Thursday, September 10, 2020

Thursday, September 10, 2020

Editor:
Brandon Sweet
University Communications
bulletin@uwaterloo.ca

CEE's Employer Info Sessions go virtual for fall 2020

A student participate in an online employer info session via laptop.

By Bethany Mulder-Kelly and Lesia Bandura.

Co-operative and Experiential Education’s (CEE) employer information session events are going virtual for the Fall 2020 term. Aligning with the University’s decision to deliver course activity remotely for next term, employers looking to recruit the University of Waterloo’s top talent pool of students are hosting virtual recruiting events in partnership with CEE. So far, there are more that 60+ bookings before the term starts. 

 “The importance of our students feeling a connection with employers looking to hire will be more critical than ever,” says Assistant Service Manager of Employer Information Sessions Laura Jane Watkins. “I’m excited our team is able to continue to help employers connect with students and we look forward to learnings that are sure to come.” 

Virtual employer information sessions, which will be referred to as “VEIS”, will be held online using Cisco WebEx beginning Wednesday, September 9. VEIS events can be found on the Employer Information Session calendar in WaterlooWorks, and students are encouraged to sign-up for these events in advance. 

The benefits of students attending a VEIS include: 

  • Learning about potential job opportunities and the work you would do;
  • Connecting directly with employers in a networking environment;
  • Discovering employers’ workplace culture;
  • Gaining insight into the hiring process;
  • Learning from the experiences of past co-op students and alumni who work for the employers;
  • Supporting informed decision-making and increase job fit and job match success.

VEIS will target specific program disciplines and student types and levels and are open to junior, intermediate, senior, masters and PhD students, as well as both co-op and graduating students. Students are encouraged to read the event description to find the virtual link and see what type of candidate the employer is looking to hire! Students are also encouraged to check the VEIS calendar weekly, as events will be added throughout the Fall term. Questions regarding VEIS can be directed to infosessions@uwaterloo.ca.

Yes, WeChat

The WeChat logo - two speech bubbles on a green background.

A message from University Relations.

We’re excited to announce that the University of Waterloo has launched a WeChat Official Account. This new social media platform will help us better connect with our Mandarin-speaking Waterloo community and will feature weekly posts every Friday on University updates and resources for current and prospective students. 

The WeChat bar code.

If you’re a WeChat user, please give us a follow and share with your network. You can scan the QR code in your personal WeChat account to read our latest article on supports available to help students prep for the (mostly) virtual fall term.

Our WeChat account is being managed by a diverse group of campus stakeholders including representatives from University Relations, Waterloo International and the Student Success Office. If you have feedback or would like to share content ideas for our WeChat account, please email Iva Badjari, Associate Director, Digital Communications. 

Visitors Centre makes temporary move to Needles Hall

The Visitors Centre in South Campus Hall - now temporarily relocated to Needles Hall.

The Visitors Centre has temporarily vacated its longtime home in South Campus Hall and has relocated to Needles Hall 1101 just outside the Centre.

The Visitors Centre is making the move in order to allow more room for physical distancing for Tim Hortons and the W Store customers in South Campus Hall.

The Visitors Centre's service delivery for prospective undergraduate students will focus on in-person tours and its regular ongoing inquiry management, including calls, emails, and virtual chats.

The Visitors Centre will be offering limited in-person general campus tours, beginning September 28, that are available by advanced booking only. Given the limited availability of on-campus tours, the outreach will focus on high school students applying for fall 2021 admissions. There will be no group tours or activities, no tours of residences, and no faculty/college/school tours at the present time.

Sustainability certificate reminder and other notes

There's still time to register for the Sustainability Certificate course program for the fall 2020 term. The series of courses, offered to all University employees, is intended to help Waterloo embed sustainability into campus culture, one of the major goals of the University’s Environmental Sustainability Strategy. It includes seven modules that cover key local and global sustainability issues, what the University is doing, and tools and resources for employees to integrate sustainability into their own departments, homes, and beyond. Sessions will be held remotely through Microsoft Teams, and registration will be managed through Workday. For a list of session dates and more information, please visit the Sustainability Certificate webpage. The first session is scheduled to take place on September 17.

GO Transit has made updates to its University of Waterloo services. GO Bus routes that currently serve the University of Waterloo are the 25 Waterloo/Mississauga, and the 25F Waterloo/Highway 407 Bus Terminal. Metrolinx has reported that GO Buses are on a reduced schedule. Here's what you need to know:

  • Check your schedule before heading out
  • Pre-load your PRESTO card with the app, as cash is no longer accepted. 
  • Wear a face covering when you're on GO

Please link to this page: https://www.gotransit.com/en/trip-planning/going-to-school

Link of the day

World Suicide Prevention Day

When and Where to get support

Students can visit the Student Success Office online for supports including academic development, international student resources, leadership development, exchange and study abroad, and opportunities to get involved.

Instructors can visit the Keep Learning website to get support on adapting their teaching and learning plans for an online environment. The following workshops are current offerings from the KL team (CTE, CEL, ITMS, LIB):

Getting Ready to Facilitate Online Courses: TA Training, beginning July 13.

Remote Course Design Essentials, beginning August 26.

Independent Remote Course Design Essentials. Continuous self-enroll course in LEARN.

LEARN for TAs, Tuesday, September 15, 10:00 a.m.

LEARN for TAs, Wednesday, September 16, 2:00 p.m.

Employees can access resources to help them work remotely, including managing University records and privacy of personal information

Interested in learning more about engaging your students in an online course? The Centre for Extended Learning has created a new resource for you called "Fostering Engagement: Facilitating Online Courses in Higher Education"

ThisOpen Educational Resource was designed for post-secondary instructors and teaching assistants who would like to better understand the critical role of facilitation in online course delivery, and build practical skills and strategies that are relevant, effective, and authentic.

Here are some tips for staying healthy while working from home.

The Writing and Communication Centre is rolling out virtual services and programs for fall term: 

  • Undergrad students -- work with us to brainstorm, draft, revise, and polish assignments by meeting with our writing advisors in virtual appointments. Chat with our friendly and knowledgeable peer tutors in our virtual drop-ins and PJ-friendly writing groups. Or experience an online workshop at your own pace. 
  • First-year Warriors! Check out Waterloo Ready to Write to build your skills for writing success.
  • Graduate Students -- meet with an advisor in a virtual appointments, take an online workshop,  join the grad writing community at our Virtual Writing Cafés and #WaterlooWrites groups, develop your academic voice at Speak Like a Scholar, or make progress on your thesis at Dissertation Boot Camp.
  • Instructors and faculty -- Request and access WCC workshops for use in your courses, join a virtual writing group, or speak with a writing advisor about a writing project.

We understand that these circumstances can be troubling, and you may need to speak with someone for emotional support. Good2Talk is a post-secondary student helpline based in Ontario, Canada that is available to all students. If you feel overwhelmed or anxious and need to talk to somebody, please contact the University’s Campus Wellness services, either Health Services or  Counselling Services. You can also contact the University's Centre for Mental Health Research and Treatment.

The Library has published a resource guide on how to avoid information overload.

The Faculty Association of the University of Waterloo (FAUW) continues to advocate for its members. Check out the FAUW blog for more information.

The University of Waterloo Staff Association (UWSA) continues to advocate for its members. Check out the UWSA blog for more information.

WUSA supports for students:

Food Support Service food hampers are currently available from the Turnkey Desk on weekdays from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. in the Student Life Centre. If you have any questions please email us at foodsupport@wusa.ca.

The Bike Centre – Now open by appointment for your bicycle repair and rental needs in the Student Life Centre. For more information or to schedule an appointment, please go to: https://wusa.ca/bikecentre

Centre for Academic Policy Support - CAPS is here to assist Waterloo undergraduates throughout their experience in navigating academic policy in the instances of filing petitions, grievances and appeals. Please contact them at caps@wusa.ca. More information at http://wusa.ca/caps

WUSA Commissioners who can help in a variety of areas that students may be experiencing during this time:

WUSA Student Legal Protection Program- Seeking legal counsel can be intimidating, especially if it’s your first time facing a legal issue. The legal assistance helpline provides quick access to legal advice in any area of law, including criminal. Just call 1-833-202-4571

Empower Me is a confidential mental health and wellness service that connects students with qualified counsellors 24/7. They can be reached at 1-833-628-5589.

When and Where (but mostly when)

Healthy Warriors at Home. Free programming including Online Fitness, Personal Training, Health Webinars, Personalized Nutrition and more. Open to students, staff, faculty and alumni. Register today.

Warriors Basketball Web Workouts. Register today to gain access to online content that is guaranteed to help you improve your basketball skills; regardless of your current skill level. Open to all ages. New content added weekly throughout the year for only $100. Register today.

NEW - IT Seminar: Mandatory 2FA!, Friday September 11, 9:00 a.m. to 9:45 a.m. Join online

WUSA Welcome Week,Monday, September 14 to Friday, September 18.

Portage-Global Water Futures Research Data Management webinar series(Some) Research Data Management Best Practices!” Wednesday, September 16, 1:00 p.m. Registration details can be found here.

More Feet on the Ground Mental Health Training for Faculty and Staff, Tuesday, September 22, 9:30 a.m., Online – Register on GoSignMeUp

NEW - Women in Math Virtual Welcome Event session 1, "What I Wish I Knew Then...", Tuesday, September 22, 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. RSVP.

NEW - Women in Math Virtual Welcome Event session 2, "What I Wish I Knew Then...", Tuesday, September 22, 8:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. RSVP.