Saint Mary’s named top primarily undergraduate research university in Nova Scotia as research funding continues to rise

Saint Mary’s University is a leader in the region in obtaining external research funding, becoming the top primarily undergraduate research university in Nova Scotia according to a new report detailing Canada’s top 50 research universities.

Dr. Danika van Proosdij is the director of TransCoastal Adaptations Centre for Nature-Based Solutions at Saint Mary’s University, which provides its researchers, students, funders and the community with opportunities to engage in initiatives that address climate change.

The report comes from Research Infosource Inc., which releases a yearly list titled Canada’s Top 50 Research Universities. Saint Mary’s placed 1st in Nova Scotia and 16th overall on the undergraduate university rankings. The university also rose two spots to 45th place on the overall top-50 list.

Saint Mary’s earned an impressive 22.1 per cent increase in research income growth, totalling $12.3 million in external research funding in 2022, rising three spots to 5th on the ungraduated rankings for research growth. This total external funding represents an intensity of $48,600 per professor, and $21,200 per graduate student. Funding from competitive National Science and Engineering Research Council (NSERC) awards accounts for $8.6M of research funding at the university.

“Saint Mary’s continues to maintain a strong position among Canada’s top research universities,” says Dr. Adam J. Sarty, Associate Vice-President, Research and Dean, Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research. “The university shows excellent performance in obtaining external research funding, with particular growth in not-for-profit research income growth, earning us the number one ranking among other Canadian undergraduate universities.”

Students at Saint Mary’s can work alongside Dr. Rituparna Kanungo, Astronomy and Physics Department Chair, on discoveries with rare isotopes. Learn more about student research opportunities.

While Saint Mary’s is a primarily undergraduate institution, the university is committed to prioritizing research and involving students in those research efforts, explains Dr. Sarty. Saint Mary’s University’s strong, continued growth, and improved rankings, reflect the success of this commitment.

“Faculty members at Saint Mary’s have earned federal, provincial and international funding for their work, and we also ensure that the next generation of researchers has a chance to explore research in their fields,” said Dr. Sarty. “For example, our suite of summer undergraduate research awards program is open to all students across campus after their first year of undergraduate studies, allowing them to work alongside professors and gain invaluable experience that they use in their studies at Saint Mary’s and beyond.”

For more information on Canada’s Top 50 Research Universities list, visit Research Inforsource.

University announces updated Sexual Violence and Harassment Policy and enhanced supports

As part of Saint Mary’s ongoing commitment to promoting a positive and supportive learning environment, the university has announced an updated and expanded Sexual Violence and Harassment Policy. 

The policy replaces the previous Sexual Violence Policy and Procedures (2019) and introduces enhanced processes and new supports for the Saint Mary’s community, including the addition of a Sexual Violence Advisor that will be a key, confidential resource for faculty, staff and students. 

The update is the result of months of research, analysis and consultation on the part of the Sexual Violence Policy Review Committee (formed in November 2021), a working group comprised of members from People and Culture, Student Affairs and Services, the University Secretariat, SMUSA and faculty with expertise in sexual violence policy. 

“The enhanced policy is designed to support the entire campus community and is a key to continuing to promote a safe and supportive campus environment and culture for all,” says Tom Brophy, Associate Vice-President, Student Affairs and Services. “A safe learning environment is fundamental to our students’ success, which has always been a priority at Saint Mary’s.”  

“We strive for Saint Mary’s to be a safe and respectful place to work and learn,” says Mark Moffett, Associate Vice-President, People and Culture. “This policy provides clear guidance and support and better reflects current understanding and best practices. Sexual violence and sexual harassment are not tolerated in any measure within the Saint Mary’s community.” 

Cross-campus consultations were held with faculty, staff and students to gather input, and the enhanced policy reflects feedback to ensure it is survivor-centred, trauma-informed, culturally informed, intersectional and procedurally fair. As such, the committee’s updates include a focus on confidential disclosure, enhanced supports and formal reporting processes and procedures. 

With a commitment to continuous improvement, the Sexual Violence Policy Review committee will convene every three years, or sooner as needed, to ensure the policy continues to evolve and reflect current understandings. 

New support: Sexual Violence Advisor  

Dee Dooley, Sexual Violence Advisor at Saint Mary’s University.

Included within the committee’s updates, the university has also developed provisions to enhance sexual violence supports at Saint Mary’s and has appointed Dee Dooley into the role of Sexual Violence Advisor. 

Dee is a community advocate with expertise in gender-based violence prevention and education. She holds degrees in Sociology, Gender Studies and Criminology and an Advanced Diploma in Counselling and Advocacy. For over a decade, Dee has worked with youth, community organizations, service providers, post-secondary institutions, and governments on various gender-based violence prevention, intervention, awareness, and response initiatives for and with women, youth, and 2SLGBTQIA+ communities.  

Dee supports survivors, education, policy, and research as they pertain to sexual violence and harassment at Saint Mary’s. 

In the works 

Saint Mary’s is pleased to share that further initiatives are underway in support of enhancing a community of support. The Sexual Violence Support team will be rolling out a series of information workshops available to faculty, staff and students to promote awareness and understanding around sexual violence and sexual harassment topics. Faculty and staff sessions will be launched in the coming months and group booking opportunities will also be made available. 

Additionally, the Sexual Violence Support webpage is being updated to better support community needs and promote a refined user experience. Updates will include a simplified approach to accessing content and resources, and a modified visual experience that supports a survivor-centred lens. 

For a more in-depth understanding of sexual violence supports, distinctions and rights, visit the Sexual Violence Supports web page. 

FAQ 

Who can access the Sexual Violence supports? 

Resources and supports are available for all Saint Mary’s students, staff and faculty members. To access supports, visit https://www.smu.ca/svs/welcome.html or contact the Sexual Violence Advisor at sexualviolence@smu.ca. 

What is the difference between a disclosure and a report? 

As outlined in the Sexual Violence and Harassment policy, Saint Mary’s distinguishes between a disclosure and a report of sexual violence or harassment. 

Disclosing and reporting are separate actions, at the discretion of the survivor, that result in various levels of response or action by the university. 

Disclosure is the act of telling a member of the Saint Mary’s community about an experience of sexual violence or harassment for support and does not automatically initiate a formal investigation or response by Saint Mary’s University. Disclosing can help a person access support and information. 

Reporting is the act of telling a designated member of the Saint Mary’s community (i.e. the Sexual Violence Advisor) to initiate an institutional response. 

Do I need to make a report to access support? 

You can access any resource without making a report and have the right to stop using the resource(s) at any point. The only exception to this is if you are under the age of 16 and are assaulted or under the age of 19 and the perpetrator is in a position of power, in which people are legally obligated to inform the police or Child Protection Services. 

 Is my information confidential? 

Ensuring confidentiality is a key principle in creating an environment where people who have experienced sexual violence and harassment feel comfortable exploring their options and seeking support. Your information is confidential and protected by privacy legislation. There are some exceptions to confidentiality, including risk of imminent harm to you or the broader university community, a legal obligation to report due to age of the complainant, or a legal obligation to participate in a judicial process. 

What is the informal resolution process? 

To allow for increased survivor choice, an Informal Resolution process has been added to the Sexual Violence and Harassment Policy. The Informal Resolution process recognizes the need for an option for remedial, educational and restorative outcomes in cases of sexual violence or harassment. The Informal Resolution process requires the informed consent of both a survivor and a respondent. 

What is the formal resolution process? 

When a Formal Resolution process is implemented, an investigator will coordinate a trauma-informed and procedurally fair investigation by collecting information from all parties involved. The Investigator will provide a report and recommend a finding on if a Sexual Violence and Harassment Policy violation has occurred based on a balance of probabilities. The Responsible Authority will make a decision on outcomes based on the Investigator’s report.  

Are there any key differences in the new Sexual Violence and Harassment Policy? 

The Sexual Violence and Harassment Policy will replace the Policy on Conflict Resolution and the Prevention of Harassment and Discrimination in the University’s response to sexual harassment.  Ensuring a comprehensive, stand-alone policy and associated regulations on sexual violence and harassment is a best practice.  

Another important change: Due to inherent power dynamics and in the interest of maintaining integrity and respect in our working and learning environments, relationships between faculty and students, staff and students or two employees with a linear reporting relationship are prohibited.  

Sobey School of Business Chosen as a PRME Champion for 2023 Cycle

Attendees of the 4th Annual Responsible Leadership Day Event, Digital Future: Ethics, Integrity & Values

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The Sobey School of Business is pleased to announce that we have been selected as a PRME Champion for the 2023 cycle. PRME, or the Principles for Responsible Management Education, is a United Nations supported initiative that provides a framework to advance the broader cause of corporate social responsibility and incorporate universal values into curricula and research. As a voluntary initiative with over 800 signatories worldwide, PRME has become the largest organized relationship between the United Nations and management-related higher education institutions.  

The Sobey School of Business, along with 46 other PRME Champions, was chosen from a pool of strong and diverse PRME Signatory Members, based on our track record of impactful contributions in thought and action leadership. The Sobey School of Business has been a Signatory to PRME since 2014, and became a Champion in 2020. PRME Champions represent a group of dedicated business and management schools from across the PRME membership, committed to working collaboratively to develop and promote activities that address shared barriers for the PRME community, and which deliver value for business and society at large. Previous collaborations of the PRME Champions include the Climate Literacy Training for Business Schools, the Blueprint for SDG Integration, the SDG Library, and more. 

The focus of the 2023 Champions cycle will be on action leadership to inspire our global community, specifically through the Inspirational Guide on SDG Integration on Research, Curriculum, and Partnerships, which serves as a repository of inspiring examples that will build on the work of the existing Blueprint for SDG Integration. A unique feature of the 2023 cycle is engagement in the Impactful Five (i5) Project, a project in collaboration with the LEGO Foundation that is applying the Foundation’s longstanding work on playful learning to business education. The Sobey School of Business will participate in a series of workshops throughout the year to source, develop, and implement innovative pedagogies, inspired by the five characteristics of playful learning: joyful, socially interactive, actively engaging, meaningful, and iterative, and the development of the five skills: cognitive, emotional, creative, social, and physical. 

Dr Chantal Hervieux and Dr Margaret McKee will be piloting the i5 program. The School has also committed to contributing to the Inspirational Guides and participating in the Global Forum in June. 

As a flagship PRME programme, the PRME Champions Programme provides faculty members, students and industry leaders with a space for developing and sharing collaborative educational methods and a ‘living lab’ for ambitious new ideas for developing the next generation of sustainability-driven business schools and management-related higher education institutions in support of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). 

To learn more about the Sobey School of Business’s commitment to PRME and our PRME-based initiatives, we invite you to read our 2022 Sharing Information on Progress (SIP) Report. 

Blue Monday coping strategies from the SAAS Counselling Centre

With colder, shorter days, some people experience winter blues. Many have come to associate that experience with the third Monday in January, gloomily referred to as Blue Monday. The winter months can be an especially challenging time for many, as daylight helps regulate our sleep-wake cycle and our serotonin levels, which affect mood, appetite, emotions, and digestion. Winter blues can leave you feeling sluggish, sleepy, craving carbs, or having difficulty concentrating.

Whether it’s on Blue Monday, or anytime this winter, here are a few ideas to help you cope with the blues:

1. Get outside: taking a walk in the sun or simply spending time outside can greatly contribute to better sleep and mood regulation.

2. Light therapy: light therapy uses a special box that mimics natural outdoor light. You can buy your own or borrow on at a public library.

3. Spend time with people: isolation can make the effects of winter blues worse. Say hi to your classmates, hangout in a common area, video chat with an old friend, or join in one of the many Student Affairs and Services events to meet new people.

 Want to talk about it? Make an appointment at The Counselling Centre or drop by Peer Support!

SMU community rallies to assist Fred Smithers Testing Centre during building closure

With exams swiftly approaching, the unexpected closure of the Student Centre in early December required some quick thinking from the team at the Fred Smithers Centre for Student Accessibility (FSC). 

A student uses Dragon speech recognition software, one of the supports provided by the Fred Smithers Centre.

The FSC offers a myriad of accommodations and is notably accessed for its testing and exams supports. On any given week, the testing centre supports between 50 to 75 test accommodations; a number that jumped to more than 350 during the first week of exams.  

With the testing centre unable to open, the FSC team turned to the Saint Mary’s community for support and were welcomed with open doors by areas in the Atrium and the Sobey School of Business, among other locations on campus. Faculty were incredibly supportive of the last-minute changes.   

“The students who [were] affected by the damage to the FSC will have had approved exam accommodations,” says Dean of Science, Lori Francis. “We have the responsibility to provide said accommodations to the point of undue hardship, which is a very high bar indeed.”  

The FSC team successfully assisted all students with approved exam accommodations, using the alternate locations across campus. The students were patient and flexible with the changes, and appreciative of the resource spaces. "I actually found the [Secunda Marine] Boardroom to be pretty relaxing,” said one student. “It was a nice space to write my exam."  

Students requiring specific technology supports such as the Dragon speech recognition software device were able to defer exams until they were able to regain access to the testing centre, which re-opened on December 19. One student who used the headset and speech-to-text supports noted that the Dragon software has been helpful in allowing him to focus on the content of his responses rather than worrying about the grammatical intricacies of writing them out.  

“The Fred Smithers Centre team is extremely grateful to the wider SMU community for all the help received during the closure,” says Kate McHugh, Manager of the Fred Smithers Centre. “From offers of physical space, flexibility in timing, and even treat drop-offs, the FSC felt incredibly supported by our colleagues across campus.”  

For information on student accommodations, visit the Fred Smithers Centre for Student Accessibility page.  

Saint Mary's to host CFL's Touchdown Atlantic 2023

The east coast's biggest celebration of football – Touchdown Atlantic – will return to the region on Saturday, July 29, 2023 as the defending Grey Cup champion Toronto Argonauts will take on the Saskatchewan Roughriders at Huskies Stadium in Halifax, N.S.

"Saint Mary's University is pleased to welcome the Toronto Argonauts and Saskatchewan Roughriders to Huskies Stadium in Halifax this summer," said Scott Gray, Saint Mary's Director of Athletics & Recreation. "This is a wonderful opportunity for our campus and community, and in particular, our football program, to experience the excitement of professional football. We are very grateful to the CFL for this incredible opportunity to play host to this event."

The regular season match-up is set for Huskies Stadium on the campus of Saint Mary's University, with kick-off at 5 p.m. in Halifax (Atlantic Standard Time), which is 4 p.m. in Ontario (Eastern Time) and 2 p.m. in Saskatchewan (Central Standard Time).

"Touchdown Atlantic brings our fans together in a fun and exciting way," said Randy Ambrosie, Commissioner of the Canadian Football League (CFL).

"It's our way of showing our friends in Atlantic Canada that they're an important part of the CFL family – and inviting our fans from across the country to 'come for the game and stay for a vacation.'"

Next year's edition builds on the success of Touchdown Atlantic in 2022. Last summer's game, also played between Saskatchewan and Toronto, sold out in less than 24 hours and featured a packed house of 10,866 at Raymond Field on the campus of Acadia University in Wolfville, N.S.

Through job creation and wages, event expenditures and spending by out-of-town travellers, the event supported more than $12.7 million in overall economic activity across Nova Scotia. Tourism operators say Halifax is ready for CFL football – and another strong contingent of visiting CFL fans.

The Saint Mary's University football program is one of the most successful in the country and one of the most popular in the region. The Huskies have reached the Vanier Cup nine times, winning the national championship of Canadian university football on three occasions (1973, 2001 and 2002).

"Saint Mary's University has a proud tradition of excellence for student-athletes – including in Huskies' football," adds Dr. Robert Summerby-Murray, President and Vice-Chancellor of Saint Mary's University. "The opportunity to host the CFL's Touchdown Atlantic football game in July 2023 is an opportunity to demonstrate this proud tradition to a national audience. We are delighted to partner with the Canadian Football League in this initiative to bring superior athletes to our campus and to Atlantic Canada."

Ticket details for Touchdown Atlantic 2023 will be announced in the new year. Fans can subscribe to the CFL Newsletter for the latest updates and information.

QUOTES

"I am thrilled to welcome the CFL back to Halifax for the 2023 Touchdown Atlantic game. This past season we hosted several events that re-introduced fans from across the region and the country to our Atlantic hospitality as a sports city. Halifax is excited to be the host city for the rematch between the Roughriders and the Argonauts. Having the game in Halifax will allow us to give the CFL and its fans an experience that will have them coming back for more."
​– Mayor Mike Savage, Halifax Regional Municipality

"There are few, if any, places on the planet I enjoy visiting more than Atlantic Canada. You've opened your arms to us in the past and welcomed us like family members and I celebrate your formidable history of embracing others. We once again are looking forward to your unique hospitality; a combination of warm hearts, down home music and some of the most delectable food imaginable. We look forward to being the home team on July 29, and to being the visiting team in the future when the CFL permanently calls Atlantic Canada home."
​– Michael "Pinball" Clemons, General Manager, Toronto Argonauts

"We are thrilled to have the opportunity to return to Halifax after an incredible visit for Touchdown Atlantic in 2022. The people of Nova Scotia welcomed us with open arms and it was so special to see how many of our fans traveled thousands of miles to join us. I know I speak for all Rider Nation when I say we can't wait to go back and share that amazing East Coast experience again in 2023!"
​– Craig Reynolds, President and CEO, Saskatchewan Roughriders 

"Halifax was host to many successful Touchdown Atlantic related events last year, so we're very pleased the CFL is bringing the game itself to our region. Halifax has a reputation as a great sports city, from hosting international sporting events to supporting our local teams, and the tourism sector is ready to showcase our region and hospitality to CFL fans and visitors."
​– Ross Jefferson, President and CEO, Discover Halifax

Quick pivot keeps Food Room working during building closure

“It could have been a disaster,” says Manager of the Student Success Centre, Amy McEvoy. When the Student Centre sustained widespread damage overnight on Friday, December 9, the building was immediately closed.

For the Community Food Room, that meant no access to the fridges for storing perishable food and no location for students to book food pick-ups.

Ready to help: The team prepares to welcome students to the Outdoor Winter Market.

But there was a food delivery scheduled for first thing Monday morning, and dozens of students rely on the on-campus food bank as part of their weekly food security.

That’s where the team’s quick thinking kicked in. “It was all about how do we make sure we continue to serve our students,” says McEvoy.

The Student Success Centre team was determined to keep its support service operational. They turned the challenge into a “cool” opportunity and created the first-ever, Outdoor Winter Food Market instead.

 The cold weather was a blessing, keeping the perishables at a safe temperature, while students previously engaged in the service were invited for an open market pick-up in lieu of the regular pick-up appointment process. The Winter Market saw more than 85 students attend and ensured that none of the food from that delivery went to waste.

The on-campus food bank is happily back in the Student Centre, which has since reopened. In collaboration with Feed Nova Scotia, the Community Food Room works to improve food security, food equity and food literacy by offering access to safe, nutritious and personally acceptable foods in a welcoming environment. The support is available year-round and sees approximately 100 appointments every week.

If you are a SMU student experiencing food insecurity, visit the Community Food Room for more information on how to access this support.

VIDEO: A holiday message from our president

Please enjoy this short video that reflects all that Saint Mary’s has accomplished this year. If so inspired, please share with your networks by using the Share function above.

Best wishes for a happy and safe holiday!

Food Service hours: Exam period + holiday break

Wondering what’s open for food options on campus over the coming weeks?

Check this listing to see what’s available during exams and over the holiday break on campus.

National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women at Saint Mary’s

Saint Mary’s University students, faculty and staff gathered on December 6 to honour and acknowledge the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women. 

The reflective event was led by Deborah Brothers-Scott, Director, Diversity and Inclusion. Raymond Sewell, Assistant Professor, opened the event with two captivating Indigenous songs, and Miriam H. Schroedor MA’71 2017 read a poem titled “I am a woman.”  

Saint Mary’s faculty members Dr. Erin Adlakha, Dr. Aldona Wiacek, and Dean of Science Dr. Lori Francis reflected on their own experiences, facing and overcoming opposition in their careers.  

Every year, a scholarship is awarded to a young woman studying Engineering at Saint Mary’s. Dr. Robert Summerby-Murray and SMUSA President Isobel Tyler presented the scholarship to this year’s recipient, Jade Cameron. 

Students, SMUSA representatives, and faculty carefully placed 14 roses in a large vase to commemorate the 14 women who were killed at the l’École Polytechnique in Montreal on December 6, 1989. Those women are: 

• Geneviève Bergeron 

• Hélène Colgan 

• Nathalie Croteau 

• Barbara Daigneault 

• Anne-Marie Edward 

• Maud Haviernick 

• Maryse Laganière 

• Maryse Leclair 

• Anne-Marie Lemay 

• Sonia Pelletier 

• Michèle Richard 

• Annie St-Arneault 

• Annie Turcotte 

• Barbara Klucznik-Widajewicz 

“It is necessary that we continue to mark the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women on December 6 each year,” says Dee Dooley, Sexual Violence Advisor. “We remember and honour the lives of the 14 women engineers who were taking up space that was and is theirs to take. It is necessary that we reflect on the meaning of this day, and the impact of violence on the lives of those who experience it.”  

Saint Mary’s students research Sable Island horse skulls

Sable Island is a place of mystery and history, a remote island in the North Atlantic fabled for its sand dunes and shipwrecks, and almost impossible for the average person to access. But for naturalists and biologists, there is much to learn, especially from studying the wild horses who thrive there.  

On a November evening, dozens of Haligonians gathered in the McNally Theatre Auditorium to hear the latest Sable Island research and get up close to the skulls of these unique horses collected over 30 years by Zoe Lucas, President of the Sable Island Institute.  Katharyn Chadwick and Richard Orton, doctoral students at Saint Mary’s University, collaborated on the project with the Sable Island Institute, Nova Scotia Museum of Natural History and was possible due to funding from SMU Works. The project involved 716 skulls and more than 13,000 measurements and over 6000 photographs. Members of the public were invited to ​view​ the skulls on display, ask questions​,​ and even carefully touch the specimens. ​Two​ skull​s​ stood out​, one​ for ​a​​ ​large growth protruding from the upper jaw and ​the other for an ​odd deterioration​ and pitting of the​ lower jaw.  The researchers want to know if anyone can suggest what caused th​ese​ malformation​s; suggestions include a bone abscess or tumour, and a root canal abscess​.  

More importantly, why study this group of horses and their skulls for clues about their development,​ variation in skull morphology and age?​ Richard and Katharyn explain that ​​since the horses first arrived on Sable Island there have been numerous introductions of other horse breeds, to improve breeding stock, provide additional labour and produce foals for resale back on the mainland. This has likely led to a complex mixing of the population, with genetic work revealing traces of Morgan, Clydesdale, and Thoroughbred.​ Sable Island horses have been isolated for at least 50 years and it is common that island populations exhibit unique traits.

“However, we do not always understand the biological mechanisms underpinning such unique adaptations,” says Katharyn Chadwick. “ Therefore, a deeper understanding of the ​skull ​morphology might further our understanding of the evolution of the Sable Island horses​ and highlight any unusual morphologies unique to this population​​.”

One of the main aims of the project was to catalogue this unique collection, photographing each skull, estimating age, and noting gender unusual features, post-mortem/storage damage and injuries. Finally, thousands of bagged teeth were paired with the correct skulls.​​     ​​ 

​​​From the teeth, several well-described aging metrics commonly used in equine studies were recorded for each horse. Using data collected by Zoe Lucas on known age horses, the researchers hope to confirm the suitable use of these metrics for the Sable Island horses.​​     ​​ 

“Kate and Richard’s study of the horse skulls is an important contribution to the Sable Island Institute’s long-term research program. There is still much to be learned from the collection, and now we have a detailed inventory and preliminary data that will assist in planning follow-up work,” says Zoe Lucas. “This unique and extensive reference collection will enable the Institute to study variations within the Sable population. It will also provide a basis for comparisons with other groups and breeds of horses, as well as with Sable Island horses living on the Island decades from now. This project has been a very productive and encouraging collaboration, and the Sable Island Institute looks forward to further work with Saint Mary’s University and the Nova Scotia Museum.”

Both PhD candidates have travelled from other countries to pursue their studies at the Frasier Lab at Saint Mary’s University. In addition to their research project on the Sable Island horses, they will be addressing conservation concerns of the North Atlantic Right Whale using different genetic approaches. Specifically, Katharyn Chadwick’s thesis is centered on understanding how ship strikes and non-lethal entanglements lead to ​changes in ​gene​     ​​ expression​​     ​​ via epigenetic​ modifications, while Richard Orton is assessing the impact of genetic mutation on reproductive success in North Atlantic Right Whales. 

Cookies & Cocoa in the Quad

An annual holiday tradition has been forged at Saint Mary’s! For the second year in a row, President Summerby-Murray and SMUSA President Isobel Tyler, in collaboration with the Student Affairs and Services Student Success Centre, hosted Cookies & Cocoa in the Quad. 

Armed with cocoa, coffee, cookies and candy canes, the presidents served up treats and holiday cheer to students from a quaint wood cocoa stand. Despite the cold, drizzly weather, more than 200 students came out to chat with the presidents and enjoy a pick-me-up as they prepared for final exams to close out the fall term.