I invite you to read the op-ed that appeared in the Ottawa Citizen last Saturday. I talk about the role Canadian universities, including the University of Ottawa, can play in helping Haitians rebuild their country.

Where’s Winter?

What a pity that the very week after we cleared the snow off Tabaret lawn and flooded the new skating rink, the temperature soared to seven degrees! All that hard work, melting away in front of our very eyes.

I understand that winter will return later this week or on the weekend. Let’s hope! I look forward to seeing you all out there on skates!

U-Pass

Yesterday, I appeared before Ottawa City Council to advocate for the adoption of the U-Pass, which will make bus passes available for the whole bus system for $145 per academic session (subject to your approval in a referendum). I made the argument that bus transportation is important not only for getting back and forth from home to campus, but also for the significant number of you who have part-time jobs, co-op placements, community learning positions or volunteer roles elsewhere in the city. In other words, a student’s life in increasingly connected with neighborhoods and districts far from campus, and getting around affordably is important. I also stressed that U-Passes are in place in various Canadian cities and that it is time for Ottawa to catch up. Finally, I emphasized that the University has agreed to pick up the administrative costs of the program, by collecting and transferring the fees and issuing the cards. The Council is expected to vote on the measure later this week. Keep your fingers crossed!

Haiti

For those who may be interested, here is a link to a Snapshot email I sent this past week to all uOttawa professors, personnel and alumni on our ongoing Haiti efforts. I rarely send email messages to students because I sense that you would rather I not communicate with you by email unless there is an urgent or exceptional need to do so.

You have all responded generously to the recent call for donations to assist in the relief and recovery efforts in Haiti. As the world mourns the devastating loss of life and massive destruction, it's important to remember that for many of our students, the catastrophe has a very personal dimension. Over 100 of our students have Haitian citizenship and/or residences. Some of them lost family members last week. Our hearts go out to them as they cope with their tragic loss. They and their families are in our thoughts and prayers.

The entire University of Ottawa community is reeling from the reports that have been pouring in from Haiti since last night. I offer my heartfelt condolences for those who have lost loved ones in the devastation. Perhaps more disturbing is not being able to find out if family and friends are safe. I can only imagine the deep turmoil felt by many of our students, staff and professors who are trying to connect with loved ones in Haiti. I realize words are little comfort for those living these moments. Our University community is eager to help.  We are collaborating with the SFUO, the Haitian Student Association and external organizations to provide support and information. We have set up a website called Haiti Info that provides links to organizations involved in relief efforts and organizations providing updated information. Our student federation has set up a free hotline for those trying to contact loved ones (when communication access is available). The SFUO in the Unicentre is also accepting donations in person until January 22. Funds will be directed to Red Cross relief efforts.