Monday, October 31, 2022

Calling all interdisciplinary researchers

A message from Graduate Studies and Postdoctoral Affairs.

Help grow the culture of interdisciplinary research at the University. Through the Provost’s Program for Interdisciplinary Postdoctoral Scholars, opportunities are now available for the next generation of researchers solving global challenges with approaches extending beyond disciplinary boundaries.

The Program provides funding to emerging scholars who are prepared to engage in cutting-edge, interdisciplinary research at the University of Waterloo. Successful candidates will receive annual support that includes a salary of $60,000 plus a benefits package. Scholars will also receive a one-time research fund of $5,000 at the time of their appointment. The value of the support demonstrates the importance of and commitment to interdisciplinary research at Waterloo. The maximum term of the appointment is 2 years and up to five positions will be granted in 2023.

Applicants must have support / endorsement from two University of Waterloo researchers prior to applying; the application deadline is December 1, 2022.  For more details, including eligibility criteria, the endorsement process, please visit the Provost’s Program for Interdisciplinary Postdoctoral Scholars web page.

From Keeping Well to Thriving at Work

A message from Organizational and Human Development (OHD).

It’s been a meaningful month focused on learning and practicing strategies to keep well at work. “I’m encouraged to see so many real examples this past month of how Waterloo employees are actively pursuing their well-being in our work context. We hope to continue to see folks adding daily wellness practices into their work calendars to give space and time for important self-care,” said Melanie Will, Director of OHD.

Conference content at your fingertips

Missed a session or want to revisit what you learned? OHD has you covered: access many of the KW@W presentations, recordings, and resources (like the below digital sketch of our Keynote’s talk) on our OHD Resources website (WatIAM credentials required).

A sketched image describing the key points from Melissa Leong’s keynote talk about financial happiness that shares four lessons to help us spend smart, save right and enjoy life: Money is not the goal, check yourself, spend on what matters and protect your happiness.

Thank you!

A very big thank you to all who participated, contributed, and brought this year’s Keeping Well at Work conference to life on October 13. If you have suggestions for 2023, it’s never too early to reach out to OHD with ideas for next year’s event.

Registration is open for Eco Summit 2022: What We Can Do

A message from the Sustainability Office.

The Sustainability Office is thrilled to host their ninth-annual Eco Summit to showcase sustainability achievements, celebrate progress, and build connections for the year ahead with the campus community. This year, the summit will focus on ways we can work together to connect sustainability to our own skills, careers, and unique roles at Waterloo – whether that’s living, working, or learning.

This year’s event will feature:

• Remarks from Bruce Frayne, Dean of Environment and Vivek Goel, President and Vice-Chancellor
• Launch of 2022 Environmental Sustainability Report
• Panel discussions with student and employee sustainability leaders
• Green Office, Green Labs, and Living Planet Leader awards
• Interactive activity and networking opportunities

The event will take place on Wednesday, November 23 from 12-4pm in Fed Hall. Lunch and refreshments will be provided. All members of the campus community are welcome and encouraged to attend. For more information and to register, please visit our Eco Summit webpage.

Co-operative and Experiential Education releases 2021 annual report

A message from Co-operative and Experiential Education (CEE). 

Co-operative and Experiential Education (CEE) is excited to share our annual report and a new facts and figures webpage detailing our work in 2021. Keep reading to learn more about how we’re breaking record numbers in co-op, innovating the field of work-integrated learning (WIL) with our novel program called WE Accelerate, leading the way in WIL research, developing international strategies, and preparing our students for the future of work and lifelong learning. 

As we face global challenges and the world of work changes rapidly, CEE leverages our unique resources, knowledge, and leadership to grow and strengthen a robust global experiential learning system. We continue to integrate our research-backed Future Ready Talent Framework throughout our services and processes to help future-proof our students, our employers and ourselves. 

Learn more: download CEE’s Annual Report now.

University Secretary steps down

University Secretary Karen Jack has stepped down from the position of University Secretary.

"Karen Jack is no longer with the University effective October 26, 2022," wrote President and Vice-Chancellor Vivek Goel in a memo to employees on Thursday, October 27.   

Jack joined the University in 2000 in the Department of Management Sciences. In 2009, Karen joined the Secretariat where she served as Privacy Officer, Assistant University Secretary and most recently, University Secretary.  

"Karen has served the University for more than two decades and I want to thank her for her dedication and contributions and wish her well in her future endeavours," writes the president.

Andrea Kelman has been appointed Acting University Secretary. The University will begin a search for a new University Secretary in 2023.

Masks now required at Health Services

Effective today, masks will be required in all common spaces or shared workspaces within the Health Services building, according to a memo circulated to Campus Wellness employees by the Health Services senior management team.

"Masks are one of the most effective measures that we can use to protect ourselves and others from COVID-19 and influenza," says the memo. "Health Services is a health care setting and staff working here are at a higher risk for exposure to influenza or COVID related illnesses."

The memo continues: "To ensure the health and safety of those working and/or visiting our building we are implementing these measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and Influenza."

Upon entering the Health Services building, all students, employees, visitors, and contractors are required to wear masks. Masks are not required in private workspaces or in the staff lunchroom on the second floor of the Health Services building.

Raise a glass of Jugo Juice and other notes

Food Services is reporting that Jugo Juice CIF is now open. "Visit this eatery for delicious smoothies, fresh-pressed juices and great on-the-go foods," says a note from Food Services. The location is open Monday to Friday, 1:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Jugo Juice CIF joins the Jugo Juice location currently operating in the Student Life Centre. Isn't it fun to say Jugo Juice? Jugo Juice.

It's the last day for students to receive $5 on their WatCard in exchange for submitting the Fall Student Experience Survey.

"The Fall Student Experience Survey (SES) is closing today, October 31," says a reminder notification from Survey Research Centre. "Your feedback matters. Please check your @uwaterloo.ca email or LEARN to see if you have been selected to participate. The survey is voluntary and confidential. $5 will be added to your WATcard if you submit your survey.

For more information on the survey, you can visit the FAQ page or email srcccinb@uwaterloo.ca.

A robotics hackathon with a focus on art is coming to the University of Waterloo this weekend. A collaboration between Waterloo's Mechanical and Mechatronics Engineering, a Germany-based non-profit organization called Women in AI & Robotics, and Mila, the hybrid hackathon will take place simultaeously in Waterloo, Montreal and Germany from November 4 to 6.

The purpose of the RoboArt Hackathon is "to encourage those who self-identify as women to enter STEM disciplines and in particular robotics." The in-person portion of the event will take place inside Doug Wright Engineering on Waterloo's main campus.

Check out Instagram, Twitter, and LinkedIn for more information about the upcoming event.

Just a reminder that the drop-in retirement reception for Tony Bairos, longtime Central Stores employee, is taking place today between 2:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. in the Engineering 7 Pitch Space (2^nd floor).

Bairos is retiring after a 46-year career at the University, starting in Food Services in 1976, Plant Operations in 1981, and Central Stores in 1999, where he's become well-known across campus as the mover, event setup, and overall truck driving man.

Congratulations on your retirement Tony!

Today is Halloween, and if you or your team members have dressed up for the occasion, or have decorated your workspace for the season, snap a photo and send it to bulletin@uwaterloo.ca. If you're looking for some last-minute inspirations, check out this classic SNL bit.

As our month of Keeping Well at Work Daily Inspirations comes to a close, here are some final thoughts:

Congratulations!

You made it to the last daily inspiration. Today you are encouraged to select the daily inspirations that had the biggest impact on your wellness throughout October and create a commitment plan to embed these into your daily practices. Share this commitment with a friend to help keep you accountable.

P.S. Don’t forget to empty out and reflect on the contents of your gratitude jar (see the Daily Inspiration from Monday, October 3).