If there’s one thing Michael Chen will remember about the summer of 2012, it’s that he never really had a summer.

A recent master’s graduate from the Great Lakes Institute for Environmental Research, he spent three months in the southern hemisphere working with the environmental team at Solid Energy, a coal mining company based in Christchurch, New Zealand.

“It’s been sort of like perpetual autumn for me,” said Chen, who departed during Canada’s spring season, arrived in New Zealand for their fall and winter, and arrived back in Windsor just in time for the fall semester to begin.

Chen is co-supervised by Chris Weisener, an associate professor of biogeochemistry and biological sciences professor Jan Ciborowski, but he also took part in GLIER’s ERASMUS-CREATE program, which prepares environmental professionals to study sustainable freshwater resources. The training program promotes interdisciplinary collaborations through industry internship placements. In New Zealand, he worked under the direction of Paul Weber, who went to graduate school with Dr. Weisener and still collaborates with him on various research projects.

The point of his trip was to study the effectiveness of using cement kiln dust as a solution to cut down on the acid mine drainage problem from open-pit mining operations. In open pit mining, Chen said exposure of certain rocks, especially metal sulfides, to air and water from rain or run-off, causes acidity, or a drop in pH levels, in the water.

“Looking at it from a reclamation standpoint, aquatic systems with acidity issues don’t make for an ideal situation when it comes to productivity and sustainability,” he said.

Calcium, which is found in limestone and cement kiln dust, is a well-known treatment to deal with acidity problems found in places like mine sites. Cement kiln dust has proven effective, but it also contains thallium, an element which can be harmful to higher trophic levels. Researchers want to know if acid mine drainage could be treated with cement kiln dust without significant quantities of thallium leaching in to the surrounding environment.

“Since we're taking a resource from the area we don't want to leave behind a problem like acid mine drainage,” said Chen, who originally hails from Canada’s capital and earned his undergraduate degree at the University of Ottawa. “We should put the effort toward reclaiming affected areas and restore some productivity so that we're giving future growth a chance.”

Chen was stationed in Christchurch, but also made several four-hour drives to mine sites on the west coast, where he stayed for a week to do field work before returning. In Christchurch, he stayed at a campus residence near the teacher’s college at the University of Canterbury, and while the temperature never dropped much below zero, he said it did snow one day.

“We went outside to play in the snow, and before we knew it, we were joined by another group of Canadians who were staying there too,” he said. “It was a lot of fun.”

Chen said he also had a lot of fun exploring Christchurch. Located on the southernmost of New Zealand’s two islands, it was rocked heavily by an earthquake in February of 2011. He said it was encouraging to see how the city is recovering.

“They’re really trying to turn the city back to what it was, but they’re trying to do a lot of new improvements too,” he said. “I’d really like to go back to see it returned to its new former glory. This will not be my last time there. I definitely want to go back.”

For now, Chen will spend the fall semester wrapping up his reports and helping train the next grad students to work in Weisener’s lab. He said he would like to continue working in the field of environmental science and reclamation, and hasn’t ruled out the possibility of working in the Alberta oil sands, where some of Dr. Ciborowski’s former students are currently employed.

A little wet weather couldn’t dampen the spirits of students, staff and faculty enjoying the Campus Community Barbecue, said organizer Mary-Ann Rennie. Revellers filled tents on the lawn between Chrysler and Dillon halls, sharing food and fellowship despite rain Thursday morning.

“The sun has broken through the clouds and we have a wonderful turnout,” Rennie said. “It has gone just swimmingly.”

Fourth-year chemistry major Jamal Mohamud said the annual tradition ranks as one of his favourite events.

“It’s one of the few times in the year you can see almost every student on campus,” he said. “Who doesn’t like free food?”

Dean of the library Gwen Ebbett was among the celebrities serving up sausages, potato chips and drinks. She said she enjoys the event, too.

“I just love the interaction with the students,” Ebbett said. “They are very appreciative of the lunch and it’s nice to let them know we appreciate them, too.”

One student who expressed her appreciation was Jordynne Ropat, a third student in the behaviour, cognition and neuroscience program. She was one of the patrons of Ebbett’s vegetarian option.

“It’s nice to have a whole tent serving vegetarians, and every year I look forward to this,” she said. “I am always happy to see the University acknowledge that it’s important to accommodate everyone.”

Catering manager Dean Kissner called the barbecue a “morale-booster.”

“It’s a great event that gives a chance for the students to meet some of the senior administrators in a social setting,” he said. “I think both sides benefit from that.”

A banner day: OPUS staffers Steve Jancev and Maryan Amalow welcome part-time students to the organization’s 10th annual barbecue welcoming part-time students to classes, Tuesday, September 18. The event included the unveiling of a plaque commemorating the organization’s founder Josie Latessa-Ianetta, who died February 14.

The University of Windsor will refund approximately 3,000 students a $70 ancillary fee payment they made for “access codes” that allow them to use online applications related to course material.

The refunds are being made to remain in compliance with a provincial tuition framework directive. Students can expect the refunds to be added to their accounts over the next several weeks.

“In the summer of 2011, all universities in Ontario received further instructions from the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities regarding what charges can be included in ancillary service fees,” said UWindsor president Alan Wildeman. “During that time we were developing the fee structure for the current year, and it was an oversight on our part that access fees for online materials could no longer be included. This came to our attention just this week, so we quickly found a solution for our students.”

Kim Orr, president of the University of Windsor Students’ Alliance, welcomed the announcement.

“I’m very excited to see the University respond so quickly to students’ concerns regarding the online access codes,” she said. “It is excellent to see the University reimbursing students for the cost and assuring that it is no more difficult for students to obtain their post secondary educations.”

A committee will look at this issue for the 2013/14 academic year to find a more permanent solution going forward. Accessing online materials for tests, research information and assignments is a steadily growing practice in many post-secondary courses as more faculty are taking advantage of the interactive and dynamic learning that can take place using this technology.

For more information, please consult the Frequently Asked Questions on Access Codes Refunds.

Reading opens up worlds, says UWindsor president Alan Wildeman.

“So much of our knowledge is centred in written form,” he says. “Without being able to read, you don’t have the same opportunity to explore what the world has to offer.”

Dr. Wildeman joined volunteers from across the community who spread out across Windsor-Essex on Thursday, exchanging special editions of the Windsor Star for contributions to the Raise-a-Reader campaign. The effort raises funds for family literacy programs, distributing reading skills and books to local children.

Wildeman donned an orange T-shirt bearing the campaign’s logo to solicit donations in the drive-through lane outside a Wyandotte Street coffee shop.

“I want to encourage a love of learning in our young people,” he says. “I really enjoyed being able to take a little time this morning to support this worthwhile cause.”

The Raise-A-Reader program has generated almost $20 million since its national launch in 2002. Learn more at www.raiseareader.com; to donate, call 1-866-637-READ.

The University Players production of the Neil Simon comedy Jake’s Women opened Thursday at the Essex Hall Theatre.

The play centers on Jake, a writer who is more successful with fiction than with real life, as he works to save his struggling marriage. The campus production runs through September 30. Wednesday through Saturday performances are at 8 p.m.; Sunday matinees are at 2 p.m.

On Sunday, September 23, a “Talk Back” discussion with the director and actors will follow the performance. For information or tickets, call 519-253-3000, ext. 2808, or visit www.UniversityPlayers.com.

A brown bag lunch session on Monday, September 24, will discuss the importance of medication reconciliation in patient safety.

The presentation by Marg Colquhoun, project leader at the Institute for Safe Medication Practices Canada, will focus on the role of health care professionals in the process of medication reconciliation.

This interprofessional educational event is offered under the auspices of the Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI) Open School for Health Professionals. It runs 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in room 203, Toldo Health Education Centre.

Please register in advance using this online form.