Tuesday, May 2, 2017

Excellence Canada going for gold University-wide

In 2014, the Library piloted the implementation of Excellence Canada’s Excellence, Innovation, and Wellness (EIW) Standard at the Bronze (first) level. Since then, eight units have successfully integrated the EIW Standard at the Bronze or Silver levels:

• Faculty of Applied Health Sciences (Bronze, January 2016);
• Faculty of Mathematics (Bronze, January 2016);
• Information Systems & Technology (Bronze, in progress);
• Office of the President (Silver, January 2016);
• Office of the Vice-President Academic and Provost (Silver, November 2016);
• Organizational & Human Development (Silver, November 2016);
• Human Resources (Silver, November 2016); and
• Library (Bronze, October 2014; Silver, April 2017)

The overarching goal of this University-wide initiative is to advance the University’s Strategic Plan and eight strategic themes and, in particular, the Robust Employer-Employee Relationship theme.

Moving forward, the University will be integrating the EIW Standard at the Gold level for the University as a whole, as opposed to certifying each Faculty, Office, and Service Unit individually. This new approach will provide a common framework against which each Faculty and Department of the university can assess its operations using nationally recognized quality standards of leadership, planning, service to students, people engagement, and process management. It will enable the University as a whole to address any institution-wide gaps that are identified and develop supporting initiatives to benefit the University community.

An Excellence Canada Advisory Committee with representation from across campus has been established to guide the integration of the EIW Standard at the Gold level. The Advisory Committee will provide more information about this initiative on a regular basis and will be inviting employees to participate in baseline preliminary assessment activities that will measure the University against the EIW Standards. You are encouraged to take the opportunity to provide your feedback through surveys, focus groups, and website links as they are announced.

For more information, contact any member of the University’s Excellence Canada Advisory Committee.

Celebrating superheroes and volunteers

Becky Ewan, Dorothy Chapman, Erin Smith and Brian Alan Mills.

by Lauren Ward.

It is a great coincidence that ‘National Superhero Day’ falls during ‘National Volunteer Appreciation Week.’ Or is it a coincidence at all?

In a way, volunteers are like real life superheroes. They sacrifice their leisure time to help organizations in their communities. Like superheroes, they exhibit altruism. This is a trait where one is selflessly concerned for the well-being of others. Altruism is one of the best characteristics a person can have. These volunteers are the best kind of role model to look up to.

Registrar’s Office staff wore their “superhero” attire on Friday, April 28, which was National Superhero Day. By wearing a shirt from the establishments they volunteer for, they represented themselves well. They are not alone in this activity at the University. Many within the University community assist various not-for-profit groups. Whether it is building houses for Habitat for Humanity or fundraising for the Humane Society, there are so many activities people have put a lot of their free time into.

On behalf of the University of Waterloo, we in the Registrar’s Office would like to say thank you to all of the heroes who contribute in trying to make the world a better place.

April showers bring May goslings

Goose Watch ’17 has only been up and running for a few weeks and already more than 30 nests have been spotted on campus.

Nesting season is slowly coming to an end but we are still looking for your help in keeping Goose Watch up to date. Don’t forget to submit your snaps of nesting geese and new nesting locations on campus to help your fellow staff, students and faculty navigate this exciting time of year.

To show respect to these soon-to-be-parents, Goose Watch ‘17 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.

Goose Watch is a collaboration between the Faculty of the Environment’s Mapping, Analysis, and Design department and the Student Success Office.

Your continued support of Goose Watch is greatly appreciated!

Videos look back and look ahead; other notes

Two videos debuted at last Friday's President's Community Breakfast. Featuring quotes from local community leaders, the videos look back at the University of Waterloo's 60 years of impact in Waterloo Region, and look ahead to the impact that the University of Waterloo will have in the next 60 years and beyond.

The videos are now part of the University's 60^th anniversary website.

The beginning of a new term is as good a time as any to review and renew your fitness goals, and as luck would have it, there are opportunities on campus for those who are looking to make a fresh, if sweaty, start to the season.

For example:

• TheGROOVE dance classes have returned for the Spring term and will take place on Tuesdays from 5:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. in CPH 4333. For more information, contact Cindy Howe at cindy@uwaterloo.ca.
• UW Fitness has added more exercise programs to its lineup starting May and June. Waterloo staff receive 50 percent off the sticker price thanks to the Staff Excellence Fund subsidy. Along with offering some popular previous programs, new programs include: 
  • Fast and Effective Home Workouts;
  • HIIT – High Intensity Interval Training; and
  • Rock the Walk with the Nordic Pole Technique.​