Friday, July 15, 2016

UWSA launches co-op hiring survey

The University of Waterloo Staff Association (UWSA) is running a short survey on co-op student hiring and supervisory practices and are asking members of the University involved in hiring Waterloo co-op students to fill it out.

In 2015, the University of Waterloo Staff Association (UWSA) formed a working group including representatives from multiple faculties and Co-operative Education and Career Action (CECA) to investigate the status of co-op hiring at the University, including the impact of co-op supervision in job roles, job descriptions, and hiring practices. 

"The working group recognized that there are differences in hiring and supervisory practices throughout the campus, and thus felt we can help provide resources to co-op supervisors," says a note from the UWSA/ 

To gather further information, the working group developed the survey in consultation with Institutional Analysis & Planning (IAP) and CECA.

"The questions are intended to guide us to a better understanding of how UW employees hire and work with co-op students," says the UWSA. "Responses are confidential. There will be an opportunity to provide direct feedback or request further information in a separate forum, if you wish."

The UWSA Co-op Working Group plans to provide a report to the UWSA board in the fall of 2016. Pending approval of the board that report will be forwarded to the Staff Relations Committee for their consideration. A summary of the results will be posted on the UWSA web site.

There are a total of 14 questions on 6 pages. The UWSA estimates that the survey should take no more than 10 minutes to complete. We welcome anyone who supervises Waterloo co-op students to participate - staff, faculty and graduate students. 

"We appreciate your willingness to participate in this survey," says the UWSA's message.

More information is available on the UWSA website.

The survey will be live until Friday August 19, so please be sure to respond by then.

Athletics staffer named chef de mission at the 2017 World Winter University Games

A staff member in the Department of Athletics and Recreation will be Canada’s ambassador at a global sports competition next year.

Associate Director of Business Operations Ari Grossman has been selected to be the Chef de Mission for the 2017 Winter World University (FISU) Universiade in Almaty, Kazakhstan from January 29 to February 8, 2017.

"I'm honoured to have been selected as Chef de Mission for the 2017 winter Universiade in Almaty," Grossman said. "I'm excited to once again represent Canada on the international stage and look forward to working with our top calibre student-athletes, coaches, and support staff as they strive for excellence."

Waterloo Athletics will be well represented at the winter games. Grossman, who joined the University in December 2015, will be joined by Brian Bourque, general manager and associate coach of Canadian Men’s Hockey, Shaun Reagan, assistant coach of Canadian Women’s Hockey, and Trevor Black, equipment manager of Canadian Men’s Hockey.

"I am thrilled to see Ari's Canadian Interuniversity Sport and FISU experience be recognized," said director of athletics and recreation Roly Webster in an article posted on the Athletics website. "Representing your county and leading this delegation is something I know he will take on with the utmost pride, and will no doubt help to provide a first rate experience and result for all members of Team Canada."

Prior to moving to the University of Waterloo in December 2015, Grossman spent over 10 years at Wilfrid Laurier University in the sports information and marketing departments. More recently, as associate director of business operations for the Golden Hawks, he was a key part of the department’s strategic planning while also strengthening the event logistics and partnerships to improve service delivery. 

Grossman has previously served on the communications staff at four consecutive Games, including three as sports information officer, from 2005 to 2011.
 
The Universiade is an international multi-sport competition that takes place every two years. The event, which is second only to the Olympics in number of participating athletes and countries, is open to competitors between the ages of 17 and 28 in the year of the games who are full-time students at a post-secondary institution (university, college, or cegep) or have graduated from a post-secondary institution in the year preceding the games.

Music of Peace, Music of Joy and other notes

The University Choir will be performing "Music of Peace, Music of Joy" at the Cedars Worship Centre in Waterloo on Saturday, July 16 at 7:30 p.m.

"Though Western classical choirs are seldom known for their movement prowess, in most cultures, singing and dance are inseparable," says a note from the choir. "In this summer concert we will explore the music and movement of classical forms such as ballroom, tango, waltzes and ballet. Through collaborations with dance troupes and cultural teachers we will demonstrate various African songs and dance, Celtic dance and song, swing, and even Hawaiian song and hula." 

Tickets are $10, and students and seniors will pay $5.

The University of Waterloo Staff Association (UWSA) is seeking applicants for the role of Chief Returning Officer (CRO) to administer the association's annual elections.

The term of office for the position would run from August 9, 2016 to February 9, 2017.

The UWSA's constitution requires that a CRO be selected from the general membership of the association. The candidate chosen will initially work with the UWSA Secretary Jason Gorrie and the UWSA Executive Manager Gail Spencer to assist with the process.

The responsibilities of this position include:

• Overseeing the election procedures of the UWSA providing interpretation as required and reported;
• Appointing three Election Officers to be selected from the membership;
• Acting as a liaison between the election committee, the board, and the membership;
• Providing a report on the election at a general meeting;
• Advertising the vacant posts and receive nominations according to the election schedule;
• Ensuring that nominees agree in writing to stand for election;
• Ensuring that all nominations are signed by three members of the Association not including the nominee;
• Ensuring that the list of nominees for offices be distributed to the members in accordance with the election schedule; and
• Being responsible for the printing, distribution, counting, and destruction of the ballots.

For more information, please visit the UWSA website.

Several rooms in the Douglas Wright Engineering Building (DWE) will be without electrical power, fan coil and fumehood exhaust systems on Thursday, July 21 at 7:00 a.m. to Friday, July 22 at 4:00 p.m. as upgrades are made to an electrical panel. Plant Operations suggests that all computer equipment be properly shut down before the work is carried out. The affected rooms are 3509, 3511, 3512, and 3515.

The Arts Undergraduate Office will be closed from 12:00 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. today.