Tuesday, March 1, 2022

What's changing as Ontario removes public health restrictions?

"Tomorrow the Government of Ontario will move to the Exit Step of its Roadmap to Reopen," write Vivek Goel, President and Vice-Chancellor James W. E. Rush, Vice-President, Academic & Provost in a campus memo yesterday. "This move will lift the majority of remaining public health restrictions, and this will mean some changes to our operations on our campuses." The following points cover all changes.
 
Vaccination policy
As we confirmed on February 7, and in line with all other Ontario universities, our proof of vaccination requirement will remain in place until at least the end of the Winter term.
 
We continue to keep this policy under review and expect to update our community before the start of the Spring term.
 
We also encourage anyone who is eligible to get a booster shot of the vaccine as soon as possible. Pop up vaccine clinics are back at the Student Life Centre (located in the old W Store location) today from 1:30 p.m. to 3:45 p.m. and Wednesday, March 2 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. Health Services also offers vaccines daily.
 
Masking requirements
Masks remain mandatory in all indoor spaces and outdoors where you cannot maintain 2 meters of physical distancing. The University has appropriate options for face coverings available at no cost to units for employees and students. Check information on the COVID-19 website for more.
 
Active daily screening requirement (Campus Check-in)
Starting tomorrow, the government no longer requires the University to actively ask people coming to the campus to complete a screening questionnaire – also known as Campus Check-in. Campus Check-in will continue to send an email each day you come to campus reminding you to stay home if have symptoms of COVID-19 or have been exposed.
 
Dining and food services
Capacity limits in indoor dining spaces will be lifted tomorrow. You should wear a mask in these spaces except when you are seated to eat or drink.
 
Campus recreation and athletics
Capacity limits in athletics facilities will be lifted tomorrow. Check the Warriors website for more details on accessing athletics and recreation facilities.
 
Study and Lounge areas
Many spaces around the campus are open for use as study areas. As of March 1, these spaces are not subject to capacity limits. You must wear a mask at all times, except when seated to eat or drink.
 
Employees working in shared spaces
If your workspace is not accessible to the public and allows you to maintain two meters physical distance from others, you are able to remove your mask.
 
You should talk to your supervisor about your unit’s plan to return to working in-person on campus.
 
Meetings and events
In-person meetings are permitted and must follow the face covering policy. If your meeting space allows you to keep two meters distance between all participants, you may remove your mask.
 
Research and travel
All research, including human-participant research, has resumed. Check our update from February 17 for details.
 
Domestic and international travel for University business may resume today following the usual approval processes.

Professor Douglas Peers announced as Acting Dean of Arts

"I am writing to announce that Sheila Ager, dean of the Faculty of Arts, will be temporarily taking some time away from administrative duties for medical reasons," says a memo from James W.E. Rush, Vice-President Academic and Provost sent to the Faculty of Arts yesterday. "This will allow her to focus her energy on her treatment and recovery before returning to full administrative duties." 

Following discussion of arrangements with members of the Arts senior leadership team and with the President and other senior University leaders and, in accordance with Policy 45- The Dean of a Faculty Article 3c, Rush notes he is pleased to announce the temporary appointment of Professor Douglas Peers (History) as Acting dean of Arts for the period of March 1, 2022 to June 1, 2022.

"Doug is well known to the Arts and University communities as former dean of the Faculty of Arts (2011-2019) and has the knowledge and experience to temporarily step into this role, well positioned to continue the important work of the Faculty in coordination with Sheila." 

"I am grateful to Doug for agreeing to take on this assignment. Please join me in thanking Doug for agreeing to take on this important role and in wishing him every success, while at the same time wishing Sheila the best in her convalescence."

Study says Canada can become the Napa Valley of cannabis tourism

This article was originally published on Waterloo News.

Researchers have found the recent success of Canadian cannabis tourism has both normalized a formerly “deviant” leisure activity and opened the door to other potentially lucrative forms of cannabis-related tourism, such as complete growing, consuming and experiencing tours.

"Tourism is as an already existing social institution. Packaging cannabis and tourism together at the federal level has broken-down moral barriers to legal domestic cannabis use,” said the University of Waterloo’s Sanjay Nepal, a co-author of the study.

“This broader social acceptance could convince decision-makers to embrace Canada’s reputation for cannabis. Like California’s reputation for wine for example.”

Nepal, along with researchers from the University of Guelph, arrived at their findings by creating a database of all Canadian cannabis tourism businesses. Through a qualitative review of the first two years of cannabis legalization in Canada they discovered significant growth in acceptance by the public of cannabis if it is presented to tourists as legally separate from other illegal drugs.

“It is critical that a Canadian perspective on cannabis tourism be developed because currently we are a leading country in the world with federally legalized cannabis tourism for leisure and recreational consumption purposes,” said lead author Susan Dupej of Guelph’s School of Hospitality, Food and Tourism Management.

The researchers believe the study serves as a blueprint for researchers around the world to examine how by legally disassociating cannabis from other illicit drugs, and presenting it as a legitimate tourism option, can both unlock new tourism revenue streams, while advancing social acceptance for domestic users.

“For Canada we believe the success of cannabis consumption tourism, could lead to the cannabis tourism experience as a cultural product,” Nepal said. “Canada is already known for its geography. With the social stigma removed, cannabis cultivation could be elevated as another attractive feature of our landscape, adding another lucrative dimension to our unique international tourist appeal.”

The study was recently published in the journal Tourism Review International.

The Recipe for a Healthier Tomorrow

March is Nutrition Month! This year’s theme “Ingredients for a Healthier Tomorrow” focuses on sustainable change across the food system. The food choices we make today influence our future health, the health of our communities, and the planet. Each week Nicole Pin, Registered Dietitian with UW Food Services, will be sharing a fun tip to help you create “ingredients for a healthier tomorrow”

This Week’s Nutrition Month Tip: Food and meals are a wonderful way to express and embrace our identity and culture. Look for opportunities to share and enjoy your cultural food values, perhaps trying a new (or old) recipe or sharing a comforting childhood meal with a friend. Ask yourself what value your food culture, customs, and norms bring to your eating experiences? Look for ways to learn and explore other cultures and food traditions. Learn more at NutritionMonth2022.ca

Pancakes aplenty and other notes

Call it Shrove Tuesday, Pancake Tuesday, or Mardi Gras, today marks the day before Lent for those who observe, which means, among other things, a quickening of quickbreads. Shrove Tuesday is the day immediately preceding Ash Wednesday, which marks the beginning of Lent in Western Christianity. Traditionally, as Christians prepared for fasting and other forms of self-denial during Lent, the day before became a time to use up ingredients that were forbidden during the Lenten season, including sugar, eggs, and fat, hence - pancakes. So, if you're so inclined, pursue those pancakes, find those flapjacks, catch those crepes, and so on and so forth. On campus, Conrad Grebel will be serving up pancakes today as part of their weekly menu.

March 1 also marks Maha Shivaratri, an annual festival dedicated to the Hindu god Shiva. 

Starting today, you no longer need to reserve your spot for most activities for Warrior Recreation. Reservations still needed for climbing wall and aquatics. As you enter the facility you must continue to present proof of vaccination (QR code with identification is required), your 'Green Check' and tap your WatCard. Reserve your spot here. 

"Today is the last day of our Warriors Think Pink campaign! At this point we have raised $5,922.37 for the Breast Cancer Cause at the Canadian Cancer Society," says a note from Athletics. "A big thanks to those that have supported by coming out to a varsity game, participated in a Warrior Rec event, purchased a shirt or made a donation. It's not too late if you would still like to support! Make a donation online or contact athcpmk@uwaterloo.ca to purchase a t-shirt for only $15 with 100% to the cause." #WarriorsCare

Varsity Games this week: Come watch your Women’s and Men’s Basketball take on McMaster this Wednesday, the 2nd, at PAC for our Alliance ‘We Are One’ game; or, take the time to come watch our Women’s Hockey team take on Brock, the 5th, at CIF, for their senior night. We’ll also be celebrating senior day, camps and minor league day, donor appreciation day, and alumni day. Tickets available here!