You may have seen or heard the bulldozers hard at work on the front lawn of Tabaret recently: they have been clearing away the snow so that we could install a skating rink! What better way to use this great space during the winter months? As luck would have it, milder weather arrived just as the work began. We can be sure about one thing — our Canadian winters. The deep cold did not wait long to return, and thanks to this deep freeze, the rink is now ready for use. We might even work on a hockey rink next year if we can find a private sponsor to cover the cost.

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.

In December I visited our food bank, which is located in the University Centre. The food bank is a service run by the Student Federation. Although it is sad to think that such a service is necessary, it is also good to know that it is available for those in real need. I was deeply impressed by the sincere commitment shown by Danielle Gaudet, her staff and the volunteers who work so hard in making the food bank run so smoothly. They deserve our gratitude and support.

Food Drive

Protection Services' next community project will be a food drive for students in need. It will run throughout the Snow Festival January 25 to 28, from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. and at the following locations:

1. Monday, January 25 - Sports Complex, Templeton entrance

2. Tuesday, January 26 - Pedestrian mall in front of 90 University Private

3. Wednesday, January 27 - Tabaret Hall, front lawn

4. Thursday, January 28 - 141 Louis-Pasteur, main entrance

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.