Monday, August 31, 2020

What's open on campus as the fall term beckons

As the University prepares to welcome students back to fall term, both virtually and in-person, a number of University operations will be gearing up to support students and employees who are returning physically to campus.

The Library

The Library is expanding its services for the fall term. Beginning September 8, a limited number of study carrels will be available by appointment. Campus health and safety guidance for health assessment checks, physical distancing, face coverings and sanitizing protocols will be followed to ensure student and staff safety.

• Print Pickup @ Porter: Undergraduate students can request print items which have no online equivalent from the Porter and Davis libraries and the Witer Learning Resource Centre for pickup at Dana Porter Library.
• Chat hours: Virtual reference will be available Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday, noon to 9 p.m.

Beginning September 9, Special Collections & Archives will allow up to three researchers at a time (students and faculty and post doctoral fellows) can book appointments to use the collections.

Check out the full Library service update from the August 25 issue of the Daily Bulletin. Details on services will be posted on the Library's website and social media in the coming weeks. Follow the library services and operations update page for changes on all services that are being redeveloped in response to the pandemic.

On-Campus dining options 

UW Food Services has announced the re-opening of select locations across campus. "We are looking forward to serving the community again, and hope we see your smiling eyes soon," says a note from Food Services. All locations have gone cashless, accepting Watcard, Debit, Visa and Mastercard.  This is to reduce touch-points and the chance of cross-contamination. In addition, all locations have strict capacities, so please check that the location has space before entering. 

Locations and Hours:

Claudette Millar Hall (UWP):

• The Market: Re-opening August 29, Monday to Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m., Saturday and Sunday, 9:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m.

Student Life Centre:

• Tim Hortons: Reopening September 1, M-F: 8:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.  Extended Hours: September 14-30: 8:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
• Pizza Pizza and Subway: Re-opening September 14: M-F: 11:00 am – 4:00 pm

Science Teaching Complex:

• Starbucks: Reopening August 31. M-F: 8:00 am – 3:00 pm

Davis Centre:

• Tim Hortons: Re-opening September 1. M-F: 8:00 am – 3:00 pm
• DC Bytes: Re-opening September 14. M-F: 11:00 am – 3:30 pm

South Campus Hall:

• Tim Hortons: Re-opening September 1. M-F: 8:00 am – 3:00 pm

For the most up-to-date information on Food Services hours of operations, please visit the Food Services website.

Food Services has also announced that it is launching UC Eats and Catering Eats on its UW Food Services app on September 8. "This is a wonderful service that will offer single servings and family meals – with delivery on campus," says the note from Food Services. "More information about this to come soon."

Print + Retail Solutions

W Store | Gifts + Apparel and W Print SCH in South Campus Hall are open Monday to Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

W Store Essentials in the Student Life Centre is open from Monday to Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. 

Additionally, students, faculty and staff can continue to shop online 24/7 at wstore.ca.

The Student Life Centre

The Student Life Centre's new hours of operation are Monday to Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., closed Saturdays and Sundays. The building remains accessible only from the Ring Road and Turnkey Door entrances.

Speaking of the Turnkey Desk, the desk is open during building hours and now offers Grand River Transit EasyGO card services – including reloading and issuing of new cards. Food Bank hampers are now available from 7:30 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the Turnkey Desk during operating hours.

Other SLC services:

• W Store Essentials, and the WatCard Office have reopened – weekdays 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
• CIBC is open weekdays from 9:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
• Fed Used Books is open weekdays from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
• International News is open weekdays from 7:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

The building and all businesses and services will be closed on Monday September 7 for Labour Day. SLC Director Scott Pearson reports that Turnkey@DC remains closed at this time.

The Centre

The Centre has reopened to walk-in service. Located on the first floor of Needles Hall, The Centre can assist students with official documents, course registration, paying tuition, Promissory Notes, OSAP and financial aid, record updates, dropping off forms and more. The Centre hours are Monday – Friday 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and open until 6:00 p.m. Wednesday through email, live chat, or 519-888-4567, ext. 42268.

Several safety precautions have been implemented to promote social distancing at The Centre. This includes Plexiglas for the front counter, markers on the floor and furniture to promote social distancing, signage, designated entrance/exit, appropriate spacing between wickets, etc.

Additional in-person services such as Service Canada, WatPD/EDGE appointments and Peer Success Coaching are not currently available in The Centre.

If you have any questions regarding The Centre reopening please email askthecentre@uwaterloo.ca or call 519-888-4567, ext. 42268.

Campus Wellness

Campus Wellness (Counselling Services and Health Services) remains open with alternative processes in place in response to the COVID-19 situation. To book an appointment please call ahead, as no appointments will be booked in-person.

To book an appointment with:

• Counselling Services please call, 519-888-4567 ext. 32655 
• Health Services please call, 519-888-4096.

“Please note, as a precaution and to protect our staff and students, we require all clients to mask when entering the Counselling Services and/or Health Services building,” says a note from Campus Wellness. “For those with in-person appointments, you will be asked to go through a Covid-19 pre-screening before seeing a clinician: all clients must be screened over the phone and upon check-in.”

Health Services

• Appointments:
  • Open for all medical services, with modified or alternative service delivery. All appointments will be addressed via phone or video if possible. 
  • We ask that you call ahead to book any appointment. No appointments will be scheduled in-person. All individuals will be given an appointment time and asked to come back for in person care if deemed necessary by the clinician during the initial appointment.
  • All visitors not seeking medical attention are asked to not enter the building.
  • If you are unable to wait for an appointment, recommendation: seek emergency medical care.
  • Sports medicine appointments will continue and arranged through Waterloo Sports Medicine clinic.
  • Appointments with our psychiatrists and dietitian will continue as planned.
  • LifeLabs location in Health Services are open on Tuesday (9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.) Wednesday (8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.) and Thursday (9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.)
• Prescription Renewal:
  • We recommend that all prescription renewals are submitted virtually.
• Hours:
  • Monday 8:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m
  • Tuesday—Friday 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Counselling Services

• Appointments:
  • We are currently providing services by phone and video.
  • All booked appointments will be moved to phone/video appointments. Please note that Counselling Services will contact you with directions for how to call in for your phone/video appointment.
  • Check out our Fall 2020 group therapy offerings.
• Hours:
  • Monday 8:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m
  • Tuesday—Friday 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Athletics and Recreation

Athletics and Recreation has reopened outdoor areas including spaces around the CIF including, the Disc Golf course, grass fields, and the Baseball Diamond and has reopened areas within the CIF for external rental groups: the Arena, all three Gyms (for specific activity), Fitness Centre and the Field House. The PAC Pool will be the only area within the PAC that will reopen until October. 

Athletics has also initiated an advanced reservation process with limited weekday hours."Please note that we will be limiting facility hours initially as we begin this stage of reopening," says a note from Athletics. Check the Athletics and Recreation website for updated information on facilities, locations and hours.

See an operation that's up and running but not listed here? Contact the Daily Bulletin by sending an email to bulletin@uwaterloo.ca.For more information consult the Modified Services page on the University's COVID-19 website.

Anti-Racism event tomorrow and other notes

Renison University College and the Waterloo Public Library will be hosting a panel discussion entitled Anti-Racism: The Urgency of Action.

The panel discussion features the Honourable Bardish Chagger, MP for Waterloo, Jean Becker, acting associate vice-president, human rights, equity and inclusion, Professor Kofi Campbell, vice-president and dean at Renison, Professor Malinda Smith from the University of Calgary, Professor Jasmin Zine from Wilfrid Laurier University, and Waterloo alumnus Ethan Candler. "This will be an action-oriented discussion of ways to break down barriers to equity and decolonization within our institutions," says a note from the event organizers.

The event takes place on Tuesday, September 1 at 7:00 p.m. It is free, but registration is required through EventBrite.

CEL and CTE have joined forces to host a webinar entitled Building Instructor Presence in Remote and Online Courses. "Following the spring pivot to remote teaching, many students and instructors have raised concerns about feeling a sense of disconnect between learners and faculty in the remote course environment," says a note from the Centre for Extended Learning and the Centre for Teaching Excellence. "Yet, while creating a sense of connection between you and your students can be a challenge when you begin teaching remotely, there are many simple strategies that you can use to communicate your presence to your students. Research and experience indicates clearly that students who experience their remote or online instructors as present and invested in their courses are substantially more likely to succeed. In this webinar, we will present several easy but effective strategies for building instructor presence online."

The session will include a 30 minute presentation followed by 20 minutes of Q&A. The event takes place on September 2 from 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. This event will be recorded for those who wish to view the content but are unable to attend.