For the second year in a row, the Faculty of Science is stepping up to Spread the Net.

Championed by Rick Mercer and several partners including UNICEF, this annual fundraising challenge has been instrumental in providing much-needed bed nets to families in Africa threatened by malaria.

I encourage you to support the Faculty of Science and the Science Students’ Association, which  placed first last year in the Eastern division. This year science students are aiming to claim top spot nation-wide. To date, through a series of initiatives such as a cake auction, a volleyball tournament and a "bed-in," they have raised $6,726!

Join me in congratulating the Science Students’ Association for their efforts to raise awareness about malaria and funds to purchase bed nets for those who need them most. Next year, let’s make this meaningful cause a University-wide initiative.

Related link: Generous biology students appear on The Rick Mercer Report

While all students on campus hunger for knowledge, none should hunger for food. Unfortunately, many students can find themselves in a tight spot and rely on the SFUO Food Bank to help make ends meet.

On Thursday, February 3, I helped serve food at one of the SFUO Food Bank breakfasts. Held in the University Centre across from the Student Federation Office and the University Bookstore, it was an eye-opening opportunity for me, as well as a chance to witness all the hard work that goes into running this program.

I encourage you to learn more about the SFUO Food Bank, become a volunteer or make a donation. The food bank is a great cause run by a tremendous team!

All eyes are on the Middle East as Egypt, Tunisia, Yemen, Jordan and Algeria champion for regime change. As tensions escalate, the efforts of pro-democracy demonstrators are not only acting as a catalyst for revolution, but are also raising questions about the implications that this push for new leadership will have on the global economy, international security and established diplomatic relations.

In light of these recent events, the Graduate School of Public and International Affairs (GSPIA) has organized a multidisciplinary panel of experts, who will discuss the current political tensions in the Arab world. The panel titled "Do they march for democracy? Discussing current events on the "Arab street"" will be held on Thursday, February 10th at 10:30 a.m. in Room 112 of Tabaret Hall.

Admission is free and the public is welcome to attend. It will be a great opportunity to learn more about the current power struggle in the Middle East. More information and registration.

The quality of the student experience is one of my key objectives during my mandate as president of the University of Ottawa. I want students who attend this institution to be able to truly say that they spent some of their best years on our campus. You can help me achieve this objective by participating in the 2011 Good Ideas Contest!

For the fourth-consecutive year, the University invites undergraduate and graduate students to submit ideas on how their experience could be improved. Launched on Monday, January 31, the 2011 Good Ideas Contest has received already close to 300 submissions.

Be sure to submit your ideas before 4 p.m. on Friday, February 11. If you're interested in becoming a student judge who will evaluate the ideas submitted and help select the 10 winning ideas, we are looking for one student representative from each faculty.

Good luck!