The University of Windsor campus bookstore has transitioned to a new operator as of July 11, thanks to a partnership with Follett Higher Education, a leading provider of campus bookstore services across North America.

The new bookstore will feature enhanced retail space, service delivery, and improved resources and ecommerce options for campus stakeholders.

Patrons will see a fresh take on University of Windsor branded apparel, gifts, and supplies. Follett is dedicated to cultivating a retail environment that fosters the University of Windsor brand and campus culture, both in-store and online.

University of Windsor students will also benefit from one of Follett’s fundamental missions: to deliver course materials that are more affordable and accessible than ever before. Options include new and used course materials, digital materials like eBooks, digital courseware, and Open Educational Resources.

The University of Windsor joins other institutions who have partnered with Follett Higher Education to provide exceptional campus bookstore services such as St. Clair College, Carleton University, Trent University, and more.

For details on the full breadth of the new campus store products and services, visit uwindsorstore.ca.

The Faculty of Science will soon house more than half a million dollars’ worth of new research equipment thanks to the success of the 2022 Research Tools and Instruments (RTI) grants from the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC).

RTI grants foster and enhance the discovery, innovation, and training capability of university researchers in the natural sciences and engineering by supporting the purchase of research equipment.

“Our success with this year’s RTI competition is a testament to the strength of our faculty and the effectiveness of the programs we have implemented to support and grow research and scholarly work in the Faculty of Science,” says Chris Houser, dean of science.

The successful projects are:

• Munir Rahim, biomedical sciences, Multi-User High Throughput Flow Cytometry System;
• Jeremy Rawson, chemistry and biochemistry, Photon III detector for single crystal X-ray diffraction;
• John Trant, chemistry and biochemistry, Label-free measurement of protein-ligand interactions for biochemistry, structural biology, immunology, engineering, and chemical biology;
• Hossein Fani, computer science, Computing Workstations for Deep Learning on Graph-Structured Data;
• Steven Rehse, physics, An Echelle Spectrometer to Enable Novel Diagnostic Tests Using High-Resolution Time-Resolved Laser-Induced Plasma Emission Spectroscopy.

“This equipment will also provide unprecedented opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students to participate in cutting-edge research,” says Dr. Houser.

“Being leaders in undergraduate research has been key to us becoming the ‘Destination Science’ program in the province of Ontario.”

—Sara Elliott

Researchers had extra support at the Academic Data Centre in the Winter 2022 semester thanks to mathematics and statistics students. Nine students enrolled in the statistical consulting courses had the opportunity to assist in the centre to hone their skills and gain valuable hands-on experience.

The venture is part of a growing collaboration between the centre and the Department of Mathematics and Statistics that allows students at the undergraduate, graduate, and doctorate levels to apply their course learning to real scientific statistical analysis projects.

Students were required to assist researchers from the University of Windsor with their data analysis needs by advising appropriate and advanced statistical modelling and methods.

The experience will help develop the Practicum in Statistical Consulting, which will be the capstone course for the Certificate in Statistical Consulting to be launched in Winter 2024. The practicum is being designed to improve the technical and interpersonal techniques of statistical consulting through exposure to problems and ethics in a real-world environment.

“The interest in data and statistical consulting and its application within and outside of academia is increasing,” said University Librarian Selinda Berg. “We believe that this is a unique learning opportunity that the library can provide for students to practise their skills in statistical consulting with authentic user queries.”

Overseen by the data librarian, Berenica Vejvoda, and learning specialist and statistical consultant Rong Luo, students are immersed in the consultation process by observing as well as providing statistical support to the Academic Data Centre’s clients.

“Mentored by our statistical consultant, students have learned the practicalities of statistical consulting and gained new proficiencies in understanding complex statistical theory, methods, and analysis techniques,” said Vejvoda.

Ke Xiao, a graduate student of mathematics and statistics enrolled in STAT 8560 in the winter semester, was grateful for the experience the Academic Data Centre provided.

“It was an incredibly special experience during my time at the University of Windsor because it allowed me to be involved in real projects and research,” she said.

In addition to bettering teamwork, communication, and reporting skills, Xiao believes the software and statistical methods training will help with future career endeavours.

“I learned how to use software called SPSS, which is an extremely powerful tool for manipulating and deciphering survey data,” said Xiao. “I believe this new skill will increase my workplace competitiveness and work efficiency for my future career.”

The Department of Math and Statistics and the Academic Data Centre will continue their collaboration for the Fall 2022 semester. Faculty interested in incorporating data consultation into their courses can email libdata@uwindsor.ca.

The Academic Data Centre, on the first floor of Leddy Library, provides consultative assistance to students and researchers using data to support their research.

The University of Windsor’s Food Services has won renewal of its certification under the Culinary Tourism Alliance’s Feast On program, which recognizes businesses committed to sourcing and serving Ontario-grown food and drink.

Residence dining was the first university service in the province to qualify when the alliance completed an audit last year. The most recent certification is valid through March 2023.

Billy Alexander of the Culinary Tourism Alliance expressed thanks to the University for supporting Ontario’s farmers and artisans.

“Welcome to the Feast On community,” he said in announcing the recertification. “We look forward to celebrating your unique taste of Ontario and sharing your success stories in the coming year.”

Executive chef Paolo Vasapolli is proud of sourcing food from local producers and expects to develop further relations with farmers in Windsor-Essex.

“We’re lucky to be located in one of the most fertile regions in Canada,” he says. “There are so many opportunities to get the freshest goods while supporting the local economy.”

The first class in the 2022 UWindsor Prep Program opens Monday, July 18.

The program provides a review of the Grade 12 curriculum, readying incoming transfer and first-year science and engineering students for post-secondary study.

Courses offered include biology, chemistry, physics, calculus, and advanced functions and problem-solving strategies.

Students can take each course individually and will receive a certificate of participation from Continuing Education upon completion. Visit the Continuing Education website for full details and schedules.

Students and dependents of staff and alumni are eligible for discounts. Contact continue@uwindsor.ca for more information.