Strike or lockout looming
Loyalist College, along with the 23 other Ontario Colleges, face the threat of a strike or lockout very soon.
October 15th is the day a legal strike or lockout can begin involving unionized faculty, through the Ontario Public Services Employees Union.
OPSEU represents more than 12,000 professors, instructors, counsellors and librarians in the province’s college system.
Loyalist President Anne Marie Vaughan told Quinte News at the monthly Board of Governors meeting Thursday evening that contingency plans are being put in place to ensure that there are no disruptions to a student’s program or their path through school.
Vaughan says she cannot comment on current negotiations or bargaining and that the focus is on the students.
Vaughan adds that classes will be suspended until the dispute can be resolved, but they are focused on making sure the students get their credits.
Health on campus a priority
Loyalist College is looking to improve health and well-being on campus.
At last night’s meeting, the 2015 to 2020 Health and Wellness strategy was discussed, including the commitment to developing a centre.
However, Loyalist President Anne Marie Vaughan says she wants to go much broader than the infrastructure of the project and make the overall environment the focus.
She tells Quinte News about some of their plans.
Lyons aiming big with innovation
Encouragement for an innovative Loyalist College student was displayed Thursday evening.
Business Administration student Brett Lyons is one of the Top 10 finalists for the William G. Davis Innovation Fund.
This fund supports innovative thinking and initiatives from aspiring visionaries, artists, humanitarians or entrepreneurs in the college community.
Lyons, who is mobility challenged, submitted the idea of a “user to user adjustable grab bar.”
Loyalist president, Dr. Anne Marie Vaughan says she and the Loyalist community are extremely proud of Lyons.
You can register and vote for Lyons at this link until November 5.
Winners will be announced November 10.
Visibility in Quinte region, campus important for Governors
The Loyalist College Board of Governors is aiming to be a more visible presence in the community.
Members talked about the need for the staff and students around campus to recognize what kinds of contributions governors make to the College.
Vaughan says the relationship between governors and students is an important one.
Vaughan says Open Houses, graduation ceremonies and various other campus events are opportunities the governors can play an integral part in.
Open House an “exceptional success”
Loyalist College’s recent Open House on Wednesday was an “exceptional success” according to their president.
Speaking to the Board of Governors at their monthly meeting last evening, Dr. Anne Marie Vaughan mentioned how impressed she was with the interest from across the province in what Loyalist has to offer.
She spoke to Quinte News about the event.
The next Loyalist Open House goes on November 18.
