Announcements

Suicide Prevention Framework community consultations
All are invited to participate in a 45-minute virtual community consultation focused on developing an institutional suicide prevention strategic framework. These sessions will help to identify recommendations for how to develop an effective suicide prevention framework at MRU. Sessions are available for students, staff, faculty and the general MRU community. .

Open House is going virtual
Open House is Mount Royal’s premier prospective student recruitment event, and this year it's going online. The event will run from Oct. 24 to 30. Saturday, Oct. 24, will be focused on highlighting MRU’s degree, diploma and select certificate programs, while the week of Oct. 26 to 30 will feature additional information sessions on select student services and programs.

Campus Flu Clinic update
This year it is especially important that individuals get the influenza vaccine if possible. However, with the limited number of people on campus, as well as considerations for physical distancing, staffing, PPE and gathering requirements, the campus flu clinic will not be running. Walk-ins may go to Wyckham Pharmacy. Health Services will have some flu vaccines available to be administered to patients with in-person physician appointments. Off-campus options include public health clinics, doctors' offices and community pharmacies.

MRU's Cannabis Industry Advisory Board provides real-world input
Composed of industry leaders ranging from marketers to government relations experts, the Cannabis Industry Advisory Board provides input to ensure the Cannabis Education Program, offered through the Faculty of Continuing Education and Extension, is relevant to the latest industry developments.

MRSA Annual General Meeting livestream
Department and team leaders are reminded that as stated in the MRSA Collective Agreement, members are to be supported in attending the association's AGM where operationally feasible. It will be livestreamed Nov. 18 from 10:45 a.m. until noon.

MRU a partner of National Dialogues and Action
In the beginning of October, Mount Royal joined nearly 60 other institutions in committing to a collective effort to address anti-Black racism and foster Black inclusion. For those who were not able to attend the National Dialogues and Action for Inclusive Higher Education and Communities, all presentations from the plenary sessions and the deliberations from the concurrent dialogues were recorded and are now available for viewing.

Two ways to complete cybersecurity training
Most employees can complete their mandatory cybersecurity training in 11 online modules that you can take until June 30, 2021, or by attending one 90-minute workshop. Those in HR and payroll, finance and supply chain, executives, and anyone who handles payment card data are required to complete the training online.

Recreation Centre is open for use
Mount Royal's Recreation Centre is open to students who have paid the Athletics and Recreation fee as well as employees as per their employment agreement. Facility hours are from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Friday. If you are unable to come or uncomfortable coming to campus, check out the Cougars Wellness Challenge , a complimentary online program designed to benefit the physical, social and mental well-being of MRU students and employees.

Don't forget The Table
The Table is open and offering delicious food Monday to Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. including breakfast, lunch and pre-made dinner options. The Table has a rotation of soups, made-to-order sandwiches and wraps, along with hot-off-the-grill comfort dishes including burgers and fries. There are also ‘grab n’ go’ sandwiches, salad, fresh fruit, cold beverages and Tim Hortons Express.

Snow removal at open campus areas only
Because of reduced resources and less foot and vehicle traffic on campus, there will be no widespread removal of snow this winter. As a cost-saving measure, snow clearing will be limited to building entrances, roadways and parking lots that are open. Please avoid the areas not being cleared.

Quinterra Legacy Garden complete
The much-awaited Quinterra Legacy Garden opened on Oct. 15. Found in South Glenmore Park, the Quinterra Legacy Garden honours the lives of five incredible individuals that were lost in 2014: Lawrence Hong, Josh Hunter, Kaitlan (Kaiti) Perras, Jordan Segura and Zackariah Rathwell. Perras was a student taking her Bachelor of Arts ― English at Mount Royal, and is remembered for being a brilliant ballerina and a creative spirit. The musical garden is the first of its kind in Calgary.

Did you know?
The Bella Concert Hall in the Taylor Centre for the Peforming Arts is n amed in honour of donor Don Taylor's mother, Mary Belle (Sherwood) Taylor, affectionately known as "Bella." She was instrumental in rallying for a much-needed community school in Barons, Alta. A painting of Bella can be found in the lobby.

Bleed Blue – Celebrating MRU

Student speaks at Geothermal Press Conference
On Oct. 7, Minister of Energy Sonya Savage provided an update on the government’s efforts to diversify the energy sector by facilitating the development of geothermal energy. During the event, Manjot Klair, a fourth-year policy studies student, spoke about the new geothermal regulations and policies as they relate to her role as operations and policy manager at CanGEA, as well as growth in the already existing energy sector and benefits for Indigenous communities.

Partnering up for clean water
TC Energy recently teamed up with Associate Professor Roger Saint-Fort, PhD, of the Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences on a groundwater remediation project where Saint-Fort developed and adapted technology to provide potable water in countries around the world.

Personal experience with assisted dying
Professor Richard Harrison, winner of the 2017 Governor General's Literary Award, recently spoke for TEDxYYC 2020 regarding his experience with his mother's choice to accept medical assistance in dying. Harrison, who recently retired from MRU, says, "At the time, three years ago, I was deeply unprepared for what would happen. I'm hoping that what I've learned, and how I came to peace, and more, with it, will help others and encourage a broader discussion of the way we live with dying."

Events – More information at mru.ca/Events

Virtual Cryptocurrency Treasure Hunt 2020
Through to Fri., Oct. 30 — Google Chat Room
Solve the clues, find the treasure and be entered into the prize draw for a $100 Amazon gift certificate

Beginner's Guide To Augmented Reality
Tues., Oct. 20 from noon to 1 p.m. — Google Meet
Learn about augmented reality applications in the class and for research, as well as the available Library supports.

Intro to Audacity: Managing Your Audio Project, Editing And Recording
Tues., Oct. 20 from 1 to 2 p.m. — Google Meet

The Cybersecurity Monster Manual: Stopping Things That Go "Hack" In The Night

Protecting Yourself Against Cybercrime
Thurs., Oct. 22 from 10 to 11:30 a.m. — Google Meet

This workshop will give you all the tools you need to keep you and yours cybersafe and fulfills the annual mandatory cybersecurity training requirement.

XR Toolkit Series: Creating Virtual Reality Experiences With Google Tours VR
Thurs., Oct. 22 from noon to 1 p.m. — Google Meet
Create your own interactive 360-degree tours that can be viewed using virtual reality (Google Cardboard) or traditional computer monitors

Open House
Sat., Oct. 24 to Fri., Oct. 30

Saturday, Oct. 24 will be focused on highlighting MRU’s degree, diploma and select certificate programs, while the week of Oct. 26 to 30 will feature additional information sessions on select student services and programs.

Beginner's Guide to 360-Degree Cameras
Tues., Oct. 27 from noon to 1 p.m. — Google Meet
Discover how to create highly immersive environments for education using 360-degree cameras. Register .

COVID-19: The Second Wave and Your Mental Health
Tues., Oct. 27 from 8 to 9 p.m. — Zoom

Homewood Health will be hosting a webinar focused on the unique challenges we collectively face with the onset of a second wave of COVID-19. Please use personal devices for Zoom.

MRU Alumni Webinar: Looking for Work in a Changing Labour Market
Wed., Oct. 28 from 3 to 3:45 p.m.

In this session, learn how to use your skills and interests to "see" and connect with hidden opportunities in your current field, emerging markets or making a pivot.

Suicide Prevention Strategic Framework Community Consultations
Thurs., Oct. 29 from 9 to 9:45 a.m. — Online (Faculty)
Mon., Nov. 2 from 3 to 3:45 p.m. — Online (Staff)
Fri., Nov. 6 from 1:15 to 2 p.m. — Online (Staff)
Mon., Nov. 9 from 11 to 11:45 a.m. — Online (Faculty)
Tues., Nov. 10 from 3 to 3:45 p.m. — Online (All Groups)

Attend and discuss needs and recommendations to assist in the creation of an institutional suicide prevention strategic framework.

Harm Reduction and Naloxone Training
Thurs., Oct. 29 from 10 a.m. to noon — 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.

XR Toolkit Series: Creating Augmented Reality Experiences with Adobe Aero
Thurs., Oct. 29 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. Register.

CyberCafe

Thurs., Oct. 29 from 3 to 3:30 p.m. — Google Meet

Join our cybersecurity expert, who will be combing the latest cybersecurity news to find topics for discusson that are engaging and timely. Register .

Beginner's Guide to Transforming Social Connections with Virtual Reality
Tues., Nov. 3 from noon to 1 p.m. — Google Meet
Learn how social virtual reality platforms are changing the way we connect with one another during this new era of physical distancing. Register .

Working from Home 101
Thurs., Nov. 5 from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. — Google Meet
By the end of this session, participants will be able to identify and implement best practices when they are working remotely.

Have a story, announcement or info to share?

Summit and website stories

We would love to hear about your story! Go to the online story submission tool and guidelines.

MyMRU announcements

Please send announcements for MyMRU's homepage to mymru@mtroyal.ca. Here are the guidelines.

Start of semester emails, with option for distribution list sign-up

As each semester begins (August/September and December/January), areas with ongoing employee activities can send an email to all employees describing their semester activities. Employees can then choose to opt in to that area's distribution list (Google Group) for regular updates. If you would like to send an email and/or set up a Google Group for your area, please contact Marketing and Communications for guidelines.

4825 Mount Royal Gate SW | Calgary, Alberta | T3E 6K6, Canada
ourcommunity@mtroyal.ca