Reaching for the Sky

Theme:  Internationalism

Flight Plans

Child Care and Learning Centre

If you were to take a minute and look at the people around you on Campus you automatically notice the diverse group that we are a part of.  From students to faculty, staff to executives, diversity can be seen at all levels, even down to the littlest members of our community - the children at the Child Care and Learning Centre.  Many don’t know that this department exists, as we are nestled in the northern end of campus on Arboretum Road.  When the doors get opened every morning it is not merely another building on campus but a home away from home for 111 children as their parents study or work.  When astonished by the number of children we care for, it should make you think that many of the people, students, staff and faculty that you pass every day on campus may have or have had a child attend the Child Care and Learning Centre.  There are families that have newly immigrated to Canada, students who are here for only a few years as they study and finish their degrees, and families raised in Canada with strong ethnic ties to their homeland.  As we notice the many nationalities and ethnicities, this to is the reality at the CCLC.

Each day the talented, respectful and compassionate teachers of the CCLC welcome these children and their families into their playrooms and their hearts.  This feeling of respect extends well beyond the welcome and farewell of the day.  As you walk through the hall of the CCLC you can’t help but notice the door leading to the kitchen as it is covered in the words of “hello” in many different languages.  The children’s cultures and heritage are celebrated and discovered through the help of the teachers providing the opportunity within their classrooms and through the help and involvement of parents.  Parents play a key role in sharing their heritage and traditions with us, so that we may all learn and respect each others differences.  Children learn through a hands on approach by cooking and tasting new foods, touching and dressing up in various clothes and costumes, and celebrating holidays such as Chinese New Year, Kwanza, and Hanukkah to name a few.   Our staff also represent many countries and speak many different languages including English, German, French, Italian, Mandarin, Luganda and Bosnian.  This can be of great comfort to new parents and children, as we host families from more than 15 countries.

The teachers and staff at the Child Care and Learning Centre play a large role in celebrating and teaching children about the diversity of their culture and the culture of others.  Being exposed to this environment at a young age allows for learning and respect, both today and in the future.

Student Life and Counselling Services

Leadership & Community Engagement

Definitely one of the greatest things I will take from this experience is what I learned about myself.  Right now, I feel a lot more competent and capable as an individual, and I look forward to bringing my new experiences with me to Canada.

-G2L participant, 2008

The Guelph Global Learner Program in Student Life plays a vital role in promoting and encouraging internationalism with our students. The Guelph Global Learner Program is a co-curricular international service learning opportunity for students at the University of Guelph run through the Leadership & Community Engagement unit in Student Life.  The purpose of the program is to provide the students with the opportunity to reflect on global issues in an international, hands-on setting, while addressing the self-identified development needs of the host community. This past May, participants spent time on a range of projects in Costa Rica (in partnership with CWY), Peru (Solidarity in Action), and Botswana (World University Services of Canada).

The Peru program’s second year highlighted a variety of placements: a medical clinic; child care centre; a construction project; a cleft palate institute; a maternity hospital; and a recreational day trip for the children who live in one of the shanty towns where Solidarity in Actions works.  These projects were all included because they were identified to be of priority to the community. The students also engaged in cultural activities which included a trip to Cusco and Macchu Picchu, excursions to an indigenous market, and visits to different neighbourhoods of Quito.

The Costa Rica program’s third year included homestays, which was a highlight of the program due to the personal relationships that the students were able to develop with their host families. The homestays also personalized for students many of the issues the host families were experiencing (for example, issues of outward migration of the community’s males and gender issues in the household). The work projects were varied, including working on a recycling project; painting; pouring concrete; and working on the family’s farms. There were excursions to a beach and national park in order for the students to appreciate the biological and geographic differences in Costa Rica.

The Botswana program was in its infancy and the group was housed in University of Botswana dorms.  The focus was HIV/AIDS and the placements addressed the pandemic from a variety of perspectives: a hospice; an orphanage; and a welfare office.  There was an excursion to a South African game reserve and a visit to a rural village in order for students to experience the vast differences between life in rural Botswana and the capital, Gaborone, where they spent the majority of their time.

Office of Intercultural Affairs

Start International was held on August 29th, a program that offers support to all new incoming international students. The program is designed to help new students learn more about academic life at Guelph, gain access to the various resources that are available, and get to know the many people who are here to help new international students make a successful transition. This informative day offered campus tours, sessions on academic expectations, part-time job seeking, health insurance, family support, and a glimpse into Orientation Week.

The LINK program will be up-and-running in September, matching up new International students with Guelph students for the first few weeks of the semester. It’s an important program designed to help orient new international students to life on campus and in their new community.

Student Health Services and Wellness Centre

In a continuously changing world, internationalism to The Wellness Centre means acceptance without limits. The borders that divide countries are like the imaginary borders that separate different aspects of health and well-being. We recognize the convergence of these issues in each person, in communities, and throughout the world.

From a framework of anti-oppression, we provide resources and raise awareness on a variety of topics through working groups. One of our groups, Wellness Worldwide, strives to raise awareness of human rights issues in a global context. They develop programming through active involvement and collaboration with on- and off-campus organizations in an effort to provide diverse and inclusive events for the university community.

As global citizens, we each do our part by being accountable for our actions and recognizing that they not only effect us, but also people from across the world.

Cooperative Education and Career Services

Imagine learning that the University of Guelph is smaller than your high school!  Consider this as one of many adjustments for our Fall 2008 International Students.  The other big adjustment, for more than forty of them, is that they’re going to be working as Co-op students very shortly.  From their overseas move, to residence, to classes, they’re going through massive change. 

This is the first year that international students have been enabled to participate in our co-operative education programs.  And they’re responding wonderfully.  In the past, international students have always expressed an interest in co-op study, but now they can apply from high school and be admitted to one of the thirty-eight programs that offer co-op.

They’re interested in everything from commerce to engineering to sciences.  In the best tradition of Guelph, we’re paying close attention to them, to make sure that they have a successful start.  From their first steps with the Intercultural Affairs LINK program (connecting them to senior Guelph students) to Co-op’s guidance with obtaining the necessary permits, we want to see these students shine.  We might expect issues of acculturation and ease of transition to the first work-term, but we know that once they are underway, they will do as well as, or better, than our domestic students.  They are not able to work for the federal government, so in the majority of situations, they’ll be with private firms.

By the time they’ve completed their undergrad studies, they’ll have one to two years of direct, domestic work experience.  That will make a big difference for them, should they seek to remain in Canada to further their careers.  This is yet another way that the University of Guelph is defining itself on the world stage.

Athletics

Athletics and Sport Share a Universal Language

The University of Guelph has for many years through actions and words supported the broad concept of internationalism. “(Students) should appreciate both the national and international dimensions of their disciplines and be prepared to apply their knowledge in ways that promote national dignity and global harmony. They should have an understanding of the natural and social environment that extends well beyond national borders” (Towards 2000).

Communication with differing cultures and languages requires some sense of commonality. The idea of a universal language goes back many centuries. While most discount the universality of language as mythical, some biblical scholars maintain that Adamic language was the source and since then the “confusion of tongues” has changed the original purity. Linguists are further divided citing origins of language from 50,000 (behavioural modernity) to Steven Pinker’s estimates of 5 to 6 million years ago.

One thing seems quite clear: Sport (physical competition and cooperation) has served as a non verbal universal language for centuries and continues to bridge cultural and language barriers.

In the Department of Athletics we have as many examples of internationalism as we have staff. Some are purposeful and others opportunistic. From international students on our varsity and intramural teams to sports and activities brought to our university from around the world; we become more worldly.

The greatest of international sporting activities, the Olympic Games, brings together participants from around the world. These are not diplomats, academics, or business people congregating, but the common person seeing how their ability compares in any of the almost 400 events contested. The University of Guelph and Gryphon clubs have been well represented for many years. Six past wrestlers, four cross country/track athletes, three swimmers, two hockey players, one basketball and one springboard diver have now been joined by 2008 Olympians Taylor Milne, Eric Gillis and Ohenewa Akuffo. As these Guelph athletes attempt to go ‘faster, higher, stronger’ they have followed in the ideals of the modern Olympic founder Baron de Coubertin. Coubertin dreamt of a way to bring nations closer together, to have the youth of the world compete in sports rather than fight in war.

These 2008 Olympics also found several other University of Guelph personnel in Beijing. Gryphon Swimmer Samantha Whiteside was one of only two Canadians chosen to represent Canada in the Olympic Youth Camp. One of the founders of the Olympic Youth Camp and Olympic Academy was the late Dr. John Powell for whom the Powell Building is named. 

David Scott-Thomas (coaching) and Trent Stellingworth (exercise physiology) were in Beijing with the track contingent. Sports medicine specialist Dr. Margot Mountjoy, who does her best to keep our UofG athletes healthy, was attached to the medical contingent and is a member of the International Olympic Committee’s Medical Commission.

One year ago Michelle Moody from the track team, Jamie Fairweather from the soccer Gryphons, and coach Chris O’Rourke from basketball had a similar international experience in Thailand at the (FISU) World Student Games. O’Rourke’s Canadian squad hosted Italy a couple of months ago and he will again be coaching at the 2010 FISU games in Serbia.  Each and every one of these athletes and support staff have taken a piece of Canada to their International Games and brought back a wealth of new ideas, friends, experiences and understanding.  Our Gryphon teams have also toured several countries over the years. The swim team competed against the National Swim Team of Costa Rica and then hosted a clinic for the local athletes.

On the international varsity front, many Gryphon teams have a global flavour as athletes from around the world come to Guelph to add to the fabric of our university and city. The cross country and track team alone has athletes from Zimbabwe, United Arab Emirates, Trinidad, and Serbia. Field Hockey has an athlete from South Africa while basketball boasts players from Australia, Israel, and France. A few Gryphon basketball alumni are or were recently playing in Italy, France, Germany, Croatia, UK, Ireland, Cyprus and the Czech Republic. Other teams are similarly represented.

The University of Guelph Fitness and Recreation programs encompass drop-in recreation classes, aquatics, intramurals as well as lifestyle and fitness. The long time motto for these programs has been “something for everyone, something for you”

Most native born Canadians learned to swim as youngsters. Our country is covered in lakes and rivers and bounded by oceans. Many other countries do not have such abundant water. It makes sense that many of the new learn-to-swim candidates in our adult lessons are new to Canada.

Furthermore, many programs have been brought to the university by international students. Their collective expertise, commitment and excitement have resulted in the arrival of …

*dozens of forms of martial arts

*Yoga (from the oldest Yoga Institute of Santacruz in Mumbai, India)

*Capoeira (from Brazil) presently only offered in Toronto, Vancouver & Guelph

*Zumba (a fitness course with its roots in Latin dance)

*Bollywood Fusion (Indian music meets the West and the result is amazing)

*Salsa (one of the hottest Latin dances)

*Highland Dance (learn one of the Scottish Performing Arts) 

*Belly Dance (learn something from Egypt, Lebanon, and Turkey)

The international aspect of Intramural teams is truly amazing. Most teams are made up of a United Nations mixture of students brought together in their common interest in playing a specific sport and united based simply on residence or academic program. Some other teams are an opportunity for students with similar heritage to get together and play with others from their country of birth. As one might imagine, soccer, commonly called ‘the world game’ is the leader in teams made up solely of one international group.

The intramural staff are perhaps one of our best international lessons in the Department of Athletics. Led by a staffer from the Philippines and assisted by staff form India, Korea, China and the Ukraine, this group is welcoming to all and open to new activities.

What are the most popular athletic activities in the world and how do we at the University of Guelph measure up? Ranking and actual lists vary but essentially include the following: basketball, cricket, dancing, field hockey, running, swimming, soccer, table tennis (ping pong), tennis, and volleyball. The list was alphabetized to minimize any debate on order. Of the sports listed cricket is the only one not to have found a home in the Department of Athletics.  

Don’t be too surprised to see Cricket surfacing in the not too distant future as the Department of Athletics continues to explore activities that appeal to our first second and third generation international clientele.  

student housing services

Within Student Housing, we offer four unique Living Learning Centres (LLCs) that are designed to encourage interaction by bringing together students with common interests – one of which is International House, located in Watson Hall.  The Living Learning Centres have been a part of the Student Housing Services for the past three-and-a-half decades. International House was established in the early 1970s. 

Exploring cross-cultural exchange, understanding international issues, and celebrating the commonalities and differences between cultures is what International House is all about. The residents of International House are a fun-loving group of people, international and Canadian students living together, whose varied experiences inform discussion and strengthen the community. 

The cornerstone of the LLC experience is programming. Each house has a Program Facilitator, whose sole purpose is to plan events and programs and create a strong and exciting community. In the end, though, it is the students who have the most impact on making the centre work - participation is vital. 

International House provides students with an opportunity to live in a residence that is rich with a variety of cultures, where students can share their experiences and learn from each other.

"International House is a great place to live for both Canadian and international students. Everyone here is very close and there is a great sense of community. There are tons of fun events and activities to get involved in such as African drumming workshops, yoga and meditation, international cooking and lots of other cultural events."

Golnoush Hassanpour, current Program Facilitator

On the Horizon

Movers, Shakers and Newsmakers

Extending the "Canadian Experience" to European Youth

The summer of 2008 will always be remembered by the "Italian Study Tour" team as a summer filled with adventure and, certainly, the unexpected!  Between mid-July and mid-August Student Affairs hosted approximately 150 European youth who were participating in a cultural immersion program called "The Canadian Experience."  Between the ages of 14-20, these youth traveled to Canada from Russia, Kazakhstan, the Ukraine, and Italy.  Their base of operations was the University of Guelph campus and, over a two-week period, they  traveled to a range of destinations including Rosseau Lake College, Canada's Wonderland, Ottawa, Toronto, and  Niagara Falls.  Over the course of two weeks these students received thirty hours of ESL instruction  and experienced life on a Canadian university campus firsthand.  Lots of terrific programming was delivered for them, thanks to an outstanding team including Mike Holden (Coordinator) and four Team Leaders:  Jenn McIntyre , Kathryn  Marsilio, Lyndsay Barwell, Kristie Inch. 

Many, many thanks to those colleagues on campus who helped to make this year's program such a success including Student Housing Services, Michelle Fach and the Office of Open Learning team, Athletics, Student Life & Counselling Services, and Hospitality Services.  Special thanks to the women in Centre 6 who wore their Italian flags, piled the students' plates high with yummy pasta, and made our guests feel so very welcome on our campus. 

Student Affairs Staff Raking in the Awards!

This year's Community Breakfast was of special signifiance as five members of our team were recognized for their achievements.  What a Student Affairs sweep!

Adrianne Mead won the prestigious President’s Award for Exemplary Staff Service, Spirit Award. She was cheered on by her coworkers and friends as she accepted her award - with her ever-present gleaming smile! It is wonderful to see someone so deserving publically recognized for her commitment to the University and Student Affairs.  

Lisa Huiskamp, Erin Mancini, Carole Shirley and Nicole Willison won the President’s Award for Exemplary Staff Service, Team Recognition Award. This team has provided exceptional client service to our students, staff, faculty and external partners.  Thanks for making Student Affairs look so good!

Mary Visser Kerr, Assistant to the Director, received the "Zimbra Pilot Best Bug Sleuthing Award" in May 2008. Mary participated in the Zimbra Pilot Testing.  Congratulations Mary!

Gabriele Polsterer, Teacher, Infant Program, recently played in a provincial slo-pitch tournament in London on August 22-24th where her Co-ed team from Waterloo finished first, capturing the provincial title for that division.  Along with her team, Gabriele will be competing in Nationals next summer, which will be hosted in Niagara Falls.  Good Luck!

Skye Angus (Business Office, Athletics) was the head coach of the U17 women's basketball provincial team.  The team defended their National Championship in Charlottetown, PEI in August by defeating Alberta in the Gold Medal Game by a score of 77-44.  Skye will be the Head Coach for Team Ontario in the 2009 Canada Summer Games in Summerside, PEI.  Skye will have a busy year as she is also getting married to Paul Funk, our Women's Volleyball Coach, in September 2009.

Al Fairweather, former head coach of the swimming program and current Manager of Aquatics and Recreation was inducted into the Department of Athletics Hall of Fame for his outstanding successes as a Gryphon swimmer from 1971 to 1975.  Congratualtionas Al!

Children's Organic Garden

On Thursday September 4, 2008 The University of Guelph officially opened the Guelph Centre for Urban Organic Farming, where students of all ages will learn about local organic food production and resource conservation.  Inter-generational learning will be emphasized, starting with the children from the Child Care and Learning Centre on Campus, U of G students, as well as the broader Guelph community.

"It's all about preparing younger generations for a different kind of future," said president Alastair Summerlee during a grand opening celebration attended by, among others, Guelph mayor Karen Farbridge and Robert Gordon, the new dean of the Ontario Agricultural College.

Children from the Child Care and Learning Centre have already visited the organic farm, which is located near their building, and joined in on the Grand Opening Celebrations.  The children have also eaten vegetables harvested from their own parallel garden.  This Parallel garden is currently in the children’s playgrounds at the CCLC and gives children the experience to watch the changes in growth and colour as the plants begin to produce vegetables.  They also learn what it takes to help plants grow and survive and how they can help care for them.

This is an exciting new venture for everyone at the Child Care and Learning Centre and will be part of the children’s daily curriculum.

Welcome Aboard!

Student Housing Services is pleased to introduce you to our new Director!

Irene Thompson former Associate Director of Residence Life and Family Housing took over the helm as Director in mid-June.  Irene joined Student Housing (then the Department of Residences) in 1983 as an Area Director.  Shortly thereafter, she became the Residence Programme Coordinator and in 1988 became the Assistant Director, Residence Life.

Irene’s passion for Student Housing and the role it plays in the overall education of students has fostered a residence life program that is highly regarded across the country.   Along with this, her ability to create and build strong relationships across campus will assist Student Housing in moving toward the next stage of creating a strong academic support program in residence.

Many of you will know Irene for involvement in the United Way campaign but she has been involved in many campus initiatives over her tenure here.  The next time you see her, please join us in welcoming Irene in her new role.

Student Housing Services would like to extend a warm welcome to the following Residence Managers who have joined the Student Affairs team:

Kate McGartland-Kinsella is the Residence Programme Coordinator for Student Housing Services.  She oversees the Residence Life Programming Office and manages the four Living-Learning Centres on campus.  Before coming to Guelph, Kate was a Residence Life Coordinator at Trent University in Peterborough.  She is also a certified high school teacher and has taught English and Religion.  She completed her undergrad at the University of Waterloo and is currently pursuing a graduate degree in Education.  Kate is very excited to be at Guelph and looking forward to the year ahead!

Robert Giardino joins us from Ryerson University where he completed his bachelor’s degree in management relating to the graphic arts. After assuming several paraprofessional and professional positions in student services there, he commenced is Masters Degree in Higher Education at the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education at the University of Toronto and is nearly complete. Robert brings a passion for students and their well-being and is looking forward to contributing in many ways to the community here at the University of Guelph.

Jackie Mellish is the new Residence Manager of Lennox-Aldington. She comes to Guelph with seven years of experience in Residence life.  Starting at the University of Windsor where she received her undergrad in Drama in Education and Community. Then moving to St. Clair College as the Residence Life Coordinator, as well as Mohawk College as the Residence Life Coordinator. Jackie is excited to be back in a University environment and looks forward to new experiences at the University of Guelph.

Please also welcome our team from Athletics Randy Regan, Head Coach Women's Soccer, and Bill Brown, Assistant Coach Football. 

Student Life and Counseling Services has 5 new members, Cara Wehkamp, Acting Aboriginal Student Advisor;Louise Solomon, Aboriginal Liaison and Outreach; Naeeme Ordonez, Coordinator, New Student Advising; Amy Smith, CSD Advisor; and Marinette Fargo, CSD Receptionist.

This year, Student Health Services is very happy to welcome many new doctors, Dr. Carolyn Davidson, Dr. Josephine De La Torre, Dr. Nancy Lennard and Dr. Lucille Chan.  A warm welcome is also in order for Dori McKinnon, who joins the nursing team.

The Child Care and Learning Centre has two new Preschool Teachers,, Jaime Weadick and Shannon O'Connor. We are excited to have you as members of our team.   Welcome back to Chris Veaudry, who had just returned from Teacher's College.  He is now teaching in our Kindergarten program. Glad to have you back.

the departure gate

It was with great sadness that Student Life said a fond farewell to Emily Reed in September. Emily began in January 2007 in her role as Coordinator of Citizenship & Community Engagement and has left her unique fingerprint on all the programs that she supported. Most notably, the enhancement of our Guelph Global Learner Program for which she created a more intentional and formalized experience grounded in community development theory. Whether it was in her role as a supportive colleague, mentoring peer supervisor, passionate team leader, coffee run conversationalist or genuine friend, she is sorely missed. We wish Emily well as she moves on to concentrate on completing her Masters degree and travels a little closer to home on her newly reclaimed bike.

Allison Law left Student Life and moved back to Thunder Bay on October 2nd after serving as Coordinator of Orientation and Transition Programs since June 2007. Allison picked up responsibility for Orientation Week mid-stream, following a vacancy in the position of a couple of weeks during a very busy time. She hit the ground running and saw us through two Orientation Weeks at the University of Guelph ('Agents of Change' and 'Navigate 08').

In Allison's tenure here, she greatly refined the Orientation Risk Management process, the production of the Orientation Guide, the management of thousands of details pertaining to Orientation Week and oversaw the launching of our newest program, Momentum. Allison built bridges (both professionally and personally) with many of our campus and community partners, significantly elevated the quality of O-Week programming and infused a sense of fun, challenge and tradition into our efforts. With high standards for herself, she inspired those who worked along side her to also strive for lofty goals.  Allison - you are missed!

mark your calendars!

Thursday October 30, 2008 your PD Working Group will be hosting a "Pie Day and Pumpking Carving Contest" from noon to 2pm at the Athletics Centre in rm 202.  Bring a toonie and get a slice of home-baked pie!  All proceeds will go to United Way.  Departments are also encouraged to submit a pumpkin for our pumpkin carving contest. Be creative.  Special Judges will vote on the winning pumpkin.  There will also be a raffle to win one of the jack o laterns to take home.

For more information, please contact l.gatto@exec.uoguelph.ca

gryph mail tip of the month

Got Gryph? Get the most out of Gryph Mail, U of G's campus-wide integrated email and calendaring system by visiting:  http://www.uoguelph.ca/ccs/email/index.shtml.

did you know?

Architect John Andrews, who designed our South Residences, was one of the lead architects who designed the CN tower.  Impressive!

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