Tuesday, February 14, 2017

"The start of the performance appraisal process is underway," says a memo from Human Resources circulated to employees late last month, "and you share the responsibility with your manager to review, document and discuss your performance for 2016."

“This Performance Appraisal should include a meaningful discussion highlighting your accomplishments and alignment to desired goals.”

Human Resources sent the memo to ensure that staff and managers are aware of the performance evaluation process and their accountabilities within the set timeline.

As for the performance evaluation form, there are no changes to the document for the 2016 appraisal.

The Support for Employees Compensation section of the Human Resources website is available with resources about upcoming appraisal and contains all the necessary forms, guides and tools for completing a performance appraisal. “Appraisals involve a two-way conversation,” says the memo, “and this is a good time for you to identify your areas of success, areas that you would like to further develop and interest in future career opportunities.” 

Policy 5 is available for review on the Secretariat’s website. This site contains all relevant policy information about the administration of the salary program, as well as salary scales.  

Staff and their managers should be meeting this month to discuss performance and review the performance appraisal, and the final date for performance appraisal forms to be submitted to Human Resources is March 17.

Anyone with questions about the appraisals process can speak with their managers directly or contact their Human Resources partner.

Waterloo helps kinesiology come to life at the Ontario Science Centre

James Rush, Dean of the Faculty of Applied Health Sciences (far right) poses with members of the Kinesiology research team and Ontario Science Centre staff at the launch of Biomechanics: The Machine Inside on February 8, 2017.

L to R: Margaret Burnett (Kinesiology), Professor Michael Barnet Cowan (Kinesiology), Kira Webb (OSC), Rachel Ward-Maxwell (OSC), Professor Marina Mourtzakis (Kinesiology), Dean James Rush (Applied Health Sciences)

Ever wonder how blood gets up to a giraffe’s head, how squishy earthworms manage to dig in hard ground or how much stronger the hyena’s bite is than a human’s?  From now until May 7, the University of Waterloo is partnering with the Ontario Science Centre to give visitors a hands-on look at the science behind these and many other marvels of natural engineering that drive human and animal movement.

Visitors can explore a new exhibit from the Field Museum in Chicago called Biomechanics: The Machine Inside to see how burrs found in dog fur inspired the invention of Velcro, how prosthetic limbs are modeled on the action of human muscles, and how humans have mined and mimicked many of nature’s designs.

Every day over March break and on select days until May 7, visitors can also take part in real University of Waterloo research being conducted by the Department of Kinesiology. In addition to live research, the department will host mini-lectures in the Centre’s Hot Zone and range of other family-friendly activities. Children can learn about the brain wearing their own brain hats, dress up as scientists and pose for pictures in a photo booth, or try controlling a model car remotely with only their arm muscles. A full list of activities hosted by the University of Waterloo will be posted shortly on the Kinesiology website.

“We are committed to improving quality of life for individuals, communities and populations through innovative research, including applied biomechanics and other movement sciences,” said James Rush, dean of the Faculty of Applied Health Sciences. “This partnership with the Ontario Science Centre allows us to share our own research with visitors and inspire the next generation of research scientists to effect positive change in the world.”

A 20 per cent admission discount is available for all Waterloo faculty, staff and students. To purchase tickets in advance call 1-888-696-1110 and use the code 10510.

There's still time to join the COU's conversation about the future

The Council of Ontario Universities (COU) is asking students and their parents what excites them and what concerns them about the future, and has engaged the province’s 21 universities in sparking a province-wide conversation about how universities can be good partners in ensuring the future is brighter for everyone.

Students and parents are asked to imagine the future and their place in it by taking an online survey at ontariosuniversities.ca.

The COU and its member institutions want to have a conversation with the public about what we can all do together to help shape tomorrow, and to make sure no one is left behind in this fast-changing world.

Survey questions include what skills students and parents think Ontarians need to prepare them for the future.

Ontario's universities also want to tap into ideas and aspirations about the future from a broader audience. Ontarians can send their feedback by email to insights@ontariosuniversities.ca, or they can share their ideas through a variety of social media platforms including Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Snapchat and Instagram - at @futuringON.

CTE hosts intensive course design workshop

A message from the Centre for Teaching Excellence (CTE)

The annual Teaching Excellence Academy (TEA) will be held this year on April 19, 20, 21, and 24. The TEA is aimed primarily at experienced faculty members who want the opportunity to rejuvenate their teaching.  At the TEA, attendees will thoroughly revise one of their courses (face-to-face, fully online, or face-to-face courses with significant online components) with the assistance of their peers and experts from the Centre for Teaching Excellence (CTE) and the Centre for Extended Learning (CEL). 

Past attendees have reported that the TEA helped them to design more effective courses and make their design choices more transparent for their students. The TEA ends with a showcase event at which TEA participants share their revised course outlines.

Interested faculty members should contact their department Chair/Director or faculty Teaching Fellow/Associate Dean, Teaching, for more information.

Tuesday's notes

Today is the second day of Federation of Students elections. The election runs three days from Feb 13 to Feb 15. For more information on elections, including candidate bios and platforms, please visit the Feds election site.  

Sustainable Campus Initiative is holding a Fair Trade event on Feb 14. The event runs from 11;30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m., SLC Marketplace. For more information on the event, please visit the SCI Facebook page.

A workshop "Creating a Culture of Access for Mental Disability in University Space" featuring Margaret Price will be held today from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., DC - William G. Davis Computer Research Centre Room 1301.

The workshop presents concrete strategies to make the university space more accessible for employees with mental disabilities. To learn more about the workshop, please visit Creating a Culture of Access for Mental Disability in University Space workshop.