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Gwendolyn Ebbett
 We held our first hybrid Annual General Meeting ( AGM) on November 29, 2023 at the Freed-Orman Centre using Microsoft Teams. There were 36 attendees. The AGM was immediately followed by our Holiday Luncheon, the first since 2019. The AGM Minutes will be made available on our website once the Executive has approved them. All the Committee Reports fully detailing their activities are available on our website as well. Please take a look at them and you will see how much these Committees have achieved on your behalf.
Some of the highlights of the AGM included greetings from WUFA President, Anna Lanoszka. She gave an update on WUFA’s participation on the University’s work following up on the Auditor General’s Report. Anna noted that good progress was being made and that, hopefully, the University’s response will be completed by the November 2024 deadline. She also reported that WUFA was “asking hard questions” on the University’s ad hoc Committee looking into the possibility of joining the University Pension Plan (UPP). She noted that the Committee, which includes two WURA representatives, anticipates that a “ White Paper” will be forthcoming in the Spring. (Stay tuned for updates on this important issue in future WURA e-Bulletins.).
This AGM saw the final report from Cheryl Paglione as the Executive Director, Pensions, Benefits & HRIS, Department of Human Resources. Cheryl will be retiring in 2024. At the AGM, she introduced Jody Fraser, the new Associate Vice-President, Human Resources, who said she looked forward to working productively with WURA. One of the exciting items that WURA will assist Jody with, is the U of W’s application to join the Age Friendly University Global Network. During our recent Joint Communications Committee (JCC) meeting, President Gordon indicated that he wants to achieve membership in the Age Friendly University Global Network.
A highligh  t of the AGM was the bestowing of the Windsor Retirees’ Friend of WURA Award on Marian Doll, Director, Student Awards and Financial Aid, in consideration of her many years of assistance and wise advice to our Scholarship Committee. The Friend of WURA Award was presented to Marian by Barbara Thomas, Chair of the WURA Scholarship Committee.
The AGM concluded with remarks from President Rob Gordon. He noted achievements such as the new Lancer Centre and the renovated Law School, the Age Friendly University initiative, progress in achieving goals in ASPIRE, the University’s new strategic plan, and that the University is committed to achieving a “ carbon neutral” status. He concluded with the introduction of the new Executive Leadership Team, who joined us for the luncheon, giving us the opportunity to interact one-on one with them.
During the luncheon, the draw for winners of the raffle organized by the Social Committee took place. The raffle resulted in a $440 donation to the Drouillard Place Food Bank. A sincere thank you to all those who contributed to this very worthy cause.
On a more somber note, I refer you once more to the new Human Resources In Memorium website. It is updated regularly and a link is provided in the University Daily News.
I would like to close this report by thanking all of you for your participation in WURA, and a special heartfelt thank you to the Executive, and Committee members for their support and hard work.
Happy Holidays and all the best for 2024!
Gwendolyn Ebbett
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| ("Calling for Volunteers" by DALL-E, Abstract, October 2023.) |
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WURA Nominating Committee Report
Slate of Candidates for WURA Positions Presented to Annual General Meeting;
On-line Voting to Commence on December [Date Required]
Roger Lauzon, Past President and Chair of Nominating Committee
The Nominating Committee presented its Slate of Candidates for the 2024 WURA Executive and Committee positions at the Annual General Meeting on November 29 th. The Committee noted that all Executive Members are returning for 2024 and that only a few Committee members have changed. Returning Members of the Executive include: President: Ms. Gwendolyn Ebbett; Vice-President: Dr. Bruce Elman; Secretary: Dr. Walter (Jake) Soderlund; Treasurer: Dr. Norman King; Past President: Mr. Roger Lauzon; Directors-at-Large: Dr. Adrian Van Den Hoven; Dr. Geri Salinitri; Dr. Christina Simmons; and Webmaster: Mr. Richard Dumala.
The Committee indicated that the continuance of Executive members in their positions provides the Association with exceptional stability. As stated in the Report: “We appreciate their willingness to continue to assist WURA. We are confident that this strong group of nominees will ably represent the interests of retired Faculty, Librarians and non-Union Managers and Administrators in any issues arising with the University Administration and Faculty Association.”
The Pension and Benefits (P & B) Committees saw some minor changes in composition. Dr. Ihor Stebelsky, a long serving Member of the P & B Committee, expressed his willingness to serve as Chair, at least on an Interim basis. Dr. John Meyer, who is our current WURA representative on the Board of Governors Pension Committee, requested more involvement on these committees. As well, Dr. Mary Lou Drake, has agreed to serve as a member of the Committee, until Dr. Lucia Yiu returns from a family leave situation.
In addition, WURA now has two representatives on a new University ad hoc UPP Pension evaluation ad hoc committee: Dr. Ihor Stebelsky and Dr. Gordon Drake.
WUFA requested a WURA Representative on the WUFA Contract Committee. Dr. Larry Glassford has graciously volunteered, once again, to be our Representative on this Committee. He did this task very well on our behalf during the last round of collective bargaining.
The Report is the final version of the Slate of Candidates presented to the hybrid WURA Annual Fall Meeting ( AGM) on November 29 th. Because of the unusual logistics arising from a hybrid (on-line and in-person) meeting, we are treating the “Request for WURA Volunteers for 2024” sent to all members on October 2 nd, with its deadline of October 31 st, as replacing the usual Call for Nominations from the floor at the AGM.
The WURA Executive strongly feels that the on-line vote and restricted Canada Post ballots on the Slate of Candidates for the 2024 WURA Executive and Committee positions now will allow ALL WURA members to vote, instead of only those members present, either in person or on-line, at the hybrid WURA Fall Annual General Meeting ( AGM) on November 29. Please look for this upcoming WURA e-mail request to vote either on-line or through a restricted Canada Post ballot only for those few members without an e-mail address.
I would like to thank all the WURA Nominating Committee members -- Dr. Barbara Thomas, Dr. Norman King, Dr. Geri Salinitri -- for assisting me with this Report. I would also offer a big thank you to all who assisted our committee in compiling this Slate of Candidates, especially all WURA members whose names appear on the Slate of Candidates which can be found at this link.
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Voting will commence by electronic ballot on December 18 and conclude on December 22, 2024.
Some WURA members will receive a mail-in ballot that must be returned by January 5, 2024. |
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| (The editors of a book of UWindsor reminiscences celebrate its official launch Friday. From left: Kenneth Pryke, Lois Smedick, Kate McCrone, Sheila Cameron, Ralph Johnson. From DailyNews November 2013.) |
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Pryke Memorial Award Established
At the Annual General Meeting of the Windsor University Retirees’ Association, held on November 29, Dr. Barbara Thomas, Chair of the Association’s Scholarship Committee, announced the establishment of the Pryke Memorial Award in the Faculty of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences.
Dr. Thomas reported that “working with Camille Armour, Senior Development Officer for FAHSS, we established the terms of reference for the Pryke Memorial Award.” Dr. Thomas noted that in the Summer 2023, WURA received notice that the estate of the late Kathleen Pryke had generously donated $40,000 for a new scholarship to be established in memory of her husband and their son, Drs. Kenneth G. Pryke and Sean P. Pryke. Dr. Thomas went on to say: “It is expected to generate an annual Scholarship of $1600, with the initial award being made by the Fall of 2025/26.” The recipient will be selected by the WURA Scholarship Committee. Dr. Thomas thanked the Pryke family for their substantial and ongoing support of Windsor students.
Dr. Thomas concluded her Report to the AGM by noting that the WURA Scholarship Committee, including Dr Ron Barron, Dr Dale Rajacich, and Dr. Thomas, would like WURA members and others to know how important their donations are in maintaining and enhancing these Scholarships for our Windsor students. She stated: “Our constant goal is to increase the size and number of these awards.” She added: “Members of the Scholarship Committee all make annual contributions to the WURA Scholarship Fund.”
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| ("Holiday Luncheon" by DALL-E, Abstract, October 2023) |
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WURA Re-Establishes In-Person Holiday Luncheon Tradition
Christine Simmons
Immediately following our Annual General Meeting on Wednesday, November 29, WURA held our first In-Person Holiday Luncheon since 2019 – that is, before the Covid pandemic. When President Rob Gordon addressed us at the end of the AGM, he introduced those new members of the Executive Leadership Team who were able to attend the Meeting. They included Gillian Heisz, VP, Finance and Operations; Robert Aguirre, Provost and VP, Academic; Krista Devine, University Counsel and Legal Officer; and Marian Gayed, Associate VP, External. We were very pleased that Members of the Executive Leadership Team were able to remain after the AGM and join WURA members at the Holiday Luncheon.
The Luncheon, held in the Freed Orman Centre, was happily infused with a festive atmosphere. At the luncheon, we feasted on the traditional turkey and fixings, as well as vegetarian options. While we ate, we were entertained by very lovely piano music provided by Music student Paul Rizac. Once again, as at the President’s Tea in June, WURA members seemed very pleased to be able to see one another at an in-person event.
We were also gratified to have raised $440 for the Food Bank through our raffle, as people competed to win one of five prizes – two children’s books by WURA members (Jake Soderlund and Norm King), a pie, a cake, and a quilted table runner.
The Social Committee welcomes suggestions from members for other social events that we might organize in coming months. If you have an idea, please e-mail Christina Simmons at simmonc@uwindsor.ca.
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| ("Researchers" by DALL-E, Abstract, October 2023) |
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WURA “Research Corner”
Jake Soderlund
For University of Windsor Retirees involved in research, 2023 was a productive year. Anyone who is interested in continuing their research into their retirement years or has some innovative ideas for the WURA Research Support Group, please contact Jake Soderlund < akajake@uwindsor.ca>
Recent Research Activity
Paul V. CassanoResearch Completed
- “How Human Language Began: New Evidence Cognitive Studies: The Philosophy of Mind” (Article submitted; Its central thesis is that language evolved from music).
Susan Gold Smith
Grants Received
- Awarded an Ontario Arts Council Exhibition Materials Grant for her presentation in the bilingual exhibition, Une grain à fois, at Common Ground gallery. Her work is currently on display at Nancy Johns Gallery in Windsor.
Ihor Stebelsky
Research Completed
For the Internet Encyclopedia of Ukraine; March - December 2023:
- “Bakhchesarai” posted on website in June
- “Teodosiia” posted on website in August
- “Yevpatoriia” posted on website in December
Researched and presented “Crimea: Its History, Narratives, and Russian
- Re-annexation – Where Does it Belong?” a two-hour lecture for the Elder College at Amica Riverside, December 5, 2023.
Adrian van den Hoven
Research Completed
- Critical Analysis of Jean-Paul Sartre’s Plays. (Book Manuscript sent to a publisher).
Research in Progress
- Working on a review of Joseph Catalano’s An Abridged Edition of Jean-Paul Sartre’s The Family Idiot. Gustave Flaubert, 1821-1857. (For publication in Sartre Studies International).
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| ("By the Numbers" by DALL-E, Abstract, December 2023) |
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By the Numbers
Editors’ Note: Student enrolment is, of course, the lifeblood of the University – academically and financially. But student enrolment doesn’t occur without Student recruitment. Our “By the Numbers” Column this issue comes courtesy of Dr. Chris Busch, Associate Vice President, Strategic Enrolment and Senior International Officer at the University.
Ontario University Fair – 2023
Approximately 100 faculty, staff, and students journeyed to the Toronto Metropolitan Convention Centre to partake in the two-day Ontario University Fair. This event drew an impressive crowd of around 86,000 students and their supporters, marking a remarkable 10% year-over-year increase in attendance.
The Ontario University Fair is a distinctive platform for our university to showcase why it stands out as a premier educational destination for students in the Greater Toronto region. It provides participating faculty, staff, and students the invaluable opportunity to engage in one-on-one conversations, sharing their unique perspectives on why prospective students should seriously consider joining our university in the upcoming fall semester.
We distributed nearly 9,000 copies of our "Viewbook" during this event, fostering numerous impactful conversations. Additionally, we garnered over 4,000 direct leads for follow-up, which has already started.
Fall Open House - 2023
The Fall Open House, held on October 28th, is a pivotal event in our annual calendar, and its significance in supporting recruitment cannot be overstated. This event provides an in-person opportunity for prospective students and their supporters to experience our vibrant campus firsthand. It allows them to explore our academic programs, engage with faculty and staff, and get a real sense of the campus atmosphere. Opening our doors during this event showcases our commitment to academic excellence and demonstrates the welcoming and inclusive community that defines the University of Windsor.
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Registrants |
Attendees |
| Prospects |
Guests |
Prospects |
Guests |
| Fall 2023 |
2,133 |
3,816 |
947 |
1,387 |
| Fall 2022 |
2,183 |
2,248 |
934 |
907 |
| YoY Ñ |
(50) |
+1,468 |
+13 |
+480 |
The period following the Front-of-House (FOH) phase plays a pivotal role in sustaining momentum and ensuring prospective students receive the information and support they need when contemplating their application to the university. Our strategy includes planned efforts for continued engagement to transform interest into actual applications and enrollments. This encompasses expressing gratitude to attendees, conducting follow-up communications, gathering valuable feedback, providing virtual content (virtual open day), and organizing subsequent campus tours.
Interesting data tidbits: 55% of attendees register within seven days of the event, 82% of those who attend are planning for Fall 2024
Virtual Open Day
The Fall Virtual Open Day at the University of Windsor, set for Thursday, Dec. 7, from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m., offers a comprehensive online experience for prospective students and applicants worldwide. This event complements on-campus open houses, allowing one to explore the University from any location. Participants can learn about the University, view the campus and living spaces, complete their applications, and interact with current students and staff, all from the comfort of home.
We experienced a dramatic Year-over-Year (YoY) increase in registration (nearly 3,400 people) and attendance (55% increase compared to last year), including hundreds of domestic undergraduate students.
Fall 2024 Enrolment
We continue our Year-over-Year growth trend of domestic undergraduate high school applicants, including from 1 st, 2 nd and 3 rd choice applicants and minor increases in transfer applications and applications from learners outside Windsor-Essex.
Editors’ Conclusion: And that is “By the Numbers” according to Dr. Chris Busch. The Editorial Board welcomes any comments whether on this column or any other article in the e-Bulletin.
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| (Winter Reading by DALL-E, December 2023) |
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Communications Committee Members Recommend . . .
The Holidays are all about family. But sometimes one’s family is, well, just a bit much. One longs for some time to just sit down in a comfy armchair, pour oneself a glass of shiraz or a dram of scotch and read a good book – nothing too taxing but engaging nonetheless. In that spirit Members of the Communications Committee recommend the following books for your holiday alone-time reading.
A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles
Reviewed by Carol and Joe Saso
 In a 2017 interview about his second novel A Gentleman in Moscow, Amor Towles described his book as "a pile of brightly coloured shards of glass" which are then dropped into a kaleidoscope where "thanks to a glint of sunlight and the interplay of mirrors", the reader can interpret the novel himself.
Anyone expecting Tolstoy or Solzhenitsyn will be surprised to find that the novel takes place entirely in the luxurious Metropole hotel in Moscow. In 1922, Count Rostov, a Russian aristocrat, finds himself facing a Bolshevik tribunal for perceived counter-revolutionary sentiments. Instead of execution or exile, he is sentenced to spend the rest of his life inside the hotel; not in his luxurious suite but in an attic, a room normally used by servants. If he leaves the hotel, he will be executed. The novel unfolds over 32 years during which Rostov encounters a fascinating cast of characters who, through a series of seemingly minor incidents, have a profound effect on the course of his life. Variously described as an intellectual and an aesthete, Rostov emerges as an eternal optimist and, ultimately, a humanist who is completely at odds with the norms of modern Soviet society. We see this when Rostov is horrified to learn that the Soviet bureaucracy, in its determination to impose equality on all aspects of Soviet life, orders the labels removed from the Metropole's 100,000 bottles of fine wine. Rostov cleverly finds ways to identify each vintage anyway because for him, it would be a crime to serve the wrong wine with a meal. This is an engaging, rich, and wonderfully authored novel sure to please a diverse audience.
Three Pines Series by Louise Penny
Reviewed by Gwendolyn Ebbett
 This is a suggestion for a series of books for your reading pleasure, rather than a review of a single book.
The author is Louise Penny, a Canadian novelist who currently resides in the Eastern Townships of Quebec.She is the author of a wonderful mystery series, Three Pines, which features Chief Inspector Armand Gamache of the Sûreté du Quebec, the Quebec Provincial Police Force. There are 18 books in the series and although it is suggested that they be read in order, I don’t think that is necessary. Several of the characters appear in many of the books, but each novel can be read on its own. Most are set in the fictional location of Three Pines in rural Quebec.
Penny published the first book of the series in 2006 and the most recent in 2022. For a list of the titles and a brief synopsis of each please see https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chief_Inspector_Armand_Gamache
The series has very little violence and has been described as being of the "Cozy Mystery Genre". I have only read a few, but am slowly making my way through them all. My son is doing the same and has told me that each one gets better and better. Each mystery reveals complex relationships between and among the characters and sees Gamache solving the murders after several plot twists and turns. Three Pines, an Amazon Prime Television series is based on the Gamache novels. It only ran for one season, but quite accurately reflects Inspector Gamache.
Gamache also appears briefly as a minor character in State of Terror (2021), a political thriller co-written with Hillary Clinton.
Louise Penny has received awards for each of the books in the Gamache series. For more information about her please see https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Louise_Penny
Saints for All Occasions by J. Courtney Sullivan
Reviewed by Stuart Selby
 One of my best discoveries in retirement years is that not only do I enjoy the novels typically read by women’s book clubs, but that they reveal human interaction more profoundly than the detective and historical novels I enjoyed in the past. This discovery came about by my being accepted into my late wife’s book club despite my disqualifying gender, for which I am truly grateful. The novel I presented at our last meeting, and which I recommend to you, is Saints for All Occasions by J. Courtney Sullivan. It is told in parallel narratives, first in the late 1950s as two young sisters leave rural Ireland for Boston and then in the 1990s as their lives and families have grown in America. Nora, the shy elder and responsible sister, marries her Irish hometown boy and matures to become a Boston Catholic matriarch. Bright and flighty Theresa is seduced, pressured to give up her baby for adoption, and after teaching in a Catholic high school, joins a cloistered abbey in Vermont and matures to become its prioress. Nora and her loyal husband secretly adopt Theresa’s baby boy but present him to family and friends as their natural child – followed by their own two boys and a girl. As always in families and groups, secrecy is a slow-acting poison. Just as Nora and Theresa follow different paths, their children also follow different paths so that the Rafferty’s of Boston illuminate significant aspects of individual relationships and of our contemporary society.
The Last Devil to Die
Reviewed by Bruce Elman
 Some of you may know Richard Osman as the charming creator and co-presenter of the British game show “Pointless”.On “Pointless”, the contestants try to score as few points as possible by coming up with answers to general knowledge questions that no one else has thought of.The contestants are asked the same questions that were previously asked of surveyed individuals, with the goal of giving the correct answers that were given least frequently by the people surveyed. The players with the fewest points win! Obviously, Richard Osman is a creative guy.
He has brought the same kind of quirky creativity to his “Thursday Murder Club” mysteries of which “The Last Devil to Die” is the fourth and, ostensibly, final (at least for the time being) installment. The series features an unlikely murder-solving ensemble (The Thursday Murder Club) who just happen to all be residents in a seniors’ village known as Coopers Chase. The leader and mastermind of the Club is ex-spy Elizabeth Best. Elizabeth knows how to get what she wants. The newest member of the Club is Joyce Meadowcroft, a retired nurse, who effectively becomes the narrator of the stories. Ibrahim Arif is a (mostly) retired psychiatrist – lovely, genteel, methodical, he has become a recluse following a mugging that he experienced. Ron Ritchie is a hot-headed (or at least as hot-headed as one can be at his age) ex-union activist. Together, this unlikely squad of crime fighters manages to do what the police cannot – solve murders.
These books are not all hi-jinks and whodunnit, however. Serious issues arise throughout but the fourth book seems to be replete with contemporary topics that are especially relevant to older individuals: on-line fraud, loneliness, dementia, and assistance in dying. As they are negotiating these personal issues, the Club encounters art forgers and drug dealers and, of course, murders. Personally, I would start with the “Thursday Murder Club” to get to know (and love) the characters but I think “The Last Devil to Die” is the best.
In our Next Issue . . .
Books Grandparents Recommend for Their Grandchildren
We like this “Book Review” section so much that, in our next issue, we are going to feature Books Grandparents Buy and Recommend for their Grandchildren. If you have some suggestions or want to become a Reviewer, just let me know at belman@uwindsor.ca. You will not want to miss my review of “Doggies: A Counting and Barking Book” by Sandra Boynton.
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In just about every issue of the WURA e-Bulletin we remind retirees who have not already done so to please send their annual dues to our treasurer to have the funds to allow us to continue serving University of Windsor retirees. In this issue, we will abandon “reminder” for “implore” - a word we rarely get to use in our everyday communication. We could just ask again, but implore has more gravitas, befitting an item appearing in a university bulletin. It is the kind of word more commonly used in supplication to a higher power, and even though our scholarly egos can become inflated at times, we limit our sense of power to a more modest realm. We may have had students plead for a higher grade, but never implore. Therefore, when your academic peers implore, entreat, and beseech you to send in your dues for 2023-24, the very least you can do is support the organization looking out for your interests by sending in a cheque or making a direct deposit. This will no doubt be the only item in your budget that has not increased in many years.
Please send your cheque for $25.00 for 2023-24, made out to WURA, to our Treasurer:
Norman King
#103, 1935 Normandy St.
LaSalle, ON
N9H 1P9.
You may also make a direct deposit if you prefer through email to: nking@uwindsor.ca.
If you wish to save yourself some time and avoid being late next year, you may also pay for more than one year (2023 + 2024, or for 2022 + 2023 if you missed last year). And if you have forgotten your present dues status, please send an email message to nking@uwindsor.ca, or write to him at the above address.
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| (Abstract image illustrating an Academic Institution going into financial bankruptcy by DALL-E, December 2023) |
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Watch for our Next Issue . . .
Here’s a Teaser for You . . .
Bruce Elman
Over the past year, we have been looking at the financial health of Ontario Universities and, in particular, our own University. The genesis of our (and most academics’) concern lay in the announcement by Laurentian University in February 2021 that it was insolvent and the subsequent decision by the University to seek protection under the Companies’ Creditors Arrangement Act (CCAA) – a piece of Federal legislation essentially similar to the Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act. In the re-structuring that took place in April of 2021, Laurentian cut 69 programs affecting 932 students. They also fired 195 staff and faculty. All of this caused massive dislocation in Laurentian University and the City of Sudbury and more than considerable consternation and concern in the academy province-wide.
What followed was an Auditor General’s Report into the Laurentian situation including the decision to seek protection of the CCAA. Then, the Auditor General conducted a Value-For-Money Audit of four Ontario Universities. The Report, entitled “Financial Management in Ontario Universities”, looked at Algoma University, Nipissing University, Ontario Institute of Technology, and the University of Windsor. We ran a two-part series in the e-Bulletin on the Windsor part of the AG’s Report. (See https://www.uwindsor.ca/retirees-association/486/e-bulletin-december-2022; and https://www.uwindsor.ca/retirees-association/487/e-bulletin-march-2023.) This November we also ran a Hot Topics on the AG’s Report on Windsor with guest Gillian Heisz, VP Finance and Operations at the University. (Editor's Note: You can watch this Hot Topics on YouTube - details below.)
So, naturally, we thought we were done with this topic. Oh, we thought we might re-visit the subject in November 2024 by when the University is supposed to have met the AG’s Recommendations but that was it. Then two things happened which caught the Editorial Board's collective eyes:
First, in the Federal Government’s Fall Economic Statement, the following appeared on page 66: “Following the unprecedented financial crisis and restructuring at Laurentian University in 2021, Canadians have raised concerns about the appropriate protection of important programs and services in the event of a publicly funded postsecondary educational institution becoming insolvent.” And it was followed by this “action item”: “The 2023 Fall Economic Statement proposes that the government will amend federal insolvency laws, namely the Companies’ Creditors Arrangement Act and the Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act, to exclude public post-secondary educational institutions from becoming the subject of proceedings under either Act.”
This got us thinking, well if not the CCAA, then what? Is the Federal Government proposing an alternative? What’s the alternative now? What can the Feds actually do – after all post-secondary education is a Provincial jurisdiction? So, we went looking for answers.
Our interest – perhaps even our concerns – were heightened by a Toronto Star article on December 6th, entitled “York University Must Address Rising Debt and Low Enrollment, Audit Finds” – you guessed it: the Auditor General did a Value-For-Money Audit on York University. The Report entitled “York University Operations and Capital" found that “at the end of fiscal year 2022/23, York emerged with a positive net asset position amounting to $1.9 billion and was in a sound financial position at the time of our audit.” It went on to say “Even so, there are cautions . . “ One tidbit: York is $600 Million is debt and six out of its ten faculties are losing money on a yearly basis, one – the Faculty of Arts, Media, Performance and Design – as high as $14.5 million in 2022 - 23.
In case you have forgotten, the past five years have seen a 10% province-wide tuition reduction followed by a freeze beginning in 2019/20, the COVID-19 pandemic with its resultant disruptions, the insolvency of Laurentian University, the de-stabilization of Canada’s relations with China and India – the main sources of International students (with their higher tuition fees), and the very recent decision by the Federal Government to increase the financial requirements for International students. All of this require us to take a serious look at what recourse an insolvent University might have open to it if it can no longer proceed under the Companies’ Creditors Arrangement Act (CCAA).
Stay tuned for our Next Issue!
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| (Writing an article for e-Bulletin, A DALL-E generated image, December 2023.) |
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Calling All Retirees: Shake Off That Rust and Get Scribbling!
Hello Fabulous Retirees!
Who said retirement was all about napping and bingo? Not us! It's time to unleash your inner wordsmith and contribute to our newsletter, "e-Bulletin" where age is just a number and humor could just be our secret weapon.
Share Your Quirky Adventures: Did you ever survive a wild RV road trip, conquer the world of online dating, or master the art of crafting the perfect sandwich? We want to hear about it! Your quirky stories will leave us all in stitches.
Dive Deep Into Your Hobbies: From knitting to birdwatching, model trains to Sudoku, your hobbies have been waiting for their moment in the spotlight. Share your expert tips, or just regale us with tales of your not-so-expert adventures.
Age-Defying Wisdom: Let's face it, we've accumulated enough wisdom to fill volumes. Share your "life hacks," even if they involve finding the TV remote you misplaced... again.
Let's prove that retirement is the best time to embrace your inner comedian and contribute to our newsletter. Send your hilarious articles (or not-so-hilarious ones, we're easy-going) to belman@uwindsor.ca Let's make the WURA "e-Bulletin" a retirement masterpiece!
Remember, growing old is mandatory, but growing up is optional. So, dust off that typewriter, fire up the computer, or grab a pen and paper – it's time to write your way into retirement legend!
Cheers to laughter, camaraderie, and ink-stained fingers.
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