Monday, March 7, 2016

Employment Equity re-survey update

This is a reminder that the University is re-surveying all existing employees, in order to maintain compliance with the federal Employment Equity Act and the Federal Contractors Program. More information can be found on the Human Resources website.

The current participation rate by the campus community is 26 per cent.

All full-time regular Faculty, Staff and CUPE members are reminded to please complete the survey by logging into myHRinfo and their logins will be directed to the questionnaire until it is either completed or acknowledged. All other employees can complete the survey by logging into myHRinfo and navigating to Self Service > Employment Equity Survey > Submit Survey.  

GLOW celebrates 45 years of activism

by Jacqueline Martinz.

Lives have been transformed inside its walls since 1971, and on March 8, 2016, The Glow Centre for Sexual and Gender Diversity will celebrate 45 years of making an impact. As the oldest queer organization of its kind in Canada, Glow has advocated throughout the years for innovative changes to be brought to the University of Waterloo and beyond.

To celebrate its anniversary, Glow will be hosting a week of engaging events for undergraduates on campus. From March 7 to 11, the programming will include a talk by local activist and Waterloo retiree Jim Parrott, a fun-filled karaoke night, and a series of monologues showcasing various sexual and gender identities called “Tales From The Inside.” 

The main event on March 7 will be held at 6:00 p.m. at Hagey Hall Theatre and will feature guest speakers including former Glow coordinators. The first meeting of the Waterloo University Gay Liberation Movement was held in room 161 inside Hagey Hall in 1971. 

The service, which is run by passionate, dedicated student volunteers through the Federation of Students, is proud of how it has evolved over the course of its history. 

Two of Glow's major contributions include advocating for and successfully acquiring more gender neutral washrooms on campus, and advocating for changes in the name change policies to make it easier for students, and particularly trans students, to have their preferred name appear on their school documents.

As the milestone approaches, the over 45 student volunteers currently at Glow look forward to continuing to make a difference. More information about the anniversary week is available online.

Library celebrates World Water Day with flood of historical information

An aerial view of the Galt Flood, 1948 from the Kitchener-Waterloo Record Negative Collection.

Celebrating UN Water World Water Day on March 22, Special Collections & Archives has mounted a water-themed exhibit in our display cases on the first floor of the Porter Library for the month of March. 

We maintain print and archival collections relating to the environment, specifically the issues of climate change, tourism, and natural resources management in Ontario in the late-19^th and 20^th centuries. These archival collections include those of both organizations and individuals.

Cars submerged in the wake of Hurricane Hazel on October 16, 1954 from the Kitchener-Waterloo Record Negative Collection.

Our exhibit is highlighting material from the following fonds:

• Canadian Coalition on Acid Rain,
• Grand River Conservation Authority,
• H.B.N. Hynes,
• Muskoka Lakes Association,
• John D. Detwiler, and
• Marcel Pequegnat.

The exhibit will run from March 1 to 31.

Monday's notes

The University of Waterloo’s Mentor Assistance Through Education and Support program (MATES) is inviting the University community to participate in the 2^nd annual Chilly Dog Run on Saturday March 12. The event consists of a 5 km walk/run at the University, followed by a chilli lunch, a guest speaker, and a raffle. The event aims to promote mental health, community involvement, and a healthy lifestyle through exercise. 

Registration beings at 9:30 a.m. in the Great Hall of the Student Life Centre, and lunch is served at 12:00 p.m.. The cost of $10.00 includes food and beverages, as well as 20 raffle tickets. 

Check out the UW MATES Facebook page for more information or how to pre-register. 

Here's today's Nutrition Month "Myth vs. Fact" supplied by Health Services Nutritionist Sandra Ace:

Myth:  Acne is aggravated by certain foods.

Fact:  Contrary to popular belief, eating fried or greasy food has no effect on acne. There is limited evidence suggesting that a low glycemic index (GI) diet may prevent or treat acne and that a high GI diet may worsen acne. This can loosely be translated as whole grain, complex carbohydrates vs. processed, refined or high sugar carbohydrates. Large randomized controlled trials are needed to further clarify the relationship between carbohydrates and acne. At this time there is not enough evidence to make any recommendations about dietary patterns that prevent or treat acne. As with overall good health, a balanced diet that includes a variety a nutrient rich foods is recommended.