Dear members of the Bishop’s Community,

I am writing to address recent public statements from sexual violence survivors among our community. No survivor should feel helpless in the fight against sexual violence!

Since taking on the role of Dean of Students, I have been committed to fight sexual violence in our community. Our guiding principle is that we will always support and accompany survivors of sexual violence as they seek justice.

The Bishop’s University Sexual Culture Committee has organized a silent vigil tonight starting at 7 PM at the signs on the bridge. BUnited our Peer Support Centre will be open from 4 Pm to 8 PM and can be a safe space for any students in need. I encourage you to participate in this important event tonight. I would encourage Professors to plan for some students missing their evening class to participate in the vigil.

We strongly urge all survivors of sexual violence to seek the help of our Sexual Aggression Response Coordinator (SARC), Ms. Dominique Pelletier, who is a clinically-trained social worker. She is available to accompany and support survivors throughout all stages of the disclosure and reporting of sexual aggression.

In addition to the on-campus SARC, survivors can also choose to approach other resources to report sexual aggression such as the Centre d’aide et de lutte contre les agressions à caractère sexuel (CALACS Estrie), the Lennoxville Women’s Centre, MomentHom – Centre d’entraide pour hommes de l’Estrie, and the Sherbrooke Police.

Our support services for survivors of sexual violence are confidential, and we respect the preference of the survivor throughout every step of the process, including instituting the required accommodations.

There remains a lot to be done to eliminate sexual violence in our society and at Bishop’s University. We have instituted mandatory consent training as part of Orientation week to inform our community that we do not tolerate sexual violence. We also offer bystander training to empower all members of our community to act to prevent acts of sexual violence they may witness. Together with the Sexual Culture Committee, We have more initiatives on the way, such as a review of the University Sexual Violence Policy, and additional measures to make bystander and sexual consent training mandatory for all.

I would welcome every idea for change from those who want to help us improve on this crucial aspect of campus life and next week’s town hall (Tuesday at 3 PM in McGreer 100) will be a welcome occasion to hear the community. If you do not feel comfortable participating in person, there will be an online link made available before the Town Hall. You can also always come to me or to the Sexual Culture Committee with ideas for change.

We are here for any survivor who wants to disclose or report acts of sexual violence, you can disclose to Residence Advisors, the Chaplain, Student Services, the BUnited peer support group, the student Sexual Culture Committee, the Sexual Assault Student Help (SASH) group. My expectation is that every survivors’ disclosure always be met with compassion and empathy, and that we will accompany survivors as far along the path they choose to travel.

We will always make the security of students on our campus and beyond our top priority, and it will take all of us to combat sexual violence.

Sincerely,

Stine Linden-Andersen, Ph.D.
Chair of Bishop’s University COVID-19 Task Force
Dean of Student Affairs
Associate Professor of Psychology
Clinical Psychologist
819-822-9600 x 2256

At Bishop’s University, we value the pursuit of excellence in all that we undertake, and we aim to instill the aspiration to excel in our students and in all other members of our community.

The University congratulates the following students who were part of the Academic Honour Roll based on their success during the 2020-2021 academic year! The Academic Honour Roll includes full-time students whose academic average is 80% or higher in a complete academic year.

Skip to: Gaiters Academic All-Canadians and All-Stars ↓

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Querengesser, Jenna
Quiroga Urrego, Juan David
Quraeshi, Alexia Magda

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Youssef, Sherif

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Zhang, Jingwen
Zhao, Wenxue
Zhao, Xinyu
Zhou, Nan
Zulauff, Maude

2020-2021 Bishop’s Gaiters Academic All-Canadians and All-Stars

The following student-athletes achieved Academic All-Canadian or Academic All-Star status. The University is very proud to have so many student-athletes who excel in the classroom and in their athletic pursuits!

Coinciding with National Forest Week (September 19-25), Bishop’s University will initiate the first phase of its tree planting project with the planting of 10,500 trees throughout the campus as part of the University’s 2020-24 Sustainable Development Plan.

Under the supervision of newly appointed Sustainable Development Advisor, a team of student volunteers from the University’s Environmental Club, and the Sustainable Agriculture and Food Systems program have begun the process of digging the soil to plant some 500 trees today near the Peter Curry Marsh, one of nine plantation zones identified on the campus.

Bishop’s University Principal and Vice-Chancellor Michael Goldbloom and Dr. Hugh Scott, Chair of the Tree Care and Biodiversity Working Committee, addressed the objectives of the project and provided historical context for what will be the largest tree planting at Bishop’s, the cost of which is shared by Tree Canada and the Bishop’s University Foundation.

Tree Canada is providing 60% ($31,500) of the project budget and Bishop’s University Foundation the remaining 40% ($21,000).

Principal Goldbloom stated: “Environmental sustainability is a key objective of the University’s Strategic Framework and of our Campus Master Plan. The 10,500 trees that will be planted will help us ensure that our campus will remain a home for wildlife and a haven for recreation while contributing to the sustainability of our planet.”

In partnership with Tree Canada, Bishop’s University plans to reforest previously lush sections of the campus by the end of Fall 2021 as part of its commitment to attain carbon neutrality by 2030.

Tree consultant Vincent Lemonde of Le monde des arbres has worked closely with the Tree Care and Biodiversity Working Committee to identify the plantation areas as well the species of trees for the project. Six native species have been selected in keeping with the University’s sustainable development goals: yellow birch (Betula alleghaniensis), bur oak (Quercus macrocarpa), white pine (Picea glauca), red maple (Acer rubrum), tamarack (Larix laricina), and balsam fir (Abies balsamea).

The tree planting program is a manifestation of Bishop’s commitment to operate in an ecologically and socially responsible manner by becoming carbon neutral by 2030 as stated in the University’s Sustainable Development Policy.

Bishop’s University is situated on a unique, 550-acre campus which features many beautiful natural habitats. The University is committed to ensuring the sustainability of the traditional Abenaki land and ecosystems under its stewardship, which can be strained by natural causes such as river flooding, and nearby human activity such as agriculture, transport and other uses.

The tree planting project will benefit both the campus community and the local community, contributing to the sustainability of our ecosystem through carbon sequestration to help reduce the impact of greenhouse gas emissions; water retention and absorption to help mitigate recurring flooding risks on the site; the restoration of fragmented forest cover to allow wildlife to circulate more safely; and the rehabilitation of forest habitat previously lost to human activity.

Wednesday, September 15, 2021
7:00 p.m. ET – Centennial Theatre (free event; registration is required*)

In this lively presentation, Patterson Webster describes her 25-year journey as she transformed a beautiful but conventional country property into Glen Villa Art Garden, a 750-acre landscape garden that explores ideas about what a garden is, or can be.

Using the history of the property as a framework and her own outstanding photography as illustration, she shows how the use of words can deepen and enrich the experience of a landscape.

Through engaging stories and personal anecdotes, she describes what prompted her to create a garden based on ideas rather than aesthetics. She will explain why she felt compelled to go beyond the garden into fields and forests by creating Timelines, a 4-km trail that interrogates assumptions and accepted ideas about history, memory and our relationship to the land.

*Seating in Centennial Theatre is limited. Registration is required for this free event and attendees must present proof of vaccination. Register at www.ubishops.ca/donaldlectures

Dear Community, 

I am sure you are all as eager as we are to start the 2021-2022 school year. We have been busy making preparations for a safe and engaging year. We are still working out the details of the new government rules, but below are the general guidelines we are working on. 

This past week we received the new general guidelines for vaccine passports from the Quebec government (Quebec’s Vaccine Passport).

The vaccine passport will go into effect next Wednesday September 1^st, but please note we are developing a system to support those coming from outside of Quebec during the first weeks where they may not have access to Quebec proof of vaccines. Therefore, if you are not from Quebec and do not yet have Quebec proof of vaccine, worry not, we will be able to give you access with the proof you have for the first two weeks*.  

In accordance with Quebec rules and guidelines, proof of vaccines will be required in the following places: 

The gym: we are working on the details, but it will not be possible to work out in the sports centre without proof of vaccine.  

The Gait: all bars are covered by the vaccine mandate from the Quebec government. 

Food outlets on campus: Only those with a vaccine passport will be able to sit down in our food venues including: the new food offering in the student centre, Tim Hortons, The Bus Stop, The LLC café, and Dewies dining hall. We are working on offering take-out options.   

Playing on a sports team: in order to play on any sports team, you must show proof of vaccination.   

Participating in Orientation Week: Only those vaccinated will have access to all events, there will be a few educational events open to all. 

Those choosing not to get vaccinated: The Quebec government has declared that university education is essential, therefore you will have access to your classes and to the library. You will have access to some take-out food that you can eat outside or in your room in residence. The best way to prevent harm form COVID-19 to you and others is to get vaccinated, click here to make your appointment today. 

Those with medical exemptions: If you are not able to receive the vaccine due to medical issues, you will be exempt from the Quebec government vaccine passport. You will need to contact Kendra Brock, the manager of our health clinic to make sure we can support your safe return to campus.

• What if I have received the vaccine outside of Quebec: You will need to transform your proof into a Quebec QR code (make an appointment here). We hope to be able to provide this service on campus, but it is not yet confirmed. If you have any proof of vaccine when you arrive on campus, we will be able to grant you access for the first two weeks even without the Quebec vaccine passport. 

It is important to note that currently the Quebec government vaccine passport does not apply to those working in the venues.

We will communicate more details next week.

Together we can ensure a safe return to BU.

Stine

Stine Linden-Andersen, Ph.D.

Dean of Student Affairs

Associate Professor of Psychology, Clinical

On Sunday, August 29, 2021, at noon (12:00 p.m. EDT), Chancellor Daniel Fournier will preside over Bishop’s University’s 193^rd Convocation beginning with a virtual ceremony in which degrees will be conferred on 810 graduating students.

The virtual ceremony will include many of the elements of a traditional Convocation, with a recognition of each graduate and addresses by Valedictorians Sally Cunningham ’21 and Sabrina-Binta Koné ’21, the Chancellor, the Chair of the Bishop’s Council, Yolande James and me.

We invite graduating students and their families and friends to join us for this online event to celebrate the individual and collective achievements of the Class of 2021 and to reflect on the unique challenges everyone has experienced this year. We encourage you to join us virtually for this important occasion no matter where you may be. (We look forward to seeing photos of graduation celebrations around the world.)

The virtual ceremony will be streamed on the University’s website and social media channels on Sunday, August 29^th at noon (12:00 p.m. EDT). The ceremony will conclude at approximately 2:00 p.m. You can tune in by visiting any of the links below:

• Convocation website: https://www.ubishops.ca/future-current-students/registration-and-student-records/convocation/
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/bishopsuniversity/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ubishops

The virtual ceremony will be a celebration full of joy, humour, camaraderie and inspiration that will reflect the values and character of our University. I encourage you to stay tuned to the very end of the proceedings which will include a uniquely Bishop’s conclusion.

If you are unable to watch on August 29^th or simply wish to watch the ceremony again, the video will be posted on the Bishop’s website and linked via our social media channels for viewing afterwards.

As we announced last June, we will hold a two-part Convocation to honour the Class of 2021. The first part is the virtual ceremony on August 29^th. The second part, which will be on campus in June 2022, will include a traditional in-person event with a formal ceremony in academic regalia in which each student who is present will cross the stage to be acknowledged by the Chancellor, the Principal, their classmates, their professors, their families and their friends.

We look forward to celebrating Convocation with you.

Be safe
Be resilient
BU

Michael Goldbloom, C.M.
Principal and Vice-Chancellor

Dear members of the Class of 2021,

We hope that you are healthy, safe and in good spirits.

As you know, when we decided to postpone your June 2021 Convocation, we hoped to hold an on-campus event in August, and we committed to letting you know our plans by July 1st.

Regrettably, it now appears that we will not be able to hold an in-person ceremony in August 2021.

Although the public health guidelines have been relaxed somewhat in recent weeks, the current rules in the Eastern Townships would severely limit the number of people who could be welcomed in the Denver Gym. (For example, the audience would have to be divided into independent sections of no more than 250 people, each of which would have to have separate entrances, exits and sanitary facilities. Students and guests who do not reside at the same address would have to sit at least 1.5 metres apart and graduating students would have to be masked when crossing the stage.)

Furthermore, it is likely that many graduating students and their families would not be able or be willing to travel to Lennoxville in August and the celebrations that are normally held in conjunction with Convocation would also likely be curtailed.

It is possible that the rules may be further relaxed by the end of the summer, but it is also possible that the spread of the Delta variant may result in further restrictions.

For these reasons and based on the recommendation of Quebec’s public health authorities, we have decided to hold a two-part Convocation which will begin with a virtual ceremony on Sunday, August 29th, 2021 and conclude with in-person ceremonies for the graduating classes of 2020, 2021 and 2022 from Friday, June 3rd to Sunday, June 5th, 2022.

The Convocation schedule will be as follows:

• Sunday, August 29th, 2021, noon – 1:30 p.m. EDT: virtual ceremony for the Class of 2021
• Friday, June 3rd, 2022: in-person Convocation ceremony for the Class of 2020
• Saturday, June 4th, 2022: in-person Convocation ceremony for the Class of 2021
• Sunday, June 5th, 2022: in-person Convocation ceremonies for the Class of 2022

The virtual ceremony will include some of the elements of a traditional Convocation with a recognition of each graduate and addresses by the two Valedictorians, the Chancellor and the Principal.

Our intention is to make the in-person Convocation period between June 3rd and 5th, 2022 one of the largest celebrations in Bishop’s history.

Your Convocation next spring will include a traditional in-person event with a formal ceremony in academic regalia in which each student who is present will cross the stage to be acknowledged by the Chancellor, the Principal, their classmates, professors, families and friends. We will bestow Honorary Degrees, and honour a Distinguished Professor Emeritus, a Turner Teaching Award winner, an Alumnus/Alumna of the Year and the winners of major student awards.

The formal ceremonies are its centrepiece, but there are many other important aspects of a Bishop’s Convocation. By holding the in-person ceremonies next June we want to give you the opportunity to celebrate with your friends and families and with the faculty, librarians and staff who have supported you during your time at Bishop’s.

With that goal in mind, we will hold two Chancellor’s Graduation Dinners, one for the Classes of 2020 and 2021 on Friday, June 3rd, and one for the Class of 2022 on Saturday, June 4th.

We will also organize additional events where the Classes of 2020, 2021 and 2022 can gather and celebrate together.

There are many components to work out for both portions of the Convocation and the details of the ceremonies next June may need to be modified once we know how many members of the Classes of 2020 and 2021 will be present.

We hope that you will understand why we have decided to proceed in this way and we look forward to celebrating your Convocation with you.

Please put both the August 29th, 2021 and the June 2022 dates in your calendar.

With warm best wishes to all of you.

Be healthy
Be resilient
BU

Daniel Fournier
Chancellor

Michael Goldbloom, C.M.
Principal and Vice-Chancellor

We are pleased to announce the addition of two new members to Bishop’s Board of Governors: Suzie O’Bomsawin (External Governor) and Dr. Samia Mihoub (Internal Governor, Staff Council).

Suzie O’Bomsawin is Director of the Ndakina Office of the Grand Conseil de la Nation Waban-Aki which represents and supports the Abenaki Councils of Odanak and Wôlinak. Ms. O’Bomsawin is responsible for matters relating to territorial consultations and issues concerning natural resources affecting the ancestral territory of the Abenaki.

Ms. Obomsawin is a resident of the Odanak community. She is involved with an array of organizations dedicated to First Nations interests. For example, she was one of the spokespersons of the First Nations Quebec-Labrador Youth Network from August 2011 to August 2015. She also chaired the board of directors of the Odanak Historical Society, an umbrella organization for the Musée des Abénakis until April 2021. In addition, she is a member of the Quebec Native Women Association and helps to organize various cultural events in her community. Since June 2019, she has been a member of the Indigenous Advisory Committee of the Canadian Impact Assessment Agency.

Ms. Obomsawin has been a member of the Board of Directors of Sépaq since 2015, where she is the Chair of the Governance and Ethics Committee, a member of the Audit Committee and a member of the Sustainable Development Committee.

Ms. O’Bomsawin holds an integrated bachelor’s degree in economics and politics (2007) and an MBA in international development (2010) from Université Laval. In 2020, she completed a Certificate in Corporate Governance (ASC) at the Collège des administrateurs de sociétés of Université Laval.

Dr. Samia Mihoub is a Grant Officer in Bishop’s Office of Research and Graduate Studies. Before joining Bishop’s in 2018, Dr. Mihoub worked at Université de Sherbrooke for almost 10 years where she started as a contract faculty. She subsequently occupied different administrative positions in Research and Graduate Studies at the faculties of Medicine, Science, Education, and the School of Management. Her roles at UdeS evolved from research and academic coordination to program evaluation and strategic planning.

In her role as a research administrator at Bishop’s, Dr. Mihoub supports Faculty to obtain research funding and helps them manage the funds and comply with the agencies’ requirements. Very involved in her community, Dr. Mihoub has volunteered in a variety of associations. Her most significant community engagement was at the Service d’Aide aux Néo Canadiens de l’Estrie where she served as an interpreter for Syrian Refugees for almost 3 years.

Dr. Mihoub holds a M.A and a Ph.D. in Communications obtained at Université Paris-Assas and Paris-Diderot and a M.A in Administration obtained at Université de Sherbrooke. Her Ph.D. dissertation focused on cyberactivism under authoritarian regimes.

On behalf of the Bishop’s community, I wish to state how horrified I was to learn of the killing of several members of a Muslim family in London, Ontario.

This vicious act of hate and terrorism against a Muslim family is an attack on all of us.

We mourn and stand in solidarity with every person of the Muslim faith.

Each one of us in our words and our actions has an obligation to fight the scourge of Islamophobia.

To be silent in the face of racism is to be complicit in it.

As individuals and as members of an educational institution we must do all we can to eradicate racism.

Our Counselling Services are prepared to support anyone who requires support in the face of these traumatic events and can be reached by emailing studentservices@ubishops.ca or by clicking the link:
https://www.ubishops.ca/future-current-students/student-campus-life/student-services/mental-health/

Michael Goldbloom, C.M.
Principal and Vice-Chancellor

Dear members of the Bishop’s community.

Bishop’s University’s website (ubishops.ca) is getting a revamp!

Following consultation with the community over the last year, and having worked with local firm Beauvoir, we’re proud to introduce a new look, which we hope you’ll agree will make our website more attractive and easier to navigate.

We expect the revamp to be online in the first half of the week of May 31st. We are working closely with ITS and Beauvoir to make the switch as seamless as possible.

We invite you to explore the homepage’s new design, including the new unified featured content section, as well as the new “Megamenu,” which is intended to improve ease of navigation.

The Bishop’s website contains over 1,200 different pages. We will be gradually converting the website sections to the new look and feel over the coming months.

Until we get in touch with you to set a date to migrate your content to the new design, it’s a good time to start considering whether you’d like to update some of your respective pages’ content.

While we are making every effort to make the transition as smooth as possible, please don’t hesitate to flag issues through the new Website Work Request form (https://www.ubishops.ca/communications-office/website-work-request/).

Sincerely,

The Communications Office team