New Dean of Faculty of Education
On Jan. 28, the University announced the appointment of Amy Burns as the Dean of the Faculty of Education, starting a five-year term on July 1.
Burns, currently serving as interim dean at the Werklund School of Education at the University of Calgary, succeeds Rebecca Luce-Kapler, who will be stepping down on June 30.
READ MORE: Dean of the Faculty of Education stepping down after two
ing the Werklund School in 2014, Burns served a six-year term as the Associate Dean of Undergraduate Programs in Education before becoming interim dean. She’s served in several other leadership and academic roles at the University of Calgary, including as an associate professor.
“I am very excited and humbled by the opportunity to Queen’s University as the next Dean of the Faculty of Education,” Burns told the Gazette.
In her previous roles, she focused on enhancing the student experience, building research opportunities, and fostering impactful community collaborations.
Burns co-created and served as the academic coordinator for the Leading with Heart certificate, a four-course graduate program encouraging students to explore leadership in education, at the University of Calgary.
“I’m very pleased to welcome Dr. Burns to Queen’s Faculty of Education,” Principal Patrick Deane told the Gazette. “She brings a range of experience in academia and leadership and is well-placed to the growth and strategic priorities of the faculty.”
$1.3 million gift creates new math and stats professorship
An anonymous $1.3 million donation establishes a new professorship in the Department of Mathematics and Statistics, aimed at enhancing experiential learning, outreach, and research.
Named after Peter Taylor, ArtSci ’64—one of the longest-serving faculty at the University—the professorship will be funded over the next decade to mentoring future leaders, according to the Gazette.
Taylor, whose been teaching for 56 years, is known for his work with the Ontario Ministry of Education and for co-founding RabbitMath, a high-school math program that fosters collaboration and creativity by offering hands-on Ontario Math Curriculum-aligned activities that emphasize complex mathematical concepts.
In 2013, the Peter Taylor Math Camp Fund was created in recognition of his service to the University. The program now helps finance Math Quest, a summer camp for high-school girls.
“I know this generous gift will help the department continue to recruit top-tier faculty who will provide invaluable mentorship to students,” Taylor told the Gazette.
The new professorship aligns with Queen’s strategic goals of research impact, student learning, and global engagement. Interim Dean of Arts and Science, Bob Lemieux, praised the generosity of the donor, emphasizing the opportunity to attract distinguished scholars and further enhance the University’s educational experience.
Update to the Harassment and Discrimination Prevention and Response Policy
On Jan. 31, the University announced its revision to their Harassment and Discrimination Prevention and Response Policy (H&D Policy) to meet the requirements outlined in the anti-hate and anti-racism directive issued by the Ontario Minister of Colleges and Universities.
The directive mandates all publicly funded colleges and universities implement the necessary changes by Jan. 31, 2025. The updated policy was approved by the Queen’s Board of Trustees last December.
One of the changes includes an update to Section 2.5 of the H&D Policy statement, which now specifies if hate or racism, based on any protected ground under the Ontario Human Rights Code, is identified as a factor in harassment, discrimination, or acts of reprisal, it will be treated as an aggravating factor when determining the appropriate disciplinary actions or sanctions.
Originally approved in 2021, the H&D Policy provides a centralized system for addressing harassment and discrimination concerns at the university. Rather than creating a separate policy, the University opted to amend the current one, ensuring a streamlined approach to handling such matters.
READ MORE: New Harassment and Discrimination Policy effective Sept. 1
Every five years, under the 2024 Strengthening ability and Student s Act, the Ministry of Colleges and Universities will require educational institutions to review and update their anti-racism and anti-hate policies as needed.
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