Campus Digest

Anthropology Associate Dean (Research & Operations) Andrew Nelson will bring mummies to life March 19 for the Western Retired Academics Group. An expert on bioarchaeology, paleoradiology, archaeometry and mummy studies, Nelson’s talk is titled “Modern Medical Science Meets the Ancient Past: How We Breathe New Life into Egyptian Mummies.” He was instrumental in procuring an Egyptian mummy for Western and often appears on television to discuss 19^th century skeletons and First Nations settlements and gravesites. The event begins at 2 p.m. in Room W12, Huron University College. www.uworag.com.        

 

Volunteers wanted

About 100 more volunteers are needed for the 2010 Special Olympics Canada Summer Games that will take place July 11-17. More than 1,400 Special Olympics athletes, coaches, family members and friends will attend the Games and volunteers are needed for a variety of roles and at various locations across the city. The two-part registration process can be initiated online at www.london2010.ca/volunteer. Portions of the games will be held at Western.

 

Minimum wage being boosted

The Ontario government is raising the minimum wage to $10.25 from $9.50 an hour on March 31. The province of Ontario started implementing annual increases in 2003. In 2004, the general minimum wage was $6.85. The minimum wage applies to most but not all positions.

 

Leaders, start your skill-building

Western's Learning & Development Services is inviting leaders to register for a new two-day workshop: "Facilitative Leadership: Meetings that Work".  This program is for those who lead meetings as part of their current role. Dates for the all-day workshops are: April 13 and 15, SSB 4210; May 17 and 19, Medway Library; and August 10 and 13, SSB 4210. This program will help leaders to plan and lead meetings that are time efficient, productive, and collegial.  The cost is $100. Class size is limited to 16 people per session. Register at: www.uwo.ca/humanresources/facultystaff/learn_car_dev/registration/Meetings.htm 

 

Research Day set

The deans of Arts and Humanities, Information & Media Studies and Education are holding a Research Day on March 24, 3-6 p.m. in the Great Hall, Somerville House. RSVP to Elizabeth Moreau at emoreau@uwo.ca 519-850-2404 (or ext. 82404).

 

Biotechnology spending up

The federal government's spending on biotechnology in 2008/2009 reached $937 million, up 1.8% from a year earlier, according to Statistics Canada. During 2008/2009, spending on biotechnology represented nine per cent of federal science and technology expenditures of $10.4 billion. Higher education institutions received $550 million of the biotechnology spending.

 

Basketball tournament for Darfur

The student group STAND – Students Taking Action Now: Darfur – will hold a 3-on-3 basketball tournament in Thames Hall gym, March 27, 2-5 p.m. to raise money and awareness for the long-running conflict in Sudan. Register with Leanna Shully (lshully@uwo.ca) and select the recreational or competitive level for $25 per team. STAND (Canada) is a student advocacy group that originated at Western in 2005, currently boasting more than 50 high school and university chapters.