Tuesday, February 14, 2017

    Editor:
    Brandon Sweet
    University Communications
    bulletin@uwaterloo.ca


    It's performance appraisal season

    "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

    Ontario Science Centre Biomechanics

    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

    Creating Conversations for a Better Future inside a speech bubble.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.

     

    Link of the day

    Valentine's Day

    When and where

    Carpool Month, February 1 to February 28.

    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.

    UWRC Book Club featuring Craig Davidson’s “Precious Cargo: My Year of Driving the Kids on the School Bus,” Wednesday, February 15, 12:00 p.m., LIB 407.

    Test Preparation and Test Anxiety (February 2017), Wednesday, February 15, 2:30 p.m., SCH 108A.

    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.

    Master of Business, Entrepreneurship and Technology Info Session, Tuesday, February 21, 10:30 a.m., Conrad Business, Entrepreneurship and Technology Centre.

    Paving the way for excellent dementia care and support: A three-part education initiative: “Coping with change on the caregiver journey,” Tuesday, February 21, 11:30 a.m., DC 1302.

    WICI Talk featuring Dr. Alexander Wong, "Deep Learning with Darwin: Evolutionary Synthesis of Operational Deep Intelligence" Tuesday, February 21, 2:30 p.m., DC 1302.

    Education Credit Union presentation, “RRSPs & TFSAs: What are they and which is the best for me?” Thursday, February 23 12:00 p.m., DC 1302. RSVP to Amy Fowler by Wednesday, February 22.

    Grade 10 Family Night, Thursday, February 23, 6:30 p.m., Mathematics 3 atrium, Applied Health Sciences atrium.

    Theatre of the Beat Production, "Forgiven/Forgotten," Thursday, February 23, 8:00 p.m., St. Jerome's Vanstone Lecture Hall (SJ2 1004).

    Hagey Bonspiel, Friday, February 24, 8:40 a.m., Ayr Curling Club, Ayr.

    Water Institute lecture, “From Uncertainty Quantification to Hypothesis-Testing in Hydrological Application: Review of recent advances”, Friday, February 24, 1:30 p.m., E2 2350.

    Velocity Fund $25K applications close, Saturday, February 25, 11:59 p.m. Apply.

    The Blanket Exercise, Sunday, February 26, 1:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m., St. Jerome's Vanstone Lecture Hall (SJ2 1004).

    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.

    Student Success Office presents Note Taking, Tuesday, February 28, 4:30 p.m., SCH 108A.

    Building a Global Low Carbon Economy Piece by Peace, Tuesday, February 28, 4:30 p.m., Conrad Grebel University College Schlegel Community Education Room.

    Velocity Start: How to Find Your Customers Online, Wednesday, March 1, 7:30 p.m., Velocity Start, SCH 2nd Floor.

    World’s Challenge Challenge UWaterloo, Thursday, March 2, Location & Time TBD.

    School of Architecture Arriscraft Lecture Series featuring Azra Akšamija, “Mosque Manifesto: Propositions for Spaces of Coexistence,” Thursday, March 2, 6:00 p.m., Cummings Lecture Theatre, School of Architecture. 

    Retirement celebration for Brian Reid, Friday, March 3, 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m., campus vehicle shop (behind the COM) GSC Room. 1122. Note: the event location has been changed.

    International Women’s Day Dinner, Friday, March 3, 5:30 p.m., Federation Hall.

    2017 Rodney and Lorna Sawatsky Visiting Scholar Lecture featuring Dr. Mary Jo Leddy, “Room Enough For Hope: Canada’s Response to the Refugee Crisis,” Friday, March 3, 7:30 p.m., Conrad Grebel Great Hall, Room 1111.

    Local ACM-style programming contest, Saturday, March 4, 10:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., MC 3003.

    Noon Hour Concert, “Cello & Piano, Russian Style,” Wednesday, March 8, 12:30 p.m., Conrad Grebel Chapel.

    Bridges lecture: The Platonic solids as Tiffany lamps, art objects and stepping-stones to higher dimensions, Wednesday, March 8, 7:30 p.m., STJ 1004.

    Velocity Start: Pitch Like A Pro, Wednesday, March 8, 7:30 p.m., Velocity Start, SCH 2nd Floor.

    School of Architecture Arriscraft Lecture Series featuring Stephen Gray, “Urban Design, Politics and Social Process,” Monday, March 9, 6:00 p.m., Cummings Lecture Theatre, School of Architecture.

    Colourful X-rays featuring Electrical and Computer Engineering Professor Karim S. Karim, Friday, March 24, 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. Please register. Seating is limited.