Friday, September 4, 2020

Time for fall term already? Here's what you need to know

This article originally appeared on Waterloo Stories.

The countdown is on. 

With classes gearing up as summer winds down, our faculty and staff have been working to provide both incoming and returning students with an engaging Fall Term. 

Although most courses will be delivered online, with some small classes and labs taking place in-person, we are prepared to support you wherever you are.

We have created the Welcome Back Waterloo guide to ensure that you, alongside the wider UWaterloo community, are prepared for Fall Term, either virtually or on campus.  

“Whether you’re a new or returning student, please remember that we’re all in this together,” Feridun Hamdullahpur said, president and vice-chancellor. “We may not all be together on campus just yet, but we are still a community and must continue to help one another thrive.” 

While learning remotely can pose unique challenges, we have supports in place to help you with academics, community engagement, campus wellness and technical resources. 

Here are just some of the resources available: 

Academic support 

• Peer Success Coach — The Student Success Office (SSO) offers you an opportunity to book an appointment with a Peer Success Coach to help support you in your academic success. 

• Co-operative Education — Provides a list of tips for working remotely as co-op students and how to connect with  co-op advisors for support. The University will continue to update you with changes to schedules, the application process, interviews and any important details to help you find a co-op placement. 

• Library — All library buildings are currently closed until further notice, but access to the library website and online resources is available for all students. For general support, please visit their Ask Us webpage. 

• Writing and Communication Support — The Writing and Communication Centre (WCC) is a hub of communication and writing practice, support and research on campus. WCC is providing Fall Term support for online classes — providing customized workshops, virtual drop-in appointments and general support for any writing assignments.  

Community Engagement 

• Portal — Download the Portal application or log-in online to access class schedules, register for virtual events organized by the SSO and other departments, book appointments and more. 

• Student Success Office (SSO) — The SSO office has gone virtual, where domestic and international students can connect with staff members to ask questions related to student life. Online events and workshops, including the Student Leadership Program, will be offered remotely where you’ll be able to register in UWaterloo Portal on Tuesday, September 8.

• Waterloo Ready — The SSO office has created a page for students to give you personal connections with other students, insider tips and resources to successfully navigate your first year.   

• Waterloo Undergraduate Student Association (WUSA) — Welcome Week events will be hosted virtually by WUSA from Monday, September 14 to Friday, September 18. Ensure to follow WUSA on their Facebook events page for more details. 

Campus Wellness   

• AccessAbility Services — We are committed to supporting students with disabilities through AccessAbility Services. 

• Health Services — Our health services will remain open for urgent, primary care medical appointments via phone and video. All appointments must be booked by calling 519-888-4096. If you're unable to wait for an appointment, we urge you to seek emergency care.  

• Counselling Services — Our counselling services are available by phone and appointments can be booked by calling 519-888-4567, ext. 32655. 

Technical Resources 

• Digital Skills Fundamentals — As of Fall Term, all incoming students are automatically enrolled in the Digital Skills Fundamentals course which offers five modules to building student’s digital skills. Current students can self-enroll through LEARN anytime. 

• Information Systems and Technology (IST) — Provides technical support from emails to password reset, and general tips for remote learning. If you’re in need of technical support, please contact, helpdesk@uwaterloo.ca.  

• W Store — You can shop the W Store online and purchase items from apparel, school supplies, textbooks and much more and can have it delivered to your doorstep. Masks are also available for purchase. You can also access and purchase their required textbooks for the Fall Term through BookLook. Used books can still be purchased from Feds Used Bookstore online. 

Don't take the bait: stop falling for phishing scams

A message from Information Systems & Technology (IST).

Phishing emails are getting harder to spot at first glance. They may look like legitimate emails from your employer or from a company but clicking on links can result in your personal information and accounts being compromised.

How do I know if an email I received is a phishing scam? 

• Hover over links - the real link address will appear at the bottom of your web browser window.
• Look for typos - phishing emails often contain typos and bad grammar.  
• Verify with the real source - if you receive a suspicious email supposedly sent by your manager or another department, find their actual contact information and reach out to them directly.

For more information, visit the Cyber Awareness site.

What's open and closed on the Labour Day long weekend

Joe Petrik snapped this picture of Mathematics 3 emblazoned with the requisite pink tie - a sure sign that the fall term is about to begin.

Just as the University opens up for fall term, it is temporarily closing for the Labour Day long weekend. Monday, September 7 is a statutory holiday, with Labour Day serving as an unofficial start to the fall season. And remember, no wearing white masks after Labour Day!

Most University operations, be they virtual or on-campus, will be closed in keeping with the holiday. Closures (and openings) of note include:

The Library's virtual reference service will not be available on Monday, September 7. Library facilities will remain closed for now.

Food Services locations that will be closed on holiday Monday will be Starbucks STC, Tim Hortons DC, Tim Hortons SLC, and Tim Hortons SCH. All other locations are currently closed.

The exception is The Market at Claudette Millar Hall, which will be open from 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.

Print + Retail Solutions reports that W Store | Gifts + Apparel and W Store Essentials, SLC will be closed on Monday, September 7. Both locations will re-open on Tuesday, September 8 at 9:00 a.m.

All Athletics facilities will be closed on Saturday, Sunday, and Monday, reopening on Tuesday, September 8 per the latest operations update.

The Student Life Centre and all businesses and services therein, including the Turnkey Desk, are closed Saturday and Sunday as part of the "next normal," and will also be closed on Monday, September 7.

As always, there are a few essential University services and stalwart operations that never shut down:

• UW police, reachable at 519-888-4911 or extension 22222
• The Plant Operations maintenance emergencies hotline at extension 33793.

Have a safe, socially distanced Long Weekend, and enjoy some backyard barbecue if you're into that sort of thing. The Daily Bulletin will return on Tuesday, September 8, as we usher in a fall term unlike any in recent memory.