Thursday, May 28, 2020

President provides Fall term update

President Feridun Hamdullahpur has sent a memo to the University community confirming plans for the Fall term.

"As we said two weeks ago, we are preparing for instruction to happen in two ways this fall – online and in person. This means while many of our courses will happen primarily online, our campus will be open to support students who choose to be in Waterloo to study, or who have courses with elements that will happen in person. For first year students, all courses will be available online, while a select few will also be available in-person."

"As you know, we are putting measures in place to keep everyone safe when they come to campus, if they need to do so. This will include detailed physical distancing plans, hygiene measures and thorough cleaning regimes. In short: if our students want or need to be in Waterloo, we will be here to support their needs."

"The following principles have guided our thinking for the gradual return to in-person activities:

• We will continue to prioritize health and well-being of everyone in our community.
• We will deliver quality learning experiences worthy of our students in any format.
• We will phase in in-person activities when public health authorities say it is safe."

"I am extremely grateful to everyone who has contributed plans and thinking to our approach to the fall term," the president writes. "I am confident that we are well positioned to help our students experience the best that we can offer given the circumstances we face. Many of us hope to return to in person student experiences as soon as we can and we will keep monitoring public health guidance as we plan for winter term 2021."

"We are continuing to work on our plans for the safe and gradual return to campus for employees and you can expect to hear more on this in the coming weeks."

"Please continue to review the COVID-19 Information website for updates and news as we take steps to reopen our campus in phases."

Waterloo takes home top honours from CCAE

By Claire Mastrangelo, Office of Advancement.

Our colleagues’ creativity and strategic thinking were on display last week as the Canadian Council for the Advancement of Education (CCAE) celebrated its 2020 Prix d’Excellence Awards.

The awards recognize top achievements in alumni affairs, public affairs, communications, recruitment, marketing, fundraising and other initiatives that support the advancement of post-secondary institutions.

"Congratulations to this year’s winners!" writes Jude Doble, associate director, communications. "We’re looking forward to celebrating more of our staff’s creative achievements in the future."

Waterloo received four awards at last week’s virtual ceremonies:

• University Relations won bronze for Best Website with Waterloo — Connecting imagination with impact.
• University Relations’ promotions for the Waterloo Innovation Summit won silver for Best Advertisement or Poster.
• The Office of Advancement’s ugly sweater year-end appeal won silver for Best Annual Giving Initiative.
• The Office of Advancement’s 2018-19 Report on Giving won gold for Best Report to Donors.

Remembering Chancellor Emerita Sylvia Ostry

Sylvia Ostry dons her robes during her installation as Chancellor in 1991.

Chancellor Emerita Sylvia Ostry passed away on Thursday, May 7 at the age of 92.

A renowned economist and statistician, Ostry served as the University of Waterloo’s Sixth Chancellor from 1991 to 1997 and was the first woman appointed to the role. Ostry succeeded J. Page Wadsworth.

Sylvia Ostry had a distinguished career in teaching, research and public service. At the time of her appointment as Chancellor, she was the chair of the Centre for International Studies at the University of Toronto (now the Munk Centre for International Studies); chair of the National Council of the Canadian Institute of International Affairs; and western co-chair of the Blue Ribbon Commission for Hungary's Economic Recovery.

Ostry held a PhD in economics from McGill University and Cambridge. After a career in teaching and research at a number of Canadian universities, she joined the federal government in 1964, holding several posts including Chief Statistician (the first woman to hold that position), Deputy Minister of Consumer and Corporate Affairs, Chair of the Economic Council of Canada, Deputy Minister of International Trade, Ambassador for Multilateral Trade Negotiations and the Prime Ministers Personal Representative for the 1985 Economic Summit. From 1979 to 1983 she was Head of the Economics and Statistics Department of the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) in Paris. In 1989 she was Volvo Distinguished Visiting Fellow, Council on Foreign Relations in New York. Ostry received the Government of Canada Outstanding Achievement Award in 1987. She received more than 18 honorary doctorates from universities in Canada and abroad, in 1978 she was named an Officer of the Order of Canada and in 1990 was made a Companion of the Order of Canada. She was a Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada. She authored more than 80 publications. In 1992, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees launched the Sylvia Ostry Foundation annual lecture series.

Ostry was elected to a second term as Chancellor that extended her stay in office to April 30, 1997. She was succeeded by Val O'Donovan.

President Doug Wright, Mike Brookes, the University's first superintendent of buildings and grounds, and Chancellor Sylvia Ostry in 1992.

Ostry and her husband Bernard, author, civil servant, and former chief executive of TVOntario, both received honorary degrees from the University of Waterloo in May 1997.

Following her tenure as Chancellor at Waterloo, Ostry continued as a Distinguished Research Fellow at the Munk Centre for International Studies, sat as a member on several boards and advisory bodies, and traveled the world as an in-demand public speaker.

“Sylvia Ostry was a trailblazer and a dedicated public servant who helped shape Canada’s role on the world stage,” says President Feridun Hamdullahpur. “The University of Waterloo was fortunate to have her serve as Chancellor during a period when we were beginning to expand our global reputation. As an expert in international economic issues she challenged us to move beyond the status quo, to adapt and to change. This focus and dedication enabled Waterloo to continue on the path to become one of the world’s top innovation universities.”

She is survived by her two sons. 

Have you heard about the Good Buddies of the University?

"Meet my beautiful girl Spirit," writes Lisa Roenspiess, admin assistant in Plant Operations. "She has been wonderful making sure I keep our usual schedule of a morning walk before work, lunchtime and after work walk, while working from home. Her favourite hobbies include squirrel chasing and playing with ball/stick or frisbee. She is learning to give Mom space while I work and is lying there waiting patiently for our next adventure."

"My family's three cute kitties - Alexandria, the little 2-year-old Ragdoll (pictured sitting on her "couch"); Prince the 3-year-old Balinese (aka long-haired Siamese - outside resting after his walk) and my regal 11'ish-year-old Tuxedo, Phoebe (lounging with her catnip toy)," writes Frances Hannigan, senior immigration consultant in Legal and Immigration Services. "All three add a little something different to my husband's and my WFH day. As the time stretches out for all of us to continue to social distance and be away from campus, Prince will ensure that I get out and de-stress with a walk around the neighborhood to re-acquaint with my neighbours and check in on my Dad. Alexandria will ask to be cuddled during lunch before her afternoon nap on her cat tree, making sure that I take those breaks to maintain my sanity. And my sweet, sweet Phoebe will wait for me to finish up for the day - at a reasonable time - to play and think of things other than work. Without our three Good Buddies at home adding a little spice to our days, WFH would be quite monotonous!" 

"Our household situation is a bit unique as we gave our dog away for a few months!" writes Professor Nancy Waite, associate director, clinical education at the School of Pharmacy. "Lucy is currently doing COVID-related community service by being a companion to my 87 year old mom who lives in Kingston on her own. Lucy’s community service is “voluntary” but we hear she is getting well paid in treats. She is also allowed to sleep on the bed, grow her hair long and wild... She may never want to come home!"

"Here are our Good Buddies Cleo (Tabby) and Princess, who are both 18 years old and going deaf. They have spent the last 9 weeks loudly interrupting Teams calls for both Andrew Smith (specialist, content development, MUR) and Alison Boyd (senior director, alumni relations) with demands to be fed on their timeline intermingled with sleeping on the job."