2002-12-12. MUN Gazette, vol. 35, no. 09

              Memorial
) University of Newfoundland
Publications Mail
Registration No. 40062527
Volume 35 Number 9
A MEMORIAL UNIVERSITY OF NEWFOUNDLAND PUBLICATION
December 12,2002
Grenfell prof joins
rural research study
"We're giving them
information that will help
them understand their place
in the new economy."
By Pamela Gill
Dr. Ivan Emke is one of 15 university researchers who are joining
with rural people and policy makers to build capacity in rural Canada.
The social/cultural studies professor at Sir
Wilfred Grenfell College    has     been
[ involved in an interdisciplinary research
team focusing  on
j changes in the new
rural economy for the
last five years. Now,
with another $3-million infusion from the
Social Sciences and Humanities Research
Council, the project will enter into its second
phase - another three-and-a-half years of
research on rural Canada, titled Building
Rural Capacity in the New Economy.
The research and education project will
pursue four themes relevant to rural society:
communications, environment, services, and
governance. Dr. Emke is primarily involved
in the communications and environment
themes.
\ With respect to the communications
toe. for instance, Dr. Emke and his team
w?/ look at the role and use of media such as
community newspapers, radio and cable television. Another communications initiative
will examine the use of the Internet and
email in rural households. Among other
activities, the environmental theme will
examine the differences between the envi
ronmental values of urban and rural residents
across the nation.
Dr. Emke is also working on the development of a new sub-theme - rural youth.
"The proposal would involve approaching
schools to be involved in a project on youth
experiences and perceptions, with special attention to
migration decisions," he explained.
For the past five
years, NRE (New
Rural Economy)
researchers have collected and analyzed
information on the economic, social, political, and cultural changes experienced by
people living in 32 rural and remote locations
across the country. Two of the sites are in
Newfoundland - Winterton and Twillingate.
Dr. Emke has been working with the people
who live in these sites to help them understand the ramifications of living in rural
Newfoundland in the face of the major economic, social and cultural shifts of the 21st
century.
"Not only are we gaining valuable data
and statistics as researchers, but we're also
helping these people empower themselves -
we're giving them information that will help
them understand their place in the new economy," said Dr. Emke. "In turn, they can use
this information to set and achieve goals that
will solidify their position in the future."
see PROFESSOR, page 2
Dr. Axel Meisen, president and vice-chancellor of Memorial University, officially released the university's 2001-2002 President's Report to the public on Dec. 10. The report's theme is Vision, Action,
Innovation. The report, which is available on CD and on the Web as well as a full colour highlights
brochure, contains the university's complete audited financial statements as well as a thorough
review of some of the achievements and accomplishments of the last year in the areas of teaching,
research and community service. Examples of the university's efforts over the last year include the
new multi-million partnership with Inco Ltd., to create the Inco Innovation Centre on the St. John's
campus. In addition, Memorial undertook a partnership with universities and industry in Atlantic
Canada to develop research initiatives on petroleum, marine and health issues, a partnership which
will be undertaken with support of the Atlantic Innovation Fund. Here, Dr. Meisen formally present the
report to Sandra Kelly, minister of Youth Services and Post-Secondary Education. The full President's Report 2001-2002 is available at www.mun.ca/2002report and on CD. Memorial was the first
Canadian university to release its annual report in CD when the 1999-2000 report was released two
years ago.
Winter wonderland
Photo by Pamela Gill
Makenna Taylor, 23 months, might be too young for university, but she fully enjoyed the Grenfell
College Tree Lighting Ceremony last week. Held by her aunt, Grenfell student Tracey Hillyard,
Makenna was wide-eyed as faculty, staff, students, family and friends sang Christmas carols and
watched as the Grenfell tree glowed through the snowflakes.
Time to think
about snow
The snow has started to fly on the
east and west coasts, but university
officials charged with deciding
whether to close or not during a snow
storm have been thinking about winter for
some time.
When snow is forecast, university officials on both sides of the island face a delicate decision. Should their respective campuses close? Should classes be cancelled?
Naturally, the university wishes to deliver
classes to students who have paid for them.
However, the safety of all on campus is the
paramount concern.
While the decision to cancel classes or
close the St, John's campus rests ultimately
with President Axel Meisen (or his designate, should he be out of town) advice
comes from various other offices on campus, notably Facilities Management, which
remains in close contact with Environment
Canada as weather systems develop. Similarly, in Corner Brook, Principal Adrian
Fowler makes the call in consultation with
Dr. Tom Daniels, vice-principal, and Dennis Waterman, director of Administration
and Finance. Decisions may also be influenced by the actions of outside agencies.
For example, if Metrobus or Comer Brook
Transit are planning to shut down operations for the day, personnel there give the
university ample warning.
Letting people know the university is
closing is a considerable challenge. In St.
John's, for instance, when closures happen
midway through the day, the message has
see SNOW, page 12
Snow info at a glance
Wondering if classes are going ahead?
* Listen to local radio stations
* Check the Web site www.mun.ca/
univrell cancellations
* In St. John's, call Banner: (709) 733-
9949
* Check departmental office doors
Have a cancellation of your own?
Sometimes an on-campus event may be
cancelled due to weather, even if the
classes are not cancelled. If you are
located on the St. John's campus and
wish to cancel an event, please contact
Ivan Muzychka, 737-8665 (work), 687-
9433 (cell), or e-mail ivanm@mun.ca.
On the Corner Brook campus, contact
Pamela Gill, Information Officer, at 637-
6200 ext. 6134, or email pgill@
swgc.mun.ca.
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