Friday, December 18, 2015

IST launches responsive website and service catalogue

A message from Information Systems & Technology (IST)

In collaboration with Marketing and Strategic Communication’s (MSC) Digital Communications team, Information Systems and Technology (IST) is excited to announce the launch of its new responsive website. This mobile-first approach to responsive design provides site visitors with an optimal viewing experience; whether browsing from a desktop, tablet or smartphone device, site content is clean, simple, and easy to navigate. 

The launch of this pilot site marks the first in a plan to make all department/unit WCMS sites responsive. IST will pilot the responsive site into 2016 with the goal of making the responsive theme available, by request, to site owners in April 2016.

The new IST site also includes the redesigned and updated IST Service Catalogue; a tool that provides convenient access to information about the central IT services provided to campus by IST. The Service Catalogue allows users to quickly and easily:

• Browse available services and details (e.g. availability, costs, and contacts);
• Request a new IT service; and
• Get support for existing services.

Questions about licensed software? Need help connecting to the campus Wi-Fi? The IST Service Catalogue has you covered. Key features of this tool include:

• Powerful search functionality that allows users to search for content by service category, open search, A-Z listing, or by most popular service;
• Integration with the Student Portal via an IT Service widget that pulls in services specific to students (coming in January 2016); and
• Call to action buttons on service pages that allow users to take immediate action by:
  • Reporting service catalogue issues or feedback
  • Connecting with service desk staff via the live link/chat feature

Explore the responsive theme in full at https://uwaterloo.ca/ist, and browse the catalogue to learn more about the IT services IST has to offer, https://uwaterloo.ca/ist/services.

And “thank you” to our focus group participants for their valuable input throughout the redesign process.

Employee or contractor? New process requirements for determining status

At times, services are provided to the University under arrangements other than regular employee appointments. The University has a requirement to effectively differentiate between University of Waterloo employees and independent contractors. The University is required to be compliant with legislation on this topic including the Income Tax Act, Canada Pension Plan Legislation, Employment Insurance Act, and other employment-related legislation. Risks of non-compliance may result in substantial fines, penalties, and/or legal action.

The University is rolling out a new process to assist in the determination of the employee versus independent contractor status. A third party has been engaged to review the process and tools for additional support and to provide insight into leading practices in the industry. If you are an individual responsible for hiring, contracting with/engaging independent contractors, or completing the paperwork required for these processes, you should review the requirements closely that are posted on the Secretariat and Office of General Counsel website. You will find important information on these new requirements and what tools and information are available to support you, such as:

• Employee vs. Independent Contractor - Procedure
• Independent Contractor Questionnaire (ICON)

Training sessions will be available starting early in the new year to assist those hiring or engaging independent contractors. You can sign up online using myHRinfo by searching course number HR107 to register for the first session.

Questions regarding this transition can be directed to icon@uwaterloo.ca. 

Warriors raise over $17K in Think Pink campaign

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

The 8^th annual Warriors Think Pink campaign has officially wrapped up! Throughout November 2015, the University of Waterloo hosted over 30 events involving Warrior Recreation and Varsity Athletics in support of the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation-Ontario Region (CBCF). These initiatives ranged from varsity games and fitness classes to hair cutting, an indoor soccer tournament and so much more.

This year, the Waterloo Warriors raised more than $17,000, which brings our total amount of giving to the CBCF-Ontario Region to over $176,600 since 2008.

Think Pink began through a Women’s Basketball initiative at the Canadian Interuniversity Sport (CIS) level: plenty of teams across Canada were focused on raising money for the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation through their Women’s Basketball teams and the Shoot for a Cure Initiative. At that time, we decided to take action and help make it even larger by including a variety of Waterloo’s varsity teams, recreation programs, on campus partners, sponsors and members of the community.

The duration of the Think Pink campaign is always a very emotional month, as we see a surge of individuals and groups from across campus come together to support the cause. Raising awareness about breast cancer is integral to our campus and community because unfortunately, this illness affects so many of us in one way or another. It’s important for our Warrior family to give back to the broader community so future generations can hope to live in a world without breast cancer. The most moving part of the month for me is always the hair cutting ceremony where our brave Warriors donate their hair to those in need. It is a big step, but as I told myself last year before the chop... there are others out there that need it much more than me.

Make sure to check out this year’s highlights and join us next year in the fight against breast cancer.