University of Regina to designate 10 gender-neutral washrooms

After two years, UR Pride has successfully campaigned to have gender-neutral washrooms assigned across the campus. “The premise of the washrooms would be that anyone, regardless of their gender identity or sexual orientation … has access to this space,” Leah Kesier, executive director of UR Pride told The Carillon. UR Pride noted that harassment often occurs in washrooms for those who aren’t filling society’s “gender expectations.” The official launch day has not yet been announced, but UR pride has been working closely with the University of Regina.

With files from The Carillon

Education program applicants drops at UWindsor

In Jan. 2013, the University of Windsor reported a drop of 13 per cent in the number of applicants to the education program compared to 2012. The university noted this as part of a current downward trend in the number of students pursuing education as a career in Ontario. Geri Salinitri, the acting dean of UWindsor’s Faculty of Education, stated that there are more people graduating from teaching programs than teaching positions available in the province of Ontario. Many graduates who are hired often work part-time for six years or more before receiving a permanent position. This has led to many pursuing teaching jobs in other provinces where wages are much higher. UWindsor has extended the fall 2013 education program admission deadline to Mar. 11, 2013.

With files from The Lance

McMaster University and librarian being sued for $3.5 million

The publishing company Edwin Mellen Press is suing McMaster University, along with a librarian, for libel damages. In 2010, the librarian, Dale Askey, wrote a series of blog posts criticizing Edwin Mellen Press as being unprofessional, and questioned the quality of their publications. In June 2012, the publishing company filed legal action against Askey as well as McMaster University as a co-defendant and demanded the posts be taken down. McMaster, however, fully supports their librarian and his posts.

With files from The Silhouette