Weyt-kp. Bonjour. Hello everyone,
The end of February marks a few moments worth pausing for. Pink Shirt Day — a reminder that how we treat each other matters deeply, and that we do our best work when we feel supported. In a recent Harvard Data Science Review course, I was reminded of the Iceberg Model — most of what drives a system is invisible: shared beliefs, values, assumptions. Bringing our community along successfully means paying attention to what’s beneath the waterline, not just the tools on top.
As we close out Black History Month, I’m also reflecting on the voices that shape how we design, govern, and use technology. Strong systems are built on inclusive foundations that reflect the needs of the whole community. I remain committed to making sure all our voices are heard as we shape TRU horaizon.
Safe Start now available
Last week, we shared that our Safe Start Framework was in final edits. It is now live at tru.ca/ai. A gentle reminder: the Safe Start Framework is “phase 0” of a mature governance model. The goal is to establish an initial shared baseline so we can:
- Protect our people and our data
- Use AI tools responsibly and transparently
- Respond clearly if something goes wrong
- Continue experimenting and innovating with confidence
The four core resources include safety guardrails, proper use guidelines, escalation and incident reporting, and suggested tools for anyone associated with TRU. The FAQ will continue to evolve as questions emerge. Sub-guidelines specific to our roles will also continue to be developed through our standard governance channels.
For educators, the DSALT Working Group has developed DRAFT Teaching and Learning Guidelines and are reviewing and updating them under the oversight of the Teaching and Learning Committee. A round of Faculty Council consultations are coming with an eye to sharing the guidelines with Senate.
Safe Start began with 400+ community voices and has since grown to 600+ through listening sessions, working groups, faculty conversations and more. Thank you to everyone who contributed. We remain committed to keeping these resources practical and responsive. Please direct your questions to horaizon+safestart@tru.ca .
Connecting across campus
It’s been a strong few weeks for community connection. President Airini and I opened PD Week with a session on AI and the future of work, joined by nearly 80 colleagues. I also shared an overview of TRU horaizon with the Board of Governors and our Senior Leadership Team.
What stood out across conversations was alignment. The board emphasized TRU’s responsibility to serve our region while staying grounded in our core mission: preserving critical thinking and educating, not simply training. That echoes what I continue to hear from students and colleagues across campus.
We are in a transformative time. Eight in ten Gen Z students expect AI to be part of their learning (LinkedIn Learning, 2025). Sixty percent of administrative tasks in our jobs can be reimagined (McKinsey, 2025). This doesn’t signal job loss. It signals an opportunity to redesign work so we can focus on what humans do best: connection, judgment and expertise. Statistics Canada suggests the shift resembles the introduction of computers and the internet. Jobs evolve. Expectations rise. Our responsibility is to prepare students, colleagues, and communities for that evolution — by strengthening what we already do best.
As AI literacy becomes a new baseline, the skills that matter most remain deeply human: literacy, curiosity, judgment. That has always been the foundation of a TRU education. The question is not whether we adapt, but how we lean into what we already stand for.
Till next time
This month, a UC Berkeley Center for Studies in Higher Education study of 30,000+ U.S. courses found that AI policies are shifting from rigid policies toward nuanced, deliberate integration guided by professional judgment. That is the direction TRU horaizon is taking. Our approach has always been to start with values, build with safety and move with intention.
Xyemstwécw. We respect each other, the land, knowledge and the peoples of our region. That doesn’t change just because the tools do.
The days are getting longer. Spring is coming. It is a good time to plant carefully and grow deliberately. Thank you for continuing to engage with care and curiosity. As we shape Future TRU together, please continue sharing your thoughts and suggestions to horaizon@tru.ca.
Kukwstsétselp. Merci. Thank you,
Andrea Li
Special Advisor to the President on AI