spring 2009 - memorial university of newfoundland · 2013. 4. 9. · inside...

inside

THE COMMUNICATORMemorial University’s Employee Newsletter

Spring 2009Vol. 23 No. 1

MEMORIAL UNIVERSITY IS A WONDERFUL PLACE

to be a fish biologist. Newfoundland is a truly beautiful

and unique island, containing a fully modern western

society that remains heavily connected to the natural

world. Much of the history, culture and economics of this

society were and continue to be dependent upon fishes.

The average undergraduate student at Memorial has

more of a connection with nature than those at other

universities, and graduate students who are interested

in fishes are drawn here from all parts of the world.

The cultural heritage is complemented by freshwater

and marine ecosystems that enable a wide variety of

research opportunities. The basic potential is

therefore unmatched.

DR. CRAIG F. PURCHASEAssistant professor

Department of Biology

JENNIFER HART KNOWS ALL THE NOOKS AND CRANNIES tucked away in the School

of Music – like this one in the sound booth in the Petro-Canada Hall.

Her job doesn’t exactly keep her tied to her desk.

One minute she could be retrieving music stands from a behind-the-stage storage

area in the recital hall, the next she could be pushing a grand piano into a performance

venue for an evening concert.

As the school’s concert and facilities co-ordinator, her responsibilities run the gamut

from booking internal and external festivals and conferences to promoting student

and faculty concerts to supervising concert assistants. Find out more about Jennifer’s

passion for Memorial in our People Profile on page two.

peopleprofile

WHAT DO YOULIKE ABOUT WORKINGAT MEMORIAL?

Catching up with Music’s Jennifer Hart 2

Employees get eco-wise 3

Lots of reasons to be proud of these co-workers 4

Six co-workers who make Memorial thrive 6

Serious about safety 7

HR’s Lisa Hollett 10

Prepared for emergencies 11

Beating the winter blahs 12

Publication Mail: 40062527

The Communicator Spring 2009:Layout 1 3/6/09 11:39 AM

peopleprofile

Despite her job requiring a certain degree of flexibility –days, nights and weekends to accommodate all the eventswhich take centre stage in the Music Building – JenniferHart tackles each task with enthusiastic gusto.“The School of Music is a very unique and exciting

place to work – there’s so much happening,” she saidrecently on a rare quiet afternoon. “It is quite rewarding tobe part of such fast-paced environment; from organizingstudent lunchtime recitals to more high profile concertsand media events. It’s my job to make sure things run assmoothly as possible and just let the music happen.”Spending time in the venerable music and performance

halls is nothing new for Jennifer. Before coming to work atMemorial, she studied here, graduating from the school’sconjoint program with a bachelor of music and bachelor ofmusic education degree in May 2007.“I feel as if I’ve grown up in this building,” she said with

a smile. She now works alongside former professors andinstructors.“My co-workers and colleagues are definitely the best

aspect of the job. It’s a real pleasure to work alongside suchwonderful people each and every day.”When not at work, she doesn’t miss a beat with her

hobbies.

“I teach a private piano studio in my spare time andsing in a few of choirs including Lady Cove Women’sChoir, Quintessential Vocal Ensemble, St. John the BaptistBasilica Choir and the Philharmonic Choir of theNewfoundland Symphony Orchestra,” she noted.

She also directs the Holy Heart Girls Choir in St. John’s– her alma mater – and is the associate accompanist forShallaway – Newfoundland and Labrador Youth inChorus. All that, plus she’s learning how to knit.As for her future, Jennifer said she’ll continue her

passion of helping foster young musicians and proudlypromoting the music talent and first-class performancevenues at Memorial.“Ten years from now I hope to be teaching a high

school choral music program somewhere in the city,” shesaid. “My undergraduate degrees and my current positionat the School of Music have most definitely prepared mefor whatever lies ahead.”

Infuse yourself in music from Memorial this spring. Checkout www.mun.ca/music/concerts for lots of reasons to celebrateMUN’s rich musical talent.

BY NOW ALL OF YOU KNOW that it islikely I will leave Memorial University later this summerto take up the new position as president of the Universityof New Brunswick.There will be time over the next few months to thank

you more formally for the support and goodwill you havealways shown, particularly since last summer whencontroversy over the presidential search became public.I want all of you to know that I truly value your

support and consideration. It has been a difficult year for

my family and me, but we are looking forward to this newopportunity that awaits us in New Brunswick.I also want you to know that I believe in the potential

of this institution, and I’m proud to be an alumnus.Memorial is a great university – I have known that since Iwas a student here in the 1970s. That experience hasshaped the person I am today, and I carry that with me asI take up my new role.

Of course we have many family and friends inNewfoundland and Labrador, and will remain connectedto this province. We wouldn’t have it any other way. But Ialso hope to stay connected to Memorial, exploring anddeveloping partnerships with the University of New

Brunswick that will strengthen our institutions and alsothis region.My belief in the high calibre of our students, staff and

faculty remains as strong as ever, and I urge you tocontinue building this institution which is vital to ourprovince. Reach out, meet your colleagues, and getinvolved. There are so many things we can do to make adifference.In this latest issue you’ll read about some of the ways

you can get involved at Memorial, and the value ofcontributing to the university community, whether it’sthrough taking part in social activities, serving on one ofour many committees or working to influence policydevelopment.As we head towards the 100th session of Convocation

this May, we can look back with pride at the work we havedone together, and the society we have helped build.

EddyActing president and vice-chancellor

“

Memorial University’s employeenewsletter is published by theDivision of Marketing & Commu-nications and the Department ofHuman Resources, MemorialUniversity of Newfoundland.

Editor Jeff GreenManaging editor Ivan MuzychkaExecutive director Victoria Collins

Contributors Dr. Eddy Campbell Stephanie BarrettShannon Dawson Lisa Hollett Marcia PorterToby Rowe Sarah Stoodley

Graphic design Jacqueline BaggsPhotography Chris HammondProduction co-ordinator Nancy Burt

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Mail toEditor, The CommunicatorDivision of Marketing and CommunicationsRoom A-1024Arts and Administration BuildingMemorial University of NewfoundlandSt. John’s, NL, A1C 5S7Telephone: 709-737-2142Fax: 709-737-8699E-mail: [email protected]

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ISSN 1183-2789

I URGE YOU TO CONTINUEBUILDING THIS INSTITUTIONWHICH IS VITAL TOOUR PROVINCE.

fromtheactingpresident

THE COMMUNICATOR2

“IT’S MY JOB TOMAKE SURETHINGS RUN AS SMOOTHLY ASPOSSIBLE AND JUST LET THEMUSIC HAPPEN.

Dr. Eddy Campbell

APPLYING FOR NEW JOBSExternal applicants will be able to apply online for exciting career

opportunities by March 31 at www.mun.ca/humanres/careers. Internalapplicants can continue to apply for promotions and transfers bycompleting the shorter application at www.mun.ca/humanres/careers.Stay tuned for more recruitment and retention employee services online.

CLICK AWAY

GROW YOUR CAREER! CLICK AWAY.

Jennifer Hart cont’d from p. 1


By Shannon Dawson

MORE THAN A YEAR into her plumbingapprenticeship, Fawn Hedderson is quick to credit Memo-rial for helping her embrace a career that’s still dominatedby the guys.“I’m so pleased I came to Memorial,” the second-year

plumber apprentice said with a smile recently while stop-ping for a quick chat at work. “I didn’t know anyone whenI first started but everyone was very welcoming. I couldn’task for any better.”She joined Memorial last January and hasn’t looked

back since.Today, she and four other plumbing apprentices work

with a different lead every month. They’re paired with oneof Memorial’s seven journeymen, who rotate and workwith those still learning the trade.Ray St. Croix, supervisor of the plumbing shop and

Charlie Jerrett, lead hand, are pleased with the work the

apprentices are learning and doing.“One of the very complicated jobs Fawn had an oppor-

tunity to work on was the installation of a water mainentrance at the Engineering Building,” explained Mr. St.Croix. “It was a great learning experience and Fawn did anexcellent job dismantling the old and rebuilding the new.As this is part of an ongoing refurbishment project, therewill be more work to be done.”A native of Straitsview on the Northern Peninsula, Ms.

Hedderson trained at the College of the North Atlanticand was bound for Nova Scotia before an offer fromMemorial brought her and her family home.“My husband travels six weeks at a time,” she said, “and

when he’s gone, I have to solve problems – plumbing andotherwise – so I decided to make a career out of it.Learning plumbing seemed logical and I’m so glad I did.“I hope to stay here after my three-year apprenticeship

and my journeyman test,” she added before getting back towork. “This is where I want to be.”

‘THIS IS WHERE I WANT TO BE’APPRENTICE LANDS PLUMB JOB

Memorial University’s Employee Newsletter 3

sustainabilitynews

THEY MAY BE SMALL in numbers but amodest-sized group of employees is making great strides increating a more sustainable office right here at Memorial.

Now they’re hoping their green-minded actions motivateother units to do the same.

The roughly 20 or so employees who work in the Schoolof Graduate Studies, which is tucked away on the secondfloor of the Inco Innovation Centre, don’t consider them-selves environmental gurus but they’ve come to embrace anew way of working.

They’ve been quietly working on a string of sustainabilityinitiatives, adopting the mantra that change occurs in smallsteps.

“Our group has really gotten into sustainability and wewant to make a difference,” boasted their proud dean, Dr.Noreen Golfman. “There are lots of opportunities for all ushere at Memorial to make a difference. You have to beliving under a rock to know there are no easy solutions sowe’re making small but significant strides.”

That includes things like eliminating plastic waterbottles and using glasses and a water cooler service instead;cutting down on the amount of paper staff would photo-copy for meetings and instead posting documents online;as well as projecting agendas for meetings onto a screen orwall instead of printing them.

Staff also recycle empty ink cartridges and shred all irrel-evant documents.

“We also keep a sustainability box where any paper thatis marked on one side, but doesn’t contain any personalinformation, is used to make note pads,” Dr. Golfmannoted.

The school is aggressively moving towards an electronicthesis mechanism which will allow students to submit andview drafts, revised and final submissions online instead ofhaving to print lengthy documents.

It’s also developing electronic letters of reference admis-sion forms to help speed up the admission process.

Dr. Golfman said eco-minded students are coming toexpect institutions of higher learning to go green.

“The electronic reference letters is driven by sustain-ability as much as it’s by efficiency,” she noted. “All of theseinitiatives are not only great for the environment but willbe a catalyst for recruitment efforts, too. As students andfaculty and staff become more green minded I think they’lllook to public institutions for inspiration but to also toensure they’re doing their part to create a better environ-ment.

“We have a long way to go,” Dr. Golfman added, “butthere are also lots of opportunities.”

EMPLOYEES BECOMING MORE ECO-MINDED

‘Small but significant’

Sustainability success

We celebrate the meaningful stepsother units are taking to makean environmental difference

• Human Resources now has an electronicdocument storing system which is used tostore many documents which were previouslykept in paper format – HR hasn’t added anyfiling cabinets to store personnel files infour years.

• Alumni Affairs and Development’soutbound call centre uses roughly 50,000printed 8 x10 call cards annually. e office isimplementing a new software program whichwill make the call centre paper free bySeptember 2009.

• DELT has converted to flourescentproduction lights in its studio which useroughly 75 per cent less energy than theolder light fixtures.

• e QE II Library has switched to 30 percent post consumer content recycled paperand as of this April all printers in eCommons will be set to print double sided.

• MUNSU has switched to 30 per cent post-consumer content recycled paper in its officesand the Copy Centre. Agendas and minutes forweekly board meetings are now e-mailed outto all 40 directors, rather than being printed.MUNSU also refills the bottles for its energyefficient water cooler with tap water insteadof buying water.

*Provided by the Sustainability Office

A

.The School of Graduate Studies has eliminated plasticwater bottles in its office. Instead, employees like LindaMosdell use glasses to grab a drink.

Paper that’s marked only on one side – and doesn’t containany personal information – is dropped into boxes in officeslike the School of Graduate Studies to make note pads.Here, Sharon Winsor gladly helps the sustainability cause.

Fawn Hedderson on the job.

Pho

tobyRay

St.C

roix


Subscribe to Studio 1024. MUN’s podcast is updated weekly, bringing you the latest campus news and features. Get your news on the go.

www.mun.ca/marcomm/podcasts

Two employees with Distance Education and LearningTechnologies are still brimming with pride. AdrianCollins, seen here, a production technologist, and BenjyKean, a multimedia specialist, were singled out in the Bestof St. John’s edition of the Scope this winter. Mr. Collins isa member of Gramercy Riffs, which was named best newband. Meanwhile, Mr. Kean was named best DJ by readersof the newspaper. Congrats to both.

Several members of the Memorial community areheading to Central America this summer as part of aninternational mission to help build a classroom for under-privileged children. The group – all volunteers with theChurch Lads’ Brigade –includes Bobbi Dwyer, Office ofStudent Recruitment, and Ruth Leake, Centre for Institu-tional Analysis and Planning, as well as a number ofstudents. Kevin Kane, a retiree from Facilities Manage-ment, will help co-ordinate the trip while the group will bein Belize.

Dozens of staff and faculty helped make the thirdannual Memorial University Canadian Cancer SocietyRelay for Life a resounding success. More than $52,000was raised during the 12-hour fundraiser held Jan. 24. TheUniversity Lodge Team – which drew its members fromthe University Masonic Lodge No. 34, some of whom arefaculty and staff at Memorial – raised roughly $3,400.

Meanwhile, a team from theDiscipline of Genetics fromMedicine collected more than $1,700. Several studentgroups – supported by staff and faculty – also took part inthe event. Residence houses, with their usual communityspirit, brought in $11,218.50 in donations, while theSchool of Pharmacy had seven teams who raised $7,554in contributions. Three students and one staff member,who are cancer survivors, led the Survivor’s Walk duringthe relay.

Mark Fahey, an IT services advisor with the Depart-ment of Computing and Communications, raised morethan $800 in this year’s Shave for the Brave event onMarch 7.

Current and retired faculty members and staff areproudly keeping Scottish culture alive as part of theNewfoundland and Labrador St. Andrew’s Society.Members held a special dinner this January to mark the250th anniversary of the birth of Robbie Burns. Kudos toGraham Mowbray, director of Computing and Commu-nications, who has been the president of the society for thepast 15 years.

C-CORE, a separately incorporated entity of Memo-rial, is this year’s recipient of the Employer of DistinctionAward, presented by the Newfoundland and LabradorEmployers’ Council. The organization won in the smallemployer category. The award recognizes employers in thisprovince that excel at leadership, innovation and creativity.

Dr. Mary Bluechardt, director of the School of HumanKinetics and Recreation, is one of the most influentialwomen in sport for 2008. She was the only person fromAtlantic Canada chosen by the Canadian Association forthe Advancement of Women in Sport and PhysicalActivity. Dr. Bluechardt, who is renowned for her researchdevelopment work that has advanced the lives of thoseliving with disabilities through sport, served as SpecialOlympics Canada’s director of coach development from2001-04. Last October, she joined the Special Olympics

Newfoundland and Labrador’s board of directors.Business prof Peggy Coady is this year’s recipient of the

Dr. J. Pierre Brunet Coach Award at the John MolsonMBA Case Competition which was held in January. Theaccounting professor and director of graduate programs isalso the dedicated coach of Memorial’s John Molson MBAInternational Case Competition team, giving countlesshours to mentoring the student competitors. The award,which was established in 2006, recognizes outstandingleadership, ongoing support and contribution to thebetterment of the competition. Fellow Memorial businessprofessorDr. Alex Faseruk was the inaugural winner.

It’s another glimpse into a medical condition thatcontinues to rise at alarming rates. Genetics professorDr.Guang Sun recently discovered 45 genes involved ingaining weight. His breakthrough research was publishedon Jan. 5 in the electronic version of the American Journalof Clinical Nutrition. This paper is the first of its kind inthe field of obesity study in the world. The findings arefrom a study in the laboratory of Dr. Sun, funded by theCanadian Institutes of Health Research.

Memorial is alive with lots of interesting employees who are doing all sorts of great things – whether its making our university a better place to work, winning awards for profes-sional achievements or volunteering in our communities. The Communicator congratulates these co-workers for creating a cause for applause! Got an idea for this column? Sendan e-mail to [email protected] or call 737-2142.

welldone

Adrian Collins of Gramercy Riffs

Dr. Mary Bluechardt

THE COMMUNICATOR4

Pho

tobyAdam

Pen

ney

Biochemistry student Laura Power, left, Bobbi Dwyer, and

Ruth Leake gear up for their trip.

Pho

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Dr. Guang Sun

Peggy Coady



careersinmotion

MEMORIAL HAS ONE OF THE LARGEST and most innovative work forces in the provincewith leading-edge research, award-winning teaching, service to the community and so much more.Careers milestones were celebrated, contributions recognized and quality of work measured on three of our

campuses between Nov. 1, 2008 and Jan. 31, 2009.As part of the Memorial team, you are one of …

5,172 employees on three campuses(294 at Sir Wilfred Grenfell College;423 at the Marine Institute and 4,455 at St. John’s)

2,690 permanent employees1,219 part-time contractual employees24 part-time regular positions1,239 full-time contractual positions88 number of new hires277number of re-hires46 employees transferredto another department

9 staff retired7 faculty retired611 people are employed by seperatelyincorporated entities and agencies.

CAREER SNAPSHOT

hatsofftoourvolunteersTHE COMMUNICATOR SALUTES CO-WORKERS FOR TIME WELL SPENT AS VOLUNTEERSIN OUR COMMUNITIES

FIRST OFF, thanks to the more than 700of you who provided feedback this winter on TheCommunicator in our Measuring what Mattersreadership survey – this is your newsletter and weappreciate your feedback.We’re now crunching the numbers and will

tell you all about the results in our next issue.This was the first concrete survey evaluating

your thoughts on its content so thanks again forcontributing.2009 marks the start of the 23rd year The

Communicator proudly rolls off the press,bringing you institutional and university news,people profiles, key messages from administra-tors, new policy information, safety informationand human interest items.I’m proud of where The Communicator came

from and the path our current editorial team istaking the quarterly publication.We have lots in store for the coming months

including an expanded and more interactiveemployee website.Your comments are always welcome at any

time – not just in a survey – and will help usguide the future direction of employeecommunications.Call me at 709-737-2142 or e-mail

[email protected] with any feedback at any time.Appreciate it as always.

Jeff GreenEditor

Survey says …

EVALUATIONUNDERWAY

STRAPPING ON A PAIR OF SKATESand helmet has become both a weekend andweeknight routine for Lisa O’Brien – but she’s notcomplaining about the commitments. In fact, thenationally certified figure skating coach – andmother of two – was thrilled to get back on the iceas a goalie coach for her son’s minor hockeyleague. “The basic skating skills and movestransfer quite well from figure skating to hockey,”explained Lisa, who has worked at Memorial since1993 in a number of units including Education, theRegistrar’s Office and Engineering. Since 2006 shehas been the administrative staff specialist andclinic manager with Student Health. “I also had tocomplete some required Hockey Canada compo-

nents.” Lisa is passionate about giving back to hercommunity – she grew up and still lives in Topsail.“I volunteer for the sheer enjoyment,” she saidproudly. “Without volunteers not much would getdone.” Here at Memorial, she enthusiasticallyvolunteers during Convocation, while during thesummer she’s a soccer coach. And, she stillmanages to squeeze in time to be the treasurerfor the CBS/Paradise Chapter of Canadian Parentsfor French, and fundraise for other groups. Lisaencourages other employees to get involved, too.“Pick something that you really enjoy doing andfind an organization to pass your knowledge andskills onto,” she said. Spoken like a true volunteertrooper.

LISA O’BRIEN is just one of hundreds of volun-teers right here at Memorial who give up countless hoursand help light up communities.In fact, that’s the theme of this year’s Volunteer Week

which runs April 19-25.

Tip your hat to your co-worker, colleague or neighbour– all those who get involved to help make a difference.Better yet, get involved yourself.There are lots of ways you can start right now by

helping make a better community.


campusnews

THE COMMUNICATOR6

BUILDING BLOCKS OFMEMORIAL

I never really left Memorial after retiring. I continue to stayinvolved and work with others to make a difference in ourcommunity. When I have spoken at pre-retirement semi-nars I repeated advice I received and continue to live by:keep your body and mind active and try to do somethingthat interests you. I hope to continue what I’m doingwhile I still have good health.

NoEL VEITCHRetired associate professor of educationCo-founder and volunteer with Campus Food Bank,co-founder and active member of the NewfoundlandSymphony, volunteer with convocation, pensioner’sassociation, alumni association, the Positive ThinkersClub, and Meals onWheels.

I love my job where I am meeting and working withvarious international and local peoples, and families. Thisinvolvement continuously enriches my understanding andknowledge on several levels. My goal is to continuethrough this dynamic journey and contribute as much aspossible through innovative ideas and initiatives.

SHAHANA ISLAMInternational families co-ordinatorInternational Student Advising (ISA) officeCo-ordinates and co-facilitates the Holiday Hosting Program,Coffee Club, ISA Family Program and Discussion Group.

Although an employee of Chartwells, I feel connected toMemorial and, having been here for 20 years, I know manyof the people who make Memorial tick. My motto is what-ever’s good for Memorial has got to be good forChartwells. We’re linked in many ways. My driving moti-vation is to leave a positive impression of Chartwells atMemorial on all the people, from all ends of the earth, wehost.

TIM HILLSExecutive chefChartwellsInvolved with initiatives on sustainability, food sourcepurchases, quality control, and training.

We shine the spotlight on those who help Memorial thriveLook around. Feel the energy. Colleagues and co-workers have an abiding passion for this place. And, it’s contagious. There’s a shared vision and motivation to help make Memorial

a better place. And, you can help, too. Often it’s the little things that count. There’s committees, groups, organizations and events you can get involved with right here at work. The

spirit of volunteerism is infectious; being a part of change is even better. Need some inspiration? The Communicator presents six co-workers who help make Memorial thrive.

I feel privileged to work with such energetic students andcombine music teaching with small ensembles andprivate one-on-one instruction. We’re creating a commu-nity that’s ours where it’s motivating to listen and helpone another. When you’re performing, you put yourselfout there, so you have to create an environment where it’ssafe to take risks, create and express yourself.

KAREN BULMERAssistant professor of low brassSchool of MusicMusician, teacher, singer, performer, conductor, boardmember of groups, and member of the NewfoundlandSymphony Orchestra and Lady CoveWomen’s Choir.

I enjoy coaching the team because it’s a meaningful wayto contribute to the lives of students. It helps build self-esteem and is a healthy activity for mind and body.Supporting this important part of Grenfell’s student recprogramming has become somewhat of a family affair forme as well – my son Tyler, daughter Sarah, wife Rhodaand I were recognized for our collective contribution tovolleyball with a community development award from theNewfoundland and Labrador Volleyball Association.

RANDy RowSELLManager, Computing and CommunicationsSir wilfred Grenfell CollegeCoach of the Grenfell women’s Volleyball Team andorganizer of the Grenfell Volleyball League.

I see the Marine Institute andMemorial as not just myemployer but part of who I am; it has given me so much. Ihave always had a passion to give where I can, which is why Iam driven to provide inspirational opportunities to youngwomen. The reward for me is the excitement and amazementon their faces when I talk about my volunteer and careerpaths. Being able to empower young women and make thembelieve they can do anything is inspiration for me.

KRISTA PARSoNS BUTLERSafety and survival instructor, School of MaritimeStudies, offshore Safety and Survival Centre,Marine Institute, FoxtrapFounder and leader of MI’s Camp GLOW, role model forWomen in Resource Development Committee.


By Shannon Dawson

THEIR GOAL IS BIG: to become the model forbest practices in this province.And, if the enthusiasm being shown already by the new

five-member team tasked with steering the university’s healthand safety initiatives is any indication, they’ll meet theirobjective head on.The new department combines the original Facilities

Management health and safety team with a new director,Sheila Miller. The Board of Regents approved the unit,which reports to Kent Decker, vice-president (administra-tion and finance), last year andMs. Miller joined theuniversity this past January.While health and safety isn’t a new focus at Memorial, an

official department is. The standards of excellence are thesame with a renewed focus on a more cohesive health andsafety culture at Memorial.

The Communicator dropped by the team’s offices, locatedin Spencer Hall, to get to know the new members:

• Sheila Miller, director, is well-equipped to develop ablueprint for optimal performance through her diversecareer in research, nursing, counselling and health and safety.Ms. Miller has been working in health and safety since 1987and brings with her a wealth of expertise in this area, havingworked at the Health Care Corporation and with theDepartment of Transportation andWorks. She has personalexperience with those who have been adversely affected by

workplace accidents and injuries and is committed toensuring Memorial is the safest work place possible.

• Don Wood hails from Nova Scotia and joined Memo-rial two years ago as the radiation/biosafety control officerand today manages and monitors operations, equipment andfacilities as it relates to radiation and biosafety.

• Robert Guest is the diving and boating safety officer.He has been in this position for the past eight years. He’sresponsible for monitoring and ensuring a safe working envi-ronment for scientific diving and boating activities,including all diving and boating activities at locations at theOcean Sciences Centre, SirWilfred Grenfell College and theBonne Bay Marine Centre.

• Craig Boyd is a manager and is responsible for main-taining programs related to health and safety. He acts as aconsultant to the university community, departments andcommittees regarding health and safety related issues. Hejoined the university community in 2005.

• Louise Green joined the team in January and providesadministrative support to the program. She comes from theStandardized Patient Program within the Faculty of Medi-cine. She has been with Memorial for more than 20 yearsand has extensive experience within both the academic andadministrative departments within the university.The Health and Safety’s goals include a cross-country

environmental scan to review other universities health andsafety programming including committee structures and thedevelopment of a perception survey for faculty, staff and

students.“While Memorial has many of the health and safety core

elements at work, there needs to be a comprehensive andcohesive plan to further ensure the safety of all students,employees and visitors to campus,” observed Ms. Miller.Once the scan is completed, a recommendations report isexpected outlining potential structures for both the programand the committee structure.The Health and Safety department is in the process of

redeveloping its website which will be available soon. In themeantime, you can reach at [email protected] or 737-3786 if you have any questions, comments or recommenda-tions.

New teamHEALTH AND SAFETY DEPARTMENT ESTABLISHED

Memorial’s new health and safety team includes, from left,Don Wood, Sheila Miller, Bob Guest, Louise Green andCraig Boyd.

LEARNING THE ROPES

Last May, during her final day of bachelor of commerce(co-op) classes, Sarah Stoodley got word she was selected toreceive a prestigious fellowship – one of only three students inthe country – to work in the field of advancement. She eagerlyaccepted and began wondering, what is advancement anyway?Nine months later, she’s still learning the ropes.

By Sarah Stoodley

IT WAS NOVEMBER 2007. I had justfinished a semester of working as a student assistant with theDivision of Marketing and Communications when VictoriaCollins, its executive director, asked me if I would be inter-ested in being nominated for the Canadian Council for theAdvancement of Education (CCAE)’s TDMeloche MonnexFellowship in Advancement.Other than having a long name that is a bit tedious to

recite regularly, the opportunity seemed very intriguing and Iwas honoured and delighted to agree.Long hours and hard work went into creating our joint

application. Then the waiting game began.

Fast forward to last May. I was seated in the atrium of theFaculty of Business on the last day of classes, celebrating withmy classmates, when I got a call fromMichael Pickard, theassociate director of marketing. He was calling to tell me thatI was going to be the next TDMeloche Monnex Fellow.After the excitement calmed, I realized that I would not haveto start the job hunt that I was desperately trying to avoid ...and I began asking everyone, “So what is advancement?”

As it turns out, institutional advancement meansdifferent things to different people in different institutions inCanada. Frommy understanding, the gamut of universityadvancement activities here at Memorial encompasses allactivities that help advance the university’s interests . It couldbe argued that all employees are working in advancement, ortowards advancement, but generally and traditionallyadvancement includes the work done by external relations –focused units such as the Division of Marketing andCommunications, the Office of Student Recruitment andthe Office of Alumni Affairs and Development. These units,among a variety of others who also engage some aspect ofexternal relations, are represented on the university’sAdvancement Council which meets quarterly to plan, co-ordinate and promote advancement activities.To speed my learning about advancement, the Division

of Marketing and Communications decided that I shouldattend the CCAENewcomer’s Conference, which I did lastsummer in Ontario. I was also fortunate enough to attendthe American Marketing Association’s Symposium for the

Marketing of Higher Education in Chicago in the fall.Through all of this, I have discovered that many other

universities consider advancement to be primarily universitydevelopment, and the fundraising, communications, stew-ardship and alumni relations that support development.My one-year fellowship exists so that new grads and new

professionals can learn about advancement activities – espe-cially since there’s no program you can take in Canada tolearn about institutional advancement.My job title is advancement liaison, which is often much

easier than saying, TDMeloche Monnex Fellow in Advance-ment and usually doesn’t require an explanation.In the past nine months, I have been working on projects

that involve two or more advancement units. Since May, Ihave been busy co-ordinating a 29-chapter university videoproject, developing a sponsorship strategy for the university,co-ordinating the Rant Like Rick campaign with the Officeof Student Recruitment, and helping out with day-to-daymarketing efforts.It’s scary to think that the fellowship will soon be over. I

really appreciate the opportunity that TDMeloche Monnexhas so generously funded to allow me to immerse myself inthe fascinating world of advancement. The experience hasalso given me an opportunity to “advance” my own career.CCAE awards three TDMeloche Monnex Fellowships

each year to universities and colleges across Canada. DarcyMcMeekin, a Memorial alumnus and now a developmentofficer for Nursing and Pharmacy, was awarded the fellow-ship here at Memorial two years ago, and since an institutionmust wait a year before applying again, put your thinkingcaps on now to try and figure out whoMemorial shouldnominate next year!Information about the program and nomination can be

found online at www.ccaecanada.org/awards/meloche_monnex_fellowships_in_advancement.php.


campusnews

“AS IT TURNS OUT, INSTITUTIONALADVANCEMENTMEANS DIFFERENTTHINGS TO DIFFERENT PEOPLE INDIFFERENT INSTITUTIONS INCANADA.

Sarah Stoodley


downtimeIT’S NO SURPRISE to those who knowMartha

MacDonald that a keen enthusiasm for culture andheritage, a love of the arts, and a passion for grassrootscommunity theatre make up a big part of her life – both atwork at the Labrador Institute and during her spare time.“Many people cherish life in Labrador because of the

outdoor opportunities, but that isn’t my first love,” she saidproudly. “I really like the arts community here – it is opento everyone.”The Nova Scotia-native has been living and working in

the Big Land for more than 20 years and her relationshipwith the institute, which is based in Happy Valley-GooseBay, goes back a decade. That’s when she started on ashort-term contract to help set up a folklore and oral

history archive. Today, she’s its new associate director,focusing on educational opportunities, teaching studentsat the College of the North Atlantic and helping to guidethe institute’s many projects.When not at work, Martha’s heavily involved in the

Labrador Creative Arts Festival, acts and sings in localproductions and has been a vocal advocate for an audito-rium for the region. She’ll be front row centre when theribbon is cut to a new facility this spring.“In a community of this size you have to make things

happen, and therefore you are able to influence whathappens,” she said.

Got a story idea to share with us? Like this issue? Write to us.Get in touch with editor Jeff Green.E-mail [email protected] or call 709-737-2142.

feedback

campusnews

Rose’s commitmentWith spring in the air – and lots of us wanting to turn a

new leaf and get active – The Communicator looks for inspi-ration from the Marine Institute’s Rose Hatfield who has beeninspiring fellow co-workers to get active for years.

By Stephanie Barrett

ACCORDING TO RESEARCH, employeehealth and wellness programs lead to a more productivework environment. Rose Hatfield is a firm believer in thistheory and suggests that a little exercise can never hurtanybody.Rose is the recreation and sports co-ordinator with the

Marine Institute and is extremely dedicated to her job andpromoting health and wellness among employees.Since joining MI in 1988, she has put tremendous effort

into the fitness program at the institute and has alwaysprovided advice and assistance for anyone on request. Rosehas also implemented numerous successful programs andgroup activities, one of which is the popular Survivor Chal-lenge. She then progressed to developing customized indi-vidual training plans for a group of employees who wanted

to tackle the Tely 10Mile Road Race. She subsequentlydeveloped individual weight training and cardio trainingplans for an ever-growing group. This program has sincebeen supplemented with the use of three-times-per-weekvideo workouts.“It is very gratifying to see the employees involved chal-

lenge themselves and get real results,” said Rose. “They aredoing very well and working very hard on trying to accom-plish some real lifestyle changes. It is the most involvementin physical activity I have seen in 21 years.”And her contributions do not go unnoticed. Every year,

as a token of appreciation for all her dedicated work, thegroup presents Rose with a small gift. She graciously acceptsthe gift but insists that it is completely unnecessary.The group still felt that some token was necessary so

decided that instead of presenting a gift to Rose, they wouldraise money for the development of a scholarship at theMarine Institute. The scholarship will be based on a combi-nation of active living participation and academic achieve-ment. Rose will work with the scholarship committee toidentify potential candidates for the award.

MI EMPLOYEE HELPS CO-WORKERS EMBRACE PHYSICAL ACTIVITY

Rose Hatfield, left, assists Adam Courage, a faculty

member at the MI, during a recent workout.

THE COMMUNICATOR8

MEMORIAL BY THE NUMBERSThe university’s Preferred Rate Program is designed to

encourage employees and retirees to make better use ofcampus recreation facilities. Memorial pays up to 50 percent of the cost (up to a maximum of $10 a pay period)of a membership at The Works in St. John’s or threefitness centres in Corner Brook for those employees at SirWilfred Grenfell College.

Here’s a look at the Preferred Rate Program by thenumbers as of Feb. 1 for the past six years.

To find out more information and apply for thePreferred Rate Program and payroll deductions, refer towww.mun.ca/humanres/wellness/prp.php. A completeschedule of wellness activities and events can be found atwww.mun.ca/humanres/wellness/index.php.

PREFERRED RATEMEMBERSHIP

EMPLOYEES2004 3622005 6452006 6732007 7452008 815

RETIREES2004 92005 222006 302007 392008 40

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If you've had a change of address, let HumanResources know so they can ensure you keepgetting The Communicator. There are severalways to update your address:

• Through Employee Self-Service atmy.mun.ca

• E-mail [email protected] or• Write to the Department of Human

Resources, Arts and AdministrationBuilding, St. John’s, NL A1C 5S7

You cannot simply phone our editor or HR tochange of address. A written request to updateyour moving address must be made.Thank you for staying in touch as you enjoy TheCommunicator.

retirements

Madonna (Abbott) King, the longest serving employeeof the Ocean Sciences Centre, retired from that facility onNov. 21 after 37 years. In 1968 Ms. King, who had justfinished her first year as a Memorial science undergrad, firstentered the doors of the OSC as a summer student. Shereturned in 1971 to begin her career as a research assistantwith Dr. Garth Fletcher, a partnership that continued untilhis retirement in 2005. He returned to honour her at herretirement celebration.

Marge Hackett rang in the New Year in style – by cele-brating her retirement. The respected associate professor inthe School of Nursing bid farewell to close colleagues andfriends after 30 years of service to Memorial on Dec. 31. Aspecial reception was held in her honour just before theholidays. Here, Marge, second from the left, poses for acongratulatory photo with co-workers and friends ElaineSt. Croix, left, Michelle Caines-Puddester and Lena Clarke.

Got a retirement story to share?Maybe you have an interesting photo from a recent get-together of former co-workers. How are you staying involved since leaving Memorial? Let TheCommunicator know – we’re always interested to hear from pensioners. Write to Jeff Green, editor, The Communicator, Division of Marketing and Communications, Room A-1024, Memo-rial University of Newfoundland, St. John’s, NL A1C 5S7, or e-mail [email protected].

obituariesLOUIS JOSEPH CHIARAMONTE, a retired facultymember from the Department of Anthropology andArchaeology, passed away on Feb. 26, aged 74 years.

ROGER BURRY, retired fromDistance Education andLearning Technologies, passed away on Feb. 5, aged 59years.

GERRIT MAUREAU, the former executive directorof Memorial’s Oil and Gas Development Partnership(OGDP), and his wife Sheila Malm, a doctor, are believedto have been killed when the twin engine 58 BeechcraftBaron aircraft in which they were flying crashed inSouthern Colorado on Dec. 20, 2008.

PRUDENCEDONALDSONWRIGHT, the wife ofchairman emeritus of Memorial’s campus in Harlow,England, Dr. David Wright, passed away Sept. 8, 2008,aged 82. Ms. Wright was also chief nursing officer of theHarlow Occupational Health Service and co-ordinatedMemorial’s nursing faculty’s visits to Harlow and theirnursing program.


The Department of Biochemistry celebratedDr.Antonio Martin’s retirement during a coffee break on Dec.19, 2008. Dr. Martin retired on Dec. 31st after 29 yearswith Memorial University. He first joined the departmentas a staff member in 1979. He became an assistant professorin 1981 and later an associate and full professor. Dr. Martinbecame a Fellow of the Institute of Food Technologists in2008 when he was honoured for his multidisciplinary andinnovative research in bioconversion processes forenhancing food production. Here, Dr. Martin Mulligan,left, head of the Department of Biochemistry congratulatesDr. Martin for his career achievements and pendingretirement.

Are you in? Memorial faculty and staff who areexperts in their fields should be a part of Yaffle.ca –the new searchable online database of Memorialexpertise launched this February. Log on, check itout, sign up, scroll around. Users can find an expert,query research being done by the university in theirgeographic region, and even suggest researchideas. See what all the fuss is about for yourself;surf on over to yaffle.ca today.

Yaffle is an initiative of Memorial University, led bythe Leslie Harris Centre of Regional Policy andDevelopment, in partnership with Marketing andCommunications, Computing and Communications,the Office of Research and the Queen Elizabeth IILibrary.

YAFFLELAUNCH

MOVED TO A NEW ADDRESS? STAY IN TOUCH!

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I AM SO INSPIRED by the amazing people Iwork with, some of whom are represented throughoutthis issue. So many Memorial employees go the extra mile,volunteer their expertise and make a valuable contributionwith their incredible enthusiasm and energy.Memorial is much more than bricks and mortar. We are

more than our world-class facilities like the QE II Library,leading-edge research equipment and upgraded energy-effi-cient buildings. We are the community of people whocome to work each day and make a difference by doing ourbest, debating with and supporting each other, united inthe quest to be a world-class teaching and research facility.We volunteer to help shape policy and direction oncommittees and action teams like sustainability, health andsafety, ethics, equity, pension, benefits, campus food bank,fundraising and social events. And there is a place foreveryone.Before releasing our precious children to childcare, and

before I joined Memorial, my husband and I researchedand visited many different centres. I was so impressed bythe quality of care at the facility on our St. John’s campus.You can feel the difference when you walk through the

doors and leave your children in the hands of Tracy Roseand her capable team. They have created a bright, stimu-lating, child-friendly environment, where toddlers, pre-schoolers and school-aged children receive an enriched,caring early education. Both my children attended andbenefited from the combination of creative play and struc-tured time and learned that learning is fun. That is whenmy commitment to the Childcare Centre began and it

continues, even though my own kids have moved on.When the governance structure of the centre changed in

the summer of 2007, I was asked to join the board of direc-tors. Currently, I chair that group and along with Dr.Carole Peterson, provide leadership, guidance, expertise,and support for Campus Childcare Incorporated. I advo-cate, with a capable team of volunteers, for a positivelearning experience for the 160 children who attend. I amalso on the fund-raising committee, and help raise dollarsto supplement the costs involved with running a not-for-profit quality centre.The childcare centre, originally created by the Students’

Union, has been around for over 30 years and willcontinue to provide an encouraging, positive and friendlyplace for children. What began as a much needed supportfor students has seen some early attendees graduate frommedicine, business and engineering. Parents, whoremember their early days at the centre, now entrust theirown children to the childcare team. Elementary schoolteachers can see the difference our environment makeswhen children first enter kindergarten. Children ofstudents, staff, faculty and the community all benefit fromCampus Childcare. Students in human kinetics,psychology, education, nursing and early childhood educa-tion regularly visit the centre to observe the programs aspart of their own learning.Like many other volunteers, I get back far more than I

give. There is an inherent satisfaction in helping out and Ilearn a lot from the wonderful people who also volunteer.The people I know who are most generous with their timeand talent also seem to look happy and energetic, keeptheir sense of humour and stay positive. Most are quitemodest about their contributions; and most have verybusy, full lives outside of their volunteer activities.Reach out. You’ll be so glad you did. If you’re looking

for ways to help but don’t know how, check with theStudent Volunteer Bureau, the pensioners association, theCampus Food Bank, Alumni Affairs, Human Kinetics …whatever interests you. Chances are you’ll go the extra milewith energy to spare.

little fingers, little toesThe Memorial family welcomes its newest addditions

ANGIE BISHOP, graphic designer with Corporateand External Affairs at the Marine Institute, and herhusband Tony welcomed their second son, JackThomas, born on Nov. 3, 2008.

Expecting?New arrival to your family? Did you know,Memorial’s Employee Assistance Program (EAP)provides a childcare resource and referral service forparents-to-be. Expecting a new addition to yourfamily can be both exhilarating and daunting. It’s atime of change and challenges. But Memorial ishere to help. For example, through the EAP, thereare initiatives such as the pre-parenting programfor expecting or adopting parents. Best of all, it’sfree! To learnmore, call 1-800-387-4765 and you canreceive a pre-parenting resource kit and follow-upconsultations to offer support.

THE COMMUNICATOR10

“LIKE MANYOTHER VOLUNTEERS,I GET BACK FARMORE THAN IGIVE. THERE IS AN INHERENTSATISFACTION IN HELPINGOUTAND I LEARN A LOT FROM THEWONDERFUL PEOPLEWHOALSO VOLUNTEER.

cheersfromLisa

upcloseandpersonalThe Communicator helps put a face to a name in HR

MEET KIM SLANEY, a valuable member of the HR teamIf you've been greeted with a cheery smile or friendly “hello,” chances areyou've already met Kim. She joined Memorial’s Human Resources depart-ment in February 1999 as a data entry clerk and is now a senior clerk. Herjob keeps her connected to many individuals around campus, along withthe staff of xwave, Memorial’s EduTech and Computing & Communica-tions.

Kim’s is the voice you hear when you call the employee self-servicehelpline support desk (737-2434). Thankfully, she loves people contactbecause there’s lots of it! Calls are sporadic but most days, it’s quite steady.In addition to those duties, she also generates standardized and customized reports and works withthe rest of her team in Administration and Systems Integration to update and maintain the HumanResources Management System. As in all areas of the university, recent privacy legislation and accessto information guidelines have directly impacted the ways in which Kim performs her duties in infor-mation gathering and sharing.

Always one to get involved, Kim is active with the University Social Committee and has been treas-urer for the past six years. She’s keen to get people involved in a bit of fun every chance she gets.She has taken additional courses through Lifelong Learning and volunteers occasionally with theCampus Food Bank. As a busy wife and mother of three daughters, Kim manages to find time tovolunteer with one of their basketball teams, canvass for Heart and Stroke and play a little GuitarHero, too.

“I just love the people,” is the only explanation Kim gives for her enthusiasm. “I enjoy the interactionwith others and enjoy the part of my job that has me answering the HR Helpline and phone and e-mail.” If you need assistance accessing Employee Self Service on my.mun.ca, need your HR PINnumber or have questions regarding HR’s web site, contact Kim at 737-2434 or [email protected].

Lisa HollettDirector of Human Resources



PRIVACY IN PRACTICE

HR puts legislationinto actionTHE ADMINISTRATION and Systems Integra-

tion team’s responsibilities are one of the broadest inHuman Resources – they co-ordinate everything frompayroll, personnel and management systems, to theemployee self-service within my.mun.ca, employee serviceawards and maintain all employee personal files.While working closely with the Information Access and

Privacy Protection Office, Human Resources is taking alead role in putting privacy rules in to practice.“We can only collect what we need and what we will use

in order to perform our duties,” explained the team’smanager, Brenda Mullett. “If we don’t need it, we have toget rid of it. Complete confidentiality is assured.” Simpleas that. Well, not quite.Take this example: the team – and anybody for that

matter – now has to declare on all documents, paper andelectronic, what they’re collecting requested informationfor with a privacy statement. Those regulations are consis-tent with legislation for developing best practices in infor-mation access and privacy protection.That was the easy part.The real big job was identifying what information

already exists and how it is stored, either electronically oron paper and whether it was in binders, files or boxes.Guidelines had to be established for information – what

to keep, for how long, and how it would be archived.Human Resources has developed a database outlining

what is in each informational store, who’s responsible for it,when it will need to be disposed of and how.Team member Tina Mulcahy was hired to ensure

compliance of the regulations, and a digital/electronic data-base has been established for storage.“It is a good idea to delete all unnecessary e-mails and

archives,” said Ms. Mullett.

She said various units and departments at Memorialprobably have archives or storage rooms with filing boxescontaining administrative and academic information. Shesaid those archives “will be a thing of the past with allinformation now being scanned and stored electronically.”Appropriate disposition of information includes shredding,CD shredding and hard drive destruction.To learn more about HR’s Administrations and Systems

Integration team, you can e-mail [email protected] or call737-8220.

campusnews

Shown in the archives, Administration and Systems Integration team includes, from left: Susan Janes, Jackie Constantine, TinaMulcahy, Beth Brett-Williams, Brenda Mullett, Kim Slaney, Tina Scott, Madeline Taylor and Karen Stockley.

BALANCING RISK AND REWARDNO WALK IN THE PARK

INFECTIOUS DISEASES. Bomb threats. Pandemic preparedness.Alcohol awareness. Firearms. Studying abroad and field trips. Adequate insurance.Not exactly child’s play, but these are just part of what David Head, director ofEnterprise Risk Management, and his team balance daily.

“Balancing the risks associated with the incredibly important, high-qualityand innovative scholarly, research, administrative and student life experience iswhat we do,” he explained. “We support and encourage the work of the univer-sity and help each area by ensuring it has at least one less thing to worry about.”

Enterprise Risk Management is focused on the well being and safety ofpeople, the protection of physical, intellectual and financial assets, as well as theenvironment and the university’s reputation.

“We think of risk in terms of strategic, operational, compliance, reputationaland financial,” Mr. Head noted. “Risk management becomes part of everyone’sbalancing act and mindset as we become proactive in mitigating risks as well asplan responses.”

And that type of work has already been completed in the areas of work place-ments, study abroad programs, athletics and alcohol consumption.

“We don’t own the risk,” said Mr. Head. “It’s up to each unit to manage riskand report through forms and processes. Appropriate balance between all areas ofpriority can be achieved without jeopardizing safety and responsibility.”

To learn more about the Enterprise Risk Management team and its mandate,visit www.mun.ca/erm/home/ or call 737-7683.

When did you begin working with Memorial?In September 2008.

What is an emergency management planner?One who ensures plans and teams are in place to best

prepare for and militate against, respond to and recoverfrom any natural or human related threat or event thatwould impact the life and safety of students, staff and faculty,critical infrastructure and our reputation. An emergencymanagement planner builds emergency planning into ourculture, making Memorial an emergency resilient university.The planning can range from fire/hazardous material preven-tion/evacuation plans, weather related threats, communicablediseases such as Norwalk/pandemic influenza to human causedthreats, such as a bomb or shooter, to site a few.

Where did you come from? What is your background?I graduated fromMemorial in 1974 with arts/psychology and in 1984 with a bachelor of social

work and I practised as a registered social worker for 34 years. I have extensive specialized trainingin emergency social services response (provision of reception center management, food , clothing,shelter and personal services). I am trained and registered as a Salvation Army volunteer to respondworldwide, when required, in areas of critical incident stress management and personal servicesand feeding.

Who do you work most closely with?I work with teams all across every facet of the university. I spent the fall conducting a vulnera-

bility assessment, reviewing the current capabilities and strengths. I am working to implementa strategic framework focusing on priorities including pandemic preparedness and mitigationstrategies with senior executive. Very shortly, through working with SirWilfred Grenfell Collegein developing an all hazards emergency management plan, we will be ready to update current fire,civil unrest and hazardous materials response plans and develop new plans for persons withdisabilities and student housing. At Marine Institute, the team identified its priority as an activeintruder protocol. We held our first meeting with the Royal Newfoundland Constabulary inNovember, 2008.

Why does Memorial need an emergency management planner?The university recognizes the need to minimize its risk and be ready and prepared for any

probable threat and is willing to dedicate a full time position with support to ensure that’sdone. This is about more than writing plans, its educating the university community, especiallythe student body, and conducting exercises on the effectiveness of plans and ensuring they'rekept current.

PREPARING FOR A CRISIS

Meet MUN’s new emergencymanagement planner

Karen Alexander


DEAN HOGAN got to re-live a part of her past for a few brief moments thiswinter. Catching a glimpse of the vintage bomber jacket from our last issue – you’ll recall Iasked you which year the coat was purchased – instantly brought her back to when she wasa student here at Memorial.“I purchased a jacket, which I think is just like the one in the photo, a few years later

when I attended MUN,” said Dean, the signage technician with Facilities Management whocorrectly guessed the coat was purchased in 1965. “It had white leather sleeves and a whiteand maroon striped collar. There was also a maroon all-leather one available around thesame time. I wore mine until the lining fell apart many years later.”Congratulations Dean for identifying our photo and sharing your memories. She

receives a unique Memorial prize for her winning entry.Now, does this picture on the far right bring back memories? I sure hope so. But, where

was the photo used and in what decade?Send your submissions to [email protected] or mail your entry to us (our address is on page

two) for a chance to win. The contest is open to all Memorial staff, faculty and pensioners.The deadline for entries is May 1, 2009. One entry per submission. Be sure to includeyour name, work or home number, and your department. This contest wouldn’t be possiblewithout the generous help of Linda White of the Archives and Manuscripts Division in theQE II Library.

THANKS AND GOOD LUCK!Jeff GreenEditor

daysgoneby

streeterHOWDO YOU beat the winter blahs?

This winter I have made a promise tomyself to get outside more with my family.We have purchased a snowmobile and enjoythat as much as we can. We enjoy sliding,too. Friday night is family game night ormovie night, which is also a lot of fun. Forme personally, I go to TheWorks at leasttwice if not three times a week. Exercising isa great way to beat the winter blahs.

PATRICIA CHURCHILLIntermediate secretaryDepartment of French and Spanish

I get together with friends once a weekfor a musical jam session, and I sing lead.Music, as well as the sound of my five-yearold son Jack’s laughter, fills me up, rejuve-nates my soul and helps me fight the winterblahs. I also get a lot of enjoyment out ofgoing sliding with my little family or curlingup under a blanket and reading a good book(currently reading AThousand Splendid Sunsby Khaled Hosseini), or even watchinganimated films with Jack. He can entertainhimself for hours by re-enacting the storylineand emulating the voices of the characters.And, I spend every chance I get with mygirlfriends.

LORI LEE HOLLETTGraphic artist and campus photographerSir Wilfred Grenfell College

I beat the winter blahs by staying activeeither outside shoveling or snowmobiling. Ivolunteer with the local fire department andof course spend hours on my treadmill andworking out staying in shape for theupcoming season of the Firefit Challenge.Let’s go team MI.

CRAIG HARNUMManagerSafety and Emergency Response Training(SERT) Centre

I came fromThe Philippines – a countrywith no winters. So, I wasn’t even aware ofsuch a condition that could be a littledepressing during this time of the year. Butthe main thing for me is to have the propermindset. Embrace the season, so to speak.Being busy with activities related to myfaith, doing things with my family, andwhen at work, being immersed in the job athand, that seems to work for me. This way,I see winter as just a part of the beautifulcycle of seasonal variations which it is.

WILFREDO DIEGORResearch assistant II TERRA FacilityCREAIT

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THE COMMUNICATOR12

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Two years ago – during the spring of 2007 – an anony-mous, confidential employee workplace survey wasconducted. The purpose was to measure employees’ viewson a variety of workplace issues such as pay, benefits,workload, work satisfaction, communications, diversityand recognition.

A total of 1,750 employees participated which formedthe basis of much work and improvement since thenincluding improvements to the benefits program andcoverages, respectful workplace policy awareness andtraining, and shared best practices.

As indicated in 2007, a two-year follow up survey is

planned for this year. Make sure you participate and voiceyour opinions. What you think and feel is very importantand you can’t be heard unless you speak up.

Complete details are available online atwww.mun.ca/humanres/opinion_survey/.

If you have any comments or questions about the 2009workplace survey or wish to get involved, contactShannon O’Dea Dawson, communications co-ordinatorwith the Department of Human Resources, at 682-0540or [email protected].

Your opinions count so let them be heard.

YOU WERE HEARD, LOUD AND CLEAR

So speak up again this year


spring 2009 - memorial university of newfoundland · 2013. 4. 9. · inside...

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