Monday, May 31, 2021


University community will celebrate Feridun Hamdullahpur today

The Decade of Impact banner featuring Feridun Hamdullahpur.

The University of Waterloo's sixth president and vice-chancellor, Feridun Hamdullahpur, has left an indelible mark on our institution. 

Since becoming president in 2010, President Hamdullahpur has helped usher in an era of transformative entrepreneurship, expanded student development, support and success and strengthened our global community through new and expanded partnerships with leading global universities, industry partners and our global network of alumni. 

On Thursday afternoon, alumni and partners from around the world came together to acknowledge President Hamdullapur’s era of transformative leadership and global community impact. We heard from the Hon. Navdeep Bains, former Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry (2015-2021); Meaghan Kimball, Alumni Council Chair; and Sir Jim McDonald, Principal and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Strathclyde, among many other tributes.

You can view some of these tributes on our Decade of Impact website.

Today, members of our campus community—students, faculty, staff, and retirees—will gather virtually at 2:30 p.m. to celebrate Feridun Hamdullahpur.

Hosted by Mike Farwell (BA ’97), the program will include remarks from Cindy Forbes, Chair, Board of Governors; Chancellor Dominic Barton, and other distinguished guests, as well as personal reflections from President Hamdullahpur on his tenure at the University of Waterloo.

Register for the celebration event

Ten years of impact: a timeline

Illustrated images relating to Feridun Hamdullahpur's tenure as president.

Check out an illustrated timeline that focuses on key areas of Feridun Hamdullahpur's tenure as president and how the University of Waterloo has changed over the years. Areas of focus include campus development, entrepreneurship, equity, and co-operative education, to name a few. The images were created by Julia Nakanishi, a Toronto-based designer and researcher who holds a Master of Architecture (MArch’20) and a Bachelor of Architectural Studies (BAS ’18) from Waterloo.

Dream-like space brought to life in Venice

The Grove Installation at the Venice Bennale.

By Carol Truemner. This article was originally published on Waterloo News.

A Waterloo project designed to reflect an optimistic and inclusive environment is part of this year’s Venice Architecture Biennale.

Philip Beesley, a School of Architecture professor, along with a team including Rob Gorbet, a Faculty of Environment professor, dozens of Waterloo students and hundreds of other collaborators from around the world created the installation called Grove for the international exhibition, which opened May 22.

Interpreted by The New York Times as “overcoming social and political polarization by replacing hard walls with open environments”, Grove includes a canopy of what looks like luminous, lace-like clouds embedded with liquid-filled glass vessels.

Below the canopy, a pool-shaped screen projects the film entitled Grove Cradle. The projection pool is surrounded by what is described as “a forest of totemic, basket-like columns” with embedded custom speakers that carry “a 4DSOUND composition” created especially for the exhibit.

Brand new concept

The final installation is completely different from what the Waterloo team started working on before the pandemic, which postponed the launch of the Venice Biennale twice last year.

Moving away from their first heavily interactive design, Beesley and his collaborators came up with a concept that includes a unique multi-media system offering expanded physical and virtual experiences.

The new design reflects the overall theme of the Venice Biennale that asks the question “How Will We Live Together?”

“We came up with a vision of a transformed world where future architecture seeks communion with plants, animals, and inert matter alike,” says Beesley, director of the Living Architecture Systems Group.

Parts of the exhibit evolved from Meander, another installation located in Tapestry Hall near the School of Architecture in Cambridge.

Also integrated into the design of the installation were thesis work by Tahir Pervais and Bianca Weeko Martin, now architecture alumni, and experimental engineering structures built by Richard Mui and Soo Woo, who are also now architecture graduates.

Created to inspire hope and action

Beesley says developing and installing Grove during the pandemic was a “wild experience” with social distancing and lockdowns complicating all steps during the process.

One way team members responded to Covid-19 restrictions was by developing extensive online content that can be shared using any laptop or mobile phone.

Grove’s “deeply-felt artwork” is intended to stir both hope and action.

“During a time of such deep strain and uncertainty, expressions that build realistic kinds of optimism seem important,” says Beesley.

Waterloo’s School of Architecture has played a prominent role in past Venice Biennales with faculty members invited to curate exhibits at most of the recent ones.

This year’s Venice Biennale is open to the public with health and safety precautions in place to help prevent the spread of COVID-19. The exhibition closes on November 21.

Celebrating admitted students at You @ Waterloo Day

The "Let's Celebrate" banner featuring King Warrior.

A message from Marketing and Undergraduate Recruitment.

On May 25, professors, students, and staff from across the University connected with admitted students during You @ Waterloo Day.

Hosted by Marketing and Undergraduate Recruitment, You @ Waterloo Day is an annual event that gives admitted students the opportunity to celebrate their offer and get their final questions answered before the June 1st deadline to accept their offer and submit their residence community ranking form and deposit. The virtual event featured chats, digital downloads, and live and pre-recorded presentations, including a welcome keynote from Nobel laureate and Waterloo professor Donna Strickland. Admitted students took advantage of the chat features to connect with one another and get to know their future classmates.

Over 1,900 people registered to attend with 1,462 checking in during the event.

Marketing and Undergraduate Recruitment continues to offer a range of virtual offerings for prospective students. If you know a student interested in applying, encourage them to visit our tours and events website to learn more and to register for an upcoming offering.

Special thanks to our campus recruitment colleagues and partners who have supported our new and ongoing undergraduate recruitment initiatives.

Waterloo prepares to celebrate Pride in June

The rainbow flag flies on a University flagpole along with the national, provincial, and institutional flags.

A message from Human Rights, Equity and Inclusion.

Pride at Waterloo is an opportunity to prioritize the diverse voices and experiences of two-spirit, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and questioning (2SLGBTQ+) students, faculty and staff, celebrating and acknowledging their significant contributions and vital roles within the campus community. Pride at Waterloo is also a time to hold space for conversations on how we can work together to create a more inclusive campus.

This Pride, as we think of the historical and ongoing systemic racism in Canada, and on our campus, we must recognize that advancing equity, social justice and the dismantling of systems of oppression cannot happen in silos. We must work together to centre the voices of Black, First Nations, Métis, Inuit, and other racialized individuals as we advance 2SLGBTQ+ initiatives, disability justice, decolonization, anti-racism, gender equity, and all other intersectional and anti-oppressive work. Pride is about celebration and it is a time  to reflect on Pride’s protest roots: it is about resistance, reform, advocacy, and justice.

Explore this resource page, which gives students, faculty, and staff the opportunity to explore supports, resources, community, and educational tools. We recognize that the pandemic has disrupted typical avenues for celebration and community – and hope that some of the events listed will be useful for 2SLGBTQ+ campus members and allies. We also recognize that the pandemic has and continues to have significant, often overlapping impacts on diverse communities, and encourage you to engage with these resources in a way that feels safe and healthy, while continuing to practice self-care. 

Happy Pride!

Monday's notes

Calling all early career researchers for the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): The Worldwide Universities Network has launched a series of workshops for early career researchers to encourage networking and building connections around the world to colleagues in similar fields focused on the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

Through its connection to the SDSN community, registration to join these workshops has been opened to researchers from the University of Waterloo. There are three upcoming workshops in June, which you are invited to join:

  • June 8: SDG 5 - Gender Equality featuring opening speaker Ms. Bineta Diop, African Union Special Envoy on Women, Peace and Security;
  • June 15: SDG 8 - Decent Work and Economic Growth featuring opening speakers Dr. Romina Boarini, director of the OECD Centre for Well-Being, Inclusion, Sustainability and Equal Opportunity; and Mr. Oliver Chinganya, director, African Centre for Statistics at the UN Economic Commission for Africa; and
  • June 22: SDG 15 - Life on Land featuring opening speaker Dr. Jane Goodall DBE, founder of the Jane Goodall Institute and UN Messenger of Peace.

When registering, note that Waterloo is included as a choice in the 'affiliation' section, listed as SDSN Guest: University of Waterloo.

Renison Lecture Series banner image featuring two students wearing masks.

The Renison Lecture Series continues in June with Living the Student Experience Through a Pandemic, scheduled to take place on Tuesday, June 15 at 7:00 p.m. "What is it like to mark a milestone online?" asks the lecture's promotional material. "Or balance online courses while working as a grocery store clerk wearing full PPE? Renison’s chaplain, Megan Collings-Moore, gets some perspective about the past year from four University of Waterloo students. The panel will discuss everything from online learning, pandemic co-op placements, connecting with friends, managing mental health, and marking convocation without an in-person ceremony – and much more! Join us for a glimpse into the lives of university students during a year unlike any other."

The event will be moderated by Ven. Megan Collings-Moore, chaplain, Renison University College, with a panel of students including Devon Jones, Viola Wang, Bethany McMullen, and Kendra Elizabeth Fortin.

You can register for the event on Eventbrite.

Campus flags lowered to remember residential school victims

The news that broke late last week regarding the discovery of the remains of 215 Indigenous children at the Kamloops Indian Residential School has had an impact across the country, with an outpouring of grief and calls for action.

Flags at the University of Waterloo will be lowered today in memory of the children who died at the residential school in accordance with the University's flag-lowering guidelines, which state that campus flags are lowered "to mark the death of a national or provincial figure, or to join in national mourning, the University will lower its flags if the Government of Canada orders flags lowered on federal buildings throughout Canada or throughout Ontario." Yesterday, the Government of Canada ordered the flag on the Peace Tower and flags on federal buildings across Canada lowered until further notice. Flags at regional and municipal buildings in the area will also be at half-mast.

“UWaterloo joins the nation in mourning the unthinkable loss of 215 children whose remains were found at the site of a Kamloops residential school,” President Hamdullahpur said in a statement on social media yesterday. “Our hearts are with the Tk’emlups te Secwépemc people, all Indigenous communities and everyone affected by the devastating news. It is a stark and horrifying reminder of the importance of advancing the goals of the Truth and Reconciliation Calls to Action. Let us continue this work as we mourn and honour these children. May their families and communities find closure and peace.”

The Indigenous Initiatives Offices has provided resources including an overview of the Indian Residential School System and Campus Wellness has collected a number of supports and resources for Indigenous students and those affected by this news.

Link of the day

100 years ago: the Tulsa Massacre

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.

Course templates are available within your course in LEARN to help you build and edit your content and assignment pages quickly.

The following workshops, webinars, and events are offered by the KL team (CTE, CEL, ITMS, LIB):

Employees can access resources to help them work remotely, including managing University records and privacy of personal information. Here are some tips for staying healthy while working from home.

Stay informed about COVID cases on campus by consulting the COVID case tracker.

The Writing and Communication Centre has virtual services and programs to help undergrads, grad students, postdocs and faculty members with academic writing.

Co-op students can get help finding a job and find supports to successfully work remotely, develop new skills, access wellness and career information, and contact a co-op or career advisor.

The Centre for Career Action assists undergraduates, graduate students, postdocs, staff, faculty, and alumni through navigating career services that are right for them. You can attend a one-on-one appointment or same day drop-in session at the CCA for assistance with cover letter writing, career planning and much more. You can also book an appointment online or visit our Live Chat to connect with our Client Support Team. The CCA is here to help you.

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 TreatmentGood2Talk is a post-secondary student helpline available to all students.

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.

The Indigenous Initiatives Office is a central hub that provides guidance, support, and resources to all Indigenous and non-Indigenous campus community members and oversees the university Indigenization strategy.

The Waterloo Indigenous Student Centre, based at St. Paul’s University College, provides support and resources for Indigenous students, and educational outreach programs for the broader community, including lectures, and events.

WUSA supports for students:

Peer support  - MATES, Glow Centre, RAISE, Women’s Centre - Visit https://wusa.ca/peersupport to book an appointment

Bike Centre – Open via Appointments and Rentals

Campus Response Team, ICSN, Off Campus Community and Co-op Connection all available online. Check https://wusa.ca for more details.

Food Support Service food hampers are currently available from the Turnkey Desk on weekdays from 7:30 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. in the Student Life Centre. If you have any questions please email us at foodsupport@wusa.ca.

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.caMore information is available.

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 (Online Fitness)

Drop-in to Warrior Virtual Study Halls on Wednesdays from 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Come together in this virtual space to set goals and work independently or in groups each week.

Renison English Language Institute continues to offer virtual events and workshops to help students practice their English language skills.

Warriors vs. Laurier Blood Donation Battle. Join your fellow Warriors, donate blood and help us win the Blood Battle against Laurier for a second year in a row. Set up a profile or add the PFL code: UNIV960995 to your account if you have a blood.ca account already. Questions? Contact WarriorsInfo@uwaterloo.ca.

Responding to Disclosures of Sexual Violence, Part 1: Monday, May 31, 11:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.; Part 2: June 3, 11:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.. 

A Decade of Impact: Faculty, staff and students, Monday, May 31, 2:30 p.m. Please note this is a virtual event.

Board of Governors meeting, Tuesday, June 1, 1:30 p.m.

Deadline to submit expression of interest to participate in the Universities Canada Global Skills Opportunity, Tuesday, June 1, 4:00 p.m. Send expressions of interest to Aisha Shibli, manager, international funding opportunities.

Concept Intro Session: What's YOUR Problem? Tuesday, June 1, 5:30 p.m., virtual event.