Monday, October 2, 2023

Today, Waterloo goes red for United Way

A message from the United Way Campaign.

It’s back! The United Way Workplace Campaign has started today – and campus has turned red for October. Even our iconic Waterloo sign has its traditional red wrapping.

What the campaign is all about

Every year we launch a month-long campaign to raise funds for the United Way Waterloo Region Communities. We encourage all staff and faculty to donate to the United Way Workplace Campaign. You can give a one-time donation, or you can set up an ongoing payroll deduction. Every little bit counts.

Money raised will fund charities across our Region that tens of thousands of our most vulnerable community members rely upon. The United Way, more than ever, is trying to keep pace with the surge in demand for their services as the housing crisis and inflation impacts Waterloo Region.

The University of Waterloo has always stepped up to help our community. Let’s make this year the most successful yet!

Donate today

Fun ways to get involved around campus

This year, the United Way Committee has organized amazing contests and events to bring the spirit of community and philanthropy to our campus, and to help us stay red throughout the month of October.

Photo Challenge: Submit your Go Red Day photos by Friday October 6 and have the chance to be selected as a winner by President Vivek Goel! Photos will be judged on use of the colour red, positivity and spirit, connection to the University of Waterloo, and general flare.

Tokens of Appreciation: Send a colleague a token of appreciation this October! Each token is a nice reminder that we’re a community and that we are grateful for each other. This meaningful gesture can be purchased online and all proceeds will be donated to the United Way.

Houseplants 103: Join Bryan Dobson of Gold Leaf Botanicals for a lunch and learn on plant care and get answers to your questions about all things houseplants on October 12 at 12 noon. Prior Houseplants series attendance is not required. NOTE: This is a virtual event.

Soup Day: On October 16 at 11:30 a.m. in the Science Teaching Complex (STC) atrium, we’ll be dishing out some delicious, comforting soup (what’s better on an October Monday?), and you might even see some familiar faces working the ladles and pots. Prepared by UW Catering and Events Services, this event will warm everyone. A $5 donation is suggested. Pre-purchase is available.

As always, we encourage everyone to participate in any department-run events organized by our incredible ambassadors. Past events have included bake sales, recipe books, and pet calendars. It’s a great way to connect with your teams and provide much needed donations to a great charity.

New this year: Cause Areas

The United Way has organized their charities and funding into targeted campaign areas, or cause areas. The University of Waterloo has decided to incorporate three of these cause areas into our campaign. They are:

• Housing and Homelessness;
• Food Insecurity; and
• Mental Health and Addictions.

When you donate money on e-Pledge, the United Way’s donation portal, you’ll be asked if you wish to contribute specific funds to any of these cause areas. It’s a great way to ensure your donations match your values. Or you can keep your donation general and continue to assist all of the local charities that the United Way supports through their community impact fund.

If you have any questions about donations or events, please connect with us at united.way@uwaterloo.ca. We’re looking forward to another amazing campaign throughout October.

Celebrate Library Week from October 2 to 6

A message from the Library.

The Library is kicking off Library Week today with two workshops, Introduction to Zotero and Research Data Management & You! The celebrations continue all week with the launch of a new Special Collections & Archives exhibit, Gender Studies Isn’t New; an Open House with our Library Ambassadors; and a discussion of our latest Anti-Racism Reads pick, Let This Radicalize You.  

Check out the full list of Library Week activities

International Education Week coming up in November

A message from Waterloo International.

International Education Week (IEW) is an opportunity to recognize and promote the value of international education, experiences and collaboration.  It celebrates outbound experiences, internationalization at home, and sustained international connections between Waterloo and the world. This year, the University of Waterloo will celebrate IEW from November 20-24, showcasing international education through a variety of events and activities. Please mark your calendars and join Waterloo International in celebrating International Education Week in November. 

Are you interested in hosting an event for International Education Week? We encourage you to bring together like-minded colleagues to develop an activity or an event. Student groups, academic support units, departments, faculties, and affiliated and federated institutions of Waterloo planning to host an international education-themed event are invited to fill in the event information form.

To help promote participation in International Education Week, Waterloo International is pleased to announce that it will provide funding to support IEW events. Interested hosts can apply to receive up to $200 to support their proposed activity. Up to five applicants will be selected for an award. For information on the selection criteria and how to apply, please visit the event funding form. The deadline for applications is October 20 at 12 noon.   

As planning continues to unfold, and as we start to post events in celebration of international education, please continue to check the Waterloo International – International Education Week webpage for more information and for the lineup of events. If you have any questions or comments, please contact Aisha Shibli at Waterloo International.   

Help reduce the spread of respiratory viruses

A message from Campus Wellness.

Campus Wellness would like to remind all students, staff and faculty that we are entering the season for respiratory viruses, including COVID-19, Flu (Influenza) and RSV (Respiratory Syncytial Virus).

For information on UWaterloo protocols, please refer to the COVID-19 website.

You can also take the covid self-assessment to find out how you can protect yourself and others when you are sick. For more information on how to reduce your risk of getting and spreading viruses, check out the Help reduce the spread of respiratory viruses fact sheet from the Government of Canada.

Stay safe and please stay home if you are sick.

Students: If you have further questions, please call Campus Wellness at 519-888-4096.

Faculty and staff: If you have further questions, please contact occupationalhealth@uwaterloo.ca or dial extension 40538.