Wednesday, May 16, 2018


Student survey on co-op fee begins

Students await interviews in the Tatham Centre lounge.

A message from Co-operative Education.

Earlier this week a student survey was released as part of the second phase of the co-op fee comprehensive review. This survey is one of the ways we’re consulting with undergraduate students to learn how we can improve communications about the co-op fee.

The co-op fee comprehensive review aims to provide transparency on when and how the undergraduate co-op fee is spent. This initiative comes out of an ongoing partnership between the Co-operative Education department and the Federation of Students that began last year.

During phase one of the project, an analysis of current expenditures was completed and a report was created summarizing those findings. Those insights can be viewed on the Co-operative Education website.

We are currently in phase two of the review which highlights communicating and consulting with students as a top objective.

After this phase is complete, phase three will begin the designing of recommendations using information collected from these communications – like the co-op fee student survey.

Please share this survey link with students and with those who work with students. At the end of the survey, students will be eligible to enter a draw for one of ten $25 Amazon gift cards. The survey will close on May 22 at 4:00 p.m.

Survey link: https://uwaterloo.ca1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_aeOnX6cWmpzargp

Executive actions at SDSN Canada and beyond

Feridun Hamdullahpur, Dean Jean Andrey, Jeffrey Sachs, and Vice-President, University Research Charmaine Dean on stage at the SDSN Canada launch.

It’s Wednesday, May 16. Do you know what your president is up to?

It’s been a relatively quiet month for the President on the international front, as he took part in many engagements on campus and around the community. Here is a non-exhaustive list of President Hamdullahpur's recent activities on and off campus and a look ahead at what's on his calendar.

President Hamdullahpur welcomed the incoming and outgoing Federation of Students Executive Teams to his home on Monday, April 30th for an informal barbeque to thank the outgoing members for all of their hard work over the past year, welcome the incoming Executive Team members and establish a mutual partnership for the coming year.

The President and his entire Executive Council came together May 3-4 at the annual EC Retreat for a series of meetings, planning and strategy sessions.

The President welcomed CEOs from across Ontario to our Stratford Campus for the Ontario Global 100 annual symposium on Saturday, May 5. It was an engaging three-day event that opened up our Stratford Campus and allowed us to share our vision for education, research and innovation to top business leaders from across the province.

It was an exciting launch of the Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN) of Canada on Monday, May 7 at the University of Waterloo. President Hamdullahpur welcomed a capacity crowd at Hagey Lecture Hall to the official opening of this important initiative. Columbia University and Special Advisor to United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), Jeffrey Sachs, delivered an informative and powerful lecture on the need for Canada to act immediately on meeting its SDGs and how SDSN Canada will be at the heart of that effort.

On Wednesday, May 9 the President celebrated the dedication and hard work of our new and existing retirees at the new Retiree Reception in partnership with the University of Waterloo Retirees Association. Over 170 retirees were in attendance for the reception and a superb gathering of institutional knowledge and experience that the University is privileged to have.

President Hamdullahpur with members of Professor Brian Ingalls' lab.Together with the Vice-President of Research, Charmaine Dean, Vice-President of Advancement, Joanne Shoveller, and Chief of Staff, Andrea Kelman, President Hamdullahpur toured the Ingalls Quantitative Cell Biology Lab led by Brian Ingalls, on Friday, May 11. The lab is a fascinating example of interdisciplinary research as Professor Ingalls from the Faculty of Mathematics brings together research students from the Faculties of Engineering and Science to use mathematical modelling tools from systems and control theory to aid in the study and manipulation of biological cellular communities.

What’s next on the President’s schedule?

The President will be in Toronto for the School of Accounting and Finance Leadership & Innovation Dinner on Wednesday, May 16 to welcome those at the event and hear from keynote speaker, Terry Stuart, Chief Innovation Officer from Deloitte Canada.

On Tuesday, May 22 the President will welcome the 1st Conference of NSERC Network for Holistic Innovation in Additive Manufacturing to the University of Waterloo. The conference will bring together researchers from some of Canada’s leading research institutions to present and discuss their research findings and get to know the future additive manufacturing experts in Canada.

What the President’s Been Reading

After a successful Waterloo Global Science Initiative (WGSI) Generation SDG Summit in April, the WGSI released its Summit Communiqué. The communiqué captures some of the preliminary thoughts that emerged during the 4-day Summit on how we can effectively create a framework to achieve Canada’s sustainable development goals. It is a highly recommended read as SDSN has now launched at the University and there are ways everyone can get involved in making strides towards reaching Canada’s SDG targets.

IST launching Two-Factor Authentication site

A Two-Factor Authentication banner showing a hooded hacker lurking behind a person using a laptop.

IST is pleased to announce the launch of the Two-factor Authentication (2FA) website. Powered by DUO, two-factor authentication adds an extra layer of security to university accounts. Verifying your identity using a second factor (such as your mobile device) prevents others from accessing your accounts, even if they know your password.

Enrol once to protect all of your supported services and take an active role in keeping you and your information secure.

Visit https://uwaterloo.ca/2fa to get started – it’s as easy as 1-2-3.

Sustainability Committee seeks additional members

The President’s Advisory Committee On Environmental Sustainability (PACES) is currently recruiting new members. Formed in 2015, PACES represents a cross-section of stakeholders on campus who work to advance Waterloo’s sustainability activities. Recent accomplishments in 2017 include the creation of Policy 53: Environmental Sustainability, development of Waterloo’s first Environmental Sustainability Strategy, and launch of the Sustainability Action Fund.

The following positions are open for a two-year term from May 2018 to April 2020:

  • One faculty member; and
  • One representative from the Federated and Affiliated Institutions of Waterloo

The committee meets at least once per term. If you are interested in joining, please send a brief email expression of interest to sustainability@uwaterloo.ca by Thursday, May 24. Further instructions, current committee membership, and terms of reference are available on the PACES webpage.

Wednesday's notes

A reminder that Waterloo International is hosting three information sessions on international travel safety and security, beginning Tuesday, May 22. Hosted by the Working Group on International Travel Issues (WGIT), areas of emphasis will include:

  • Duty of Care and Risk Mitigation – Assessing the responsibilities and obligations (legal and/or otherwise) of both the university and the traveler.
  • Member Experience – Assessing any potential impacts of, and overall connections with, university policies, and determining resources available to UW members when travelling abroad.
  • Procurement – Ensuring all critical elements (products, services, etc.) for a comprehensive travel system are in place.

Anyone wishing to attend an information session should complete a registration form. For those not able to attend, a short survey will also be available until Wednesday, June 6. Please email safetyabroad@uwaterloo.ca to receive it.

Join the Project & Portfolio Management team as they host the first session in their new Community of Practice (CoP) professional development series. Sue Grant (OHD) will present on “Project Management and Emotional Intelligence” on Wednesday, May 23 from 9:00-10:30 a.m., East Campus 5 (EC5), 1111. 

Employers on campus next week hosting employer information sessions include ConsenSys, Flipp, Loblaw Companies Limited – IT, Electronic Arts, Ecobee, RBC, RBC – Technology, Loblaw Companies Limitied – Analytics, Zenreach (GreenField Labs) and Loblaw Digital- Technology. Visit the employer information calendar for more details.

CTE closed Thursday

The Centre for Teaching Excellence will be closed Thursday May 17 for a professional development day and will reopen at regular University hours on Friday, May 18.

Link of the day

Ramadan

When and where 

MFA Thesis Two, Thursday, May 3 to Saturday, May 19, East Campus Hall. 

Candidates Debate: Post-Secondary Education as a Provincial Priority, Wednesday, May 16, 10:00 a.m., Lazaridis Hall (LH1001), 75 University Avenue West.

UWRC Book Club featuring  "It’s All Relative: Adventures Up and Down the World’s Family Tree," by A.J. Jacobs, Wednesday, May 16, 12:00 p.m., LIB 407.

Résumé Tips (for employees only), Wednesday, May 16, 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m., TC1208.

Copyright for Teaching, Wednesday, May 16, 12:00 p.m., DC 1568.

Developing Your Compassionate Mind, Wednesday, May 16, 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Coping Skills Seminar - Cultivating Resiliency, Wednesday, May 16, 4:00 p.m.

Résumés, Careers and Personal Branding – Part 2, Wednesday, May 16, 5:00 p.m. TC 2218

Velocity Start: The Startup Rollercoaster, Wednesday, May 16, 7:30 p.m., Velocity Start, SCH 2nd Floor.

Say it in your own words: Paraphrase & summary for graduate students, Thursday, May 17, 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. 

Career Interest Assessment, Thursday, May 17, 10:30 a.m., TC 1112.

Architecture 50th Anniversary Lecture Series- Conversation 6, Thursday, May 17, 6:30 p.m., Laurence A. Cummings Lecture Theatre- School of Architecture.

NEW - Employer Information Session: International Co-op Jobs in Clean Energy, Friday, May 18, 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 pm, TC 2218.

Balinese Gamelan Ensemble, Friday, May 18 at 2:30 p.m., Waterloo Town Square. Free admission.

Victoria Day holiday, Monday, May 21, most university buildings and services closed.

The Quantum Valley Investments® Problem Pitch Competition applications close, Monday, May 21, 2018, at 11:59 p.m.

NEW - Get a Job Using LinkedIn, Tuesday, May 22, 10:30 a.m., TC 1208.

University Senate meeting, Tuesday, May 22, 3:30 p.m., NH 3407.

Coping Skills Seminar - Strengthening Motivation, Tuesday, May 22, 4:00 p.m.

Politics at The Pub: Student Meet & Greet with PC Candidate, Tuesday, May 22, 4:00 p.m., The Bombshelter Pub.

Mindfulness Meditation: A Stress Reduction Program, Tuesday, May 22, 5:00 p.m., Needles Hall North, NH 2447.

Games Institute Spring 2018 Game Jam LEARN event, Tuesday, May 22 and Thursday, May 24, 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., Games Institute, EC1.

Technical Interview Workshop Presented by Scotiabank, "Cracking the Technical Interview", Tuesday, May 22, 5:30 p.m., E5 6004.

NEW - Interviews: Preparing for Questions, Wednesday, May 23, 10:30 a.m., TC 1208.

Velocity Start: What’s Your Problem?, Wednesday, May 23, 2018, 7:30 p.m., Velocity Start, SCH 2nd Floor.

Clarity in scientific writing, Thursday, May 24, 10:00 a.m., online webinar.

WaterTalk featuring Ryan Walter, Assistant Professor, Department of Physics, California Polytechnic State University, "What lies beneath: Internal waves in the nearshore coastal environment," Thursday, May 24, 2:30 p.m., DC 1302.

"India, Canada and Shastri India-Canadian Institute - A Canada-India Bridge for Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow: New Funding Opportunities for Collaborative Educational and Research Activities with India," Friday, May 25, 12:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. DC 1302.

Games Institute Spring 2018 Game Jam MAKE event, Friday, May 25 to Sunday, May 27, QNC 1502, QNC 2502.

You @ Waterloo Day, Saturday, May 26.

Velocity Fund $25K and $5K applications open, Monday, May 28.

Undergraduate School on Experimental Quantum Information Processing (USEQIP), Monday, May 28 to Friday, June 8, Institute for Quantum Computing.

Politics at The Pub: Student Meet & Greet with Green Party Candidate, Monday, May 28, 3:00 p.m., The Bombshelter Pub.

Interviews: Preparing for Questions (for employees only), Tuesday, May 29, 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m., TC2218.

Retirement celebration for Ralph Smith, Tuesday, May 29, 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m., University Club. RSVP to Margaret Berton - mberton@uwaterloo.ca.

Beyond stigma: Increasing our understanding of mental health in the workplace, Wednesday, May 30, 12:00 p.m., EC5 1111.

Preventing Depression Relapse: A Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy Group, Wednesday, May 30, 5:00 p.m., Counselling Services, NH 2447.

Velocity Start: Building a Kick A** Team, Wednesday, May 30, 7:30 p.m., Velocity Start, SCH 2nd Floor.

Keystone Picnic, Friday, June 1, 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. in the DC Quad. Or for those on campus in the evening, 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. in the SLC.

Discovery: A Comic Lament, Friday, June 1, 7:30 p.m., Conrad Grebel University College.

Transforming Space: Immerse, interact and imagine in Philip Beesley, School of Architecture, Saturday, June 2 to Monday, October 8, 10:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Royal Ontario Museum.

QPR Training, Monday, June 4, 1:30 p.m.

Gustav Bakos Observatory public tour, Wednesday, June 6, lecture 9:00 p.m. in PHY 313, telescope viewing 9:30 p.m.

Velocity Start: Ain’t No Model Like a Business Model, “Learn how to create a lean business model canvas”, Wednesday, June 6, 2018, 7:30 p.m., Velocity Start, SCH 2nd Floor.

Positions available

On this week's list from the human resources department, viewable on the UWaterloo Talent Acquisition System (iCIMS):

  • Job ID# 2018-2509 - Advancement Coordinator, School of Accounting and Finance - School of Accounting & Finance, USG 6
  • Job ID# 2018-2567 - Office Assistant - Accounting and Reception - Food Services, USG 4
  • Job ID# 2018-2693 – Counsellor - Counselling Services, USG 10-13
  • Job ID# 2018-2694 - Counsellor - Mandarin language – Counselling Services, USG 10-13
  • Job ID# 2018-2695 – Counsellor – Counselling Services, USG 10-13
  • Job ID# 2018-2556 - Senior Systems Administrator – Library, USG 10-11
  • Job ID# 2018-2814 - Finance Office Associate – Finance, USG 5
  • Job ID# 2018-2655 - Financial Officer – Registrar, USG 9
  • Job ID# 2018-2828 - Marketing Manager, UW Research & Technology Park – Finance, USG 12
  • Job ID# 2018-2509 - Advancement Co-ordinator, School of Accounting and Finance – Finance, USG 6
  • Job ID# 2018-2443 - Financial Officer, Waterloo Advanced Manufacturing Consortium - Dean of Engineering, USG 9

Internal secondment opportunities:

  • Job ID# 2017-2101 - Administrative Co-ordinator - Quantum Computing, USG 5
  • Job ID# 2018-2816 - Scheduling Specialist & First Year Engineering Assistant - Engineering Undergrad Office, USG 6
  • Job ID# 2018-2617 - Research Analyst - Housing and Res Student Development, USG 9
  • Job ID# 2018-2548 - Communications Specialist - Student Success Office, USG 8