Monday, June 4, 2018

The University of Waterloo shows its Pride

June is Pride Month, and the University of Waterloo is flying the pride flag for the month as a show of support for the LGBTQ+ community.

Pride is a time for the LGBTQ+ community to come together to celebrate achievements in equity, as well as the achievements of members of the community locally, provincially, federally and globally.

The flag was raised on Friday, June 1 at the University's south campus entrance. This is the second year the rainbow flag will be flying alongside the University, provincial and national flags.

There are a number of initiatives and networks in place to support the LGBTQ+ community on campus, including:

• Equity Office
• Provost's Advisory Committee on Equity (PACE)
• Making Spaces Program
• Glow Centre for Sexual and Gender Diversity

Plans are already in the works to increase the University community's presence at the annual Pride Parade in Toronto, set for Sunday, June 24. the Glow Centre for Sexual and Gender Diversity is extending an invitation to all University faculty and staff to join students as they march in the parade.

The event is being organized with the support of the University, the Federation of Students, Glow, and the Equity Office. Tickets, which run as low as $5, include a t-shirt and additional Glow swag, and ticket-holders will march with the Waterloo contingent. Check the registration page for more details about how to get involved that day.

The University of Waterloo celebrates Pride month with its community members and continually strives to be a safe, supportive space for all.

Residence space still available for Fall 2018

A message from Housing and Residences.

The 100 percent residence guarantee has been extended until Monday, June 11 at 9:00 a.m. You may be communicating with students who have questions regarding where they may live in the fall. Please let students know that we still have space in residence available for incoming first-year students.

Residence is a place where students can live, learn, gain independence and develop their identity.

For more information about residence options and details on how to apply, please visit the Housing website or direct any questions to our office at ext. 32679, or housing@uwaterloo.ca.

Waterloo alumni, faculty shine at True North

Michael Litt, Waterloo grad and co-founder of Vidyard, speaks at True North.

This article was originally posted on Waterloo Stories.

It’s a groundbreaking international conference providing industry leaders the chance to discuss issues at the centre of society and technology.  True North focused on how to re-imagine and reaffirm tech as a force for good in the world.

Attracting more than 2,000 of the most engaged leaders and influencers from the region and around the world, the three-day event was hosted across the region, in downtown Kitchener and at the new event space at Lot 42.

Waterloo grad and CEO of Kiite Joseph Fung.

In attendance were familiar faces, including six former Waterloo students, now leaders in the tech space (Ali Asaria, Carol Leaman, Joseph Fung, Mary Pat Hinton, Richard Yim, Ted Livingston), and English Professor and Director of the Critical Media Lab Marcel O’Gorman. All took to the stage as highlight speakers during the event. Topics of discussion ranged from the role human workers play in the post automation/post AI world, to the importance of using technology for the social good.

“This is the first generation where people will grow up and live and work amongst intelligent machines,” said Joseph Fung, Waterloo grad and CEO of Kiite.  “How are we going to perform when our next coworker is actually an AI?  The reality is the onus is on us to create, and make sure, that it’s a safe and effective environment.”

The conference, powered by Communitech and many community partners, spanned three days, initially beginning on Waterloo’s campus where networking and collaboration opportunities were offered between the University’s research teams and startup companies and innovation enthusiasts.

“We were an early and proud supporter of True North Waterloo,” said Sandra Banks, vice-president of University Relations.  “It is inspiring to see our alumni in the spotlight sharing their experience and insights as they continue to shape our economy and our world.”

For more information on the True North conference, including 2019 dates, visit their website.