The Daily Bulletin is published by Internal and Leadership Communications, part of University Communications
Contact us at bulletin@uwaterloo.ca
Submission guidelines
Arts launches Arts 101 site for incoming students
This article was originally published on the Faculty of Arts news site.
The arrival of new students is fast approaching and the Faculty of Arts is ready.
“We know students have a lot of questions about starting university and there are several required steps students need to take over the summer months,” explains Stephanie Bromley, Student Engagement Officer for the Faculty of Arts. “Arts has always taken a hands-on approach with regard to course selection and summer transition for our new students, and this year, we are expanding our efforts.”
Arts has just launched a new website, Arts 101 - Incoming Student Web Resource as a one-stop resource to guide, engage and support all new students, regardless of program or campus, as they begin university life.
“If their experience is anything like mine, their nerves will kick in during the summer before their first year,” says Arts Undergraduate Office intern Selina (Global Business & Digital Arts) who played a major role in designing the website.
Arts 101 – Incoming Student Web Resource covers all the steps from academic advising to course enrollment to university etiquette tips. Leading up to Arts Orientation, the website is intended to help new students feel prepared and become part of the Arts community. It is mobile-friendly and includes videos, blog posts, and a checklist infographic to communicate deadlines and important dates so that students can be sure that they haven't missed any crucial steps during their preparation for the fall term.
“In light of changes to Student Life 101, there was a desire in Arts to take a new approach and provide an integrated, transition program for new students which focuses on transition milestones to engage and prepare new students,” says Stephanie.
Celebrate #BikeMonthWR
This is the latest in a series of #UWCommunity stories that feature Waterloo in the community.
This past April, University of Waterloo President Feridun Hamdullahpur acknowledged the importance of our collective sustainable efforts, ensuring that our university is committed to having a positive impact on the environment. We celebrated our sustainability success and our plans going forward with a brand new #UWEarthWeek campaign, and our environmental activity continues to thrive today.
June is Bike Month in Waterloo Region, and the President’s Advisory Committee on Sustainability invites you to dust off your old beater bike, strap on your helmet, and join the University of Waterloo as we champion and promote cycling. There are various bike-themed events happening this month both on campus and in the community, giving UWaterloo members many opportunities to not only cut carbon emissions, but also get free bike tuneups, learn about bike safety, and even win prizes, like a $200 gift certificate for King Street Cycles. No spandex is required!
Check out all the ways you can get involved and help make a difference:
Bike Challenge
Do you already cycle to campus? Are you thinking of giving it a try? Here’s a little nudge to keep it going throughout June. Log your bike trips online during the month of June for a chance to win awesome prizes!
Prizes specific for the University of Waterloo:
- $200 gift certificate for King Street Cycles
- 1 of 2 $100 bike swag packages
Prizes for all Bike Month companies:
- $500 gift certificate to a local bike shop of your choice
- 1 of 2 $100 Canadian Tire gift cards
- 1 of 5 $50 Cineplex gift cards
How do you participate? It's easy:
- Join the UWaterloo Employee or Student user group on gotravelwise.ca using your @uwaterloo.ca email.
- Log your bike trips throughout June. Each trip is an entry into the prize draw!
- Check out how many calories you've burned, how much progress you have made, and who has logged the most trips by visiting the leaderboard.
Bike Breakfast
Bike to campus? Drop by the quad outside the Dana Porter Library between 8 a.m. - 11 a.m. on June 18 for a community bike breakfast to celebrate our avid cyclers. Anyone arriving by bike will receive:
- Free tune-ups from King Street Cycles to keep your ride in top shape
- Coffee, pastries, and fruit to recharge your energy
- Info on campus services for cyclists, and more!
The breakfast will take place rain or shine.
Bike Safety Session
Want to bike but are a little nervous? Join the Bike Safety Session from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. on June 23 to help build your cycling skills and confidence. This lunchtime info session will feature a certified CAN-Bike instructor, who will share:
- Basic rules of the road
- Cycling gear must-haves and maintenance
- Tips to build your cycling confidence
- Opportunity for some practical exercises
The session will be held at the back of Parking Lot C. Pizza lunch will be provided, and if it is raining, it will be held indoors. Space is limited so please register.
Read the rest of the piece on this article on the Community Relations and Events blog.
Renison welcomes Geoff McBoyle as special advisor
Renison University College is welcoming Geoff McBoyle as Special Advisor to the Principal for the next six months.
Geoff McBoyle has agreed to join Renison as Special Advisor to the Principal two days a week for the next six months beginning June 1, 2015.
McBoyle has a long and prestigious record of service at the University of Waterloo, including serving as Vice-President, Academic & Provost until 2014.
"In his work as Provost he was a great friend to the affiliated and federated institutions," says an official statement. "We are confident that his wisdom and experience will greatly enhance our capacity to move forward in planning for our institutional future."
There are other notable personnel shifts at Renison:
- Professor Hsiao D’Ailly, former Chair of the Department of Social Development Studies has agreed to take on another three year term as Chair, effective May 1 of this year
- Professor Kimie Hara has agreed to serve an additional one year term as Director of East Asian Studies.
- Professor Jeff Wilson has agreed to serve as Director of the Humanities program unit at Renison for a three year term effective, March 1, 2015.
Primo unavailable this week
The University's main library catalogue, Primo, will be unavailable starting at 6:00 p.m. Sunday, June 14 due to a server migration.
Primo will be available with some limited features (no e-shelf, no new search alerts or tags) from Wednesday, June 17 to Friday, June 19.
When Primo is unavailable, for a catalogue search please use TRELLIS. To find journal articles please use one of our research databases. If you need help choosing a relevant database please ask for help.
Senate meets today and other notes
The University's Senate will be holding its final meeting before the fall today at 3:30 p.m. in NH 3001. If all goes well, this will also be the final senate meeting in NH 3001 before the opening of the new senate and board meeting room in the Needles Hall expansion. Among the agenda items for this meeting:
- A motion to approve amendments to the honours physics (regular and co-operative), honours physics and astronomy (regular and co-operative), honours mathematical physics (regular and co-operative), and honours life physics (regular and co-operative) plans;
- Changes to regulations in the School of Optometry and Vision Science and the School of Pharmacy;
- A motion to approve the new university-level regulations governing the granting of approved doctoral dissertation status;
- A motion to approve a change to the name of the PhD, MASc and MEng degrees from “[degree] in Mechanical Engineering” to “[degree] in Mechanical and Mechatronics Engineering”;
- A motion to approve the formation of a sub-centre within the Senate-approved Interdisciplinary Centre on Climate Change named the “[Company Name] Centre on Climate Adaptation,” with the company name to be filled upon successful formation of the partnership;
- A motion to approve the new computing technology option in Computer Science;
- A motion to approve the new certificate in English for multilingual speakers at Renison University College;
- Changes to academic plans in Classic Studies, Drama and Speech Communication, Sociology and Legal Studies, Philosophy and Women's Studies;
- A motion to approve changes to the computer science minor, the East Asian Studies minor, and the diploma in East Asian Studies, ;
- A motion to inactivate the classical languages diploma plan in Classical Studies and the three- and four-year general drama plans in Drama and Speech Communication; and
- A motion that Senate will recommend to the Board of Governors changing the name of the Department of Environment and Resource Studies to the School of Environment, Resources, and Sustainability.
Senators will also hear a presentation by Barbara Riley, executive director of the Propel Centre for Population Health Impact.
The David Johnston Research + Technology Park will be hosting a Charity Food Truck Rally and Electric Vehicle Test Drive Day on Tuesday, June 23 from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the TechTown patio.
All funds raised from donations will be directed to the R+T Park Fund at KW Community Foundation in support of local children’s charities and community based projects.
Aside from the food trucks, on display will be several electric vehicle (EV) models and charging stations, which will be in use all day as the R+T Park is hosts EV test drives from the TechTown parking lot. Sign up for a test drive if you're so inclined! (I hope the electric cars' stereo systems are all playing AC/DC.)