Monday, April 10, 2017

Info session for Staff International Experience Fund

When Amanda McKenzie travelled to India as part of the Staff International Experience Fund (SIEF) to learn how standards and perceptions of academic integrity and academic scholarship vary around the world, she thought she knew what to expect.

“A lot of the stereotypes I had before I went to India were broken almost immediately,” she said.

It was one of many experiences for Amanda, who will share her SIEF stories and experiences along with Kelly McManus, who travelled to Australia, at a Lunch and Learn on Wednesday, noon to 1:00 p.m. in EC1-1227 (Philanthropy room). The session will also include information about how to apply for the SIEF by Ian Rowlands, AVP, Waterloo International. Please feel free to bring your lunch. Light refreshments (coffee and cookies) will be provided.

Follow Christine Kampen Robinson’s experience on Twitter as she travels through Europe (@ckampenr) and Waterloo International (@WaterlooINT) as well as details about the SIEF including deadlines at on the Waterloo International website.

Report your nest sightings on Goose Watch 2017

Enjoy them while they're young. But don't turn your back on them.

This week marks the annual launch of Goose Watch at the University of Waterloo. Goose Watch is a crowdsourced tool that allows users to view and report goose nesting locations on campus. It also allows users to plan routes around campus based on their comfort levels around nesting geese.

Like most new parents, Canada geese are very protective of their young. During nesting season, Plant Operations will be taking the usual precautions by posting signs and barricades in areas where possible territorial bird behavior may arise. 

To show respect to these soon-to-be-parents, Goose Watch 2017 has the following tips for pedestrians:

1. If a goose acts aggressively, back away slowly and calmly.
2. When passing geese, keep your chest and face pointed towards them. Maintain direct eye contact.
3. Be neutral. Do not show fear or act in a hostile manner.

In a few weeks, tiny goslings will be taking their first steps on campus and learning to swim in Laurel Creek. Until then, watch this educational video about nesting geese on our campus and record your goose sightings in Goose Watch.

Goose Watch is a collaboration between the Faculty of the Environment’s Mapping, Analysis, and Design department and the Student Success Office. Follow #GooseWatch17 for updates from UWaterloo Life.

Celebration 2017 launch event tomorrow

The Celebration 2017 Steering Committee is inviting students to join them on Tuesday, April 11 for The Celebration 2017 Legacy Project launch event at the Bombshelter Pub in the Student Life Centre from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.

The Celebration 2017 Legacy Project is seeking student proposals for a creative and innovative design that will transform a campus space, and the winning team will receive $10,000.

"Bring your teammates and come to ask questions, or come meet up with possible team members," says a note from the event organizers. "Site maps and brainstorming resources will be available at the event. Free refreshments will be available while supplies last. Members of the project Steering Committee will be in attendance. We hope to see you there!"

For more information about the Celebration 2017 Legacy Project, please visit the Celebration 2017 website.

Deadline to get Fees Arranged is April 24

The due date for students to submit their payment or Promissory Note to become Fees Arranged for Spring 2017 term without a late fee is Monday, April 24, according to a message from Student Financial Services. If there is a balance on students' account prior to the due date, the due date applies.

"If you are not Fees Arranged by June 30, you will be unenrolled and lose access to assignments, exams and course material on the online learning system LEARN," says the message from Student Financial Services. "If you are a co-op student on a recruiting term, your active applications on WaterlooWorks will also be cancelled."

Laurier students enrolled in courses at Waterloo and students on a co-op work term who are only enrolled in PD courses do not need to attain Fees Arranged status.

Students can view their bill for Spring 2017 by logging in to Quest, going to Student Centre, and then clicking Finances>Account Inquiry.  

There are two ways to become Fees Arranged:

• Payment in full - bank payment, Western Union Global Pay for Students or a certified cheque, money order or bank draft originating from a Canadian or US bank.
• Promissory Note - if students want to deduct approved financial aid (including funding from Waterloo) and only pay the remaining balance, they must submit the Promissory Note. Follow the step-by-step instructions. The Promissory Note will be available beginning noon on Thursday, March 30.

Students can use  Aeroplan miles or TD Travel Rewards points to pay tuition.

If the Promissory Note is not submitted, financial aid will not be deducted from a student's balance owing, including scholarships, bursaries, and award funding. Government student loan and grant funding will not be sent until "Fees Arranged" status has been secured.

OSAP recipients are advised not to submit an OSAP estimate along with their Promissory Note.

Fall OSAP amounts will be posted to student Quest accounts under 'Anticipated Aid' on an ongoing basis over the next several weeks. As an alternative, students can use a screenshot of their funding summary page from their OSAP account showing an approved OSAP assessment, to submit the Promissory Note.

Student Awards & Financial Aid recommends that students apply early for OSAP and allow up to 4 weeks processing time for supporting documentation.

If students don't have proof of funding by the due date, there are two options:

• Paying fees in full by the due date to avoid late fees;
• Submit the Promissory Note once acceptable proof of financial aid or payment of the remaining balance has been secured

Exchange and study abroad students coming to Waterloo should refer to their admission documents for specific fee and payment information.

Anyone with questions can contact Student Financial Services at  sfs@uwaterloo.ca or find helpful information on the Student Financial Services website.