1. No category

Spring 2015 Council Sessions
April 24-25, 2015
Acadia University, Wolfville, Nova Scotia
Fountain Commons (Building 26 on map)
Friday, April 24
4:30-6:30 pm
Executive Meeting (Executive members only), Alumni Boardroom
7:00-9:00 pm
Council Session I (All members and guests), Alumni Boardroom
9:00-10:00 pm
Reception (All members and guests), Room 210
Saturday, April 25
7:30-9:15 am
Chairs’ Breakfast (Committee Chairs/reps only), Room 210
9:30-12:00 pm
Council Session II (All members and guests), Alumni Boardroom
Our Mission
The mission of Science Atlantic is to advance post-secondary science education and research in
Atlantic Canada by:
•
•
•
Providing opportunities that foster and enrich students
Supporting and inspiring researchers and educators
Using our collective voice to address important regional science issues
Spring Council Session Meeting Package, April 24-25, 2015
Page 2
Acadia University Campus Map
Spring Council Session Meeting Package, April 24-25, 2015
Page 3
Table of Contents
Acadia University Campus Map..................................................................................................................... 3
Spring Council Agenda................................................................................................................................... 5
Session Participants ....................................................................................................................................... 7
Guest Presenters ........................................................................................................................................... 8
Low Hanging Fruit: Research Opportunities in Nova Scotia Wine Country ........................................8
Developing the Leadership of Tomorrow for Science and Society .....................................................9
Minutes of November 21-22, 2014, Council Session .................................................................................. 10
Science Atlantic 2014-15 Priorities.............................................................................................................. 15
Science Atlantic 2015-16 Priorities (draft) .................................................................................................. 16
Executive Director’s Highlights .................................................................................................................... 18
Atlantic Facilities and Research Equipment Database (AFRED) Update ..................................................... 19
Comparative Income Statement (draft) ...................................................................................................... 20
Comparative Balance Sheet (draft) ............................................................................................................. 22
Holding Account Balances as of March 31, 2015 (draft) ............................................................................. 23
2015-16 Budget (draft) ................................................................................................................................ 24
Notice of Motions........................................................................................................................................ 26
Committee Reports ..................................................................................................................................... 27
Animal Care .......................................................................................................................................27
Aquaculture & Fisheries ....................................................................................................................27
Biology ...............................................................................................................................................27
Chemistry ..........................................................................................................................................29
Computer Science .............................................................................................................................30
Earth Science .....................................................................................................................................30
Environment ......................................................................................................................................31
Mathematics & Statistics...................................................................................................................33
Physics & Astronomy .........................................................................................................................34
Psychology .........................................................................................................................................34
Hall of Fame.......................................................................................................................................35
Spring Council Session Meeting Package, April 24-25, 2015
Page 4
Spring Council Agenda
April 24-25, 2015
Fountain Commons, Alumni Boardroom
Acadia University, Wolfville, NS
Day 1: Friday, April 24, 2015, 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm
1. Welcome and Call to Order
(2 min)
2. Approval of the Agenda
(2 min)
3. Approval of the Minutes of the November 21-22, 2014, Council Meeting (p. 10)
(2 min)
5. Business Arising from the Minutes
• Animal Care Committee Chair
(5 min)
6. Executive Committee Report
• Review of 2014-15 Priorities (p. 15)
(5 min)
7. Hall of Fame Report
• 2015 Nominees for Approval (p. 35)
(5 min)
8. Research Working Group Report
(5 min)
9. Executive Director’s Report (p. 18)
(5 min)
10. AFRED Update (p. 19)
11. Financial Report
• Draft Financial Reports for the Year Ending March 31, 2015 (p. 20)
• Holding Account Balances (p. 23)
• Summary of Investment Performance
• 2015-16 Draft Budget (p. 24)
• Approval of Financial Reviewer for 2015-16
(10 min)
12. Discussion and Approval of 2015-16 Priorities (p. 16)
(10 min)
13. Announcements from the Membership
(20 min)
14. Presentation: Low Hanging Fruit: Research Opportunities in Nova Scotia Wine
Country, Gillian Mainguy, Acting Director for the Atlantic Wine Institute at
Acadia University
(40 min)
Adjourn for evening
9:00 pm Reception and Wine Tasting (Fountain Commons, Room 210)
Spring Council Session Meeting Package, April 24-25, 2015
Page 5
(5 min)
(116 min)
Day 2: Saturday, April 25, 2015, 9:30 am – 12:00 pm
15. Committee Business
•
•
Report from the Committee Chairs Meeting
Questions Arising from the Circulated Reports (p. 27)
16. Approval of Proposed Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws (p. 26)
(10 min)
17. Election of Interim Board of Directors
(10 min)
Break
(10 min)
18. Presentation: Developing the Leadership of Tomorrow for Science and Society,
Lara Gibson, Anne Marie Ryan, and Allison Schmidt (Dalhousie University)
(90 min)
19. Other Business
(5 min)
20. Date and Location of Next Meeting
(2 min)
Adjournment
Spring Council Session Meeting Package, April 24-25, 2015
Page 6
(20 min)
(147 min)
Session Participants
Dave McCorquodale
Chris Moore
Rob Raeside
Steve Smith
Robert van den Hoogen
Dave MaGee
Peter Williams
Claude Caldwell
Robert Gallant
Jeff Ollerhead
Brook Taylor
Gordon Deveau
Del Brodie
Jacqueline Blundell
Alyre Chiasson (Sat)
Allison Walker (Fri)
Bobby Ellis
Ken Kent
Milton Graves
Carolyn Peach Brown
Gordon MacDonald
Carl Adams
Rick Mehta
Chair of Council; Dean
Vice Chair; Dean
Past Chair of Council
Member-at-Large; Dean
Member-at-Large; Dean
Member-at-Large; Dean
Institutional Representative
Representing the Dean
Institutional Representative
Institutional Representative
Institutional Representative
Institutional Representative
Institutional Representative
Animal Care Chair
Biology Chair
Biology Representative
Chemistry Representative
Computer Science Chair
Earth Science Chair
Environment Chair
Math & Stats Representative
Physics & Astronomy Representative
Psychology Representative
CBU
Dalhousie
Acadia
Saint Mary's
St. FX
UNB-F
Acadia
Dalhousie Ag. Campus
Memorial, Grenfell Campus
MtA
MSVU
NSERC-Atlantic
St. Thomas
MUN
U de Moncton
Acadia
Acadia
UNB-F
Dalhousie
UPEI
UPEI
St. FX
Acadia
Guest Speaker
Guest Speaker
Guest Speaker
Guest Speaker
Executive Director
Acadia
Dalhousie
Dalhousie
Dalhousie
Science Atlantic
Staff/Guests
Gillian Mainguy (Fri)
Lara Gibson (Sat)
Anne Marie Ryan (Sat)
Allison Schmidt (Sat)
Lois Whitehead
Regrets
Trevor Avery (Acadia), Seth Crowell (Crandall), Andy Foster (MUN), David Gray (Dal-Ag), David Hornidge
(MtA), Francis LeBlanc (UdeM), Debbie MacLellan (UPEI), John McKenna (St. FX), James Rusthoven
(Crandall), Ruth Shaw (UNB-SJ), Aimee Surprenant (MUN), Ray Syvitski (NRC)
Spring Council Session Meeting Package, April 24-25, 2015
Page 7
Guest Presenters
Low Hanging Fruit: Research Opportunities in Nova Scotia Wine Country
Gillian Mainguy
Acting Director for the Atlantic Wine Institute at Acadia University
Currently the Acting Director for the Atlantic Wine Institute at Acadia University, Gillian has been working
to help link academic researchers with industry partners, and has been involved in the wine industry since
her move to the province from Ontario in 2011. Her other wine related undertaking is as Manager for the
Winery Association of Nova Scotia. Gillian also works part-time for Research & Graduate Studies at Acadia
University as Project Manager for a multi-year research project on Tidal Energy. She holds a Masters
degree in Education from the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education (OISE) at the University of Toronto.
Spring Council Session Meeting Package, April 24-25, 2015
Page 8
Developing the Leadership of Tomorrow for Science and Society
Lara Gibson, Instructor, Department of Biology, Dalhousie University
Anne Marie Ryan, Senior Instructor, Department of Earth Sciences, Dalhousie University
Allison Schmidt, Instructor, Department of Biology, Dalhousie University
In an increasingly complex world, the scientists of the future need to be vital voices and contributors to a
vast array of issues facing humanity. Our students need opportunities to explore and practice what it
means to be a leader, develop effective communication skills, and consider the nature of science in a
broader sense, as well as grapple with ethical and political issues facing science today. The new Certificate
in Science Leadership and Communication at Dalhousie University aims to engage students in these facets
of science and offer them new perspectives on what it means to be a scientist in the 21st Century while
honing their leadership and communication skills. In this presentation, we will take you through the
context for the development of the Certificate, some of the strategies we employ in teaching the
leadership class and the rationale behind them, as well as share our vision in moving forward.
Spring Council Session Meeting Package, April 24-25, 2015
Page 9
Minutes of November 21-22, 2014, Council Session
Hotel Newfoundland, Hosted by Memorial University
M I N U T E S (draft)
Participants
Rob Raeside
Chris Moore
Debbie MacLellan
Andy Foster
Dave MaGee
Robert van den Hoogen
Robert Gallant
Richard Isnor
Raj Lada
Dave McCorquodale
Jeff Ollerhead
James Rusthoven
Adam Sarty
Ruth Shaw
Aimee Surprenant
Brook Taylor
Peter Williams
Cyr Couturier (Fri)
Kurt Gampurl (Sat)
Alyre Chiasson
Chris Flinn
Ken Kent
Milton Graves
Carolyn Peach Brown
Mikhail Kotchetov
Kris Poduska
Lois Whitehead
Ian Fleming
Mark Abrahams (Sat)
John Kershaw (Sat)
Brent Myron (Sat)
Chair of Council
Vice Chair, Dean
Treasurer, Acting Dean
Member-at-Large
Member-at-Large, Dean
Member-at-Large, Dean
Head of Science
Institutional Representative
Representing the Dean
Dean
Dean
Institutional Representative
Representing the Dean
Dean
A/Associate Dean; Representing Psychology
Dean
Dean
Representing Aquaculture & Fisheries
Representing Aquaculture & Fisheries
Biology Chair; Representing the Dean
Representing Chemistry
Computer Science Chair
Earth Science Chair
Environment Chair
Representing Math & Stats
Representing Physics & Astronomy
Executive Director
Guest Speaker (Friday)
Dean
A/Associate Dean of Graduate Studies
AFRED Advisory Committee
Acadia
Dal
UPEI
MUN
UNB-F
StFX
MUN Grenfell Campus
NSERC-Atlantic
Dal Ag Campus
CBU
MtA
Crandall
SMU
UNB-SJ
MUN
MSVU
Acadia
MUN Marine Institute
MUN
UdeM
MUN
UNB-F
Dal
UPEI
MUN
MUN
MUN Ocean Sciences Centre
MUN
UNB
MUN
Regrets
Carl Adams (Physics & Astronomy Chair), Del Brodie (STU), Trevor Avery (Aquaculture & Fisheries Chair),
David Gray (Dalhousie Ag Campus), Francis LeBlanc (UdeM), Gordon MacDonald (Math & Stats Chair), John
McKenna (Psychology Chair), Steve Smith (SMU), Ray Syvitski (Chemistry Chair)
Spring Council Session Meeting Package, April 24-25, 2015
Page 10
1. Welcome and Call to Order
Rob Raeside called the meeting to order at 7:00 pm.
2. Approval of the Agenda
Moved (McCorquodale/Graves) that the agenda be approved as circulated. Carried.
3. Special Presentation: Cold ocean and deep sea research: challenges and opportunities
Ian Fleming, Professor of Ocean Sciences, Ocean Sciences Centre, Memorial University of
Newfoundland, presented his experiences in establishing the Cold-ocean Deep-sea Research Facility.
4. Approval of the Minutes of the April 25-26, 2014, Council Meeting
Moved (Ollerhead/McCorquodale) that the minutes of the April 25-26, 2014, Council
meeting be approved as circulated. Carried.
5. Business Arising from the Minutes
Rob reviewed business arising:
i.
Broadening Involvement in Student Conferences: The Biology conference has expanded to include
biomed at Dalhousie. As well, APES+ (Atlantic Provinces Exercise Scientists) will be using CIAB this
year. On the other hand, there is a decline in participation due to increased expenses and
competing student priorities.
Action: Committee Chairs will discuss at breakfast on Saturday
ii.
Animal Care Committee: A Chair has not yet been identified for the committee.
Action: The Council Chair and Executive Director will call a meeting of the committee to
elect a new Chair
6. Executive Committee Report
i.
Review of 2014-15 Priorities: Rob gave a brief update on the priorities for the year.
ii.
Executive Nominations: Chris Moore reported that Rob’s second term as Chair would end at the
close of the meeting. One nominee for the position has been identified. Chris welcomed other
nominations before Saturday’s vote.
Action: Election of a new Council Chair will be held on Saturday
iii.
Hall of Fame: Lois Whitehead reminded Council that nominations were due January 31, 2015.
Spring Council Session Meeting Package, April 24-25, 2015
Page 11
7. Financial Report
All financial reports are available in the Fall 2014 Council Session meeting package.
i.
Financial Review for the Year Ending March 31, 2014: Debbie MacLellan presented Grant
Thornton’s final review.
ii. Draft Six-Month Income Statement (September 30, 2014): Debbie presented the draft income
statement for the first six months of the current fiscal year.
iii. Holding Account Balances as of October 31, 2014: Debbie presented the draft Holding Account
balances as of October 31, 2014.
8. Executive Director’s Report
Lois reported that due to success in obtaining external funding, six students had completed full-time
placements over the summer and fall, working on Conference-in-a-Box, Open Conference Systems,
the Annual Report and website, and AFRED. A complete report is available in the Council package.
9. Governance Subcommittee Report
Rob reviewed the progress made since the April 2014 discussion including the draft bylaws. Council
members felt that adequate discussion and review had occurred.
Action: A lawyer specializing in non-profit law will review the bylaws, which will be
circulated for vote in Spring 2015
10. Research Working Group Report
i.
Update: Chris reported that the goal of the Research Working Group is to extend Science
Atlantic’s activities beyond undergraduate activities by addressing research interests in ways that
we can add value.
Two projects have been completed since the last meeting: a compilation of Strategic Research
Plans (http://scienceatlantic.ca/scienceinac/memorgs/srps/) and another of Institutional
Repositories (http://scienceatlantic.ca/scienceinac/institutional-repositories/).
ii.
College of Reviewers: Chris asked for feedback on setting up a system for research grant writers
to engage volunteer reviewers from other schools. Some felt this would be useful but were
concerned about reciprocity. Could it increase potential for collaboration?
Action: The RWG will further investigate the interest in this potential project
11. Presentation: Atlantic Facilities and Research Equipment Database (AFRED)
Lois provided a background and summary of activities to date as the basis for Saturday’s discussion.
Spring Council Session Meeting Package, April 24-25, 2015
Page 12
The meeting was adjourned at 9:00 p.m. and reconvened Saturday morning at 9:15 a.m.
Mark Abrahams, Kurt Gampurl, John Kershaw, and Brent Myron were welcomed to the meeting Saturday
morning.
12. Committee Business
i.
Report from the Committee Chairs’ Meeting
In addition to a round table regarding conferences and other committee business, four main items
were discussed at the breakfast meeting:
a.
b.
c.
d.
ii.
iii.
Faculty engagement in conference planning: Chairs and Deans should ensure that local
faculty are involved in conference organizing and/or oversee student planning. As well,
there should be high faculty participation from the host department.
Increasing student attendance at conferences: This is challenging due to declining
funding support and increased competition of other opportunities, part time jobs, etc.
Feedback on governance structure: Chairs emphasized that their Saturday meeting was
valuable and should be continued and supported under the new structure
MSCS new conference name: In recognition of AARMS sponsorship, the conference now
has the tagline “with major contributing sponsor, AARMS.”
Questions Arising from the Circulated Reports: None
Biology proposals: Alyre Chiasson summarized two projects the Biology Committee is interested
in pursuing and asked for feedback and support from the Deans.
a.
b.
Survey of students regarding their perception of the value of labs in their program
Coordination of an “International Lab Day”, a multi-location lab activity involving social
media and students from France, England, and Atlantic Canada
Informal discussion indicated that labs could likely be used on Saturday for this project.
Action: Alyre will speak to Richard Isnor about International Lab Day’s eligibility for
PromoScience
13. Update from NSERC-Atlantic
Richard Isnor gave an update on NSERC business and activities, including appointment of the new
president, a summary of funding disbursed in Atlantic Canada, and the upcoming NSERC 2020
consultation.
14. Executive Member Election
Chris Moore presented David McCorquodale as a nominee for the Council Chair position and called
for other nominations from the floor. There being none, Dave was elected by acclamation.
Thanks were extended to Rob for his years of service and leadership.
Spring Council Session Meeting Package, April 24-25, 2015
Page 13
15. Discussion: AFRED’s Potential Contribution to Science Atlantic’s Mission
Lois, Debbie and Rob facilitated a discussion of AFRED’s alignment with Science Atlantic mission, its
potential impact on Atlantic Canada, the feasibility of carrying out the project, and next steps.
Moved (Moore/__________) that Science Atlantic further support, in principle, the
development of AFRED. Carried.
Action: Lois will prepare an NSERC-Atlantic Regional Opportunities Fund application to
advance the project
16. Other Business
Rob thanked Memorial for hosting the meetings.
17. Date and Location of Next Meetings
The April 2015 Council meeting will be hosted by Acadia University.
The November 2015 Council meetings will be held at Cape Breton University, in conjunction with the
meeting of the Deans of Arts & Social Sciences and Research.
There being no other business, moved (Lada) that the meeting be adjourned.
Spring Council Session Meeting Package, April 24-25, 2015
Page 14
Science Atlantic 2014-15 Priorities
(Approved April 2014)
** Success in achieving these goals is dependent on member commitment and/or outside resources
(e.g., IT development, summer student, online service)
Area 1: Improve Involvement with and Support of Organization
• Develop new governance model and bylaws (Subcommittee/Council members)
• Continue Hall of Fame program
Communication-specific:
• Create and distribute Annual Report and Yearbook (student/Lois)
• Continue use of Virtual Commons (Deans/Committee Chairs)
• Continue newsletter/Twitter (Lois)
• Improve committee member orientation/communications (Chairs/Lois/student)
Area 2: Develop Programs and Services
• Implement Animal Care Peer Reviewer Database
• Promote and Launch AFRED (RWG/Lois/student)
• Improve conference delivery
o Assess student involvement and conference capacity (Committee Chairs)
o Aim for sustainability budgeting
o Increase awareness and use of Conference-in-a-Box (Deans/Chairs)
o Increase Committee Chair oversight of conference planning (Chairs)
o Refine conference CIAB planning resources and conference template (Lois/student/with
input from organizers)
Area 3: Stabilize Resources
• Continue to modify financial model
o Break-even model for conference funding (sponsors, cost-based registration fees)
o Member fee structure
o Awards funding
o Fundraising
• Assess staff needs (ongoing)
• Permanent office space
Spring Council Session Meeting Package, April 24-25, 2015
Page 15
Science Atlantic 2015-16 Priorities (draft)
(Draft for discussion by Council, April 24-25, 2015)
Success is dependent on member commitment and outside resources (e.g., IT development, summer
student, ACOA funding, online service) as well as staff implementation.
Area 1: Improve Involvement With and Support of Organization
1. Implement new governance model and bylaws
2. Improve member orientation and communications, including updating Virtual Commons
3. Continue to recognize member contributions
4. Proactively support organization to Member institution senior administrators and to nonmembers
Actions: Membership, Board, Committee Chairs, Faculty
i) Support new Board of Directors
ii) Develop and implement support policy for Committee Chairs
iii) Nominate members to Hall of Fame
iv) Become familiar with new Virtual Commons (once established)
v) Host/participate in annual campus reps meetings (Deans)
Actions: Staff
i) Launch new website
ii) Determine and implement new software for Virtual Commons
iii) Create and distribute Annual Report, Yearbook, newsletter
iv) Develop direct student communications (Twitter, Facebook, special notices)
Area 2: Develop Programs and Services
1. Conferences
o Improve conference delivery
o Assess student involvement and conference capacity
Actions: Committee Chairs, Deans, Conference Organizers, Faculty
i) Committee Chairs/faculty advisors provide advice and support regularly to conference
organizers
ii) Provide recommendations to staff to improve Conference-in-a-Box
iii) Support and encourage students to attend conferences
Spring Council Session Meeting Package, April 24-25, 2015
Page 16
Actions: Staff
i) Continue to revise and improve CIAB and OCS based on user feedback
ii) Continue to assess and improve use of PayPal for conference fee payment
iii) Promote conferences via poster, website, newsletter; circulate conference information to
student societies as possible
iv) Coordinate communication with award winners and sponsors; develop Awards Yearbook
2. AFRED
Actions: Membership, Board, Committee Chairs
i) Encourage colleagues to make use of the database
ii) Provide connections to staff
Actions: Staff
i) Fulfill project deliverables
3. Animal Care Peer Reviewer Database
Area 3: Use Resources Effectively
1. Assess value provided by organization
2. Demonstrate transparency and efficiency
Actions: Membership, Committee Chairs, Conference Organizers
i) Review/monitor member fee structure
ii) Identify fundraising opportunities
iii) Follow sustainability model for conference funding (cost-based registration fees; solicitation
of sponsors; surplus for Holding Account and student travel subsidies)
Actions: Staff
i) Implement budget as approved by Membership
ii) Research funding models for AFRED sustainability
iii) Identify fundraising and grant options
Spring Council Session Meeting Package, April 24-25, 2015
Page 17
Executive Director’s Highlights
Winter 2015
1. Fundraising for 2014-15
Our income was substantially increased in 2014-15 through fundraising and grants. In addition to
personal contributions, we obtained six federal and provincial student grants and assistance from
Springboard Atlantic and NSERC-Atlantic for AFRED, for a total of over $41,000.
Personal Donations
Student Grants
AFRED Support
$ 2,514.82
$22,562.50
$15,944.00
TOTAL
$41,021.32
2. Conference Support
i)
Conference-in-a-Box (CIAB) and Open Conference System Software (OCS): Based on conference
organizer feedback and questions, we continue to work on improving the information provided
through CIAB as well as customizing OCS, our conference website and registration software.
ii) PayPal: In 2014-15, we provided support for three conferences to collect registration fees online.
PayPal is a cost-efficient service but somewhat limited in how it can be integrated with OCS. We
will continue to refine our set-up to improve this service for 2015-16 conference organizers.
3. Staffing
We employed six students on work terms during the first two terms of 2014-15. During the winter,
three students continued on a very part-time basis to support conferences through website support,
PayPal, and award winner recognition webpages.
With partial funding from Nova Scotia’s new “Graduate to Opportunity” grant program, we will be
hiring a new graduate in a full-time position in early June. Jasmine Golf, a Dalhousie Commerce
student, has completed two co-op terms at Science Atlantic and will join us after she graduates as our
new Communications and Creative Content Coordinator. Jasmine will be responsible for online and
print communications including the website, Student Awards Yearbook, and Annual Report, as well
as social media and communications directly with students.
Secondly, pending the results of the ACOA funding application submitted in late March, I anticipate
hiring an 18-month, full-time project manager for AFRED. Prasad Rajandran, the Acadia computer
science student who has been developing the AFRED database over two co-op placements, will also
be hired to complete the technical development and testing of AFRED 2.0.
Finally, Emily Cross, a Dalhousie computer science student, will be returning full-time for the summer
to continue developing CIAB, OCS, and our integration with PayPal.
Respectfully submitted,
Lois Whitehead, Executive Director
Spring Council Session Meeting Package, April 24-25, 2015
Page 18
Atlantic Facilities and Research Equipment Database
(AFRED) Update
The purpose of AFRED is to increase the use of specialized research equipment in our region by connecting
potential users with the facilities that host the equipment. As a spinoff, this project will also increase
interaction between industry and academia through supporting infrastructure needs in the private sector.
The first version of AFRED was developed in 2013. In 2014, the project was expanded based on user
feedback and interest from other groups regarding its value as a tool for industry as well as academia.
Phase 2: The goals of Phase 2 are:
i)
a redesigned online database with a more robust and complete framework to allow for additional data
capture and a more advanced graphical user interface that will provide an improved user experience,
and
ii) development and implementation of a sustainable engagement strategy to connect with industry,
small business, post-secondary institutions, medical facilities, industry associations and support
agencies across Atlantic Canada.
Application to ACOA: An application to ACOA for $160,000 over three years was submitted in March 2015,
with results expected in May. Support from NSERC-Atlantic and others will offset the cost difference until
AFRED becomes self-sustaining in 2018. Funding will support a full-time project manager for 18 months,
including significant travel, promotion and marketing, and further development of the database.
Ongoing interaction with Springboard Atlantic, BioNB, and others has been instrumental in the proposal’s
development, and 18 letters of support were provided to ACOA with the funding request.
Anticipated Outcomes: At the conclusion of Phase 2 (Fall 2018), it is anticipated that AFRED will be
recognized as the go-to source for information on research infrastructure in Atlantic Canada. Through the
comprehensive engagement efforts of the project manager, industry, SMEs, researchers, and others
involved in R&D in the region will be aware of the tool, both as a way to publicize their own infrastructure
and as a resource to seek access to equipment they do not own.
Sustainability: Ongoing upkeep of AFRED should be modest, requiring periodic contact with facility
managers to ensure accuracy of the data, awareness of R&D activity in the region to identify new items
for inclusion, and outreach and promotional activity. An annual subscription fee for institutions to list
equipment is the currently proposed method of sustainability; this and other funding models will be
researched and assessed by the project manager.
Next Steps: Upon confirmation of ACOA’s support, we will advertise for and hire a project manager, and
our programmer, Prasad Rajandran, will begin work on the project full time for six months.
Respectfully submitted,
Lois Whitehead, Executive Director
Spring Council Session Meeting Package, April 24-25, 2015
Page 19
Comparative Income Statement (draft)
2014-15
2013-14
Actual
Budget
Actual
Budget
(Draft)
(Approved)
(Final)
(Approved)
REVENUE
Income
Membership Fees
107,625
Donations & Fundraising
Employment Grants
Award Sponsorships
AFRED income
Miscellaneous Income
Total Income
98,520
98,520
2,515
2,000
2,700
2,000
22,563
10,470
7,255
4,165
7,075
1,750
6,800
3,450
13,344
-
-
-
400
$
107,000
153,522
1,200
$
122,420
4,261
$
119,536
1,200
$
109,335
Investment Income
Bank Interest & Credits
Investment Income*
Gain on Sale of Investments
67
100
42
100
2,000
2,000
5,344
1,000
0
0
746
0
Total Investment Income
$
2,067
$
2,100
$
6,132
$
1,100
TOTAL REVENUE
$
155,589
$
124,520
$
125,668
$
110,435
EXPENSE
Committee Expense
Animal Care
0
0
0
0
Aquaculture & Fisheres
1,100
1,100
1,100
1,100
Biology
2,000
2,000
2,000
2,100
Chemistry
1,144
800
1,002
600
Computer Science
1,600
1,600
1,600
1,600
Earth Science
412
800
800
800
Environment
400
1,100
1,100
1,100
Math & Stats
1,600
1,600
1,600
1,600
800
1,600
0
1,600
Physics & Astronomy
Psychology
2,000
Subtotal Committee Expenses
Student Travel for NL Conferences
Total Committee Expense
1,600
11,056
1,000
$
12,056
1,200
12,200
1,000
$
13,200
1,500
10,402
0
$
10,402
* Investment income is calculated during the formal financial review; amount for 2014-15 will exceed budget
Spring Council Session Meeting Package, April 24-25, 2015
Page 20
12,000
1,000
$
13,000
Comparative Income Statement (draft)
(continued)
2014-15
2013-14
Actual
Budget
Actual
Budget
(Draft)
(Approved)
(final)
(Approved)
Awards Expense
Research Award
4,225
3,600
3,875
3,600
Science Communication Award
1,300
1,800
1,825
1,800
Other Awards
Total Awards Expense
5,650
$
11,175
550
$
5,950
4,900
$
10,600
1,650
$
7,050
General & Administrative Expense
Employee Salaries & Benefits
59,863
60,000
58,983
67,000
Casual/Student Salaries
59,244
30,000
28,944
8,000
402
400
35
400
Professional Development
Travel & Meetings (Staff/Chair)
1,996
3,500
3,415
3,300
Accounting & Legal
3,401
3,500
3,867
3,500
Banking Fees
0
0
0
0
52
100
81
100
Dues & Fees
130
130
130
100
Insurance
756
756
781
781
Courier & Postage
405
200
225
100
Phone, Fax & Photocopying
1,106
1,400
1,353
1,300
Supplies & Stationery
1,061
500
289
300
Website & Online Communications
-377
1,500
1,316
2,500
Technology ( Equip, Software, etc.)
1,440
200
88
200
Translation
225
750
386
750
Promotions & Marketing
450
1,000
1,034
1,000
Volunteer Recognition
207
200
81
200
Strategic Planning (2014-15: Governance review)
0
1,000
0
600
50th Anniversary
0
0
-11
0
Miscellanous
0
200
361
200
AFRED Miscellanous
0
-
-
Fundraising Expense
-
Total General & Admin. Expense
$
130,361
$
105,336
$
101,359
$
90,331
TOTAL EXPENSE
$
153,592
$
124,486
$
122,362
$
110,381
NET INCOME
$
1,997
$
34
$
3,306
$
54
Spring Council Session Meeting Package, April 24-25, 2015
Page 21
Comparative Balance Sheet (draft)
ASSETS
Current Assets
Investment Group 00379
Investors Group 0087
PayPal Account
Short Term Investments
Long Term Investments
Accounts Receivable
HST Input Tax Credit
Total Receivable
Prepaid Expense
Total Current Assets
As at 31/03/2015 As at 31/03/2014 As at 31/03/2013 As at 31/03/2012
(Draft)
(Final)
(Final)
(Final)
38,874
0
75
11,714
99,373
51,437
3,789
$
TOTAL ASSETS
9,947
0
59,714
105,464
3,889
3,155
55,226
16,307
221,569
$
0
0
137,587
2,877
1,991
7,044
14,624
196,793
$
28,359
576
0
111,835
3,094
726
4,868
14,095
156,550
$
3,820
13,547
158,138
$ 221,569
$ 196,793
$ 156,550
$ 158,138
0
67,189
4,566
4,378
2,947
3,825
396
161
4,298
396
5,109
5,082
1,394
1,550
1,570
25,441
10,850
1,592
1,537
3,825
946
111
3,701
946
5,609
5,632
2,594
0
0
22,385
16,050
-1,582
404
17,988
946
2,111
3,984
946
3,673
4,268
3,794
0
$
0
0
101,291
$
0
0
64,353
$
0
2,210
77,176
$
101,291
$
64,353
$
77,176
LIABILITY
Current Liabilities
Bank indebtedness
Accounts Payable
Accrued Liabilites
Holding Acct - Aquaculture & Fisheries
Holding Acct - Biology
Holding Acct - Chemistry
Holding Acct - Computer Science
Holding Acct - Earth Science
Holding Acct - Enviroment
Holding Acct - Math & Stats
Holding Acct - Physics & Astronomy
Holding Acct - Psychology
Holding Acct - Conference Processes
Holding Acct - Student Awards
Holding Acct - conference fees from PayPal
50th Anniversary Fund
Deferred Revenue
Total Current Liabilities
$
0
100,685
2,050
4,480
3,522
2,325
1,873
161
2,332
1,873
5,109
5,082
1,394
0
11,215
0
2,600
144,699
TOTAL LIABILITY
$
144,699
EQUITY
Members' Surplus
Retained Earnings - Previous Year
WJ Blundon Lecture Fund
Comprenhensive 1*
Total Restricted Assets
Current Income
Total retained Surplus ( Loss )
76,870
1,151
3,151
70,899
3,151
-2,077
$
78,021
$
95,502
$
92,196
$
TOTAL EQUITY
$
78,021
$
95,502
$
92,196
$
80,961
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
$ 221,569
Spring Council Session Meeting Package, April 24-25, 2015
1,151
89,045
3,151
1,074
8,988
80,961
* calculated during financial review
Page 22
92,351
3,151
$ 196,793
3,151
$ 156,550
$ 158,137
Holding Account Balances as of March 31, 2015 (draft)
Aquaculture & Fisheries
Biology
Chemistry
Computer Science
Earth Science
Environment
Math & Stats
Physics & Astronomy
Psychology
WJ Blundon Lecture Fund
Total
Spring Council Session Meeting Package, April 24-25, 2015
Page 23
2014-15
(Draft)
4,480
3,522
2,325
1,873
161
2,332
1,873
5,109
5,082
1,151
$27,907
2013-14
(Final)
4,378
2,947
3,825
396
161
4,298
396
5,109
5,082
3,151
$29,743
2015-16 Budget (draft)
(for review and approval by Council, April 2015)
2015-16
2014-15
Budget
Actual
Budget
(Draft)
(Draft)
(Approved)
REVENUE
Income
Membership Fees
118,000
Donations & Fundraising
107,625
107,000
2,000
2,515
2,000
Employment Grants
10,415
22,563
10,470
Award Sponsorships
1,750
7,075
1,750
ACOA
85,826
-
-
AFRED income
15,000
13,344
-
3,900
400
1,200
Miscellaneous Income
Total Income
236,891
$
153,522
$
122,420
Investment Income
Bank Interest & Credits
$
Investment Income*
Gain on Sale of Investments
100
67
100
4,000
2,000
2,000
0
Total Investment Income
TOTAL REVENUE
0
0
4,100
$
2,067
$
2,100
240,991
$
155,589
$
124,520
EXPENSE
Committee Expense
Animal Care
0
0
0
Aquaculture & Fisheres
1,100
1,100
1,100
Biology
2,000
2,000
2,000
800
1,144
800
1,600
1,600
1,600
Chemistry
Computer Science
Earth Science
800
412
800
Environment
1,100
400
1,100
Math & Stats
1,600
1,600
1,600
Physics & Astronomy
1,600
800
1,600
Psychology
1,600
2,000
Subtotal Committee Expenses
12,200
Student Travel for NL Conferences
Total Committee Expense
1,000
$
13,200
1,600
11,056
12,200
1,000
$
12,056
1,000
$
* Investment income is calculated during the formal financial review; amount for 2014-15 will exceed budget
Spring Council Session Meeting Package, April 24-25, 2015
Page 24
13,200
2015-16 Budget (draft)
(continued)
2015-16
2014-15
2014-15
Budget
Actual
Budget
(Draft)
(Draft)
(Approved)
Awards Expense
Research Award
3,600
4,225
3,600
Science Communication Award
1,400
1,300
1,800
350
5,650
Other Awards
Total Awards Expense
$
5,350
$
11,175
550
$
5,950
General & Administrative Expense
Employee Salaries & Benefits
88,500
59,863
60,000
Casual/Student Salaries
16,995
59,244
30,000
AFRED Staffing
74,950
-
-
600
402
400
Professional Development
Travel & Meetings (Staff/Chair)
Accounting & Legal
Banking Fees
1,996
3,500
6,500
3,401
3,500
0
0
0
Fundraising Expense
100
52
100
Dues & Fees
130
130
130
Insurance
756
756
756
Courier & Postage
400
405
200
Phone, Fax & Photocopying
2,000
1,106
1,400
Supplies & Stationery
1,000
1,061
500
Website & Online Communications
800
-377
1,500
Technology ( Equip, Software, etc.)
2,200
1,440
200
Translation
3,750
225
750
Promotions & Marketing
5,000
450
1,000
200
207
200
Strategic Planning (2014-15: Governance review)
0
0
1,000
50th Anniversary
0
0
0
200
0
200
8,985
0
-
Volunteer Recognition
Miscellanous
AFRED Miscellanous
Total General & Admin. Expense
225,566
$
130,361
$
105,336
TOTAL EXPENSE
$
244,116
$
153,592
$
124,486
NET INCOME
$
-3,125
$
1,997
$
34
Spring Council Session Meeting Package, April 24-25, 2015
Page 25
12,500
Science Atlantic
Notice of Motions
(April 7, 2015)
This Notice indicates the intention to put forward a series of motions at the Spring Science Atlantic Council
meeting to be held April 24-25, 2015, at Acadia University, Wolfville, Nova Scotia. These motions come as
a result of a review of Science Atlantic’s governance structure and a decision to incorporate under the
federal Not-for-Profit Corporations Act (2009). The (Proposed) Articles of Incorporation can be found at
http://sciatl.org/Apr2015Notice.
Motion 1: To adopt the proposed Articles of Incorporation (pages 2-3 of above link)
Moved that the Articles of Incorporation be approved as circulated.
Motion 2: To adopt the proposed bylaws (pages 4-15 of above link)
Moved that the bylaws drafted in accordance with the Canada Not-for-Profit Corporations
Act (2009) be approved and filed with Corporations Canada.
[Note: These bylaws do not negate previously approved policies:
http://scienceatlantic.ca/about/constitutionandpolicies/]
Motion 3: To rescind the current Constitution
(http://scienceatlantic.ca/about/constitutionandpolicies/constitution/)
Moved that the Constitution of Science Atlantic, approved April 24-25, 1981, and most recently
amended April 29, 2011, be rescinded, and that the bylaws approved in Motion 2 be the governing
charter for the organization.
Motion 4: To empower an interim board of directors
Moved that an interim board of directors be elected and empowered to manage the business of
the organization until election of the Board of Directors at the November 2015 Members’ meeting.
Spring Council Session Meeting Package, April 24-25, 2015
Page 26
Committee Reports
Animal Care
On Feb 10th, 2015, the Animal Care Committee had a meeting (via teleconference) whereby we voted for
a new chair. I had mentioned my interest in the post and was voted in during the meeting.
In attendance were:
•
•
•
•
•
Myself (Jacqueline Blundell, MUN)
Etienne Dako, U de Moncton (joined part way through)
Ken Oakes, Cape Breton University
David Bruce, Mount Allison
Dawn Miner, Dal Ag. Campus
It is my pleasure to be the chair of the Animal Care Committee for Science Atlantic. Since then, we have
had several emails covering topics such as the procedures involved in keeping track of animals used, the
possibility of having an annual committee meeting (in person), and the Scientific Merit Reviewer Database.
It is my goal to have regular teleconferences with members of the committee regarding these issues, as
well as any other topics that come up.
Respectfully submitted,
Jacqueline Blundell, Chair
Aquaculture & Fisheries
No update.
Biology
Committee Meeting
The Biology Committee of Science Atlantic met on March 6, 2015 for their regular business meeting
that takes place on the evening marking the commencement of the joint Biology and Aquaculture and
Fisheries Conferences, held this year at the Université de Moncton. The meeting was well attended
with only one representative unable to participate. The committee was appreciative of the support
from Council regarding the international laboratory day. Richard Isnor, via email correspondence, felt
that this project would qualify under NSERC’s PromoScience grant program. Once final session exams
are completed, Alyre Chiasson and Kevin Shaughnessy will work on the first draft of a PromoScience
proposal to be circulated to committee members, with the final version going to the executive of
Science Atlantic for approval before submission. We will also be contacting the NSERC grant officer to
ensure that our application meets both the objectives and conditions of the program. There has been
no change in committee membership since the fall meeting. Cory Bishop from StFX is still temporarily
replacing Russell Wyeth who is on sabbatical.
Spring Council Session Meeting Package, April 24-25, 2015
Page 27
Conference
The Joint Biology (Bio) and Aquaculture and Fisheries Conferences (A&F) were held at the Université de
Moncton from March 6th to 8th, 2015. There were 137 faculty and students in attendance, as follows:
Faculty; 24 (Bio), 11 (A&F) and Students; 67 (Bio), 33 (A&F). There were 21 oral and 28 poster
presentations in Biology and 28 oral and four posters (poster presenters registered in A&F but
presented in Bio) in A&F. This represents the highest numbers of posters at least in recent years. In
addition there were two guest speakers, Dr. Sean Miles, Canada Research Chair in Agricultural Genetic
Diversity, Dalhousie University, and Dr. Tiago Hori, Genomics Department, The Center for Aquaculture
Technologies Canada, PEI.
Total revenues were $13,400 with expenditures of $10,270.02 for a positive balance of $3,129.98. A
full breakout of revenues and expenses will be available in the final conference report. Savings were
made in several areas. Organisers did not offer an onsite breakfast this year but opted for hotels that
had continental breakfast included. No money was spent on promotional materials. We purchased
materials to make mounting stands for the posters rather than renting which would have been at
approximately three times the cost. Complete printed copies of the program were only provided upon
request, with an electronic copy being the default. Wireless was available to all participants as part of
the registration package. However, everyone had a printed copy of the program schedule. Notepads
and pens were only provided to the judges. Foods services changed over the summer and offered
better pricing for meals. We encouraged people to go green, and bring their own coffee mug or water
bottle for the health breaks. A water fountain was provided instead of bottled water.
A number of difficulties occurred in the preparation of the conference using Conference-in-a-Box. The
organisers offer the following areas for improvement. Students should not be able to submit an abstract
without registering. Students that indicate that they are presenting should be required to submit their
abstract as part of the registrations process. We had registered participants that did not submit their
abstracts and abstracts submitted by individuals that were not registered. We recommend that the
registration report and the papers report (list of abstracts), be combined as a single report or at
minimum the following fields should be added to the papers report to indicate if the abstract is for a
poster or an oral presentations and in which stream as some A&F registrants gave posters in the biology
section. It is recommended that in the case of group payments, the persons making the payment
provide the list of names within the website software and not as a separate email. The latter was
frequently forgotten. These may be the result of administrators making the payment rather than the
SA representative and perhaps were not aware of this requirement. In the case of individual payments
there should be the request for the name of the person for whom the payment is being made. We had
payments made for individuals attending the conference by persons not attending the conference. We
suggest that the “other” column be removed, as it was misused in particular to list names of students
in an attempt to make a single group registration using a single name. This produces a host of major
problems due to missing information and lack of adherence to the format of all the remaining entries.
There were also problems with truncated abstracts, which appear to be caused by occurrence of
scientific names in italics when enclosed in parenthesis. The committee organisers are more than willing
to assist Science Atlantic in correcting these problems. This would go a long way to reducing the
numerous emails required to obtaining missing information and clarification on provided information.
Spring Council Session Meeting Package, April 24-25, 2015
Page 28
Award Winners
Science Atlantic Undergraduate Research Award
Oral, first place: Laryssa Halat (St. Francis Xavier University)
Oral, second place: Kathleen Hipwell (Saint Mary's University)
Oral, third place: Gregory Haller (Mount Saint Vincent University)
Poster, first place: Zhengcheng He (University of Prince Edward Island)
Poster, second place: Zoe O'Malley (University of New Brunswick, Fredericton)
Poster, third place: Sasha Power (Saint Mary's University)
Poster, honourable mention: Brianna Burns (Mount Saint Vincent University)
Poster, honourable mention: Samantha Crowley (Dalhousie University)
Science Atlantic Communication Award, sponsored by Canadian Science Publishing
Laryssa Halat (St. Francis Xavier University)
Botany Award, sponsored by the Canadian Botanical Association
Oral: Michael Buckland-Nicks (Saint Mary's University)
Poster: Hardy Strom (University of Prince Edward Island)
Respectfully submitted,
Alyre Chiasson, Chair
Chemistry
Next Conference Information
40th ChemCon (Catalyzing Community) May 21-23rd (Thurs-Sat), 2015, will be held at UNB Fredericton,
Adam Dyker will be the faculty representative.
•
•
•
preliminary budget has been submitted
mail out to all chemistry departments and biochemistry
web site registration operational
Speaker Tour
The Speaker Tour Coordinator for 2014-15 was Sara Eisler UNB Fredericton (CIC/SciAtlantic). Two
speakers were scheduled:
•
•
Glen's Briand:
o April 9 UdeM
o March 26, CBU
o March 25, StFX
o March 19, Acadia visit was cancelled due to weather and is being rescheduled
Christopher Rowley:
o October 24, UNBF
o October 23, MTA
o October 22, UPEI
Spring Council Session Meeting Package, April 24-25, 2015
Page 29
Holding Account
The Committee approved a request of $1,000 from the 2015 College Chemistry Canada Conference
organizers and will be recognized as the sponsor of the keynote speaker. The conference will be held
in Halifax June 4-6, the first time it has ever been held in Nova Scotia.
Respectfully submitted,
Ray Syvitski, Chair
Computer Science
No update.
Earth Science
Conference and Award Winners
The 64th AUGC was held at the University of New Brunswick, Fredericton on October 23-25, 2014.
Unlike the previous conference, the organizing committee this year used the online registration
procedures and worked closely with Science Atlantic throughout the year. Please encourage your
committees to do so also.
The conference included four field trips: Dave Lentz (UNB) and Kay Thorne (NBDEM), led a trip to Mount
Pleasant Sn-Zn-Cu-In and W-Mo-Bi deposits in southwest New Brunswick; David Keighley (UNB) led a
trip exploring the geology of the McCully Gas Field near Sussex, New Brunswick; Adrian Park (UNB) led
a trip to the Saint John area and the Partridge Island Block; and Douglas Hall (UNB), John Spray (UNB),
Lucy Thompson (UNB), Suporn Boonsue (UNB), and Cliff Shaw (UNB) offered students a tour of the
various analytical facilities in Earth Sciences at UNB. Thanks to all those offering trips.
A total of 12 papers and nine posters were presented. The AUGC Paper Award for best overall
presentation was award to Jillian Kendrick (Dal). The CSPG Award for best oral presentation was
awarded to Dillon White (SMU). The Imperial Oil Award for best poster was awarded to Haley Leblanc
(SMU). The Frank Shea Memorial Award for the best presentation in Economic Geology was awarded
to Nikolett Kovacs (MUN). The CSEG Award for best geophysical presentation was awarded to Andrew
Blagdon (MUN). We await the final financial results of AUGC but the proposed budget was almost
$18,000, up slightly from the previous year and preliminary results indicate breaking even within error.
Sponsors included Imperial Oil, Canadian Society of Petroleum Geologists, ExxonMobil, Canadian
Society of Exploration Geophysicists, University of New Brunswick’s Department of Geology and
Students Union, Trevalli Mining Corporation, Wolfden Rersources Corporation, Engineers/Geoscientist
New Brunswick, Science Atlantic, and Atlantic Geoscience Society.
Spring Council Session Meeting Package, April 24-25, 2015
Page 30
Next Conference
The next AUGC will be held at St. Mary’s University in Halifax at yet to be announced dates in late
October 2015, hosted by the D Hope-Simpson Geological Club.
Speaker Tour
The 2014-15 Speakers Tour, co-sponsored by the Atlantic Geoscience Society, happened in the winter
with two speakers. Chris McFarlane (UNB-F) presented two talks (Talk 1: Hydrothermal alteration: the
role and record of coupled dissolution-reprecipitation; Talk 2: From grain scale to mountain scale: timing
and timescales of evolving orogenic processes) on March 9 at St FX, March 23 at MUN, and March 27 at
Dal. Deanne van Rooyen (CBU) presented Uncluttering and reactivating and the western Laurentian
basement on February 9 at UNB, February 10 at SMU, and March 10 at Acadia.
Committee Membership
No meeting of the committee was held at AUGC as no members confirmed their attendance. This is
the third year that insufficient committee members have attended AUGC, a condemnation of both
faculty attendance at AUGC from non-host universities and that the membership of the committee is
not the same as those most regular attenders of AUGC.
The committee last met on January 31, 2015 in conjunction with the Atlantic Geoscience Society Annual
Colloquium in Sackville, NB where committee business was thoroughly discussed and continuing
officers were confirmed after a call for a volunteer to replace the soon-to-retire chair was made without
success. The next annual meeting of the committee will be held in Wolfville, NS in conjunction with the
AGS meeting on February 6, 2016. With luck an interim meeting can be held in conjunction with AUGC
at SMU in October.
Milton Graves (Dalhousie) remains as chair but is actively recruiting a replacement to be in place before
his June retirement. Jacob Hanley (SMU) continues as Speakers Tour Coordinator.
Respectfully submitted,
Milton Graves, Chair
Environment
Conference and Award Winners
The March 13-15, 2015, Environment student conference was held at Saint Mary’s University, organized
by an excellent team of students under the supervision of Dr. Tony Charles. There were 62 people
registered for the conference, with representation from eight universities from all four Atlantic
Provinces. This included ten faculty members, some of who were from SMU but normally do not attend
Science Atlantic Environment conferences. There were 15 oral presentations and 12 poster
presentations made by undergraduate and graduate students. All the presentations were very high
quality and seven awards were given.
Spring Council Session Meeting Package, April 24-25, 2015
Page 31
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Oral Research Award (undergraduate): Nicole Shanahan, Grenfell Campus, Memorial University
Oral Research Award (graduate): Sarah MacLeod, Dalhousie University
Poster Research Award (undergraduate): Marley Geddes, Dalhousie University
Poster Research Award (graduate): Marie-France Jones, UNB-Fredericton
Communication Award (oral): Emily Peters, Saint Mary's University
Communication Award (poster): Michael Buckland-Nicks, Saint Mary's University
KC Irving Environmental Science Centre Award: Monique Goguen, UNB-Fredericton
Two excellent keynote addresses were presented by Elder Albert Marshall, Eskasoni First Nation, Cape
Breton, NS, and Marty Janowitz, Vice President, Sustainable Development, Stantec, Dartmouth, NS.
The conference was partially funded by SMU’s School of the Environment in conjunction with their
Sustainability Week activities. The conference was able to generate a surplus and some funds helped
to pay the registration fees for Memorial University students. The Environment Committee also agreed
that some funds from the Environment Committee Holding Account could be used to cover some of
the travel expenses for students from Memorial University.
Université de Moncton will host the next Science Atlantic Environment Conference, which will be held
on the second weekend of March 2016.
Committee Meeting
The committee met virtually on November 17, 2014 with seven members present and again on March
13, 2015 at the conference at SMU, with five committee members present. Lois Whitehead, Executive
Director, attended both meetings. While at both meetings the need for a Vice-Chair was discussed,
there has still not been any volunteer for the position.
While the Committee Holding Account had been built up over the last few years from conference
surpluses, this decreased substantially last year with the necessity of covering the deficit from the
March 2014 conference at St FX. Use of the holding funds to help Memorial University students attend
the March 2015 conference further drew down the funds. While the Holding Account is still slightly
over $2,000, the Committee discussed the necessity of seeking external funding for conferences either
from the host university or other sources. The Committee discussed that in the future the cost for
Memorial students to attend the conference could be built into the conference registration fees.
Discussion at both meetings also concerned the advantages and disadvantages of joining with the
Biology and Fisheries & Aquaculture conference. Some felt that it was better to have a separate
Environment conference as it was not then overwhelmed by the dominant themes of the larger
conferences. Another felt that it made it simpler to organize logistically. Others felt that there was an
advantage to joining with a larger conference as it was more of a special event for students. While the
Committee decided to continue separately for next year, discussion concerned strategies to encourage
students to attend the Environment conference. Some university departments overlap with both
Biology and Fisheries & Aquaculture conferences and it is difficult for a department to send students to
more than one conference. Besides obtaining enough funding to have free student registration,
another suggestion was for professors to make it mandatory for their Honours students to present at
the conference. It was also suggested that students who have done a fourth year major project or
Spring Council Session Meeting Package, April 24-25, 2015
Page 32
Directed Studies courses could be encouraged to present their work. It is also important to make
francophone students aware that they are able to attend and present their research in French. With
the help of a summer student, Lois said that the conference web site template will be updated in the
summer. It will then be bilingual. Conference abstracts can be submitted in either French or English.
Other web site updates will also be made at that time.
At the March 2015 meeting, Lois explained the proposed changes for the Science Atlantic Governing
Council which were discussed at the last meeting in November and will be voted on at the Council
meeting in April. The Committee is supportive of the changes. Lois explained that some other
committees are currently or discussing creating an electronic journal of abstracts of the presentations
at the annual conference. The Committee discussed the merits of doing this and felt that the current
practice of putting the conference booklet on the Environment Committee web site was sufficient at
this time.
Committee Membership
Nelson O'Driscoll
Daniel Rainham
Martin Mkandawire
Norm Catto
Ben Phillips
Raj Lada
Heather Major
Acadia University
DAL-HRM
CBU
MUN
MTA
DAL-TRURO
UNB-SJ
Linda Campbell
Harunur Rashid
Hugo Beltrami
Alain Patoine
Van Lantz
Carolyn Peach Brown
(Chair)
SMU
MUN-SWGC
St.FX
UdeM
UNB-F
UPEI
Respectfully submitted,
Carolyn Peach Brown, Chair
Mathematics & Statistics
Conference
Our last conference was held in October 2014 at the University of New Brunswick in Saint John.
Information on that meeting was made in our last report to Council.
Next Conference Information
The next conference will be held in October 2015 at Acadia University.
Committee Business
Our conference in October 2014 ran a surplus and so the Mathematics and Statistics Committee has
agreed to fund an Undergraduate Student Research Session at the Summer Meeting of the Canadian
Mathematical Society. That meeting is being held at UPEI in June 2015. The session will be advertised
as sponsored by the Science Atlantic Mathematics and Statistics committee.
Respectfully submitted,
Gordon MacDonald, Chair
Spring Council Session Meeting Package, April 24-25, 2015
Page 33
Physics & Astronomy
This past February, David Hornidge was elected Chair of the Physics and Astronomy Committee.
Conference
This year the Atlantic Universities Physics and Astronomy Conference (AUPAC) was held at Mount
Allison. There were 104 student delegates, 11 professors, and nine graduate fair representatives.
Overall budget was close to $12,000 with a surplus of $500. The temperature averaged 253 KELVIN!
But the hospitality was much warmer. Dr Jaymie Matthews from UBC gave an excellent keynote
presentation on Saturday night, and the number of pictures taken with students is the same order of
magnitude as the number of asteroids in the solar system. We held our first “Women in Physics”
discussion panel. Simon Maynell from Dalhousie is a repeat first place winner for best presentation.
Other prize winners were Kyle Marshall (Acadia), Kelly Foran (Mt. A), Hong Yi Shi Yang (Dal), Daniel
Abarbanel (Dal), and Andrew Cameron (UPEI).
Next Conference
Next year’s conference will be held at Memorial University in February 2016. We are looking into
chartering a plane and will use some of our reserves to support student travel. The top prize for the
next conference will be named in honour of David Tindall and Michael Steinitz, two long time
contributors to Science Atlantic (formerly APICS).
Speaker Tour
This spring, Canadian Association of Physicists lectures were given at UNB, Mt. Allison, UdeM, UPEI,
StFX, Dal, SMU and MUN. Invited speakers were Kris Poduska (MUN), Carlos Silva (Université de
Montreal), and Pablo Bianucci (Concordia). The theme was “The Year of Light”. Our committee
supported the tour with an $800 contribution.
Respectfully submitted,
Carl Adams, Past Chair
Psychology
No update.
Spring Council Session Meeting Package, April 24-25, 2015
Page 34
Hall of Fame
Please accept the following as the 2015 report of the Hall of Fame Committee.
Nominations to 2015 Science Atlantic Hall of Fame
The Hall of Fame Committee met and discussed nominees for the Outstanding Contributing Member
and Outstanding Alumna/Alumnus categories. No nominations had been received for the Outstanding
Member or Volunteer Service Award designations.
The Committee unanimously recommended the following:
• that Dr. Allen J. Britten be awarded “Outstanding Contributing Member” designation;
• that Dr. David H. S. Richardson be awarded "Outstanding Contributing Member” designation;
and
• that Ms. Holly Baker be awarded “Outstanding Alumna” designation.
Dr. Allen J. Britten, of Cape Breton University, is a leading figure in Analytical Chemistry who has
fostered science education in high schools and universities throughout Nova Scotia. In his capacity as
the Chairperson of the Department of Physical and Applied Sciences as well as the Dean of the School
of Science and Technology, Dr. Britten has also spread science awareness to the community.
Dr. Britten served as the Cape Breton University representative to the then Atlantic Provinces Council
on the Sciences (APICS) from 2004 to 2011 and hosted the Annual Atlantic Deans of Arts and Science
Meeting as well as the APICS Fall Council Session in November 2005. In addition, Dr. Britten also served
as an Executive Member-at-Large from 2005 to 2009. Aside for his own participation, Dr. Britten has
encouraged and supported student and faculty participation in various Science Atlantic conferences,
events, and activities.
Dr. Britten is an outstanding academic with many teaching, research, and service successes throughout
his career. The Hall of Fame Committee believes Dr. Allen J. Britten deserves to be recognized as an
“Outstanding Contributing Member” to Science Atlantic.
Dr. David H. S. Richardson, of Saint Mary’s University, has an extensive teaching career in Canada and
abroad. Dr. Richardson’s research specialization is on lichens and has published two books on the
subject as well as numerous articles and reports. During his academic career, Dr. Richardson has also
been involved with various committees and journals.
Dr. Richardson was the Dean of Science from September 1993 to July 2006. For the duration of this
time period, he served as a Council Member for the then Atlantic Provinces Council on the Sciences
(APICS). From November 1997 to November 1999, Dr. Richardson also served as an Executive Memberat-Large. In addition, Dr. Richardson served as the Vice-Chair of Council from November 1999 until his
retirement as the Dean of Science.
Dr. Richardson is an outstanding academic with many successes in teaching, research, and service. The
Hall of Fame Committee believes Dr. David H. S. Richardson deserves to be recognized as an
“Outstanding Contributing Member” to Science Atlantic.
Spring Council Session Meeting Package, April 24-25, 2015
Page 35
Ms. Holly Baker completed a Bachelor of Science (Honours) degree in Physics with Minors in
Mathematics and French in May 2009 at Memorial University of Newfoundland. Following this, she
completed a Graduate Diploma in Science Communication at Laurentian University and Science North
in May 2010. Since April 2012, Ms. Baker has been employed as the Assistant National Outreach
Coordinator for Let’s Talk Science. Before this, Ms. Baker had been employed as the Program
Administrator for Women in Science and Engineering (WISE) for Newfoundland and Labrador.
Beginning in high school and continuing to the present, Ms. Baker has sought to advance interest in
science in others.
While attending Memorial University, Ms. Baker served as a Student Volunteer who helped to organize
the 2006 Atlantic Undergraduate Physics and Astronomy Conference held in St. John’s, Newfoundland.
During her academic studies, Ms. Baker also presented her research at the 2007 Atlantic Undergraduate
Physics and Astronomy Conference (held in Sackville, New Brunswick) and the 2008 Atlantic
Undergraduate Physics and Astronomy Conference (held in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island). As a
result of these presentations, she received a national-level, poster award at the 2008 Canadian
Undergraduate Physics Conference held at the University of Toronto in Toronto, Ontario.
Ms. Baker is an outstanding mentor and role model. The Hall of Fame Committee believes Ms. Holly
Baker deserves to be recognized as an “Outstanding Alumna” to Science Atlantic.
Respectfully submitted,
Steven M. Smith
Chair, Hall of Fame Committee
Spring Council Session Meeting Package, April 24-25, 2015
Page 36