Upcoming Events

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.

Update from the Enrollment Management Office

Application numbers continue to be very encouraging for September's enrollment. It's surprising to see continuing stream of applications being received at Registry for this September. In the past week alone 11 new applications were received. Paid deposits were received from students recently admitted to the following programs: 1 to Vet Tech; 1 to Engineering; 1 to B.Sc (Agr.) Animal Science, 1 to Pre-Vet and 3 to B.Sc (Agr.) Open.

Bus Familiarization Course

A bus familiarization course is now being offered at Debert Commercial Driving School August 22 or 23. This one-day course can accommodate up to four individuals with a Class 4 license interested in driving the NSAC Bus. Those interested in participating can submit their names to Fred Fergus at ffergus@nsac.ca or 893-6604

MacRae Library - Interlibrary Loan Service Delay

The MacRae Library wishes to advise patrons that InterLibrary Loan requests will not be processed during the week of August 2nd - August 5th. Patrons will still be able to submit requests during this time, however, they will not be processed until Monday, August 8th. The Novanet Express service will continue as usual. The staff at MacRae Library apologizes for any inconvenience.

Update from the Financial Advisor for Students and New Student

Co-ordinator

During the past year, I have been working with campus to identify ways in which we can improve our new student experience and contribute to an increase in retention. With the help and guidance of staff and faculty, many of our informal systems have been formalized and programs have been put in place to offer the best service we can to our students and their families.

At this time, the Orientation Committee is finalizing the schedule of events for our new students. The First Year Book project is under way and our First Year Instructors/Students at Academic Risk committee has been contacted, with a plan of action in place for this coming year.

One tool that I would like to remind campus of is the Maximizing Student Success Program that I offer to all students. The website has been created, with links to up- coming sessions. http://nsac.ca/stuserv/success

Please encourage your students to come and see me if you feel they need consultation regarding time management, project management and organizational skill development. I meet with students confidentially and will make individual plans that work with their abilities to help maximize their success.

As advisors, mentors and those responsible for the development of our students please feel free to recommend any of these sessions to your students if you feel they are in need. Each month will be updated with relevant information.

As financial advisor for students, please direct your students to my office for scholarship and bursary counseling, student loans counselling and for budgeting and financial guidance.

I am also looking for opportunities to come and speak to classes regarding my services and programs.

I hope you enjoy the next few weeks of summer.

Monica

Announcement from the Awards Office

NSAC is pleased to announce the establishment of a new scholarship in memory of George James Schaller, Class of 1948. Mr. Schaller's daughters have set up a $1,000 scholarship which will be awarded annually to an outstanding student studying in any year of any program who has not qualified for other significant awards. George James Schaller was the proud father of six and grandfather of 11. He attended NSAC in 1948 but could not complete his program because his father died at a young age leaving behind two young children whom he helped his mother raise. He respected education and in his late 60's was the oldest student in his computer class at CBU. He so believed in farming and the environment that his daughters feel they can honour him best by helping a student achieve their dreams at NSAC.

Rural Research Centre Workshop

The Rural Research Centre is sponsoring a workshop, open to the entire NSAC community on Monday, August 22, 2011 from 1-3 p.m., at the Rural Research Centre classroom. The "Bully-Free Workplace Awareness Session" is offered through the NSGEU, who provides the facilitator for the session. The aim of the session is to help identify and eliminate workplace bullying. The program is designed to help employees and employers recognize the difference and identify whether a person (or persons) may be a bully.

Also covered is what is not considered workplace bullying. All are welcome; however, space is limited.

Please email dstiles@nsac.ca by August 15th if you plan to attend so that sufficient materials can be prepared. For more information on the workshop, go to http://www.nsgeu.ca/education/.

NSAC Open House 2011 Prize Winner

NSAC International is pleased to announce that Mr. Michael Francis was the winner of the skills testing competition at the International display held during Open House last week. Mr.Francis correctly answered all the questions and is now the recipient of a beautiful globe. Congratulations Mr Francis. Thanks to all who visited our display.

For those curious, the answers to the questions were:
What is the capital city of China? Beijing
What is the largest country in North America? Canada
What four colours are found on the Tanzania flag? Black, blue, yellow, green
Name two countries where NSAC is involved in international project work: Tanzania, Ethiopia, Cambodia
What continent is Cambodia located in? Asia
What is Ethiopia's national animal? Lion

Digital Camera Found at Open House Day

There was digital camera left behind at the Information Booth on Open House Day. There will be a lost and found ad posted on Kijiji. If you know of anyone who lost their camera that day, contact Carolyn Terry at 893-4413 or cterry@nsac.ca

Over Age Dependent Form

Please read this notice if you are a member of the province's health and dental benefits plans and have dependent children over 21 who are covered by your plan. Dependent children between the ages of 21-25 are eligible to participate in these plans as long as they are attending college, university, or other accredited educational institution as full-time students. However an Over Age Dependent Form must be completed at the start of the school year in order for them to be eligible for benefits coverage. This form is located at the following address: http://www.gov.ns.ca/psc/v2/employeeCentre/benefits/

Please complete and return by mail to:
Nova Scotia Public Service Commission, Benefits
PO Box 943
Halifax, NS
B3J 2V9.

Updated Blue Cross identification cards will be mailed to your home address by the end of September 2011. Coverage for your dependent will be terminated if your form is not received by August 31, 2011. Please disregard this notice if you have completed this form for the 2011/12 school year. Please direct questions to PSCBenefitInquiries@gov.ns.ca or 902- 424-3240.

Faculty and Staff Luncheon

On Friday, August 12 from 12-1 p.m., the Orientation Committee invites you to attend a Faculty and Staff Luncheon at the Alumni Gardens. We would like to introduce you to this year's Orientation theme: Expedition Earth. During lunch, we will present our Orientation PR Package and reveal all of the exciting events planned for the week of Orientation (Aug 31-Sept 9). Some of our Students' Union representatives will be on hand. We'd like to take the opportunity to share some of our Shinerama event planning. Please come out to enjoy tasty food as we reveal Orientation 2011: Expedition Earth.

Bookstore Summer Hours

The Bookstore will only be opening periodically between July 25th - August 5th. Angela will be on vacation and Mark will be working whenever his masters program allows. Please check the door for posting of hours as available.

IT Training Sessions for Faculty and Staff

IT Services is excited and pleased to be offering training again this coming year to all faculty and staff. We want to know what sessions would benefit you and/or those you work closely with. Here are a few suggestions we have already received:

Intermediate Pivot Tables in Excel Navigating in Windows 7
Table of Contents in Word 2007/2010
Page Numbering in Word 2007/2010
10 Most Useful Blackberry Tips

Please let us know what you need to learn to help you do your job better and more efficiently. We'd like to hear from you by Friday, July 29 so that we can begin working on our 2011/12 calendar of IT training sessions.

We'd also like to hear from any of our campus experts who would be interested/willing to facilitate a two or three hour training session in your area of IT expertise. We'll do all the co-ordination (scheduling, recruitment, ordering of the coffee, etc.) - you just need to show up and do the training. We look forward to hearing from you.
Debbi Levy Kay levykadl@nsac.ca, IT training co-ordinator
Wayne Paquet wpaquet@nsac.ca, acting IT director

NSAC: An Artists Perspective

Once again, members of the Truro Art Society spent the day of Open House setting to canvas their perspective of NSAC in bloom. Features such as the Butterfly Meadow, Rock Garden, Alumni Gardens, livestock and research facilities were highlighted and will be the subject of a month long exhibit at the Marigold Cultural Centre in August. Please join us on Thursday, August 11th at 7p.m. for an opening reception in the Art Gallery. Artwork will also be available for purchase.

Kids Discovery Camps

We still have some space in the following camps:
Aug 2-5 - NSAC Games Week - Swim Week
Aug 8-12 - Culture Week
Aug 15-19 - Nature's Voyager's - Swim Week
For further information visit nsac.ca/athletics/pool.asp or phone 893-2621 or 893-6660 KDC Coordinators: Yvette Belliveau or Alex Works

Merchandise Update

We have a ton of new NSAC merchandise. We just received camping chairs, Callaway Warbird golf balls and brand new notebooks and pens. Check out the website at http://nsac.ca/merchandise or head over to the Print Centre and take a look.