U of S students are doing their part to help the Haiti relief effort.

Thanks to a campus–wide wireless network, laptops are becoming standard equipment for students at the U of S, and some colleges are taking advantage of the trend.

According to a 2009 IT survey conducted in the College of Arts and Science, 83 per cent of respondents own their own laptop while only three per cent admitted to not having a computer of any kind. The Campus Computer Store alone sold 850 laptops to students in the fall of 2008.

The University of Saskatchewan Graduate Students’ Association (GSA) will be hosting a reception on January 15 to celebrate the opening of Graduate Student Commons—a new space for graduate students on campus.

About one year ago, on May 2, 2008, the University of Saskatchewan approved its integrated plan which named three priorities for 2008-2012: to improve the student experience, to enhance research profile and to work together better.

Situated on the shores of Emma Lake within boreal forest, the University of Saskatchewan’s Emma Lake Kenderdine Campus does more than just create a scenic destination. The unique combination of natural environments enables the Kenderdine Campus to offer a diverse range of classes across a variety of subject areas.

Paul Trottier, left, Kenderdine Campus director, and Ken Van Rees, chair of the campus board

Outside the College of Agriculture and Bioresources greenhouses on Perimeter Road, snow still blankets the ground but inside, vegetable growing season is in full swing—cherry tomatoes hang like bunches of grapes from plants so tall they must be tied horizontally, cucumbers and eggplants ripen on the vine and bell peppers slowly change colour as they mature.

The University of Saskatchewan Students’ Union (USSU) held its annual Experience in Excellence Awards ceremony March 22 to pay tribute to individuals for their part in enhancing the student experience. Below are some of the awards handed out at the event.

The $28.5 million renovation to the Place Riel Student Centre has the go-ahead after final approval from the University of Saskatchewan (U of S) Board of Governors.

The most requested items in the U of S libraries include several books about residential schools, CD collections of Motown music, journals about beer, and even the newest Harry Potter novel, but electronic books are quickly becoming some of the most viewed material in the catalogue.

After more than 30 years, the University of Saskatchewan is ready to get back into the business of building residence spaces for its students.

For those who choose to ignore parking tickets and fines on campus, be forewarned—one day you might go out to your car only to discover it’s not there.

Please note the following hours of operation for most university offices over the holiday season:

Steven Franklin has resigned from his post as vice-president research at the University of Saskatchewan to become President of Trent University effective July 1, 2009.

The Tuck Shop is once again open for business after several months of renovations designed to make room for more people and create a new home for the Canada Post outlet on campus.

The new Canada Post outlet in the Tuck Shop, Arts Building.
Photo by Mark Ferguson

The university has selected Saskatoon-based Meridian Development Corporation as its partner in a plan to build up to 200 new four-bedroom housing units for students.

What do these five people have in common?

Although biking season is drawing to a close, the director of Campus Safety want to remind riders that the rules of the road still apply.

The university has taken a big step in implementing its second integrated plan by naming the people who will lead each of the 20 initiatives identified in that plan.

Improving the university's mechanisms for managing smaller-scale incidents on campus is one of the main findings of a recent review on the institution's crisis prevention and response capabilities.

The University of Saskatchewan will be 'flippng' on the first official day of the 2008-09 academic year.

Affordable rental housing is tough to find in Saskatoon, so don’t wait until the last minute. Start looking for accommodations today.

Some ideas around how the University can improve its management of risk and how it reacts in emergency situations are beginning to emerge as its review of the institution’s crisis response nears completion.

Even though Saskatchewan Housing has turned down its application for a $19 million grant to help build 200 family townhouses for students, the University will proceed with planning as if the project were going ahead.

The following are the hours of operation for various student services on campus during Reading Week, Feb. 18 to Feb. 22. The campus is closed Monday, Feb. 18 for Family Day.

The Muslim Students’ Association (MSA) recently hosted a week-long initiative aimed at informing and educating the campus about Islamic faith and its teachings.

Cody Casey, a member of the Muslim Students’ Association (MSA), stands beside the MSA’s Islam Awareness Week kiosk in the Arts Tunnel on Friday, Jan. 25.

University offices will be closed on the following days during the upcoming Christmas and New Year’s season:
Monday, Dec. 24
Tuesday, Dec. 25
Wednesday, Dec.26
Thursday, Dec. 27
Friday, Dec. 28
Monday, Dec. 31
Tuesday, Jan.1, 2008

If you're a student employed by the University and have questions about what a labour disruption could mean for you, please visit http://blog.usask.ca/updates/ . You can also call 966-6510 to talk to someone personally about any questions you may have.

Normal business operations have resumed at the University of Saskatchewan. CUPE 1975 continues to be in a strike position. Further updates will be posted to blogs.usask.ca/updates. If you have any comments or questions, please contact the Call Centre at 966-6510.

Law students and faculty will be making use of classrooms all over campus this fall as they await completion of a major expansion to their college building.

The University’s online store, with an expanded offering of merchandise, is open for business.

The shortage of student housing throughout Saskatatoon has been making the news lately, prompting Dr. David Hannah, Associate Vice-President Student & Enrolment Services Division, to release the following statement Aug. 23.

People sometimes complain about having difficulty finding their way around campus. The true test will come in late July when the U of S plays host to the Canadian Orienteering Championships.

Kevin Ansdell with orienteering maps of campus.
Photo by Colleen MacPherson

In contemplating the beauty of the University of Saskatchewan campus, what is often overlooked are the exterior spaces – the spaces in between.

Vicki Herman hopes Student Counselling Services can be more than simply a listing in the phonebook.

Vicki Herman

This young deer crashed its way into a greenhouse on Science Place on early May 14 after being frightened by people arriving for work. It was tranquilized and later released by Saskatchewan Conservation officers.

Photo by Colleen MacPherson, On Campus News

(This message was distributed to all faculty, staff and students April 27, 2007.)
In the days following the Virginia Tech tragedy, our solidarity with and sympathy for the faculty, staff, students and families affected by the loss of lives on April 16, 2007 remains front and centre in our minds.

President Peter MacKinnon

The Department of Campus Safety and Security has a new tool that it hopes will help curb speeding on Campus Drive.

The University's new speed trailer.
OCN Photo by Colleen MacPherson

The University Board of Governors has delayed approval of the facilities levy increase proposed by the U of S Students’ Union in the hope of getting answers to a number of questions, and of sorting out the mixed messages being received from students.

The Western College of Veterinary Medicine (WCVM) is searching for pets to donate to the college's blood donor program.