Monday, September 18, 2023

Monday, September 18, 2023

Editor:
Brandon Sweet
University Communications
bulletin@uwaterloo.ca

Building #ConsentCulture on campus

Consent Week banner featuring a great blue heron amid flowers.

A message from the Sexual Violence Prevention and Response Office (SVPRO).

In collaboration with post-secondary campuses across Canada, SVPRO – the Sexual Violence Prevention and Response Office, is bringing awareness to the 2nd Annual Consent Awareness Week which runs from September 18 to 22. You can check out everything happening at UWaterloo!  

This week was chosen because the first 6 to 8 weeks of the fall semester see a significant increase in sexual violence on post-secondary campuses. This time has been designated the Red Zone. 

This week is an opportunity for our community to engage in conversations, activities, and events focused on consent, boundaries and building consent culture. While this is work we do throughout the year, a dedicated week to consent awareness enables us to intentionally normalize dialogue about consent, enhance nuanced understandings of how to practice it, deepen understandings of how to create healthy relationships with each other, embed consent in our daily practices and highlight the support services available to all campus members. 

Or in other words; to enhance our work of collectively building a Consent Culture.

Consent culture is a culture built upon mutual respect, understanding and support. Consent culture ensures no one is forced into anything, respects bodily autonomy, and is based on the belief that a person is always the best judge of their own needs and wants.  

Building consent culture includes setting clear boundaries – physical, material, intellectual, emotional, spiritual and sexual boundaries. Boundaries are expectations and needs that help all of us feel safer and more comfortable in our professional and personal relationships.  

SVPRO supports all students, staff and faculty on the UWaterloo campus who have experienced or been impacted by sexual violence. For resources, including SVPRO’s new infographic about the Red Zone and information about talking to children about consent, follow this link

For more information about Consent Week, please contact Stacey Jacobs s3jacobs@uwaterloo.ca.

Office of Indigenous Relations hosting events in September

Jean Becker, Myeengun Henry, and Vivek Goel lead a walk around ring road.

A message from the Office of Indigenous Relations (OIR).

As we embark a new academic year, the Office of Indigenous Relations (OIR) is thrilled to invite you to three distinct events. With the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation around the corner, these gatherings are an opportunity for all students, faculty, staff and board members to come together and experience the rich and vibrant community that we live in and honour our shared history. 

Here are the events:

Pow Wow 101: September 19 - virtual and in-person 

Join us for Pow Wow 101 and immerse yourself in a captivating presentation lead by Gordan Nicotine-Sands, focussing on the significance of “Pow Wow” and its origin in North America and the Great Lakes area. This engaging session will take place both online and in-person at EC5 scheduled for Tuesday, September 19, 2023, at 6:00 p.m., and we request that you register in advance for the session. Gordan will also mention what you can expect from this year's Pow Wow at the University bringing us to our next event:

20th Annual Pow Wow: Saturday, September 23

An inaugural collaboration between the Waterloo Indigenous Student Centre and OIR, this year’s United College Annual Pow Wow is special as we also celebrate the 20th year of Pow Wow at University of Waterloo. Another big change this year is that the venue is indoors, at Columbia Ice Field House (CIF). Doors open at 10:00 a.m. and the one-day event will feature vendors, dancers, and singers from the Region of Waterloo and beyond. This is a non-competition Pow Wow, with a focus on celebrating Indigenous culture and tradition through song, dance, arts, and food. Most importantly, opportunity for Indigenous and non-Indigenous folks from the University of Waterloo community and beyond to gather and spend time with each other in a beautiful display of indigenization, decolonization, and reconciliation. 

National Day for Truth and Reconciliation: Friday, September 29

On Friday, September 29, join us as we recognize the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. We will gather at the B.C. Matthews Hall Green for a Sunrise Ceremony beginning at 7:00 a.m., which will be followed by a Commitment Polishing Ceremony at 10:00 am. The Commitment Polishing Ceremony will include a Cedar Circle and Pipe Ceremony. The day will also include speeches, a walk around Ring Road, a feast, drumming, and round dance at the BMH Green. You can participate in all activities or select the ones that fit your schedule. Please RSVP to let us know you are coming and don’t forget to wear an orange shirt to show your support. Orange shirts can be purchase from the W Store and support the Indigenous Student Success Fund.

Celebrating National Postdoc Appreciation Week

A message from Graduate Studies and Postdoctoral Affairs (GSPA).

Happy National Postdoc Appreciation Week (NPAW)! Graduate Studies and Postdoctoral Affairs is pleased to invite all postdocs to join in on the events and opportunities this week as we celebrate NPAW for the eighth year. Opportunities include free swag, networking, rock climbing, guided meditation, a lunch and learn, and more! Registration is still open for events. 

If you are a postdoc, head over to the National Postdoc Appreciate Week (NPAW) website to learn more about the schedule of events and keep an eye on the Daily Bulletin this week as we share interesting and important information about postdocs each day. 

Staff Association nominations for president and director now open

A message from the University of Waterloo Staff Association (UWSA).

The UW Staff Association is holding its annual elections for director and president positions this term and is asking all members to consider serving the University of Waterloo staff community by becoming a candidate for either position.

To ensure varied perspectives, the Board of Directors is particularly seeking individuals who can best represent marginalized groups and diverse lived experiences. Anyone interested can attend an information session about being a director on September 19 at 12 noon. 

The University of Waterloo Staff Association proudly serves as the official voice of over 3,000 UW employees, advancing staff interests through salary discussions, policy development, committee appointments, and member advocacy. Our 1,700 active members form an independent, democratic organization united by the purpose of championing and supporting staff. Our collective mission is to ensure that we all have a voice in decision making at UW, and to cultivate a progressive work environment where staff feel safe, empowered to grow, and able to thrive.

University of Waterloo staff with an assigned USG grade are eligible to join at any time. Anyone who joins by October 1 will be eligible to vote in this year’s elections.

Learn more about the UWSA and the elections

The University's Senate has its first meeting of the fall term today at 3:30 p.m. in NH 3407. Among the agenda items:

  • A motion to approve revisions to the Master of Arts (MA) in Psychology, effective 1 January 2024;
  • A motion to approve the proposed new academic program, Master of Applied Science (MASc) in Electrical and Computer Engineering - Aeronautics, effective 1 January 2024;
  • A motion to approve the proposed new academic program, Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Electrical and Computer Engineering - Aeronautics, effective 1 January 2024;
  • A motion to approve the proposed revisions to the Graduate Studies Academic Calendar (GSAC), effective 1 September 2023;
  • A motion to approve the proposed academic plan revisions to the Diploma in Studies in Islam, for the Faculty of Arts, effective 1 September 2024;
  • A motion approve the proposed new academic plans, Diploma in Restorative Justice, and Restorative Justice Specialization, for the Faculty of Arts, effective 1 September 2024;
  • A motion approve the proposed new academic plan, Social Innovation and Impact Minor, for the Faculty of Arts, effective 1 September 2024;
  • A motion to approve the adoption of the new and revised definitions for the undergraduate calendar and the graduate calendar (Glossary of terms), effective 1 September 2023; and
  • approve the amendments to the Constitution and By Laws for the Assembly and Faculty Council of the Faculty of Engineering as recommended by the Engineering Faculty Assembly.

There will be updates from the President and the Vice-President, Academic and Provost, as well as a Faculty presentation, this one by Dean of Engineering Dr. Mary Wells. 

The Senate's full agenda package, as well as meeting dates and the governing body's membership, can be found on the Secretariat's website

Quantum for Environment logo.

Elsewhere on campus today, the Quantum For Environment – Ideation Forum will be taking place from2:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. in QNC 0101. If you're a current Waterloo undergraduate student interested in exploring quantum technologies to bridge the gap between environmental needs and a sustainable future, this forum is for you. Hosted by Transformative Quantum Technologies (TQT) with support from QVIL, Angstrom Engineering and Ambature, the event is open to undergraduates from all faculties, and graduate students and post-doctoral fellows are also welcome to participate. Participants can enjoy some light refreshments while they learn, connect and build ideas in support of the Quantum For Environment Design Challenge.

Here's today's Consent Awareness Week tip of the day, supplied by the Sexual Violence Prevention and Response Office (SVPRO):

When thinking about consent it is important to reflect on the power and privilege you hold in various spaces. When someone has more power and privilege than someone else, it makes it difficult for the person with less power and privilege to say no. 

Tip: Think about the power and privilege you hold in the various spaces you inhabit (e.g. on campus, in your home, socially with your friends). If you hold power think through how you can make those with less power feel more comfortable and confident making the decisions that are right for them (e.g. tell them you won’t be upset if they say no, set clear boundaries for yourself and ask them what their boundaries are, respect their boundaries).

Link of the day

World Water Monitoring Day

When and Where 

Warriors Game Day Tickets: Season Passes, Black and Gold Alumni Passes and Single Game Tickets now available for the 2023-24 varsity season. Purchase your tickets today!

Student Health Pharmacy in the basement of the Student Life Centre is now offering Covid booster shots (Pfizer and Moderna) and flu shots. Call 519-746-4500 or extension 33784 for an appointment. Walk-ins always welcome.

“Exploring Safe Spaces from Black and Racialized resident experiences in UW Campus Housing: An Auto-photography Case Study,” Monday, September 18, 12 noon to 2:00 p.m., V1 Great Hall. Register to attend.

Quantum For Environment – Ideation Forum, Monday, September 18, 2:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m., QNC 0101.

Senate meeting, Monday, September 18, 3:30 p.m., NH 3407.

Protecting the Grand River: microplastics and environmental stewardship in the Haldimand Tract, Monday, September 18, 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., CIGI.

Innovation Challenge: Imagining the Future of Finance, Tuesday, September 19 to Tuesday, October 1.

Kinesiology Lab Days, 50thanniversary, registration opens Tuesday, September 19.

UWSA Election Info Session: Being a Director, Tuesday, September 19, 12 noon to 1:00 p.m., online.

The future of AI lies in trust,Tuesday, September 19, 12 noon to 1:00 p.m., online.

Seeing Beyond 2020 campaign cornerstone event, Tuesday, September 19, 12 noon to 2:00 p.m., School of Optometry & Vision Science.

Pow Wow Etiquette and 101 Seminar, “Gordon Nicotine-Sands: Pow Wow 101,” Tuesday, September 19, 6:00 p.m., QNC 1501/Zoom.

Math+X Inter-Faculty Research Workshop, Wednesday, September 20, 9:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., DC 1301/1304.

Emerging Voices in Black Games Studies, Wednesday, September 20, 11:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., EC1 1323.

The Urgency of Social Justice, Wednesday, September 20, 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., Arts Quad.

Speak Your Peace: Exploring Questions of Justice and Peace Together, Thursday, September 21, to Thursday, September 28, 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Conrad Grebel University College upper atrium. Please note the new dates.

UW Farm Market - Toonie Picnic, Thursday, September 21, 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., BMH Green.

Researching Gender in History, Thursday, September 21, 11:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Zoom.

Land Skills for Wellness and Sustainability – Scything Workshop, Thursday, September 21, 12 noon to 2:00 p.m., location TBA.

United Way Campaign Kick-off Social, Thursday, September 21, 12 noon to 1:00 p.m., Fed Hall.

Key Clues Kick-Off Event, Thursday, September 21, 2:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m., DC 1301.

Land Skills for Wellness and Sustainability – Scything Workshop, Thursday, September 21, 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., location TBA.

Ska’nikòn:ra: Indigenous Governance and the Future of Leadership, Friday, September 22, 8:45 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., CIGI Auditorium, 67 Erb Street West, Waterloo.

Writing and Communication Centre Scholarship Research Proposal Drop-In, Friday, September 22, 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m., GSA lounge (SLC 3216). No registration required.

Land Skills for Wellness and Sustainability – Scything Workshop, Friday, September 22, 12 noon to 2:00 p.m., location TBA.

Sharma Lecture featuring Jonothan Tsou, “Psychiatry and Epistemic Justice,” Friday, September 22, social: 2:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m., Hagey Hall, room 335, talk: 3:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m., Hagey Hall, room 373.

Land Skills for Wellness and Sustainability – Scything Workshop, Friday, September 22, 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., location TBA.

Applications close for Dissertation Boot Camp, Friday, September 22, 5:00 p.m. Dissertation Boot Camp runs from Tuesday, October 24 to Friday, October 27.

NEW - Jasbaa: The Art of Rohingya Refugee Resistance, Saturday, September 23 to Friday, September 29, Ken Seiling Waterloo Region Museum.

Waterloo Pharmacy Alumni CE Saturday 2023, Saturday, September 23, 9:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

20th Annual Pow Wow, Saturday, September 23, 10:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., CIF/Field House.

Black Virtuality, Monday, September 25, 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m., EC1 1323.

CrySP Speaker Series on Privacy lecture featuring Gururaj Saileshwar, University of Toronto, “Micro-Architectural Side-Channel Attacks and Defenses: CPU Caches, Schedulers, and Beyond!” Monday, September 25, 11:00 a.m., DC 1302 and Zoom.

NEW -  Pollinator garden planting event, Wednesday, September 27 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. (EDT), parking lot between DWE and SCH.

UWSA June 28 staff debrief session, Wednesday, September 27, 12 noon, in-person and online offerings.

Black and Gold Fest: Waterloo Region Alumni Chapter Trivia Night, Wednesday, September 27, 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., The Jazz Room at the Huether Hotel.

English Conversation Circles begin, Wednesday, September 27 and Thursday, September 28, 3:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m., SCH 228F. Registration required.

Lectures in Catholic Experience Presents Bishop Donald Bolen, Thursday, September 28, 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., St. Jerome's University Notre Dame chapel. 

National Day for Truth and Reconciliation on campus, Friday, September 29, 7:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., BMH Green.

Raise’s XChanges Conference, Saturday, September 30.

When and Where to get support 

Check out the support listings for faculty, staff and students.

PhD oral defences

Physics and Astronomy. Stefanie Beale, “Modeling and managing noise in quantum error correction.” Supervisors, Dr. Ray Laflamme, Dr. Joel Wallman. Please visit the Faculty of Science Thesis Submission Notices website for details on requesting a copy. Oral defence Friday, September 22, 9:00 a.m., Physics Building (PHY) Room 308 and remote.

Chemical Engineering. Bo Xu, "Dynamic Latent Structured Data Analytics for Process Modeling and Monitoring." Supervisors. Dr. Qinqin Zhu, Dr. Hector Budman. Thesis available via Sharepoint - to receive a viewing link reach out to the Administrative Coordinator, PhD at eng.phd@uwaterloo.ca. Oral defence Monday, October 2, 9:00 a.m., remote.

Civil & Environmental Engineering. Hongren Shen, "Rethinking the Split-Sample Approach in Hydrological Model Calibration." Supervisor, Dr. Bryan Tolson.  Thesis available via Sharepoint - to receive a viewing link reach out to the Administrative Coordinator, PhD at eng.phd@uwaterloo.ca. Oral defence Monday, October 2, 12:30 p.m., E2 2350.