Memos

Sept. 5, 2023

My mom was an elementary school physical education teacher and eventually principal. The first day of school was a Big Deal in our house.  

The start of a new school year is thick with potential. We say we’ll study harder, get up earlier, go to the gym more often, and be kinder and more patient. When I was a kid, the first day of school often came with a small gift from my mom in recognition and celebration of the importance of that invitation to a new beginning.

This is my first September as Dalhousie’s president. Some of you, like our first-year students and new colleagues, are embarking on big new beginnings of your own. But each of you undoubtedly has some milestone worth celebrating. So, in a throw-back to those first-day-of-school moments, I’m offering you a small gift: a mix tape.  

These days, most would call this a playlist. But those of you who were a teenager in the 1970s or 1980s (as I was) will recall the delight of a mix tape. They were time consuming to make. You would theorize about the messages you were sending through song choice and ordering. You would curate the order to meet the length of each side of the tape (whether 30, 45, or 60 minutes). Inevitably, you would need to hit rewind and re-record multiple times to get it just right.  

This mixed tape aims for a 45-minute side, which is a little longer than our community’s median commute to campus (22 minutes). But I am offering an extended set because some of you will face start-of-term traffic, some will stop for a coffee, and some of you might take the long way in. There isn’t a deep message in the selection of these songs; I wanted to have a range of genres with the hope that everyone will find something familiar that they love and something new. And each song had to be one that makes you want to sing out loud.

• Tina Turner – Nutbush City Limits (3:04)
• Leslie Spit Treeo – Angel from Montgomery (3:15)
• Digging Roots – I’ve Got it Bad (3:30)
• Gloria Gaynor – I Am What I Am (3:26)
• Beyoncé – Crazy in Love (3:56)
• Moira and Claire – South Shore (2:46)
• Dolly Parton – Two Doors Down (3:08)
• Joni Mitchell and Brandi Carlile – A Case of You (live) (4:51)
• Kenny Rogers — The Gambler (3:30)
• Tracy Chapman — Fast Car (4:26)
• Bruce Springsteen – No Surrender (4:00)

You can stream the playlist on YouTube or listen on Spotify.

I can often be found traveling around campus on foot or by scooter. If you see me, please stop and say hello. Tell me a little about you, give me some tips about music I should be listening to, and share your views on what you like — or what you’d like to improve — about Dal.  

I am so looking forward to spending this year with you. No retreat, no surrender.

Best,

Kim

Kim Brooks
President and Vice-Chancellor

Sept. 1, 2023

September 1 marks 100 years since the University of King’s College and Dalhousie University formally entered into association, beginning a unique educational partnership. The association that binds the two universities has evolved to reflect the changing needs of our communities, but fundamentally it is about collaborating to enhance the experience each university offers to students. The result is a community that is greater than the sum of its parts.  

Over the coming year, watch for events and communications that will highlight the anniversary. To kick things off, on September 23, King’s and Dalhousie’s Men’s Rugby teams will play in a special season opener game on Gorsebrook Field at 3 p.m. And later this year, on February 4th, the Dalhousie AC Rams and King's Women's Volleyball teams will meet in a special 100th anniversary match. More details to come.

King's was founded in Windsor, Nova Scotia in 1789, where in 1920, a fire destroyed its main building. The Carnegie Corporation of New York offered to provide financial assistance to rebuild the university in Halifax and in an association with Dalhousie, which dates to 1818. (Read more on Dal News.)

One hundred years on, this association still enriches our shared community and enhances the student experience at both King’s and Dalhousie in ways that could not even be imagined in 1923.  

The academic partnership also laid the groundwork for King’s and Dalhousie to offer five innovative, shared certificate programs, requiring courses at both universities. Beyond these shared certificates, students in Dalhousie’s Faculty of Science and Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences may take courses through both Dal and King’s. Reinforcing the connection between the schools are the centres and supports that are shared by the members of both communities, like the Dalplex, both universities’ libraries, the centres at Dalhousie for Black students, Indigenous students, international students and student accessibility, and Student Health and Wellness.  

Most importantly, we continue to recognize our shared history, and the role we can play together to build a better tomorrow. In October, Dalhousie and King’s will join with the Black Cultural Centre for Nova Scotia to host the 2023 Universities Studying Slavery (USS) Conference. This year’s USS conference is the first to be held outside of the United States. It will also be the first USS conference to foreground the history of slavery in Nova Scotia and Canada, and the experience of African Nova Scotians particularly.  

The conference stands as a notable example of the ways our partnership pushes us to expect more of ourselves and highlights the incredible potential for Dal and King’s to extend our partnership beyond our neighboring campuses, and into the broader community.  

The relationship between Dal and King’s — and the shared student experience it offers — shows that knowledge knows no boundaries. This year, please join us in celebrating 100 years of Dal and King’s working together to support our students and help them achieve their aspirations.  

Sincerely,  

Kim Brooks
President and Vice-Chancellor
Dalhousie University 

William Lahey
President and Vice-Chancellor
University of King's College 

August 24, 2023

Thank you to folks for providing such a warm welcome during my first couple weeks as president.  

Championing the amazing work to advance EDIA across our campuses is one of the things I’m most excited about. So it feels fitting that I get to invite you to nominate colleagues who have made outstanding contributions for the 2022-2023 President’s Awards for the Advancement of Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Accessibility.

Inclusive excellence is core to our strategic plan, Third Century Promise, and the efforts of our faculty and staff in advancing EDIA are vital to our collective success. We encourage the nomination of individuals or groups (including units, departments, faculties, or campus organizations) and will be providing two awards: 

• A faculty or staff individual award
• A faculty or staff group award  

Nominees should demonstrate a commitment to dismantling systemically unjust structures and promoting an inclusive campus community at Dalhousie. More information about the nomination process, along with the nomination forms, can be found here.  

If you have worked with an individual or group who deserves recognition for their exceptional or creative efforts to advance Dalhousie’s EDIA work, please nominate them by Friday, September 29th.  

Please help us recognize and celebrate the extraordinary work happening across our campuses to make Dalhousie a thriving community where everyone belongs. 

Sincerely,  

Kim Brooks
President and Vice-Chancellor 

July 10, 2023

Kwe’

From July 15-23, the North American Indigenous Games (NAIG) will take place across Kjipuktuk (Halifax), Dartmouth, Millbrook Mi'kmaw Community, and Sipekne'katik Mi'kmaw Community, bringing together 756 Indigenous Nations from all corners of Turtle Island. The NAIG will be the largest multi-sport games ever hosted by the city, with over 5,000 participants.

Dalhousie was proud to support Halifax’s bid for the NAIG and will welcome more than 1,100 athletes, coaches, and staff to campus this week to stay in residence and dine in meal halls while they take part in the Games. Athletes staying on campus will have access to campus tours and programming through Dalhousie’s Indigenous Student Centre.

Dalhousie is also pleased to serve as a sporting venue for the Games, hosting swimming and basketball events at the Dalplex and Sexton Gym. Additionally, the Faculty of Architecture and Planning has also collaborated with NAIG organizers and Mi’kmaq communities on the Brave Space project. The Brave Space on the Studley quad and other Dal venues, such as the Indigenous Student Centre, the Ko'jua room and the Gord Downie and Chanie Wenjack Legacy Space in the Killam Memorial Library, will provide participants with safe and comforting places to reconnect, regroup, and reground on campus.

Throughout the Games, we encourage all members of our Dalhousie community to do everything they can to act as allies and create a warm and welcoming environment for participants who may be travelling away from home or staying on their own in residence for the first time. Whether through simple actions like providing directions or answering questions, by attending a sporting event on campus, or by visiting the Cultural Village at the Halifax Commons, there are many opportunities to showcase our Dalhousie hospitality and commitment to inclusivity.

This is also a wonderful opportunity to educate ourselves and others about the significance of the Games and to celebrate sport and culture with the Indigenous community.    

Thank you to the Dalhousie employees who are helping host NAIG athletes and events, both as part of their day-to-day roles on campus or as volunteers in the community. Please note that anyone who wants to enjoy the Games may attend events free of charge and without tickets — including swimming and basketball events on campus.

We invite you to join us in showing these special guests how welcoming Dalhousie University can be and in doing our part to make the 10th North American Indigenous Games a success.

For more information about the NAIG games, visit naig2023.com.  

Wela'lioq. Msit No'kmaq.

Frank P. Harvey
President and Vice-Chancellor (Acting)

Theresa Rajack-Talley
Vice Provost, Equity and Inclusion

Catherine Martin
Director, Indigenous Community Engagement

June 16, 2023

Vice-President Advancement Search Update

As you may recall, we were in the early stages of the search process for a Vice-President, Advancement when the search began for our next President. Given the reporting relationship and close intersection between these roles, the search timeline was adjusted to better align with the presidential search. Now that our presidential search is well-underway, we are pleased to be moving forward with this critical hiring process.

Boyden Executive Search has been engaged to assist with recruitment and we have established a search committee in accordance with the Senior Administrative Appointments Policy.  

We have also begun to engage the Dalhousie community in consultations regarding the experience and competencies the Vice-President, Advancement should possess. The search committee will use the information gathered through this consultation process to help inform candidate recruitment, assessment, selection, and highlight areas requiring the attention of the new Vice-President, Advancement. 

As part of this consultation process, we invite you to complete this survey. The survey is anonymous and should take less than 10 minutes to complete. While you will be asked to identify your stakeholder group, individual responses will be anonymous, and all comments will be treated as confidential by the committee. We thank you for your contribution to this important process and ask that you complete the survey by June 30, 2023. 

You may also provide confidential input into the search at any time by contacting Laura Godsoe, Director of Executive Recruitment and Employment Equity at laura.godsoe@dal.ca or 902-800-1729 or Nick Chambers, Partner at Boyden Canada at nchambers@boyen.ca or 416 363 3164. 

Appointment of Assistant Vice-President, Development

I would also like to take this opportunity to announce the appointment of Jen Laurette as Assistant Vice-President, Development.  

Jen was the enthusiastic choice of the search committee following a robust search. On behalf of Dalhousie, I would like to thank the committee for their time in helping consider a highly competitive pool of applicants and extend particular thanks to Acting Vice-President Advancement Sheila Blair-Reid for her expertise chairing the committee. 

Jen shared this in response to her appointment: 

“I am grateful for the opportunity to lead this exceptional team of dedicated professionals as we continue to build upon the momentum that will ensure the success of the comprehensive fundraising campaign. Together we are going to achieve great things for our students, our researchers, and the broader Dalhousie community.”

Jen is a seasoned advancement professional with more than 20 years of experience. She began her career at her alma mater, the University of King’s College, and held senior development roles at UNICEF and the Smith School of Business at Queen’s University before returning to her home province to join the Dalhousie Medical Research Foundation as Director of Philanthropy in 2021. In 2022, Jen assumed the role of Senior Director, Principal Gifts here at Dalhousie where she was leading the development and implementation of the university’s principal giving program prior to assuming the role of acting Assistant Vice-President Development in January of this year. Jen holds a BA from the University of King’s College and is a Certified Fundraising Executive (CFRE). She and her husband Allen are proud parents to 3-year-old Hadley and felines Mitzi and Milo.   

Sheila had this to say about Jen’s appointment: 

“Welcoming Jen to the role of Assistant Vice-President, Development is an exciting moment for the Office of Advancement and for the broader Dalhousie community. Together, we are focused on launching the largest fundraising campaign in Atlantic Canadian history. Jen’s depth of experience and collaborative leadership style, coupled with her strong ability to forge deep and meaningful relationships with our stakeholders, will contribute immensely to our collective success.”

Please join me in congratulating Jen on her appointment. 

Sincerely,

Frank P. Harvey
President and Vice-Chancellor (Acting)

June 13, 2023

I am very pleased to announce the appointment of Sarah Harding as Dean of the Schulich School of Law for a five-year term beginning August 21, 2023.

Sarah is a graduate of Dalhousie’s Schulich School of Law. Prior to law school she received a BA from McGill University and after Dalhousie,  went on to do graduate legal work at the University of Oxford and Yale University. She has been a Professor at Chicago-Kent College of Law for the past 27 years and Associate Dean for Faculty Development and Research for six of those years. As Associate Dean, Sarah was involved in a wide range of strategic projects, from accreditation to curricular reform. Her teaching and research interests have focused primarily on the legal treatment of cultural property, particularly the cultural properties and resources of Indigenous peoples. In addition, she has taught and written in the field of comparative constitutional law.  

Beyond her professional work and career as a law professor, Sarah has been true to the Weldon Tradition of unselfish public service. In the past decade she has devoted a significant amount of time and energy in leadership roles with non-profits focused on arts and education. More recently, she has started working as a pro-bono attorney with families seeking asylum.  

As a Dalhousie alumna, Sarah had this to say about returning to Dalhousie as dean: "The Schulich School of Law’s dedication to public service, its active approach to addressing injustices and inequities, and its long-standing strength as both a regional and national school, all draw me back."

Please join me in welcoming her back to Dalhousie.  

I would like to express my gratitude to the search committee for their excellent contributions over the course of the search process, as well as members of the School of Law community for their engagement throughout.

In celebrating Sarah's appointment, we also thank Dean Camille Cameron for her impressive service as dean of the School since 2015. Dean Cameron began her appointment with a strategic planning process and with the goals of strong and effective leadership, enhanced student learning, expanded research capacity, reinforcing a sense of belonging and a commitment to service. Over the course of her term as dean, the Schulich School of Law has made significant inroads in these areas. Dean Cameron has also developed a reputation as a valued mentor and support to junior faculty and a champion for the School's significant investments in equity, diversity, inclusion and accessibility including faculty recruitment and new mandatory courses in Aboriginal and Indigenous Law in Context and African Nova Scotian Legal History & Issues and Critical Race Theory. Her leadership within the School of Law and as a valued colleague in senior administration will be missed.

Dean Cameron will be ending her term as dean on July 1, 2023 as scheduled. I would like to extend gratitude to Dr. Lucie Guibault, Professor of Law and Associate Dean Academic in the School of Law, who has generously agreed to serve as acting dean until Sarah’s arrival in August.

Sincerely,

Frank P. Harvey
President and Vice-Chancellor (Acting)

June 6, 2023

Please join me and members of Dalhousie’s senior leadership team on Thursday, June 22 for the Annual Progress Report on Dalhousie’s 2021-2026 strategic plan, Third Century Promise. We are pleased to be hosting this year’s Progress Report in tandem with the university’s annual Summer Sociable (formerly Strawberry Jam), which will take place immediately following.

This combined event will serve as our annual June update, where we report on progress made over the past year. It will also be a chance to celebrate our successes and reconnect with colleagues at the Summer Sociable.

The Annual Progress Report will take place in Room 105 of the Weldon Law Building (6061 University Avenue) on Thursday, June 22 at 1 p.m. and livestreamed for those who are not able to attend in person.

There will be an opportunity for questions at the end of the event. For those viewing the livestream, questions may be submitting via email (president.messages@dal.ca). We will aim to address as many as we can.

For those watching from our Agricultural Campus, the event will also be livestreamed in Program Room 218 in the Student Learning Commons in the MacRae Library (135 College Road) with refreshments provided.  

After the Progress Report, we look forward to hosting the annual Summer Sociable on the Studley Quad in front of the Henry Hicks building at 2 p.m. In the event of rain, the Summer Sociable will move to the LeMarchant Place Atrium. Building on previous Strawberry Jam events, you can expect food, games, and live entertainment.

We hope you can join us for both of these important annual events.

Sincerely,

Frank P. Harvey
President and Vice-Chancellor (Acting)

June 1, 2023

Significant wildfires continue to burn in Nova Scotia, particularly in Halifax and Shelburne counties. As we offer our sympathies and support to everyone directly affected, we also strongly urge all members of our community to follow precautions and restrictions that have been put in place to keep people safe and ensure first responders can focus their efforts on addressing the situation at hand. More information can be found at novascotia.ca/alerts.

Emergency leave update

On Monday, we shared that Dalhousie was providing five days of emergency leave to any faculty or staff member who is directly impacted by the fires. We recognize these wildfires are having a diverse range of impacts on members of our community, and the days of emergency leave are meant to be flexible and adaptable to a variety of situations that members of our community are facing.

At this point, we expect many people who have been displaced from their homes may not be able to return by Monday. To reflect this, Dalhousie is extending the emergency leave from five to seven days. We will continue to monitor the situation and adjust our approach to employee support as required.

I also want to express Dalhousie’s appreciation and pride in those members of our community who have stepped up to support fighting these fires as volunteer firefighters. The university will continue to provide paid leave to staff members who are engaging as volunteer firefighters.

Support resources

• Property loss: With initial assessments of damage slowly taking shape, we know there are members of our Dalhousie community who have had their homes destroyed or significantly damaged in these fires. We offer our deepest sympathies to you during this incredibly difficult time. If you anticipate that you will be experiencing long-term displacement as a result of these fires, please reach out to Accessible Employment at accessible.employment@dal.ca so that we can work with you to develop a personalized support plan during this time.
• Accommodations on campus: There continues to be accommodations available in university residences for members of our community who have had to evacuate their homes, and Dalhousie is subsidizing the cost of these rooms for our students, faculty and staff. Individuals can make arrangements to access these accommodations by calling 902-494-8840.
• Ways to offer support: Many people have reached out asking how they can offer their support. We encourage those looking to contribute to consider donating to the United Way Halifax Wildfire Recovery Appeal, which will provide financial support to charitable organizations not only in Halifax and surrounding areas, but in Shelburne and impacted communities on the south shore. You can make a donation by visiting the United Way donation page.
• Reaching out for help: We recognize that this past week has been extremely challenging on all members of our community — from those who have had to leave their homes to those working through unanticipated school closures or just simply carrying the weight of concern we’re all feeling at the moment. We hope that you are all taking care of yourselves and each other. If you need supports, the LifeWorks Crisis Support Line is open 24/7 and can be reached at 1-844-751-2133. You can also access EFAP services online at http://dal.lifeworks.com. The IWK Health Centre has also provided guidance on how to talk to children and youth about an emergency or traumatic event, which you can find here.

I want to close this update with a note of appreciation to the many faculty and staff at Dalhousie who are working above and beyond to help those who need it during these evacuations. This includes residence staff and the Dal Security team who have been working around the clock to offer, facilitate and support temporary housing on campus. It also includes staff in Student Affairs and Human Resources who are providing direct support to those in need as well as countless other advisors, colleagues and friends from across campus who are reaching out a helping hand. We know many of our colleagues have opened their doors to others and we want to acknowledge your kindness and thank you for stepping up as we knew you would. To everyone who is doing their part: thank you for, once again, showing the best of what Dalhousie is capable of.

Sincerely,

Frank P. Harvey
President and Vice-Chancellor (Acting)

May 29, 2023

This has been a harrowing 24 hours for many in our community. The wildfires still burning in HRM, as well as in Shelburne County, have upended countless lives, including many of our students, faculty and staff. Some of you have been asked to leave your homes with little warning, while many others have friends, family members or coworkers who have been evacuated from the fire area. It remains unclear how long this situation will last. And when compounded by additional devastating fires across Canada, these are challenging times for so many. On behalf of our entire Dal community, I offer my heartfelt sympathies and our university’s full support to all who have been impacted.

We find ourselves in yet another moment of urgency, where we lean on the support and compassion that defines our university to help those in need. It has been heartening to hear stories of community members stepping up to assist one another through these trying times. Dalhousie is here to help, and several dedicated efforts are underway to ensure those of you who require support have what you need from our university.

Please review the resources below and share with anyone else who may need them.

General info

• For the latest on the HRM fire and resources in the community, visit the HRM website.
• Individuals in areas close to the fire zone should keep a close watch for emergency alerts from province in the event further evacuations are required. Information on emergency preparedness can be found here.

Housing and accommodations

• There continue to be accommodations available in university residences for members of our community who have had to evacuate their homes, and Dalhousie is subsidizing the cost of these rooms for our students, faculty and staff. Individuals can make arrangements to access these accommodations by calling 902-494-8840.
• Students, faculty and staff who are without power are welcome to access shower facilities at Dalplex. Check in with your DalCard at the Dalplex front desk.

Students

• Students impacted by current evacuation orders who require non-emergency support in navigating campus or community resources, please contact Hazel Ling, our Student Support Case Manager, at hazel.ling@dal.ca.
• Students experiencing academic impacts or requiring academic flexibility due to the current situation should reach out directly to their professors, and/or academic advisors, when you’re able.
• We know these will be stressful times for those impacted — please don’t hesitate to reach out to Student Health and Wellness team to book an appointment if it would be helpful to you.

Faculty and staff

• The university will be providing five days of emergency leave to any faculty or staff member who is directly impacted by the fires, including anyone who has been evacuated or impacted by evacuations. This leave applies to all employee groups and is being provided outside any existing leave banks.
• Employees who have been impacted should contact Accessible Employment at accessible.employment@dal.ca for support. Additionally, leaders are encouraged to contact Accessible Employment if you know of any faculty and staff in your unit who have been directly affected. We are looking to develop a consolidated list of all faculty and staff who have been evacuated from their homes or otherwise directly impacted by the fires so that we can ensure we are providing all supports and information we can. Please send an email to accessible.employment@dal.ca with their names, banner # if available, and any information you have on their status.
• Dal’s Employee and Family Assistance Program (EFAP) can facilitate a number of supports for affected individuals and can be contacted at 1-800-387-4765 or http://dal.lifeworks.com.
• Our EFAP provider has activated the LifeWorks Community Crisis Support Line. This is in addition to support provided through the Employee Assistance Program (EAP) help line for eligible employees. The LifeWorks Crisis Support Line is open 24/7 and can be reached at 1-844-751-2133. By calling, individuals will receive professional emotional support and/or referral to community resources. This resource is available to anyone in Canada — please share this information with your communities, family, and friends that may not have access to an EAP program.

Please continue to look after yourselves and one another and stay safe. Dalhousie is here for you.

Sincerely,

Frank P. Harvey
President and Vice-Chancellor (Acting

May 4, 2023

We are looking forward to celebrating the academic accomplishments of our over 4,000 graduates at Dalhousie’s Spring 2023 Convocation ceremonies, beginning at the end of this month. A total of 19 ceremonies will be held between May 29 and June 7.  

All faculty and staff are invited to attend Convocation ceremonies and share this significant milestone with graduates and their supporters. It means a great deal to them to have you there.

Please note, if you wish to join the Academic Procession on stage, you are asked to wear academic dress. If you do not have your own academic dress, you may reserve it through the Online Academic Dress Reservation Portal by Friday, May 12.

Full Convocation details, including Honorary Degree recipients and ceremony dates and times, are available at dal.ca/convocation.

Convocation is made possible by the contributions of faculty, staff, and students from across the Dalhousie community. Thank you to all who help make these important ceremonies possible.

If you are interested in volunteering at a Convocation ceremony, please reach out to the Convocation team at convocation@dal.ca. A variety of roles and responsibilities are available, and the time commitment can be as little as a few hours.

I hope you will join us in recognizing and celebrating Dalhousie’s newest graduates.

Sincerely,

Frank P. Harvey
President and Vice-Chancellor (Acting)

April 28, 2023

Earlier this morning, the Government of Canada announced the largest research grant in Dalhousie’s history: an investment of $154 million through the Canada First Research Excellence Fund (CFREF). This grant will activate a total investment of nearly $400 million to support Transforming Climate Action: Addressing the Missing Ocean — a research program representing an ocean-first approach to climate science, innovation and solutions.

The Transforming Climate Action research program brings together more than 170 researchers from Dalhousie and our research partner institutions Université du Québec à Rimouski, Université Laval, and Memorial University. Together, we will embark on the most intensive investigation into the ocean’s role in climate change ever undertaken.

The ocean holds 90 per cent of the Earth’s carbon and has absorbed 40 per cent of fossil fuel emissions to date. It removes more CO₂ from the atmosphere than all the rain forests on Earth combined. It is doing almost all the work to keep the world cool, yet its central role is absent from key climate policy discussions and targets. Emerging science shows the ocean’s ability to absorb and hold carbon is changing in ways that are not understood. Without a better understanding of the ocean’s role in mitigating climate change, efforts to meet global climate targets and avert the worst impacts of a warming planet are at risk.  

Transforming Climate Action has three ambitious, integrated goals. It will reduce international uncertainty about the ocean’s capacity to absorb and hold carbon. It will position Canada as a global leader in mitigating carbon emissions. And it will create people-centric adaptation solutions to ocean and climate change based on science, developed in collaboration with communities and informed by Indigenous ways of knowing.

This marks a bold new chapter in Dalhousie’s legacy of ocean research excellence and impact. As Canada’s leading ocean research university, we host more than 100 ocean-focused researchers and world-leading ocean research centres. Transforming Climate Action will enhance that impact on the global stage: attracting international talent; undertaking ambitious new research; supporting and working more closely with our communities; and igniting global partnerships that place Dal at the centre of addressing one of the most important issues of our age.  

You can read full details of the announcement on Dal News and learn more about the research program at transformclimateaction.ca.

There will be much more to share about Transforming Climate Action in the weeks and months to come. For now, we want to express Dalhousie’s gratitude to the Government of Canada for this incredible support and thank all those who’ve made this moment possible. To succeed in such a highly competitive research funding program takes a full team effort, and it has been truly impressive to watch researchers from nearly all of our faculties — guided by Dr. Anya Waite, Associate Vice-President Research (Ocean) and Scientific Director and Ocean Frontier Institute CEO, and Dr. Mike Smit, Dean Faculty of Management (Acting), and supported by excellent staff — work together to present a compelling, persuasive showcase of some of our best talent and biggest potential. Everyone who has been part of this process has our thanks and appreciation.  

The work to transform climate action will be vast and challenging. But it is through exactly this sort of collaborative research and innovation — spanning disciplines, institutions and even languages — that we can build a better future for our planet. Backed by the proven talent of our research community and now powered by an unprecedented level of support, it is a challenge Dalhousie is ready to meet.  

Sincerely,

Frank P. Harvey
President and Vice-Chancellor (Acting)

Alice Aiken 
Vice-President, Research and Innovation

April 3, 2023

NOTE: This message discusses sexualized violence. Support services are highlighted at the bottom of this memo.  

Each year, during the month of April, we take the opportunity to raise awareness about sexual assault and educate communities and individuals on how to prevent sexualized violence. Dalhousie joins with government agencies, businesses, other campuses and community-based organizations in the province, country and internationally, and particularly with those who provide services and support to sexualized violence survivors, to spotlight Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM).

As is made clear in our Sexualized Violence Policy, “sexualized violence undermines the full, free and safe participation of all members of the university community by creating intimidating, hostile, or unsafe living, learning, and working conditions, environments and experiences, which can negatively impact an individuals’ academic and/or employment performance and status.” We ask all our community members to join us this month and engage in education about consent and action to prevent sexualized violence.

Throughout the weeks ahead, you can expect to hear more from us through dissemination of information about the resources available on campus, discussions in forums like Senate and Dean’s Council, and stories shared through Dal News or the university’s social channels.

To launch the month, we wanted to share information on some important Dal initiatives and resources.

Campus research project

In an effort to further understand, track and act on incidents of sexualized violence against students, Dalhousie has agreed to join other Canadian universities in a survey-based research project led by McGill University entitled IMPACTS: Collaborations to Address Sexual Violence on Campus, funded by the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada. The information gathered will be analysed and used to improve university policies and programs on sexual violence generally and specifically for our Dalhousie community. Students who receive the survey link are encouraged to complete it and help contribute to the much-needed research about the prevalence and impacts of sexualized violence in our community.

The Purple Folder: How to respond to disclosures of sexualized violence

Members of the campus community are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the Dalhousie Purple Folder. The Purple Folder offers support for how to respond when someone shares an experience of sexualized violence and reminds our community about resources and supports, including referral options, that exist on campus and in the community.

Break the Silence NS: A free online course

Developed through the provincial government, Break the Silence NS offers a free online training course for anyone who wants to learn more about sexualized violence and how to support someone who has survived it.

Dalhousie’s Human Rights & Equity Services (HRES)

Dalhousie’s Human Rights and Equity Services is responsible for the administration of the Dalhousie Sexualized Violence Policy, which outlines processes in supporting disclosures and reports of sexualized violence. The Sexualized Violence Advisor, Lyndsay Anderson, is trained to help individuals who have experienced sexualized violence. The Sexualized Violence Advisor offers confidential support and assistance to any member of the Dalhousie Community – contact hres@dal.ca or call 902-494-6672 for more information or to book an appointment.  

Other resources:

• Student supports:
  • Students who require immediate support should contact Dalhousie’s Student Health & Wellness Services. Appointments can be booked online or by phone: 902-494-2171 (Halifax); 902-893-6369 (Truro).  
  • For additional mental health supports, visit the Student Health & Wellness website.
• Faculty and staff supports:
  • Faculty and staff resources are available through our Employee Family Assistance Program, which can be accessed at workhealthlife.com or at login.lifeworks.com. Employees are also reminded of available Blue Cross medical coverage for mental health benefits. Please also visit our employee resources site for additional mental health resources.
• Dalhousie Security is responsible for the safety and security of the Dal community and operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Security is trained as first responders. The DalSAFE app also connects the university community directly to HRES and other resources to support survivors.
• Nova Scotia mental health crisis line: 1-888-429-8167
• Avalon Sexual Assault Centre: 902-422-4240

Sincerely,

Frank P. Harvey
President and Vice-Chancellor (Acting)

Kim Brooks
Provost and Vice-President Academic (Acting)

Theresa Rajack-Talley
Vice-Provost Equity and Inclusion

March 16, 2023

The Dalhousie community is encouraged to attend the finals of our annual 3 Minute Thesis competition, coming up next Monday, March 20 from 6:00-8:00 p.m. (doors open at 5:45 p.m.) in the McInnes Room in the Dalhousie Student Union Building.

After hosting 3 Minute Thesis virtually last year, the Faculty of Graduate Studies is thrilled to be able to hold this highly anticipated annual competition in person again. This is a wonderful chance to discover the ground-breaking and impactful scholarly work our graduate students are conducting, as they present their research in just 180 seconds and with only one slide.

The evening will be emceed by CBC’s Brett Ruskin and will feature judges from the Dalhousie community. As in past years, the audience will select the winner of the People’s Choice Award. The overall winner of Dalhousie’s 3 Minute Thesis will go on to represent the university in the Regionals, which will also take place here at Dalhousie this year.  

Best of luck to this year’s competitors, and I hope to see you at the finals on Monday.

Sincerely,

Frank P. Harvey
President and Vice-Chancellor (Acting) 

March 15, 2023

PLEASE NOTE: This message discusses sexualized violence and may be harmful for some individuals.

Today, the University of King’s College released the final report from an independent review announced by King’s in 2021, after several charges involving sexual offences were laid against professor, the late Dr. Wayne Hankey.

We commend those individuals who came forward through this process to share their experiences and acknowledge the lasting harm that was caused. The report concludes that Dr. Hankey, “… engaged in a pattern of predatory and abusive behaviour towards some young men.”  

Some of the incidents documented in the report had a connection to Dalhousie. We recognize and sincerely apologize for these incidents and, in addition to the specificity of these incidents, we acknowledge the institutional culture that protected behaviour that had such profound harm. No one should have to experience sexualized violence or harassment.

We would also like to recognize King’s, and its President and Vice-Chancellor, William Lahey, for their leadership in undertaking a thoughtful and detailed review, for sharing their process and the reports it produced publicly, and for working with Dalhousie throughout.

We have reviewed the final report and will carefully and thoughtfully reflect on the findings and recommendations. We are commited to taking steps on the recommendations. To that end:

(1) We encourage any other students or individuals affected by Dr. Hankey’s behaviour to come forward with information, and we will ensure we provide the appropriate supports and resources;

(2) Imminently, we will reach out to the reviewers to make sure we have fully understood the findings as they relate to Dalhousie.

(3) We will, to every extent possible, make amends to individuals affected who were part of our Dalhousie community;

(4) We offer our sincere apology for Dr. Hankey’s behaviour and the institutional culture that protected this behaviour;

(5)  We will continue our work to evolve our inclusive culture that demonstrates a safe environment for disclosing, reporting and processing of experiences of sexualized violence;

(6) We will continue to ensure the policies that relate to sexualized violence and other forms of harassment and discrimination are responsive, fair and survivor-centered and we will continue to adjust in ways that reinforce these principles; and

(7)  We will provide ongoing supports and opportunities for discussion to anyone impacted by these harms.

The failings documented in the report are ones we must work collectively to prevent.

We have resources available for members of our community, including:

• The Sexualized Violence Advisor, Lyndsay Anderson, is trained to help individuals who have experienced sexualized violence. The Sexualized Violence Advisor offers confidential support and assistance to any member of the Dalhousie Community and can be contacted through Human Rights & Equity Services (HRES) at hres@dal.ca or call 902-494-6672 for more information or to book an appointment. Information about HRES and the Sexualized Violence Policy can be found at dal.ca/hres
  
  
• Students who require immediate support should contact Dalhousie’s Student Health & Wellness Services by phone to book an appointment: 902-494-2171 (Halifax); 902-893-6369 (Truro).
  
  
• Additional e-mental health options for students are available, including Good2Talk – free and confidential counselling for post-secondary students (dal.ca/good2talk); Ask a Nurse – confidential answers to your health questions within 72 hrs; and TAO – an online mental health library.
  
  
• Faculty and staff resources are available through our Employee Family Assistance Program, which can be accessed at workhealthlife.com or at login.lifeworks.com. In addition, Morneau Shepell has opened its 24/7 bilingual crisis support line to help anyone in need of emotional support. The toll-free number is 1-844-751-2133. Employees are also reminded that our Blue Cross medical coverage for mental health benefits was increased to $1500 effective April 1, 2020. Please also visit our employee resources site for additional mental health resources.

Let me borrow from the words of King’s President and Vice-Chancellor William Lahey who captured our shared sentiment:

“To all our past students as well as our faculty and staff who experienced the bullying and misogyny Ms. Rubin’s report describes, and to everyone who had their educational experience, or their experience as faculty or staff impaired by … aspects of Wayne Hankey’s behaviour, we apologize to you, too, for not making your safety, your well being and your equal participation in the life of King’s [and Dalhousie] our top priority.”

There are many important lessons Dalhousie should derive from the experiences and excruciating personal traumas outlined in this report. I want to reinforce my unwavering personal commitment to do whatever I can, in any role I occupy at Dalhousie, to address issues of sexualized violence, harassment, bullying, or any other unacceptable behavior on our campuses. We will be stronger by fully embracing these critical lessons.

Sincerely,

Frank P. Harvey
President and Vice-Chancellor (Acting) 

March 10, 2023

Dr. Brooks’ term as Dean of Management formally ends on June 30, 2023 and she has advised me that she wishes to be considered for a further five-year term. As part of standard university process, and in keeping with our Senior Administrative Appointments Policy, it is routine that a decanal review process be initiated at this point. Such reviews are key to university accountability and quality improvement processes and are conducted on a regular cycle.

As a first step in this process, a Decanal Review Committee for the Faculty of Management has been constituted by the Faculty and this committee wishes to invite input into the review from all interested parties.

Broad participation in the review is a vital component. Faculty, staff, students, and external partners are particularly encouraged to participate in the review. The scope of the review includes the following:

• Dean Brooks’ role as Dean; and
• The Office of the Dean, which includes the structure and administration of the Office.

The committee is interested in hearing opinions concerning the leadership areas identified in the University Terms of Reference (TOR) for Deans.

Additional information on the Office of the Dean of Management may be found here.

Opinions may be expressed by filling out this anonymous survey. While you will be asked to identify your stakeholder group, individual responses will be anonymous, and all comments will be treated as confidential by the committee. Summaries of information obtained through this process may be shared with the Dean. Any such information will contain neither direct quotes nor any individual identifiers.

Please complete the survey by Thursday, March 23. To share feedback directly via email or request an interview with the review committee, please contact Chloe Westlake at chloe.westlake@dal.ca by March 23.

Committee Membership

Frank Harvey, Chair
Dominika Wranik, Faculty representative
Jamila Ghaddar, Faculty representative
Kyung Lee, Faculty representative
Samantha Taylor, Faculty representative
Shawn Adderley, Student representative
Jenna Downey, Staff representative
Cristina Verissimo, External faculty representative

Sincerely,

Frank P. Harvey
President and Vice-Chancellor (Acting) 

February 21, 2023

Next week (February 27–March 3), Dalhousie will mark its inaugural Employee Appreciation Week to coincide with National Employee Appreciation Day, which takes place on the first Friday in March each year.

This week is an opportunity to take a moment and recognize the dedication and commitment of everyone who works for Dalhousie. Employee recognition is a key priority for Dalhousie and our Third Century Promise. No matter what you do to support our academic mission — from the classroom to the lab, from keeping hallways clean to our buildings safe and open, from Halifax to Truro and beyond — it all plays a part in making this university such an incredible place to study, research, teach, and work.

Employee Appreciation Week events

Throughout the week, virtual and in-person events will take place across our campuses and in our communities, including coffee breaks with Ol’ School Donuts hosted by senior leaders, family ice skates, lunchtime fitness classes, prize draws, and more. All faculty and staff will also have free access to the Dalplex throughout the week.

See the full event schedule and register for events through myDal (login required).  

Shout-outs

As part of Employee Appreciation Week, we are also encouraging you to submit Shout-outs for colleagues who deserve recognition. The Shout-out program was originally introduced in 2021 to informally acknowledge one another’s contributions to our campuses, and we’re pleased to bring the program back for Employee Appreciation Week. Shout-outs will be published on myDal and also shared in Today@Dal throughout next week.

I encourage everyone to take time next week to celebrate our peers and colleagues across the university. If you have people reporting to you, look for opportunities to recognize them throughout the week. In addition, when possible, please allow time for and encourage your employees to attend events.  

I’d like to thank our team in Human Resources for organizing next week’s activities, as well as Dalplex and the Langille Athletic Centre; Ancillary Services; the Office of Sustainability; Communications, Marketing and Creative Services; and Employee Appreciation Week sponsor Johnson Insurance for making the week’s activities possible.

Thank you for your many contributions to Dalhousie, and I hope you can join us in celebrating our first Employee Appreciation Week.

Sincerely,

Frank P. Harvey
President and Vice-Chancellor (Acting) 

February 6, 2023

Today we are kicking off our eighth annual Dalhousie Census campaign. The census provides us with important information about our community, which helps improve the university’s programs, supports and services related to equity, diversity, inclusion and accessibility (EDIA).

The “Be Counted” campaign will run from February 6-10. We encourage all Dalhousie faculty, staff and students to complete the census. It is important to hear from everyone, especially those belonging to equity deserving groups and in particular persons with disabilities as we begin the implementation of the university’s Accessibility Plan.

Watch the census video to learn more.

Visit dal.ca/BeCounted and follow the steps to fill out the Faculty/Staff Census or the Student Census. (If your primary affiliation is as a student, please choose the Student Census.)

Your information will be confidential. The census data is not shared with your manager/supervisor, and it is not attached to your employee or student record.

The data collected from our most recent census is available at dal.ca/BeCounted.

If you have any questions about the census, please email BeCounted@dal.ca.

Thank you in advance for taking the time to complete the Dalhousie Census and helping us build a better Dalhousie.

Sincerely,

Frank P. Harvey
President and Vice-Chancellor (Acting) 

February 1, 2023

The Senate Honorary Degrees Committee (SHDC) invites nominations for honorary degrees for future ceremonies.  

Through the awarding of honorary degrees, Dalhousie aims to recognize individuals whose accomplishments and achievements will inspire our graduates while reflecting the character and values of the university. SHDC invites nominations of candidates who reflect Canadian society and the university’s commitment to diversity including, but not limited to, Indigenous peoples (especially Mi’kmaq), persons of Black/African descent (especially African Nova Scotians) and other members of racialized groups, persons with disabilities, women, and persons identifying as members of 2SLGBTQ+ communities.

To learn more about who is eligible for an honorary degree, click here.

To make a nomination, please complete the Honorary Degree Nomination Form in full. Questions can be directed to the University Secretariat at (902) 494-3715 or senate@dal.ca.

Completed nomination forms should be forwarded by Monday, March 20, 2023 to senate@dal.ca or mailed to:       

Senate Honorary Degrees Committee
c/o Secretary of Senate
University Secretariat 
Room 210, Henry Hicks Academic Administration Building
Dalhousie University
6299 South Street, Halifax, NS B3H 4R2               

Your time and input are appreciated.

Frank Harvey
President and Vice-Chancellor (Acting) 

January 17, 2023

This spring, the Dalhousie community will celebrate some of our outstanding students as part of the 12th annual IMPACT Awards.  

The IMPACT Awards recognize students and student societies from across the university for their exceptional extracurricular contributions, not only to Dalhousie, but to local, provincial, national, and global communities.

New to the IMPACT Awards this year are the President’s Awards for the Advancement of Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Accessibility (EDIA). Eligible recipients are students or student groups who demonstrate an ongoing commitment to EDIA and work consistently to promote an inclusive campus community at Dalhousie. Learn more.

In order to recognize our amazing students, we need to hear from you. If you have worked with a student or student group whose contributions deserve to be acknowledged, I encourage you to nominate them for an IMPACT Award before the nomination deadline on February 8, 2023 (11:59 p.m. AST).

Information on all awards, and nomination forms, can be found at dal.ca/impact. If you have any questions, please contact student.experience@dal.ca.

Please help us celebrate our impressive students and share their inspiring stories. 

Frank Harvey
President and Vice-Chancellor (Acting) 

January 11, 2023

With the winter term now underway, I wanted to take a moment to write and wish you all the very best for the upcoming semester and the year ahead.

A new year offers an opportunity for us to reflect on our hard work, achievements, goals, and aspirations. I want to thank you for the important role you play every day to help students succeed in their respective programs while balancing multiple teaching, research, administrative, service, and, of course, family commitments. It’s through your incredible efforts that we’re able to achieve the important shared goals we have as an academic community: educating and supporting undergraduate and graduate students, growing research revenue, serving members of our communities, and advancing Dalhousie’s global reach further than ever before. Thank you!

I know doing such great work has not always come easy these past few years. The pandemic has caused many upheavals in our personal and professional lives and, more recently, with some painful losses weighing heavy on many in our Dal community. As we strive to support our students and their success, it’s critical that we support one another and look after ourselves as well. Please ask for help if you need it, take advantage of supports available to you, and keep your personal health and wellness front-of-mind throughout the term ahead.

Part of what makes Dal such a wonderful community are the personal connections we have across our campuses. I look forward to reaching out over the next several months to reconnect with colleagues and alumni I've met and worked with throughout my 30 years at Dalhousie and connect with faculty and staff I have not yet had the pleasure of meeting or thanking in person.

Dalhousie is an incredible place to work and study because of you, and it is a genuine privilege and true honour to get to support your work as acting president. I know senior leadership transitions can bring with them some trepidation, but Dalhousie has succeeded in working through these changes in the past because of our community’s enduring dedication to our students, research, scholarship, and service. These commitments have always been responsible for Dal’s success, reputation, and legacy, and they are the reasons the university will continue to thrive as we search for our new President and Vice-Chancellor.  

Thank you for all you do. Have a wonderful semester, and I look forward to seeing, supporting, and celebrating all the amazing things our Dal community has in store for 2023.

Sincerely,

Frank Harvey
President and Vice-Chancellor (Acting) 

January 10, 2023

It is with profound sadness that I advise the Dalhousie University community of the loss of Ben McIsaac, Co-Vice-President, Advancement (acting), who passed away suddenly last Friday following a brief illness. 

A graduate of Saint Mary’s University (BA, Psychology ’04), Ben began his fundraising career with Symphony Nova Scotia before taking on roles with Canadian Opera Company and the Richard Ivey School of Business at Western University.

Ben first joined Dalhousie in 2010 as a Development Officer for the Faculty of Arts & Social Sciences, but soon took on broader responsibilities as a Director of Development, also overseeing the fundraising teams in the faculties of Architecture & Planning, Computer Science, Engineering, and Management. He and his team made a significant contribution to the Bold Ambitions campaign, which saw the institution raise $280M, the largest campaign in Dalhousie’s and Atlantic Canada’s history. Ben then spent six years in leadership roles at the University of Alberta, including four as AVP, Faculty Development and Corporate and Foundation Relations. During his tenure, the university recorded its three highest fundraising totals ever. 

Ben re-joined Dalhousie in September 2019 as Assistant Vice-President, Development, where he was responsible for the strategic direction and leadership of the university’s fundraising development program. This included leading the strategic direction of Dal’s next comprehensive campaign — a particular career highlight of Ben’s. Most recently, he was helping support the entire Advancement team as co-acting Vice-President, Advancement.

Ben was passionate about supporting his community. He served on the volunteer Boards of the Children’s Wish Foundation of Nova Scotia, the TD Halifax Jazz Festival and the Association of Fundraising Professionals – Nova Scotia Chapter, and also contributed his time to Symphony Nova Scotia and Fusion Halifax.  

Ben was even more passionate about animal welfare. He and his wife Sandra personally welcomed half a dozen rescue animals into their family, mostly of the feline variety. During lockdowns and online meetings, it was a given that at least one of the furry members of his family would make an appearance on-screen. Ben also generously gave his time to the SPCA NS Board of Directors and was a member of their Finance & Audit and Communications & Marketing Committees. 

Above all, Ben adored his family. He was a devoted husband to Sandra, whom he adored, a loving son and brother, and a dedicated grandson.

Below, I am honoured to share memories of Ben from several of his colleagues who worked with him closely:

• “Since my first day at Dalhousie, Ben was there for me. He was the definition of a service leader — always making sure he empowered and encouraged others to succeed; never standing in their way. Ben wasn’t the gregarious fundraiser that is so commonly found in our line of work. He was quiet, he listened, he was deeply thoughtful and strategic. In the hierarchy that is a traditional university setting, he would openly ask others for their opinion and expertise, at all levels of the team. I will miss his honesty, his guidance, his mentorship, and his support. I will miss him dearly.” Sarah MacDonald, Assistant Dean, Advancement, Faculty of Law
  
  
• “Ben was more than a wonderful boss to me; he was a mentor and friend who was always a phone call or text away. A dedicated campus and sector champion, Ben made it clear he was invested in both my professional and personal development, and I couldn't have hoped for anything more than that. His passing is a great loss for not only the Dalhousie community, but also for the broader fundraising profession. I cannot help but feel we were all cheated out of time with him — he had so much passion and knowledge to share, and we all had much more to learn from this phenomenal non-profit leader.” Siobhan Doherty, Senior Director of Development, Office of Advancement 
  
  
• “It has been my privilege to have worked with Ben closely over the past four years. Ben was a truly brilliant strategist who could absorb a significant volume of details and data quickly and formulate a strong direction. Ben quickly earned the respect of those around him with his ability to gain consensus and find a path towards mutually-beneficial outcomes, even in the trickiest of situations. From our early days working together, it was apparent that Ben was a leader who truly cared about the people working around him. He was often the first person to reach out when a team member was struggling, was never more than a phone call away when you needed support, and was always quick with a cat picture to lighten the spirits! Dalhousie University, and the entire fundraising sector, have been made stronger for Ben’s leadership, and he will be dearly missed.” Kate Somers, Chief of Staff and Executive Director, Administration, Office of Advancement  
  
  
• “Much has been said about Ben’s leadership, his dedication to Dal, and his service to community. I will add what I think is most important, his kindness and desire to help others. Ben quietly focused on how he could help you as a friend, a human, more than he cared about how he could make the next great professional move. He wanted to make a difference in the lives of those around him. We will remember Ben’s gifts of kindness and his genuine desire to help those around him. It is a wonderful legacy. With much sadness we reflect.” Sheila Blair-Reid, co-acting Vice-President, Advancement

Please make time in your thoughts for Ben’s family and friends; faculty and staff across the institution who worked with Ben, especially our colleagues in the Office of Advancement; and for all who knew him. Dalhousie shares our condolences. Campus flags will be lowered to half-mast in Ben’s memory.  

Please reach out if you need help during what is surely a challenging time. Supports are available through our Employee and Family Assistance Program, which can be accessed at workhealthlife.com, or through the enhanced mental health benefit from Blue Cross, or contact Accessible Employment at accessible.employment@dal.ca for additional support or resources. 

Regards,

Frank Harvey
President and Vice-Chancellor (Acting) 

January 9, 2023

As we begin the first day of classes, I want to wish you all the very best for the winter semester and the year ahead. To those who travelled over the break — welcome back to campus. And to those new to Dal joining us for the first time — welcome. A new year offers an opportunity to reflect on your hard work, achievements, goals, and aspirations, and look ahead to all you will accomplish in 2023.

It has not been easy during the pandemic for many of us to maintain or strengthen our personal connections. As we continue to prioritize health and safety at the university, I encourage you to take advantage of any opportunity to connect with your peers on campus — whether through clubs and societies, connections you make in the classroom, meeting new friends in residence, or by volunteering and giving back to our local communities.

I am looking forward to meeting Dalhousie’s students at events across our campuses this semester to help recognize and celebrate the activities, contributions, and many significant accomplishments of our amazing undergraduate and graduate students. Dalhousie is an incredible place to work and study because of you, and it is a genuine privilege and distinct honour to be serving as your acting president.    

Have a wonderful semester, and I look forward to seeing and supporting the amazing things our Dal community has in store for 2023.

Sincerely,  

Frank Harvey
President and Vice-Chancellor (Acting)