Announcements

Drive-in style convocation ceremonies next week
On Wed., Nov. 4 and Thurs., Nov. 5 at 2 p.m. and on Fri., Nov. 6 at 10 a.m., MRU will host drive-in style convocation ceremonies in lot 2. You can view the live streams. From Nov. 1 to 7, Recreation Centre visitors are asked to please park in lot 3 or 4. Child Care Centre and clients for the Wellness clinics can park in lot 1. Like past years, parking is free on convocation days. View the MRU parking map.

Sept. 30 town hall Q&A available
The Q&A from the Sept. 30 town hall is now posted on MyMRU on the Employees/Resources page. Find it at the bottom right in the President's Corner.

Your sensitive documents may be accessible by the whole campus
IT Services has become aware that many documents on the Google Drive are being shared with the whole campus when they should not be. For information on how to avoid accidentally sharing a private document, read “ Check the sharing permissions on your files stored on the Google Drive.”

Additional vacation carry-over utilization period for staff in MRSA
Managers and employees are urged to work together to schedule vacation time to avoid carry-over beyond annual entitlements into the new year. Staff covered under the MRSA agreement have a one-time exception to the carry-over deadline and have until June 30, 2021 to use these amounts. This extension does not apply to the following year. Check your leave balances on MyMRU under the Employee tab. Look under My HR Profile/Pay information/Leave balances.

Online learning opportunities for those working or leading remotely
The employee training calendar on MyMRU has learning opportunities for employees working from home: Working From Home 101 and Mental Health at Home. For managers there are also sessions: Virtual Leadership and Leading From Afar. Keep checking the calendar for more opportunities.

Resources for those working on web pages
Marketing and Communications has created the documents “Web imagery best practices” and the “Web writing cheat sheet” to assist those working on webpages in maintaining MRU standards and style.

International Photo Contest now open
As part of International Education Week from Nov. 16 to 20, the annual International Photo Contest is now open to show off your travel pics. Submissions are welcome from all students, staff, faculty and alumni. Prizes are available for the top three entries.

Library student laptop loans now available
The MRU Library recently announced that student laptop loans are available once again. Current Mount Royal students can complete a brief online request form to borrow a laptop for up to three weeks with the possibility of renewing depending on availability (quantities are limited).

New process for picking up items from the Library
There's a new and easier process to access main collection items through the Library’s contactless pick-up service. Students and employees can now pick up their resources from the day-use lockers on the main floor whent the Library is open. Remember to bring your OneCard to access the building.

MRU Catering Services offers new boxed lunch menu
MRU Catering Services can provide delicious boxed lunch options for gatherings on campus. The new menu includes deli sandwiches, wraps, nutritious power bowls and fresh salads. Find out more at mru.ca/Catering.

Did you know?
Mount Royal is the only post-secondary institution in Western Canada to host a drive-in style fall convocation.

Bleed Blue – Celebrating MRU

Congratulations to Mount Royal's three Tier 2 Canada Research Chairs
The Canada Research Chairs program stands at the centre of a national strategy to make Canada one of the world's top countries in research and development. Chairholders improve our depth of knowledge and quality of life, strengthen Canada's international competitiveness and help train the next generation of highly skilled people. The Office of Research, Scholarship and Community Engagement is proud to congratulate the following individuals on being named Tier 2 Canada Research Chairs:

Michael Asmussen, PhD ― Neuromechanics and Human Physiology
Cherie Woolmer, PhD — Scholarship of Teaching and Learning
Ranjan Datta, PhD ― Community Disaster Research

Reaching the pinnacle
For his 30-plus years of contributions to Canadian and international climbing, Associate Professor Raphael Slawinski, PhD, of the Department of Chemistry and Physics, has been awarded the prestigious Summit of Excellence Award. The award celebrates long-term contributions, service and demonstrated impact within the mountain culture community in Canada. One of the country's most prolific ice climbers, Slawinski is also a National Geographic Adventurer of the Year nominee. Read Slawinski’s climbing blog.

Early success for SIF
The team from the MRU Student Investment Fund has proceeded to the semi-finals of the McGill International Portfolio Challenge. Only 25 of 93 entries were awarded this privilege, making this an amazing accomplishment for SIF's first go at this difficult competition.

Events – More information at mru.ca/Events

Virtual Cryptocurrency Treasure Hunt 2020
Through to Fri., Oct. 30 — Google Chat Room
Solve the clues, find the treasure and be entered into the prize draw for a $100 Amazon gift certificate Register.

Open House
Finishes Fri., Oct. 30

This week of Open House features information sessions on select student services and programs. Full schedule.

Suicide Prevention Strategic Framework Community Consultations
Mon., Nov. 2 from 3 to 3:45 p.m. — Online (Staff)
Fri., Nov. 6 from 1:15 to 2 p.m. — Online (Staff)
Mon., Nov. 9 from 11 to 11:45 a.m. — Online (Faculty)
Tues., Nov. 10 from 3 to 3:45 p.m. — Online (All Groups)

Attend and discuss needs and recommendations to assist in the creation of an institutional suicide prevention strategic framework. Register.

Beginner's Guide to Transforming Social Connections With Virtual Reality
Tues., Nov. 3 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.

Fall Convocation
Nov. 4 and 5 at 2 p.m. and Nov. 6 at 10 a.m. — Lot 2
Please see alternate parking in the Announcements section above due to these drive-in ceremonies taking place in Lot 2. Watch the live streams here.

Working From Home 101
Thurs., Nov. 5 from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. — Google Meet
By the end of this session, participants will be able to identify and implement best practices when they are working remotely. Register.

Beginner's Guide To Virtual Reality
Tues., Nov. 10 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., Nov. 10 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.

XR Toolkit Series: Creating Virtual Reality Experiences With Google Tours VR
Thurs., Nov. 12 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.

XR Toolkit Series: Editing 360-Degree Photos And Videos With Adobe Premiere And Photoshop
Thurs., Nov. 12 from noon to 1 p.m. — Google Meet
Process, edit and view your 360-degree videos and photos using Adobe Premiere Pro and Photoshop. Register.

Changemaker Conversations: From Insight to Action
Thurs., Nov. 12 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.

MRU Alumni Webinar: Media in Times of Crisis
Fri., Nov. 13 from 9 to 9:45 a.m.
A panel of journalists will discuss the critical role that media plays and how the public can be responsible in their media consumption in this time of 'fake news.' Register.

International Education Week
Mon., Nov. 16 to Fri., Nov. 20
The Office of International Education will host a celebration of our international campus community and showcase the diverse backgrounds of our staff, faculty and students. Website.

Beginner's Guide To Augmented Reality
Tues., Nov. 17 from noon to 1 p.m. — Google Meet
Learn about augmented reality applications in the class and for research, as well as the available Library supports. Register.

Intro to Audacity: Managing Your Audio Project, Editing And Recording
Tues., Nov. 17 from 1 to 2 p.m. — Google Meet
Use Audacity software to create simple audio projects such as podcasts, voice recordings and more. Register.

Virtual Leadership
Wed., Nov. 18 from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. — Google Meet
This brief and impactful course is intended to enable and empower people to demonstrate effective leadership of others in today’s virtual workplace. Register.

Emerging Technologies Consortium (ETC)
Wed., Nov. 18 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., Nov. 19 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.

Building Resilience: Understanding Challenges, Learning Strategies and Accepting Change
Mon. Nov. 23 from 10 to 11 a.m. — Zoom
Homewood Health will provide a variety of effective, practical tools to improve physical and mental health and cultivate a strong social support network. Do not download Zoom onto your work computer. Email abilitymanagement@mtroyal.ca to register.

Have a story, announcement or info to share?

Summit and website stories

We would love to hear about your story! Go to the online story submission tool and guidelines.

MyMRU announcements

Please send announcements for MyMRU's homepage to mymru@mtroyal.ca. Here are the guidelines.

Start of semester emails, with option for distribution list sign-up

As each semester begins (August/September and December/January), areas with ongoing employee activities can send an email to all employees describing their semester activities. Employees can then choose to opt in to that area's distribution list (Google Group) for regular updates. If you would like to send an email and/or set up a Google Group for your area, please contact Marketing and Communications for guidelines.

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