Editor:
Brandon Sweet
University Communications
bulletin@uwaterloo.ca
New associate provost for co-op named amid reorganization
“In response to one of the strategic priorities in the Experiential Education theme in the University’s strategic plan, organizational changes are being made to align the University’s centralized work-integrated education practices, primarily within Co-operative Education and Career Action (CECA) and the EDGE program for students not in co-op programs,” says a memo from Vice-President, Academic & Provost Ian Orchard distributed to Executive Council and campus stakeholders earlier this week.
Peggy Jarvie, currently the executive director of Co-operative Education and Career Action, has been named Associate Provost, Co-operative and Experiential Education (CEE).
The WatPD and EDGE programs, currently in the portfolio of Associate Provost, Resources Beth Jewkes will now be reporting to the new associate provost, co-operative and experiential education.
Also reporting to the associate provost will be:
- Co-operative Education;
- The Centre for Career Action;
- Operations; and
- WatCACE (jointly reporting to the Associate Vice-President, Academic).
“This new structure largely integrates existing units while changing some reporting structures and a level of accountability in some roles,” writes the provost.
Two new roles will be created to support the new associate provost portfolio; an executive officer to manage budgets, ensure Human Resources practices are followed and records maintained, and lead an administrative support team; and a data manager role that will build the practices around access to experiential education data and support ongoing production reporting, analysis and research in a strategic, systematic way. These roles will be filled by open competition.
“The Co-operative Education unit within the Associate Provost’s portfolio, led by an Executive Director, Co-operative Education, will have a refined scope that focuses on co-op student support, employer attraction and retention, and employment process support,” says the memo. “Recruitment for that executive director position will begin shortly.”
"The integration of these portfolios into one unit will strengthen the University’s work-integrated learning offerings for students across the university,” says Jarvie. "73 percent of undergraduate students come to Waterloo because of co-op and by combining co-op and research, professional development, the career centre, and operations under a single umbrella Waterloo will leverage its collective strength seamlessly for all students. This is evidence of the University’s commitment to co-op and other forms of experiential education, and I look forward to the opportunities ahead."
“The University of Waterloo is committed to co-operative education, experiential education, and work-integrated learning,” writes the provost. “Under this new structure, Waterloo’s leadership in co-operative education will continue to grow, and we will be better positioned to maintain our unrelenting focus on the educational and career success of our students.”
Give Feedback. Get Change.
Student feedback matters; it’s how we move ideas into action!
Today is the launch of the National Survey of Student Engagement (NSSE) on campus. This survey goes out to all first-year and graduating undergraduate students, giving them the opportunity to tell us about their educational experience at Waterloo: How good is the academic advising?? How accessible are faculty members and campus services? How has co-op/study abroad/practicum opportunities helped to acquire a job?
These questions and more will be sent to students via their @uwaterloo.ca accounts. The survey takes 15-20 minutes to complete and will be available to students until April 4, 2017. Students that submit their survey responses will receive a $5 added to their Watcard and will be entered in a draw to win $500 and other weekly prizes.
The National Survey of Student Engagement (NSSE) measures students’ engagement in their academic pursuits and other educationally purposeful activities. It is administered by the Indiana University Center for Post-secondary research and has included participation from over 1,550 universities and colleges since 2000.
Waterloo last participated in the NSSE survey in 2014. Student responses indicated that they wanted improved quality of course instruction, better study space, and more opportunities to collaborate with faculty members on research.
After reflecting back on those results from 2014, we are happy to report that there has been a 30 percent increase in instructor participation in teaching workshops at the Centre for Teaching Excellence, 10,000+ sq. ft. of study space has been added or made available across campus, and $600,000+ in President’s Research Award funding has been issued for undergrads to participate in research with a Waterloo Researcher.
Visit the NSSE 2017 website for more information about this year’s survey. Additional information about the NSSE survey at Waterloo can be found on the IAP website.
- For general student inquiries, please contact IAP Survey Admin.
- For survey ethics, administration and survey results, please contact Jana Carson, Senior Manager at Institutional Analysis and Planning (IAP)
- For student engagement activities and outreach, please contact Laura Stickel
Let’s keep the conversation going, this feedback will help us to move ideas into action!
Student Service Transformation project update
A message from the Student Services Transformation Needles Hall (SSTNH) Project Team
Chris Read returns for the monthly update on the Student Service Transformation project. This month, we achieved a key milestone by hiring the project architect! Watch the video below to learn what the project team will be working on in February and visit the project website for more information.
Science celebrates its 2016 Science Alumni Awards
by Nina Yan
Last week, the Faculty of Science recognized five outstanding alumni at the 2016 Science Alumni Recognition Awards Reception. The annual event recognizes the outstanding contributions of Science alumni to their profession, community and science.
Opening remarks from Feridun Hamdullahpur kicked off the event and Bob Lemieux, Dean of Science, was the Master of Ceremonies.
Kurt Gray (BSc Psychology/Science, minor in Earth Sciences) is known as a leading scholar in social cognition and received the Young Alumni Award. His research provides insight into decision-making, moral judgment and the link between perception and mortality.
Three Science alumni received a Distinguished Alumni Award for their significant service, contribution and achievements.
Nicholas Brathwaite (MSc Chemistry) has developed one of the most advanced semiconductors assembly and packing technologies and is a successful technologist, engineer, entrepreneur, and private equity and venture capital investor.
“I am grateful not only for this award but for the quality of education I gained from this institution,” said Brathwaite.
Dr. Stephen Pautler (BSc Co-op Chemistry), an expert in hereditary kidney cancer and robotic surgery, is known for developing Canada’s first robotic surgery program and has also performed the most robotic surgeries of any surgeon.
“Waterloo set me up for success and I will be forever grateful,” said Pautler.
David Weitz (BSc Physics), currently working as a professor at Harvard, gained a reputation for his work in diffusing-wave spectroscopy, microrheology and fluid mechanics.
Janet McDougall (BSc Biology and Psychology, minor in Biochemistry) received the Contributions to Science Award. She is renown for her work in clinical research and is the founder of the pharmaceutical contract research organization McDougall Scientific Ltd.
Congratulations to all of our award recipients!
Creative Services updates requisition form; other notes
Creative Services has updated their online requisition form to make it easier for you request print design, video production, photographic management, illustrations, animation and web enhancements.
The new form will be launched on Friday February 10 at 4:00 p.m.
Changes you can expect:
- Detailed creative brief style questions
- Defined roles for project management based on the RACI format
- Defined project deliverables
These additional questions will allow us to better understand your project at the time of intake, reduce additional questions and provide insight into the best approach for applying the refined brand.
As always, we look forward to working with you on your marketing collateral and are happy to address any questions that come up as you work through these forms. Should you require any assistance, please reach out to either Jennifer Halcrow, ext. 31759 or Julie Grant, ext. 33612.
Please update your bookmark for the online requisition to the following link: https://uwaterloo.ca/creative-services/send-online-requisition.
The organizers of last week's #WeAreAllUWaterloo rally are back with round two on Friday - a Read-In and Act-Up event in the lobby of the Dana Porter Library from 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m.
"Please join us for a Read-In of poetry, fiction, and non-fiction by African Canadian, African American, and Muslim writers - including U-Waterloo students!" says the event's Facebook page. "In conjunction with National Days of Action against Racism, White Supremacy, and Islamophobia, and in honour of Black History Month, this event will feature readings, performances, write your own poetry activities, and time for solidarity! Join us because #WeAreAllUWaterloo."
More information is available on the English Language and Literature blog.
Reminder: Take the Daily Bulletin E-Newsletter survey!
University Communications is looking for ways to improve its communications activities, and we need your feedback. You are invited to participate in a Daily Bulletin E-Newsletter Survey to help us learn more about your experience with receiving a daily e-newsletter version of the Daily Bulletin.
Whether you are a regular, occasional, or non e-newsletter reader, we’d like to hear your opinions.
Please participate by completing the survey, which should take approximately 5 to 10 minutes.
The survey will be available until Friday, February 17.
Link of the day
50 years ago: The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour debuts
When and where
Carpool Month,February 1 to February 28.
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.
Computer Science Distinguished Lecture Series featuring Eric Horvitz, Technical Fellow and Managing Director, Microsoft Research, “Data, Predictions and Decisions in Support of People and Society,” Thursday, February 9, 3:30 p.m., DC 1302. Note: this event has been cancelled.
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.
Computer Science Distinguished Lecture Series featuring Eric Horvitz, Technical Fellow and Managing Director, Microsoft Research, “The One Hundred Year Study on Artificial Intelligence: An Enduring Study on AI and its Influence on People and Society,” Friday, February 10, 10:30 a.m., DC 1302. Note: this event has been cancelled.
We Are All UWaterloo Read-In, Friday, February 10, 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m., Dana Porter Library lobby.
Hagey Hub Grand Opening, Friday, February 10, 2:00 p.m., Hagey Hub.
Knowledge Integration Seminar featuring Sara Ross-Howe, “VITALITI: The Cloud DX team entry in the Qualcomm Tricorder XPRIZE competition”, Friday, February 10, 2:30 p.m., EV3-1408.
Philosophy Humphrey Chair Colloquium featuring Professor Heidi Grasswick, George Nye and Anne Walker Boardman Professor of Mental and Moral Science, Middlebury College, “Trust, Science, and Epistemic Injustice,” Friday, February 10, 2:30 p.m., Hagey Hall 334.
Lectures in Catholic Experiencefeaturing 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.
Confederation Debates Public Lecture featuring J.R. Miller, "Confederation and Indigenous Treaty-Making in Canada 1871-1921," Saturday, February 11, 7:00 p.m., Vanstone Lecture Hall, STJ 1004, St. Jerome’s University.
Centre for Mental Health Research Public Talk, “Overcoming Anxiety and Depression,” Sunday, February 12, 2:00 p.m., Waterloo Public Library Main Branch.
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.
University Club Valentine’s Day Luncheon,Tuesday, February 14, 11:30 a.m., University Club.
Noon Hour Concert, "Oshungo Drum & Dance," Wednesday, February 15, 12:30 p.m, Conrad Grebel University College Chapel.
Velocity Start: Do People Want Your Sh*t?, Wednesday, February 15, 7:30 p.m., Velocity Start, SCH 2nd Floor.
WaterTalks Lecture featuring Alex Mayer, Professor, Geological Mining and Engineering and Sciences, Michigan Tech University, "Developing the Great Lakes’ Blue Economy: Water productivity, depletion, and virtual trade in the Great Lakes basin," Thursday, February 16, 1:00 p.m., QNC 0101/1103A.
Retirement celebration for Bob Harrison, Thursday, February 16, 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m., Fed Hall. RVSP to edoede@uwaterloo.ca.
2016/2017 Medieval Lecture Series featuring Professor Nichola Terpstra, Victoria College, University of Toronto, "Digital Mapping of Renaissance Florence: Tracking People, Sound, and Movement in the Pre-Modern City," Thursday, February 16, 4:30 p.m., St. Jerome’s University, SJ2-1002.
Electrical and Computer Engineering Distinguished Lecture featuring Professor Simon Haykin, "Cognitive Risk Control for Physical Systems," Friday, February 17, 1:30 p.m., EIT 3142.
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.
Centre for Mental Health Research Public Talk, “Mental Health in Childhood,” Sunday, February 26, 2:00 p.m., Waterloo Public Library Main Branch.
Velocity Fund $5K pitch signups open, Monday, February 27. Signup.
Senate meeting, Monday, February 27, 3:30 p.m., NH 3407.
PhD oral defences
English Language and Literature. Christine Horton, "Defining the Undefinable: Rhetorics of Democratic Torture Interrogation." Supervisor, Michael MacDonald. On deposit in the Arts graduate office, PAS 2428. Oral defence Tuesday, February 21, 1:00 p.m., MC 2009.
Mechanical & Mechatronics Engineering. Dawit Effa, "Design, Fabrication and Characterization of MEMS Gyroscopes Based on Frequency Modulation." Supervisor, Mustafa Yavuz, Eihab Abdel-Rahman. On deposit in the Engineering Graduate Office, DWE 3520C. Oral defence Wednesday, February 22, 9:00 a.m., E5 3052.
Psychology. Julia Isacescu, "Understanding boredom proneness: Cognitive and affective correlates in healthy and traumatic brain injured individuals." Supervisor, James Danckert. On deposit in the Arts Graduate Office, PAS 2428. Oral defence Wednesday, February 22, 9:00 a.m., PAS 3206.
Applied Mathematics. Subasha Wickramarachchi, "The hydrodynamics of two-dimensional oscillating flows over ripples: the effects of assymetries in ripple shape and currents." Supervisor, Kevin Lamb. Thesis available from MGO - mgo@uwaterloo.ca. Oral defence Friday, February 24, 1:00 p.m., Mc 6460.