Campus Notes

Tallest solar-integrated building in North America wins Clean50 Award

Saint Mary’s University: bringing sustainability to life

Saint Mary’s University was honoured at the Clean50 Top Projects Awards, which annually recognizes Canada’s most innovative projects tackling climate change and sustainability.

Dennis Gillis at a podium shaking hands with a representative from Clean50

Dennis Gillis, Senior Director of Facilities Management at Saint Mary’s accepts the Clean50 Top Project Award

The Loyola Residence Recladding Project, a 22-storey student residence with an integrated, retrofitted solar exterior wall, was selected for its environmental leadership and innovation. Saint Mary’s is proud to represent the post-secondary sector among leading organizations from across Canada.

"Sustainability is at the heart of Saint Mary’s University and is a key pillar of our strategic plan," said Dr. Robert Summerby-Murray, President of Saint Mary’s University. "The Clean50 Award reflects our commitment to building a sustainable future. We are thrilled to see our efforts recognized and hope to inspire similar initiatives across Canada. Universities are driving forces of innovation in green energy research and climate action. Through transformative projects such as this one, Saint Mary’s has become a leader and hub for groundbreaking sustainability efforts.”

Setting new standards for sustainable urban infrastructure

Originally built over 50 years ago, the Loyola Residence faced challenges such as heat retention, leaks, and structural issues. Instead of simply replacing worn-out concrete, Saint Mary’s took advantage of the opportunity to do something unique.

Building-Integrated Photovoltaics (BIPV) are solar power systems built directly into walls, a roof, or windows, generating electricity from the sun but also acting as part of the building’s structure. Saint Mary’s worked with Toronto-based company Mitrex to install BIPV across the entire south-facing wall.

An aerial view of the top of the Sobeys Hub with the Loyola residence to the right

The Loyola Residence tower BIPV system shown on the right, along with solar panelling on the roof of the Sobeys Inspiration Hub

The retrofit includes work from DSRA Architects, Dillon Consulting, Able Electric, Markland Associates, and BMR Structural Engineering, with construction overseen by EllisDon Corporation and Grey Cardinal Management Inc.

According to Clean50, the project is a model for sustainable urban infrastructure, showcasing how older buildings can be revitalized to meet today’s energy efficiency standards.

Saint Mary’s has installed an interactive energy production display in the Loyola Residence lobby, allowing students and visitors to track solar energy generation in real-time. This display further demonstrates the university’s commitment to education and transparency in sustainability.

An interactive display in the Loyola building shows real-time solar energy information

Carbon footprint cut by 51.7% since 2005

Beyond the Loyola recladding project, Saint Mary’s offers a range of campus spaces and programs that bring sustainability to life. Upcoming initiatives include a green roof on the Patrick Power Library, new roof designs for McNally East and Homburg Centre, and a solar canopy for the science parking lot.

Initiatives already completed include:

  • replacing the steam heating plant with a high-efficiency hot water plant;

  • switching from oil to natural gas for heating; 

  • using compact fluorescent lights; 

  • replacing less efficient lights with LED lights; and 

  • increases in Nova Scotia Power’s energy blend from renewable sources.   


Holiday closure: What's open, what’s not

With exams wrapping up on December 19 and university administrative offices closing their doors at 5 p.m. on December 23 for the holiday break, here’s a handy reference of what services will be available for those on campus:

Food services

For a full schedule of food service operation hours during the exam period and the holiday closure (until January 8), click here.

Wellness services and supports

The Health Clinic, Counselling Centre and Sexual Violence Support Centre will be closed from 4 p.m. on December 23 to 8 a.m. on January 6. Additionally, the SMU Community Food Room will be closed from December 13 to January 8.

Students in need of support during the holiday closure can access the following resources:

  • The Mental Health Mobile Crisis Team at 1-888-429-8167

  • Good2Talk at 1-833-292-3698 or text Good2TalkNS to 686868

  • The 9-8-8 Suicide Crisis Help Line can be reached by call or text to 9-8-8

  • The Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) program at 902-425-0122

  • Dial 211 for community and social services. For police, fire and medical emergencies, please call 911 and engage SMU Campus Security.

  • For non-emergency health care, visit your nearest walk-in health clinic or access the NS Mobile Primary Care Clinics

Safety services

SMU Security and safety services will remain operational throughout the holiday closure. SMU Campus Security will maintain 24/7 operations.

  • For campus emergencies, call 904-420-5000 or dial 5000 from any campus landline phone.

  • For campus non-emergency support call 902-420-5577 or dial 5577 from any campus landline phone.

  • The Loyola Residence Desk will also maintain 24/7 operations and can be reached by phone at 902-420-5591.

  • The SMUSA Husky Patrol services will pause on December 17and resume on January 8, 2025. 

    A more complete list of important dates is available at the Academic Calendar of Events. Have a safe and restful holiday!

New web home for merged Political Science and Global Development Studies departments

The Department of Political Science and Global Development Studies is excited to welcome the SMU community to its new departmental web pages! The update emerges from the recent merger of Political Science and Global Development Studies into a single department, with students now able to benefit from enhanced course offerings, expanded faculty expertise and supervision, and added collaborative events and initiatives.

The new department offers undergraduate majors, minors and honours programs in both areas of study; graduate degrees in Global Development Studies; and, in collaboration with the Department of Geography and Environmental Studies, a Minor in Global Environmental Politics (GEP).

Faculty members in the department pursue leading-edge research across a wide range of fields, offering students the knowledge and skills required to intervene in the world in bold and positive ways, encouraging intellectual curiosity, research skills, analytic thinking and practical engagement. 

Explore the department's new website at smu.ca/polisci-gds.

Mia Makhlouf receives 2024 Montreal Women’s Memorial Scholarship

Engineering student Mia Makhlouf.

Congratulations to Mia Makhlouf, the recipient of the 2024 Montreal Women’s Memorial Scholarship. This award was presented at a National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence against Women ceremony at Saint Mary’s University. Mia is a first-year student in the Diploma in Engineering program.

Presented each year to a female Engineering student, the scholarship honours the memory of the 14 women who were killed on December 6, 1989 in an anti-feminist attack at the École Polytechnique, the engineering school at the Université de Montréal.

The event was part of 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence at Saint Mary’s, commemorative days that served as a prompt to contemplate our collective past, celebrate our accomplishments, and work towards a better future for all.

Winter walking safety tips

Falling temperatures and snowy weather increase the risk of slips and falls. Follow these tips to help you navigate icy paths safely!   

  • Wear boots or overshoes with grip soles. Slick leather or plastic soles on shoes will increase the risk of slipping.  

  • When getting out of your vehicle, look down at the surface. If it’s coated with ice, you might want to try to park in a different place. Call Facilities Management at 902-420-5572 and advise of icy areas.  

  • Take care when entering or exiting vehicles and use the vehicle for support. Before standing, brace yourself with the vehicle door and seat back for added stability.  

  • Ice grippers on footwear can help you walk on hard-packed snow and ice. But be careful! Grippers become dangerously slippery and must be removed before walking on smooth surfaces such as stone, tile, and ceramic.  

  • Don’t walk with your hands in your pockets; this reduces the ability to use your arms for balance if you slip.  

  • Take short shuffling steps in extremely icy areas.

  • Place your full attention on walking. Digging in your pocketbook or backpack while walking on ice is dangerous.  

  • Test potentially slick areas by tapping your foot on them. 

  • Practice a balancing act indoors if you are unsure of your balance. Practice single-leg balance exercises (for example, stand on one foot first, then the other) near a support until you feel more confident.  

  • Slow down and take your time. Do not take risks, like climbing over snow banks.  

Reduce potential injury when falling with these tips: 

  • Roll with the fall. Try to twist and roll backwards, rather than falling forward. 

  • If you are falling backwards, tuck your chin to your chest to help prevent your head from hitting the ground.  

  • Relax as much as possible when you begin to fall. 

  • If you are carrying a load, just toss it. Protect yourself instead of the objects being carried.  

Jacob Hanley: 2024 winner of President’s Award for Excellence in Research

Dr. Jacob Hanley, recipient of the 2024 winner of President’s Award for Excellence in Research at Saint Mary’s.

As a global leader in the field of geochemistry and mineral resource geology, Dr. Jacob Hanley’s research conducted on campus at Saint Mary’s and nationally and internationally has been an influential force for faculty, students, industry partners and the scientific community.

Always happy to mentor the next generation of researchers, Dr. Hanley has supervised more than 50 BSc honours theses and graduate theses at SMU, with alumni moving on to successful careers in industry, government and academia. His lab’s active, varied research scope includes considerable student involvement, many industry and government funding sources, and spans a continent and centuries of data.

In a partnership with the Nova Scotia Museum, Dr. Hanley is currently engaged in an interdisciplinary collaboration with archaeologists, geochemists, and community members that may rewrite the understanding of pre-contact copper trade across North America. Using the chemical composition of copper from protohistoric sites in Nova Scotia, this research group is also tracking copper from its place of origin in 16th and 17th century Swedish mines to the Maritimes Basin of Canada, where it was repurposed by Indigenous peoples.

Another major research theme focuses on the geochemical origin of deposits of critical metals such as tin, tungsten, cobalt and lithium. Dr. Hanley’s team has developed ways of measuring concentrations of these metals at their source, deep in the Earth’s crust, by analyzing microscopic samples of trapped magma in crystals that are transported to surface during eruption. The supply of these metals is threatened, a concern that Canada has recognized as they are essential to national economic security and the transition to a low-carbon economy.

Recognized for his research excellence, Dr. Hanley has won national awards, contributed to dozens of peer-reviewed publications and has received significant research funding, including $2.6 million as Principal Investigator from industry and government sources.

His career has already been exceptionally productive, creative, and influential, and we anticipate even more interesting work from him as it progresses.

Dr. Hanley earned his PhD in Geology from the University of Toronto, where he also earned a Bachelor of Applied Science (Honours) in Mining Engineering and a Master of Science (Geology). Now a full-tenured professor, he has held increasingly senior faculty roles in the Department of Geology at Saint Mary’s since 2007.

The President's Award for Excellence in Research honours continued exceptional contributions to research and scholarship conducted by a full-time Saint Mary's University faculty member. More information can be found atsmu.ca/fgsr/presidents-award.

Academic Integrity Week 2024

Academic integrity is the foundation of higher learning. It refers to a set of ethical values relating to how we treat our sources of knowledge, and how new knowledge is constructed and shared with others. The values of academic integrity go beyond student citation mistakes, plagiarism, and cheating, as the technical manifestations of violations associated with it. Academic integrity is a shared responsibility among all members of the University community.

The aim of this week-long event is to engage students, faculty and staff in learning and sharing with others how they can uphold academic integrity to increase student success and promote the ethical values of scholarly dialogue and respectful knowledge creation.


Schedule of events

Faculty Panel Session: Moving beyond the regulations: how do we make Academic Integrity a meaningful concept for our students?   

Monday, November 4, 2024
2:30-4 p.m.  
Virtual Event

Dr. Jason Grek-Martin, Chairperson of the Academic Senate and the Senate Committee on Academic Integrity, will moderate the panel. 

A panel of faculty members will discuss how they take tangible steps in their classes to help students understand what academic integrity means and why it is an important value in higher education. 

Zoom link
Meeting ID: 897 2906 6863  Passcode: 542960


Academic Integrity Pop-Up Information Table – Spin to Win! 

Tuesday, November 5, 2024
Noon-2 p.m.
First floor, Student Centre

Drop by the academic integrity information table on the first floor of the Student Centre on November 5th and test your knowledge of academic integrity. Spin the wheel for a chance to win prizes. 


Avoiding Academic Mistakes Workshop

Wednesday, November 6, 2024
Noon-1:15 p.m. 
Library LI135

Join us for pizza and chat with the Writing Centre and Library staff about academic integrity and how to avoid common academic mistakes. This workshop is designed to provide you with resources to help with your writing, research, and proper citations/references. This is also an opportunity to meet with representatives from SMUSA and the Peer Success Coaching Program to find out how they can best support you.  


Copyright and Credibility Workshop 

Thursday, November 7, 2024
10-11 a.m.
 
Library LI135

Academic integrity and copyright are closely intertwined: while the Canadian Copyright Act provides exceptions for educators and learners, there are also limits to ensure materials are used appropriately. Dan and Sarah explore some nuances of copyright, exceptions, and ethical use of materials in this Academic Integrity Week workshop, where you can discover practical tips for balancing legal rights with academic responsibilities. 

Presenters:

  • Dan Phillips, Data Services and Copyright Librarian 

  • Sarah West, Copyright Assistant 


Citation Station: activities, fun AI resources and prizes

Thursday, November 7, 2024
11 a.m.-3 p.m.
 
Outside of the Writing Centre, Burke 115

Drop by the Citation Station outside the Writing Centre to learn about citations and plagiarism, to receive writing and referencing help on your papers and for the chance to win prizes!  

Announcing Ebun Oladele, Interim Black Student Advisor

Ebun Oladele MA’21

Saint Mary’s is pleased to announce that Ebun Oladele MA’21 will be stepping into the role of Interim Black Student Advisor in Student Affairs and Services (SAAS).

Ebun has been a valued member of the Saint Mary’s community for the past 3.5 years, serving as Secretary in the Marketing and Economics Departments and, most recently, as the Service Learning Coordinator in Experiential Learning. She holds Master’s degrees from Saint Mary’s University and from the University of Ulster, in Northern Ireland. She also brings an expansive wealth of knowledge and experience that spans Nigeria, Northern Ireland and Canada.

As an employee and former student of Saint Mary’s, Ebun's unique perspectives and experiences make her well-suited for the position. “I can relate to and understand a lot of the experiences some of our Black students are currently facing,” notes Ebun. “And I am equally aware of current processes and resources that are not entirely meeting the needs of our Black students. This role will allow me to advocate for enhanced resources, representation and support for our Black students.”

Ebun is particularly passionate about breaking down the institutional barriers that have historically limited access to opportunities for Black students. With a focus on academic empowerment, she hopes to champion initiatives that augment the educational experiences and outcomes of students, while creating programs that unite the culturally rich and diverse Black student community at Saint Mary’s.

Ebun is also committed to establishing dedicated spaces for Black students, recognizing this as a crucial factor in fostering a sense of belonging and overall success. “I’m passionate about engaging with students and creating spaces where they feel safe and empowered,” says Ebun. “Having access to a space that feels supportive can have a direct impact on students’ academic achievements, personal growth, mental health and emotional well-being. I’m excited to support students, as they explore and navigate resources, helping them create a positive journey here at Saint Mary’s.”

Ebun will officially begin her role as Black Student Advisor on Friday, October 25, 2024, and we are excited to see her bring her experience and dedication to this important role. For more information about Black student supports and resources, visit the Black Student Community Hub.

 

Saint Mary's ranked one of Canada’s top 3 undergraduate universities

Saint Mary’s has once again earned a spot as one of Canada’s top 3 undergraduate universities.

Saint Mary's University is the third Best Primarily Undergraduate University in the country, according to the 2025 Maclean’s University Rankings. This marks the third year in a row that SMU has achieved this enviable position.

The annual rankings also confirm Saint Mary’s status as the top-ranked primarily undergraduate university in Nova Scotia, and its Sobey School of Business as one of the top 20 business programs in the country.

“I am extremely proud of our consistent placement in the Maclean’s rankings”, says Saint Mary’s University President Dr. Robert Summerby-Murray. “One reason for our high standing is that faculty and students alike participate on the front line of real-world research and knowledge creation. We take pride in offering these amazing opportunities to both undergraduate and graduate students in a supportive community where they thrive.”

Located in the heart of Halifax, Saint Mary’s has been a renowned place of learning and scholarship since 1802, encouraging discovery and innovation across a wide range of disciplines in the humanities, social sciences, sciences and business.

The university is known for its long history of investing in student support; a point made clear in the rankings, with Saint Mary’s taking second place for scholarships and bursaries and tying for second place in student awards.   

Saint Mary’s continues to advance student life on campus. The Sobeys Inspiration Hub, a four-storey, 43,000-square-foot building designed to foster student entrepreneurship and innovation opened in Fall 2023, and the new space for SMU Engineering, a 28,000-square-foot building with specially designed labs and project rooms, opened in Fall, 2024.  

The university’s research activity and calibre are also gaining recognition, with Saint Mary’s ranking fourth in medical/science grants and fifth in total research dollars. Saint Mary’s is now Nova Scotia's second-largest research university by research income.

Saint Mary’s is also listed as one of Canada’s Top 50 Research Universities; in the undergraduate institution category, we ranked 1st in Atlantic Canada and 16th in the country. 



Interested in seeing what Saint Mary’s can offer?

Attend our Open House on October 26, 2024! Visit the Future Students page for more information.



Celebrating Mi'kmaq History Month

The 2024 poster highlights food and its significance in Mi’kmaw culture.

October is Mi’kmaq History Month, a time to celebrate and learn about Mi’kmaq culture and heritage.

This year, the theme is Mijipjewey Na Mawa’luksi’k (Food Gathers Us Together). The 2024 poster highlights the integral role of food in the Mi’kmaq culture: not just as a source of nourishment and comfort but as a key part of Mi’kmaq ceremonies, medicines and resiliency. Concepts around the stewardship of food sources and the generous sharing of resources are also highlighted.

Visit mikmaqhistorymonth.com to view a short video that further explores the theme.

Saint Mary's University acknowledges that the university is located on the traditional land of the Mi’kmaq Nation. This territory is covered by the "Treaties of Peace and Friendship" which Mi’kmaq and Wolastoqiyik peoples first signed with the British Crown in 1725.

Events

Sisters in Spirit: Honouring Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, and Two-Spirit People

Thursday, October 3, 2024
12:30-2:30 p.m.
Loyola Private Dining Room (LA298)

Join the Indigenous Student Advisor and the Sexual Violence Support Centre in advance of the National Day of Action for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls and Two-Spirited People. The event will include guest speaker, Chief Annie Bernard-Daisley of of We'koqma'q, who made history as Cape Breton First Nations first female chief. Chief Annie has been a strong advocate locally, provincially, and federally, speaking to both the provincial and federal governments on matters related to the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls. Following Chief Annie’s talk there will be a beading workshop, with supplies provided.

All are welcome.

Resources and related links:

Campus Reflection Walk in Honour of National Day for Truth and Reconciliation

Members of the SMU community gather for a special song and smudge ceremony led by Professor Raymond Sewell before the Campus Reflection Walk.

On Thursday, September 26, members of the Saint Mary’s community gathered on the Quad for a Campus Reflection Walk in advance of the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. This important event brought students, faculty and staff together to honour Indigenous communities, show gratitude for the land we are privileged to live, work and study on, and reflect on our collective role in reconciliation. 

Tom Brophy, Associate Vice President, Student Affairs and Services, welcomed more than 50 participants on the campus Quad. He took a moment to offer a thoughtful land acknowledgment, recognizing Mi’kma’ki as the unceded and ancestral territory of the Mi’kmaq people. Brophy emphasized that the Mi’kmaq people are not only the original inhabitants of this region but also its long-standing stewards, caring for Mother Earth for countless generations.  

President Summerby-Murray (second from right) joined faculty, staff and students for the walk and to discuss truth and reconciliation.

The event began with a meaningful prayer and song led by Professor Raymond Sewell, L’nu singer-songwriter and Assistant Professor in the English Language and Literature Department. Participants stood in a circle around Sewell as he performed the song using a turtle shell rattle, symbolizing the Creation story and Turtle Island. Sewell then led a traditional smudging ceremony, inviting everyone to cleanse themselves with the smoke. He shared a reflection on how the sage smoke ties people together like a braid. 

Following the ceremony, participants embarked on a marked path around campus where posters along the walk posed thought-provoking questions. The prompts centered around the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada’s Calls to Action and the Treaties of Peace and Friendship. The walk encouraged reflection on the histories of Mi’kmaq people and on our responsibilities as Treaty people. Some fell into quiet contemplation, while others engaged in meaningful discussions about the ways the University and the Saint Mary’s community can actively support the ongoing journey toward understanding, healing and reconciliation. 

“Taking the time to participate in this reflective walk and to acknowledge the histories and treatment of Indigenous people is a crucial step in our journey toward understanding and honouring the truths of our history,” notes President Summerby-Murray. “The meaningful dialogue that stemmed from these important questions helps us continue to move forward in building a more inclusive campus and learning environment for all.” 

As we head into October, Saint Mary’s has organized a number of initiatives around Truth and Reconciliation, Treaty Day and National Day of Action for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls and Two-Spirited People. To learn more about what’s coming up visit SMU News.

September 30 is the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation

The National Day for Truth and Reconciliation responds to one of the Calls to Action from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, which calls for a day to “honour survivors, their families, and  communities, and ensure that public commemoration of the history and legacy of residential schools remains a vital component of the reconciliation process.” 

In honour of the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, administrative offices will be closed and there will be no classes or labs on Monday, September 30.

an orange tshirt with the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation emblem

September 30 is also known as Orange Shirt Day , which began in 2013 to honour Indigenous children forced to leave their families to attend residential schools.

Orange t-shirts are available for purchase at the Campus Store, with proceeds going to the Mikmawey Debert Cultural Centre. Members of the SMU community are encouraged to wear their orange shirts to campus on Friday, September 27, ahead of the September 30 closure.


Events on campus

Campus Reflection Walk

September 26, 2024
12-1 p.m.
Meet at the O’Donnell Hennessey Student Centre

Join Student Affairs and Services Associate Vice-President Tom Brophy for a Campus Reflection Walk as we come together to acknowledge the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. We are honoured to have Professor Raymond Sewell begin the walk with opening remarks and a traditional smudging ceremony. As we walk through campus, you will find posters with prompts for reflection and discussion, encouraging us all to examine our roles and responsibilities as Treaty people.


Orange background with text: Truth and Reconciliation, what does it mean to you?

Reconciliation, what does it mean to you?

September 27, 2024
Loyola Colonnade


Stop by the Loyola Colonnade (across from Tim Horton’s) and share what reconciliation means to you. The Residence Life Multicultural Committee will display input from the SMU community on a display board of mini orange t-shirts.


Sisters in Spirit: Honouring Missing & Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls and Two-Spirited People

An image of a red dress with event information in text

Thursday, October 3, 2024
12:30–2:30 p.m.
Loyola Private Dining Hall

Join the Indigenous Student Advisor and the Sexual Violence Support Centre in advance of the National Day of Action for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls and Two-Spirited People. The event will include guest speaker Chief Annie Bernard-Daisley of We'koqma'q, who made history as Cape Breton First Nations’ first female chief. Chief Annie has been a strong advocate locally, provincially, and federally, speaking to both the provincial and federal governments on matters related to the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls. Following Chief Annie’s talk, there will be a beading workshop, with supplies provided by the Indigenous Student Advising office.


Community events and resources

National Day for Truth and Reconciliation at Mi’kmaw Native Friendship Centre

A poster with MNFC event details

Monday, September 30
11 a.m.-3 p.m.
Mi'kmaw Native Friendship Centre, 2021 Brunswick Street, Halifax

 A dedicated day to learn and reflect on the generational harm done to the First Nations, Inuit, and Métis of Turtle Island. People are encouraged to wear orange T-shirts as part of the Indigenous-led grassroots initiative “Every Child Matters”. For more details, follow @mnfc.hfx on Instagram, Facebook or visit mymnfc.com

Every One Every Day 
Begin or continue your Reconciliation journey by attending 'Truth & Reconciliation: Every Day Action' sessions throughout the year. Free and open to all, these sessions are offered by Every One Every Day, a Truth and Reconciliation initiative of Wije’winen / Mi’kmaw Native Friendship Centre. 

See the Fall Program, follow the initiative's blog, and be sure to check out its Reconciliation Resources for more information.


Patrick Power Library

The Patrick Power Library is currently featuring an Indigenous book display on the first floor, across from the Research Help Desk, as well as an Indigenous Heritage Display on loan from the Nova Scotia Museum of Natural History. You can also visit the Red Dress display and Indigenous art pieces from Loretta Gould.

The Library has developed a resource collection that includes books and videos related to Truth and Reconciliation. Be sure to also visit their Indigenous Studies Research Guide.