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New Mental Health Widget available in LEARN
A message from Campus Wellness.
Campus Wellness, in collaboration with the Faculty of Applied Health Sciences and the Centre for Teaching Excellence, has developed a mental health widget for LEARN. This widget will be embedded into all LEARN courses with a link to a mental health resources page on the Campus Wellness website. The widget provides another touch point to clearly communicate the resources available to students and help them seek support and care when faced with any challenges.
The widget would not be here without the dedication and persistence of Jordan Rettinger (CTE Faculty Liaison for AHS) and Leeann Ferris (Associate Dean of AHS, Undergraduate Studies) and Campus Wellness extends their thanks for championing this project. Campus Wellness would also like to thank the Centre for Extended Learning and ITMS for their technical support.
Register for tomorrow's Research Talks event
Join Research Talks tomorrow for Curing the COVID-19 pandemic, an online panel presentation and discussion examining risk, resilience, and public wellness.
Please register to receive a link for this event planned for Tuesday, November 17 (11:45 a.m. to 1:15 p.m.) on Webex.
Find out how two University of Waterloo researchers along with speakers from the World Health Organization and Public Health Agency of Canada are contributing to the global efforts.
Katherine DeLand (Trust and community engagement): As the senior health advisor in the Office of David Nabarro, WHO Special Envoy for COVID-19 Preparedness and Response, Katherine will discuss developing trust and engaging the community in the response to COVID-19.
Heather Hall (Understanding recovery needs and resilience for rural Canada): Heather is an assistant professor and Director of the Economic Development and Innovation Program at Waterloo. She will provide a better understanding of the impact of COVID-19 on rural communities across Canada and the innovative ways in which rural communities, businesses, and other organizations are responding to these impacts.
Plinio Morita (The role of the Internet of Things and mHealth in a pandemic): Plinio is an assistant professor with the School of Public Health and Health Systems (cross appointed with Systems Design Engineering) at Waterloo. He will discuss how IoT and mHealth technologies have been used to help better understand the impact of the pandemic on our population.
Nick Ogden (Predicting what comes next: Modelling the pandemic): As a senior research scientist and director of the public health risk sciences division within the National Microbiology Laboratory of the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC), Nick will describe predictive modelling of COVID-19 within PHAC to model scenarios for the epidemic and effects of non-pharmaceutical interventions on transmission.
Celebrating the spirit of National Philanthropy Day
A message from the University of Waterloo's United Way Campaign.
Did you know that this past Sunday, November 15th was National Philanthropy Day? What is National Philanthropy Day, and what does it mean to us here at the University of Waterloo?
National Philanthropy Day is a day where we celebrate charitable donations, as well as recognize those who provide volunteer support for various charities around the globe. Basically, it’s a day where we reflect on the great work that helps individuals through times of crisis and hardship, as well as strengthen our communities.
The United Way committee would like to thank each and every one of you who have contributed to our charitable campaign this year. Through your donations, volunteer time, and actions, we’ve raised money for places like KW Counselling Services, House of Friendship, Big Brothers and Big Sisters, and so many more. Donations to the United Way means your money goes to the charities that have high impact in our community and goes to the charities that need it most.
If you’ve always wanted to contribute to a philanthropic cause, please consider the United Way. It’s the best of all worlds, because it distributes your donations to the individuals and charities that need it most. And good news, our campaign is still open for donations.
Please join us in celebrating our amazing volunteers who had to be extremely creative during our 2020 campaign where we couldn’t be on campus together. We were blown away by the ingenuity of their events, even during a pandemic. We have amazing people here at the University of Waterloo and the success of our campaign is simply a great example of that.
Thank you, from the bottom of our hearts.
You're invited to participate in a UN75 focus group
A message from Waterloo International.
Waterloo International is inviting all students to participate in the United Nation 75th (UN75) anniversary focus group on November 25, 2020.
This year, the UN is marking its 75th anniversary at a time of great disruption for the world, compounded by an unprecedented global health crisis with severe economic and social impacts. Will we emerge stronger and better equipped to work together? Or will our distrust and isolation grow further? Global dialogue – and action – is now more urgent than ever.
This focus group will highlight and discuss difficult global issues, including problems of war and peace, international peace and security, human rights, sustainable development, and much more. Through the discussion we hope to learn from your aspirations, thoughts, values, perceptions, and experiences, and empower you to think and act globally to help build a better future for all.
It is vital that your voice is heard at this crucial time for the world. Your views, concerns and ideas will be presented to world leaders and senior UN officials, and groups around the world will discuss how best to take forward the priorities and proposals generated.
The focus group is an opportunity to better understand and document current global issues from a student perspective and encourage others to take actions in their own lives, in line with what they have heard and learned. Your thoughts may inspire new programs, investments, partnerships and campaigns, among other options.
Participation in this study is voluntary, however, in appreciation of the time given to the focus group, participants will be offered $15 towards their WatCards.
If you’re interested in participating, please contact Aisha Shibli.
Trans Awareness Week and other notes
"November 13 to 20 is Trans Awareness Week, with Trans Day of Remembrance on Friday, November 20," says a note from Human Rights, Equity and Inclusion. "This is a time dedicated to increasing visibility and awareness of transgender communities, their resilience and the ongoing discrimination they encounter. Explore a non-exhaustive list of events, resources, and voices, which aims to amplify visibility and understanding. Thanks to all for their commitments, honouring and organization of events and vigils for Trans Day of Remembrance, including the Gender Variant Working Group, Waterloo Region."
Explore events and resources for Trans Awareness Week and Trans Day of Remembrance.
The University's Senate meets today at 3:30 p.m. via Microsoft Teams. Among the agenda items:
- A motion to approve the preferred name guideline within the academic calendar that is part of the "improving name usage" project, effective 1 September 2021;
- A motion to approve proposed revisions to the grade regulations for options, specializations and electives in the Faculty of Engineering, effective 1 September 2021;
- A motion approve proposed revisions to the regulation regarding upgrading a general degree to an honours degree in the Faculty of Mathematics, effective 1 September 2021;
- A motion to approve the 2021-2022 academic calendar dates and calendar guidelines for establishing academic dates that lay out major academic milestones throughout the year and assist with planning;
- A motion to approve new Qualifying Examination Regulations (under Minimum Requirements for the PhD Degree), effective 1 January 2021; and
- A motion to approve changes to University Responsibilities regarding Supervisory Relationships, effective 1 January 2021.
Senate will also hear a research presentation from Charmaine Dean, vice-president, research and international, a report from the University Committee on Student Appeals, and an update from the Academic Affairs Working Group.
Parking Services has two announcements this week:
As of Monday, November 16, Lot R, Lot J, Lot K and the University Club lot will be closed for the duration of the winter months as they will not be maintained for snow removal. Permit holders have been notified and asked to relocate to either Lot S, Lot M or Lot N until March 31, 2021.
On Friday, November 20, Parking Services will close early at 12 noon to celebrate the retirement of Mladen Bogdanovic, after more than 24 years of service, with department staff members. Others wanting to wish him well may stop by Parking Services prior to 12 noon. Masks are required.