Thursday, April 2, 2020

Waterloo Residences provides update on residence options for Spring term

Waterloo Residences has sent a round of communications out to students to advise them of their residence options in the upcoming Spring term.

“We understand that you are facing important and unexpected decisions about your next steps in residence,” says the memo distributed yesterday. “Please know we are dedicated to creating flexible solutions that fit your evolving needs.”

Recognizing that students are in a wide variety of situations, Waterloo Residences has outlined a number of actions that they might need to take in the near future:

“If you plan to leave residence before end of term (April 26 for undergraduate students or April 30 for graduate/optometry students, please fill out the cancellation form to let us know your expected departure date. If you have already completed an extension form, it has been approved.”

“If you need to stay in residence in between winter and spring term (April 27 to May 2), you can extend your stay at no charge by completing this form by April 8.

“All current students who need to stay in residence will be able to extend their stay at no additional charge,” says the note from Waterloo Residences. “Please note that relocation is a possibility.”

“If you have a contract for the spring, please fill out this form by April 8 to let us know whether you plan to stay or cancel your contract.”

“We understand that the pandemic situation continues to change,” says the note from Waterloo Residences. “For this reason, you will be permitted to cancel your spring contract without penalty. You will receive a prorated credit for the length of time remaining on your contract, as well as your deposit, if applicable. No credit will be given if you cancel in the last 30 days of the term.”

“If you do not have a contract for the spring but need to stay in residence, you are eligible to stay for the spring term,” says the memo. “Please note that relocation is a possibility.”

“We understand that the pandemic situation continues to change. You are required to sign a contract for spring term which includes a $500 deposit. However, you will be permitted to cancel your spring contract without penalty.  You will receive a prorated credit for the length of time remaining on your contract, as well as your deposit. No credit will be given if you cancel in the last 30 days of the term.”

Waterloo Residences will continue to publish updates on its COVID-19 Residence Webpage. Anyone with questions is invited to email housing@uwaterloo.ca. Housing staff will answer student questions from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday to Friday.  

Parking permit deductions suspended

"During this period of extreme disruption to our normal way of life, we suspended parking fees for the month of April," says a memo from Dennis Huber, vice-president, administration and finance that was circulated to employees yesterday. "You do not need to take any action. Payroll services will not deduct parking fees from your April pay."

Moving forward the Office of the Vice-President, Administration and Finance will review this decision on a month-by-month basis.

"We will place a credit on your parking account if you have purchased permits directly from Parking Services and not through payroll deduction for the month of April," Huber's memo concludes.

Advancement provides update on Alumni Weekend, Keystone Picnic

A message from the Office of Advancement.

As the COVID-19 pandemic continues, the University is taking steps to limit the spread and risks of the disease in our community. With caution and concern for our alumni, faculty and staff, the Office of Advancement has made the difficult decision to postpone and cancel two events.  

Alumni Weekend rescheduled for September 2020

Alumni Weekend, originally planned for June 6, will now take place September 25 and 26, 2020, and be held in conjunction with Alumni Black and Gold Day.

Registration for Alumni Weekend events is temporarily closed, as the Office of Advancement updates the revised schedule.

If you had already registered for the June 6 event, your place will be transferred to the new date. If you are unable to attend in September and require a refund, please contact registration@uwaterloo.ca.

Keystone Picnic cancelled

The Keystone Picnic, which was to take place on June 5, has been cancelled for this year.

A whole bunch of Good Buddies of the University

"I’m sending you my cat Molly – she likes to sit beside my computer and smack keys, and chat to people on video calls," writes Developmental Psychology PhD candidate Emma Green.

"She does have a sister named Matty, but Matty is much more polite and doesn’t interrupt my calls. Molly is also the chief security officer for keeping an eye on the geese around campus."

"Here’s my woolly mammoth Jet," writes Melanie Scott, manager of internal and leadership communications. "Can you tell the groomer is closed? He's trying to blend into the rug because there are too many humans at home."

"Attached is a photo of my cat, Charlotte, who sits in front of the monitor as if to say, “You can still work if I sit here, can’t you?” writes Tracey McKee, business systems analyst in Student Awards and Financial Aid. "And yes, she only has one eye!"

"Abby is my 5 year old golden doodle," writes Jason Testart, director of information security services. "Most of the time, she's at my feet warming them, but sometimes she begs for attention. She also herds me out of my home office at around 4:45 p.m."

"My little furbaby, Logan, loves to help in all home projects," writes Nafeesa Mehboob of the Waterloo Institute for Sustainable Energy (WISE). "The first day I started working from home, Logan was reviewing my work and also took a nap after, on top of my notes." 

"This is Lily. Of our two cats she is the time-keeper," writes Shelly Jordan, survey management associate in Psychology. "She is very helpful and checks in on me fairly regularly. She is very concerned that I don’t miss breakfast (especially her breakfast!) before I log in to work, and that I never forget that I need to take a break for supper (especially her supper!)."

"This is Koda and he is the best study buddy," writes Health Studies student Imra Dhalla.