Thursday, October 19, 2017


A growing pile of trash bags outside the Davis Centre.

Waste mountain continued to grow on Wednesday. Waterloo has over sixteen different programs run by staff or students to divert garbage from landfill, but reducing waste is far more effective than recycling. Bringing a reusable water bottle, lunch containers, and coffee mug are simple ways to cut down on unnecessary waste. Learn more about Zero Waste Week.

A recent memo from Vice-President, Academic & Provost George Dixon and University Secretary Karen Jack has outlined changes in how legal services will be provided at the University.

"On September 26, 2017, members of Executive Council were notified that the University was announcing a realignment in how legal services will be provided in support of the University and its stakeholders," says the memo, which was circulated on October 12. "Further to this memo, we would like to provide clarity for the community about the distribution of functions between the Secretariat and the newly established Legal and Immigration Services."

"Moving forward, the Office of General Counsel is no longer required, and Legal and Immigration services will report to the Provost. This streamlined approach will ensure that the University has access to expert legal resources internally as well as external counsel as required."

Some of the key functions and responsibilities of each office were outlined as follows:

Secretariat

The Secretariat should be consulted for matters relating to: institutional governance; policy advice and interpretation; institutional risk management and internal audit; access and privacy; records management; and procedural advice including any matters relating to the quasi-judicial processes for disciplinary or grievance matters for faculty, students and staff.

Expert professionals in the Secretariat provide advice and guidance on a host of issues which might affect the institution. The office may be reached by contacting Emily Schroeder at eschroeder@uwaterloo.ca; ext. 32749.

Legal and Immigration Services

Legal and Immigration Services should be consulted for advice on legal issues affecting the University including: corporate commercial law; anti-spam (CASL) compliance; contract law; administrative law; employment law; human rights law; intellectual property law; legal risk management; litigation; and immigration matters.

Legal and Immigration Services provides expert legal advice and engage external counsel, as required. The office may be reached at: lis@uwaterloo.ca or by contacting Terri Rau at ext. 37549.

"We would like to thank you for your support, understanding, and patience as we go through this transition period," write Dixon and Jack. "Both offices are committed to supporting the University community, and working together to ensure that all questions and issues raised are properly handled or re-directed as appropriate. The campus community is encouraged to reach out to either office when matters arise for which advice is needed. The offices will collaborate to ensure sound support and collegiality for the campus community in navigating the University’s policy and governance environment."

Faculty association celebrations 60 years

60 Years of FAUW logo.

A message from the Faculty Association of the University of Waterloo (FAUW)

The Faculty Association of the University of Waterloo (FAUW) advocates for faculty members at Waterloo. Like other faculty associations across Canada, FAUW negotiates compensation and working conditions, and defends members’ rights. Unlike most other faculty associations, however, FAUW isn't a union.

But the efforts of faculty who led union drives in the 1970s, '80s, and '90s laid the groundwork for the current system of ongoing negotiation that has come to be known as "The Waterloo Way."

Next Thursday, a panel of past FAUW presidents and negotiators from both sides will discuss this history of near-unionization and the current system that shapes faculty life at Waterloo, exploring some of the biggest issues FAUW has tackled on behalf of faculty members over the last six decades.

The panel takes place in Needles Hall, room 3407, from 3:30 p.m. to 4:45 p.m. on October 26. The panelists are Roman Dubinski (FAUW president 1970-71), David DeVidi (FAUW president 2007-09), Lynne Taylor (chief negotiator and board member 2014-16), and Ian Goulden (Dean of Mathematics 2010-15 and past negotiator for the University).

At a reception following the panel from 4:45 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., the association will also be presenting its first FAUW Appreciation Awards to three individuals from across campus who have gone above and beyond to improve the working lives of faculty members: Lynne Taylor, Linda Brogden (Occupational Health), and Al Binns (Police Services).

The event is open to all members of the University community. Please register on ticketfi.

Schedule some Random Acts of Kindness on November 3

November 3 2017 Random Act of Kindness Day banner.

Since 2014, the University of Waterloo has participated in the Kitchener Waterloo Community Foundation’s Random Act of Kindness Day.

On Friday, November 3, join in as the spirit of caring is mobilized across campus and the community.

As individuals, groups, or departments, your acts of kindness towards one another and total strangers is as easy and fun as you want it to be. Giveaways, notes, surprise gifts or messages are all easy to do. Mobilize your friends and colleagues to try something new this year, and when you do, Community Relations and Events (CRE) wants to hear about it.

Let CRE know in advance (cre@uwaterloo.ca) and they will feature your activities on social media and online. Track your acts of kindness and CRE will see how many acts of kindness can be generated in one day.

Chronicle your activities online using the hashtag #UWaterlooRAK.

CRE will have a supply of RAK cards available to teams, available upon request.

"Thanks to our many campus partners who have participated in the past," says a note from CRE. "We’ve had food giveaways, community clean-ups, parking ticket forgiveness, and so much more.  Get creative and have some great team-building time, too."

You can check out the video and Storify from last year for inspiration and ideas.

Black and Gold Fridays continue; other notes

Feridun Hamdullahpur and his office staff wear Black and Gold gear.

President Feridun Hamdullahpur sporting Warrior wear with his staff for Black and Gold Fridays.

Waterloo staff and faculty are encouraged to show their Warrior pride by wearing black and gold every Friday. And don’t be shy! Share a photo of your team all decked out, and use the hashtag #GoBlackGoGold for a chance to win a brilliant prize pack.

The Federation of Students October Annual General Meeting is fast approaching, according to a note from Feds. "All undergraduate students are welcome and encouraged to participate in the AGM on Tuesday, October 24 at 12 p.m. in the SLC Great Hall."

Feds hosts two General Meetings each year, one in October and one in March, where students can hear more about and vote on important updates that will affect their campus life. Topics covered include online voting, pay restructuring, and a number of agenda items brought forward by undergrads, and will be followed by a Q&A panel discussion on mental health on campus featuring members from the President’s Advisory Committee on Student Mental Health.

Please encourage undergraduate students to exercise their right to guide the direction of their student union by participating in the AGM.

Students can drop in and out if they have class or other on-campus obligations, or vote by proxy if they’re off campus (a peer who is attending will vote on their behalf). Proxies are due to pres@feds.ca by 4:00 p.m. on Oct 20.

For more information, please visit feds.ca.

The University Club will be hosting its annual Halloween Luncheon Buffet on Friday, October 27 from 11:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Link of the day

30 years ago: Black Monday

When and where

Business Etiquette and Professionalism, Thursday, October 19, 1:30 p.m., TC room 1208.

Is Grad School Right for Me?, Thursday, October 19, 6:00 p.m., TC room 2218.

Fall 2017 Convocation, Friday, October 20 and Saturday, October 21, Physical Activities Complex.

Office of Research United Way Bake Sale, Friday, October 20, 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. or while supplies last, Main Lobby, East Campus 5.

Convocation lunch for the Fall 2017 Convocation ceremonies, Friday, October 20 and Saturday, October 21, 11:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., University Club.

50th Anniversary Earth Sciences Museum Tour, Friday, October 20, 1:00 p.m., Peter Russell Rock Garden.

PhD seminar, “Energy system control with deep neural networks,” Fiodar Kazhamiaka, PhD candidate, David R. Cheriton School of Computer Science, Friday, October 20, 1:30 p.m., DC 1331.

Centre for Applied Cryptographic Research, “Building secure systems from memory enclaves,” Sergey Gorbunov, David R. Cheriton School of Computer Science, Friday, October 20, 2:00 p.m., DC 1304.

2017 Farvolden Lecture featuring Cathryn Ryan, Professor, Geoscience and BSc Environmental Science Program, University of Calgary, "Groundwater, Bubbles, and Energy," Friday, October 20, 2:30 p.m., Hagey Hall.

Warriors Women's Hockey Home Opener vs. UOIT, Saturday October 21, 2:30 p.m., CIF Arena.

Chemistry Seminar Series featuring Bill Poirier, "Sulfur Mass Independent Fractionation (S-MIF): How quantum dynamics will answer fundamental questions about the origins of life," Friday, October 20, 3:00 p.m., C2-361.

Project Management as a Career Option, October 23, 2:30 p.m., TC room 2218.

Public lecture, Rudrick Visiting Scholar in Philosophy Dr. Eva Kittay, “The Desire for Normalcy,”, Monday, October 23, 7:00 p.m., Federation Hall, Columbia Rooms A & B.  Refreshments and food will be served after the lecture.

Mental Health Wellness Day, Tuesday, October 24.

Employee - Helping students understand international careers – employees only, Tuesday, October 24, 9:30 a.m., TC 2218.

Federation of Students Annual General Meeting, Tuesday, October 24, 12:00 p.m., Student Life Centre Great Hall.

Employee - Interviews: Preparing for Questions – employees only, Tuesday, October 24, 12:00 p.m., TC 2218.

Interviews: preparing for questions, Tuesday, October 24, 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m., TC 1208.

Exploring Your Personality Type (Myers—Briggs Type Indicator) Part II, Tuesday, October 24, 1:30 p.m., TC 1112.

President's Advisory Committee on Student Mental Health panel discussion, Tuesday, October 24, 3:00 p.m., Student Life Centre Great Hall.

WaterTalk: The importance of ecosystem-based ecotoxicology for advancing environmental policy, with special reference to Canadian Oil Sands development, presented by professor Diane Orihel, Tuesday, October 24, 3:00 p.m., EIT 1015.

Law School Applications (OLSAS) Q&A, Tuesday, October 24, 4:00 p.m., online.

Gairdner Lecture 2017 featuring Dr. Rino Rappuoli, “For pioneering the genomic approach, known as reverse vaccinology, used to develop a vaccine against meningococcus B which has saved many lives worldwide.", Tuesday, October 24, 4:30 p.m., B1 271.

Department of Music presents Noon Hour Concerts: Songs For My Mother, Wednesday, October 25, 12:30 p.m., Conrad Grebel Chapel.

Going Abroad 101: Everything you need to know about going abroad to study, volunteer, intern, teach, travel or work!, Wednesday, October 25, 1:30 p.m., TC 2218.

Vision Science Research Seminar Series featuring Dr. Vincent Billock, The Ohio State University, “Visual psychophysics and theoretical neuroscience,” Wednesday, October 25, 4:30 p.m., OPT 347.

Velocity Start: Setup Your Business Like A Pro, “Wednesday, October 25, 7:30 p.m., Velocity Start, SCH 2nd Floor.

WaterTalk: From the Exxon Valdez oil spill to the BP Deep Water Horizon oil spill: A story of economic damages from major environmental contamination events, presented by professor Kevin Boyle, Thursday, October 26, 2:30 p.m., QNC 0101/1103A.

FAUW and the Waterloo Way – 60 Years of Collegial Governance: The Faculty Association’s 60th Anniversary Celebration, Thursday, October 26, 3:30 p.m., NH 3407. 

Retirement celebration for Manfred Grisebach, Thursday, October 26, 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m., Federation Hall. RSVP to Michelle Mank - mank@uwaterloo.ca.

University of Waterloo 2017 Gem and Mineral Show, Friday, October 27, 12:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., and Saturday, October 28, 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., EIT 1st and 2ndfloor. 

NEW - Halloween Luncheon Buffet, Friday, October 27, 11:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., University Club.

Research Talks Series, "Global Assessment of Payments for Watershed Services" featuring Economics Professor Roy Brouwer, Friday, October 27, 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m., DC 1302. Please register. Seating is limited.

Warriors Volleyball Home Opener vs. Windsor, Friday October 27, 6:00 p.m., PAC Main Gym

CrySP Speaker Series on Privacy, “Rearranging power through law and code: Deciphering the Canadian encryption debate,” Lex Gill, The Citizen Lab, Friday, October 27,  2:30 p.m., DC 1304.

Science Open House, Saturday, October 28, 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., STC.

Warriors Basketball Home Opener, Staff and Faculty Appreciation, Big Ticket and Donor Appreciation Day vs. Western, Saturday October 28, 12:00 p.m., PAC Main Gym.

Distinguished Lecture Series, “Data science: Is it real?” Jeff Ullman, Stanford University, Monday, October 30, 3:30 p.m., DC 1304. 10:30 a.m., QNC 0101. Please note the new time and location.

Board of Governors meeting, Tuesday, October 31, 1:30 p.m., NH 3407.