Saint Mary’s becomes a Fair Trade Campus

Ever wonder where your hot cup of coffee comes from? At Saint Mary’s University, you can be sure your coffee is Fair Trade certified and farmers have received fair compensation for their product. In today’s globalized world, our purchases can significantly impact people around the globe and the environment. Saint Mary’s faculty, staff and students are dedicated to making a difference, and as a result of their efforts, all on-campus purchases are now Fair Trade certified.  

Fair Trade is an alternative approach to business based on partnerships between producers and consumers. Farmers receive a minimum price, improved terms, and a social premium that helps improve their lives and enables them to plan for their future. SMU professor and Canada Research Chair in International Development Studies, Gavin Fridell, is a noted expert on Fair Trade and recently published The Fair Trade Handbook: Building a Better World, Together.

"Saint Mary's University has long demonstrated academic leadership around issues of the global trade system and the role of Fair Trade in addressing injustices, we are pleased to welcome you as the 45th Fair Trade Campus of Canada. Saint Mary's students, faculty and staff continue to lead the way in taking initiatives that directly benefit farmers and producers in the Global South and build environmental resilience in their communities. Congratulations!"  says Loïc de Fabritus Gautier, Senior Manager of Advocacy & Citizen Engagement at Fair Trade Canada. 

Saint Mary’s meets a variety of requirements for the national program, including: 

• Ensuring all applicable food service locations on Saint Mary’s campus offer Fair Trade certified coffee, tea, and chocolate options as required by Fair Trade Canada standards. 

• Ensuring one Fair Trade chocolate option is available at all applicable snack vending machines on campus. 

• Establishing and maintaining a Fair Trade Committee for our campus (the Sustainability Sub-Committee on Fair Trade) that meets regularly to monitor and further Fair Trade at Saint Mary’s. 

SMU Dining hosted events and giveaways in early March to celebrate Saint Mary's campus certification. 

You can learn more at  Fair Trade Canada. 

Saint Mary's brand wins 2 international awards

The updated Saint Mary’s University branding was recognized recently with two more international awards.

The new branding received a global Circle of Excellence award (Bronze) as well as a Best in District award from the Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE).

CASE’s Circle of Excellence Awards are the premier recognition program for educational advancement. These peer-selected and adjudicated awards honour colleges, universities and schools worldwide whose talented staff have advanced their organizations with resourcefulness and ingenuity.

Winners were selected based on several factors, including overall quality, innovation, use of resources and the impact on the institution or its external and internal communities, such as alumni, parents, students, faculty, and staff. 

The awards drew 4,510 entries from 636 institutions in nearly 30 countries around the world. Something to celebrate! 

Brightening lives in our community: SMU United Way event schedule

UPDATE: The deadline to make donations via payroll deduction is Sunday, March 26, 11:59 pm. Donate today!

---

Sam found relief with a United Way-funded housing support worker in her corner.

The SMU United Way committee is excited to release the schedule of events for the 2023 United Way campaign, which begins March 27!

The line-up includes traditional events like the Pizza Party kick-off and the Book & Board Game sale, as well as favourites from last year such as massage therapy sessions provided by student practitioners from Eastern College and free yoga at the Homburg.

New this year is Lunch-hour Trivia in the Gorsebrook Lounge. Teams of up to four are encouraged to flex their trivia skills and match wits for a good cause.

All proceeds raised from these events go to the United Way Halifax Community Fund,

When you give, you are helping people who are struggling to keep up with their basic needs: safe shelter, nutritious food, and mental health support. At a time when costs are rising and housing is scarce, United Way Halifax is bridging gaps with short-term and long-term solutions. Your support right now is crucial.

Every donation counts and helps to improve people’s daily lives right here in our community. Thank you for your support.

Let’s come together, have some fun and take action to ensure there are brighter days ahead for everyone in our community!

---

Event schedule

Monday, March 27

Kickoff Event: Pizza and Prizes
Help launch the campaign with some delicious pizza and a chance to win great prizes!

12-1 pm, Loyola 290
Donations appreciated

Tuesday, March 28

Book & Game Sale
10-3 pm, Loyola Colonnade
Hard cover books, games & puzzles: $2; Soft cover: $1

Massages
12-4 pm, Patrick Power Library
Provided by Massage Therapy Program, Eastern College
Minimum donation: $5/30 minutes

Wednesday, March 29

Yoga in the Homburg
10 a.m., Homburg Centre, Studio A
Donations appreciated

Wellness Walk & Hot Chocolate
Two walks: Noon and 2:30 p.m.
Meet at O’Donnell Hennessey Student Centre (Inside route if the weather doesn‘t permit)

Thursday, March 30

Book & Game Sale
10-3 pm, Loyola Colonnade
Hard cover books, games & puzzles: $2; Soft cover: $1

Lunch-hour Trivia
11:30 a.m - noon, Gorsebrook Lounge
No registration needed. $20 for groups of up to four people.

International Women's Day at Saint Mary’s

On Wednesday, March 8, the Saint Mary’s community joins the global celebration of International Women’s Day.

To shine a light on women’s and girls’ social, economic, cultural and political achievements, and on the work still being done towards gender equality and empowerment, we’re highlighting some of the many stories that celebrate our students, faculty and alumni.

Saint Mary’s is also hosting special lecture, titled ‘Women's Bodily Autonomy and the Right to Bare Arms’, in partnership with Mount Saint Vincent University and SMUSA. See below for details.

Learn more about International Women’s Day, and be sure watch @smuhalifax channels for more inspiring stories.

---

Lecture: Women's Bodily Autonomy and the Right to Bare Arms

Wednesday, March 8
4:30—6 p.m.
Burke Theatre B 

Dr. Meredith Ralston is a professor of women’s studies and political studies at Mount Saint Vincent University and a documentary filmmaker. In her book,Slut-Shaming, Whorephobia, and the Unfinished Sexual Revolution, she examines the common denominators between the #MeToo movement, the myths of rape culture and the pleasure gap between men and women to reveal the ways that sexually liberated women threaten the traditional patriarchy. Join us for an engaging discussion on her latest book.

Stories

Science student and SMU Husky Shae Demale garners Top 8 Academic All-Canadian award

Saint Mary’s Huskies women’s hockey forward Shae Demale was honoured recently as a Top 8 Academic All-Canadian for the 2021-22 season by U SPORTS.

Shae was named the most valuable player in AUS women’s hockey last season and registered a perfect 4.30 GPA in both 2020-21 and 2021-22. She is also a volunteer hockey coach with the Metro West Force Female Hockey Club in Halifax, and a volunteer in the emergency department at the IWK Health Centre. Read more.

---

Dr. Benita Bunjun honoured for teaching excellence and educational leadership

Dr. Benita Bunjun’s innovative teaching methods resonate deeply with her students and colleagues at Saint Mary’s University, inside the classroom and out in the community.

An associate professor in the Department of Social Justice and Community Studies and the Women and Gender Studies program, Dr. Bunjun is “invested in envisioning programs, curricula and resources that promote alternative and diverse perspectives and knowledge systems which have predominantly been omitted, silenced and excluded from academic spaces of learning.”
Read more.

---

Multiple degrees enhance the family business for mother and daughter

Simultaneous studies in Arts and Commerce added up to the perfect combination for Elora Gehue of Halifax—and for her mother, Olwyn Terris-Gehue.

“It’s been a great experience, honestly,” says Gehue, herself a mother of two young sons. “I think it made us closer too, being able to learn and grow with each other.”

The mother and daughter share an appreciation for the interdisciplinary learning options at Saint Mary’s. They took quite a few classes together, and are graduating with an unusual combination of credentials. Read more.

---

More inspiring women

• Creating opportunities for Indigenous girls in sport: Student and SMU Husky Erin Denny

• Decolonizing museum collections: Dr. Kirrily Freeman

• Recent grad making a splash in the world of entrepreneurship: Marlee Armour MTEI’22

• Pioneering N.S. filmmaker Margaret Perry focus of series with FIN, N.S. Archive: Dr. Jennifer VanderBurgh

• Competition to solve freshwater issues begins in Atlantic Canada: Dr. Linda Campbell

• Breaking down barriers for women with the Women’s Empowerment Conference: Saint Mary’s University Entrepreneurship Centre (SMUEC)

• Alumna creates bursary for African Canadian and Indigenous women: Keisha Turner BA’12

• Dr. Catherine Loughlin Recognized for Research Excellence

• Celebrating excellence: Dr. Danika van Proosdij elected as a new Fellow of The Royal Society of Canada

Creating a Black Student Society at SMU: Reflections from inaugural president, Oratile Mogae

Oratile Mogae is a fourth-year student in Marketing and Entrepreneurship and has a strong passion for the Black student experience at Saint Mary’s. Currently serving in the role of Black Student Coordinator within the Black Student Advising centre, Mogae works to enhance and engage the Black student experience through student-led programming and initiatives. She strives to create a space for “Black students to come together, learn from each other, network, have fun and just be ourselves.”  

Oratile Mogae, inaugural president of the Black Student Society at Saint Mary’s.

The executive team of the Black Student Society.

Under the Student Affairs and Services portfolio, the Black Student Advising centre (BSA) is a support hub for the Black student community at SMU. Mogae describes it as “a place to discuss any challenges or concerns, whether academically, at home or in life in general.” She emphasizes that “the BSA is a place where you don’t have to worry about what people think about you. It’s a safe space to talk and get support.” 

Mogae also recently co-founded the Saint Mary’s University Black Student Society (BSS) and currently serves as the society’s inaugural president.

“It is history that we finally have a Black Student Society,” she says proudly. “It was important for us to start it before Black History/African Heritage month to create a space for all Black students to come together.”  

SMU is fortunate to have established societies for African students and Caribbean students, however, Mogae notes that “some students don’t belong to a specific ethnic group while others represent more than one Black identity. Establishing a Black Student Society was an opportunity to broaden the scope of belonging for all Black students.”

Mogae was driven to help create a student society “to show our cultures, teach our histories and be unapologetically loud together…this can be the space where we learn from and grow with each other.”  

As she prepares to complete her fourth year and transition out of school, Mogae reflects on what she has helped create, noting, “there can often be division amongst different Black groups, but the BSS is all about coming together to celebrate those differences.” She shares that her hope for the Black Student Society “is to unite Black students and become a community together at SMU; to uplift each other in a positive way.”  

The Turner Bursary for African Canadian and Indigenous Women

Keisha Turner BA’12.

Saint Mary’s is proud to offer a new bursary to African Canadian and Indigenous women through the generosity of SMU alumna, Keisha Turner BA’12.

The Turner Bursary reflects Keisha’s identity as a community leader and her own lived experience as a Black female entrepreneur:

"I am so excited to be able to offer this bursary over the next five years. It was bursaries just like these that allowed me to succeed and finish my degree with the stability and support I needed to get where I am today.  It is with great pride and gratitude that I am able to do the same for the next generation of Black and Indigenous leaders."  

During her time at Saint Mary’s, Keisha studied Sociology and won an AUS Championship with the women’s volleyball team in 2010. She has since established an impactful career as an entrepreneur and consultant in Ontario and Nova Scotia. With her husband Michael Polak BComm’14, she has formed Akwekon – a consulting firm that guides Indigenous and non-Indigenous organizations in the reconciliation of colonial and Indigenous practices.

It is in this spirit of cultivating positive change that Keisha invests in Saint Mary’s students, and in turn strengthens our community and the world beyond.  

Read more about Keisha’s story in Maroon + White

Notice re: access to Dockside

Please note that from February 21 through to March 17, there will be intermittent restricted access to the Dockside from 1st floor Loyola Academic as a safety requirement during construction.

Please note the following:

• From February 21 to March 17, the corridor connection between 1st floor of Loyola Academic and the Dockside will be intermittently closed.

• Each day, there will be 2 – 3 closure periods of 15-minutes each.

• Access will be restricted by security personnel.

• Access to Vanier through the Link (Hen Alley) will not be impacted.

• Increased noise impact is not anticipated.

Thank you for your patience and understanding with these disruptions as the university moves forward with this exciting project!

United Way update: payroll deductions open

Saint Mary’s is getting ready to brighten the lives of our those in our community with the 2023 United Way fundraising campaign!

While the planning committee is still working on a great line-up of events that will start Monday, March 27, fundraising is getting a bit of a head start this week:

• Payroll deductions now open: Support the United Way with easy payroll deductions smu.ca/unitedway2023. Cut-off date is Friday, March 24.

• Varsity games, Feb 23 + 24: Heading to the game? Bring some spare change and look for the SMU United Way donations table at the men’s hockey games (Thurs. Feb 23 and Fri. Feb 24) and women’s volleyball semi-final playoff (Fri. Feb 24).

When you donate to the United Way Halifax Community Fund this year, you’re supporting 35 life-changing programs that help people across HRM who are experiencing poverty, homelessness, and social isolation.

Stay tuned for a full schedule of activities, including yoga, a book and games sale, mini-massages and more!

SMU Dining celebrates Fair Trade, Feb 27-Mar 3

SMU Dining is hosting some fun events and give-aways to celebrate Fair Trade. Read on for details!

Monday, Feb 27

Free iced coffee giveaway at Student Centre Food Court, featuring our exclusive blend of Just Us! Fair Trade coffee, SMU Brew.

Located within the Student Centre Food Court, from 12:00pm while supplies last.

Tuesday, Feb 28

Boba (Bubble) Tea pop up in Dockside Dining Hall, featuring Just Us! Fair Trade tea.

Located within Dockside for meal plan members (or pay at the door), during the lunch period (11:30am – 2:30pm)

Wednesday, Mar 1

Meet the Just Us! team and learn about all things Fair Trade

Vicki Matthews from Just Us! and Michael Yarymowich, Aramark Canada’s Sustainability Director, will be on site to chat with students about what Fair Trade means and the Just Us-SMU Dining partnership; while enjoying free samples of products and Fair Trade swag!

Located in the Loyola Colonnade, from 11:00am – 2:00pm

Thursday, Mar 2

S’Mores Bar pop up in Dockside Dining Hall, featuring Just Us! Fair Trade chocolate.

Located within Dockside for meal plan members (or pay at the door), during the dinner period (4:30pm – 8:00pm)

Friday, Mar 3

Sustainability Trivia – Spin to Win! Trivia questions pertaining to all things Fair Trade

Located outside of Dockside Dining Hall, with prizes, swag and more to be won!

 
All week:

• Fair Trade Basket Giveaway via @SMUDiningHFX social media channels

• Official relaunch of SMU Dining’s Lug-a-Mug program

• $0.25 discount at non-franchised locations when using a reusable mug

Bus pass discounts coming soon for SMU

Saint Mary’s will soon be making discounted bus passes available to employees.

The university has signed on to HRM’s EPass Program, an initiative that provides annual discounted transit passes purchased through payroll deduction, offering savings for employees and encouraging sustainable commuting.

Interested employees will be able to sign up for the program between Monday, February 20 and Friday, March 10.

February 16 update: Full details and sign-up information now available! https://www.smu.ca/about/employee-transit-epass.html

Earthquakes in Syria and Turkey: supports for students

It has been devastating watching events unfold in Turkey and Syria following the earthquakes earlier this week. We have a number of students who call those places home and have been keeping them in our thoughts. Large-scale tragedies are felt far and wide and can impact anyone’s well-being.

Beneficial service supports can be accessed through Student Affairs and Services, including the International Student Centre, Counselling Centre and the International Wellness Ambassador through the Counselling Centre, and teams within the Student Success Centre.

There are also a number of free mental wellness supports available within SMU and throughout the HRM, which can be found on the Counselling Centre’s Resources page. We also encourage you to connect with your faculty’s academic advisors where needed. 

---

Patrick Power Library & Student Affairs share literary display for African Heritage Month

Display at Patrick Power Library

In collaboration with the Patrick Power Library, Black Student Advisor* Bria Symonds compiled a selection of scholarly texts that celebrate Black joy and liberation as part of the university’s African Heritage Month initiatives.  

Bria Symonds

The literary display provides perspectives, education and information for a range of audiences. Drawing from her experience and education in social work, community engagement and activism to inform her selections, Symonds highlights three particular works as an excellent starting point for anyone interested in exploring, understanding and engaging throughout the month of February and beyond. 

Burnley “Rocky” Jones Revolutionary, by Burnley “Rocky” Jones 

Symonds describes the African Nova Scotian author Burnley “Rocky” Jones as “an amazing pillar in the African Nova Scotian community, who was engaged in everything from social justice and education to politics and community mobilization.” 

As noted by the publisher, the book “illuminates the Black experience in Nova Scotia, it explains the evolving nature of race relations and human rights in recent Canadian history, and it reveals the origins of the “remedial” approach to racial equality that is now practised by activists and governments.” Symonds calls it “a beneficial read for allies looking to inform and understand how we can work in ways that are community centred from a social justice lens.” 

Policing Black Lives: State violence in Canada from slavery to the present, Robyn Maynard 

Symonds describes this selection as a heavier but highly educative read. “This book has been an impactful scholarly piece in my educational journey and professional life,” she says. ”It looks at complex and difficult stories of what policing looks like in Canada and provides valuable context in understanding what anti-black racism is.”  

The publisher says “Maynard’s intersectional approach to anti-Black racism addresses the unique and understudied impacts of state violence as it is experienced by Black women, Black people with disabilities, as well as queer, trans, and undocumented Black communities.” With the heaviness of the topic, Symonds recommends taking time to process and reflect on the reading. 

Unapologetic: A Black, Queer, and Feminist Mandate for Radical Movements, Charlene Carruthers 

To contrast her previous selection, Symonds highlights Unapologetic as “a lighter read that is excellent for folks who are trying to understand the true meaning of intersectionality.” The notion of intersectionality looks at critical race theory and law and how that plays into the way multiple oppressions may be experienced. 

Symonds recommends the book as an exploration of “how we can reduce and prevent anti-black racism, as well as providing inclusiveness to those that come from a queer background.” Symonds points to the university’s commitment to equity, diversity, inclusion and accessibility, citing Unapologetic as an excellent read to promote continued learning and engagement within the SMU community and beyond. 

These three reads, along with the full compilation of selected scholarly texts will be on display at the Patrick Power Library for the full month of February. The library also proudly houses The Lynn Jones African Canadian & Diaspora Heritage Collection in the University Archives. The Lynn Jones Collection is accessible at any time to researchers, the SMU community and wider community. Please contact or drop by the Archives. A limited selection of the collection has been digitized and hosted online.

*Note: At the time of the interview, Symonds held the title of Black Student Advisor. The position is currently vacant, however Black/African-descended student supports remain available through Student Affairs and Services.