As we prepare to depart for the long weekend,聽staff and faculty members are kindly asked to follow these safety precautions to help keep the university safe and secure. A checklist is available to those who would like to use it.

Close and Lock All Windows and Doors
Please remember to firmly close all exterior-facing windows and doors to prevent damage due to weather. Windows and doors left open can expose interior spaces to the elements and damage building property.

Additionally, while Campus Safety officers will monitor buildings during the closure, please help keep our campus safe from theft by locking all interior and exterior doors.

Unplug all Appliances, Including Space Heaters
Unplugging appliances, including space heaters, is essential to help mitigate fire risk. Electrical devices left plugged in can pose a hazard if faulty wiring or unexpected power surges occur, especially when spaces are unoccupied and incidents may go unnoticed. By ensuring all appliances are disconnected, we reduce the likelihood of accidental fires and help protect both property and personal safety during the break.

Shut聽Down聽Your PC
Ahead of the long weekend, please remember that leaving your computer powered on and unattended can create an opportunity for threat actors to access it. Please shut down your university-provided computer before the end of your final workday before the weekend.聽

Additionally leaving your out-of-office message on for external senders could make you a target for cyberattacks. Consider enabling your out-of-office for internal senders only.

Remove Food Items
Please ensure all open and/or perishable food items are removed from university premises to prevent unwanted odours and to deter pests from accessing them.

Preparation Checklist
A checklist is available if you would like to print it and follow your progress while you prepare for the weekend.

Thank you for your cooperation.

The post Long Weekend Safety Precautions appeared first on People, Finance and Operations.

The聽Department of Risk Management聽requests that staff,聽faculty聽and students聽travelling聽internationally聽on 杏吧原创-related business take聽steps聽to help ensure聽their聽safety.聽

Register Your Trip with International SOS 

Before you leave the country, you are advised to鈥�register your trip with International SOS鈥�(I-SOS). 杏吧原创 has partnered with I-SOS to provide travellers with security, medical and mental health assistance anywhere in the world. Through I-SOS, travellers have access to the 24/7 Assistance App and will receive timely security updates relevant to their destination.鈥� 鈥� 

Registration of Canadians Abroad 

 is a free service that allows the Government of Canada to notify you in case of an emergency at your destination or a personal emergency at home. The service also enables you to receive important information before or during a natural disaster or civil unrest. 

Questions? 

Contact the Department of Risk Management at risk@carleton.ca. 

The post What to Do Before You Travel on 杏吧原创-Related Business appeared first on People, Finance and Operations.

杏吧原创 University has once again been recognized as one of the  now for the 12th consecutive year.

杏吧原创 has demonstrated its dedication to creating a welcoming and forward-thinking workplace for over 2,700 full-time staff members. By emphasising wellness, professional development, and community involvement, 杏吧原创 enables its employees to excel in their careers.

鈥淲e are honoured to be acknowledged as leaders within the Ottawa community for our commitment to supporting faculty and staff through an extensive range of benefits, professional development opportunities, and wellness programs,鈥� says Duane McNair, Vice-President (People, Finance and Operations). 

杏吧原创 University is recognised for its commitment to supporting both physical and mental well-being through initiatives such as the Healthy Workplace programme. The institution offers competitive benefits, including a comprehensive pension plan, generous vacation entitlements, and tuition waivers for employees seeking further education. Additionally, professional development opportunities 鈥� such as the 杏吧原创 Leader initiative 鈥� underscore the university鈥檚 dedication to cultivating and investing in its workforce.  

This recognition is awarded as part of the National Capital Region鈥檚 Top Employers annual competition, organized by the editors of Canada鈥檚 Top 100 Employers. It honours organizations within the Ottawa-Gatineau area that demonstrate industry leadership by providing outstanding workplaces.  

The post 杏吧原创 Named a Top Employer in National Capital Region for 12th Consecutive Year appeared first on People, Finance and Operations.

杏吧原创 University has once again achieved a Gold rating through the Sustainability Tracking, Assessment & Rating System (STARS), demonstrating sustained leadership and continued progress in campus sustainability.

The post 杏吧原创 University Achieves Gold Rating for Sustainability Performance appeared first on People, Finance and Operations.

The Ottawa region is forecast to experience extremely cold temperatures the evening of Friday, Jan. 23, 2026, and into the weekend with temperatures as low as -35 degrees Celsius with the wind chill. Such conditions present increased risks to personal health and may result in damage to campus infrastructure. 杏吧原创 University urges all community members to exercise vigilance and take appropriate precautions to ensure their safety and the safety of others.

Safety Measures for the Campus Community

• Limit time spent outdoors during extreme cold conditions.
• Ensure that all exterior windows and doors remain fully closed to conserve heat and help prevent frozen pipes.
• Immediately report any building entrance doors that fail to close properly to Facilities Management and Planning (FMP) at FMP.Service.Centre@cunet.carleton.ca
• Report any signs of water leaks to FMP without delay.
• For urgent matters requiring immediate response, contact Campus Safety Services at 613-520-4444.

Health Risks Associated with Extreme Cold

Exposure to very low temperatures can lead to serious health effects, including:

• Hypothermia 鈥� A dangerous drop in core body temperature that can become life鈥憈hreatening without prompt medical attention.
• Frostbite 鈥� Freezing of exposed skin, particularly affecting the fingers, toes, nose and ears, which may result in long鈥憈erm tissue damage.

For any health concerns, call Campus Safety Services at 613-520-4444

Protective Measures for Individuals Working Outdoors

For individuals whose duties require outdoor work, the following precautions are strongly recommended:

• Dress in multiple layers of warm, insulating clothing, including a wind鈥憆esistant outer layer.
• Keep all skin covered to reduce the risk of frostbite.
• Wear a hat, insulated gloves or mittens, a scarf or face covering and insulated, waterproof footwear.
• Stay dry by adjusting layers to prevent excessive sweating.
• Maintain physical activity to support body heat.
• Follow a structured work/rest schedule, ensuring breaks occur in a warm, sheltered environment.
• Consider postponing or cancelling outdoor activities when temperatures or wind chill values reach extreme levels.

Additional Resources

For further information and guidance, please consult the following resources:

Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety (CCOHS) 鈥� Working in the Cold: 

City of Ottawa 鈥� Extremely Cold Temperatures Advisory: 

Ottawa Public Health 鈥� Cold Weather Information: 

The post Cold Weather Advisory: Jan. 23, 2026 appeared first on People, Finance and Operations.

As we prepare to depart for the holiday break, staff and faculty members are kindly asked to follow these safety precautions to help keep the university safe and secure. A checklist is available to those who would like to use it.

Close and Lock All Windows and Doors
With colder than normal weather this December, please remember to firmly close all exterior-facing windows and doors to prevent damage due to cold. Windows and doors left open during the winter season can expose interior spaces to the elements and damage building property. While this is crucial throughout winter, it will be especially important during the holiday closure when interior spaces are monitored less.

Additionally, while Campus Safety officers will monitor buildings during the closure, please help keep our campus safe from theft by locking all interior and exterior doors.

Unplug all Appliances, Including Space Heaters
Unplugging appliances, including space heaters, during the campus holiday closure is essential to help mitigate fire risk. Electrical devices left plugged in can pose a hazard if faulty wiring or unexpected power surges occur, especially when spaces are unoccupied and incidents may go unnoticed. By ensuring all appliances are disconnected, we reduce the likelihood of accidental fires and help protect both property and personal safety during the break.

Shut Down Your PC
Ahead of the holiday closure, please remember that leaving your computer powered on and unattended can create an opportunity for threat actors to access it. Please shut down your university-provided computer before the end of your final workday before the closure. 

Additionally leaving your out-of-office message on for external senders could make you a target for cyberattacks. Consider enabling your out-of-office for internal senders only.

Remove Food Items
Please聽ensure all open and/or perishable food items are removed from university premises to prevent unwanted odours and to deter pests from accessing them.

Arrange Building Access in Advance
As a reminder, all campus buildings will be locked during the holiday closure period. Authorized students, faculty and staff may gain access using their Campus Card at card readers in buildings equipped with that technology.

Faculty and staff are responsible for arranging any required access prior to the holiday closure by contacting your Department Chair and/or Department Administrator.

Campus Safety Services (CSS) within the Department of Risk Management will provide access to buildings on an emergency basis only. The CSS Communication Centre can be reached at 613-520-4444 in emergencies, and 613-520-3612 for general enquiries.

Holiday Break Preparation Checklist
A checklist is available if you would like to print it and follow your progress while you prepare for the break.

Thank you for your cooperation. Wishing you a very happy holiday.

The post Holiday Break Safety Precautions appeared first on People, Finance and Operations.

We are pleased to announce Ellen Melis鈥� appointment as Associate Vice-President, Human Resources and Chief People Officer.聽In this role, Melis will lead the development of an integrated human resources strategy that supports our mission and values. She will oversee key areas such as workforce planning, labour and employee relations, talent development, organizational renewal and digital transformation, all with a focus on fostering well-being and equity across the institution. Her leadership will be critical in guiding our people strategy through this period of change while ensuring that 杏吧原创 remains a caring, inclusive and high-performing community.

Melis brings more than 20 years of senior human resources leadership experience in complex, unionized environments, with a proven track record of driving cultural transformation and aligning human resources systems with organizational priorities. Most recently, she served as Senior Director of HR Strategy, Leadership, Learning & Inclusion for The Salvation Army, where she led enterprise-wide human resources modernization for 10,000 employees and 90,000 volunteers, including the implementation of Workday and the organization鈥檚 first centralized Learning Management System.

Her accomplishments include developing and executing integrated human resources strategies, advancing equity, diversity, and inclusion frameworks and building governance models that strengthen organizational resilience. Melis has also served as a trusted advisor to boards and senior leadership teams, guiding labour relations strategies and fostering collaborative, values-driven cultures.

鈥淓llen鈥檚 depth of experience and commitment to inclusive, people-centered leadership will be instrumental as 杏吧原创 navigates current challenges and works to strengthen its foundation for the future,鈥� said Duane McNair, Vice-President (People, Finance and Operations). 鈥淗er strategic vision and operational expertise will help us advance our institutional priorities and support the success of our faculty, staff and students.鈥�

Ellen holds a Ph.D. in Leadership and Change, and a Certified Human Resources Executive (CHRE) designation. She is also a certified executive coach and facilitator with extensive experience in leadership development and organizational transformation.

鈥淚 am inspired by 杏吧原创鈥檚 mission to be a smart, caring and inclusive community,鈥� said Melis. 鈥淚 look forward to collaborating with colleagues across the university to foster a culture of wellness, equity and innovation that empowers people and strengthens institutional capacity.鈥�

杏吧原创 would like to extend its gratitude to the search committee for their time spent working with KBRS Executive Search on this critical hire. Melis will begin her role starting on Monday, Jan. 5, 2026.  

Congratulations and welcome to 杏吧原创, Ellen! 

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The post appeared first on People, Finance and Operations.

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Facilities Management and Planning (FMP) partnered with student-led 杏吧原创 Conservation Collective to create a pollinator garden in Alumni Park, funded by Ecology Ottawa. This project, along with the former P9 green space and Tiny Forest, reflects FMP鈥檚 commitment to a biodiversity-friendly campus, recognized through 杏吧原创鈥檚 WWF Living Campus certification. These efforts support local ecosystems and provide living laboratories for teaching and research, benefitting the 杏吧原创 community.

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