Thursday, October 8, 2015

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• Project takes a good look at our viewbook
• Dining in the Dark for a good cause
• Recapping Reunion 2015
• Thursday's notes

Project takes a good look at our viewbook

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​by Karina Graf.

Have you ever wondered how to assess whether your communication materials truly resonate and meet the needs of your audience? Marketing & Undergraduate Recruitment (M&UR) set out to examine just that, assessing the university’s main viewbooks used in recruiting new undergraduate students. The research was intended to ensure that the student’s perspective was fully considered when developing the viewbooks – an approach they’ve found effective with other initiatives.

In fall 2014, M&UR conducted research with grade 12 university-bound students. The research results also provided the students’ perspective as to how and why they read the viewbooks. M&UR used these results as a foundation to build an even stronger piece, which included two main areas of enhancement.

The first item was implemented immediately – incorporating extra program-specific information to supplement the current program information. One of the main reasons prospective students use the viewbooks is to get information about the programs we offer.

The second element will be incorporated this upcoming year – bolstering the amount of student life information in the viewbooks, which will better help prospective students picture themselves on campus.

M&UR shared the information with partners in the faculties, university colleges, and other recruitment professionals on campus. They evolved their brochures to align with the information students need when selecting the university that’s right for them – also enhancing program-specific information and faculty-specific student life information.

Digital components of the viewbook, utilizing Layar augmented reality, help to provide additional student life information via bonus digital content including videos, 360-degree campus photos, and live feeds of open-source data like residence menus. Research indicated that augmented reality reinforced Waterloo’s reputation for innovation.

Over 130,000 viewbooks will be distributed this year, across Ontario, Canada, and the world. In fact, many are already in use, circulated at the Ontario Universities Fair in Toronto and on recruitment trips in Southeast Asia, Latin America, India, Turkey, USA, and British Columbia. If you want to check out the updated brochures, grab one from the Visitors Centre!

If you’d like more information about this project, please contact Karina Graf (kgraf@uwaterloo.ca) or Siobhan Stables (sstables@uwaterloo.ca).  

Dining in the Dark for a good cause

This is the latest in a series of #UWCommunity stories that feature Waterloo in the community.

On the evening of Friday, September 25, 2015 the University of Waterloo School of Optometry & Vision Science hosted its fourth annual Dining in the Dark fundraiser, with proceeds going towards Optometry Giving Sight - the only global initiative whose mission is to permanently end refractive error blindness in the world by funding long-term, sustainable eye and vision care projects.

Dining in the Dark seeks to stimulate what it's like to live and function without vision. Attendees enjoy live music, a cash bar and a myriad of prizes, but most importantly, they’re served a delicious three-course meal while blindfolded. Due to their temporary impairment, diners struggle with simple tasks, such as reaching for the right utensils or knowing where the food is on their plate.

An unfortunate reality, poor vision effects over 600 million people around the world, simply due to having limited access to eye exams and glasses. One of the Dining in the Dark organizers, Country Fan, acknowledges how this event helps our local community understand the impact of living with low vision on one’s quality of life:

“Engaging our community in an altered dining experience is such an innovative and interactive way of showcasing the difficulties of living with vision impairments. We’re glad this event is hosted annually so more of our regional residents can have a chance to take part in such a unique experience.”

Each year, our School of Optometry and Vision Science reaches over 21,000 community members, providing comprehensive patient care to adults, seniors and children through specialized clinics and community outreach initiatives, like Dining in the Dark. This is the fourth year that Melinda Szilva, a low vision rehabilitation counselor at UWaterloo’s Optometry Clinic, has been in attendance:

“One of the things this experience highlights for me is how much people with normal vision rely on visual cues when communicating. When we can no longer see the facial expressions, gestures or body language of others, it certainly alters the way we communicate. We hope our community will keep these insights in mind when communicating with people with visual impairments in the future."

Donations from this event help Optometry Giving Sight fund the building of vision centres, optical labs and schools of optometry in developing countries, helping to further the University of Waterloo’s global impact and increase the quality of life for community members at home and across the globe.

Recapping Reunion 2015

by Heather Steinmetz.

Reunion 2015 was a wonderful success with over 3,300 attendees on campus joining in on the festivities. Reunion welcomed a large audience of not only alumni but also students, faculty, staff and community members.  This year featured exciting events including a keynote lecture from Executive Director for the Institute for Quantum Computing, Raymond Laflamme discussing the revolutionary impact quantum technologies will have on society, a spirited AHS Fun Run with participants dressed to the nines in running gear and costumes and a Back Through Time Reunion luncheon offering attendees the opportunity to relive their greatest university memories while listening to era-themed music.

A special thank you is extended to our volunteers. The day could not have been possible without you.

Thank you to everyone who participated. We can’t wait to see you all next year!

For a full recap of the day, watch the Back Through Time Reunion Luncheon video and the Alumni VIP tent video and visit the Reunion storify.

Thursday's notes

“Wondering what it is like to study abroad?" says a note from Waterloo International. "Want to learn more about the different countries you can visit while studying at one of our institutional partners? Want to learn how you can internationalize your education at Waterloo and what choices you have on campus to do so?"

"Visit us at the Student Life Centre (SLC) in the Great Hall on Thursday, October 8, 2015 for our annual Go Abroad Fair."

"Talk to students currently here on exchange about their home country and institution. Hear first-hand accounts from our own Waterloo students who have attended an exchange or study abroad. Talk to some of our on-campus and off-campus partners about the opportunities you can take advantage of while you study at Waterloo.”

The Department of Chemical Engineering is hosting a United Way campaign fundraiser on Wednesday, November 11 from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

"We are having a painting party!" says the note from Chemical Engineering. "We would love it if you would join us for a fun filled 2 hours. We will provide appetizers and non-alcoholic beverages. All required painting supplies are provided and you will get to take your masterpiece home with you.  Let the artistic side of you out and see what you can do. Please note that seating is limited, so reserve quickly."