Friday, September 3, 2021

Nancy Reeves named Interim Director of Equity

“The Office of Human Rights, Equity and Inclusion is pleased to share that Nancy Reeves has accepted the Interim Director of Equity position," says a note from Human Rights, Equity and Inclusion (HREI). "Nancy brings with her a wealth of knowledge and experience as a college professor, Registered Social Worker, Clinical Therapist, scholar and human rights advocate."

Reeves has a Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) in Gerontological Social Work and Disability Studies and a Masters of Social Work (MSW) in Social Service Administration, Policy Analysis, and Program evaluation from the University of Manitoba. She is presently completing her Ph.D. at Memorial University in Social Work Education with a research focus on the trauma of war and its implication for social work education and practice.

She has taught numerous courses in Social Work at the diploma, bachelor and master's levels, and some lecturing in Ph.D. classes on specific topics. In addition, she has conducted extensive research, teaching and training in the areas of diversity, culture sensitivity, anti-oppressive practise, anti- and post-colonial theories, decolonization, Indigenous ways of knowing, social and restorative justice, the intersectionality of oppression, trauma and trauma of war, and human rights relating to race and race relations in Canada and the global front.

"Nancy joined us as of Monday, August 30," says the note from HREI. "Folks that are interested in meeting with Nancy should reach out to her directly at nereeves@uwaterloo.ca."

10 ways Waterloo is providing a safe return to campus

By Victoria Lumax.

As a staged return to campus approaches, the University of Waterloo has implemented measures to keep faculty, staff, students and visitors safe. 

Under the guidance of provincial and local public health guidelines, Waterloo continues to follow instructions provided by the Ontario Ministry of Colleges and Universities. In these efforts, Waterloo’s Safety Office has worked closely with campus partners to develop strategies for a safe re-opening. 

“Throughout the pandemic, we have put the health and safety of our employees and students first and continue to strive to meet regulatory requirements and strongly promote adherence to public health advice,” Kate Windsor says, Waterloo’s director of safety. “Relying on our internal responsibility system for health and safety, where everyone plays a part in keeping each other safe, continues to be a great strength of our campus community. We will need to continue to be diligent and adaptable to changing conditions as we gradually resume more on-campus activities.”  

Waterloo’s top ten safety measures include: 

1. Mandatory proof of vaccination and attestation 

Anyone coming to our campuses and locations must provide proof of vaccination against COVID-19 prior to their arrival. Please note that accommodations are available for medical or human rights grounds. This is line with the Council of Medical Officers of Health recommendations for all post-secondary institutions. 

Additionally, our campus will also continue Waterloo’s “Campus Check-in” process for Waterloo’s reporting and monitoring tool purposes. 

2. Vaccinations and testing  

Waterloo is proud to be supporting vaccine roll-out efforts, offering vaccines at Health Services. Health Services also offers COVID-19 testing options. For information on availability and eligibility, visit the respective COVID-19 Vaccine Centre and COVID-19 Testing Assessment Centre webpages. The University will release information on how those at Waterloo Satellite campuses can access vaccination and testing in the coming weeks. Those in the campus community may submit a COVID-19 Assessment Registration Form for support from Health Services if they test positive for COVID-19, experience symptoms or think they may need to quarantine or get tested. 

Vaccines are required for those living in one of Waterloo’s on-campus residences, as recommended by Region of Waterloo Public Health and Emergency Services. Waterloo is also developing a framework to assess other high-risk activities that will require mandatory proof of vaccination, and will share information on this plan in the coming weeks. 

3. Building ventilation 

COVID-19 can spread through extended airborne exposure and for the past year, Waterloo’s Plant Operations team has been inspecting, improving and conducting ongoing assessment of heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) units on campus to accommodate building occupancy and new guidelines for health and safety. Learn more about Waterloo’s upgraded ventilation and filtration systems across campus.  

4. Enhanced cleaning 

Plant Operations has increased the cleaning frequency of many space types across campus, ensuring that working and learning environments are sanitary and safe. As well, University departments can purchase COVID-19 products and supplies through Plant Operations. 

5. Different forms of learning 

To help mitigate the spread of COVID-19 and increase flexibility for students, the University is offering three different kinds of learning formats: in-person, online and blended. Online and in-person academic support will be available through the Student Success Office, the Writing and Communication Centre and the Libraries. 

6. Face coverings 

It is Waterloo’s requirement that in all common-use, indoor spaces — workplaces, classrooms, University buildings and student residences — non-medical masks must be worn, as supported by public health guidelines. This pertains to employees, students, visitors and contractors. Mask wearing in employee-only areas will be based on physical set up, number of employees present and work duties. These measures aim to reduce risk of COVID-19 transmission. 
 
If a medical condition or disability requires an exemption, students and employees can submit a Face Covering Exemption Request Form to Accessibility Services or Occupational Health respectively to develop an accommodation plan. 

7. Rapid Screening 

Since June 21, 2021, Waterloo has been operating a COVID-19 rapid screening site in the Student Life Centre (SLC) on campus. This voluntary testing is a great resource for asymptomatic individuals who come to campus regularly and have regular contact with other employees and can help break the chain of transmission on our campus by preventing individuals from unknowingly spreading COVID-19.  

Campus Check-in will help funnel those in the Waterloo community who do not report being vaccinated to this service.  

Waterloo is taking a multi-faceted approach to safety by offering rapid screening along with testing and vaccination. 

8. Monitoring wastewater 

Waterloo in piloting a wastewater surveillance program in some of its residences based on sampling feasibility. Researchers within our Department of Biology will test wastewater three times a week as an extra measure of monitoring COVID-19 on campus. 

9. Departmental and Research COVID-19 Safety Plans 

Waterloo is providing department and research groups with an overarching safety plan template which offers a guideline for departments and lab to conduct their operations in line with the latest safety protocols from Public Health. 

As part of this plan, the University has implemented COVID-19 signage around campus to communicate important information such as instruction on hand hygiene, COVID-19 symptoms, cough and sneeze etiquette.  

10. Contact tracing 

The University has a strong relationship with local public health authorities, working closely with them to conduct contact tracing as required upon discovery of an active case. As well, managers and supervisors will be expected to and be responsible for knowing who is in the office and when, so that COVID-19 transmission can be tracked.  

The private data collected through Campus Check-In will aid the University in contact tracing. 

Dr. Vivek Goel, president and vice-chancellor, is grateful to the Waterloo community for their hard work in promoting collective well-being and upholding a culture of excellence. 

“As we prepare to return to campus, the University is working hard to ensure the safety of our faculty, staff and students remains our top priority,” says Goel. “Thank you to our departments and divisions across our campuses who have been working together and following public health guidelines to make this return a reality. We couldn't have done it without your support." 

Ongoing COVID-19 updates can be found on Waterloo’s COVID-19 Information website. 

New name, new look for campus police

The University of Waterloo Police Service has recently gone through several changes, notably a name change to the University of Waterloo Special Constable Service.

In addition to the name change, they have transitioned away from the traditional dark blue/black shirts to a high visibility uniform shirt.

Markings on their cruisers, building and all upper, outer body uniform attire clearly identify their staff as “Special Constable”.

"These folks have been here throughout the pandemic, 24/7 ensuring the safety and security of our community, campuses and assets and they want to welcome back all our community members, new and not so new," says Alan Binns, special constable service director.

The telephone contact information for the University of Waterloo Special Constable Service remains unchanged at 519-888-4911 or extension 22222, and they invite you to visit their website for additional information.

Fall in for the Dissertation Boot Camp

Calling all Master’s and PhD students. Applications for the Writing and Communication Centre’s Dissertation Boot Camp are open. Build sustainable writing practice over the reading week that will help you with your dissertation or thesis.

Stop stalling. Start writing. Apply today.

What's open and closed on the long weekend

The dog days of summer are howling, and here we are on the cusp of the Labour Day long weekend. Monday, September 6 is Labour Day, a statutory holiday that means operational changes at the University, which is another way of saying that some things will be open, and some things will be closed.

Athletics facilities will be closed from Saturday September 4 to Monday, September 6 and will reopen on Tuesday, September 7.

On the Print + Retail Solutions front, W Store | Course Materials + Supplies and W Store | Gifts + Apparel will be open on Sunday, September 5 from 12 noon to 4:00 p.m. but will be closed on Labour Day Monday. They will have extended fall term opening hours from Tuesday, September 7 until September 30. For a full list of locations and updated hours, please visit W Store’s Locations + Hours page. You can also shop online 24/7 at wstore.ca with options for delivery or free curbside pickup.

Library locations will also be closed on Labour Day Monday. The Library's Chat with Us and Email Us services will not be available Monday, September 6. Full details on current services and hours are available on the Service Update webpage. 

Many Food Services locations have reopened as of September 1 to serve campus during orientation and move-in. However, a number of operations will be closed on Monday, September 6, including Brubaker's in the Student Life Centre, Starbucks in the Science Teaching Complex, Tim Hortons in the Davis Centre, Student Life Centre, and South Campus Hall, and Ev3rgreen Café in Environment 3. REVelation in Ron Eydt Village will be open on Monday, September 6 from 8:30 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. You can check out Food Services' locations and hours page for more information.

The Student Life Centre is back to a 24/7/365 operating schedule, including the Turnkey Desk, after nearly 500 days of reduced operating hours. The Student Life Centre is open throughout the residence move-in period and on Labour Day.

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

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

Have a great long weekend everyone. The Daily Bulletin will return on Tuesday, September 7.