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Announcements

University Strategic Plan update

Work on the Strategic Plan continues, but has necessarily slowed during the pandemic. Following campus engagement in late 2019 and early 2020, the draft vision, mission and values remain open for feedback at mru.ca/Strategy. As work on this guiding document continues, more content will be shared with the campus community early in the new year.

Changes to Winter 2021 semester dates
The first day of classes has changed from Jan. 6 to Jan. 11. The University will resume regular operations on Jan. 4, with employees available to support students and welcome them back to classes the following week. This change will, however, provide extra time to prepare before classes begin and may provide an opportunity for employees to use accumulated vacation time if circumstances allow for it. The decision impacts other dates in the semester. View the Critical Dates page for these. Some courses with experiental learning or program accreditation requirements will start before Jan. 11, 2021.

Blackboard update on Jan. 2 and 3, 2021
For planning purposes, Blackboard will be unavailable from Saturday, Jan. 2, 2021 to the end of day on Sunday, Jan. 3, 2021, in order to perform required updates.

New benefits year begins Jan. 1, 2021
Employees eligible for benefits coverage have until March 31, 2021 to submit any outstanding 2020 claims. Any credits left over in your Health Spending Account will carry over into 2021, but any credits from 2019 will expire on March 31 and can only be used for claims dated 2020. Find more information on your Health Spending Account and a list of eligible expenses.

Ensure your personal and emergency contacts are up to date
Confirm your personal contact information (home address, phone number and personal email address) and your emergency contact information on MyMRU / Employee / Resources and Timesheets / My HR Profile / Personal Information. It is good practise to remember to check this information at least twice a year (such as at daylight savings times or other easy-to-remember dates) in case you move or have other life changes.

Door locks will be replaced across campus beginning early 2021
Security Services is phasing in a new key system for all locked doors on campus, including private offices, classrooms and meeting rooms. This project will take approximately one year to complete. Departments will be notified when new keys are available for their space. A schedule and more detailed information will be available in the coming weeks. Questions can be directed to fm@mtroyal.ca.

Use a password manager to keep your accounts secure 
Passwords can be a pain. Password managers store all your passwords and usernames for you and you only have to remember one (strong) password. Use the KeePass app on your Mount Royal computer. 

Complete the annual cybersecurity survey and you could win
Everyone registered in cybersecurity training will receive an email this week from the Security Education Platform asking them to complete the annual survey. The survey is listed as an assignment and completion is voluntary, but appreciated, and helps make the cybersecurity program more effective. Complete the survey by Dec. 21 and receive two entries into a draw for a $250 Best Buy gift card.               

Did you know?
Building Operations and Environmental Services operate 24/7 year-round.

Bleed Blue – Celebrating MRU

Order of Canada recipients from the Mount Royal community
On Nov. 27, the Governor General announced 144 new appointments to the Order of Canada. Five of those were from the Mount Royal community. The Order of Canada is one of the country's highest civilian honours and recognizes outstanding achievement, dedication to the community and service to the nation.

• George Brookman ― businessman and 2020 Honorary Doctor of Laws recipient
• Ross William Glen ― philanthropist and benefactor of Mount Royal's Ross Glen Hall
• John Lacey ― chair of MRU's Conservatory Advisory Committee and 2018 Honorary Bachelor of Arts ― Policy Studies recipient
• Doreen Spence ― campus elder and 2017 Honorary Bachelor of Nursing recipient
• Mark Tewksbury Olympic champion and 2017 Honorary Bachelor of Communication ― Public Relations recipient

​Congratulations to our fall 2020 MRU grant awardees

Congratulations to the Fall 2020 MRU Internal Research Grant Fund awardee
Ines Sametband, PhD, for the project "Overcoming cultural blindness in family therapy: Exploring opportunities for relational wellness." Congratulations, too, to the Fall 2020 MRU Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council Explore Grant awardees Michael Hawley, PhD, for the "Alberta Sikh history project," Ran Ju, PhD, for the project, "Dialogue in a difficult setting: Exploring the application of organization-public dialogue in the oil and gas industry," and Uthpala Senarathne Tennakoon, PhD, for the project ""Environmental and social responsiveness of organizations: An examination from employer branding perspective."

Events – More information at mru.ca/Events

Supporting Faculty to Create a Healthy and Engaging Learning Environment
Tues., Dec. 8 from 11 a.m. to noon — Zoom
This interactive webinar highlights some important considerations that impact mental health and wellness in the learning environment. Do not download Zoom onto work computers.

Beginner's Guide To Virtual Reality
Tues., Dec. 8 from noon to 1 p.m. — Google Meet
Explore virtual reality and learn how to integrate this emerging technology into classes and research. Register.

Academic Podcasting: Communicating Research and Getting Creative
Tues., Dec. 8 from 1 to 2 p.m. — Google Meet
Discover the basics of podcasting and how you can podcast about your research or academic interests. Register.

Leading from Afar
Wed., Dec. 9 from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. — Google Meet
This brief yet impactful course is intended to enable and empower managers to more effectively manage a virtual team.

Using Library Streaming Media in the Virtual Classroom
Wed., Dec. 9 from 10 to 11 a.m. — Google Meet
Tues., Dec. 15 from 1 to 2 p.m. — Google Meet
Explore the Library's extensive collection of streaming media resources and find new course material to use online.

Emerging Technologies Consortium (ETC)

Wed., Dec. 9 from noon to 1 p.m. — Google Meet
Join the ETC each month as speakers highlight emerging technologies in teaching, research and co-curricular activities at MRU.

XR Toolkit Series: Creating Augmented Reality Experiences with Adobe Aero

Thurs., Dec. 10 from noon to 1 p.m. — Google Meet
Build, view and share interactive augmented reality experiences using your Apple device and the Adobe Aero platform.

Changemaker Conversations: From Insight to Action

Thurs., Dec. 10 from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. — Zoom
Hosted by the Trico Changemakers Studio, engage in generative dialogue towards action on pressing social issues. Do not download Zoom onto work computers.

2020 Humanly Virtual Showcase
Thurs., Dec. 10 from 5 to 7 p.m. — Cisco WebEx
This showcase will feature projects by senior level information design students addressing the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

Intro to Audacity: Managing Your Audio Project, Editing and Recording

Tues., Dec. 15 from 1 to 2 p.m. — Google Meet
Use Audacity software to create simple audio projects such as podcasts, voice recordings and more.

Harm Reduction and Naloxone Training
Tues., Jan. 19 from 1 to 3 p.m. — Online
Be informed about the current state of opioid use in Canada, the harm reduction responses available and how to recognize and respond to opioid overdoses. Register.

Protecting Yourself Against Cybercrime 2020/2021
Wed., Jan. 20, 2021 from 2 to 3:30 p.m. ― Google Meet
This informative workshop gives you all the tools you need to keep you and yours cybersafe and fulfills the annual mandatory cybersecurity training requirement.