About the Calendar
Disclaimer:
The Office of the Registrar is continuing to update 2024-2025 Academic Calendar within the Pressbooks platform. The contents of this Academic Calendar are subject to ongoing review and may be updated as necessary. For questions about the content in the Academic Calendar please reach out to registrar@cbu.ca.
The Cape Breton University Undergraduate Calendar is published several months in advance of the beginning of the academic year. The Calendar assists readers to understand the academic and administrative structure, policies, and procedures of the University, and describes the academic programs offered. Cape Breton University produces its academic calendar in an online version. The information in the calendar is under continuous review. CBU reserves the right to make such amendments and additions as deemed appropriate.
Every effort has been made to ensure this Calendar is accurate. Errors and post-publication changes after initial publication of the Calendar are posted as soon as possible. The content of this calendar is subject to change without notice, other than through the regular processes of Cape Breton University, and every student accepted for registration in the University shall be deemed to have agreed to any such deletion, revision or addition whether made before or after said acceptance. Additionally, students are advised that this calendar is not an all-inclusive set of rules and regulations but represents only a portion of the rules and regulations that will govern the student’s relationship with the University. Other rules and regulations are contained in additional publications that are available to the student from the Registrar’s Office, and/or the relevant faculty, department, or school.
Upon registration, each student becomes bound by the policies and regulations of Cape Breton University. Students are responsible for being familiar with the general information, rules, and regulations of Cape Breton University, as well as the specific requirements of each program, degree, diploma or certificate that the student aims to achieve. Not every course listed in the Calendar will necessarily be offered in any academic year Cape Breton University reserves the right to limit the number of students who enrol in any program or course. While reasonable efforts will be made to offer courses as required within programs, admission to a program does not guarantee admission to any given course. If there is an inconsistency between the Calendar and regulations and policies established by a resolution of Senate, the version of such material as it is established by Senate will take precedence and be binding on students.
Cape Breton University disclaims all responsibility and liability for loss or damage suffered or incurred by any student or other party as a result of delays in or termination of its services, courses or classes for any reason whatsoever including, but not limited to by reason of force majeure, which may include, without limitation, fire, flood, riots, war, strikes, lock-outs, pandemic or threats to human health and safety, damage to University property, financial exigency or other events beyond the reasonable control of the University. Cape Breton University also disclaims any and all liability for damages arising as a result of interruptions or disruptions to operations or connected with its operations or its campuses, arising out of computer failure or non-compliance of its computing systems, howsoever caused.
Please note, students are responsible to follow academic and financial policies and regulations in our CBU Academic Calendar and on our Financial Deadlines, Policies and
Regulations page. Upon registration, students agree to be, and shall be, bound by the regulations and policies of Cape Breton University as published in the CBU Academic Calendar or otherwise enacted by the University.
Cape Breton University reserves the right, without liability or penalty and without notice, to make changes to its policies and offered services and programs, including alteration of fees, cancellation of particular courses and changes to financial policies including the Refund Policy. Every student accepted for registration in Cape Breton University shall be deemed to have agreed to any such changes, whether made before or after said acceptance. Please see the Cape Breton University Academic Calendar .
Note: The CBU calendar moved from print to digital format as on November 24, 2016.
Official Statement
Cape Breton University (CBU) does not accept any responsibility for loss or damage suffered or incurred by any student as a result of suspension or termination of services, courses, or classes caused by reason of strikes, lockouts, riots, weather, damage to University property and any other cause beyond the reasonable control of CBU. Each student bears the responsibility of ensuring that his/her course choices satisfy both the overall program regulations and the individual department regulations for specializations, concentrations or majors.
Land Acknowledgement
Cape Breton University is in Mi’kma’ki, the ancestral and unceded territory of the Mi’kmaq Nation. This territory is covered by the “Treaties of Peace and Friendship” which Mi’kmaq, Wəlastəkwiyik, and Passamaquoddy Peoples first signed with the British Crown in 1725 and 1726. The treaties did not deal with surrender of lands and resources but in fact recognized Mi’kmaq and Wəlastəkwiyik title and established the rules for what was to be an ongoing relationship between nations.
Cape Breton University is committed to growing and nurturing these relationships and working to fulfil the Truth and Reconciliations Commission’s Calls to Action for post-secondary education.
Cape Breton University Association Information
Cape Breton University is an ordinary (full) member of the Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada (AUCC), the Association of Canadian Community Colleges (ACCC) and Association of Atlantic Universities (AAU), as well as an Associate Member of the Association of Commonwealth Universities (ACU).
The CBU calendar is published by the Office of the Registrar and Admissions.Located in Sydney, Nova Scotia, Cape Breton University (CBU) is Nova Scotia’s youngest university. In the early 1970s, the need to develop an institution of higher learning to support the island’s economy was recognized and in 1974, the College of Cape Breton (CCB) was established through an amalgamation of Xavier Junior College and the Nova Scotia Institute of Technology. Eight years later, the College was granted university status and became the University College of Cape Breton (UCCB), offering a mix of liberal arts and sciences degree programs, together with technological and vocational diploma programs. In the years that followed, UCCB was transformed into a primarily university-level institution, so a second name change, to the current Cape Breton University, received Royal Assent on May 19, 2005.
Today, CBU is home to approximately 8000 students, with over half of these students coming to CBU from outside of Canada. CBU is a comprehensive, primarily undergraduate university, offering a range of liberal arts, science, and professional programs, spread across four academic schools: School of Arts d Social Sciences, School of Science and Technology, Shannon School of Business, and the School of Education and Health. CBU currently offers two Master-level programs, namely Canada’s only Master of Business Administration in Community Economic Development and a Master of Education with a focus on Sustainability, Creativity and Innovation. In addition to the schools, Cape Breton University’s Unama’ki College provides educational opportunities, resources, and supports to the university’s almost 300 Indigenous students.
The university maintains strong ties with the community and demonstrates an ongoing commitment to community economic development, Indigenous learning, student-faculty engagement, and research into many aspects of environment and culture. This is evident in the strategic directions identified in the 2019-2024 Strategic Plan, emphasizing the university’s commitment to:
- Invest in Our Students – Enriching the living and learning experience
- Champion the Island’s Prosperity – Working to bolster the overall health and development of Cape Breton Island
- Indigenize the L’nu Way – “We are all Treaty People” – Building on our past and embracing new responsibilities
- Globalize with a Difference – Embracing differences and learning from each other
- Empower Faculty and Staff – Enabling employees to flourish
Governance
The Board of Governors at CBU is responsible for the government, conduct, management and control of the university. Accountable to the Board, and supported by two Vice-Presidents, the President & Vice-Chancellor is the Academic Head and Chief Executive Officer with general responsibility for the operation of the university. The University Senate is the senior academic decision-making body of the university, advisory to the Board and the President & Vice-Chancellor. The Senate is responsible for the quality assurance of academic programs.
CBU is guided by its University Mission, Vision, and Values. CBU’s Mission Statement reflects the university’s long-term outlook and objectives:
“Cape Breton University is committed to high-quality accessible education; Innovation research; and a vibrant, multicultural future for the Island.”
The Vision is a short statement that articulates the potential inherent in CBU’s future:
“Rooted in Cape Breton, connected to the world.”
The University Values are formed through a sharing of cultures and heritage and a common view of the importance of students and the community.
Courage – Mel kik no’ti
Thriving through creativity and leadership
Cooperation – Maw lukitimk
Working together for the common good
Quality – Mawi kelu’lk
Achieving excellence through continual improvement
Cape Breton University President Information
President David C. Dingwall
Under his direction, Cape Breton University has achieved many significant milestones including the establishment of new strategic, research and academic plans, a new CBU brand, unprecedented enrolment growth, a revitalized campus including a major renovation to the Canada Games Complex (the future home of Female and Para Hockey in Canada), a Centre for Discovery and Innovation, a medical campus, a new School of Nursing, and several new programs including a Bachelor of Social Work.
President Dingwall is a member of the King’s Privy Council and is an active member of Universities Canada, Universities Canada International Committee, the Association of Atlantic Universities, the Council of Nova Scotia University Presidents (Chair), M Square Media International Advisory Board and the Canada-China Business Council, to name a few.
Mr. Dingwall is also a former Cabinet Minister and is highly regarded for his substantial, in-depth experience in both the private and public sectors, at both the national and international level. He also has extensive corporate governance experience and is the author of “Negotiating So Everyone Wins” – Secrets you can use from Canada’s top business, sports, labour and political negotiators.
Mr. Dingwall holds degrees in commerce and law from Dalhousie University, has studied Corporate Governance at Harvard Law School and is also a graduate of the Institute of Corporate Directors (ICD.D), Rotman School of Management, University of Toronto. In 1997, he received an Honorary Doctorate of Laws from Cape Breton University.
He has been an extraordinary mentor to many Cape Bretoners and Canadians from coast to coast, helping them establish their own careers and make a mark across our country and beyond. He is the proud father of three children and grandfather to four grandchildren.
Interim Vice-President Academic (Provost)
Vice President of Finance and Operations
Reporting to the President, the Vice President, Finance & Administration is responsible for all non-academic operations of the University. Working in cooperation with Senior Management Group members, the Vice-President provides leadership on administrative and financial matters of concern to the University. The Vice-President, in the capacity of treasurer of the institution, serves as a member of the University’s Board of Governors.
Gordon MacInnis is responsible for the financial affairs of Cape Breton University as well as areas of human resources, facilities management, and information technology. He is also a strong contributor to setting the strategic directions of CBU and functions as a key liaison for senior orders of government.
Mr. MacInnis is a fellow chartered accountant and a member of the Institute of Public Administration of Canada with several decades of experience in senior public-sector management positions. He has participated on many provincial workgroups and task forces concerning public-sector policy initiatives. In addition to volunteering with several local community groups, Mr. MacInnis is a member of the Board of Directors of Inter-university Services Inc., an inter-provincial organization with a goal of promoting collaboration between universities. He served as a member of the Premier’s panel charged with evaluating candidates for receipt of a Premier’s Award of Excellence to recognize outstanding on-the-job contributions of provincial employees and was also past-Chairman of the Board of Directors of the former Cape Breton Development Corporation, a federal crown corporation.
Since joining Cape Breton University in 2000, Mr. MacInnis has served in the roles of Chief Financial Officer and Interim President prior to assuming his present duties in 2003. Mr. MacInnis serves on the CBU Senate, various university committees and is a member of the University’s Board of Governors in his role as Treasurer of the Board.
Cape Breton University Senate Membership
2023-2024
Ex officio:
President & Vice Chancellor – David Dingwall
President, CBU Students’ Union – Sahilpreet Singh Chatha
VP Academic (Provost) – Rod Nicholls
Registrar – Bilynda Whiting
VP Finance & Operations – Gordon MacInnis
Dean, School of Arts & Social Sciences – Andy Parnaby
Dean, Shannon School of Business – John Nadeau
Dean, School of Education & Health (Interim) – Ellyn Lyle
Dean, School of Science & Technology – Stephanie MacQuarrie
Dean, School of Nursing – Kimberley Lamarche
Dean, Unama’ki College – Laurianne Sylvester
Associate Vice-President – Tanya Brann-Barrett
Academic & Research
Dean of the Library Catherine Arseneau
Two (2) external member of the Board of Governors: Ann Sylliboy & TBD
One (1) member from the Canadian coast Guard College: Sean Campbell
Eight (8) students nominated by the Students’ Union:
Gideon Osaro Otoibhi
Colton Burke
Brandi Jean Lind
Juveriya Samreen
Hannah Lewis
Folorunsho Oduloye
Harmanjot Singh Ghuman
Viviana Paz Contreras Venegas
Six (6) full-time faculty (CBUFA or NSGEU members other than in exceptional circumstances) elected from and by the faculty of each of the four academic schools:
School of Arts and Social Sciences
Kylie Ewing Jan Hancock
Tammy Bernasky Hamid Andishan
Felix Odartey-Wellington Joe Parish
Shannon School of Business
Ayse Ersoy Sahand Ashtab
Mary Beth Doucette Doug Lionais
Karen Rowe Philip Eappen
School of Education and Health
Harkanwal Kaur Carolin Kreber
Melissa Bishop Michelle Prendergast
Carrie Karsgaard Nancy Spina
School of Nursing
Danielle Boudreau Samantha Hodder
Karen Kennedy Janet Kuhnke
Virginia Gunn Tracy Lillington
School of Science and Technology
Michael Henick Paula Condon
Geoff Carre Erin Robertson
Éric Thériault Jamie Tunnicliff
One (1) faculty member (CBUFA or NSGEU member other than in exceptional circumstances) elected from and by the faculty of Unama’ki College: TBD
One (1) full-time faculty member, elected by and from among CBU’s Librarians: Martin Chandler
One (1) full-time faculty member, elected by and from the academic school from which the Chair of senate was elected: TBD
Non-Voting Membership
The following shall have privileges of voice but not vote during any and all Senate deliberations:
Lead Educational Developer, Teaching & Learning, Research and Graduate Studies – Terry MacDonald
Director of Student Affairs – John Mayich
