McGill Reporter

Pay it Forward initiative puts smiles on hundreds of faces

Over the years, the end of final exams has inspired any number of spontaneous displays of pure happiness, including high fives, chest bumping and uncontrollable giggling. But what was up with the 100 or so students boogying in the streets at the crossroads on lower campus on Tuesday, Dec. 3 – two days before finals kicked off?

Meet Suzy Newing, McGill’s newest Rhodes Scholar

Suzy Newing is sounding breathless. And a little zingy, but in a very good way. McGill’s 136th Rhodes Scholar is clearly still a bit in shock. “They called me on Saturday evening at around 5:30 and I couldn’t believe it because I had just had the interview that afternoon.” Newing is in the final year of an Arts BA doing an Honours degree in International Development Studies, with a Minor in African Studies. Her interest in Africa is hardly surprising since she has spent the past three summers and part of a gap year between CEGEP and university working in Ethiopia with Digital Opportunity Trust (DOT), an NGO founded by her mother in 2002. “When people think of Ethiopia, they often talk about the poverty. But what I saw was an alternate reality, an amazing culture and wonderful people and a country that is full of hope and promise,” Newing said.

Exceptional educators receive Principal’s Awards

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News

Dec. 6: National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women

On Dec. 6, 1989, 14 women were killed at École Polytechnique. They were killed because they were women, because they were students in an engineering program. What has come to be called the Montreal Massacre is an event we are all called upon to remember: violence against women continues to be part of our present.

Senate unanimously rejects provisions of the Charter of Values

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Budget Corner

Budget Corner: Latest information on McGill’s finances

“We are on the right track”, Di Grappa and Masi tell Senate.

McGill’s financial situation: “We are on the right track,” Di Grappa and Masi tell Senate

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Around Campus

Senate approves amendments to Policy on Harassment, Sexual Harassment and Discrimination

Wednesday, Senate approved revisions to McGill’s Policy on Harassment, Sexual Harassment and Discrimination Prohibited by Law as tabled by Lydia White, Associate Provost (Policies, Procedures and Equity). The amendments included revisions to increase clarity, changes relating to assessors, recommendations relating to the tracking of complaints and how ‘repeat offences’ are to be dealt with, and the addition of a section on raising awareness within the McGill community on issues of harassment and discrimination. The amended Policy now goes to Board of Governors for approval.

Superior staffers celebrated

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What's Cookin'

Oliver de Volpi’s classic chocolate truffle recipe

Chocolate truffles will put a smile on anyone’s face and with the holidays just around the corner, we’re more than delighted to be spreading joy and happiness. Our gift to you: McGill Students Housing and Hospitality Services’ Executive Chef Oliver de Volpi’s Chocolate Truffle Recipe. Better yet, get the hands-on training during December’s Culinary Workshop: Chocolate Truffles, on Dec. 9 and 11.

Chef Daniel Poulin’s Sweet Potato and Mac Farm Hubbard Squash Bisque with Red Peppers and Ginger

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In Focus

Picture perfect: A gallery of photographs from Fall Convocation

On Monday, Nov. 25, some 1,800 students walked across the stage of Salle Wilfrid-Pelletier in Place Des Arts to collect their respective diplomas – marking the highlight of Fall Convocation. The following photo gallery captures some of the sights from both ceremonies.

The Sustainability Projects Fund: Green and growing

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Extra! Extra!

New direction for McGill’s Global Health Programs

The paradigm for global health is shifting away from a service-based model towards a multidisciplinary approach that will have a long-term impact towards reducing health disparities in populations worldwide.

Meet the 2013 Fall Convocation Honorary Doctorates

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Notes from the field

A home away from home in rural India

Gaëlle Perrin and Carmina Ravanera, two U3 students majoring in International Development Studies, write about their summer internship in India and the lifelong friendships they formed with a husband and wife who opened their home – and their hearts – to a pair of total strangers.

Expedition Kuna: a tropical rainforest forgotten by time

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Campus Scenes

Hang on to your hat!

Alyssa Raposo, 5, an alumna of McGill Daycare, steps up beside James McGill and hangs on to her hat. Both Alyssa’s Mom, Nancy Prsa, and aunt, Julie Prsa, work in administration at McGill.

Former Vice-President Al Gore speaks at McGill on Nov. 5

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What'sNew@McGill

Travel Management Program spreads its wings

McGill’s Travel Management Program is pleased to announce a major expansion of airline offerings, thanks to a new contract with Delta Airlines and her partners: Air France, KLM Royal Dutch Airlines and Alitalia. This agreement provides access to 540 destinations worldwide in 130 countries, with a range of reductions varying with destination and fare type.

Christmas comes early to McGill Bookstore: 20 per cent off for employees

The McGill Bookstore is spreading the holiday cheer by offering McGill employees a 20 per cent discount from Dec. 2 until Dec. 20. Remember, when you spend your money at the Bookstore, part of every dollar spent goes back into student bursaries.

The EMBA McGill – HEC Montreal creates a new scholarship for Indigenous people

The EMBA McGill – HEC Montreal is launching a scholarship program aimed at Canada’s Indigenous population. Each year, a manager of Indigenous origin will be chosen to receive a $40,000 scholarship. The selection will be based on merit.

McGill’s performance ‘remarkable,’ Principal says

In an appearance Tuesday before the National Assembly’s Committee on Culture and Education Principal Suzanne Fortier described McGill’s performance in today’s extremely competitive international climate as a “tour de force.” “The competition to attract top talent is fierce, and it is an international one. What is at stake is Québec’s capacity to remain in the ranks of innovative societies,” Fortier said, adding that if Quebec is fortunate to have McGill, the reverse is also true.

Final exams: stay informed

The fall final exam period started this Thursday, Dec. 5, and will run for a 10-day period to finish up on Wednesday, Dec. 18. As with the previous exam period, exams will be held in a morning, afternoon or evening session and the final schedule with room locations can be found on the Exams website. For exams administered by the Faculties of Law, Medicine, Dentistry, School of Continuing Studies and those held at Macdonald Campus, please refer to their respective exams’ websites.

Board backs Senate motion on proposed Charter bill

McGill’s Board of Governors voted unanimously Thursday to pass the same motion Senate approved at its Nov. 20 meeting, which rejects provisions in the Quebec government’s proposed legislation that would implement a Charter of Values. While supporting the general notion that the state should be religiously neutral, the motion passed by both Senate and Board objects to provisions that would prohibit public sector workers, including those at universities, from wearing conspicuous religious symbols, such as Muslim hijabs or other coverings, Sikh turbans, Jewish kippahs or Christian crosses.

McGill’s Healthier Societies Initiative (HSI) launches new website

To design innovative, cost-saving solutions to current population health challenges, people require comprehensive data on health costs, health outcomes and social determinants of health. Eliminating knowledge gaps in these three areas is a main objective of the Healthier Societies Initiative’s recently launched website.

Noon-hour workshops on orchid care: Register now

Need to add a bit of colour to your office? Greening Indoor McGill Initiative (GIMI) invites you to a training workshop on moth orchid care on Dec. 9 and 12. Orchid-lover and McGill Plant Science MSc student Christie Lovat will address general information, regular care, proper growing media, repotting, and getting your orchid to reflower.

Gone phishin’: Don’t get hooked

Phishing is the fraudulent process of attempting to acquire sensitive information such as usernames, passwords and credit card details by masquerading as a legitimate organization or institution, and gaining the trust of the unsuspecting victim. This past month malicious emails circulating at McGill included ZIP file attachments that contained a virus which sabotaged users’ files and was able to spread to other drives on the network

Morgan Arboretum Christmas Sale starts Nov. 30

Yes, Christmas is around the corner. Consider adding another touch of greenery to your offerings this year to benefit the Morgan Arboretum. It may well turn out to be the one pleasant and relaxing stop on your shopping tour. The sale starts Saturday, Nov. 30, and runs seven days a week, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on weekdays and weekends from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Do you travel on behalf of McGill?

Do you travel on behalf of McGill? If so, you should be registered on the MMP ListServe to receive all the information relating to travel. Keep yourself informed of McGill’s travel suppliers, discounts and travel news.

Survey being conducted by Communications and External Relations

A survey was distributed to the McGill community this morning on behalf of Olivier Marcil, Vice-Principal (Communications and External Relations).

Dying trees must come down for safety reasons

Chainsaws and wood chippers buzzed and roared on the lower downtown campus Tuesday as three dying trees, which could be in danger of falling down, were cut. All three will be replaced. A catalpa tree in the fenced in park near the Y intersection was actually hollow, said McGill Horticulturalist Eric Champagne. “It’s still living, and I wanted to keep the tree,” he said, “but as much as we wanted to keep it, the risk was too high.”

Principal urges people to contribute to Typhoon Haiyan relief efforts

In a message issued to the McGill community earlier today, Principal Suzanne Fortier offered her condolences to the victims of Typhoon Haiyan while urging people to support relief efforts in the devastated eastern regions of the Philippines.

Motivating Teens to Sleep More study: participants needed

Does your child have a late bedtime? Does your child get less than 8.5 hours of sleep? If so, they may be eligible to participate in the “Motivating Teens to Sleep More” study conducted by the Attention, Behaviour and Sleep Laboratory led by Dr. Gruber at the Douglas Mental Health University Institute and by the Health Psychology Laboratory led by Dr. Knäuper in the Department of Psychology at McGill.

Honour our Veterans with McGill Remembers

In time for Remembrance Day on Nov. 11, McGill University Archives has updated its content and features on the McGill Remembers website. Learn more about the contributions of the men and women of McGill during the First and Second World Wars through historical accounts of research, training and service. Browse archival images in the numerous photo galleries, or search for a family member in the War Records database.

McGill #1 again in Maclean’s rankings

Maclean’s has once again ranked McGill as the top university in Canada among institutions offering medical-doctoral programs. This is the ninth consecutive year the magazine has placed McGill as the top institution in that category in its annual issue devoted to Canada universities. “We are delighted by this news, which reflects the hard work, the dedication and the accomplishments of our faculty, staff and students,” said Principal Suzanne Fortier.

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Research and Discovery

Brain reward gene influences food choices in the first years of life

Research has suggested that a particular gene in the brain’s reward system contributes to overeating and obesity in adults. This same variant has now been linked to childhood obesity and tasty food choices, particularly for girls, according to a new study by Dr. Patricia Silveira and Prof. Michael Meaney of McGill and Dr. Robert Levitan of the University of Toronto.

McGill/MUHC team wins innovation award for HIV self-screening strategy and app

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Athletics

McGill athletes receive top two academic awards at Quebec Foundation sports gala

Football player Laurent Duvernay-Tardif of St. Hilaire, Que., and distance runner Jullien Flynn of Sault Ste. Marie, Ont., headed a list of 13 bursaries won by McGill University athletes from the Quebec Foundation for Athletic Excellence, during the 28th annual University Sports Gala at the Hotel Sheraton-Laval, on Nov. 26.

Seven more swimmers qualify for Nationals

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Kudos

Debate duo conquers North America, ready to take on the world

At first glance, Cole Bricker (U2 Arts) and Sarah Balakrishnan (U3 Arts) seem like typical McGill undergrads. They’re friendly and intelligent, if a bit stressed out with term papers and exam preparations. However, there is something atypical about them: the pair recently took first place at the North American British Parliamentary Championships and are preparing to compete at the World Championships in India.

Saleema Nawaz wins Quebec Writers’ Federation top prize in fiction

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Entre Nous

Robert Couvrette: Taking the long view on sustainability

Robert Couvrette has one of the most diverse jobs in the senior administration at McGill. Responsible for everything from how the washrooms are cleaned to how buildings are renovated (or built), as well as McGill’s efforts in sustainability and space planning, Couvrette’s day is pulled in many directions. We’re not sure how he found time to sit down and talk with The Reporter, but, late on a Friday afternoon, he did. And he talked about taking the long view on buildings and sustainable practices.

We need to look at the role of the university in society, Fortier says

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Point of View

50 years later: Memories of JFK

On Nov. 22, 1963, President John F. Kennedy was assassinated while riding in a motorcade in Dallas, Texas, changing the course of U.S. and world politics and marking a generation that had hung its hopes on him. The Reporter asked members of the McGill community to share their memories of that day 50 years ago. Here are there recollections.

I remember…

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