乐发IV

The 乐发IV and the 乐发IV Faculty Association (乐发IVFA) are pleased to announce that a collective agreement has been reached.

The University and the 乐发IVFA, Bargaining Unit #1 representing faculty members, librarians, sessional instructors, and clinical nursing instructors have reached an agreement for a four-year collective agreement from July 1, 2016 to June 30, 2020. 

鈥溊址�IV prides itself in offering great learning opportunities to all of our students so they can reach their full potential. This is only possible due to the collective contributions of our outstanding faculty,鈥� said Dr. Alaa Abd-El-Aziz, President and Vice-Chancellor. 鈥淚 look forward to working with our faculty association members and campus community at large to continue our momentum in providing an exceptional learning environment and great service to our Island community.鈥�

鈥淭he Faculty Association is very pleased that negotiations have resulted in a collective agreement that ensures fairness and equity for our Members. We look forward to continuing to do what鈥檚 important to all of our members which is educating our students, continuing important research, and contributing to 乐发IV and our community at large,鈥� said Dr. Nola Etkin, President of the 乐发IVFA.

The 乐发IVFA and 乐发IV鈥檚 Board of Governors unanimously voted for ratification.

Highlights of 乐发IVFA agreement:

鈥� The agreement will include an across the board increase of 2% each year. 
鈥� Under the new collective agreement, Deans will ensure, through working with the Chairs, that teaching workloads are equitable and fair.
鈥� Commencing on July 1, 2017, future retirees will pay 45% of the cost of supplemental health care benefits. 
鈥� The parties have agreed to establish an ad hoc committee, chaired by the VP Academic and Research, and consisting of  faculty members from each faculty and school and three Student Union representatives to review existing practices and examine other procedures with the aim to continue enhancing teaching and learning at 乐发IV.

The 乐发IV started the negotiation process with all unions in February 2016. 

Every week, 乐发IV Athletics and Recreation recognizes two student-athletes for their hard work and dedication to their respective sports. Congratulations to Jenna Mae Ellsworth (Women鈥檚 Basketball) and Tyler Scott (Men鈥檚 Basketball), the 乐发IV Panther Subway Athletes of the week for October 31-November 6!

Jenna Mae Ellsworth is a first-year guard on the 乐发IV Women鈥檚 Basketball team, and a Bachelor of Science student from Charlottetown. In her first two games in a Panther uniform, she shot 50% from the field, averaged 8 rebounds, 4 assists, 4 steals, and shot 100% from the free-throw line. 鈥淛enna Mae had a great first weekend in AUS play,鈥� said coach Greg Gould. 鈥淪he plays hard at both ends of the court on every possession!鈥�

Tyler Scott is a fifth-year guard and a Bachelor of Arts student. The Panthers split a pair of games over the weekend with St. Francis Xavier University. Scott scored 56 points, 12 rebounds, 10 assists, and 2 blocks. 鈥淭yler is one of the best, if not the best, players in the nation,鈥� said coach Tim Kendrick. 鈥淗e had another great weekend for us here at 乐发IV.鈥�

It鈥檚 not too late to purchase your Panther Package, the best sports deal on Prince Edward Island! Your $75 season ticket gets you into every home Panther home game, in every sport (except Men鈥檚 Hockey). Find more details at gopanthersgo.ca.

The 乐发IV is pleased to announce that a pension agreement has been ratified with all of the unions.

The final step in the approval of the pension agreement happened last night when 乐发IV鈥檚 Board of Governors approved the agreement. The University鈥檚 unions, which include 乐发IVFA Bargaining Unit #1, 乐发IVFA Bargaining Unit #2, IBEW 1928, CUPE 1870 and CUPE 501, ratified the new pension agreement last week.

鈥淭he pension plan鈥檚 sustainability was critical to all employees of the University which is why I am so pleased with the new pension agreement鈥檚 structure,鈥� said Dr. Alaa Abd-El-Aziz, President and Vice-Chancellor. 

Highlights of pension agreement include:

鈥� The University and the 乐发IV unions will transition to a Jointly Sponsored Pension Plan effective January 1, 2017. 
鈥� The Sponsor Board will make decisions on funding and benefits. 
鈥� The Jointly Sponsored Pension Plan will be administered by a Board of Trustees. 
鈥� Both the Sponsor Board and the Board of Trustees will have equal representation from the University and the unions. 
鈥� The Jointly Sponsored Pension Plan will have 50/50 cost sharing between the University and the unions. 

The Atlantic Veterinary College (AVC) honoured the late Dr. Brian Hill, a founding faculty member, with the 2016 Honourable Eugene F. Whelan Green Hat Award for his contributions to the early development of the College.

Mel Gallant, former assistant dean finance and administration at AVC, nominated Dr. Hill for the award, and read the at an award ceremony held at AVC on Monday, November 7. Dr. Jim Miller, a close friend and colleague of Dr. Hill, accepted the award on behalf of his family, who were not able to attend.

Dr. Hill came to AVC in May 1986 as the founding chair of the Department of Companion Animals, and also served as co-director of the Veterinary Teaching Hospital, along with Dr. Bob Curtis, founding chair of the Department of Health Management. A respected clinician, teacher, and administrator, Dr. Hill served as Interim Dean from 1989-1991. Originally from California, he graduated from veterinary school at Colorado State University in 1973 and taught at Iowa State before coming to AVC.

A skilled negotiator and administrator, he was instrumental in the integration of the College into the 乐发IV. He also played an important role in building the College鈥檚 human resources and technical support at the veterinary teaching hospital, successfully recruiting faculty members at a time of significant faculty shortages.

Dr. Hill died in January of 2000 at the age of 51. Shortly after his death, his family, colleagues, and friends established the Brian L. Hill Memorial Award in his memory. This award is given to a graduating student in Veterinary Medicine who demonstrates excellence in small animal medicine and surgery, as well as outstanding interpersonal skills with clients and colleagues鈥攁ll qualities that Dr. Hill exemplified.

鈥淚 have many wonderful memories of Brian鈥攁s a colleague and a friend,鈥� said Mel. 鈥淗e was a true gentleman, a disarmingly funny guy, a sailor, a natty dresser, and a keen poker player! I thank you for this opportunity to remember a good friend and colleague, and a relentless supporter of the Atlantic Veterinary College.鈥�

About the Honourable Eugene F. Whelan Green Hat Award:

In 2000, the Atlantic Veterinary College established the Honourable Eugene F. Whelan Green Hat Award to recognize individuals who have played a significant role in the establishment and growth of the College. The greatest honour bestowed by AVC, the award is named after the Honourable Eugene Whelan, who, as federal minister of agriculture under Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau, was a driving force behind the creation of AVC in the early 1980s. The award is affectionately known as the Green Hat Award because Minister Whelan was well-known for wearing a green Stetson.

The Canadian Bureau for International Education (CBIE) honoured 11 innovators, leaders, connectors, and emerging stars of international education with its 2016 Excellence Awards. Among them was 乐发IV鈥檚 president and vice-chancellor, Dr. Alaa Abd-El-Aziz, who was named the recipient of the President鈥檚 Award for Distinguished Leadership in International Education. Great friend of President Abd-El-Aziz and to Prince Edward Island, Dr. Thomas H. B. Symons received the Founders Award for Excellence in International Education.

The distinguished leadership award recognizes an 鈥渋ndividual who has demonstrated outstanding leadership in the internationalization of Canadian education and/or the international education profession beyond their home institution.鈥�

The citation for Dr. Abd-El-Aziz from the CBIE reads:

鈥淎t twenty-six years old, Dr. Alaa Abd-El-Aziz travelled to the University of Saskatchewan as an international student from Cairo University. Over the next 30 years he went from international student to President and Vice-Chancellor of the 乐发IV (乐发IV). Dr. Abd-El-Aziz created the first International Development Relations Office (IRO) at 乐发IV in 2012. He has been active in the front-line participation of recruitment trips to China, India, South Africa, Brazil, and the Middle East. In just four short years, the international student population has increased by 50% at 乐发IV and 乐发IV students now have the opportunity to study abroad at 55 institutions in 21 different countries.鈥�

鈥淚t gives me great pleasure to recognize these dedicated and passionate people whose contributions pave the way for our collective internationalization goals,鈥� said Karen McBride, President and CEO of CBIE, 鈥渁nd I am proud to join with our members and partners in celebrating their outstanding achievements.鈥�

The 乐发IV prides itself on people, excellence, and impact and is committed to assisting students reach their full potential in both the classroom and community. With roots stemming from two founding institutions鈥擯rince of Wales College and Saint Dunstan鈥檚 University鈥斃址�IV has a reputation for academic excellence, research innovation, and creating positive impacts locally, nationally, and internationally. 乐发IV is the only degree granting institution in the province and is proud to be a key contributor to the growth and prosperity of Prince Edward Island.

Every week, 乐发IV Athletics and Recreation recognizes two student-athletes for their hard work and dedication to their respective sports. Congratulations to Marie-Soleil Deschenes (Women鈥檚 Hockey) and Dut Dut (Men鈥檚 Basketball), the 乐发IV Panther Subway Athletes of the week for November 7-13!

Marie-Soleil Deschenes is a fifth-year Bachelor of Science student from 脦le-Perrot, Quebec, and a goalie on the 乐发IV Women鈥檚 Hockey team. The Panthers split a pair of games over the weekend, including a win over the CIS #2 ranked Saint Mary鈥檚 University Huskies. 鈥�Marie continues to be one of the strongest goalies in the AUS,鈥� said coach Bruce Donaldson. 鈥� She competes very well and loves to challenge the shooter.  She has great reflexes, is quick, and moves well.  Game-in and game-out she is a leader with her work ethic on the ice.鈥�

Dut Dut is a fifth-year forward on the 乐发IV Men鈥檚 Basketball team, and a Bachelor of Arts student from Ottawa, Ontario. The Panthers dropped two games over the weekend to the University of New Brunswick Varsity Reds, but Dut shone with an average of 17 points-per-game, and 20 rebounds for the weekend. 鈥淒ut Dut turned in two solid games for us this weekend,鈥� said coach Tim Kendrick. 鈥淗e played hard at both ends of the floor and was our most consistent player in every way.鈥�

It鈥檚 not too late to purchase your Panther Package, the best sports deal on Prince Edward Island! Your $75 season ticket gets you into every home Panther home game, in every sport (except Men鈥檚 Hockey). Find more details at gopanthersgo.ca.

The 乐发IV Wind Symphony will perform its final recital of the Fall semester on Friday, November 25 at 7:30 pm at Park Royal United Church in Charlottetown. With performances in recent years at local Churches 鈥� Saint Dunstan鈥檚 Basilica and Zion Presbyterian 鈥� the Wind Symphony is continuing a tradition of performing beyond campus. The exceptional acoustics of Park Royal will make this performance memorable, and the seating capacity will allow for all Wind Symphony supporters to attend.

The centrepiece of this recital will be Frank Ticheli鈥檚 Angels in the Architecture, a massive, landmark work for the wind band medium. Opening with a single soprano voice and accompanied with crystal-like backgrounds, this work features contrasting sections of force and power with tranquil moments of lyricism and colour. The work unfolds as a dramatic conflict between the two extremes of human existence鈥搊ne divine, the other evil. The work鈥檚 title is inspired by the Sydney Opera House itself, where it received its premier performance, with its halo-shaped acoustical ornaments hanging directly above the performance stage.

Featured soloist will be saxophonist Emily Proude, who will perform Claude T. Smith鈥檚 Fantasia, a work that exploits both the technical and lyrical qualities of the saxophone. Ms. Proude, a fourth-year Bachelor of Music student 乐发IV, is establishing a significant profile in performing many of the saxophone鈥檚 most challenging works with considerable poise and artistry. Currently, she is a student in the studio of Dr. Nicole Strum, and is principal saxophonist of the Wind Symphony and the 乐发IV Saxophone Quartet.

Under the direction of Dr. Karem J. Simon, the Wind Symphony is known for its programming of eclectic contemporary repertoire. James David鈥檚 All Dark Is Now No More is one such piece which includes electronics with the band. These electronics amount to granular synthesis 鈥� a process of breaking apart large sounds into many segments that are then rearranged into algorithmic clouds of digital chaos. Other pieces on the programme will include Derek Bermel鈥檚 quirky Ides March, Joaquin Turina鈥檚 colourful La Procession du Rocio, and Gordon Jacob鈥檚 classic An Original Suite.

Performances this Fall have brought the Wind Symphony to Saint John, New Brunswick, Amherst Nova Scotia, and Summerside, PEI. These represent 乐发IV鈥檚 commitment to community outreach while providing its music majors with additional performance exposure.

During the past eighteen years the Wind Symphony has produced an annual compact disc featuring selected repertoire from each year鈥檚 performances. Cathedrals, released in May 2010 received the 2011 Music PEI Award for Best Classical Recording. In February 2011 the Wind Symphony released its O Canada CD, a project exclusively for PEI public schools. Its most recent compact discs, Freebirds, Lord of the Rings, Four Horsemen, Rumpelstilzchen, Lincolnshire Posy, and Magnolia Star have been highly acclaimed.

Tickets for this performance at $15 Adults/Seniors and $10 Students may be acquired at the 乐发IV Music Department and at the admission鈥檚 desk the evening of the recital. 

The 乐发IV prides itself on people, excellence, and impact and is committed to assisting students reach their full potential in both the classroom and community. With roots stemming from two founding institutions鈥擯rince of Wales College and Saint Dunstan鈥檚 University鈥斃址�IV has a reputation for academic excellence, research innovation, and creating positive impacts locally, nationally, and internationally. 乐发IV is the only degree granting institution in the province and is proud to be a key contributor to the growth and prosperity of Prince Edward Island.

The 乐发IV signed memorandum of understandings (MOUs) this week with three universities at the Canadian Bureau of International Education (CBIE) Annual Conference in Ottawa. 

Dr. Alaa Abd-El-Aziz, President and Vice-Chancellor, who was at the CBIE conference , formalized agreements with officials from the Universidad da Vinci de Guatemala, Intec institute de Formation Technique Professionelle in Haiti, and Galen University in Belize.

鈥淭oday, we are very pleased to meet and work with representatives from these three universities,鈥� said President Abd-El-Aziz. 鈥淭hese MOUs mark the first time that 乐发IV partnered with universities in Central America and Haiti. This historic occasion will allow the University to offer more academic and research opportunities to students, faculty, and staff.鈥�

Each MOU indicates that 乐发IV and the partner university will endeavour to explore and mutually collaborate on a variety of activities such as:

鈥� the exchange of academic staff for the purposes of teaching and research,
鈥� the exchange/study abroad programs for students,
鈥� the participation in joint seminars, lectures, training, and academic meetings,
鈥� the exchange of research materials in the fields of mutual interest,
鈥� research/consulting contracts, and
鈥� program collaborations.

Representatives from the three institutions toured 乐发IV last week on a pre-conference visit to several post-secondary institutions in eastern Canada.

鈥淭hat our International Relations Office was able to secure these partnerships so quickly speaks volumes about our ability to be nimble and respond to opportunities as they present themselves,鈥� added President Abd-El-Aziz. 鈥淚 am very proud that 乐发IV is moving forward with internationalization efforts to achieve growth and a thriving, sustainable future.鈥�

Students from 乐发IV鈥檚 School of Business won second place at the Scotiabank Ethics in Action Case Competition held at Dalhousie University over the weekend of November 4 and 5.

As part of the Scotiabank Ethics in Action Conference鈥攚hich includes a panel discussion, speakers, workshops, and networking opportunities that allow students to interact with industry experts and peers from across the country鈥攖he case competition provides an opportunity for students to develop the skills and knowledge used in practicing ethical leadership. It challenges students with complex ethical dilemmas that they are likely to face in today's corporate world and tasks them with making strategic business decisions, while adhering to ethical principles.

鈥淭he students worked hard to truly understand what it means to be ethical leaders in a practical sense, and I am so proud of the hard work and dedication they have shown over the semester,鈥� said Mary Whitrow, coach of the 乐发IV case team.

乐发IV won second place against nine other teams from across Canada and the United States. The 乐发IV team included Hannah Dawson (fourth-year BBA, marketing specialization), Shanna Blacquiere (second-year BBA), Krista Lee Oliver (fourth-year BBA, accounting specialization), and Carter MacDonald (fourth-year BBA, accounting specialization). The team also competed in the Atlantic Schools of Business Case Competition in late October, where they placed first.

鈥淚 am so happy that our team was able to get these results for 乐发IV,鈥� said team member Krista Lee Oliver. 鈥淲e feel honoured to have kept this track record going.鈥�

Ten days before the competition, students received a business case (a narrative about a real life business and the problems it is facing) they had never seen before. Using all resources available to them (Internet, textbooks, faculty, etc.) they prepared a 12-minute presentation to deliver on the first day of competition to a panel of academics and industry professionals, which was followed by a three-minute question period.

鈥淭his was an excellent learning experience for our team,鈥� said team member Carter MacDonald. 鈥淚t challenged us to see problems from multiple points of view and to solve those problems ethically.鈥�
The following day, the team received another case. This time, they had just three hours to analyze it and create a solution to present to the judges, without the assistance of the Internet or textbooks. The judging panel said 乐发IV鈥檚 team stood out for delivering a solution that was both ethically sound and realistic.

鈥淭o have such consistent results is impressive,鈥� said Dr. Juergen Krause, dean of 乐发IV鈥檚 School of Business. 鈥淐ongratulations to the students and their coach on a job again well done.鈥�

Past 乐发IV Results at Scotiabank Ethics in Action

2016 鈥� 2nd place
2015 鈥�2nd place
2014 鈥�1st place
2013 鈥� 1st place

乐发IV Athletics and Recreation are hosting the tenth annual Shoot for the Cure fundraiser Saturday, November 26.  The 乐发IV Women鈥檚 Basketball team will host the Memorial Seahawks with a tip off of 6:00 pm.

Shoot for the Cure is a fundraising initiative led by University Sport鈥檚 Women鈥檚 Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA) to raise money for the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation, and other related charities. The campaign has proven an overwhelming success since it was launched in the fall of 2007, having collected over $1 million in donations. This season, and for the sixth year in a row, all 47 University Sport women's basketball schools are set to participate in the program.

At the 2016 CIS championship last March, the WBCA presented a cheque for $98,776 to the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation. An additional $25,837 was amassed by universities that donated their fundraised money to local or provincial organizations, bringing the overall Shoot for the Cure total for the 2015鈥�16 season to $124,613.

The entire Panther team is involved in the local fundraising effort, this year led by fourth-year student-athlete Kiera Rigby. The team hopes to achieve their $2000 fundraising goal through selling Shoot for the Cure t-shirts, collecting donations, and holding a bake sale. Some players have also set individual fundraising goals.

"We each have our individual reasons, but are united by our desire to take care of one another and find a cure for this disease,鈥� said Rigby. 鈥淚f we can help even one individual, it is well worth the effort. In addition to our team鈥檚 efforts, I am donating my hair to the Pantene Beautiful Lengths campaign that makes wigs for women who have lost their hair as a result of cancer treatment. This is in honour of my grandmother, Sandra McNeilly who passed away fighting cancer, as too many others have.鈥�

Rigby will have her hair cut and donate over eight inches of hair to a Canadian Cancer Society representative at halftime during the 乐发IV Men鈥檚 Basketball game (tip off at 8:00 pm).

鈥淭he 乐发IV Women's Basketball team is pleased to again be taking part in the University Sport National Shoot For The Cure campaign in support of breast cancer research,鈥� says head coach Greg Gould. 鈥淥ur players always look forward to this game and work hard to ensure its success. I hope our fans and the entire Island community come out to support this worthy cause!鈥�

To donate to Kiera Rigby鈥檚 individual effort to support Shoot for the Cure, click on her or find it on her Facebook profile.