Update News
Schulich I cruises to sixth place finish
Fifteen solar powered vehicles cruised to the conclusion of the 2008 North American Solar Challenge fuelled by sunshine and Calgary spirit. Thousands of spectators lined the streets and gathered at the finish line at the University of Calgary to greet the cars, including the U of C’s own Schulich I.
University of Michigan’s Continuum crossed the finish line first, followed by Waterloo University and a German entry from FH Bochum.
“It was so exciting to be able to drive the car back home today,” said Schulich I driver Tiffany Veltman. “There were crowds of people cheering and waving the whole way and I just kept wanting to drive the car faster and faster!”
The U of C Solar Team plans to start designing and building its third car in September.
“We are bringing home so many lessons from this year’s race that will help us immensely as we move forward into the third generation of our car,” said Darshni Pillay, the team’s operation manager. “The next North American Solar Challenge is only two years away so we have a lot of work ahead of us as our team continues to improve and become more competitive.”
Charlotte Gill named Markin-Flanagan Canadian writer-in-residence
Author Charlotte Gill is the newest Markin-Flanagan writer-in-residence at the University of Calgary. Gill will be in residence until June 15, 2009.
During her residency, Gill will devote 50 percent of her time to writing and 50 percent of her time to community activities, including individual manuscript consultations with local writers, public readings and workshops. While in Calgary, she will work primarily on her memoir, Spade Life.
As a student, Gill spent her summers working as a tree planter in northern Ontario. After her graduation from the U of T, this tree planting occupation continued, taking her west to Alberta and remote sections of British Columbia. In nearly 20 years, Gill has planted more than a million trees over an area equivalent to 600 Manhattan city blocks. The unique subculture attendant to this intense, gritty labour is the topic of Spade Life.
“The Markin-Flanagan residency is a special opportunity—a wonderful way, especially, to be introduced to a community of writers,” says Gill. “I look forward to exploring Calgary, as well as its beautiful surroundings.”
Bruce Carson to lead Canada’s school of energy and environment
Former senior advisor to the prime minister Bruce Carson is the first executive director of the Canada School of Energy and Environment.
“The potential for the Canada School of Energy and Environment (CSEE) is unlimited,” said Carson. “Canada needs this kind of leadership as it sorts out the balance between protecting the economy and protecting the environment. Over the next two to three years, CSEE will become the centre of excellence in Canada for research, policy and advice that meshes the goals of clean energy and environmental protection.”
Canada School of Energy and Environment is an innovative research and educational collaboration involving the University of Alberta, the University of Calgary and the University of Lethbridge. It draws on the diverse knowledge, resources and expertise of the three institutions to create and advance research and teaching programs related to one of the most pressing issues of the modern world: the need to balance sustainable energy development and environmental management.
“This can become the go-to place in Canada for research into the environment and alternative and clean energy,” said Carson. “Eighty percent of the oil and gas production in Canada comes from Alberta. There is no better place to develop the research expertise and policies that will guide our country and help industry, government and the public make the right decisions.”
Partnership offers guaranteed child and elder care
U of C employees now have preferred access to full- and part-time child care with guaranteed spots. A new partnership with Kids & Company is offering U of C employees a range of work-life solutions that also includes elder care, emergency child care and meal delivery.
“People want to work for an organization that is ‘family friendly’ and one that recognizes there are life demands outside of the workplace,” says Gail Stephens, University of Calgary’s recently appointed vice-president (finance and services). “This new partnership offers staff and faculty quality child and elder care. Ensuring our staff have access to these kinds of services is a big step to helping the U of C retain and recruit high quality staff.”
Through the new partnership, employees can choose child care at the location of their choice—at home or work—and are guaranteed a spot with six months notice. Emergency back-up care is offered in the event a child’s regular caregiver is sick, school is cancelled or a parent must go to work on a scheduled day off. Parents may also choose a Montessori kindergarten program and will be able to access elder care options.