With the current contact for Coca-Cola Bottling Ltd. to be the exclusive supplier of cold beverages to campus set to expire at the end of June, the university is looking for comment on the issues of exclusivity and the financial benefit of such arrangements before making a decision on how to proceed.

By Colleen MacPherson

The university and its partner Meridian Development Corporation are putting the finishing touches on a construction agreement that should see work begin soon on the first new student residences at the U of S in 35 years.

The Lepiota naucina, an edible mushroom, is known for its mild taste and propensity to flourish in the forest. The Amanita virosa, better known as the Destroying Angel, looks remarkably similar to the Lepiota but is considered Canada’s deadliest mushroom by mycologists like Susan Kaminskyj, professor of biology.

Although IT4U is designed to help students, the new computer training and support service offers real benefits for instructors as well.

Janis Shirriff, supervisor of Information and Technology Services (ITS) training services and interim co-ordinator of IT4U, is encouraging instructors to let their students know about the service in order to improve the quality of electronically-produced assignments and save themselves time dealing with computer questions.

The Campus Day Care is celebrating 40 years of providing the community with a safe place for the children of U of S staff, students and faculty.

Lori O’Leary has been director of the daycare since 1995 and while a few things have changed, the demand remains constant.

“There are more people waiting to get in than we have spaces for,” said O’Leary. “I’ve seen parents break down and cry in my office because they didn’t have a space for their children… All I can say to them is that other children will leave eventually and spaces will open up, but in the mean time there’s not much I can do.”

Students with a valid NSID have the opportunity to enter their parking lot preferences map onto a web ballot on the "Parking" tab in PAWS. The web ballot can be completed at any time prior to midnight, August 31. Lottery results will be posted on PAWS by 4:30 p.m., September 2.

The bag carry is the final obstacle in the Police Officer’s Physical Abilities Test (POPAT) where you must reach down to grab an awkward 100-pound weighted bag and bring it up into your arms. Since this is the only part of the POPAT that is not timed, it's important to concentrate on keeping your balance and walking slowly around the pylon 10 metres across the gym, then back to the starting point. Gingerly, you must roll the bag out of your arms onto the ground, careful not to make any noise.

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

The new indoor bike racks in the Agriculture Building parkade have the ability to lock the front tires, back tires and frame at the same time, making it extremely difficult for thieves.

Students enrolled at the University of Saskatchewan in November 2007 who were issued a declining balance credit of $25 have had the deadline for using the credit extended until Dec. 31, 2009.

The first day of a new academic term is always busy for the university's computer system, but Jan. 5 will go into the books as a record-breaker.

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

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.

The U of S has put out a call to the private sector for some creative approaches to developing the first phase of the College Quarter student residence project.

The University of Saskatchewan has joined with a number of Canadian institutions in an initiative that links their wireless services, making campus visits easy for students, staff and faculty.

Whether you’re checking email, or enrolling for classes, PAWS is a web service for every staff and student on campus - and with the new customizing function, users can make their PAWS a lot more personal.

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.

Effective May 1, it will cost more to park in some areas of campus although the amount of the increase will vary.

On May 1, the University will resume full control of its food operations on campus in an effort to improve service to students and address a troubled financial situation.

Greg Fowler, director of
Consumer Services

Construction of the the new Learning Commons continues on the ground and first floors of the Murray Library but the work will result in some disruption of services between May1-11, 2008.

More consolidation of campus services will take place May 1 when the University’s card office, issuer of official student and staff identification, moves from the Administration Building into the Bookstore.