Monday, January 30, 2017

Health Services sends update on winter illnesses

"In our Campus Wellness efforts to maintain a safe and healthy community, we would like to remind everyone on campus of the importance of self-care measures to prevent the spread of any stomach related illness," says a memo from Health Services distributed Friday.

Winter vomiting illnesses (gastroenteritis) are a common occurrence during the colder months of the year. You can help prevent the spread of illness and keep our campus healthy by reading the following tips:

What is gastroenteritis?

Viral gastroenteritis is an infection that can cause diarrhea and vomiting. People can get an infection if they touch an infected surface or person or eat foods and drinks with the virus on them. Symptoms include diarrhea, vomiting, fever, headache, cramping, and loss of appetite.

What you can do to keep yourself and others healthy

• Wash your hands thoroughly for 15-20 seconds after using the bathroom and before eating.
• Don't eat or drink foods or liquids that might be contaminated. Don't share drinks or food with others.
• Use hand sanitizer if you can't get to a sink.

What can you do if you are sick?

• Stay hydrated with clear fluids. Suck on ice chips or frozen fruit popsicles, take small sips of water, weak tea, ginger ale, non-caffeinated sports drinks, or soup broth.
• When you are ready to eat again, start with easily digested foods, such as Jell-O or soda crackers, cereal, dry toast, or canned fruits.
• Stay at home until you are well again or at least until 48 hours after your symptoms clear up.

For Students: see Health Services (519-888-4096) or your family physician if you are unable to drink anything for many hours, your vomiting lasts more than two days, you become dehydrated, or your vomit contains noticeable blood.

For Employees:  employees experiencing any of the above symptoms should remain off work until they are symptom free for 48 hours. In our ongoing efforts to support our employees, and track any episodes, please contact Occupational Health at occupationalhealth@uwaterloo.ca or extensions 36264/30338.

Anyone requiring medical advice should call Telehealth Ontario at 1-866-797-0000.

Celebration 2017 project will leave anniversary legacy on campus

by Kelly McManus, Senior Director, Community Relations & Events.

2017 is a tremendous year of celebrations at the University of Waterloo – not only are we marking our 60^th anniversary as a University, but we are sharing in our national pride as Canada marks its 150^th. The University believes that these important milestones deserve a lasting tribute, and as such we are embarking on a 2017 “legacy project” called Celebration 2017.

Peggy Jarvie and Jeff Casello will co-chair a campus Steering Committee that will guide, advise, and champion a campus-wide engagement process and competition to create a lasting, physical tribute to 2017. Drawing from the principles of the I3 Challenge from 2011-12, Celebration 2017 will engage cross-faculty student teams to submit applications that will be adjudicated by a jury and ultimately lead to the creation of a monument or gathering space on our campus that marks this milestone year.

The Celebration 2017 Steering Committee will:

• provide leadership and vision for the development of the legacy project;
• provide regular updates to Executive Council;
• advise on a comprehensive campus engagement strategy and ongoing communications to campus throughout the life of the project, ensuring transparency and momentum amongst all University of Waterloo stakeholders;
• act as champions to ensure widespread engagement, leveraging the legacy project throughout the year as an opportunity for pride building during the 60^th anniversary;
• select a jury comprised of internal and external constituents;
• draw on and respond to campus feedback as appropriate; and
• solicit external feedback as appropriate.

Expressions of interest are being solicited for membership to the Steering Committee: 

• Two undergraduate students;
• One graduate student;
• One faculty at large;
• One staff at large

Participation would ideally include perspectives from planning, engineering, fine arts, and architecture, but all individuals with an interest in campus engagement are welcome to express interest in participation.  Note that student representatives to the Steering Committee are ineligible to take part in the competition.

The Steering Committee will meet regularly throughout 2017, acting as champions for the project.

If you are interested in participation, please forward a brief email outlining your expression of interest to Peggy Jarvie or Jeff Casello no later than February 10.

Format shift for FASS 2017; other notes

FASS, the annual Faculty, Alumni, Staff and Students musical theatre extravaganza, is taking a slightly different form this year. The 2017 show, entitled "The FASS Super Variety Show," will be, at its heart, a talent show that showcases the talent of various student clubs, as well as the talents of the faculty, alumni, students and staff.

"There will be a few scenes and musical numbers in the FASS musical theatre style of recent tradition," says FASS 2017 president Stefan Verveniotis, "and a large number of other performances from UW-centric groups and clubs."

The show will take place in the Humanities Theatre on Saturday, February 4, and admittance is free (donations are being accepted).

The services and operations located in South Campus Hall will be running an SCH Winter Warmup event in the South Campus Hall concourse on Tuesday, February 7 from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m..

"Pop in, enjoy free hot chocolate and get to know the many services that call SCH home," says a statement from the organizers. "Visit each booth and receive a stamp on your stamp card. Once your card is full, return it to Retail Services for a chance to win a prize back!"

There will be six booths representing Food Services, Retail Services, the Student Success Office, Velocity, The Visitors Centre, and The Writing Centre.