shown welcoming Dr. Yang at a reception last week. The group was primarily interested in how research is conducted here at NSAC.

Scholarship Spotlight

Jamaican Student Receives NSAC Association of Graduate Students Bursary
Sukkasini Thissaverasingan, Jamaica, a Masters student at NSAC, was presented with the $400 NSAC Association of Graduate Students Bursary at last fall’s Scholarship Banquet. Shown congratulating Sukkasini is Jennifer Roper, President, NAGS; and Emily Nicks, Vice President, Finance, NAGS. The bursary is presented to a graduate student based on financial need.

Varsity Update

Women's Basketball
The NSAC Varsity Rams Women's Basketball Team is in Halifax today to vye for an ACAA Title. The Rams finished in 5th place and are playing at 11 a.m. in a quarter final against Mt. Allison. The winner moves to the semi-final on Saturday, with the final scheduled for 1 p.m. on Sunday. The ACAA Basketball Awards Banquet will be held Friday evening where
All-Conference Teams and special awards will be announced.

2008 CCAA Women's National Basketball Championship

The Rams will be participating in the 2008 CCAA Women's National Basketball Championship Mar. 14-16 at the Langille Athletic Centre. If they win the ACAA Title, they will be seeded as the ACAA Rep. If the team doesn't win, they be Host Position in the Tournament Draw.

The Host Committee for the National Event has been busy with preparations to host seven teams from five conferences in the CCAA. It will be top calibre basketball and staff are encouraged to attend - particularly for the Rams games.

Many NSAC staff are on the Host Committee, students are assisting as team hosts and volunteers and community members are active as well with committee work or tournament services.

Left to right are: Melani Lane - All-Canadian Banquet Chair, Ashley Smith - Hospitality Chair, Terry Murray - Media Chair, Kirk Saint - Tournament Photographer

Remeber to check the nsac.ca/nationals for updates on participants, schedules, and all of the latest information once the tournament begins.

Picture of the Week

Photo taken on NSAC campus on Sunday, Feb. 24

NSAC is a specialized university that cultivates learning and research, focusing on improving and sustaining our environment for the health and well-being of society.