On Campus News, March 18, 2016
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March 18, 2016 Volume 23, Issue 13 Publication Mail Agreement #40065156 ON CAMPUS NEWS [email protected] news.usask.ca PRAIRIE PULSE POWER Kirsten Bett (left) and Sabine Banniza work to power up pulses for the Prairies. With the help of colleagues at the Crop Development Centre, the researchers develop varieties that thrive on the Prairies, enriching soils and providing profitable options for farmers that offer consumers affordable food, rich in protein, nutrients and fibre. Read the full story on Page 8. DAVID STOBBE It’s easy being green Campus initiative celebrates sustainability champions LESLEY PORTER As Energy Conservation Month the Prince Albert distance I’m really comes to a close, offices from all education campus. Each office over campus continue to work is led by a “champion” to looking to support together in an effort to combat encourage colleagues to adopt other offices in their waste and help the U of S become and maintain more sustainable more sustainable. habits. In turn, their workplace sustainability The Work Green program, is recognized based on many initiatives. launched by the Office of factors, such as waste reduction, Erin Akins Sustainability in 2014, is a water and energy conservation, network of workplaces across and sustainable purchasing campus committed to improving practices. coffee grounds and food waste, sustainability practices. The Office of Sustainability reusable coffee pods (an issue “I’m really looking to provides resources to program many offices are struggling with, support other offices in their participants, including educa- explained Akins) and purchasing sustainability initiatives,” said tional opportunities (such reusable dishware and utensils Erin Akins, the Work Green as workshops and training to eliminate single-use items program co-ordinator. “In doing sessions) as well as communica- such as water bottles and paper so, I always like to highlight tions materials. Grants of up to cups. their work.” $300 are also available to help “Every department on LESLEY PORTER In just over a year, the Work Green units invest in the Erin Akins, the Work Green program co-ordinator. campus is different,” said Akins. program has grown exponen- adoption of greener practices. “Some have funding in their tially to include more than 40 “If it seems appropriate and example, the University Library efforts, they used approximately offices to buy these things. staff members in units and it supports sustainability, then put its grant toward a paper 1.5 million fewer sheets of copy For others, it would be people departments across campus, we support it,” said Akins. “The reduction campaign, which paper than in 2014. buying that on their own. This is including Facilities Manage- grants aren’t too large but they included educational materials Other grant projects with an opportunity for those offices ment, Financial Services, the go a long way.” targeted at students to reduce positive results include an President’s Office and even Indeed they do. In 2015, for their printing. Through their electric composter to recycle See Sharing, Page 3 INSIDE SPRING TUNE-UP 5 HEALTHY SUPPORTS7 2 March 18, 2016 Opening the door to student savings University supports development of open textbooks HENRYTYE GLAZEBROOK When Noreen Mahoney and Brooke Klassen told their first-year class they would be using an open textbook, they did not expect the students to respond with a rousing cheer. Mahoney and Klassen— concept allows for much greater associate dean, students and control over teaching materials. Mahoney Klassen Ross degree programs, and director, Though there are a number undergraduate and certifi- of similar projects happening on want to and not having to skew it in courses—all because they go ward implementing open cate programs, respectively, at campus, Mahoney and Klassen’s based on the materials that have without the textbook because textbooks on a larger scale in Edwards School of Business— open textbook is one of only three been provided,” Klassen said. they’re waiting for financial aid to Canada. Thus far, Ross said the said the reaction was likely due in development that have been “It’s really a student-centred kick in or for the next paycheque. shared materials and experiences to savings on textbooks. officially endorsed and funded by focus,” Mahoney added. It’s hurting them academically,” from the provinces’ combined According to their esti- the U of S. Heather Ross, an instruc- she said. efforts have been indispensable. mate—which places an approx- Because these books are tional design specialist for Ross works to support and “This networking is proving imate cost of $100 per book for published with less restrictive the Gwenna Moss Centre for improve learning on campus, so valuable for us because we’re each of the 340 students enrolled licensing, the two were able to Teaching Effectiveness, echoed and to that end has been aiding building on their lessons, we’re in Comm 119: Business Compe- tailor their text to perfectly fit this emphasis on success, faculty interested in open building on their resources—and tencies—the class saved students their course—drawing from stressing the ripple effect that textbooks in finding resources they’re getting excited because a combined total of $34,000. multiple sources and including a thinner wallet can have on to work with, revealing the ins we’re creating stuff here that they “What we’re hearing from only material that is wholly students. and outs of Creative Commons don’t have,” Ross said. students is that it’s such a relief for relevant in an order of their “They take fewer courses, licensing and helping with inte- “That’s the beauty of open. them not to have to buy another choosing. they drop courses, they do poorly gration into courses. It’s not a competition; it’s collab- textbook, especially when a lot of “When you’re in the In 2014, a memorandum of oration.” material at the intro level is very classroom, it’s so nice to have understanding was signed Mahoney and Klassen are similar,” Klassen added. that authenticity where between Saskatchewan, still refining their textbook Open textbooks are a new you feel like you’re British Columbia according to student feedback. frontier in academics, with actually giving and Alberta to Meanwhile, it has already been Mahoney and Klassen among them exactly lead a united adopted by two more instructors those who are pioneering their what you charge to- in Edwards and is being consid- use at the U of S. Taking its ered for a course in the College of name from the open copyright Arts and Science—in a version, license they are placed under, naturally, that will be updated open textbooks allow free use for for the new audience. educators, students and members “Frankly, we’re still learning. of the public without losing the We’re still adapting and moving quality that comes with peer-re- forward, but it will only get better viewed work. now,” Mahoney said. “Campus- The duo was drawn to open wide, I think a movement has textbooks in part because the started.” WWW.EDWARDSMBA.CA WORT H Investing in an Edwards School of Business MBA is a solid investment in yourself. You’ll learn the skills of management such as how to manage, how to communicate effectively, and how to lead. By enhancing interpersonal communication, team building and leadership skills, you’ll enter your professional endeavours with confidence, integrity and accountability. Faculty and colleagues within the Edwards MBA program will become valuable business contacts and life-long friends. APPLY NOW! APPLICATION DEADLINE IS MAY 31, 2016. ON CAMPUS NEWS March 18, 2016 3 Equine endoscopy A look inside a horse, of course MICHAEL ROBIN Veterinary and engineering atory surgery or laparoscopy, researchers at the University of which uses a thin, lighted tube Saskatchewan have teamed up inserted through an incision to harness imaging technology in the animal. Neither allows a to fill in a blank area in animal view from the inside of the gut. health—what goes on in a horse’s Veterinarians also can gut? use an endoscope—basically a “Whenever I talk to students camera on the end of a thin cable about the horse abdomen, I —to look as far as the horse’s put up a picture of a horse and stomach, and a rectal exam to put a big question mark in have a look from the other end, the middle,” said veterinary Montgomery said. Ultrasound researcher Dr. Julia Montgomery can be used, but it can not see in the Western College of Veteri- through gas. This is a signifi- nary Medicine. cant drawback since the horse’s To help answer the question hindgut, or colon, contains a lot mark, Montgomery worked with of gas as its food ferments. equine surgeon Dr. Joe Braca- Montgomery is excited monte and U of S electrical and about the possibilities. Capsule computer engineer Khan Wahid, endoscopy promises veteri- a specialist in health infor- narians a powerful new tool Kahn Wahid and Julia Montgomery use a data logger and sensors see inside a horse. SUBMITTED matics and imaging. The team to diagnose diseases such as used an endoscopy capsule—a inflammatory bowel disease function looks like. paper on the subject. capsule within the animal at any sort of “mini submarine” with and cancer. Veterinary surgeons Wahid, associate professor “We thought, ‘why not try point in time. a camera about the size and could use it to check surgical in the College of Engineering, it for veterinary medicine?’” A horse’s greater size may shape of a vitamin pill—to have sites to ensure they are healing has long worked with endoscopy Wahid said. “Because there’s also offer opportunity, such a look inside a horse.