NSAC Forums

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

Open Session with Co-Presidents

Faculty and staff are invited to attend another open session with the Co-Presidents, Dr. MacLaren and Dr. MacDonald, on Thursday, April 16th at 10:30 AM in Haley, Room 200. Topics to be discussed include governance and various other campus initiatives.

Specific questions or concerns can be forwarded in advance to Theresa Blois at tblois@nsac.ca or 893-6720.

We look forward to seeing you there and answering any questions you may have.

Cape Breton Regional Science Fair

NSAC is proud to have been a sponsor in the Cape Breton Regional Science fair which was held recently. Pictured here is the Agri-Science winner, Kamden Nichols. Kamden did an in depth study on fertilizing sunflowers using organic and commercial fertilizers. True Burke, Chairperson, Cape Breton Regional Science Fair, notes that the project was very well done for a grade 9 student! Ms. Burke also thanks NSAC for our support given to their science fair over the years.

NSAC Science Fair sponsorship is funded through funds we receive from NSERC for science promotion.

New Rates for Travel

New travel rates effective April 1, 2009 are listed below.

Regular Travel Rates, April 1, 2009
0-16,000 km - 40.92 cents/km
16,000.1 - 27,000 km - 36.11 cents/km
over 27,000 km - 27.68 cents/km

Revised travel forms are available here in both Excel & WordPerfect formats.

Please ensure that all travel claims for travel prior to April 1 2009, are submitted on the old forms you were previously using.

While preparing and approving employee claims, be careful to ensure the correct form has been used (note the effective date in the top right hand corner of the form).

Staff are encouraged to sign up for electronic payments if they have not already done so. Employee cheques are produced only twice per week while electronic payments are produced every day. As a result, E-payments are not only convenient to the employee, but much faster when paying employee travel claims and other AP cheque requisitions. To get your authorization form for electronic funds transfer of travel expense clims click here.

“Connecting with Community”, APACUE Spring Forum

The NSAC Centre for Continuing Education is pleased to be hosting the 2009 APACUE (Atlantic Provinces Association for Continuing University Education) Spring Forum on April 23-24.

This 2 day event will bring together those involved with Continuing Education from Universities throughout the Atlantic Province. The theme of this year’s forum, Connecting with Community, will highlight how Continuing Education Units have evolved from and are continuing to grow and evolve in geographic, industry, and learner communities.

The Value of Community in Continuing Education

Presenter: Wilf Bean
Date: Friday, April 24
Time: 10:15 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

NSAC Centre for Continuing Education is pleased to welcome Wilf Bean as the Special Guest Speaker at the 2009 Apacue Forum.

Wilf's major interest is in transformational adult education for personal and community-based development. He will share his insight on the historical purpose of Continuing Education(CE), the evolution of CE and the impacts of contemporary issues on our daily work.

This presentation is open to faculty and staff of NSAC. Please RSVP no later than April 17, 2009 to pdoyle@nsac.ca

Presentation by Dr. William Pickett: Children and the Agricultural Work Environment

When: April 3, 10:30 a.m.
Where: Alumni Theatre

Dr. William Pickett of Queen’s University will give a public presentation titled Children and the Agricultural Work Environment: Building a Case for Change.

Dr. William Pickett is a Professor of Epidemiology at Queen’s University in Ontario. He and his colleagues have an active program of research within the fields of injury epidemiology, pediatric health, and emergency medicine. One of Dr. Pickett’s interests is the health and safety of children on farms.

Dr. Pickett plans to speak on his research over the last 15 years and give a summary of his team’s research program on childhood farm injuries. All are welcome and encouraged to attend. The presentation will be followed by a short question and answer period. Click to view the event poster.

If you have any questions, contact Melanie at 893-6227 or mgoodridge@nsac.ca

Public Seminar with Candidate for Vice President, Research, Extension and Outreach

A public seminar on the topic: "Challenges and Opportunities in Atlantic Agriculture" will be given by the final candidate for the Vice President Research, Extension and Outreach position. All are welcome to attend the following seminar:

Candidate: Dr. Gary Atlin
Date: Thursday, April 9, 2009
Time: 1:00 p.m.
Place: Alumni Hall (Cumming Hall)

Retirement Celebration for Randy Ross

The Department of Environmental Science invites you to a reception for Randy Ross, who retired the end of February, 2009. This celebration will be held in the Collins Building on April 8, 2009, from 2:00-4:00 p.m.

Randy began his career at NSAC in 1980 with the Grounds Maintenance Department working as a Grounds Maintenance Worker. Since then he has worked as the Turf Grass Technician and finally, as a Co-Manager of the Grounds Unit in the Department of Environmental Sciences.

If you wish to make a donation towards a retirement gift for Randy, please drop off your donation to either Gisele Mazerolle (Cox Institute) or Darwin Carr (Collins Bldg).

Please join us in wishing Randy all the best on this journey.

Scholarship Spotlight

Ena Fenton Memorial Scholarship
Sponsored by the Bedford Horticultural Society, the $600 Ena Fenton Memorial Scholarship is presented to a student from the Bedford, Sackville, Waverley district of NS, studying in the area of Horticulture or Environmental Sciences. Selection is based on financial need, career plans and academic performance. Dawson Miller (on left), Secretary for the Society, is shown congratulation the 2008 recipient – Kelly Grant, Hammonds Plains, NS, a 3rd year Environmental Horticultural Technology student. Also pictured is Mrs. Emily Dawson.