Discovering Knowledge …Sharing a Path program begins

DECEMBER 4, 2006

ISSN 1206-3606

P2 DOING BUSINESS P3 EMERGENCY PLANNING P3 IN THE WORLD P4 SNAPSHOT 2006

Internship can transform careers

Publications Mail Agreement #40065347

A team of six in-housefacilitators has begun offeringthe new DiscoveringKnowledge … Sharing a Pathprogram to faculty and staffacross campus.

The team spent three daysin November with trainersfrom Saskatchewan Associationof Healthcare Organizations(SAHO) learning how to deliv-er the half-day workshopwhich involves interactiveteaching techniques such asgroup work and games.

The program was adaptedfor the U of R from one suc-cessfully delivered by SAHO tothousands of individuals in

health care across the province.This is the first time the modelhas been used outside thehealth sector.

Nancy Kazeil was amongthe facilitators trained to deliv-er the program on campus.

“Aboriginal awarenesstraining will help the Unive-rsity become a committedchampion as an organizationthat can recruit, engage andsustain a representative work-force,” said Kazeil, an organiza-tional development consultantin Human Resources.

Other members of thefacilitator team include JasonBird and Sabrina Sparvier from

Student Affairs and CrystalLawrek, Delephine Gall andBrenda Kerr from HumanResources.

Gall, who is the Aboriginaland diversity consultant inHuman Resources, said consis-tency is one of the benefits oftraining in-house facilitators.The people taking the trainingin November 2006, for exam-ple, will receive the same train-ing as those who take it threeyears from now.

The program is alsodesigned to recognize the diversecommunity at the U of R.

“The most important con-sideration, when choosing an

awareness program, was thediverse audience that we havehere at the University,” said Gall.

“We wanted it to be rele-vant to everyone, from entrylevel to senior administration.

The health sector has diversityacross their workforce and theyhave reached success with theprogram. It seemed natural tooffer this program.”

– continued on page 2

The Graduate School ofPublic Policy (GSPP) has devel-oped an internship programthat will help the governmentof Saskatchewan find its nextgeneration of leaders.

The Master’s of PublicAdministration Internshipmatches full-time studentsnearing the end of their pro-gram with Saskatchewandeputy ministers for an eight-month work period.

The deputy ministers serveas the interns’ coach and workwith them as they gain directexperience with activities suchas planning and policy develop-ment, budget development,program delivery and strategicplanning and reporting.

So far, four students havegone through the program andsix are currently in jobs withgovernment departmentsincluding Advanced Educationand Employment, Environ-ment, Executive Council, SaskLearning, Government Rela-tions and Health.

Jill Raddysh is in her thirdmonth of an internship withDeputy Health Minister JohnWright. Within the first twomonths of her internshipRaddysh travelled to each ofthe regional health authorities

in the province with Wright forthe budget tour.

This, along with workingon various research projects forthe department, has helped herquickly develop insight into theday-to-day operations of gov-ernment and the pace of lifethat comes with the job.

“I had high-heel shoes andhad to buy flats because it’s lit-erally running,” said Raddysh.“(Wright) travels a lot, has in-credible energy and even as ayoung person, I had to struggleto catch up with him, to get atthat level.”

With the hectic schedulecomes valuable learning oppor-tunities.

“What was surprising washow open things were to me,”said Raddysh. “Anything thatgoes across John (Wright)’s deskI have access to. If there is ameeting I want to go to I ammore than welcome to come.There are no boundaries. To methat is pretty surprising.”

“It’s honestly life-changing,career changing. If you want agood taste of the government ofSaskatchewan, it’s the internshipto apply for.”

Wright, who is also anadjunct professor in the Facultyof Graduate Studies and

L to R: GSPP interns Reiko Nakatsuchi, Advanced Educationand Employment; Mana Chinichian, Learning;

Brad Williams, Environment; Jill Raddysh, Health; and Alyssa Peel, Executive Council.

Missing: Kelsey Beach, Government Relations.

The Discovering Knowledge ... Sharing a Path training teamincluded (L to R) Nancy Kaziel, Wayne Nogier (SAHO),

Sabrina Sparvier, Crystal Lawrek, Jason Bird, Brenda Kerr,Jason Yuzicapi (SAHO) and Delephine Gall.

Research, understands theimportance of giving studentsan opportunity to apply theirknowledge, and that a welldeserved foot in the door notonly broadens their education,it makes a valuable contributionto the provincial government.

“It is ensuring the revitaliza-tion of the public service,” saidWright. “There are an awful lotof retirements happening in thenext number of years and thesooner we can get people in,particularly those who havea graduate degree, the better offwe are going to be.”

The fresh perspective theybring is especially sought whendealing with items such as train-ing and leadership development,he added.

“It’s not a naïve perspectivebecause of their background andtraining. To have a perspectivefrom somebody who is youngeris really great because you getdifferent ways of looking atthings.”

According to GSPPDirector Ken Rasmussen, crowncorporations have taken noticeand are keen to develop similarpartnerships with the school.

“It’s quite a unique pro-gram,” said Rasmussen. “It’s

– continued on page 2

WritLarge

Kathy HeinrichVice-President(Academic)

In the winter of 1999, I

was invited to apply for a

vice-presidential position at

the University of Regina.

All were available. At that

time the University was

ranked last in its category in

Maclean’s and seemed to

have many challenges, but

during the interview I felt a

sense of optimism and

excitement for the future.

Nevertheless, when I

accepted the position of

Vice-President (Academic) I

did not appreciate what an

extraordinary opportunity I

had been offered and what

an extraordinary group of

people I would come to

know and learn from.

From the beginning,

our senior team committed

to work from a set of prin-

ciples. We would respect

ourselves and one another,

be unafraid to show we

cared, face difficult situa-

tions together and deal with

them, challenge one anoth-

er, value alternative perspec-

tives and, at all times speak

honestly and openly with

support and encourage-

ment. We believed that in

an environment of co-oper-

ation, respect and values,

staff, faculty and students

would ensure the institu-

tion’s success.

Of course we didn’t

Director of Communications:Managing Editor:

Contributors:

Photography:Distribution:

Paul CornsTherese StecykBill Armstrong, Shanan SorochynskiU of R Audio Visual ServicesNatalie Tomczak

The U of R Report is published 18 times a year (September-July) by ExternalRelations, Communications, at the University of Regina. The newspaper is sent to alldepartments of the University of Regina and federated colleges as well as some electedofficials, news media and Canadian universities. It can be found in PDF format onthe web at www.uregina.ca (click on “News”and select the link for U of R Report).

We welcome your comments and suggestions. Please send them to communica-tions@uregina.ca, and include “U of R Report” in the e-mail subject line.

Contents may be reprinted with permission and appropriate credit to the U of R.

Publications Mail Agreement #40065347

Return undeliverable Canadian addresses to:

External Relations210 North ResidenceRegina, SK S4S 0A2

ISSN 1206-3606

DECEMBER 4, 2006 U OF R REPORT PAGE 2

Writ Large is written by campus leaders and is intended to challenge readers to engage with and learn about thevarious ‘parts’ that make up the wider University of Regina community and connect us to the world. If you have atopic suggestion for Writ Large, please e-mail communications@uregina.ca and include your contact information.Please put “U of R Report” in the e-mail subject line.

The U of R Report is printed on chlorine-free recycled paper. Please recycle.

– from page 1 Discovering

always get it right. We made

mistakes and at times we dis-

appointed ourselves and oth-

ers. But the University and

its people succeeded and suc-

ceeded beyond our, and per-

haps even their, expectations.

The visible evidence of

success is all around us: new

buildings, better infrastruc-

ture, new academic and sup-

port units, more grant and

contract dollars, increased

numbers of international and

graduate students. We tell

this story in our annual

reports and promotional

materials. But the story I

want to tell is less visible. It

is of the success we don’t see

when we simply count.

When I told people I was

moving to Regina, I heard:

“Why would you go there,

people come from Regina

they don’t go to it.” On arriv-

ing, I heard of faculty

ashamed to be working here.

Then, a couple of years ago,

two things happened. A sen-

ior colleague said: “I walked

across the Green today and I

looked around and thought:

‘We look like a real university

– I’m proud to be here.’ ” A

new faculty member told his

colleagues: “This is a great

place – be proud of being

here.” I cannot tell you how

proud I am of this institution

and its people and their

accomplishments.

Across the campus I

have watched creative ideas

emerge as people began to

dream and to strive for

what they might once have

thought beyond reach. Not

all were successful but as a

friend once said: “If you

never fail you aren’t reach-

ing high enough.” We reach

high.

All universities now

commit to being interdisci-

plinary in teaching and

research. For several years

we provided small grants to

help support collaboration

across disciplines and with

First Nations University.

One day I heard a faculty

member tell others: “In

most places there are silos

around the disciplines, but

here there are fences and

you can climb over them.”

In addition to successful

projects I saw friendship,

respect and trust grow

across and beyond the cam-

pus, and especially with our

First Nations and francoph-

one partners and colleagues.

We continue to learn from

and with one another.

Thank you for all your

support over the last seven

years and for your many,

many contributions to one

another and to our

University. This is a place

where people truly do

believe in working together,

where the focus is on the

good of the institution,

where people care about

and support one another,

and where we can make

almost anything happen.

This is a community; it is a

community that sees itself

“As One Who Serves.”

Scholarship madedecision easy

When Rachelle Schmidtwas completing high school inRockglen, Saskatchewan, sheconsidered attending theUniversity of Regina and theUniversity of Saskatchewan.One factor that influenced herto choose the U of R, she says,was the Excellence ProgramScholarship she received.

The Excellence Programenables students with a highschool average greater than 85per cent to enter the U of R’sFaculty of BusinessAdministration directly as fullyqualified students who receiveentrance scholarships. CMACanada in Saskatchewan,which represents 1,500 certi-fied management accountantsin the province, recentlydonated $100,000 to theUniversity’s Building Dreamsand Futures campaign to helpbuild an endowed fund for thescholarships. The donationcontinues the longstandingrelationship between the socie-ty and the faculty.

“Many of our prospectivemembers come from the bach-elor of busi-ness adminis-tration pro-gram at the Uof R,” says CMA ChiefExecutive Officer BettyHoffart. “We wanted to ensurethat high school studentsinterested in pursuing a busi-ness admin degree – and hope-fully a CMA designation – areable to do so.”

Besides the financial sup-port, Schmidt says the schol-arship was a boost because itrecognized her high schoolachievements, made the tran-sition to university easier andencouraged her to continueworking hard. She is now inthe third year of her pro-gram, majoring in accounting,and plans on attaining the

chartered accountant (CA) orchartered managementaccountant (CMA) designa-tion.

Hoffart notes that the U ofR’s business administrationprogram with the accountingmajor was one of the first to beaccredited by CMA Canada,which means graduates seekingthe CMA designation areaccepted directly into the soci-ety’s accreditation process.

“Students from the U ofR program have been verysuccessful in that process,”she adds.

This year, 140 newExcellenceScholarshiprecipientscame to the

U of R from high schoolsacross Canada and interna-tionally. They join 430 oth-ers in the Faculty of BusinessAdministration who enteredwith average entrance gradesabove 90 per cent, the sec-ond-highest entrance gradeof any business school in thecountry, according toMaclean’s magazine.

“That strong showing isdue to outstanding studentslike Rachelle Schmidt whoare attracted here by benefitslike our Excellence Program,”states Garnet Garven, dean ofthe Faculty of BusinessAdministration.

Rachelle Schmidt

Discovering Knowledge… Sharing a Path assists infulfilling commitments madein May 1999 when theUniversity signed theAboriginal PartnershipAgreement with theSaskatchewan Department ofFirst Nations and MétisRelations to address barriers

to full participation in theworkplace.

Program participants willlearn more about that agree-ment as well as Aboriginaldemographics, the historicalimplications of the Indian Act,treaties, Aboriginal employmentinitiatives and their importance,and University initiatives andfuture plans. As well, an Elder

will be at each session to pro-vide a personal perspective inareas that can range from cul-tural information to the impactof residential schools.

“The program givesemployees the opportunity toask questions,” said Gall.“Maybe they’ve heard things orthey have misconceptions. Itwill bring Aboriginal employ-

ment to the forefront andallow everyone to discuss it inan open, safe, non-judgemen-tal environment.”

The facilitators plan todeliver 27 sessions to approxi-mately 810 employees a yearover the next three to fouryears. Sessions are beingarranged in collaboration withdepartment heads.

– from page 1 Internship

strictly a mentoring process.So (students) get quite a vari-ety of experience that youwouldn’t ordinarily get. Thereis no other program like thisin Canada . . . you see theconfidence it instills in peo-ple. It’s really transforming.It’s been very affirming forthe students.”

DECEMBER 4, 2006 U OF R REPORT PAGE 3

Saskatchewan is one ofthe safest places in the world,but no place, including theUniversity of Regina, isexempt from disaster. Be it afire or explosion, life threaten-ing chemical spill, tornado,blizzard, pandemic virus orterrorist acts, disasters canhappen here, putting educa-tion, research and, mostimportantly, lives in jeopardy.

To help minimize theimpact of disasters, theUniversity has developed andis implementing its emergencymanagement policy, plan andprocedures (EMP).

The plan and proceduresinclude assignment of respon-sibilities to staff, emergencynotification and communica-tion systems, identification ofresources, specific emergencyresponse procedures, the rela-tionship with City of Reginaemergency response agenciesand maintenance of anemergency warden systemcomprising more than 250individuals on campustrained in fire prevention,building evacuation and

Making emergency preparation a top priority

other emergency responses.As part of implementing theEMP, the training session “ATrained University” is under-way and being offered acrosscampus. Key employees includ-ing the University’s executiveand emergency wardens arealready trained; however, allemployees will be required toattend a session.

Holly Hastie, theUniversity’s emergency plan-ning co-ordinator, encouragesall employees to sign up for thesession offered throughHuman Resources as soon aspossible, regardless of their fac-ulty, department or type ofwork, because emergencies canhave a major impact anywhereon campus.

“When we do our presen-tation we talk about two recentfires at UBC where, duringone of the laboratory fires, oneof the researchers lost theirlife’s research,” said Hastie.

The University of Reginahas been lucky and hasn’t had amajor incident, but we havehad our share of near misses,said Hastie.

For example, a paraffinpot left unattended on a hotplate started on fire and a wetpaper towel was used to putout the flames, quickly spread-ing the blaze to the walls andceiling. The incident mighthave escalated had it not beenfor the quick action of some-one with fire extinguishertraining.

The pressure of an emer-gency situation can preventcommon sense from prevail-ing, said Hastie adding that alittle preparation can greatlyimprove the odds of an appro-priate and effective response.

“Everyone has responsibil-ities for safety. Everyone hasresponsibilities when it comesto an emergency. It is impor-tant to understand what thoseresponsibilities are.”

In addition to taking theprogram, Hastie encouragesemployees to become familiarwith the University’sEmergency ResponsePreparedness and Proceduresbrochure. The bright greenand gold brochure was distrib-uted to all employees on cam-

Celebrate and learn from theworld on our doorstep

Holly Hastie and Dave Quick with a copy of the EmergencyResponse Preparedness and Procedures brochure.

English and made a few newfriends touring the sights.

“It shows you are willingto deal with new challenges,”said Madden. “There are alot of different realms ofchange that you are dealingwith – the multiculturalaspects. It was good in thatway. It really forced me outof my box.”

While travel is one way toexperience other cultures,adult education associate pro-fessor Rosetta Khalideen alsosees an opportunity toenhance educationalexchanges here by better inte-grating international studentsinto the U of R community.

“These students are hereto learn from Canadians butthey also have a lot to offerin terms of educatingCanadians about the rest ofthe world,” said Khalideen,who organized the CelebratingInternationalization event oncampus.

“Many Canadians havenot travelled beyond theirprovincial borders. (Theseevents) allow all to criticallyreflect on how we can capital-ize on our similarities anduse our differences as

strengths to build a morepeaceful and healthy world.”

According to Khalideenthere are many ways staff andstudents can promote interna-tionalism. For example,researchers can gain anecdotalinformation about a particularregion by connecting withinternational students fromthe area. They can contactstudents by going through theOffice of International Co-operation and Development,she said.

As well, lectures couldincorporate perspectives ofstudents who have lived

Jamaican ginger beer,plantain chips and photosfrom far-away places at theFaculty of Business Admin-istration, mini-language les-sons taught by ESL students,and an evening of culturalentertainment. These wereamong the events markingInternational Education Weekon campus, but they illustrateonly a fraction of the poten-tial to fully engage with theglobal community in ourmidst.

With 967 international stu-dents at the U of R from 57countries, plus numerous stu-dents, faculty and staff crossinginternational boundaries foracademic exchanges or teachingand research collaborations,the University community isa rich global learning envi-ronment.

Australian-born doctoralstudent Peta White knowsfirst-hand the benefits of cross-cultural exchanges. Supportedby a Churchill Fellowship shereceived in Australia, Whitehas traveled across NorthAmerica to investigate environ-mental education and howschools link with communitiesto increase the longevity of

their programs. Along theway, she met U of R educa-tion professor Paul Hart andquickly learned that researchdoes not conform to geo-graphical boundaries.

“The influence that eachsociety has on another is signif-icant ... therefore crossingboundaries to look for alterna-tive ways of doing and know-ing seems obvious,” saidWhite.

Now studying at the U ofR, White has looked at boththe field of environmental edu-cation and at herself from adifferent perspective.

“It set me up to reallyexperience my home in a dif-ferent way. It’s about havingthe opportunity to reflect onnot only who you are and yoursituation but also your countryand what it means to you andwhat it means to other people.”

Computer science under-grad Chris Madden learned avaluable lesson in adaptationon a four-month work term in2004 in China with CVIC, asoftware engineering companyin Jinan, the capital of Shan-dong Province. He worked ontechnical writing, starred in aTV commercial, taught

pus and should be kept closeat hand for quick reference.

Emergency preparednessconsultant Dave Quick said it’seasy to become complacentbecause we live in a relativelysafe community. Quick, a for-mer police officer with ReginaPolice Service and commanderof the police explosive disposalunit, was the first co-ordinatorof emergency planning for theCity of Regina. He helped theUniversity develop its ownplans, and he emphasizes thateveryone has to take responsi-bility and the initiative tobecome informed and preparefor the unexpected.

“If you go to Afghanistanor Iraq they know what to dobecause it’s dependent on theirdaily life,” said Quick. “But,because we are so safe here, it’swhen the abnormal occurs, theone that might be a once-in-a-life time occurrence. But, youstill have to know how toreact.”

For more information onemergency policy and proce-dures at the U of R, includingan online version of theEmergency Preparedness andProcedures brochure, please goto http://www.uregina.ca/hr/OH&S/Policies_Programs/Emerg_Procedures.html

under different systems andin different cultures.

Other suggestions include:• Become involved with

the local multicultural commu-nity organizations.

• Create partnership pro-grams and research projectswith overseas institutions.

• Find creative ways tolearn from the experiences ofinternational students.

• Become involved in theUniversity’s mentorship andhomestay programs.

• Take advantage of fund-ing support for approvedexchange programs.

Celebrating Internationalization, a night of cultural entertain-ment from around the world, featured the talents of manystudents including brothers Joseph Otitoju, Luther College,and Tim Otitoju, Campion College, on African drums; andSijing Tan, a fourth-year Business Administration studentfrom Hunan Province, on the Chinese pipa. Miguel Leon,

born and raised in Paraguay and a graduate of the Faculty of Education, performed a Paraguayan song.

DECEMBER 4, 2006 U OF R REPORT PAGE 4

Snapshot 2006...A look at the year that was