Tuesday, October 1, 2019

Black and gold has gone red

The University of Waterloo sign wrapped in red for the United Way kickoff.

A message from the United Way campaign.

Did you notice something different when you arrived on campus this morning? That’s because campus is ‘going red’ today to celebrate the launch of the 2019 United Way campaign.

We can’t wait to see all the pops of red on campus in support of the campaign – share your photos on Twitter or Instagram with #UWUnitedWay – your engagement is the key to another successful campaign!

To help us kick off the campaign, we asked members of the campus community to share why they support the campaign. We hope you’ll also consider supporting the United Way and make a donation via e-Pledge. 

Every year, our campus community comes together for the month of October to have some fun and help us meet our campaign goal of $250,000. Keep an eye out for auctions, bake sales, costume contests, cook-offs, and pie-in-the face events!

Make sure you check out campus-wide events as they are posted throughout October, or connect with your area’s Ambassador to find out what they have planned. If you don’t have an Ambassador in your area, or just want to get involved, we’d love to work together! Learn about the role and sign up on our website.

Fall Reading Week pilot commences on Thanksgiving weekend

A message from Associate Vice-President, Academic David DeVidi.

The University of Waterloo will introduce a Fall Reading Week for undergraduate and graduate students in October 2019. Fall Reading week will provide students with a break extending from the Saturday before Thanksgiving Monday to the following Sunday.

A Task Force made up of faculty, staff and students will be evaluating the effectiveness of the Fall Reading Week Pilot over the next three years (2019-2021). Consultation and feedback will be solicited and evaluated in order to gauge the value of a fall term Reading Week. This information will help the Task Force make an informed recommendation for the future of a break in the fall term.

During the Fall Reading Week, students should be encouraged to use their time to prepare for the rest of term. This might include studying for upcoming midterms, catching up on readings and assignments, or taking some time for rest and personal wellness. Exams, tests and assignment due dates should not be scheduled during the break, nor should classes, labs, and other course components take place.

Resources for faculty have been prepared to help communicate to students the purpose and expectations around the break. As well, specific information is available for staff and student leaders to advise students around how they might spend their time during the break.

Striking for change

by Melanie Scott.

Last Friday, University of Waterloo students and employees joined the Waterloo Region Global Climate Strike. Strikers met up in the arts quad at 10:00 a.m., where many had homemade signs with slogans like “there’s no planet B” and “leave the oil in the soil”. After a few passionate remarks from student-organizers, the large group walked in a procession to Waterloo Town Square to join other community members demanding bold climate action.

The climate strike is a global-political movement to mobilize people and pressure governments into taking real actions that will solve the climate crisis. Last week, young people called on millions around the world to disrupt business as usual and strike to call attention to the urgent need for change.

Climate strike Waterloo Region and Fridays for Future strikes have been organized by youth from local middle and high schools; along with University students and a number of nonprofit community groups. They are peaceful, family-friendly protests where people are encouraged to bring reusable water bottles and, of course, pick up their garbage.

“It is incredible to see so many people from the University come out today. These strikes mark a groundswell of concern for climate change at an unprecedented scale,” said Mat Thijssen, University of Waterloo’s sustainability manager. “People from all ages, backgrounds, and walks of life are demanding real action both on climate change and on the social, economic, and political issues intimately linked to climate change.”

Processions from Waterloo and Laurier, along with local schools, arrived at Waterloo Town Square on Friday to find it overflowing with people spanning several generations. The crowd chanted, waved banners, banged drums and sang songs. They heard remarks from Indigenous speakers and an orchestral rendition of the Ode to Joy was followed by a moment of silence. From young children to seniors, thousands gathered to show their concern about the climate emergency and the impact it will have on their future.

From WIS to Wellness to Wednesday trivia, here's October's first batch of notes

After stops in Toronto, Vancouver and London, the Waterloo Innovation Summit returns to Waterloo today with a focus on the disruptive impact that technology is having on global and individual health care.  You can follow the Summit on social media using the hashtag #UWaterlooBeyond. Learn more about the Waterloo Innovation Summit.

“Keeping Well at Work Day is an important event on self-care and open to all employees at Waterloo (Faculty, Staff and Union)," says a note from Human Resources. "Join us on October 16^th for this full day event which includes two keynote speakers in the morning and an afternoon of workshops, activities, and wellness booths to provide information and support. To participate, please register by Monday, October 14.”

"Test your knowledge by joining Legal & Immigration Services for Trivia Wednesdays every Wednesday during the month of October," says a note from Legal & Immigration Services. "There are amazing prizes to be won, and all proceeds go to the United Way." For trivia rules and more information, please visit the Legal & Immigration Services website.

"The FASS Theatre Company presents our Fall Variety Show: Feridun-Dun-DUN!" says a note from FASS. "When a rash of murders sweeps campus, everyone is a suspect – even the geese! Can our wily film-noir detectives crack the case before it’s too late? We also welcome several on-campus performance clubs to share the stage, including A Capella groups, Juggling, Improv, Cheerleading, and the Warriors Band."

The shows take place on October 4 and 5 at 8:00 p.m. in AL 116. Admission is pay-what-you-can.