Monday, July 5, 2021

The Goel era begins

Vivek Goel, the University of Waterloo's seventh president, began his term of office on July 1, 2021. Goel takes over from Feridun Hamdullahpur, president since 2010. Below is his first letter to campus. 

I am so happy to finally join you here in Waterloo as I start my tenure as president. I'm looking forward to spending time on campus and, as the public health restrictions lift, getting out and meeting as many of you in person as possible.

I've had the chance to virtually meet with some people already to learn about Waterloo and what makes this such a great place. Since we all can’t come together yet, I am pleased to share this video message with you.

I am keen to start work to support a safe and staged return to campus experiences as we prepare to welcome more students back to campus in September and as public health conditions allow. As I wrote in the Globe and Mail over the weekend, although we will see some measure of normalcy return this fall, the pandemic has shown us that a complete return to “normal” is not what our sector, or society at large, should expect to see.
 
Fortunately, Waterloo has a strong strategic plan that identified some significant priority areas for the University. We can all build on that strong foundation to focus on the things that are most important to our community, Canada and to the world.
 
I look forward to listening to you and the whole Waterloo community to develop my priorities as your president. I also look forward to working with you and promoting all the excellent work that you are accomplishing here in Waterloo.

Senior administrators begin administrating

A number of other senior academic and administrative appointments turned over on July 1 this year, with some people starting new positions and others beginning a second.

Chancellor of the University

Dominic Barton began his second three-year term as the University of Waterloo's 11th chancellor on July 1. Since his original appointment in 2018, Barton has championed the University’s commitment to innovation, equity and economic development, and has heightened the global reach of both the institution and the nation on the world stage. Barton is a former managing partner at international consulting firm McKinsey and Co., where he provided strategic advice to national leaders, government and corporations. Barton was appointed as Canada’s Ambassador to the People’s Republic of the China in September 2019.

Principal, St. Paul's University College

Richard Myers began a second term as Principal of St Paul’s effective July 1. Myers was appointed as principal in July 2016. In his first term, he focused his efforts on raising the academic profile of the institution, enhancing the undergraduate residence facilities and improving the College’s governance infrastructure. He will serve in the role until June 30, 2026.

Associate Vice-President, Graduate Studies and Postdoctoral Affairs

Jeff Casello has been reappointed as Associate Vice-President, Graduate Studies and Postdoctoral Affairs for a three-year term that commenced July 1. His leadership has focused on greater coordination across campus, and on the development of a number of programs, processes, and resources in support of graduate students, postdoctoral fellows, their advisors and programs. Casello is Professor in the School of Planning and Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, and previously to assuming his current role also served as Associate Dean in the Faculty of Environment.

Associate Provost, Integrated Planning and Budgeting

Jennifer Kieffer has been reappointed as Interim Associate Provost, Integrated Planning and Budgeting for another one-year term effective July 1, 2021. Kieffer has worked in Institutional Analysis and Planning (IAP) for fifteen years, first as an Institutional Analyst and, since 2013, as the Senior Manager of the Policy and Enrolment Planning team. In her roles in IAP, Jennifer has provided leadership to enrolment planning, government compliance on funding and tuition, and negotiation of each of the University's Strategic Mandate Agreements (SMAs).

Across the University’s six Faculties, a number of department chairs, associate deans, and associate vice-presidents’ terms also began on July 1:

Faculty of Arts

• James Diamond – Acting Chair, Religious Studies
• Mathieu Doucet – Acting Chair, Philosophy
• Daniel Gorman – Chair, History
• Monica Leoni – Chair, Fine Arts
• Jennifer Liu – Chair, Anthropology
• Elizabeth Nilsen – Interim Assistant Vice-President, Graduate Studies and Postdoctoral Affairs

Faculty of Engineering

• Marios Ioannidis – Chair, Chemical Engineering
• Manoj Sachdev – reappointed Interim Chair, Electrical and Computer Engineering, reappointed 

Faculty of Environment

• Bruce Frayne – reappointed Director, School of Environment Enterprise and

Faculty of Health

• Leeann Ferries – Associate Dean Undergraduate Studies, Faculty of Health

Faculty of Mathematics

• Bertrand Guenin – Associate Dean Graduate Studies, Faculty of Mathematics
• Troy Vasiga – reappointed Associate Dean Admissions and Outreach, Faculty of Mathematics
• Ian VanderBurgh – reappointed Director, Centre for Education in Mathematics and Computing 

Science

• Mario Coniglio – Chair, Earth and Environmental Science
• Stan Woo – reappointed Director and Associate Dean, School of Optometry and Vision Science 

And in terms of other types of transition, the University of Waterloo's Director of Campus Wellness Walter Mittelstaedt retired effective June 30, 2021.

New name for Kinesiology department: Kinesiology and Health Sciences

A message from the Faculty of Health.

The Department of Kinesiology is pleased to announce that, as of June 30, their name has changed to the Department of Kinesiology and Health Sciences. If you have references to the department on your websites or systems, please go ahead and update them at your convenience.

The name change reflects the department’s emphasis on preparing students for multiple health-related career paths, including the health professions beyond kinesiology. Kinesiology was the first department of its kind in Canada and has helped pioneer the study of human movement science. In 2013, the province of Ontario approved the professional designation of kinesiology as a regulated health profession, and since that time, the term has increasingly been associated with this professional designation. However, the department’s research and education are broader in scope, encompassing areas such as anatomy, physiology, biomechanics, neuroscience, genetics, biochemistry and nutrition.

The department continues to offer an undergraduate Bachelor of Science Honour’s degree (co-op or regular), as well as master’s and PhD programs.

Ribbon cutting celebrates capital project's success

A message from Conrad Grebel.

After two years of construction, a global pandemic, and a decade of dreaming and planning, Conrad Grebel University College's new kitchen and renovated dining room are complete! More than 1000 generous donors contributed to making this project a success, generously giving more than $4.2m to the Fill the Table capital campaign.

On June 29, the Grebel community gathered together virtually to celebrate the completion of the new spaces. Donors, alumni, students, faculty, staff, and Board members were treated to a virtual tour and words of introduction and thanks from Marcus Shantz, President, and Fred W. Martin, Director of Advancement. Savio Wong shared about his experience as an alumnus and reasons why he joined the Fundraising Advisory, while Student Council President Mary McPhee shared how happy students are with the new spaces. Food Services Manager Cheri Otterbein noted the many people involved in the project and how pleased kitchen staff are to work in such a bright, beautiful kitchen. Director of Operations Paul Penner and Bob Zehr from Nith Valley Construction spoke more about the many people involved and the satisfaction of completing such an intricate project, while alumnus Brian Rudy of Moriyama and Teshima Architects shared about why he was so excited to work on this challenging renovation and building design. Paul Fieguth spoke on behalf of the Board of Governors who supported this ambitious and vital endeavour from the beginning.

Each participant cut a piece of ribbon in front of their home computer or in a different area of Grebel, showing how the project stretched out from Grebel into an incredibly supportive community of donors. Ed Janzen ended the service with a prayer of blessing.

"Fundraising for the Fill the Table capital campaign over the last five years has demonstrated the commitment our donors have to help build not only buildings, but community at Grebel," reflected Fred after the event. "This renovation and expansion would not have been possible without their support. Thank you to all who contributed so generously to this project.”

Monday's Notes

Indigenous Quiz Challenge & Prize Pack

The final Indigenous Initiatives Office quiz challenge for National Indigenous History Month was released before the long weekend and campus community members have until Monday night to provide their answer. Each correct answer is entered into a draw to win a unique prize pack. See this past Wednesday’s question, and answer today for your chance to win.

Virtual Writing Cafe

Lacking solidarity while writing? Come join the Writing and Communication Centre’s Virtual Writing Café and write together with other graduate students, postdoctoral fellows and faculty members! We have sessions running every Tuesday from 9:00 am – 12:00 pm and every Wednesday from 2:00 pm – 4:30 pm. Find out more about how to join!