Tuesday, October 31, 2017

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• Environment grad program open house tomorrow
• Spooky contact lenses could have scary consequences
• Board of Governors meets today; other notes

Environment grad program open house tomorrow

The Faculty of Environment is the fastest growing faculty at the University of Waterloo. A big part of that growth comes from the expansion of its graduate programs. Recently Canada’s first master’s in climate change, joined a line-up of programs in environment and business, global governance, economic development, ecology, geography and many more.

Governments, corporations and organizations like the United Nations have all shifted their attention to helping solve the world’s wicked environmental problems. Everyday our graduate students are helping solve these problems. However, it takes a transdisciplinary approach to truly activate environmental research and translate it into action. We’re inviting students from all programs across campus interested in solving these problems to our 2017 Graduate Open House. We need, scientists, engineers, artists and mathematicians to join our researchers in finding new ways to apply Waterloo’s innovative spirit to issues around clean water, climate change, food, city-planning and international development.

Environment welcomes you to join dean Jean Andrey and more than 30 professors at our graduate program open house to learn more about research opportunities offered in the Faculty of Environment -- the largest faculty of its kind in Canada.

Enjoy a drink and some food while talking with faculty, staff and current students who can answer any questions you may have.

Register now!

Spooky contact lenses could have scary consequences

by Catherine Heinmiller.

Thinking about using cosmetic lenses to turn you into a monster, alien or cat for Halloween? The Canadian Association of Optometrists (CAO) and the University of Waterloo’s Centre for Contact Lens Research (CCLR) based at the School of Optometry and Vision Science want Canadians to make sure that trick isn’t permanent, and encourage Canadians to be aware of the dangers of unregulated cosmetic lenses, which have in the past resulted in serious eye damage.

Advocacy efforts by CAO and other eye care organizations resulted in cosmetic contact lenses being designated a Class II medical device in Canada, meaning that they are now treated as equivalent to corrective cosmetic lenses.  Manufacturers and importers must now meet the same obligations to produce, sell or distribute cosmetic contact lenses as they do for prescription contact lenses. 

Cosmetic lenses that don’t meet the new requirements can pose real hazards to the eye, including allergic reactions, pink eye, corneal scratches, corneal ulcers, infections, decreased vision and even blindness.  In a recent case report in the Journal of Forensic Sciences, a majority of unapproved, counterfeit and decorative contact lenses tested positive for the kinds of microbial contamination frequently found in hospital waste water or spoiled food. 

“Anything inserted into your eye should be approached with seriousness," says CAO President Dr. Michael Dennis. "Optometrists are primary eye health care professionals and are here to ensure your eye safety by expertly fitting lenses, whether corrective or cosmetic.” Cosmetic lenses purchased in novelty stores or flea markets without a prescription from an optometrist may be harmful to your eyes. 

“Sharing cosmetic lenses between friends is a major issue that often results in serious eye infections,” says Professor Lyndon Jones, director of the CCLR. “These apparently harmless lenses often look impressively scary but can result in scary complications if they are not fitted appropriately, cared for using suitable solutions, replaced when they are supposed to be and are not high quality. Far too often at this time of year we see people with problems through the inappropriate use of lenses that seemed innocuous but can be deadly. Don’t take the risk – see an optometrist and get lenses that are safe to wear.”

Still planning to transform to an otherworldly creature for Halloween using cosmetic lenses? Get eyewise and see your optometrist first. Don’t have an optometrist? Find one close to home.

Board of Governors meets today; other notes

The University's Board of Governors meets this afternoon in NH 3407 at 1:30 p.m. Among the agenda items:

• A motion to increase the Graduate Students Association (GSA) fee from $20.50 to $22.80 per term and a motion to increase the Graduate House portion of the GSA-administered fees by $5.50 per term from $18.00 to $23.50, effective winter term 2018;
• the President will provide his update to the Board and an update on the progress and outcomes of the 2013-2018 Strategic Plan;
• The Audit & Risk Committee will propose a motion to reappoint Ernst & Young as the University’s external auditors for the fiscal year ending 30 April 2018;
• The Building & Properties Committee will propose a motion to approve an increase to the Field House project budget to $16.5 million (+10 percent), and to approve the awarding of a stipulated sum contract to Ira McDonald Construction Ltd. for $13,193,000 plus HST; and
• The Pension & Benefits Committee will propose a motion to "approve the filing of the actuarial valuation report as at 1 January 2017 with the Financial Services Commission of Ontario (FSCO) and the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA)."

Spouses and partners of Waterloo international students, postdocs, and visiting scholars are invited to attend International Spouses' activities, including the annual pumpkin carving event. Countries represented by the International Spouses group this year include Cuba, Poland, Turkey, Russia, and England.  

Other ongoing groups include the weekly "Tea & English with Nancy" (on Thursday mornings, children welcome -- not an English class, just a chance to chat with people from around the world); the Knitting Group (some Monday evenings at Coffee Culture in Uptown Waterloo); and the Cooking Group, which is planning an upcoming event with a cook from Turkey.  Check the International Spouses website for more details.