16th

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

NSAC Governance Transition Project Update

Members of the NSAC Governance Transition Project team met with the Nova Scotia Government Employees Union yesterday to provide an update on our transition process.

An overview of the project focus was provided as well as discussion on employee benefits and pension and the designation process. This information has also been communicated to campus through small group meetings and the weekly E-Bulletin.

Work is currently focused on the essentials needed to establish NSAC as a Crown Corporation by April 2011. This includes ensuring NSAC has systems in place to run a payroll, manage separate benefits plans and produce its own financial statements.

Employee benefits and pension information

Pension, benefits, Long Term Disability and the Public Service Award will remain the same for NSAC employees. These are protected in legislation, regulations and the Civil Service Master Agreement.

By next year, NSAC will have its own benefits plans with the same coverage as you currently enjoy.

We are also working with providers now to identify steps necessary to convert benefits plans from the Province to NSAC and keep them “substantially the same,” as the Act stipulates. The kinds of things that might be different are minor, such as which company underwrites life insurance.

NSAC will become a separate employer for the purposes of the Long Term Disability plan and Worker’s Compensation.

Employees received notice of designation in December of 2008. The Minister of Agriculture will send designation letters in advance of the date of NSAC’s new status taking effect. In cases where employees are members of a Corporate Service Unit, a process is under way to assess service delivery models and staffing needs.

NSAC, the Union and the Department will be working together to make this transition as smooth as possible. We are working toward an April 2011 deadline for devolution. The exact date of transition and employee designation may change as project work continues.

Bernie MacDonald,
Co-President, VP Administration
Executive Sponsor, NSAC Transition

NSAC Development office wrapping up the season!

The NSAC Development elves would like to help you wrap up your holiday shopping! Literally! Members of the Development and External Relations office will wrap your holiday parcels in exchange for a donation to the NSAC Alumni Family Bursary.

Bring in any or all of your unwrapped presents to the Development and External Relations office in Cumming Hall by the end of day Tuesday, December 21 and pick up your beautifully wrapped parcels on Thursday, December 23rd. Income tax receipts will be issued on donations over $10.

Voluntary Unpaid Leave with Deferred Salary Recovery Policy

In the past, voluntary unpaid leave with deferred salary recovery has
been offered during the December holiday period and March break. With
policy revisions in 2003, employees may request voluntary unpaid leave
year-round. This is part of the Government of Nova Scotia’s efforts
to assist employees with balancing their work and personal
responsibilities.

If you are interested in taking advantage of this opportunity, please
contact your manager or supervisor. If you have any questions about the
policy, or want to obtain a copy of the Voluntary Unpaid Leave with
Deferred Salary Recovery Request form, contact your Human Resources
CSU.

Q&A's

Paul LaFleche
Deputy Minister of Agriculture
Deputy Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture

A New face in HR

Alex is the newest member of the HR team. Her position is Administrative Support Clerk. She is a student at Mount Saint Vincent University studying Human Nutrition. She will be providing administrative support to the team over the next nine months and they are excited to have her!

A New Face in Research

Debbie is new to the Research office in her term position as Research Officer. She started at NSAC on Nov. 1 and has since been working on several projects for the transition as well as having been appointed as the new Animal Care and Use Coordinator. In this role, she will create and submit proposals for students looking to conduct research with animals.

Northeast Undergraduate Research and Development Symposium (NURDS)

Students in biology, chemistry, physics, environmental science, or related natural science in New England and Atlantic Canada are invited to attend NURDS 2011, March 5-6, at the University of New England, Biddeford campus, Maine. Limited free housing is available for presenters.
http://nurds.une.edu/

Come Out of the Cold Update

Since my message on Monday I have received an incredible amount of information and community support. I've sent a list to the Office Admin staff and others who may be aware of specific student needs. Please find attached a list for "Come out of the Cold in Truro" and a list of Community Resources. I also have smaller wallet size cards for quick reference if you would like one.

Scholarship Spotlight

Hon. Dr. Roger S. Bacon Scholarship in Agriculture Awarded at NSAC
Joseph vanBuskirk, Shelburne, NS, a fourth year B.Sc.(Agr.) Animal Science student, was selected to receive the $2,000 Hon. Dr. Roger S. Bacon Scholarship in Agriculture at NSAC's Scholarship Banquet. In keeping with the Honourable Dr. Roger S. Bacon's lifetime interest in and service to agriculture, a $2,000 scholarship will be awarded annually to an NS student entering the final year of any program at NSAC (technical, undergraduate or graduate) who has plans to pursue a long-term career in agriculture.

Dr. Bacon was a dairy farmer and blueberry producer from Cumberland County, NS, who served as an MLA for his constituency; during his political career he was a well-respected and long-serving Minister of Agriculture and for a time, Premier of NS. Selection criteria include career plans, academic performance, and financial need.

Wayne Paquet, Registrar, NSAC, is shown congratulating Joseph.

Only a few more days until Santa arrives! Our office is busy with student mail outs, email and phone calls. All of our prospective student contacts have been sent to the departments. Just a reminder to all of the staff and faculty who have received the excel sheets to contact those students is you are having an event within your department that would be appropriate for prospects to attend.

Yesterday, Brian and Ashley met with the Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU) students in regards to being student ambassadors for the prospective students in India. They were more than happy to be involved in the follow-up with the students interested in coming to NSAC next September as many of them know the students through attending classes and friendships over the years. Excellent sessions were also held this week with the teaching teams of Aquaculture and Environmental Horticulture to map out some program promotion activities for the next couple months. Thanks to the working groups in the two units for their keen interest in partnering on program promotion initiatives.

A request from a teacher (an NSAC grad) at South Colchester Academy earlier this week about NSAC participating in their Co-op program. The message received is linked here in more detail. If anyone is interested in helping out, please contact the Enrollment Management Office so we can get back to her as soon as possible.

Lunch Time Fitness

Work at your own pace
Small Groups
Personal Trainer
Motivation
FUN!!
Join us every Monday and Wednesday at 12:00 Noon, for 45 minutes of NSAC Style Bootcamp!
12 Day Punch Pass ONLY $90.00!!!
A great way to get back in shape…
And Stay in Shape!!!
(Minimum of 10 participants required – no drop-ins)
Classes will be lead by Davis Fitness Consulting
For more information please contact Ashley at the Athletic Centre – Punch Passes can be purchased at the Athletic Centre
Classes will begin Monday January 10, 2011

Truro's Marchant named to UNB's 1960s all-decade team

A Truro resident has been named to the New Brunswick Varsity Reds 1960s all-decade hockey team.

Defenceman Ken Marchant was one of 12 players named to the team as voted on by fans and a committee. The school is picking six all-decade hockey teams as part of its 225th anniversary celebrations.

Marchant, who later became athletic director at the Nova Scotia Agricultural College, was Varsity Reds captain in 1963 and 1964 and helped the Reds to a national bronze medal in 1964 when he was named to the national second all-star team. It was UNB's first appearance at the national championship. The team also won Maritime titles in 1962 and 1964.

Marchant finished with 30 points, good for third on the Varsity Reds' scoring list in the 1960s.

Once the six all-decade teams are named, the school will announce a roster of 12 players for an all-time team.

2010 OHS Inspections

This year I have recorded buildings separately for your convenience and to cut back on the amount of paper we print. Please take some time to browse through your responsible areas and report back to Safety & Security when the issues have been rectified.

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