Monday, September 12, 2016

Orientation ovations and a wake-up for Welcome Week

by Jacqueline Martinz

The thousands of new students who arrived at the University of Waterloo last weekend are now learning from their professors and TAs inside lecture halls, labs and classrooms. This fall, classes started on September 8. The last day for Orientation programming was Saturday, September 10. It was an exciting week filled with an array of events including old favourites such as Single and Sexy and the Feds Showcase, and new additions such as Warrior Wander and Black v. Gold. To see highlights from the week, visit the #UWOW16 social media feed.

Thank you

The Federation Orientation Committee (FOC) has shown incredible passion and commitment during the planning and development of Orientation programming. Thank you to the dedicated student leaders who helped the incoming class prepare for campus life. Also, thank you to the 1, 400 student volunteers who despite the hot weather, cheered and supported the newest group of warriors. Another thank you to the 100 volunteers and program assistants who helped oversee the planning and implementation of our international, out of province and American, grad, and transfer/exchange programs.

Staff and faculty who participated in events, wore the “Here to help” buttons, and spent time speaking to students, providing directions, or just wore a friendly face played a key role.

Faculty student volunteers and staff who assisted with pre-arrival and Orientation programs are invited to attend a Thank You BBQ on Friday, September 16 in the DC Quad. Thank you for the extra effort in welcoming new students.

Feds’ Welcome Week

The fun doesn’t stop after Orientation. This week, September 12 to 16, all undergraduates will be able to attend another week of engaging programming. Hosted by the Federation of Students, Fall Welcome Week is five days of exciting events including The President and Senior Staff Luncheon, Archery Tag, and a two-day carnival. More information is available on the Feds event page.

Countless services are provided to the University of Waterloo on any given day, and we are required to effectively differentiate between University of Waterloo employees and independent contractors when paying these workers. The University must be compliant with the various pieces of legislation associated with 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.

After a soft-launch late last year, the University engaged financial services firm KPMG to help work out some of the process and determination challenges experienced in the initial months of the program. KPMG reviewed the processes and tools and were asked to provide insight into leading practices in the industry. They have also helped to prepare, and will be instrumental in delivering, end-user training to the University community over the next couple of months.

The basic tenets upon which determinations are based have not changed, but some of the original processes and tools have been updated to address issues encountered and to streamline parts of the process.  Notable changes include shortcut pre-determinations on a number of common types of workers and a centralized assessment process using streamlined Independent Contractor (ICON) Questionnaires.

If you are an individual seeking to engage an independent contractor (rather than seeking to engage an employee) or seeking to engage a worker who is requesting treatment as an independent contractor (rather than being treated as an employee), you should review the updated documentation posted on the Finance website. You will find important information on the requirements and what tools and information are available to support you, such as:

• Determination of Employee vs. Independent Contractor Status Website
• Determination of Employee vs. Independent Contractor Status Guide
• Independent Contractor Questionnaires (ICON)

A series of training sessions will be conducted jointly by KPMG and University staff.  Sessions will be held starting later in September through October to assist those hiring or engaging independent contractors. You can sign up online using myHRinfo by searching course number FIN210 to register for the sessions.

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

Barbecues, cookies, and other tasty tidbits

President Feridun Hamdullahpur and the University’s top brass will be donning their aprons and wielding their tongs today at the President and Senior Staff Luncheon in the Student Life Centre Great Hall as they welcome new and returning students to campus. Drop by and get served by Waterloo’s senior leaders between 12:00 PM and 1:30 PM as they dish up barbecue-style food, including both meat and vegetarian options, to students as a show of appreciation and in celebration of a brand new semester at the University as part of Feds' Welcome Week.

Purchase a smile and give a smile

“It’s never been more important to eat cookies,” says James Skidmore, chair of the University of Waterloo's United Way campaign. 

Why? From September 12 to 18, buy a smile cookie from any Tim Hortons on campus and you will be supporting our community. Food Services is happy to introduce the Smile Cookie campaign to campus for the first time. When a Smile Cookie is purchased from a campus Tim Hortons, the full proceeds of $1 will be going to the charity of choice. The locations at SLC, ML, Davis Centre and SCH will be allocating their funds to KW United Way, and Davis Centre Express and UWP will be allocated to the Keystone Campaign.

In regards to the Keystone allocation, Whitney Albright of the Senior Development Office says “It’s wonderful that our University has been chosen as a charity of choice. Not only will we raise money for our students and the important work that’s happening here on our campuses, but we’ll also continue to grow awareness about the fact that Waterloo is a registered charity that relies on the support of donor generosity.”

If there was ever a week to indulge, this is the one. Philanthropic cookies, what more could you want?

Concludes Skidmore: “Thanks to the generosity of Food Services, your cookie goes further than just your waistline.” 

Remembering Rota Lister and Helena Hahn

Human Resources is reporting that retired professor Rotraud "Rota" Lister died on September 3. Professor Lister began her career at Waterloo in September 1966 as a Lecturer in the Department of English in the Faculty of Arts. Her research focus was in the areas of Canadian drama and theatre, women's studies and women writers, creative writing and ethnic themes. She was named Assistant Professor in 1972 and Associate Professor in 1977.

Lister served on several departmental, faculty and university committees, and was elected to the University's Senate in 1977.

She retired in September 1996. 

Human Resources has also reported that retiree Helena Hahn died on September 3. Born in Salisbury, Rhodesia (now Harare, Zimbabwe) in 1934, she grew up on a large farm near Klerksdorp, South Africa.

Hahn and her husband left South Africa in 1962 as part of an exodus of scientists, educators, doctors and other professionals due to the country's increasing political instability. Invited by then-dean of Engineering Douglas Wright, they arrived at the University of Waterloo, with her husband taking a position in the Faculty of Engineering. Helena began her full-time employment at the University in August 1981 and was the Executive Officer in the Dean of Science Office until her retirement in January 2000.

She is survived by her husband, Professor Kishmul "Kish" Hahn, who is also a Waterloo retiree.