Students with a question or concern about any issue at the University of Windsor have a new resource to call on: student ombudsperson Kris McInnis.

She will be on hand to discuss her role during an open house Thursday, November 24, from noon to 2 p.m. in the Commons area, CAW Student Centre.

McInnis says her office is accessible, confidential, impartial and independent. The role is neither an advocate for the student nor an apologist for the University, but rather an advocate for fairness on campus.

“You may come to my office to discuss any academic or non-academic concerns, including but not limited to: progression issues, supervisory conflicts, and grade disputes,” she says. “I will discuss your concern with you, advise you of what your rights and responsibilities are as a University of Windsor student, and prepare you for the next steps by providing you with options for a fair and equitable informal resolution.”

McInnis is a licensed paralegal with a background in the criminal courts, the proceedings of academic and non-academic cases within the University, conflict resolution and family mediation.

Her position office is funded jointly by the Graduate Students Society, the Organization of Part-time University Students and the University of Windsor Students’ Alliance. Learn more on the Student Ombudsperson website.

UWindsor’s Mental Health Awareness group is hosting an open mic night to end the stigma surrounding mental health on Wednesday, November 23. The event will feature live performances, poetry, spoken word and light refreshments.

Justine Vermey, the group’s president, says its mandate is to raise awareness, help students with their stress, and fundraise for the Canadian Mental Health Association.

“We want to get the word out that you’re not alone, you don’t have to deal with these issues on your own,” says Vermey. “There are people out there who are willing to listen, who want to know what you’re going through and want to support you.”

Past president Albana Berberi says the event offers students with an opportunity to de-stress after midterm season. Those who do not wish to perform can talk to others or have a snack in a stress-free setting.

“It’s an opportunity to unwind with a bunch of other people, and we can talk about mental health because they’re in a relaxed setting,” says Berberi.

Vermey says last year’s event hosted a wide variety of performers, ranging from an improvisational comedy crew to rock band performers.

“A lot of people find music very therapeutic,” says Vermey. “When their mind is buzzing music can really help.”

The event will run from 8:30 to 11:30 p.m. in the CAW’s Ambassador Auditorium. For more information, visit the group’s Facebook page or email mhealth@uwindsor.ca.

—Loren Mastracci

If a university is to be relevant to the world, it must be relevant in the neighbourhood, UWindsor president Alan Wildeman said Monday during a ceremony to mark the official opening of the Pitt-Ferry Building, which houses the School of Social Work and Centre for Executive and Professional Education.

“It is for that reason that the University of Windsor made the decision to strike a new direction for its long-term future, a direction that would see it establish a presence in the heart of our city for academic programs that underscore the relevance to our community that we seek to strengthen,” Dr. Wildeman told more than 100 attendees, which included local dignitaries, university officials, and current and former staff of the Windsor Star newspaper which used to occupy the site.

“Boy, does it look better than when we were here,” said editor-in-chief Ellen van Wageningen. “Thank you for keeping this little piece of history alive.”

Wildeman unveiled three plaques that will name facilities within the building to honour supporters and benefactors:

• the Dave Cooke Classroom for the long-time MPP and former chair of the Board of Governors;
• the Hugh and Richard Graybiel Garden, for a former owner and general manager of the Windsor Star; and
• the Graybiel Lobby, acknowledging the legacy of the family whose history with the newspaper spanned more than 50 years from 1918.

Following a poem by Windsor poet laureate Marty Gervais on the massive presses that ran for decades in the building, the event concluded with a ribbon-cutting in the lobby.

Watch the building take shape:

See more photos on the UWindsor Facebook page.

Canada’s Liberal government has declared that the 2015 federal election will be the last using the current first-past-the-post electoral system. Political science professor Lydia Miljan will deliver free public lecture on the topic Wednesday, entitled “Counting Votes: Why Electoral Reform Matters.”

Dr. Miljan will:

• outline the various types of electoral systems and their consequences on governance,
• discuss the precedent of having a referendum before undertaking any electoral reform, and
• review the government’s guiding principles for federal electoral reform.

Her talk will run noon to 1 p.m. November 23 in room G125, Chrysler Hall North.

A free class Tuesday, December 6, will help staff and faculty responsible for maintaining UWindsor websites learn the basics of the Drupal content management system.

Drupal 7 - Basic Training will focus on teaching site editors how to create pages and events, upload graphics, and use menus and blocks, says instructor Rob Aitkens, team leader for web architecture, development and design in Public Affairs and Communications.

The class is for employees with little experience in the system, those upgrading their sites from version 6 to 7, or as a refresher. It will run 1:30 to 4 p.m. and is limited to 16 participants. Registration is required through this online form.

Aitkens reminds those unable to attend that Drupal support resources, including the online training guide and FAQs, are available at www.uwindsor.ca/drupal.

Have you ever dismissed ignorance as a topic unworthy of discussion? You might be surprised to learn that lack of knowledge shapes our understanding of the world.

Blake Scott, a masters student in philosophy, will explore the impact of ignorance in our daily lives in a talk titled “Ways of Not-Knowing” on Wednesday, November 23.

Scott will talk about the ways in which philosophy encourages the exploration of ignorance, and he will then apply the different ways of not knowing to the practice of argumentation.

The event is hosted by the Humanities Research Group, and will run from 4 to 6 p.m. in Vanier Hall’s Katzman Lounge. A light reception will follow the lecture. For more information, or to RSVP, you can contact hrgmail@uwindsor.ca or call 519-253-3000, ext. 3508.

—Loren Mastracci

It takes about an hour to make a whole blood donation — from the moment donors walk through the clinic door to the moment they finish a cookie and leave. The blood they give will be used within days to help give someone life.

Every donation counts, says Canadian Blood Services, which will hold a donor clinic on campus Wednesday to give students and employees a chance to become a lifesaver.

The clinic runs 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. November 23 in the Ambassador Auditorium, CAW Student Centre. Walk-in donors are welcome, but appointments will better accommodate donors’ working schedules. To book an appointment, call 1-888-2DONATE (1-888-236-6283).

As with previous clinics, the Department of Human Resources encourages all eligible employees to participate in this worthwhile process and asks any employees who wish to donate to make the necessary arrangements with their supervisors regarding the possibility of extended lunch or break periods.