Monday, January 29, 2018


Work underway to fix course evaluation software bug

A message from the Vice-President, Academic & Provost.

A bug has been discovered in the Fall 2017 evaluate results. evaluate is the software developed by Science Computing that is currently in use by all Faculties at Waterloo for course evaluations each term. Faculty Deans were made aware of this issue and approved the technical solution. Science Computing worked with Associate Deans (undergraduate) in each of the Faculties to address the issue. Corrected results are now available to instructors and administrators.

Science Computing confirms this problem occurred only with Fall 2017 evaluations, as a result of modifications that were made to an earlier version of evaluate. No issues were found with course evaluation results from 2016, nor the Winter and Spring terms of 2017.

The bug resulted in duplication of a small number of submissions - 649 records out of a total of 77723 submitted, or 0.8 percent. Science Computing has posted a public document on evaluate.uwaterloo.ca with more detailed information on this issue and apologizes for the inconvenience this has caused.

Treat-a-Gram store opens today

Treat-A-Gram Banner Image.

A message from the Keystone Campaign.

Treat-a-Grams are now on sale! Visit our online store and send a sweet surprise to your friends and colleagues.

We’ve partnered with Esta Chocolates to prepare some delicious new treats. Choose between packages of four chocolate spheres and boxes of twelve squares — or send a special postcard with your own personal message.

Don’t delay! The Treat-a-Gram store closes on Friday, February 9. Deliveries arrive on Wednesday, February 14.

All sales and donations from this year’s campaign will support Student Wellness. Please join us in giving to this great cause — order your Treat-a-Grams today!

Water Institute welcomed friends to 2018 open house

The entrance to the Water Institute with balloons.

This article was originally published on the Water Institute's website.

On Thursday, January 18, the Water Institute welcomed members, students, and friends from across campus to tour the Institute’s new space, and to hear remarks from the executive director, Roy Brouwer

Water Institute members, graduate students and staff had an opportunity to connect with one another and listen to professor Roy Brouwer discuss the Water Institute’s accomplishments over the past year and share strategic goals for 2018.

“The growth of the Water Institute’s international profile is attributable to the tremendous researchers in this room,” said Brouwer. “The interdisciplinary and innovative research that is taking place at the Water Institute continues to impress top water academics and practitioners from around the globe.”

The afternoon wrapped up with a slideshow highlighting the 2017 accomplishments of the Water Institute and its members – such as Keith Hipel being named to the Order of Canada, the new WaterResearch publication, 2017 Seed Grant winners, and the seven-year interdisciplinary Global Water Futures program– and a screening of the Water Institute’s animated video.

Link of the day

Furnishing well: IKEA founder Ingvar Kamprad dies at 91

When and where

Book Store Concourse Sale, Monday, January 29 to Wednesday, January 31, 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., South Campus Hall concourse.

Seminar, “From SAT to stochastic SAT,” Ricardo Salmon, David R. Cheriton School of Computer Science, Monday, January 29, 1:00 p.m., Tuesday, February 13, 4:00 p.m., DC 2306C. Please note the new date and time.

Confucius Institute public lecture, “How to Appreciate Peking Opera,” Monday, January 29, 11:30, REN 2103.

Effective Cover Letters (for employees only), Tuesday, January 30, 12:00 p.m., TC 1208.

NEW - Centre for Career Action presents Ace Your Interview, Tuesday, January 30, 5:30 p.m., TC 1214.

2018 Housing Fair, Wednesday, January 31, 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., SLC Great Hall.

Waterloo Women's Wednesdays brainstorming event, Wednesday, January 31, 4:30 p.m., HH 373.

NEW - Résumé, Careers and Personal Branding - Part 1, Wednesday, January 31, 5:00 p.m., TC 1208.

GreenHouse Discovery Lab with KidsAbilityWednesday, January 31, 5:30 p.m., GreenHouse innovation space, St. Paul's University College.

Campus Wellness presents Coping Skills Facebook Live event, Wednesday, January 31, 6:00 p.m.

Polar Projections: Conceptualizing and Rendering Arctic Spaces, Wednesday, January 31, 7:30 p.m., St. Jerome's University Vanstone Lecture Hall.

Velocity Start: Building a Kick A** Team, “Brainstorm business ideas that rock,” Wednesday, January 31, 7:30 p.m., Velocity Start, SCH 2nd Floor.

NEW - Exploring Your Personality Type, Thursday, February 1, 1:30 p.m., TC 1112.

NEW - Résumé, Careers and Personal Branding – Part 2, Thursday, February 1, 5:00 p.m., TC 1208.

World Wetlands Day, Friday, February 2. 

Distinguished Teacher Award nomination deadline, Friday, February 2.

Knowledge Integration seminar: “Embracing ambiguity to manage wicked problems in the 21st century”, speaker: KI Assistant Professor Vanessa Schweizer”, Friday, February 2, 2:30 p.m., EV3-1408.

Fantastic Alumni, Faculty, Staff and Retiree Day, Saturday, February 3, 11:30 a.m., PAC Upper Blue Activity Area.

World’s Challenge Challenge applications close, Saturday, February 3, 11:59 p.m.

Brunch & Ballots, Monday, February 5, 12:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m., Student Life Centre Great Hall.

CrySP Speaker Series on Privacy, “CSIS bulk data collection and national security surveillance,” Micheal Vonn, BC Civil Liberties Association, Tuesday, February 6, 2:00 p.m., DC 1304.

Noon Hour Concert: Still and Again, Wednesday, February 7, 12:30 p.m., Conrad Grebel University College Chapel.

Hagey Lecture: Weapons of Math Destruction, featuring Cathy O’Neil, February 7, 7:00 p.m., Humanities Theatre.

NEW - Battle of Waterloo at the Aud Warrior Men’s Hockey vs. Laurier, Wednesday, February 7, 7:15 p.m., Kitchener Auditorium

Velocity Start: Ain’t No Model Like a Business Model, “Learn how to create a lean business model canvas”,Wednesday, February 7, 7:30 p.m., Velocity Start, SCH 2nd Floor.

WaterTalk: “Our Tempestuous Love Affair with Water,” presented by professor Anthony Turton, Thursday, February 8, 2:30 p.m., DC 1302.

Amit and Meena Chakma Awards for Exceptional Teaching by a Student nomination deadline, Friday, February 9.

NEW - Treat-a-Gram, Wednesday, February 14. Orders are due Friday, February 9.