Thursday, December 6, 2018

National Day of Remembrance ceremony today in E7

Today is the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women in Canada.

A ceremony will take place today from 10:30 to 11:00 a.m. on the second-floor atrium in Engineering 7. You can still register for this event, though registration is not mandatory to attend.

Students, faculty, staff and community leaders will come together to reflect on the tragic events in 1989 at École Polytechnique de Montréal, when an armed man killed 14 young women.

Giving remarks will be: 

• Belinda Karahalios, Member of Provincial Parliament, Cambridge;
• James Rush, Vice-President, Academic & Provost;
• Diana Parry, Professor and Associate Vice-President Human Rights, Equity and Inclusion;
• Susan Tighe, Deputy Provost and Associate Vice-President, Integrated Planning and Budgeting

A candlelight vigil will also be part of the event in remembrance of the 14 women.

Remembrance is only the beginning of action to end violence against women

This is the latest post on President Feridun Hamdullahpur's blog.

We come to the University of Waterloo to learn, work and enjoy our community to its fullest. It was 29 years ago that 14 young women went to l'École Polytechnique de Montréal, their institution of higher learning, where they were supposed to be safe from hate and oppression. They were instead murdered on December 6, 1989 by one man.

The pain of this abhorrent act of gender-based violence, both mentally and physically, changed all of us who remember that day.

Today we remember the victims and survivors of the attack and we mourn.

We mourn. We grieve. We reflect. Now we act.

Since the tragedy at l'École Polytechnique de Montréal our nation and society has changed in many ways. We are a more open and welcoming nation that embraces our differences on so many fundamental levels. But hate and intolerance still remain. Violence against women is still too common.

This violence can take many forms including verbal and physical abuse, sexual harassment, and intimidation. It is seen and unseen and continues to occur and it must stop. Addressing the root causes of violence, harassment and discrimination of women, and those who identify as women, must be done now.

The University of Waterloo has been part of the United Nations HeForShe movement as an IMPACT 10x10x10 champion since the movement’s creation setting equity goals and creating actionable steps to reach those goals.

We must act every day to combat the culture of toxic masculinity and reduce gender-based violence in all of its forms. There are too many victims today in our community and around the world – we have to take action.

We must bring light to the darkness of hate and intolerance, and men everywhere must take the lead to end violence against women and girls simply because of their gender. And, we must not hesitate to fight prejudice with love, acceptance and community.

We will never stop honouring and remembering the victims of l'École Polytechnique de Montréal, and I hope you will join me in ensuring no one who identifies as women, are faced with violence in their lives.

Keeping personal belongings safe during exams

by Anne Galang.

Exam season is stressful enough. Don’t let theft add to your list of things to worry about.

As exam season approaches, Police Services would like to remind students, as well as instructors and staff involved with exam proceedings, of some best practices to prevent personal items from being stolen during exam sittings.

The official procedure for proctors provided by the Registrar’s Office advises that students place belongings under their desks or tables while writing the exam:

“Make sure students place their belongings under their tables; only allow pens, pencils, erasers and any special materials listed on the front of their exam. […]DO NOT move student belongings to an inaccessible area.  They must stay under the students’ examination table/desk.”

For exams in the PAC, students can expect this process. However, outside of the PAC, for instance in classrooms, the procedure may not always be observed by the instructor or proctor. Sometimes students are asked to place their backpacks and bags at the front or back of the classroom, and there have been instances of backpacks or personal items going missing by the end of an exam.

Students are encouraged to avoid bringing valuables to the exam. Leave valuables at home. Alternatively, lock your belongings safely in a locker on campus, or ask a trusted friend to hang on to them while you write the exam.

Proctors and instructors are encouraged to adhere to the exam procedures manual from the Registrar’s Office for best practices during exams. This includes instructing students to place belongings underneath their desk. They may not access their belongings under their desk during the exam unless they have permission to do so.

Get certified to teach English language abroad

Don’t miss your chance to get certified to teach English language abroad through Renison University College’s ACE TESOL certificate program. The last day to apply is December 14.

Renison’s program emphasizes practical teaching skills through small group work, discussion, and teaching demonstrations. It features highly experienced and professional trainers and a flexible schedule, with classes held on Tuesday and Thursday nights and one Saturday each week. Whether finishing a degree or working full-time, participants can get certified to teach English language abroad in just one term.

Apply online today.

To learn more, watch this video about Grant Leach’s experience teaching English in Taiwan.