Announcements

Updated COVID-19 People Plan
The People Plan has been updated to reflect the current protocols and to outline the planning process for people to return to campus when it is safe to do so. If you have questions or concerns, please email covid19@mtroyal.ca.

Spring/Summer 2021 semester delivery
MRU will deliver most classes online in the spring and summer semesters, with some exceptions. A list of on- and off-campus exceptions requiring in-person components will be developed and finalized the first week of March. A decision about delivery for the fall semester has not been made, but we hope to make a decision in late April.

Discover Black creators and stories available at MRU Library
In celebration of Black History Month, MRU Library has published an online display showcasing materials featuring Black creators. The lists include links to books, films and AR/VR experiences, and are only a small selection of items available via Library collections that refer to Black historical accounts or storytellers. Access the many online options or submit a request through the contactless pick-up service .

New Wellness at Work website for employees

Whether you need immediate help in a crisis, information about COVID-19 resources or any other life challenge, a new Wellness at Work website makes the information easier to find and access. Free, confidential help is available 24/7. New information will be added regularly; check back often.

Melanie Peacock offers tips on being well at work

To help kick off the Wellness at Work employee well-being campaign, watch associate professor and human resources expert Melanie Peacock, PhD, explain three things you can do to be well at work .

Student registration for Research and Scholarship days now open

Encourage your students to participate in this campus-wide celebration of research by sharing a poster, creative work or oral presentation. Students can register online until Monday, March 15.

Data Repository now available to MRU Researchers

MRU Library has announced that a Data Repository is now available for Mount Royal scholars. Researchers now have access to a tool that will allow them to publish and record data in a secure manner while contributing to future scholarship. Read more about how campus will benefit from this data platform and upcoming workshops to help faculty and students make use of the tool.

Fiscal year-end to move from June 30 to March 31

Beginning in 2022, the University's fiscal year will shift by three months to span April 1 to March 31. This aligns with the provincial government's year-end and that of many other institutions. Planning and reporting cycles will shift with this change, too, and a working group is now planning for the transition and working through final formalities. Discuss any questions with the Finance business partner for your area.

Did you know?

The Cougars Athletics Awards and Records page has collected together all of the accolades Mount Royal's student-athletes have earned since entering U Sports.

Bleed Blue – Celebrating MRU

Seven faculty members reach highest academic rank
Promotion to the rank of full professor is a reflection of a career of hard work, achievement and academic leadership. It is a formal recognition of remarkable contributions to the academy, adding to the collective body of knowledge, taking risks and persisting through much adversity while remaining devoted to the pursuit. Congratulations to:

Faculty of Business and Communication Studies
- Professor Paul Varella Connors
Faculty of Arts
- Professor Lee Easton
Faculty of Health, Community and Education
- Professor Mohamed El Hussein
- Professor Christy Lane
Faculty of Science and Technology
- Professor Nathan Ackroyd
- Professor Israel Dunmade
Faculty of Teaching and Learning
- Professor Michelle Yeo

RLLC earns LEED Gold
The Riddell Library and Learning Centre has earned a LEED Gold rating by the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) green building rating system. LEED promotes responsible building practices, including sustainable materials and construction and water and energy efficiency. The RLLC was designed to meet LEED Gold and opened in 2017.

CYCC granted accreditation
MRU's child and youth care (CYCC) major has been officially awarded accreditation by the Child and Youth Care Educational Accreditation Board of Canada (CYCEAB). The CYCEAB's model focuses on program outcomes with the intent that graduate outcomes will ultimately effect the quality of life and quality of care received by young people. MRU joins only 11 accredited CYCC programs of over 50 publicly funded programs across Canada.

Two Cougars playing for the Cavalry
Two Cougars soccer players are going pro after being picked to play for Calgary’s Cavalry FC during the 2021 CPL-U Sports draft. “We’re going local, we’re going trusted, and we’re going talented,” said Cavalry FC general manager and head coach Tommy Wheeldon Jr. of his choices of Victor Loturi (midfield) and Ethan Keen (defence) from the Cougars roster. Read more.

Events – More information at mru.ca/Events .

Orientation to the Maker Studio
Mon., Feb. 8 from 10 to 11 a.m. — Online
This basic orientation to the Maker Studio will introduce all of the tools and technologies and associated Health and Safety Concerns. Register .

LAPP Retirement Options
Tues., Feb. 9 from 9:30 to 10:45 a.m. ― Online
Presented by Human Resources together with Alberta Pensions Services Corporation. Register at benefits@mtroyal.ca .

LAPP Buying Back Service
Tues., Feb. 9 from 11 a.m. to noon — Online
Presented by Human Resources together with Alberta Pensions Services Corporation. Register at benefits@mtroyal.ca .

Transforming Social Connections with Virtual Reality
Tues., Feb. 9 from noon to 1 p.m. ― Online
Learn how social virtual reality platforms are changing the way we connect with one another during this new era of social distancing. Register .

Image Tracing in Adobe Illustrator
Tues., Feb. 9 from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. — Online
Join Maker Studio staff to learn how to use Adobe Illustrator to import and vectorize an image to then be edited and modified. Register .

Editing Your Podcast
Tues., Feb. 9 from 1 to 2:30 p.m. ― Online
Discover tips and tricks for making editing your podcast project a breeze using Audacity. Register .

Programming Literacy: Understanding the Theory Behind Programming
Tues., Feb. 9 from 1 to 2 p.m. — Online
Learn the basics about how code will give you a starting point to discover what languages you want to learn and why these languages will be useful to you. Register .

Harm Reduction and Naloxone Training
Thurs., Feb. 11 from 10 a.m. to noon — Online
Be informed about the current state of opioid use in Canada, the harm reduction responses available and how to recognize and respond to opioid overdoses. Register .

Editing 360-Degree Photos and Videos with Adobe Photoshop and Premiere
Thurs., Feb. 11 from noon to 1 p.m. ― Online
This continuation from the beginners' guide to 360-degree cameras workshop teaches how to process, edit and view your 360-degree videos. Register .

Trico Changemakers Studio Presents Changemaker Conversations
Thurs., Feb. 11 from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. — Zoom
Join the Changemaker Conversations to engage in generative dialogue towards action around pressing social issues. Register .

Bachelor of Arts Information Session
Thurs., Feb. 11 from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. — Online
Learn about MRU and the opportunities provided by the anthropology, English, history, policy studies, psychology and sociology programs. Register .

Beginner's Guide to Virtual Reality
Tues., Feb. 16 from 12 to 1 p.m. — Online
Explore virtual reality and learn how to integrate this emerging technology into your classes and research. Register .

Introduction to 3D Printing
Tues., Feb. 16 from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. — Online
Join the Maker Studio staff in this beginner-level workshop, which will introduce you to the amazing world of 3D printing. Register .

Protecting Yourself Against Cybercrime 2020/2021
Tues., Feb. 16 from 2 to 3:30 p.m.
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 .

Learn a Programming Language: Python
Tues., Feb. 16 from 3 to 4 p.m. — Online
Python is the most beginner friendly, high-level language that is in use by developers today. Register .

Creating a Data Management Plan
Wed., Feb. 17 from 11 a.m. to noon ― Online
Data management planning helps ensure that the necessary resources and frameworks are in place for the preservation and security of research data. Register .

3D Modelling in Tinkercad
Wed., Feb. 17 from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. — Online
This online workshop will explain the basics of how to create a 3D model, 3D modelling terms and techniques, as well as how to export your model for 3D printing. Register .

Circuitry Prototyping in Tinkercad
Wed., Feb. 17 from 4 to 5 p.m. — Online
In this workshop, you will learn about prototyping your own circuits and you will build a night light circuit that turns on automatically when it’s dark. Register .

Setting up a 3D Print with Ultimaker Cura
Thurs., Feb. 18 from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. — Online
Learn how to choose and adjust your settings in the 3D print software that determines the outcome of your physical print. Register .

Introduction to MRU’s Research Data Repository
Thurs., Feb. 18 from 1 to 2 p.m. — Online
MRU’s Data Repository provides space for researchers to make their data publicly available while ensuring long-term preservation. Register .

Program Arduino in Tinkercad
Thurs., Feb. 18 from 3 to 4 p.m. — Online
Learning Arduino can enable you to build systems that perform in interactive artwork, biofeedback, home automation or robotics projects. Register .

Audiovisual Tips for Streaming and Pre-Recorded Content
Mon., Feb. 22 from 1 to 2 p.m. — Online
Learn what camera you can use as a webcam and how to achieve higher quality audio, plus best practices and free tools and software for video. Register .

Beginner's Guide to Augmented Reality
Tues., Feb. 23 from 12 to 1 p.m. — Online
Explore augmented reality and learn about the industry and educational applications and how to integrate this emerging technology into your classes and research. Register .

Creating Video Essays
Tues., Feb. 23 from 1 to 2 p.m. — Online
This workshop includes a walkthrough of the planning and production stages, as well as basic video editing using Adobe Rush. Register .

Finishing 3D Prints with Sanding and Paint
Tues., Feb. 23 from 1 to 2 p.m. — Online
Join the Maker Studio staff and learn how to sand, prime and paint your 3D prints. Register .

Make a Wearable Device with Circuit Playground Express
Tues., Feb. 23 from 3 to 4 p.m. — Online
Learn how to run simulations of simple programs for the Circuit Playground Express virtually and programming basics to create your own interactive wearables. Register .

Exploring Indigenous Education Part 2
Wed., Feb. 24 from 2:15 to 4 p.m. — Online
The Office of Academic Indigenization and a panel of experts will explore the uniqueness of Indigenous education and how we can bring more of this into our educational journeys and lives. Register .

Editing 360-Degree Photos and Videos with Adobe Photoshop and Premiere
Thurs., Feb. 25 from noon to 1 p.m. — Online
Learn how to process, edit and view your 360-degree videos and photos using Adobe Premiere Pro and Photoshop. Register .

Trico Changemakers Studio Presents Changemaker Conversations
Thurs., Feb. 25 from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. — Online
Join the Changemaker Conversations to engage in generative dialogue towards action around pressing social issues. Register .

Make a Cell Phone Holder Using 3D Modelling in Fusion 360
Fri., Feb. 26 from 10 to 11 a.m. — Online
Navigate software to create a sketch, create a shape and save and export your model cell phone holder for 3D printing. 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.

4825 Mount Royal Gate SW | Calgary, Alberta | T3E 6K6, Canada
ourcommunity@mtroyal.ca | www.mtroyal.ca