Friday, June 23, 2023

Genevieve Gauthier-Chalifour named University Secretary

"We are pleased to announce that on June 22, 2023, the Board of Governors approved the appointment of Genevieve Gauthier-Chalifour as University Secretary, and Secretary to the Board of Governors effective 1 September 2023," write Murray Gamble, Chair of the University's Board of Governors and Vivek Goel, President and Vice-Chancellor in a memo sent to the University community this morning.

"Ms. Gauthier-Chalifour completed her B.A., Political Science at Wilfrid Laurier University and her Master of Arts, Leadership at the University Guelph. She has also completed the Chartered Director Program with the Directors College, Conference Board of Canada and McMaster University DeGroote School of Business and is currently the Board Chair, Canadian University Boards Association."

"Genevieve has had increasing responsibilities within the Secretariat at the University of Guelph since 2006.  She has led the Secretariat since 2017 and brings strong knowledge and experience as a governance professional in higher education with expertise in board and academic governance practices, collegial and bi-cameral governance, compliance and transparency practices, student judicial and adjudicative systems, and higher education policies. A recent comprehensive review of board governance practices conducted under her leadership at the University of Guelph helped to inform the Council of Ontario Universities Leading Practices in University Board Governance."

 "Genevieve will report to the Chair of the Board of Governors, with administrative accountability to the President and Vice-Chancellor."

 "We would like to thank all the members of the nominating committee for their contributions to the search process," Gamble and Goel write. "Please join us in welcoming Gen to the University of Waterloo. "

Neuron e-scooters to scoot around campus starting next week

A message from the Sustainability Office.

The University of Waterloo is excited to announce a partnership with Neuron Mobility for an e-bike and e-scooter share program, beginning the week of June 26. This program is part of a region-wide pilot, supporting sustainable transportation options between the campus and broader community.

E-bikes and e-scooters can be rented using the Neuron smartphone app for IOS and Android devices, with rate options for single rides, 3-day, weekly, or monthly passes. Users can use the app to find nearby scooters and bikes and start a trip.

To prioritize pedestrian safety, e-bikes and e-scooters will be confined to around Ring Road and select trails on the perimeter of campus. Pick-up and drop-off hubs will be located around Ring Road, UW Place and Columbia Lake Village. Bikes and scooters will not be able to be driven through University trails, pathways, or parking lots other than those which are listed in the Neuron App.

Over the coming weeks, this will expand to other parts of the University campus. More information on Riding Zone Boundaries and Designated Parking Stations can be found in the app.

Riders are encouraged to visit Neuron’s ScootSafe website for more information on riding rules and requirements for Waterloo Region, as well as online games to earn free ride credits.

The Neuron model allows for program flexibility, as bikes and scooters can be returned to any designated drop-off hub on or off-campus. To end a trip, users must secure the helmet back in the Helmet Lock and take a photo of the parked bike or scooter through the app. Users will receive a warning if they do not park in an appropriate location.

Neuron Mobility will be participating in the Sustainability Office’s annual Bike Fair on Tuesday, June 27. Stop by the DP Arts Quad between 11am to 2pm to speak with Neuron representatives and try out an e-scooter or e-bike as part of their demo!

For more info, visit the Transportation webpage on the Sustainability Office website and download the Neuron app for IOS and Android devices to get started.

Campus Wellness organizes relational Pride event that's "Nutritious and Delicious"

"Would you like to celebrate, deepen, and explore some wonderful relationships in your life?" asks Campus Wellness. "If so, this event is for you." Nutritious and Delicious - a Relational Pride Event is billed as "an event for 2SLGBTQIA+ students, celebrating them and the important people in their lives. "This is an experiential pride event, with small group activities focused on enhancing our relationship with ourselves, others, our bodies, and food. Attendees will always be doing the activities with the important people they came with and a few others, in small groups, with group sizes ranging from 2-10. You will not be asked to speak publicly, volunteer for a magic trick or do a role play. The event will have max 30 people in attendance."

Attendees will also have the chance to do an Ask Me Anything (AMA) with event facilitators Washington Silk, the 2SLGBTQIA+ Student Support Counsellor at Campus Wellness, and Courtney Wilson, Registered Dietitian in Health Services.

This is an in-person event in the Black and Gold Room in the Student Life Centre and will be held on Friday, June 30, 1:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. The event is "pen to any 2SLGBTQIA+ student and their important relationships."

More information about the event, its facilitators, and how to register is available on the Campus Wellness website.

Friday's notes

Flags on the University campus have been lowered today in accordance with the University's flag raising guidelines to mark the National Day of Remembrance for Victims of Terrorism, which coincides with the anniversary of the 1985 Air India Flight 182 terror attack, the deadliest such event in Canadian history.

The Glow Centre for Sexual and Gender Diversity has organized its annual trip to the Toronto Pride Parade, which will be held on Sunday, June 25. Tickets are mostly sold out (and when I say mostly, I mean it - there's only one ticket left according to the website). Registration opens at 9:15 a.m. outside the DC Library with buses leaving at 10:30 a.m. Buses will be departing from the Toronto festivities around 6:30 p.m. for the return trip to campus. This year's theme is "GLOVER THE RAINBOW" and, as always, participants will be wearing matching Pride t-shirts.

Voting is now open for the GreenHouse Social Impact Showcase's People's Choice Award. The Showcase will be held on June 29, where the winners will be announced. The People's Choice Award will be given to the social venture with the most online votes, granting them $1,000 to jumpstart their project. This term, 10 ventures are pitching for funding, with broad themes including food systems transformation, sustainability initiatives, and inclusivity.

Voting opened on June 22 and runs until Sunday, June 25 at 11:59 p.m. Learn more about the GreenHouse Social Impact Showcase.