Sept 24th eBulletin
Bargaining Update
Message from Katherine Sheehan, Assistant Vice-President, Human Resources
On Friday, September 7, the Directors of Employee Relations and Academic Staff Relations met with NSGEU. We asked for an audience with NSGEU to begin talks about unionized employees at the Agricultural Campus.
We were disappointed to learn that prior to our meeting NSGEU had already filed an application with the Labour Board of Nova Scotia, requesting a merger of three of the four bargaining units at the Agricultural Campus. The NSGEU application intends that the merged bargaining unit will continue as a separate bargaining unit representing staff at the Agricultural Campus. The NSGEU application is silent about faculty members of the EDC bargaining unit. However, we understand that the NSGEU is supportive of faculty becoming members of the Dalhousie Faculty Association (DFA).
The University will respond to the application with a proposal to amalgamate the NSGEU locals at the Agricultural Campus into one of Dalhousie’s existing bargaining units -- DFA, NSGEU Local 77, NSGEU Local 99, and non-unionized staff would become members of Dalhousie Professional Management Group (DPMG) or excluded/senior administration (EXAD).
It is important to remind all employees at the Agricultural Campus that regardless of the outcome at the Labour Relations Board, the Public Service Superannuation Plan (through legislation) and the Public Service Award (through agreement) will remain intact. All other employee terms and conditions of employment covered by a collective agreement will continue until the Labour Relations Board issues a decision, and new terms and conditions of employment are negotiated by the University and the bargaining units.
The University remains hopeful for a practical and fair resolution that addresses the interests of employees (both staff and faculty), students, administrative units, faculties at all campuses and Dalhousie University. If you have any further questions, please email hr@dal.ca and a member of the Human Resource team will assist you.
Transition to Outlook 2010 – Additional Assistance with Setup
Almost all Dalhousie Agricultural Campus faculty and staff now have Outlook 2010 setup on their pcs and most are actively using their Dalhousie e-mail accounts. We are now beginning to revisit users who would like some additional setup assistance. Below are notes on how some users, with support of IT Services, have setup their Outlook and Groupwise accounts during this transition period.
If you would like assistance with any of these tips please contact the DAC IT Helpdesk (helpdesk.dac@dal.ca ; 893-6154). Fred Manley will be happy to visit your office and assist you with any setup or training required.
· The recommended approach is to use Outlook 2010 for your Dalhousie e-mail, and Groupwise for your calendar and old archived e-mails.
· Many faculty and staff have setup a Groupwise forward rule to redirect e-mail from their old NSAC e-mail account to their new Dalhousie e-mail account. Some have also added a second action of “empty item” to their forward rule - this deletes the e-mail from their NSAC inbox after it is forwarded to their new Dalhousie e-mail account. However, some faculty and staff have decided to manage their e-mail accounts separately, asking their external colleagues to use their new Dalhousie e-mail in the future. Either approach is fine.
· Many faculty and staff have imported one or more of their old Groupwise address books into Outlook 2010. Although “groups” need to be rebuilt, address books can be imported into Outlook 2010 successfully.
· Two great approaches to finding all of your Dalhousie colleague’s contact information (e-mail and phone) are:
1) Create a shortcut on your desktop to the Dalhousie Directory which is available on the web at https://wa.its.dal.ca/directory/index.php You can search this and then simply click on the person’s e-mail address and it will automatically launch a new message with their e-mail address in the “To” field (requires Outlook to be selected in the Internet Explorer options as the default e-mail program). Please note that updates to this directory are still being made regularly as units are renamed and individuals realigned.
2) Get the Dalhousie LDAP installed on your pc as another “address book” in Outlook. You can then click on Address Book, select “Dalhousie Address Book” and find any Dalhousie e-mail address you need (you can also add folks you find in the LDAP address book into your own list of Contacts by right clicking on the contact while in the address book and selecting “Add to Contacts”).
Regards - IT Services
Atlantic Veterinary College Information Session
Thursday, September 27, 2012
Two Sessions: 8:00 am - 9:30 am or 9:30 am - 11:00 am
Riverview Room - Jenkins Hall
Mr. Jack MacDougall, Office of the Registrar, AVC, will be in attendance.
Organic Week
The Organic Agriculture Centre of Canada (OACC), a part of Dalhousie’s Faculty of Agriculture, would like to extend an invitation to the Dalhousie Agricultural Campus to join us in a celebration of Organic Week. Canada’s National Organic Week, which runs from September 22-29, 2012, is the largest annual celebration of organic food, farming and products across the country. As part of the celebrations, OACC will be hosting a gathering on Wednesday, September 26 at 3:30 pm in Cox 164. We hope that you will join us for a presentation about the science of organic agriculture by OACC’s Director Dr. Andy Hammermeister, as well as a chance to meet the staff of the OACC, engage in conversation and partake in organic refreshments.
Please RSVP to Joanna MacKenzie at Joanna.mackenzie@dal.ca.
The Department of Environmental Science invites you to a reception for Nathan Boyd, who has accepted a position at University of Florida.
The celebration will be held in Cox 220 on Tuesday, October 2nd, from 10 am - 12 pm.
If you wish to make a donation towards a gift for Nathan, please drop off your donations to Gisele Mazerolle (Cox Institute, Suite 219)
Please join us in wishing Nathan all the best on his new job.
Mature Student Group
Our first Coffee n’ Chat will take place on Wednesday September 26th from 11am-1:00pm in the Lounge, Jenkins Hall. Please RSVP to Monica by Monday September 24th if you plan to come.
Processing Documents for Financial Services
Forms:
1. Please use the Dalhousie University forms for all transactions dated before and after September 1st, 2012 as these documents are required to be processed by Dalhousie University now and unfortunately, we are unable to process off the old Nova Scotia Government forms as they may not capture the information required for processing.
2. You can find most forms on the Financial Services website, located under For Staff and Faculty, Forms or clicking the link http://www.dal.ca/dept/financial-services/forms.html
Please note: There are 5 forms that are not electronic
· Cheque Requisition, Journal Entry, Deposit Advise and Student Aid - These paper forms can be obtained by contacting the Print Centre, DAC. They are currently setting up an email address that will be effective Wednesday, September 19th print.dac@dal.ca to place orders. In the meantime you can contact them directly by phone at 893-4737. Please provide the Print Centre with the form name you require, the quantity of forms you need and where to send the forms.
· Purchase Requisition form – this form can be obtained through Financial Services in Cumming Hall.
3. Please refer to Financial Services Website for assistance in completing the various forms; most forms have step by step details on how to complete.
Authorizing
1. Prior to sending any documents please convert to the new Dalhousie Account numbers for all transactions dated before and after September 1st, 2012
2. When indicating the account number please put the Departmental Account/ Research Account FUND/ORGN first and then the Expense account second. If you are unsure of what expense account to use please refer to Financial Services Website under Revenue and Expenditure Accounts Codes
3. If there was a previous NS government PO number please includes the PO number on the document with the account number when authorizing the invoice.
4. Please indicate directly on the invoice the FUND/ORGN, expense account and authorizing signature. Please note we cannot accept the NS government stamps to approve invoices or other documents.
5. We scan our documents so; please use black or blue pens and ink for stamps and a yellow highlighter works well. Unfortunately the pink or red pens and the blue or green highlighters do not show up well on the scanned documents.
Contacts
Accounts Payable is located in the Halifax Office, for a complete list of contacts please Financial Services Website, under Offices within Financial Services click on Accounts Payable.
If you require further information on process and procedures please contact Cheryl Lord, Manager of Accounts Payable, email cheryl.lord@dal.ca or phone 1-902-494-1705.
Merchandise Sale
Souvenir items (NSAC binders, sweatshirts, etc.) are 40% off at the bookstore, except NSAC jackets and 1905 grey and navy hoodies (these are 25% off).
After September 30, NSAC items will no longer be available.
Career opportunities available on HR website
Career opportunities, including Expressions of Interest, at Dalhousie Agricultural Campus are now posted on the Human Resources website at www.dal.ca/careers.
All applications must be submitted online, and will be vetted in accordance with the articles in the Civil Service Master Agreement, the Civil Service EDC Collective Agreement and Dalhousie University hiring policies.
There are two tabs located in the upper, right-hand corner of the website, Career job opportunities (staff) and Career job opportunities (faculty). Note: Faculty positions are posted on our Academic Careers blog and staff positions are posted on Careerbeacon (may appear on Dalhousie employer site only).
There is a guide available on the website that offers more information on how to apply for a staff position through Careerbeacon, as well as a series of frequently asked questions (FAQs) about the application process.
If you have further questions, please send them to careers@dal.ca and a member of the Human Resource team will assist you.
Please note, Dalhousie employees at the Agricultural Campus will be considered internal candidates for positions within their own bargaining units, but will not be considered internal candidates for NSGEU Local 77 and Local 99 positions.
Continuing and Distance Education is pleased to offer the Modern Shepherd Course starting September 29 and 20, 2012.
A great course for new and experienced shepherds, and for those thinking of getting into the industry.
This course may be eligible for credit for students in the DBM program.
Contact us for more information.
Student Success Program
The schedule for our Student Success Program can be found here (PDF)
Faculty of Agriculture Professional Development Session
Extending Adult Teaching & Learning:
Growing Expertise in a Community of Practice (CoP)
Please join Dr. Kathleen Kevany,
Director of Adult Learning,
Dalhousie University, Faculty of Agriculture
October 18, 2:00 - 4:30 pm
CE Classroom, Room 254, Haley Institute
Bring your ideas on innovative approaches to adult education and technology mediated teaching and learning.
Can’t make the entire session?
Feel free to join us as your schedule permits!
Refreshments provided
RSVP by October 15, 2012: Rosaria.campbell@dal.ca
An Afternoon with Storyteller Claire Miller
A fund-raiser for the Elizabeth Bishop House
Where: Elizabeth Bishop House, Great Village, N.S.
(8740 Highway # 2, right across from Wilson’s)
When: Saturday, 20 October 2012, 1:00 to 3:00 p.m.
Space is limited to 15 people so don’t wait.
Suggested gift $25.00
Reservations will be taken on a first come basis, and spaces will go fast!!
Light refreshments (tea, coffee, punch, savouries and sweets)
RSVP ASAP to reserve a place
Sandra Barry, slbarry@ns.sympatico.ca
902-429-6385
Financial Processes
There have been a number of enquiries this week concerning financial processes and other financial matters. These two documents have been prepared to help answer your questions.
Finance FAQs Sept 7 - (PDF - 208Kb)
Fiannce Contacts Memo - (PDF - 226Kb)
Call for Letters of Intent
The Organic Agriculture Centre of Canada (Dalhousie University, Faculty of Agriculture) is accepting letters of intent for consideration in the Organic Science Cluster II 2013-2018 research program.
The deadline for submission is September 30.
Details for submissions can be found here.
For further information, please contact Dr. Andy Hammermeister Andy.Hammermeister@dal.ca (902.893.8037) or Margaret Savard Margaret.Savard@dal.ca (902.896.3481)
Applying the new Dal template to existing PowerPoint presentations
New templates are now available for PowerPoint presentations that integrate our Dalhousie design standards. You can find them online. You can apply the new design to existing presentation decks, without having to recreate the presentation, with a few easy steps:
1. Save the file as a .potx file by choosing that format from the dropdown menu in the ‘Save as’ window;
2. Open an existing presentation you want to move over to the new design.
3. Click on the design tab. Depending on your view settings, you will see a menu item or scrolling bar for themes;
4. Choose ‘browse for themes’;
5. Locate the .potx file;
6. Choose it, hit okay, and it applies the theme.
Please note: You will have to adjust your slide layouts for formatting purposes but it beats retyping an entire presentation.
Discount at GoodLife Fitness
Get moving by joining Dalhousie's GoodLife Fitness membership group and take advantage of reduced rates for you and your family, and the convenience of payments through payroll deduction. The Truro location of GoodLife Fitness is at 13 Queen Street. Learn more at http://bit.ly/dalgoodlife.
Payments begin in advance of your membership and monthly payroll cutoff dates apply. The next deadline is October 5 for a November 1 membership start.
Inquiries: HealthyDal@Dal.ca or (902) 494-4568
In the Community
Weight Watchers on Campus
Do you want to join a Weight Watchers group on campus? As part of Dalhousie’s Healthy Workplace initiatives, plans are underway to schedule a weekly meeting on the Agricultural Campus, if there is sufficient interest. The specific scheduling will depend on the availability of space and a group leader.
Payments can be arranged through payroll deduction or you can pay Weight Watchers directly. A 26-week At Work program costs $358.28 per person. Through payroll deduction, the charge would be $59.71 per pay for six pays, if paid monthly. Bi-weekly paid employees would pay $29.86 over 12 payments.
Please contact HealthyDal@Dal.ca or (902) 494-4568 if you would like to participate so we can gauge the level of interest in proceeding. There is no obligation to join if you express interest. Sessions would start mid-October.
Janice MacInnis
Coordinator, Organizational Health
Lunch Time Fitness at the Athletic Centre
Every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 12:05 - 12:50
Instructor is Sara Mills from Shock Conditioning
September 24th - November 2
17 Classes for $127.50 (Just $7.50 a class)
12 Classes for $102.00 ($8.50 a class)
$10.00 Drop in Rate
Please register with Ashley at ashley.simms@dal.ca by September 17th! Minimum numbers required!
“Pink Day” for Respect at Dalhousie – September 28
“Pink Day” is Dalhousie’s day to promote a respectful working and learning environment. Please show your support by wearing pink on Friday, September 28th. Cake, apples and Pink Day items will be provided in the amphitheatre from 10:30 to 12:30 (rain location: Cox Institute outside the Registrar’s Office). Activities are also planned at our three Halifax campuses and our site in Saint John, NB.
Faculty, staff and students all contribute to the issue of respect at Dal. Wear pink and show you’re doing your part.
Seed Saving Basics with Owen Bridge of Annapolis Seed
Thurs., Oct. 4th, 5 pm
Location: Truro Ag. College Community Garden
For more info. please contact Kevin (kevinemorin@gmail.com)
Varisty Results
SOCCER
Wed Sept 19
DAL AC at MSVU
(w) 0 - 6
(m) 0 - 5
Sat Sept 22
DAL AC at STU
(w) 0 - 10
(m) 2 - 3
Scoring for DAL AC - Jesse Sippley and Craig MacEachern
Sun Sept 23
DAL AC at UNBSJ
(w) 0 - 6
(m) 2 - 6
Scoring for DAL AC - Chris Morash and Jesse Sippley
RUGBY
The MTA at DAL AC match scheduled for Sun Sept 23 was postponed due to field conditions (standing water on much of the field)
UPCOMING GAMES
Soccer
Sept 27 DAL AC at UKC 7 pm (m and w)
Sept 28 DAL AC at MTA 6 pm (w)
Sept 29 ACAA Cross Country at DAL AC (Campus Trail System)
Sept 29-30 ACAA Golf Championships hosted by Holland College at the Links at Crowbush