Western University
1151 Richmond Street N6A 3K7 London, ON, Canada

This isn't the back to school that you expected, and we know families, students and teachers are facing so much right now. We are cheering for you, and sending these helpful ideas from Dr. Colin King, Faculty of Education - Western University. Patience, routine, compassion and making space for yourself are all going to be in even more demand over the coming weeks and months.

We met in Uganda when completing a semester abroad. We were in separate Graduate programs at Western, but happened to be at the same research facility in Uganda completing HIV research for our respective degrees. This was back in the summer of 2017 and we’re still going strong! Jason & Resh Today we are celebrating all kinds of relationships that began at Western! Post your photo and story in the comments! ... Photo taken before COVID-19. See more

Congratulations to all the dedicated Londoners who were named to the Mayor's New Year's Honour List, including Arthur Labatt Family School of Nursing professor Abe Oudshoorn, Don Wright Faculty of Music dean Betty Anne Younker and five outstanding Western alumni. Thank you all for making our community better through your contributions. #purpleandproud

Last year, Western's Northern Tornadoes Project conducted 409 investigations, verifying 77 tornadoes across the country, thanks in part to reports from everyday Canadians.

The pivots COVID-19 necessitated translated into a whole new way to teach, study, work, play, celebrate and graduate at Western University. Read how we managed, together.

Stuck, for months at a time, with the same people day in and day out. Sound familiar? Lessons learned getting ready for the trip to Mars might help us out at home too. Be conscientious. Stop coasting. New research from the Institute for Earth and Space Exploration at Western University tested the team dynamics of five astronauts during an analog Mars mission and that the more conscientiousness a team is, the better they will likely be at accomplishing tasks. The study also found that embracing each other's differences in views and opinions might actually improve team performance because the team gets to benefit from each member’s knowledge and perspective.

At no other time in our lives were so many researchers at Western University zeroed in on understanding, treating and solving One Big Problem. They tackled the impact of COVID-19 from all angles: medicine and health to ethics, engineering and music.

This year has brought on many changes, and at Western, we've all adapted to keep our community healthy and safe. We want to thank you for adhering to the COVID-19 guidelines and modelling what it means to share the responsibility of keeping yourself, each other, and our community safe. A reminder that all members of the Western community are required to wear non-medical masks or face coverings indoors in the presence of others, outdoors when physical distancing isn’t possible... and in common and shared spaces such as corridors, lobbies, washrooms, elevators, classrooms, teaching laboratories and meeting rooms. For those with approved accommodations who are unable to wear a mask, Western will provide a face shield. Find more information at uwo.ca/coronavirus.

We are speed, lightning speed. Western University became the first Canadian university with a 5G network in a partnership with Bell Canada that will transform data-based research.

Western experts Eric Arts, Kate Choi, and Prachi Srivastava discuss the inequalities that have caused vulnerable populations to be hit the hardest by COVID-19, and the many ways that the pandemic is taking global - and local - inequalities to even greater heights.

Take Care WesternU. We must all take persistent steps to take care of ourselves, each other, and our community: Limit your contacts Practice physical distancing Wear a mask Wash your hands thoroughly ... Get tested on campus if you have COVID-19 symptoms Western's COVID testing centre will be open Monday, November 23 through Friday, November 27 from 9:30 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. See more

That’s a wrap! Thank you Future Mustangs for joining us for our first-ever Virtual Fall Preview Day. And a HUGE #purpleandproud thank you to the over 300 staff, faculty and students who helped make today possible Recordings from the event are available online so you can relive the experience or listen in for the first time. Let’s stay connected!

Western University's commitment to sustainability in 2020 was far more than a (phosphate-free) laundry list of activities.

Virtual Fall Preview Day is going to be an experience like no other, and it's not too late to join the fun Explore Western and all it has to offer by registering online and stopping by the presentations of your choice. Get ready to fall in love with Western.

ConGRADulations, Mustangs! You did it, and we’re so incredibly excited for each and every member of our Class of 2020. We know this year will be one to look back on, not just because you made it to graduation, but because you did so during a pandemic. We hope you’re as proud of your achievements as we are.... You’re being welcomed into the over 315,000 strong Western alumni family. Join us online tonight at 7 p.m. Eastern Standard at for the Class of 2020's Last Lecture. One of Western's most beloved professors, Dr. Mike Atkinson, will join us virtually to speak to you one last time as students, and for the first time as Western alumni.

A circuit breaker lockdown is a lockdown with a set start and end date, and the requirements depend on how aggressive a government wants to be. We know there is some level of effectiveness. That being said, that effectiveness is not for the entire population and appears to protect some while leaving others at risk. - Dr. Nitin Mohan, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry

As fall reading week at Western University approaches (Nov. 2-8), we want to remind #WesternU students to avoid unnecessary travel to COVID-19 hot spots right n...ow - Toronto (and the GTA, including Peel Region), Ottawa, Quebec City, and Montreal. If you must travel, keep your distance from anyone you haven’t been living with while in London and wear a mask indoors/outdoors, especially when it’s hard to keep distance. #TakeCareWesternU

A registered organ donor could save the lives of many patients awaiting heart, kidney, liver, lung or pancreas transplantation. Organ storage and transportation systems have seen little change since the late 1960s. There has to be a better, safer and more effective way to transport something so valuable to saving someone’s life. And now there is. Western researchers have designed, developed and constructed a new portable temperature regulating device, which can be used to tra...nsport a wide array of temperature-sensitive items including organs, vaccines and pharmaceuticals. Devices currently available in the market (with improper temperature-regulating technologies) can cause deterioration or loss of items, and may have a significant negative impact on human health. "It is 2020 and yet we are still transporting vaccines and organs in devices using primitive cooling methods like ice packs or ice cubes, with no control. - Kamran Siddiqui, Faculty of Engineering - Western University. Traditional devices are built without controls and have difficulty sustaining a fixed temperature (hot or cold). The new device developed by Siddiqui and Steven Jevnikar, his former graduate student and now a research associate at Lawson Research Institute, can be controlled and maintained at a constant-set point temperature independent of the surrounding temperatures for an extended period of time. The device also has the capability to vary the temperature to different set points for different time durations during transportation. There is also no need for an external electrical source, and it can also be controlled and monitored remotely. The need for safe transportation has never been more evident than today as the global COVID-19 pandemic affects all of our lives. Our technology is very promising and has already attracted international interest." - Siddiqui Temperature requirements for safe and effective vaccine transport are quite narrow, especially for COVID-19 vaccines currently under development around the world. Our device may be one of the only options available to meet the strict criteria for worldwide vaccine transport. - Jevnikar. The project arose from collaboration between Western Engineering, the Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry - Western University, the Lawson Health Research Institute and LHSC Centre Multi Organ Transplant Program. It is supported by NSERC / CRSNG grants, as well as WORLDiscoveries.

We’re celebrating five years of Kind Mail! That’s five years and 6600+ messages sent to cheer our students on during their exams and finals. That’s KIND of amazing. Alumni, faculty, staff and parents can all send #KindMail to our current students and cheer them on to the finish line! Want to send #KindMail to a student at an affiliate college or off-campus? Select those options when completing your note and we will make sure your note arrives. ... Kind Mail is open until Monday, so get to writing and make a student's day!

COVID-19 Update: With eight confirmed positive cases in Saugeen-Maitland Hall residence, Western is working closely with Middlesex-London Health Unit to notify and support students, including contact tracing and all necessary testing and quarantine arrangements.

Three Western graduates are among the recipients of the Governor General’s Academic Gold Medals this year. Created in 1873, the medals are among the most prestigious awards students in Canadian schools can receive. #purpleandproud

Art wherever you are! Professor Tricia Johnson draws on all her experience and creativity as she transforms her visual arts courses for remote learning during the pandemic. Department of Visual Arts & ArtLab Gallery at Western University Arts and Humanities at Western

Western will be offering a free flu immunization clinic for students, faculty, staff in the Western Student Recreation Centre lower gymnasium - starting Thursday, October 29 and running until Friday, November 12. No appointment required. Dates and times vary each day. A flu shot is the best way to reduce your chances of getting the flu. If we all get immunized, together we help preserve medical resources for those suffering more severe symptoms of the flu and COVID-19. The f...lu shot won’t prevent COVID-19 but it will reduce your chances of getting sick with influenza & spreading it to others. The immunization clinics will run without appointments on the following days: Thurs, Oct. 29 (9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.) Fri, Oct. 30 (9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.) Tue, Nov. 3 (9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.) Wed, Nov. 4 (9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.) Thurs, Nov. 5 (9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.) Tue, Nov. 10 (9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.) Wed, Nov. 11 (9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.) Thurs, Nov. 12 (9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.) Students and employees with access issues or disabilities, please contact Student Health Clinic or Workplace Health. Please bring your OHIP or UHIP card, or proof of other provincial health insurance.

If you had to travel this weekend, please be extra vigilant as you return to Western University and London, Ontario and re-establish your households. Self-monitor for COVID-19 symptoms and if you have symptoms, get tested. https://www.uwo.ca/coronavirus/testing.html Continue to adhere to health and safety practices: practise physical distancing wear a face covering ... wash your hands frequently and thoroughly follow all Provincial gathering limits and rules See more

Politics is life, says Professor Nigmendra Narain, who designed his 700-student online class to be a virtual coffee shop of ideas. 'Even Shakespeare was political, except he expressed it in iambic pentameter.'

Calling all of our Fall 2020 grads! Show us how you're celebrating your graduation - whether it's a mini backyard graduation, or a self-care day, let us know what you're doing to make this moment special for you. Tag us in your photos or submit online at http://uwo.ca/classof2020 to be included in a special creative project just for our fall graduates. ps. Find stickers and gifs on Instagram by searching WesternClassof2020

"It's not enough to cultivate students as scholars - success means helping them grow as people." - Professor Nicole Campbell, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry - Western University

As special advisors on anti-racism, Nicole Kaniki and Bertha Garcia are laying the foundation for an interim advisory council on equity, diversity and inclusion at Western. As they work to embed equity, diversity and inclusion principles into institutional structure, Western’s first anti-racism advisors are asking the campus community to join them in their journey. We are committed to working with students, faculty, staff and alumni to ensure Western is a place where everyon...Continue reading

These students will be dazzling, and informed, conversationalists when dinner talk turns to #FlatteningTheCurve. Professor Lindi Wahl's revamped course on mathematical biology is all about modelling #COVID19 trajectories.

Limited access to food. Encouraged stockpiling. Reduced access to fitness facilities, doctors, therapists and other forms of treatment. There is reason to believe there is a hidden health crisis within the broader pandemic for those with eating disorders. Physical distancing, quarantines and lockdowns have become necessary evils in the global fight against COVID-19 but for those battling eating disorders, this ‘new normal’ fuelled by an onslaught of mixed messaging may ma...ke managing recovery and accessing treatment particularly challenging. Given the importance of proper nutrition and flexible eating for sustained eating disorder recovery, one of the most disruptive pattern changes for individuals with eating disorders is limited access to restaurants and grocery stores. As health officials have encouraged the public to limit their trips outside the home, those with restrictive eating disorders may use these measures to avoid purchasing food and eating. Alternatively, the encouraged stockpiling, hoarding, and the rebirth of the home food pantry may be triggering for those struggling with binge eating. These conditions have created the perfect storm for eating disorder onset and relapse. - Jaclyn Siegel, PhD candidate in social psychology and co-author of recent paper published in the journal Eating Disorders: Journal of Treatment and Prevention. Forced closings and truncated hours of gyms, fitness centres and yoga studios have greatly restricted access to gentle physical activities that can help those with eating disorders manage their conditions. Combined with the drastically reduced availability for appointments with doctors, therapists and other healthcare providers and treatment centres, there is reason to believe there may be a hidden health crisis within the broader pandemic for those with eating disorders. The study also provides recommendations for clinicians and individuals who are navigating eating disorder recovery, such as seeking virtual medical advice from telehealth, guided self-help, and connecting with online eating disorder support groups. Eating disorders are often trivialized as a benign affliction of wealthy, thin, teenage, white girls, but in reality, eating disorders are severe psychiatric conditions that can affect people of all backgrounds, genders, and body sizes. They have biological, psychological and social roots, and an extremely high mortality rate. - Jaclyn Siegel

1,000 hygiene kits prepared by Western students during OServes can be life-changing for people living in poverty in London, Ontario. See the difference a community makes together. University Students' Council of Western Western Student Experience City of London, Ontario - Municipal Government

Is your dream Spoke bagel flavour inspired by pandemic baking, or is it an ode to decidedly more precedented times? Maybe it's a savoury sourdough pickle juice, or a sweet treat pancake cereal that goes perfectly with your whipped coffee? Class of 2020 grads, the next new Spoke bagel flavour is whatever you want it to be. Let your inner home chef or latest craving run and wild submit your ideas for a new favourite from The Wave & Spoke and University Students' Council of Western that will be dedicated to YOUR graduating class. Flavours go to a vote soon, so don't miss your chance to submit http://westernusc.ca/gradbagel/

We're sending a little piece of Western the newest edition of the Alumni Gazette to the homes of our alumni all around the world. Can't wait for it to arrive? Get a head start by reading it online.

Dear Western Students, With a busy September behind us, and as we look towards Thanksgiving, I want to provide you with a few important updates. We know you value staying connected and being on campus. We want to foster that experience as much as we can during these uncertain times. Right now, our plan is to continue with the mixed model for the winter term. We expect it to look like the current semester, with approximately 20 per cent of undergraduate and graduate courses t...aught in person or with an on-campus component, like a lab or studio. Your safety remains our top priority. As we monitor local and provincial case counts, we remain in a modified version of Western’s phase three in our return-to-campus plan, meaning some operations and activities on campus are paused. Our dedicated staff continue to implement enhanced cleaning measures and safety protocols in our classrooms, residences and shared spaces. And we continue to offer COVID-19 testing to students and employees at our own on-campus testing clinic. Some of you may have plans to go home for Thanksgiving to reconnect with friends and loved ones. It’s important to note that today the Middlesex-London Health Unit (MLHU) announced they are discouraging non-essential travel to Ottawa, Montreal, Quebec City and the Greater Toronto Area, including Peel Region. We continue to work closely with the MLHU to ensure we’re meeting all government and public health directives. If they advise us to change course, we will. I encourage you to heed the advice of the health unit, but if you do travel, I strongly advise you to limit your interactions to your immediate family. Wear a mask, practice physical distancing, and wash your hands to protect yourself and those around you. Federal and provincial authorities are strongly discouraging any travel outside of Canada. If you do travel abroad, you must self-quarantine for 14 days upon your return and register your quarantine plan with Western in advance. Ontario is experiencing a second wave. It’s real. We must continue to be vigilant in the fight against COVID-19. A few weeks ago, I asked you to double down in following all the proper safety precautions to stop the spread of COVID-19. Your response was great thank you so much. Let’s keep it up. Be well and be safe. Alan Shepard President and Vice-Chancellor

COVID-19 is making access to justice more difficult for some. In response, Western law students are providing free legal services to disadvantaged communities in London, Ontario. There’s an increased awareness about the lack of access to justice in our marginalized communities, particularly during COVID, which has made it more challenging for people to access the services they need. - James Hutchinson, a second-year law student who with third-year student Sarah Hagarty is c...o-ordinating the Western chapter of Pro Bono Students Canada (PBSC). PBSC has been providing free legal support to people and communities facing barriers to justice since 1996. This year, the Western chapter with more than 50 law student volunteers is running 23 projects providing free legal services to disadvantaged communities in the London area. The response from our students this year has been overwhelming. It’s heartwarming to see law students engage with community partners to bring access to justice for the most vulnerable members of our community. We are here to help individuals in our community facing barriers, and that help is needed now more than ever. - Kimberley Gagan, Western Law’s director of clinics & practical skills.

Together, we are exploring new ideas and imagining the next chapter for Western. Nominations are being accepted (including self-nominations) for Western's Strategic Planning Steering Committee until 4p.m. Friday, October 9. The nominating process is open to all Western students, faculty and staff.

Mustangs, you’re already into midterms and very close to being halfway done the fall term. In normal times, that is an achievement, and here you are getting it done during a pandemic. We know this has been a lot. Remember that it’s important to take care of yourself, and listen to your limits too. Take some time to find new ways to have fun, whether it’s an online games night, taking time for a walk, the Don Wright Faculty of Music - Western University concert series, or taki...ng in a virtual museum exhibit. Visit Western Student Experience for digital and remote supports that we’ve put together just for you from academic and learning supports, to career development resources, to on-campus and virtual health and wellness: https://www.uwo.ca/se/digital/ Sometimes, it helps to talk to someone and starting this week, CMHA Middlesex is going to be offering in-person and virtual after-hours crisis counselling for Western, Brescia, Huron and King’s students Mondays & Wednesdays in UCC 11 and Tuesdays virtually from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. For virtual appointments, email your phone number to [email protected] between 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. on Tuesdays and an intake worker will call you. Take care of yourself, and the people around you. Check in, reach out, ask for what you need and try to lift up those around you. We are listening and whatever you’re looking for, let us know and we’ll do everything we can to connect you.

In line with Middlesex-London Health Unit, starting tomorrow the Western COVID-19 testing clinic will prioritize students, staff and faculty most in need of a COVID-19 test. Hours this week are 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. (Tuesday to Friday).

Happy Homecoming, Mustangs! We're counting down the hours to tonight's (virtual) coffeehouse with Ivan Coyote, Mina Gerges, Louise Pitre and so many more and then tomorrow's signature Western Stories & Songs with hosted by CTV’s etalk L.A. correspondent, Liz Trinnear, and performances by BAM!, Genevieve Fisher, The McAuley Boys, Rick McGhie and superstar DJ duo and JUNO-award winners, Loud Luxury. And in between? We've got a special Gameday with Donnovan Bennett, Sports...net and Brodie Lawson, CFL and Coach Greg Marshall. We've got the Golden Anniversary (virtual edition) for alumni celebrating reunion years: 1970, 1965, 1960, 1955, 1950, 1945 and 1940. And on top of all that, your home faculties and affiliates have planned special programming for you. Find it all on the Homecoming website: http://alumni.westernu.ca/events/homecoming-reunions/

A build-at-home robot kit will help Western Engineering students problem-solve in new ways. ‘It isn’t replicating what we had in the lab before, it’s re-imagining.' - Professor Michael Naish Faculty of Engineering - Western University

Interested in becoming a Western student? These interactive presentations are for you! 1 Choose Western We recommend everyone attend this presentation! We’ll help you create a framework to compare universities. 2 Applying... Feel confident applying after we go through all the steps and help you understand the admission process. 3 Careers Understand how to choose a program for the career you want and what experiences you could have at Western. Sign up now!