KPU Instructors Produce 'Ear Savers' for Local Hospital
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KPU Instructors produce ‘ear savers’ for local hospital The images are all over social media. Doctors and nurses wearing masks for prolonged periods of time during the COVID-19 pandemic, with one of the results being pain and discomfort around the ears. To help ease some of that pain, instructors at Kwantlen Polytechnic University (KPU) have produced 1,000 “ear savers” for healthcare professionals at Vancouver General Hospital. “The idea with these straps is that the masks are just held around the head,” says Victor Martinez, a product design instructor at KPU’s Wilson School of Design. This relieves pressure on healthcare workers’ ears. Martinez and a group of KPU faculty and students are using 3D printers to produce the ear savers – adhering to proper physical distancing measures as they work. The printers are running about 15 hours a day. The ear savers attach the mask straps that would otherwise go around the ears to small notches on the plastic devices, which then wraps around the head easing the discomfort behind the ears. This small project is part of a wider global commitment to responding to issues and concerns about personal protective equipment (PPE) for workers on the front line of the pandemic. “Victor has been diligently and tirelessly working on possible PPE solutions since the initial need was first announced,” says Andhra Goundrey, dean of the Wilson School of Design. While balancing the transition to online teaching and finishing the spring semester remotely, Martinez worked with an existing design to create the straps. Given his background in design and 3D printing, he wanted to do something to help front line workers. “Although he was amidst working through the shift to online course delivery and finishing off the semester with his students and despite some challenges to further clarify regulations, he did not sway from his intentional pursuit to find ways to contribute to this cause.” Five instructors in KPU’s Physics department are also involved, including Michael Chernoff, James Hoyland, Takashi Sato, Fergal Callaghan, and Flavio Ruiz-Oliveras. “The physics instructors thrive on challenges and this is part of the long-term ongoing close teaching and research relationship between faculty from two very different disciplines. It is a great example of the KPU spirit of collaboration and community service,” says Elizabeth Worobec, dean of the School of Science and Horticulture. Two Product Design students, Birk Zukowsky and Russell Kirstein, and one Interior Design student, Leo Zhuo, are also using their personal 3D printers to help deliver the products. “It is great. Being able to contribute, even if just a little bit makes a huge difference, it is about feeling useful and that we are truly in this together,” says Martinez. The ear savers attach the mask straps that would otherwise go around the ears to small notches on the plastic devices, which then wraps around the head easing the discomfort behind the ears. This small project is part of a wider global commitment to responding to issues and concerns about personal protective equipment (PPE) for workers on the front line of the pandemic. “Victor has been diligently and tirelessly working on possible PPE solutions since the initial need was first announced,” says Andhra Goundrey, dean of the Wilson School of Design. While balancing the transition to online teaching and finishing the spring semester remotely, Martinez worked with an existing design to create the straps. Given his background in design and 3D printing, he wanted to do something to help front line workers. “Although he was amidst working through the shift to online course delivery and finishing off the semester with his students and despite some challenges to further clarify regulations, he did not sway from his intentional pursuit to find ways to contribute to this cause.” Five instructors in KPU’s Physics department are also involved, including Michael Chernoff, James Hoyland, Takashi Sato, Fergal Callaghan, and Flavio Ruiz-Oliveras. “The physics instructors thrive on challenges and this is part of the long-term ongoing close teaching and research relationship between faculty from two very different disciplines. It is a great example of the KPU spirit of collaboration and community service,” says Elizabeth Worobec, dean of the School of Science and Horticulture. i Table of Contents President and Vice Chancellor Report. 2 Associate Vice President, Human Resources . 3 Office of the Vice President, Finance & Administration . 4 Office of the Provost & Vice President, Academic . 14 Office of the Vice President, Students & Associate Vice President, Academic . 69 Office of the Vice President, External Affairs . .. 74 Office of Associate Vice President, Planning and Accountability . 93 ii KSA and KPU donate $200,000 for KPU students during COVID-19 pandemic The Kwantlen Student Association has donated $100,000 in “During these unprecedented times, many people will face emergency funding for students at Kwantlen Polytechnic financial hardships and this includes KPU students. We are University. To match this generous gift, KPU will also donate deeply grateful to the KSA for this generous gift, and we are $100,000. proud to partner with them in this effort by matching their donation. Our collective efforts will help our students "The KSA always strives to represent its students, and we hope financially as they try to navigate the current situation,” says that with this donation, we can give students financial Dr. Alan Davis, president and vice-chancellor of KPU. assistance to reduce financial hardships they might face due to COVID-19,” says David Piraquive, president of the KSA. For students who require more emergency funding, there are other grants and bursaries available to students who meet Beginning March 30, any KPU student registered for the Spring specific criteria. For more information about student financial 2020 term can apply. Students are eligible for up to $250. aid and to apply, visit kpu.ca/awards. KPU donates supplies to hospitals during COVID-19 Kwantlen Polytechnic University faculty and staff are donating calls from staff working remotely to help locate more supplies much-needed supplies to local hospitals dealing with the around the various campuses. With help from other staff COVID-19 pandemic. A total of 37 boxes include gloves, masks, members, Mihell has been gathering the supplies for delivery. and lab coats. “Despite being busy with the COVID-19 planning, the staff at The Nursing Inter-School Committee (NIS), through which KPU the Faculty of Science and Horticulture pulled together in a Nursing does its clinical placements, put out a call asking for time of need to help those on the front lines,” says Elizabeth supplies for Vancouver General Hospital. Acting Dean in the Worobec, dean in the Faculty of Science and Horticulture at Faculty of Health, Dr. Harjit Dhesi put out a call to all faculties KPU. to see if they could help and the response was quick. While Dr. The donations include almost 100 lab coats and aprons, 400 Dhesi called other local hospitals, VGH has the greatest need. masks and over 15,000 gloves with more to come. “It’s heartwarming to see the tremendous response from everyone at KPU. Everyone immediately stepped up with whatever they could,” says Dr. Dhesi. “It’s an uncertain time, and we don’t know where this thing is headed, but we care about each other and value the nurses, doctors, and health care workers that are working hard in providing the very best care they can during this time.” After the initial call was put out, lab technicians on campus reached out to Lana Mihell, divisional business manager in the Faculty of Science and Horticulture, to tell her where the supplies were located on campus. She also received phone 1 President and Vice Chancellor Report Finance and Administration, are continuing and the results will Not surprisingly, much of everyone’s time in the last two be shared with the Board as these searches conclude. months has been spent trying, as far as possible, to maintain offerings and services to students during the pandemic. The All other committee work has continued remotely, as well the summer semester is being delivered remotely, and the plan for executive group meets two or three times a week. Federally, the Fall is to see some return to work of employees but there has been a flurry of videoconferences organized by continuing remote delivery of our offerings. This plan will be College and Institutes Canada, Universities Canada and shared separately with the Board. Polytechnics Canada to link presidents with each other and with key decision makers and influencers on matters such as The BC post-secondary institution presidents have weekly calls rules of international students, additional support for students with the Deputy Minister of AEST, and BCAIU has follow up during the pandemic, and ideas for stimulus funding when calls with our sector presidents. opportunities arise. KPU has contributed supplies and expertise to the health I was pleased to develop a State of KPU address for the KPU sector, and we are continuing to look for ways that we can Retirees Association and fielded an e-mailed question on April support people who are on the front lines of the pandemic. 22nd. Several important governance processes continue, including I am also working with my colleagues on a video address to the Senate Tributes Committee (and all other standing graduates, to be launched in early June, that will celebrate our committees) and the Chancellor’s Search Advisory Committee. graduates’ successes and to provide some comfort to them as Several administrative searches, including that for the VP they miss their scheduled convocation. Newly installed artwork by Brandon Gabriel at KPU Langley 2 Associate Vice President, Human Resources The Human Resources staff have transitioned to a remote and form, qualities of great goals, and assessment tips and work environment, adjusting work practices and developing best practices.