ATHABASCA – Town of Athabasca mayor Colleen Powell has concerns about Athabasca University's plans to hold two conovocation events in 2020 — one in Athabasca and one in Toronto.
A Nov. 28 e-mail from AU president Dr. Neil Fassina to staff stated that the convocation ceremony will move from June to September to hopefully avoid fire season, and that it will be a one-day event, as opposed to two or three. The e-mail also states there will be a second day of convocation, but it will not be in Athabasca.
“The second exciting change is that AU will host an additional Convocation celebration this year in Toronto on October 2, 2020, as part of our 50th anniversary celebrations,” the e-mail said. “We have many students in Eastern Canada and hosting a Convocation event in Toronto will allow more of our students and alumni to join us to celebrate how far we have come in 50 years, and to look forward to what we will accomplish in the next 50.”
A shortened version of the e-mail appeared on the AU website the same day.
"We were not informed as it's moved from two days to one day with the second day being in Toronto,” said Powell at town council's Dec. 17 meeting. “So, I would like to send a letter to them expressing our concern about the fact that nobody in this community knew about this.”
Kristine Williamson, AU vice-president of university relations, said in an e-mail to the Advocate that the changes are due to AU having so many students worldwide and holding convocation only in Athabasca creates travel barriers for the graduates.
“We’re listening to our learners. We have many learners in Eastern Canada and have received feedback from them that travel to Alberta presents a barrier to attending Convocation and celebrating their achievement,” Williamson said. “We want to offer all graduating learners the opportunity to take part in Convocation especially in our 50th Anniversary year.
"By holding a Convocation ceremony in Toronto, Ont., in addition to our one-day Convocation ceremony in Athabasca, we hope to support more learners and their families in celebrating their success.”
Powell said that the town and Athabasca County would like to take part in the convocation by holding a breakfast.
“They are still bringing the graduates in and to show our appreciation of having this convocation here it would be a nice gesture to hold a community breakfast,” she said. “One of the suggestions was that we contact the University suggesting we do this or something else that they would request.”
The double disappointment for Powell comes from the fact AU is both turning 50 years old and celebrating 35 years in Athabasca in 2020. Powell was hoping for a big celebration the whole community could take part in.
“We would very much like to do something and they did say something would be happening,” she added.
Williamson confirmed there will be celebrations in Athabasca, but did not elaborate on what they would entail.
“We are planning a wide variety of events related to our 50th Anniversary throughout 2020, including several in Athabasca,” Williamson explained. “You can expect to hear more about these plans in the coming months as we finalize the details.”
Town council reiterated concerns that AU appears to have one foot out of the Athabasca.
“Athabasca University’s long-range plans include maintaining our presence in the Town of Athabasca and continuing to foster employment growth in the Athabasca region,” Williamson responded via e-mail. “President Fassina spoke about this at length in October during his interview with the Athabasca Advocate and our position has not changed.”
The wording of the e-mail and notice did leave some wondering if the golden anniversary celebrations would include events in Athabasca as it was mentioned in conjunction with the Toronto convocation.
“It is inaccurate to say that the 50th Anniversary celebrations will take place in Toronto and not Athabasca. We will host a one-day convocation ceremony in Toronto to ensure more of our learners have the opportunity to celebrate their years of hard work with their family and friends,” Williamson replied. “We look forward to celebrating our 50th Anniversary in many ways, including events in our home community of Athabasca.”
Council will send a joint letter with the county to AU offering to hold a breakfast for convocation, or some other event as considered proper by AU since it is a one-day event.
Council also will be inviting Nancy Laird, the chair of AU’s board of governors to a meeting in the new year to keep lines of communication open.
