Senior leaders and outstanding researchers from the University of Windsor will be heading to Queen’s Park on Wednesday to share the University’s priorities, achievements, and opportunities with members of the provincial government.

The University delegation will be hosted for the day by Windsor-Tecumseh MPP Andrew Dowie, and will meet with regional MPPs Anthony Leardi (Essex), Trevor Jones (Chatham-Kent-Leamington), and Lisa Gretzky (Windsor West), to discuss governmental/university collaborations and partnerships; regional development; electric vehicle research and development; public health and health research; nursing; and agriculture.

“These are vitally important issues for people across Ontario, so we view this as an ideal opportunity to sit down and talk about how University of Windsor research and innovation can provide unique solutions,” says Vincent Georgie, UWindsor associate vice-president, external.

“We are planning a busy day and will make the most of our time meeting with policy makers and governmental leaders across several ministries to shine a light on University of Windsor research priorities.”

Dowie says he is delighted to share the great work happening at the University of Windsor with his Queen’s Park colleagues.

“Countless examples exist of pioneering relationships with industry such as the Ed Lumley Centre for Engineering Innovation, and the new Wine and Spirits Lab that concurrently benefit students and our economy, and I can’t wait to help the University of Windsor tell their story.”

The visit will conclude with an evening event hosted by the University of Windsor Alumni Association to greet Toronto area supporters, friends, and alumni.

Eighteen undergraduate students from the faculties of science, education, and arts, humanities and social sciences spent Reading Week participating in an alternative spring break experience in the Dominican Republic.

Working with Wine to Water, an organization committed to preserving life and dignity through access to clean water, University of Windsor students helped construct and distribute water filters to communities and families lacking access to clean water.

“Service learning is a great opportunity for students to apply what they have been learning on campus to make a difference in the lives of others,” says faculty lead Chris Houser, interim vice-president, research and innovation. “I am always amazed at the willingness of Windsor students to go above and beyond in service of others both in Windsor-Essex and abroad.”

The simple but effective technology was developed in the Dominican Republic and uses locally sourced materials to remove particulates, contaminates, and pathogens. Learning directly from the designer, the students mixed and moulded the filters, which are then fired and distributed directly to families and community-based associations. While distributing the filters to small interior communities, students demonstrated filter usage and cleaning and conducted follow-up interviews with families who recently started using the filters.

Students also had the opportunity to interact with local public school students and lead activities related to water quality issues in the country.

Cory Acri from Wine to Water marveled at how the students from the University of Windsor came together to do something bigger than themselves: “The impact that these students have made will continue beyond the trip as they share their experience and their story.”

Scholarships for students to participate in this service learning experience were provided through the Go Global STEPS program funded by Global Skills Opportunity, Canada’s outbound student mobility program. This year, the Go Global steps program will support more than 100 undergraduate students from the University of Windsor studying abroad as part of their degree.

The food pantry operated by University of Windsor Students’ Alliance has experienced an increase in demand over the past few months, and the Alumni Association is hoping to address the need.

As part of its Alumni Cares program, the association is hosting a food drive to benefit the Campus Food Pantry.

Drive ’N’ Drop will encourage members of faculty, staff, and the community to contribute non-perishable food or personal care items on Friday, March 3. Volunteers will be on hand in the Vanier Circle to receive donations; donors will not even have to leave their vehicles.

To facilitate drop-offs before and after work, the collection will be staffed from 7:30 to 9:30 a.m. and 3:30 to 5:30 p.m.

These items are in greatest demand:

• Peanut butter
• Canned tuna
• Oatmeal
• Dry or canned beans
• Canned soup and vegetables
• Pasta and rice
• Granola or protein bars
• Tomato sauce
• Juice boxes

There will also be a collection box in the CAW Student Centre. Online donations can be made through the assocation’s website.

Three Lancer teams ranked in the top 10 across Canada emerged from the first round of playoffs in volleyball, hockey, and basketball.

The No. 7 men’s volleyball team defeated the Western Mustangs 3-0 (25-19, 25-20, 25-20) in an Ontario University Athletics quarter-final Saturday at the Toldo Lancer Centre. Leading all players were Luca Nastase with 14 points and Steven Abrams with 12 digs. Windsor advances to host Toronto in the next round on Saturday, March 4, with game time tentatively set for 7 p.m.

The No. 9 men’s hockey squad notched two straight wins to sweep the Brock Badgers in a best-of-three quarterfinal, following a 3-1 victory Thursday in St. Catharines with a 6-4 win at home Saturday. Next up is a semi-final series against Lakehead, opening at the Capri Pizzeria Recreation Centre on Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. Games 2 and 3 are set for Thunder Bay on Friday and Saturday.

The No. 10 men’s basketball team earned a semi-final berth by defeating the Guelph Gryphons 93-74 Saturday at the Toldo Lancer Centre. Five Windsor players scored in double digits, including Thomas Kennedy, whose 20 points topped the court. The Lancers will travel to Ottawa to face the Gee Gees on Wednesday at 7 p.m.

Windsor hosted the provincial track and field tournament on the weekend, with men and women both finishing fourth overall in team standings. Individual medallists included:

• Mandy Brunet, gold in the women’s triple jump and silver in the long jump;
• Nicholas Neri, gold in the men’s 1000m;
• Anthony Atkinson, silver in the men’s weight throw and bronze in shot put;
• Zion Webb, silver in men’s shot put;
• Will McBride, silver in the men’s 600m;
• Jonathan Rioux, Noah Waldmann, Andrew Taylor, and Paul Popescum, silver in the men’s 4x800m relay;
• Taryn Lamorie, bronze in women’s long jump;
• Jaidyn Nyhoff, bronze in women’s triple jump;
• Owen MacNeill, bronze in the men’s triple jump;
• Caleb Keeling, bronze in the men’s high jump;
• Brittany Van Hooft, Emma Floris, Maya Metivier, and Emma Kljajic, bronze in the women’s 4x200m relay;
• Van Hooft, Camryn Williams, Floris, and Isabella Goveia, bronze in the women’s 4x400m relay;
• Ryan Mahabir, McBride, Waldmann, and Ben Tilson, bronze in the men’s 4x400m relay.

The athletes will now prepare for the U Sports national championships, March 9 to 11 at the University of Saskatchewan.

Several teams saw their post-season runs come to an end: women’s basketball dropped a 61-58 decision to the Brock Badgers, Wednesday at the Toldo Lancer Centre; women’s volleyball lost 3-0 (15-25, 16-25, 17-25) to Brock, Saturday in St. Catharines; and women’s hockey lost the third and deciding game in its series with Guelph, 3-2 in quadruple overtime.

The Office of Career Development and Experiential Learning (CDEL) is now accepting applications for the Spring/Summer 2023 VIP-Community Service Learning Program (VIP-CSL).

The program is open to students from any program and provides the opportunity to participate in 40 hours of community volunteering with a partner organization in the non-profit sector. Students can apply to community placements relevant to their career goals, giving them a chance to gain experience and relevant skills.

The VIP-CSL program is one of the most valuable ways CDEL fortifies the UWindsor promise of an excellent educational experience. Participation in the program helps bolster students’ employability and impact on the community and encourages them to open doors where they can combine theoretical applications with real-world experience in an engaging environment.

“VIP students are compassionate and really care about giving back to their community. It is a pleasure to work with these students while they overcome challenges and gain confidence in their skill sets,” says Jane Sylvester, applied learning co-ordinator for career development and experiential learning.

UWindsor student and former VIP-CSL program participant Gagneek Kaur says the program helped give her a better understanding of the dynamics of Canadian life.

“I came out of this experience as a more patient, empathetic, and informed individual with skills that will benefit me throughout my life,” she says. “I would highly recommend the VIP-CSL program to every incoming university student because it equips us with the resources and knowledge that is bound to benefit our career trajectory.”

Students can apply for the program on mySuccess under VIP-CSL or visit www.uwindsor.ca/vip to learn more. Applications will be accepted until March 15.

Within the Aspire Strategic Framework, the University of Windsor has identified Sustainability: Climate and Environment as one of its values. To support the strategic framework, the University agreed to engage Mercer, investment consultants, to provide support in reviewing and further developing its commitment to responsible and sustainable investing.

During the summer of 2022, Mercer conducted a survey to assist the University in gaining a better understanding around the range of beliefs and views from the campus, on sustainable investment approaches and key environmental, social, and corporate governance (ESG) issues.

The Investment Committee and the University’s Senior Leadership Team were surveyed to understand:

• General views on sustainable investing
• ESG investment strategies, including integration, stewardship, thematic investing, and screening
• Views on specific sustainable investing topics.

The results of the survey were used to assist in developing a clear set of ESG beliefs to form the foundation for the most recent updates to the Responsible Investing policy.

An updated version of the policy has been posted on the University’s website for public consultation. The purpose of the public consultation process is to gather feedback and views, from the campus community on the proposed edits to the policy, including the following areas:

• Key responsible investment beliefs
• Views on responsible investing themes and investment approaches
• Monitoring approach for investment managers
• Disclosure and communication

The updated draft of the policy can be found on the Finance’s Treasury website. It will remain posted on the Finance department’s website until end of day March 17.

Feedback from the campus community, through the public consultation process, will be reviewed and considered, and will form the next series of updates to the University’s policy on responsible investing. An updated draft of the policy will be presented to the Investment Committee of the Board of Governors at its May 2023 meeting for approval.

For inquiries related to the University’s Responsible Investment policy, framework, and consultation process, contact treasury@uwindsor.ca.

T4/T4A tax slips are now available online on the myUWinfo employee portal.

This convenient and secure option allows faculty, staff, and student employees to print and reprint their tax slips wherever and whenever they choose with no waiting and no time lost in the mail. The portal is accessible 24 hours a day, seven days a week for as long as users have access to myUWinfo.

Before you can view or print your tax slip, you must consent to accept your tax slip online. There are instructions on the myUWinfo -> myPAY section that will step you through the process. For those who did not previously consent, your slip has already been mailed to your home address.

A quick start guide for accessing the employee information gateway can be found here.

Note: When viewing your T4, make sure to scroll down to the end as some employees may have multiple T4 slips for the year.

WE-Spark Health Institute hosts monthly networking events for members of the Windsor-Essex health research community to get to know one another through fun and casual conversations. There is no formal agenda, and all are welcome.

This is an opportunity for anyone interested in health research to make connections in an informal and enjoyable atmosphere. The next event will be held Thursday, March 2, from 5 to 8 p.m. at Bourbon Tap & Grill, 1199 Ottawa St. No RSVP is required.

WE-Spark Health Institute is a partnership of the University of Windsor, Erie Shores HealthCare, Hôtel-Dieu Grace Healthcare, St. Clair College, and Windsor Regional Hospital designed to take healthcare to the next level through research.