Tuesday, November 24, 2015

16 Days of Activism campaign begins tomorrow

Each year from November 25 to December 10, organizations and governments worldwide participate in 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Violence to remind all citizens that they can act to stop gender violence.

The campaign begins on the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women and concludes on International Human Rights Day.

In Canada, the 16 Days campaign also encompasses the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women, which was established to mark the anniversary of the murder of 14 young women at l’École Polytechnique de Montréal on December 6, 1989.

The University of Waterloo is participating as well, with are many activities planned between November 25 and December 10, including:

• Safe on Campus? An interactive poster display;
• 16 Days at The Library at the Dana Porter, Davis Centre, and Musagetes locations;
• Sex Symbol, an art installation; and
• Writing Names: UnSilencing the number of missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls, a performance installation in the Arts Quad on Wednesday, November 25.

Partners in this initiative include the Department of Drama and Speech Communication, the Department of Philosophy, the Faculty of Arts, the Faculty of Engineering, HeForShe/UW Impact 10x10x10, the Princess Cinema, the Special Advisor to the President on Women’s and Gender Issues, the Status of Women and Equity Committee, the Faculty Association of UW, the Library, W³ (Waterloo Women’s Wednesdays), and the Women’s Studies Program.

Reminder: WatSAFE app available

​WatSAFE, a free safety and emergency notification app that provides immediate access to personal safety and campus emergency resources is available for download.

​WatSAFE allows members of the University community to take an active role in promoting a safe campus, providing a quick and convenient way to access campus safety and emergency resources, including:

• emergency push notifications;
• in-app alerts;
• emergency contact information;
• emergency plan and safety guide;
• a personal safety toolbox, including flashlight and loud alarm;
• campus maps; and much more.

WatSAFE can be downloaded for Android, BlackBerry and iPhone.

Simply download the WatSAFE app to your device and explore the safety and emergency resources available. Downloading the WatSAFE app to your mobile device keeps you connected to campus, while the in-app alert and push notification features allow you to stay informed of major campus emergency events, even when you’re on the go.

For more information check out the WatSAFE website.

Daily Bulletin reader survey wraps up tomorrow

Members of the University community still have an opportunity to share their feedback with Marketing and Strategic Communications (MSC) about their experiences with the Daily Bulletin in an anonymous online survey that winds down tomorrow night.

The Daily Bulletin reader survey seeks to solicit feedback from regular or occasional readers and even non-readers in an effort to improve internal communications activity at the University. Initially, a representative sample of community members were sent the survey, and it is now open to all readers. Completing the survey should take approximately 10 minutes.

Survey respondents are asked to identify specific aspects of the publication that are meeting their needs, and those that could use some improvement. 

Participation in the survey is voluntary and confidential. Survey responses will be used strictly to support improvements to the design, content, format, and delivery of the Daily Bulletin. A summary of the survey's findings will be published in the Daily Bulletin after the survey closes.

Upon completion of the survey, you may choose to be entered into a draw to win one of four $25 Retail Services gift cards.

The survey closes at 11:59 p.m. on Wednesday, November 25.

Remembering Mac McMartin and other notes

Retiree Malcolm "Mac" McMartin died on November 21. McMartin was a longtime member of the co-operative education department. McMartin received a spot on the Canadian Association for Co-operative Education (CAFCE) Wall of Fame in 1991 for meritorious service. He retired in September 1994. 

The visitation will be at the Henry Walser Funeral Home today from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. and from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. His funeral service will be on Wednesday, November 25 at 11:00 a.m. at the same location.

The Department of Sexuality, Marriage, and Family Studies at St. Jerome's University is inviting members of the University community to the book launch of the department's newest associate professor, Dr. Jane Nicholas as well as co-editors Tracy Penny Light and Renée Bondy.

In the new collection, entitled Feminist Pedagogy in Higher Education, contributors from a variety of disciplines provide a critical context for the relationship between feminist pedagogy and academic feminism by exploring the complex ways that critical perspectives can be brought into the classroom. Professor Nicholas and her co-editors are Waterloo alumnae, and several contributors are current faculty at the University of Waterloo and the Affiliated and Federated Institutions of Waterloo.

The book launch event takes place at 4:00 p.m. in the St. Jerome's library. Copies of the book will be available for purchase.

The UW A Cappella Club’s Fall End of Term Concert will take place on Friday, November 27 and Saturday, November 28 in the Theatre of the Arts at 7:30 p.m. (doors open at 7:00 p.m.). The event will feature performances by the Water Boys, the Unaccompanied Minors, the Musical Interdudes, the AcaBellas, and ACE. Tickets can be purchased online, at the Feds office in the Student Life Centre, or at the door.

The David R. Cheriton School of Computer Science is inviting members of the campus community to a special retirement reception in honour and appreciation of David Taylor.  

“Dr. Taylor joined what was then the Department of Computer Science in 1977 and over the years has served in many roles, most recently as Director of the School from 2010-2014,” writes Stephanie Massel. “Please join us as we celebrate his dedication and many accomplishments.” 

The reception takes place Friday, January 29^th at the University Club at 3:30 p.m.