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Announcements

Holiday celebration cancelled due to new restrictions
Unfortunately the holiday celebration on Dec. 11 will be cancelled. The activity needed to produce and deliver this event in the coming weeks is not permitted under the Government of Alberta pandemic restrictions and keeping those involved (staff and performers) healthy during the pandemic is paramount.

Cougars and Junior National Team games cancelled
Due to the pandemic, Hockey Canada has cancelled the games that would have seen the Cougars men's hockey team play the Junior National Team prospects in Red Deer on Dec. 5 and 6. While disappointing, the health and safety of the players and those supporting them remains the top priority.

Extended holiday break
Most University services will close at the end of the workday on Tuesday, Dec. 22 instead of the usual time of noon on Dec. 24. If you are unsure as to whether your department is operating during the break, please check with your supervisor. Those employees in areas that are working on those days can arrange for a day and a half off at a different time.

Shop local at alumni-owned businesses
Mount Royal's Alumni Relations team has put together a directory of alumni-owned businesses to assist in shopping local for the holidays and beyond. Here are some suggestions to get started on gift ideas.

Revised Protected ("Whistleblower") Disclosure Policy and procedures
The Board of Governors has approved the revised Protected ("Whistleblower") Disclosure Policy. This policy replaces the Employee Safe Disclosure Policy and the Safe Disclosure for Non-employees Policy and complies with the Public Disclosure (Whistleblower) Protection Act.

Additional resources available online for coping with holiday stress
Throughout December, Homewood Health will be posting weekly newsletters with coping strategies for the holiday season. Topics include celebrating safely, staying connected to avoid loneliness and isolation, preventing anxiety and combatting post-holiday depression. Newsletters will be posted on the Employee Well-being page under Employee Family Assistance Program/Resources.

Support students through SAMRU’s Fundrace Flurry
On now until Dec. 4, the students’ association's annual seasonal fundraiser, the Fundrace Flurry supports MRU students during a financially stressful time of year. Race your fellow MRU campus peers to raise the most donations for the SAMRU Peer Support Centre, which provides many critical services for Mount Royal students including, but not limited to, food and financial security programs.

Did you know?
The namesake of Kerby Hall is Reverend George Kerby, who was the founding principal of Mount Royal College in 1910. Then a brand-new Methodist college, the school welcomed 179 students its first year.

Bleed Blue – Celebrating MRU

Three 2020 Alberta Community Justice Award winners for MRU
Three Department of Economics, Justice and Policy Studies faculty members have received Alberta Community Justice Awards. Associate Professors Kelly Sundberg, PhD and Tanya Trussler, PhD received an Innovation award for their SAFE Design Council, and Ritesh Narayan received a Leadership award for his work with the Chestermere city council on crime prevention methods and strategies. Read more.

Making early strides
Mount Royal's first-ever Student Investment Fund team finished as runner-up in the prestigious McGill University Portfolio Competition. This elite global case competition featured 93 teams, and Mount Royal's success is a testament to the high-quality students and excellence in teaching found in its finance and accounting programs.

Events – More information at mru.ca/Events

Faculty Media Training

Fri., Nov. 27 from 10 to 11:30 a.m. or from 1 to 2:30 p.m. — Google Meet
Learn more about speaking with reporters as a Mount Royal University subject matter expert. Email mediarelations@mtroyal.ca to register.

Make A Cellphone Holder — 3D Modelling in Fusion 360

Fri., Nov. 27 from noon to 1 p.m. — Google Meet
Join the Maker Studio staff and learn how to use Fusion 360, a professional 3D-modelling software, to create a cellphone holder. Register.

Program Arduino in Tinkercad

Fri., Nov. 27 from 2 to 3 p.m. — Google Meet
Learning Arduino enables you to build systems that perform in interactive artwork, biofeedback, home automation and robotics projects. Register.

ETOL Film Night 2020: Connecting People and Places in all Different Spaces
Sat., Nov. 28 from 6:30 to 10 p.m. — Online
This online film event and silent auction with epic prizes will celebrate 20 years of the ecotourism and outdoor leadership program at Mount Royal University. Tickets.

Mental Health at Home

Mon., Nov. 30 from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. — Google Meet
Discuss the importance of mental health when working remotely, identify stress levels and explore ways to manage stress. Register.

Beginner's Guide To Transforming Social Connections With Virtual Reality

Tues., Dec. 1 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.

International Day of Persons with Disabilities
Thurs., Dec. 3 from 11 a.m. to noon — Google Meet
Join in as panelists discuss what it means to them to experience disability-related barriers in the era of COVID-19. Register.

XR Toolkit Series: Creating Virtual Reality Experiences With Google Tours VR

Thurs., Dec. 3 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. Register.

Beginner's Guide To Virtual Reality
Tues., Dec. 8 from noon to 1 p.m. — Google Meet
Explore virtual reality and how to integrate this emerging technology into classes and research. Register.

Academic Podcasting: Communicating Research and Getting Creative
Tues., Dec. 8 from 1 to 2 p.m. — Google Meet
Discover the basics of podcasting and how you can podcast about your research or academic interests. Register.

Leading from Afar
Wed., Dec. 9 from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. — Google Meet
This brief yet impactful course is intended to enable and empower managers to more effectively manage a virtual team. Register.

Using Library Streaming Media in the Virtual Classroom
Wed., Dec. 9 from 10 to 11 a.m. — Google Meet
Tues., Dec. 15 from 1 to 2 p.m. — Google Meet
Explore the Library's extensive collection of streaming media resources and find new course material to use online. Register for Dec. 9. Register for Dec. 15.

Emerging Technologies Consortium (ETC)

Wed., Dec. 9 from noon to 1 p.m. — Google Meet
Join the ETC each month as speakers highlight the emerging technology in teaching, research and co-curricular activities at MRU. Register.

XR Toolkit Series: Creating Augmented Reality Experiences with Adobe Aero

Thurs., Dec. 10 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.

Changemaker Conversations: From Insight to Action

Thurs., Dec. 10 from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. — Zoom
Hosted by the Trico Changemakers Studio, engage in generative dialogue towards action on pressing social issues. Do not download Zoom onto work computers. Register.

Intro to Audacity: Managing Your Audio Project, Editing and Recording

Tues., Dec. 15 from 1 to 2 p.m. — Google Meet
Use Audacity software to create simple audio projects such as podcasts, voice recordings and more. Register.

Protecting Yourself Against Cybercrime 2020/2021
Wed., Jan. 20, 2021 from 2 to 3:30 p.m. ― Google Meet
This informative workshop gives you all the tools you need to keep you and yours cybersafe and fulfills the annual mandatory cybersecurity training requirement. Register.