With the recent physical changes to campus, this year’s open house will have broader appeal than ever, says organizer Zora Savic.

The event will run 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, November 7, and will feature an information fair and tours as well as more than 50 program presentations aimed at prospective students. The weekend format will give full-time, part-time, and mature students and their families an opportunity to check out the campus’s new look.

“We are hoping that holding it on a Saturday will allow greater attendance for families and out-of-town visitors, as well as any local residents interested in taking courses to enhance their educations,” Savic says. “Certainly, we encourage faculty and staff to talk up the open house to family, neighbours and friends.”

Attendees must check in at the CAW Student Centre. Find a full itinerary of the day at www.uwindsor.ca/openhouse.

There are a lot of needy people around, says Lucy Formicuccia; those in a position to help must extend their support. That’s why she gives to the United Way.

Administrative assistant to the University Librarian, she was one of about 60 UWindsor employees on hand Thursday for a ceremony raising the charity’s flag outside Chrysler Hall in a formal launch of the annual fundraising campaign. But Formicuccia was the only one who left richer than she arrived: she won an extra day’s vacation in a prize draw for attendees.

She said she already knows what she will do with the time.

“I am going to bring my grandson to meet Santa Claus at Somerset Mall,” she said.

UWindsor president Alan Wildeman told those present he was pleased with the turnout, a record for the annual event.

“Anything we can do to help the United Way succeed is for the benefit of people in need in our region,” he said.

United Way works in Windsor-Essex to reduce poverty, support children and families, and build strong communities. Learn more at www.weareunited.com.

Employees will receive an e-mail soon asking them to donate. Those who pledge by November 27 will enter a draw for prizes enumerated on the campaign website.

The Lancer men’s volleyball team will host the Western Mustangs in its home opener Friday, November 7, at the St. Denis Centre. Game time is 7 p.m. UWindsor students enter free with valid ID.

Men’s hockey is the only other varsity action at home this weekend, as the squad suits up for a pair of games against the Laurentian Voyageurs at South Windsor Arena—7:30 p.m. Friday and 4 p.m. Saturday.

On Saturday, women’s volleyball will meet the Gee-Gees in Ottawa and both men’s and women’s basketball teams are in Waterloo to play the Warriors.

Ontario University Athletics honours Lancer men’s soccer

Five players named all-stars and three division-wide honours reward the success this season of Lancer men’s soccer.

Ontario University Athletics named forward Leighton Speechley-Price most valuable player in its west division after the third-year business major led his team with 11 goals. Freshman striker Noah Pio secured rookie of the year honours and head coach Steve Hart won the division’s coach of the year award.

Speechley-Price, defender Akbal Gill and midfielder Michael Pio were named first-team all-stars. Midfielder Jack Sargent and goalkeeper Kyle Vizirakis, whose 11 shutouts led the nation, were second-team all-star selections.

Read the whole story at goLancers.ca.

A number of additions to Food Services menus will add some healthy choices for diners, says executive chef Paolo Vasapolli.

The Mediterranean Grill in the CAW Student Centre’s Marketplace has added several options, including a chicken Caesar sandwich and a chicken Caesar dinner, plus two side salads—Greek or Caesar.

The Grab and Go coolers will see a new chicken Caesar salad and one that incorporates kale, a vegetarian five-layer nacho salad, edamame and ginger dip with rice crackers, and rice crackers on some of cheese platters.

“We are really happy to be able to provide some gluten-free options,” Vasapolli says.

A beefy new sandwich will top a ciabatta roll with roast beef, caramelized onions, white cheddar and baby arugula.

The Crocodile Grill in Vanier Hall is beefing up its own menu, serving vanilla and chocolate protein drinks and allowing diners to add protein to their smoothies. A new breakfast item will add quinoa to oatmeal and top it with honey from Cottam-based producer, Sun Parlor.

“We continue to seek ways to add local content to our offerings,” says Vasapolli. “It’s part of our commitment to fresh, healthy food.”

Apples from local orchards will grace another grab-and-go salad, with ancient grains, cabbage slaw and pumpkin seeds—topped with a white balsamic vinegar dressing.