Tuesday, January 8, 2019

Have you heard? The Centre is officially open for business

by Christie Ledgley.

Located on the first floor of Needles Hall, The Student Service Centre (The Centre) is a new student service unit built to enrich the student experience with a student-focused approach to services. The 4,000 square foot space includes 3 self-service stations, 8 wickets, 6 consultation rooms, a waiting room/study space, and a case management queuing system that will improve student wait times and the overall student experience.

The Centre was formally created in November 2017 to address student frustrations when it comes to navigating services across campus. The Centre is a go-to place for a number of student administrative needs. Students can visit The Centre if they have questions regarding proof of enrolment letters, their class schedule, course overrides, enrolment issues, transcripts, OSAP, awards, scholarships, bursaries, or any general question they may have about the University. The Centre offers extended hours the first three weeks of term, and will be open from 8:30 am to 6:00 pm until January 25^th, 2019. For the rest of term, The Centre is open late until 6:00 pm each Wednesday.

The Registrar’s Office has officially closed its doors to students, and all undergraduate students should be directed to The Centre. Graduate students should visit The Centre if they have general inquiries regarding financial aid, need an official transcript, proof of enrolment letter, a duplicate or replacement diploma, or if they are in need of Commissioner of Oaths service. For other specific needs, graduate students should visit Graduate Studies and Postdoctoral Affairs on the second floor of Needles Hall.

Mark your calendars and join us for the official Grand Opening Celebration on January 30 at 2:30 p.m. The first 200 students to visit that day will receive a free water bottle. Drop by for snacks, speeches, and tour of the space.

Questions? Visit our website anytime or email askthecentre@uwaterloo.ca.

2018 pilot refines employee recognition events

A message from Marilyn Thompson, Associate Provost, Human Resources.

Recognizing staff and faculty years of service is an important part of how the University of Waterloo thanks its employees. Through feedback from past attendees, data analysis, and consultation and engagement with partners, including the UW Retiree Association (UWRA), UW Provost’s Advisory Committee on Staff Compensation (PACSC), Leadership Forum, and Executive Council, a number of changes were introduced in 2018 as a pilot project.  These changes were:

1. The 25-50 Year Dinner (April) previously attended by anyone with 25 years of service or more, the event was refined in 2018 to create a more intimate experience for those celebrating 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, and 50 years of service.  The event name changed from “25 Year Club”, was moved to earlier in the year, and no longer includes retirees and those in non-milestone years.  Those achieving 30, 40 and 50 years are now recognized at this dinner, rather than the Years of Loyal Service reception.  There was overwhelming positive response to the change in this event.
2. The Retiree Reception (May) was created as a new event to celebrate all new University of Waterloo retirees from the previous calendar year.  Held in partnership with the UW Retiree Association, all retirees and their guests were invited to this reception.
3. The Years of Loyal Service (November) is a reception now attended by those celebrating 5, 10, 15 or 20 years of service.

These changes, delivered in partnership with Human Resources and Community Relations & Events, allow for an exceptional and inclusive experience for attendees of annual staff recognition events at the University of Waterloo.  

The new format will be adopted for 2019 for the 25-50 Year Dinner, with further exploration of the Retiree Reception as a second pilot year in 2019.

If you have any questions or feedback, please feel free to contact cre@uwaterloo.ca

IST Annual Report celebrates 2018 achievements

A message from Bruce Campbell, Chief Information Officer

I’m pleased to share Information Systems & Technology’s (IST) 2018 Annual Report, which highlights a number of achievements from the past year and their impact across campus. Our work is varied, from behind the scenes initiatives like the campus network upgrade that lay the foundation for all things IT, to engaging the community directly through our student IT Advisory Board, bringing student input and creativity to IT services and systems. 

Other initiatives illustrate the importance of campus partnerships, such as our work with Human Resources on Workday, and with Centre for Teaching Excellence to choose PebblePad, a new ePortfolio system.

I hope you enjoy the report. Thank you for your partnership, and for helping us deliver state-of-the-art, people-centric IT services and solutions in support of the University mission.

Tuesday's bite-sized notes

It’s a new year, and there is a new menu at the University Club. The Laksa entrée (scallops, shrimp and Asian vegetables in a coconut-curry broth) is particularly popular. Make your reservation today.

Is cutting down on meat or upping your plant-based food intake on your new year’s resolution list? You don’t need to go far to follow through, as more vegan and vegetarian options are coming to campus. UW Food Services chefs participated in a special culinary training course offered by Humane Society International/Canada on how to prepare meat, egg and dairy-free recipes. Read more on CBC News.