Editor:
Brandon Sweet
University Communications
bulletin@uwaterloo.ca
WaterlooWorks receives 200k+ job applications in first month
A message from Co-operative Education & Career Action
Main round co-op interviews are officially underway in the Tatham Centre (TC). The halls of TC will be filled with thousands of students and employers for the next six weeks, with the highest volume of interviews taking place in the next four weeks.
This term also marks the first time most students and employers are using WaterlooWorks, the University’s new employment administration system that replaced JobMine in January. This is the first major system upgrade to the co-op employment process in 12 years.
“We’re one month in to WaterlooWorks being live and we’re happy with how the system has responded,” says Dianne Bader, director of operations for Co-operative Education & Career Action (CECA). “It certainly hasn’t been perfect, but the team has been able to respond quickly to any issues. I want to thank students, staff and employers for their patience during this first term.”
So far, the system has handled over 16,800 student logins and over 200,000 submitted job applications. Jobs posted for the spring 2017 term already have over a million views. Any technical irregularities have been quickly resolved by CECA, IST and Orbis Communications (the developer of WaterlooWorks) with minimal disruption to students and employers.
Bader says that the hard work and dedication of everyone involved on those teams is what has made this a successful launch so far. “Everyone has put in such an incredible effort – I’m really thankful for their commitment to this project, and we couldn’t have done it without them,” she says.
A feedback survey is available on the WaterlooWorks dashboard for users to provide suggestions on how to improve the system. CECA is committed to continuously improving the system and user experience for students, employers, staff and alumni.
“We’ve already received some great feedback and suggestions, which we really appreciate,” says Bader. “It’s helped guide decision making on what future enhancements we will roll out and when.”
For more information on WaterlooWorks or how to hire a co-op student, please visit CECA’s employer website. Helpful tips and instructions for students and employers on how to use WaterlooWorks can also be found online.
Guidelines on conflicts of interest in search committees
The Vice-President, Academic & Provost has circulated a memo to faculty members that clarifies how conflicts of interest in academic search committees should be handled.
"From time to time, members (including Chair or Director) of a department or school advisory committee on appointments (e.g. DACA or SACA) may find themselves in a conflict of interest and/or a non-arm’s length relationship related to a particular applicant," says the memo.
Where a search committee member is a) providing a reference for an applicant in the competition, b) a former graduate supervisor of an applicant, or c) a collaborator of an applicant (normally as defined by granting councils), the member "shall immediately disclose the nature of the conflict to the committee and must withdraw from the committee for all stages of its work in which the applicant remains under consideration."
Where a search committee member has "some other relationship with an applicant that might lead to a personal bias or the appearance of one, the member shall immediately disclose the nature of the relationship to the committee." It is then at the discretion of the committee, "acting reasonably and on a simple majority secret ballot vote in which the disclosing member shall not participate," to determine if the member should withdraw from the committee at any stage of its work.
If a member withdraws, the search committee will decide whether or not the member should be replaced, taking into account factors relevant to the search such as disciplinary expertise, gender balance, and the stage of the committee’s deliberations.
"If a search committee member is not replaced and the applicant with whom the committee member has disclosed a conflict of interest and/or a non-arm’s length relationship is not shortlisted and is formally removed from consideration in the search, the member will be asked to rejoin the committee," the provost's memo says.
For external searches, including those for Chair or Director-level positions, conflict of interest in a search for a department chair or school director shall, in addition, be handled in accordance with Policy 40 – The Chair.
February is Carpool Month
February is Carpool Month in Waterloo Region. While the weather might be cold and the days are still short, carpooling can be a fun way to lower the impact of your commute to and from the campus. Plus, you'll save money and can make new friends.
You can be a part of Carpool Month by registering on gotravelwise.ca, posting a carpool trip to see if there are others nearby you can carpool with, tracking your trips, or joining on social media. Plus, there’s great prizes including:
- Downtown Dollars gift cards;
- Canadian Tire gas cards; and
- Tim Hortons gift cards
For details and to learn more, visit the Carpool Month event page.
50 years adds up for Faculty of Mathematics
The Faculty of Mathematics 50th anniversary celebration kicked off on January 18th with a “first decade panel” that featured Professors Don Cowan, Bev Marshman, Paul Schellenberg, Ron Dunkley, Ian McGee and Jerry Lawless, and led by Steve Brown, telling stories about the faculty's early days from the 1960s and 1970s.
Guests were treated to a video greeting from the Governor General, who congratulated everyone who has contributed to the success of the Faculty of Mathematics over the years.
There is a photo gallery posted on the event's Facebook page.
If you're feeling mathematical, why not try your hand at solving some contest problems from the Centre for Education in Mathematics and Computing (CEMC) archives in honour of the faculty's milestone celebration.
Wednesday's notes
Human Resources has announced the following faculty retirements effective January 2017:
- Barbara Robinson, who started at Waterloo in August 1979, retires as Associate Professor in the School of Optometry and Vision Science;
- John Medley, who joined the University in November 1981 and received tenure in July 1987, retires as Professor in Mechanical and Mechatronics Engineering;
- William Bobier, who started his career at Waterloo in January 1986 and received tenure in July 1992, retires as Professor in the School of Optometry and Vision Science;
- Francois Pare, who joined the University in August 2003, retires as Professor in French Studies.
Human Resources has also announced the following staff retirements, effective January 2017:
- Frank Preston, who joined the University in July 2012, retires as Psychophysiology & ERP Lab Technician in Psychology;
- Paul Johnson, who started at Waterloo in September 1977 retires as Research Technician in Earth and Environmental Sciences;
- Joan Marshall, who joined the University in March 1999, retires as Editor, Undergraduate Calendar and Manager, Communications in the Registrar's Office;
- Stephen Hitchman, whose start date was November 1988, retires as I.T. Computer Specialist in Mechanical and Mechatronics Engineering;
- Elizabeth Harnum, who joined the University in November 1990, retires as Executive Assistant in the Office of Research;
- Geale DeVries, who started at Waterloo in July 1975, retires as Equipment Operator in Plant Operations;
- Valtrudes (Walli) Fritz, who joined the University in July 1973, retires as Information Systems Specialist in IST;
- Ionel Burca, who started in October 1989, retires as Custodian I in Plant Operations;
- Heather Murphy, who joined Waterloo in August 1984, retires as Research Financial Analyst in the Office of Research;
- Mary Synnott, who started at the University in August 1979, retires as Administrative Co-ordinator, Women’s Studies and Applied Philosophy in the Philosophy department;
- James Chambers, who joined Waterloo in September 1981, retires as Microbiology Lab Technician in Biology.
The following staff retire effective February 1:
- Carol Ann Treitz, who joined Waterloo in November 2006, retires as Administrative Co-ordinator & Advisor, Undergraduate Studies in the School of Accounting and Finance;
- Gloria Pageau, who started at the University in July 1998, retires as Accounting Analyst in Finance;
- Shelley Bacik, who joined Waterloo in January 2001, retires as Administrative Assistant in the Centre for Teaching Excellence.
Congratulations all!
Link of the day
When and where
Carpool Month,February 1 to February 28
Partnerships 4 Employment Job Fair, Wednesday, February 1, 10:00 a.m., Manulife Sports Park, Waterloo.
Noon Hour Concert: Russian Songs & Sonatas, Wednesday, February 1, 12:30 p.m., Conrad Grebel Chapel.
Hallman Lecture Series featuring Professor Diane Phillips, University of Canberra, “Fostering the Conversation: Creativity and Innovation at the Grassroots for the Promotion of Health and Wellbeing at the University of Waterloo,” Wednesday, February 1, 2:00 p.m., AHS 1686.
Velocity Start: Ain’t No Model Like A Business Model, Wednesday, February 1, 7:30 p.m., Velocity Start, SCH 2nd Floor.
World Wetlands Day, Thursday, February 2.
Grammar Studio Series, "Making it shine: Conciseness and revision strategies," Thursday, February 2, 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
2016 Science Alumni Recognition Awards, Thursday, February 2, 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m., EIT.
Arriscraft Lecture Series featuring Phil Monture, “A Global Solution for the Six Nations of the Grand River,” Thursday, February 2, 6:30 p.m., School of Architecture.
World Wetlands Day public lecture featuring Ania Grobicki, Deputy Secretary General, RAMSAR, “From the age of carbon to the age of water- the role of wetlands” Thursday, February 2, 7:00 p.m., DC 1351.
Knowledge Integration alumni panel, “Life after KI”, Friday, February 3, 2:30 p.m., EV3-1408.
Chemistry Department Seminar Series featuring Prof. Benedict Glover, Department of Medicine, Queen’s University, “Development of Nanomaterials for Use in Cardiac Mapping”, Friday, February 3, 2:30 p.m., C2-361.
Bechtel Lectures in Anabaptist-Mennonite Studies featuring Dr. Kenneth Nafziger, “Melting the Boundaries of Our Being: Explorations in Singing Together,” Friday, February 3, 7:00 p.m., Conrad Grebel Great Hall.
Bridges Lecture: Making Math Visible, Friday,February 3, 7:30 p.m., St. Jerome’s University. Registration link.
FASS Super Variety Show, Saturday, February 4, Humanities Theatre.
Do you have a solution to a global problem? World’s Challenge Challenge applications due Sunday, February 5, 11:59 p.m.
Velocity Fund $25K applications open, Monday, February 6.
Gender & Equity Scholarship Series featuring Jennifer Clapp, “Bigger is Not Always Better: Implications of Recent Agribusiness Mega-Mergers for Equity and the Environment,” Monday, February 6, 11:30 to 1:00 p.m., MC 5501. Lunch provided. Please register.
LGBTQ+ Making Spaces Workshop, Monday, February 6, 1:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m., AHS 1686. Please register- Seating is limited.
2017 Grimm Lecture: “The Holocaust as History and Warning,” Monday, February 6, 7:00 p.m., Theatre of the Arts, Modern Languages.
Order your Treat-a-Grambefore Tuesday, February 7.
SCH Winter Warmup event, Tuesday, February 7, 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., SCH concourse.
Town Hall with David Lepofsky, "The AODA and the Developing Education Standard," Tuesday February 7, 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m., Waterloo Architecture, 7 Melville St. South, Cambridge, ARC 1001.
Chemistry Department Seminar Series featuring Professor Masaki Hada, Faculty of Engineering, Okayama University, “Molecular Movie of Photoactive Liquid Crystal Displaying Excited-State Aromaticity”, Wednesday, February 8, 2:30 p.m., C2-361.
Velocity Start: Setup Your Business Like A Boss, Wednesday, February 8, 7:30 p.m., Velocity Start, SCH 2nd Floor.
Chemistry Department Seminar Series featuring Professor Elia Psillakis, Department School of Environmental Engineering, Technical University of Crete, “Sample Preparation: Think Big, Act Small”, Thursday, February 9, 10:30 a.m., C2-361.
A Conversation with MP Charlie Angus, presented by the Waterloo Aboriginal Education Centre. Thursday, February 9, 1:00 p.m., Theatre of the Arts.
Curtis Memorial Lecture, "Canadian Counter-Terrorism In the Age of Trump," Thursday, February 9, 5:00 p.m., PAS 2083.
Big Ideas Challenge Info Night, Thursday, February 9, 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., St. Paul’s Alumni Hall.
Hagey Hub Grand Opening, Friday, February 10, 2:00 p.m., Hagey Hub.
Lectures in Catholic Experience featuring Mary Hynes, "52 Minutes of Silence: Finding Words for the Inexpressible,"Friday, February 10, 7:30 p.m.,St. Jerome’s University: Vanstone Lecture Theatre, Academic Centre - SJ2 1004.
WISE Public Lecture featuring Professor Srinivasan Keshav, "Solar + Storage + ioT +LED = $30 Trillion," Monday, February 13, 3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m., DC 1302.
Moving Together: Toward a Theory of Crip Spacetime, Monday, February 13, 3:00 to 4:30 p.m., Renison Room 2106. Please register.
Creating a Culture of Access for Mental Disability in University Space – A workshop for faculty and staff with disability studies professor Margaret Price, Tuesday, February 14, 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., DC1301. Please register.
Velocity Start: Do People Want Your Sh*t?, Wednesday, February 15, 7:30 p.m., Velocity Start, SCH 2nd Floor.
Retirement celebration for Bob Harrison, Thursday, February 16, 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m., Fed Hall. RVSP to edoede@uwaterloo.ca.
Family Day holiday, Monday, February 20, most university operations closed.
Reading Week, Monday, February 20 to Friday, February 24.
Weight Watchers at Waterloo sign-up deadline and meet-up, Tuesday, February 21, 12:00 p.m., EV2 1001.Contact mmfloyd@uwaterloo.ca for more information.
Velocity Fund $25K applications close, Saturday, February 25, 11:59 p.m. Apply.
Velocity Fund $5K pitch signups open, Monday, February 27. Signup.
Positions available
On this week's list from the human resources department, viewable on the UWaterloo Talent Acquisition System (iCIMS):
- Job ID# 2017-1459 – Auto Mechanic I – Plant Operations
- Job ID# 2017-1454 – Building Operator – Plant Operations
- Job ID# 2017-1457 – Building Serviceperson 1 – Carpenter – Plant Operations
- Job ID# 2016-1335 – Customer Service Coordinator – SSO-AccessAbility Services, USG 5
- Job ID# 2017-1458 – Department Assistant – Electrical & Computer Engineering, USG 4
- Job ID# 2017-1460 – Employment Relations – Student Advisor (Greater Toronto Area) – Coop Education & Career Action, USG 8-9
- Job ID# 2016-1379 – Financial Administrator – Centre for Extended Learning, USG 7
- Job ID# 2017-1462 – Information Systems Specialist (NET Systems Analyst and Developer) – Information Systems & Technology, USG 9-12
- Job ID# 2017-1455 – Mechanic I – Millwright – Plant Operations
Internal secondments:
- Job ID# 2017-1471 – Communications and Web Coordinator, Strategic Initiatives – Associate Provost – Human Resources, USG 9
- Job ID# 2017-1465 – Information Systems Specialist (E-Commerce Developer) – Information Systems & Technology, USG 9-11