August 2020

Bursary now supports six students thanks to generosity of Flaherty family and friends

August 31, 2020

WHITEHORSE, YT — A student award that supported a single bursary of $500 annually will now support six students each year. This is thanks to the generosity of friends, family and two corporate donations.

Paul and Helen Flaherty created the bursary in 2016 while Paul served as Yukon College Board of Governors chair. The award supports students engaged in university prep courses, which many know as upgrading, with the intention of enrolling in a credit program.

From Paul’s time on the board, hearing directly from students on challenges they face in their educational journeys, he and Helen saw how precarious this first step of returning to post-secondary education can be. They endeavoured to support and encourage students at this initial stage.

Industrial disturbances are contributing to decline of boreal caribou

August 31, 2020

Boreal caribou. Photo credit: Gabriel Rivest

 A research paper released this month confirmed that significant declines in boreal caribou herds over the past 30 years are due to habitat disturbance. “Boreal Caribou Can Coexist with Natural but Not Industrial Disturbances”, was published in the Journal of Wildlife Management by five co-authors including Yukon University and University of Alberta professor, Dr. Fiona Schmiegelow. The paper concludes that caribou can persist with wildfire but will continue to decline in disturbed areas as a result of cumulative industrial activities if preventative or mitigative actions are not taken.

YukonU ensuring in-person supports available throughout Fall semester; orientation via video

August 28, 2020

WHITEHORSE, YT—With most credit program instruction taking place online in the Fall semester, YukonU is ensuring students can access in-person academic and personal supports at all 13 campuses.

“We know the shift to online learning due to COVID-19 comes with the loss of social contact and sense of community on campus. We expect students to be in greater need of in-person supports than ever before, so this is where our focus will be,” said Dr. Janet Welch, vice president Academic and Student Services.

“To protect the health and safety of students, employees and their loved ones, we can’t offer in-person classes, but we want credit students to know that campus supports are here for them,” added Welch.

Minto Explorations joins Yukon University’s Northern Mine Remediation Consortium

August 5, 2020

Yukon University welcomes Minto Explorations to the Northern Mine Remediation program’s Yukon Mining Research Consortium. Minto Explorations will be the seventh industrial partner to join the Consortium and the first member operating an active mine in the Territory.

Yukon offers internships to study impact of COVID-19

August 5, 2020

Joint news release with the Government of Yukon, Mitacs, Yukon University and the University of Alberta North

A unique opportunity to participate in COVID-19 research internships will benefit both Yukon organizations and post-secondary students.

Starting immediately, Yukon businesses, not-for profit organizations and municipalities can apply to be matched with post-secondary students who will research COVID-19’s impact on their operations and help develop plans to overcome those challenges. In return, students will gain high-quality work experience in the field of applied research.

Yukon University shares details on fall semester, new ways for students to connect

August 3, 2020

WHITEHORSE, YT— Yukon University has provided more details to new, prospective and returning credit program students about the Fall semester and created a new student support initiative, Connect2YukonU.

In a letter posted online and emailed today to students from Dr. Janet Welch, vice president Academic and Student Services, the University reiterated that teaching and learning for the Fall semester will take place primarily online.