More than 500 people tuned in Thursday to watch UWindsor chancellor Mary Jo Haddad speak with two inspiring leaders whose skills, style, and passion have had remarkable impact on the health and wellbeing of Canadians.

Dr. Haddad led Catherine Zahn, president of the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, and Kathy Hay, president of Kids Help Phone, in a discussion of “Resilience in Times of Change and Uncertainty.”

Dr. Zahn noted that the pandemic of mental illness predated the COVID-19 pandemic, and cautioned people against looking for a hero to solve problems: “We’ll only get through as a group.”

Hay reminded viewers that change happens every day, and people are more adaptable than they sometimes know.

“Innovation thrives in times of uncertainty because opportunities are there,” she said.

Recorded by staff of Public Affairs and Communications, the event was part of the Chancellor’s Leadership Series sharing insights in innovation, entrepreneurship, sustainability, and diversity.

The video is available for watching on the UWindsor YouTube channel.

Under the slogan “At UWindsor, UCount!” the University will conduct a campus-wide Employment Equity Census in November, providing faculty and staff an opportunity to self-identify and update previous self-identification responses.

All employees are required to submit the online census questionnaire. The information helps the University identify how it is doing regarding employment equity and diversity across the campus community.

The results will be used to help develop and deliver initiatives to promote fairness and equity and inform requirements for specific employment equity programs.

All employees will receive an email with a link that will take them directly to the census to submit the questionnaire.

• Using UWin identification and password will connect you to a secure website.
• Completing the census should take approximately two or three minutes.
• The census is also available in alternate formats (such as hard paper copy or large print) for those who require it.

The terminology used for the four federally designated groups — Aboriginal peoples, people with disabilities, visible minorities, and women — is in accordance with the Employment Equity Act and Federal Contractors Program. Sexual and gender minorities are a fifth designated group at the University of Windsor.

Direct questions or concerns to ohrea@uwindsor.ca or 519‑253-3000, ext. 3400.

The University of Windsor has once again been listed in the Guide to Green Schools by the Princeton Review, ranking it among North America’s most environmentally responsible post-secondary institutions.

The 2021 guide presents information on each school's use of renewable energy, its recycling and conservation programs, the availability of environmental studies in academic offerings, and career guidance for green jobs.

“We are especially pleased to recommend these colleges during Campus Sustainability Month, the international celebration of sustainability in higher education,” said Rob Franek, the publication’s editor-in-chief. “With robust offerings in environmental studies and initiatives that range from solar-powered residence halls to tray-less dining halls, these schools demonstrate their commitment to sustainability in a range of innovative ways.”

The University of Windsor is one of 22 Canadian institutions selected this year. It earned points for:

• supporting local food producers, mass transit, and bicycling;
• offering academic programs in environmental studies;
• investing in renewable energy for use on campus; and
• employing an environmental sustainability advocate.

The Princeton Review is a U.S.-based tutoring, test prep, and college admission services company. It is not affiliated with Princeton University.

The second part of a study launched in June will ask Windsor-Essex healthcare workers to complete a short survey indicating how the pandemic is affecting their mental health.

The goal is to explore ways to support, promote, and restore the emotional well-being of healthcare staff who have experienced so much during the COVID-19 pandemic. Completion of the survey during Wave 2 will allow the research team — from the University of Windsor, St. Clair College, and Hôtel-Dieu Grace Healthcare — to compare overall trends.

More than 400 healthcare workers responded to June’s survey. The team is hoping to get the same level of participation, if not more, this time around. Part two of the survey is open to end of November, with a goal of sharing study findings in the new year.

Research associate Jennifer Voth said the results of the initial survey indicated high levels of stress caused by concerns of being infected, passing on the virus, and access to personal protective equipment.

“What is important to continue to highlight through this study is how healthcare leaders can protect, prepare, support, and care for their staff as they continue to work effectively through this pandemic,” she said.

The research project is supported by the Igniting Discovery grant program of WE-Spark Health Institute.