From a partnership between the U of G and the Ukraine, to pro-choice protesters lining the streets of downtown, here is what The Ontarion noticed in the news this week.
U of G is first Canadian university to partner with a Ukrainian school
As part of an international partnership program, the University of Guelph has become the first Canadian post-secondary institution to twin with a Ukrainian university.
The U of G will twin the Dnipro State Agrarian and Economic University (DSAEU), home to 8,000 students and 500 faculty, which is located just 150 kilometres from the front lines of the Russian invasion. As a result, students, staff, and faculty will be able to conduct work and research together.
“This partnership is a testament to the unrelenting power of higher education and the profound courage of the students, staff and faculty of Dnipro State Agrarian and Economic University,” said Yates in a U of G news release.
“I want the students, staff and faculty of DSAEU to know that this [memorandum of understanding] represents the beginning of a long-term commitment with the University of Guelph to collaborating on impactful academic and research endeavours.”
The partnership program aims to help Ukraine recover from the impacts of war and prevent “brain drain.” Over 40 U of G faculty members have already shown interest in exchanges and research partnerships, and Ukrainian graduate students and senior undergraduates may visit the U of G as early as this coming fall to conduct research training.
The fine details of the partnership programs with the DSAEU have yet to be figured out, but officials expect that this move will prompt other Canadian universities to follow Guelph’s lead and partner with Ukrainian post-secondary institutions.
Julia Budzinski, daughter of Blue Jays coach, dies during boating accident
17-year-old Julia Budzinski died last weekend during a tubing accident in Virginia. She was a rising senior, a sports player, and the daughter of Toronto Blue Jays first base coach Mark Budzinski.
According to Sports Illustrated, the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources reported that Julia and another girl fell out of the tube as it was being pulled behind a boat. When the boat operator turned to get them, the boat hit a wave, pushing it on top of Julia and hitting her with the propeller. The operator and the driver of another boat jumped in after her. Julia was pronounced dead at the hospital.
No foul play is suspected, and alcohol was not a factor.
Mark heard about his daughter’s death during the Blue Jays’ third inning of their second game against the Rays. The Blue Jays later released a statement saying he would take time away from the team to grieve alongside his family.
A vigil and a moment of silence was held for Julia before Sunday’s series finale.
“It was a very happy, fun last day on Earth for her,” said Julia’s mother, Monica Budzinski, at the vigil. “She was happy, laughing, having a good time and that’s the way I’m going to remember her.”
‘Abortion is healthcare’: Guelph protest advocates for reproductive health services
Following the overturning of Roe v Wade by the U.S. Supreme Court, locals filled Guelph City Hall in protest and urged the point: “abortion is healthcare.”
Julie Pederson is an OVC student at the University of Guelph, and she said that while Canada is not affected by the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision, there is still plenty of work to be done for reproductive rights.
Although abortion is legal here, it is not necessarily easy to access. Those who want the procedure done often need to travel long distances. Abortions aren’t even currently performed at the Guelph General Hospital.
“I’m 23, I’m in vet school, so like, four more years of my degree. So having a kid right now, it’s not financially stable, it’s not stable in my life at all,” said Pederson. “My mom [who was adopted from a teen pregnancy] was one of the lucky ones. I know not every kid is. And I know I can’t give what I need to a kid.”
Many others spoke at the protest, including organizers, nurses, and people who’ve experienced abortions, and several insisted on better accessibility to reproductive healthcare in Guelph.
As a result, organizers from the Guelph Resource Centre for Gender Empowerment And Diversity are demanding that the city offer free access to morning after and abortion pills, increase funding for SHORE so they can expand abortion services to Guelph, offer surgical abortions, and remove the “deeply harmful” pro-life bus ads on Guelph city busses.