News Briefs

New institute, new chancellor

Ovide Mercredi, graduate of the University of Manitoba, chief of the Misipawistik Cree Nation, author and activist, was inaugurated as the first chancellor of Canada’s newest post-secondary institute, the University College of the North on Nov. 6.

University College of the North is located “in the heart of the Boreal forest,” as stated on the institute’s website. The institute has 12 regional centres with two main campuses in The Pas and in Thompson.

The ceremony instating Mercredi was held at The Pas campus and opened with at pipe ceremony reflecting Northern culture and traditions.

Mercredi attained his law degree from the U of M in 1977. He played a key roll in both the Meech Lake and the Charlottetown accords.

He advocates for non-violent methods of change and was nominated for the Ghandi Peace Prize.

Established in 2004, the University College of the North offers trades programs, certificates, diplomas, and degrees.

The institute “address the overall needs of northern communities” in a culture characterized by “openness, inclusiveness, and respect of Aboriginal and Northern values,” according to its website.

—Magally Zelaya, staff

It’s about time

It’s taken 100 years, but an international team of physicists has finally proven Einstein’s theory of relativity — and U of M physics professor Gerald Gwinner was at the head of the team, reported the Winnipeg Free Press on Nov. 12.

Gwinner’s team used a particle accelerator to prove the principle of time dilation, meaning that time moves slower when in motion.

The common example used to describe the theory is that a watch worn by a person in motion ticks more slowly than a watch worn by a stationary person.

The theory was proved to be 99 per cent accurate in 1938, but is only now that the theory is conclusive with 10,000 times that accuracy.

The confirmation of the theory also supports the GPS system that accounts for time dilation in its location measurements.

The findings from the research conducted in Germany were published on Nov.10 in the scientific journal Nature Physics.

—Magally Zelaya, staff

Cynicism could be good for your health

A recent study, released through Duke University, has revealed that people with a cynical nature, are less prone to blood pressure and heart health issues.

The study, funded by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, began with participants reporting the level of their past exposure to discrimination. With that information, Laura Smart Richman, an assistant research professor in psychology and neuroscience department of Duke University, and her team exposed the participants to a new, unrelated stressor by asking them about the last time they were angry.

Before, during, and after the exposure, the participant’s heart rate and blood pressure were monitored. After the exposure, researchers measured the amount of time that the heart rate and blood pressure took to return to a normal, resting rate.

The study found that, optimistic people or people with low cynicism, had larger stress reactions and took longer to return to normal resting rates, whereas a high level of cynicism was seen as a deterrent against stress.

“Those who are highly cynical and thus already have negative, untrusting attitudes and beliefs may expect life to be unfair to some extent. Thus, when discriminatory events do occur, it may not be as stressful an experience as for those who are relatively less cynical,” the study stated.

—Chelse McKee, staff

Acadia faculty back on the job after month-long strike

WOLFVILLE, N.S. (CUP) — Faculty at Acadia University are back on the job after nearly a month on strike.

The faculty association and the university’s board of governors came to an agreement late Nov. 5, ending the second faculty strike in Acadia’s history.

Faculty ratified the agreement Nov. 12, following 60 hours of negotiations with a provincially appointed mediator.

Acadia University’s faculty walked off the job on Oct. 15. They had been working without a contract since June.

“It’s been a long, difficult process,” said Peter Williams, president of the faculty association.

“With this dispute behind us, we can now direct our energies to finishing the semester. This renewed focus on academic excellence is great news for current and future Acadia students.”

The new contract introduces new salary grids, which was a major point of contention between the two sides.

Full-time professors saw their base salary jump from $81,950 to $85,659. Associate professors will move from $54,331 to $57,211 and lecturers move from $43,184 to $45,736.

By the end of the contract the top pay for a professor will be $132,000.

The university also guaranteed that there will be a minimum of 182 tenure-streamed professors per year.

Employment equity language was also added to the contract.

The contract also included a$175,000 fund from the university to set up a daycare and 70 per cent-employer-paid dental health insurance.

Students have missed 18 days of classes because of the strike. Classes resume on Nov. 15.

—Lucas Timmons, the Athenaeum (Acadia University)





Volume 95 Issue 13	The Official University of Manitoba Students' Newspaper Website	November 14, 2007

Home About Us Advertising Rates Contact Staff Current Issue PDF Employment Letters to the Editor Meet the Staff Online Archives Volunteer Online Classifieds St. Vincent's Academy Diaries	Font Size Respond Email Print-Friendly News Briefs New institute, new chancellor Ovide Mercredi, graduate of the University of Manitoba, chief of the Misipawistik Cree Nation, author and activist, was inaugurated as the first chancellor of Canada’s newest post-secondary institute, the University College of the North on Nov. 6. University College of the North is located “in the heart of the Boreal forest,” as stated on the institute’s website. The institute has 12 regional centres with two main campuses in The Pas and in Thompson. The ceremony instating Mercredi was held at The Pas campus and opened with at pipe ceremony reflecting Northern culture and traditions. Mercredi attained his law degree from the U of M in 1977. He played a key roll in both the Meech Lake and the Charlottetown accords. He advocates for non-violent methods of change and was nominated for the Ghandi Peace Prize. Established in 2004, the University College of the North offers trades programs, certificates, diplomas, and degrees. The institute “address the overall needs of northern communities” in a culture characterized by “openness, inclusiveness, and respect of Aboriginal and Northern values,” according to its website. —Magally Zelaya, staff It’s about time It’s taken 100 years, but an international team of physicists has finally proven Einstein’s theory of relativity — and U of M physics professor Gerald Gwinner was at the head of the team, reported the Winnipeg Free Press on Nov. 12. Gwinner’s team used a particle accelerator to prove the principle of time dilation, meaning that time moves slower when in motion. The common example used to describe the theory is that a watch worn by a person in motion ticks more slowly than a watch worn by a stationary person. The theory was proved to be 99 per cent accurate in 1938, but is only now that the theory is conclusive with 10,000 times that accuracy. The confirmation of the theory also supports the GPS system that accounts for time dilation in its location measurements. The findings from the research conducted in Germany were published on Nov.10 in the scientific journal Nature Physics. —Magally Zelaya, staff Cynicism could be good for your health A recent study, released through Duke University, has revealed that people with a cynical nature, are less prone to blood pressure and heart health issues. The study, funded by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, began with participants reporting the level of their past exposure to discrimination. With that information, Laura Smart Richman, an assistant research professor in psychology and neuroscience department of Duke University, and her team exposed the participants to a new, unrelated stressor by asking them about the last time they were angry. Before, during, and after the exposure, the participant’s heart rate and blood pressure were monitored. After the exposure, researchers measured the amount of time that the heart rate and blood pressure took to return to a normal, resting rate. The study found that, optimistic people or people with low cynicism, had larger stress reactions and took longer to return to normal resting rates, whereas a high level of cynicism was seen as a deterrent against stress. “Those who are highly cynical and thus already have negative, untrusting attitudes and beliefs may expect life to be unfair to some extent. Thus, when discriminatory events do occur, it may not be as stressful an experience as for those who are relatively less cynical,” the study stated. —Chelse McKee, staff Acadia faculty back on the job after month-long strike WOLFVILLE, N.S. (CUP) — Faculty at Acadia University are back on the job after nearly a month on strike. The faculty association and the university’s board of governors came to an agreement late Nov. 5, ending the second faculty strike in Acadia’s history. Faculty ratified the agreement Nov. 12, following 60 hours of negotiations with a provincially appointed mediator. Acadia University’s faculty walked off the job on Oct. 15. They had been working without a contract since June. “It’s been a long, difficult process,” said Peter Williams, president of the faculty association. “With this dispute behind us, we can now direct our energies to finishing the semester. This renewed focus on academic excellence is great news for current and future Acadia students.” The new contract introduces new salary grids, which was a major point of contention between the two sides. Full-time professors saw their base salary jump from $81,950 to $85,659. Associate professors will move from $54,331 to $57,211 and lecturers move from $43,184 to $45,736. By the end of the contract the top pay for a professor will be $132,000. The university also guaranteed that there will be a minimum of 182 tenure-streamed professors per year. Employment equity language was also added to the contract. The contract also included a$175,000 fund from the university to set up a daycare and 70 per cent-employer-paid dental health insurance. Students have missed 18 days of classes because of the strike. Classes resume on Nov. 15. —Lucas Timmons, the Athenaeum (Acadia University)


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