Articles

The Incalculable Cost of a Vowel

Did you send an e-mail to Dr. Ken Coates this month? you’d better read this: On the game show “Wheel of Fortune” vowels were so critical to solving the puzzle that contestants had to purchase them. As soon as the letter “e” appeared on the board, the solution often became obvious. The value of the… Read more »

Do Three Things for Canada’s 150th Birthday

Canada’s 150th birthday year is gearing up for its big party on July 1. There are lots of celebrations planned in towns and cities across the country, but many Canadians still feel unsure about how they can get involved. One Calgary-based initiative is hoping to change that. Called “3 Things for Canada”, it is designed… Read more »

The Perception of Busy

There has been a debate circulating around social media in the last few months with people and articles seeking to answer the question: “is being “?busy”? selfish?”. A majority of these, be they quotes or articles, suggest that you should put your relationships before work. Which sounds good in theory, but the work will almost… Read more »

Editorial – An Issue of Importance

There’s a lot of important stuff in this issue. The feature article is the result of attending the various teleconferences and my own interview with Dr. Kenneth Coates, the man leading the third-party review of Athabasca University to help chart a path to sustainability. Longer than I’d typically include (after all, you’ve been studying all… Read more »

Editorial – A Pot of Gold

This was a busy week for Athabasca University and AUSU. If you’re not already aware, the government has appointed a new chair for the AU Board of Governors. Join us in welcoming architect Vivian Manasc as the new chair of the university. Ms. Manasc, as pointed out in an albertapolitics.ca article, is the founder and… Read more »

The Return of Green

On March 17, it is said, everyone is Irish. In Canada, it sometimes seems so. From Montreal to Manitoba, from Toronto to the Calgary Tower, green-attired St. Patrick’s Day revellers will march in parades, wear shamrocks, and drink green beer. The cross-cultural appeal of St. Patrick’s Day celebrations is exceptional. Does anyone outside the Finnish… Read more »

Convocate

It is getting to be that time of year when students nearing the end of their program are trying to decide whether to make the pilgrimage to Athabasca for convocation or not. I decided early that I wanted to make it there, I wanted to walk that stage and be handed the degree I had… Read more »