A communications plan rolling out this year will highlight the mechanisms in place to ensure the safety of students, staff, faculty, and visitors on the UWindsor campus.

In line with the University’s strategic priority of fostering a secure environment in which to live, work, and learn, the “Be a Safe Lancer” campaign will inform the community about the resources available.

Programs and mechanisms available to staff, students, and faculty to ensure campus continues to be a safe place include the Safe Lancer app; the emergency notification system; the WalkSafe program; the Student Medical Response Service; the Office of Sexual Violence Prevention, Resistance, and Support; Occupational Health and Safety; the Assessment and Care Team; and a variety of counselling services and service departments.

Throughout the year, Be Safe a Lancer will raise awareness of these resources through DailyNews articles, posters, social media, and incentive contests.

“Safety is everyone’s concern and of utmost importance not just when there is an emergency, but every day,” says Gillian Heisz, vice-president, finance and operations. “We all have to do our part to be alert and be informed: from Campus Community Police to partners right across the University.”

The first phase of the campaign will encourage campus community members to download the Safe Lancer app and register for the emergency alert notification system.

A talent incubator for Indigenous and Black students is hoping to involve faculty members in its work to develop an academic pipeline.

An initiative of the Office of the Vice President, People, Equity, and Inclusion, the Cube seeks to empower Indigenous and Black students across the University of Windsor by providing them with opportunities and support, unique to their individual academic and career pursuits. Recognizing that Indigenous and Black students have traditionally not received adequate support and lack equitable representation in academic and workspaces, the Cube is geared towards supporting student talent development through workshops, mentorship, networking in fields of interest, and opportunities for financial assistance.

The program will formally launch in September, says director Kemi Anazodo, an assistant professor in the Odette School of Business.

“At this stage, as we build the Cube community, we would like to encourage Indigenous and Black students to self-identify and signup for the Cube and start to get access to upcoming information and resources,” says Dr. Anazodo. “We would also like to recruit members of the wider University community including faculty, staff, alumni, and community members who would like to identify and support Indigenous and Black students at the undergraduate and graduate levels.

“We seek to create an environment that nurtures growth and advancement and bridges the gap between academia and careers.”

The Cube aims to enhance the presence of Indigenous and Black scholars’ perspectives in academic literature and faculty representation.

Besides Anazodo, the Cube team includes special advisors Jaimie Kechego, learning specialist for Indigenization in the Centre for Teaching and Learning, and Richard Douglass-Chin, professor in the departments of English and Women’s and Gender Studies, as well as an advisory board drawn from community organizations and the University’s faculty, staff, and students.

“Engaged faculty members can join us in our mission to transform the world, one exceptional leader at a time,” says Anazodo. “Together, we can build a stronger community, promote educational opportunities, and drive positive change.”

To learn more, email thecube@uwindsor.ca.

Lancer varsity soccer teams will play their home openers Saturday, Sept. 9, hosting the York Lions for a doubleheader on Alumni Field.

The women will play at 1 p.m. and the men at 3:15 p.m.

Both Windsor squads emerged undefeated in their contests last weekend in Sault Ste. Marie against the Algoma Thunderbirds. The women notched back-to-back wins 9-0 and 5-0, while the men tied twice, 1-1 and 0-0.

Catch the Lancers in action: purchase tickets here or view the livestream on OUA.tv.

In other varsity play, Waterloo is the setting for the third football game of the season as the 2-0 Lancers line up against the 1-1 Warriors. A 21-17 victory over McMaster in week one and 41-18 defeat of Guelph in last week’s home opener has earned Windsor 10th spot in the USports national rankings.

A doctoral student of integrative biology will lead a guided birding walk Saturday, Sept. 9, at Brunet Park in LaSalle.

Sarah Dobney developed a love of birds at a young age and is now pursuing graduate studies in the vocal behaviour of savannah sparrows. She says one of her favourite things about birds is that there is always something new and fascinating to learn.

Presented by the Friends of Ojibway Prairie, the sunrise event begins at 7 a.m. Dobney invites attendees to bring binoculars, sturdy footwear, appropriate clothing — and consider insect repellant.

The event is free and registration is not required but encouraged for planning purposes, and to communicate any changes due to weather conditions. Find details and register on the event website.

“Fitness classes are a great way to get started, make progress on your goals, or change up your routine,” says health and wellness specialist Giovanna Abraham.

She is one of the instructors for classes for UWindsor faculty and staff run by Lancer Recreation during weekday lunch periods in the Education Gym.

“You’ll leave feeling stronger and more confident than ever, while burning calories long after your workout is over,” Abraham says.

One-hour classes begin at noon in the gym located between the University Computer Centre and the CAW Student Centre:

• Tuesdays — Gia Fit with Giovanna Abraham
  Target your entire body with pilates and yoga fusion movements that will leave you toned, sculpted and strong. Finish with breathwork and other techniques to energize, soothe, or balance the energy in the body and nervous system.
• Thursdays — Power Sculpt with Giovanna Abraham
  Come get stronger, more toned, and more confident during a total body sculpt class: your favourite weight training class using dumbbells and other equipment.
• Wednesdays and Fridays — Yoga Mid-day Release with Nicole Daignault
  Enjoy a moderate-to-low-intensity session, including breathing exercises to relax and balance the nervous system, meditation to still the mind, and deep relaxation to rest the body.

“The best way to get involved is to purchase our All-Class Pass priced at $129 for the semester,” says Mike McMahon, assistant fitness co-ordinator for Lancer Rec.

The All-Class Pass also provides full access to Lancer Recreation classes held in the Toldo Lancer Centre. Click here to purchase online. Once you have your pass, register for classes through the GoLancers app.