Wednesday, May 8, 2019

Beyond Housing: inviting incoming first-years to learn where they live

A message from Housing and Residences.

As the June 3 deadline draws near, thousands of prospective first-years will make the important decision to attend the University in the fall. 8 out of 10 first-years will also apply to live in residence as part of the 100 percent First Year Housing Guarantee and be welcomed on campus by thousands of volunteers and staff. According to Glen Weppler, Director, Housing and Residences, the decision to live in residence is also critical. “Providing student housing is more than providing four walls and a bed. It’s about creating a living environment that complements what our students learn in the classroom. We want students to learn where they live, and we invite our staff and faculty partners to share that vision with the incoming class.”

Living on campus in first year is a no-brainer for many, but some students may still be undecided. Here are 5 reasons to encourage incoming first-years to live in residence:

1. Boost academic performance: Research shows what Waterloo’s housing team has always believed – students who live in residence in their first year have higher GPA, are less likely to drop out or not return for the second year, and are more likely to continue to graduation than those that do not. With over 10 living-learning communities in Waterloo Residences and the University Colleges delivered in partnership with faculties, onsite tutoring, and academic support, residence plays a big role in achieving students’ academic goals.
2. Be close to everything: The stereotype is true – rolling out of bed and into class is one of the perks of living on campus. Convenience continues to be one of the strongest features of residences. For a busy first-year who’s still adjusting to life as a university student, living a few minutes away from everything – classes, food, gym, extracurricular activities, and jobs – is invaluable. To top it all off, students only need to pay for the terms they live in residence - no need to get locked into a one year lease before they have even stepped foot on Waterloo soil.
3. Grow your (social) network: “I’ve made friends for life!” “My co-founder and I met at an event in residence.” “My parents met as undergrads in residence. This year, they will be celebrating 25 years of marriage!” Students, past and present, agree that living in residence is an incredible way to forge new relationships. While we can’t guarantee a life partner, we can guarantee plentiful interdisciplinary opportunities to meet students from other programs and develop lifelong friendships.
4. Become a leader: Residence provides numerous opportunities for students to discover their leadership styles, take on responsibility, and in some cases, earn money while doing it. From volunteering on an Advisory Board to working as a Don or Computing Consultant in residence, students learn leadership, accountability, public speaking, and critical thinking. Residence creates a safe space to begin the leadership journey, and leaders in residence often go on to become leaders in their faculties and on campus.
5. Build resilience: Nothing builds resilience like learning to live in close community with people of diverse backgrounds and interests, while pursuing academic and professional goals. Residence has established a supportive structure that combines one-on-one support with programs and resources delivered in partnership with several campus student services. With 350+ housing staff, including 150+ live-in positions across Waterloo Residences and the University colleges, first years in residence have every support required to thrive.

So, why do so many first years choose to live in residence? Mostly because it’s fun and a part of the traditional ‘university experience’. As advisors, leaders, and parents, we can offer another perspective – living in residence promotes graduates who are well-rounded, confident, career-ready members of the global community. As you engage with incoming students about the fall, encourage them to choose the residence experience and enjoy all its benefits. Questions about first-year housing, either on or off-campus? Contact the Housing Office.

Important Note: All spring 2019 Waterloo Residences residents are living at UW Place (including Claudette Millar Hall) and Columbia Lake Village. Village 1 and Mackenzie King Village residences are closed for the term, and Ron Eydt Village is in use by Conference Services for Summer Accommodations.

Keystone donor profile - Sharon Lamont

By Carrie Nickerson, Keystone Communications Committee.

After a great chat, with a bolstered feeling of pride in this place, it seems the enthusiasm Sharon Lamont has for this University might just be contagious!

Sharon has worn many different University of Waterloo hats in her time on campus. Once a student, many times a volunteer, currently Director of Organizational Services for the University of Waterloo library system, and long-time proud and dedicated donor to the University of Waterloo’s Keystone Campaign.

Still a student at the time, Sharon started her career with our main campus libraries back in 1975. “Long before Google had all of the answers,” she says with a smirk. Perhaps also somewhere around the time that the Dana Porter Library started to sink? It’s with her palpable enthusiasm, her history on campus, and some ever-spreading UWaterloo family roots, Sharon finds countless reasons and many ways to give back and stay engaged.

It was through small monthly donations that Sharon initially got started as a donor to Waterloo’s Keystone Campaign, and her giving grew from there. Keystone provides plenty of options for making donations and a wide variety of fund options so that donors can direct their gifts to areas, projects, and initiatives that are of specific interest to them. Sharon believes that these options allow donors a great chance to make an impact and enhance the experiences of our students on an individual basis, not just the student collective. Some of the initiatives Sharon has supported through her Keystone contributions in the past include funding improvements to our libraries, experiential education programs for students, and the building of the Hagey Hall Hub.

“Being surrounded by our students gives me so much energy!” Sharon says. “They deserve great opportunities, comfortable spaces to work, socialize and relax in, and scholarships to help them through, just like I had when I was a student here.”

Over the years, Sharon has continually sought out opportunities to stay engaged, give back and create new connections across campus, and she encourages her fellow staff and faculty members to do the same. Her volunteer resume includes stints as Staff Association president, United Way campaign chair, and Keystone Picnic committee member. Sharon tells me she is happy to contribute her time and energy to help make great things happen and create positive change at Waterloo. “I feel incredibly lucky to have a job that I absolutely love at a university that is such a great source of pride for those who study and work here and for this community as a whole. I’m glad that through Keystone we have an easy and impactful way to give back.”

Athletics open house and other notes

The Athletics and Recreation Open House is taking place today in the Student Life Centre Great Hall from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. "This is a great opportunity for Staff and Students to find out about all of the great programming opportunities that Athletics and Recreation has to offer," says a note from Athletics. "It’s important to stay active and we truly have something for everyone."

Wednesday, May 15 is Leather Jacket Day, where you can get $75 off your customized UWaterloo leather jacket. Customize your jacket with your graduation year, degree, university name, and program. Visit the SCH Concourse from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. to pick up your jacket. For more info check out the W Store website.

The Faculty Association of the University of Waterloo (FAUW) is seeking new Lecturers Committee members. "The Lecturers Committee provides input to the Faculty Association Board of Directors on issues affecting the working conditions of lecturers," says a note from FAUW. "The committee is especially looking for representation from AHS, Science, and Math, but lecturers from all Faculties can apply by completing the online application form by June 1, 2019. The committee meets monthly September through June, on Tuesdays from 3:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. This is a two-year (renewable) term open to all voting members of FAUW.