Tuesday, September 3, 2019

Welcoming students to a new term

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

I cannot imagine a more exciting time of the year than the first week of September.

I know we are an active community the entire year. Our students, faculty and staff are in a constant state of exploration and learning, but September and the beginning of a new academic year is something special. This week we welcome thousands of new students to our campus for the first time and welcome back even more returning students to continue their journey at Waterloo.Thank you to all our students for choosing to be here. You make us stronger and push our entire community forward in everything you do. This campus is here for you. The dedicated faculty and staff members are working hard to ensure we meet your needs as you work towards a rewarding experience at Waterloo.

Enhancing the Student Experience

We will be adding an important new space to our campus landscape on September 17 when the Field House officially opens. This massive, new facility adds space for students to come together, exercise and simply be a community. I am sure that this indoor multi-use facility will be home to countless memories for thousands of students for years to come.

In virtual spaces, Co-op has listened to feedback from our students to complete a significant overhaul of its website. As the home to the world’s largest co-operative education program in the world, we know we cannot sit still and rest on our laurels. There is always room for improvement and as the co-op process begins soon, I look forward to seeing how the student-led changes to the website improves the process for everyone involved.

The Beginning of a New Strategic Plan

For months now, countless people from across the University have provided input and guidance as we build a new strategic plan. I will be working to finalize the plan in the coming months with our university stakeholders, starting a new phase in our institution’s history. Consultation with the University community brought out tremendous vision and belief in what we are capable of and how we can leverage a new strategic plan to turn our collective vision into action. With more than 3,000 staff, students, faculty and alumni participating in the consultation phase, this will truly be our strategic plan.

I urge our entire community to stay tuned for the coming release of the new plan this term and the renewed journey it will help guide.

Good luck to everyone on a fantastic term and thank you for helping make everything we do at the University of Waterloo possible.

Reminder: CIF Field House officially opens September 17

This is a friendly reminder that Tuesday, September 17 will mark the grand opening of the University’s long-awaited Columbia Icefield Field House (CIF Field House). The $16.5 million project will be officially unveiled from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. with an anticipated 250 guests from the campus and Waterloo Region community.

Constructed just north of Warrior Field, the 65,000 square foot Field House will connect the west side of the existing Columbia Icefield (CIF) building and feature a multi-activity turf space.

A formal presentation will begin at 11:00 a.m. with guests invited to the President’s Welcome Barbecue from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Complimentary food and beverage will be served.

More event and registration details can be found on Ticketfi.

Notes as a new term begins

The fall 2019 co-operative work term begins today, with classes and lectures getting underway tomorrow. There's no shortage of activity on campus, with Orientation activities happening all over the place this week, overlapping with the beginning of the school year. Just think - there's only 6 weeks until Thanksgiving!

Feds Used Books in the Student Life Centre is in extended operating mode this week, and will be open Wednesday, September 4 and Thursday, September 5 from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., Saturday, September 7 from 12:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m., and Sunday, September 8 from 12:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Feds Used Books will return to regular 9-to-5 hours on Monday, September 9.

Get your game(lan) on: Weather permitting, the Balinese Gamelan Ensemble will be playing in the Peter Russell Rock Garden on Friday, September 6 at noon.

The School of Planning will welcome its 2019 incoming undergraduates, grads, family, friends, current students, faculty, and staff on Saturday, September 21 for its Ceremony of Induction. Registration and reception takes place from 9:30 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. in the Environment 3 Atrium. The ceremony takes place from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. in the Theatre of the Arts.