Friday, May 17, 2024


Queer-Trans Alliance advocates for 2SLGBTQIA+ community on campus

The pride pathway in the Arts quad.

A message from the Queer-Trans Alliance at UWaterloo (QTA).

The Queer-Trans Alliance at UWaterloo (QTA) is a volunteer group of 2SLGBTQIA+ students, staff, and faculty who are working towards 2SLGBTQIA+ visibility, community-building, and advocacy through an intersectional lens. Our group was previously known as the Gender and Sexual Diversity Alliance (GSDA), and our recent name change symbolizes our renewed commitment to building queer and trans visibility on campus.

Today, May 17, we mark the International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia, Biphobia. This is a significant day for all of us at the University of Waterloo as we remember that, less than a year ago, on June 28, 2023, students and a faculty member in a Gender and Social Justice class were targeted and violently attacked. That this attack came from a former UWaterloo student, a member of our community, shows that we have a lot of work to do to combat gender-based violence, homophobia, transphobia, and biphobia on our campus.

The impacts of the June 28 attack were felt by many, including 2SLGBTQIA+ students, staff, postdocs, and faculty. In response, the QTA has been working hard to support the community and to find a new way forward. QTA and its members have created spaces for sharing and healing, advocated for more active consultation and engagement of our community at decision-making levels, and raised awareness about hateful acts and speech that community members face at on campus and in virtual spaces. We aim to continue working in coalition to create places of safety, belonging, and community for 2SLGBTQIA+ members at UWaterloo.

We invite participation from anyone on campus who identifies as 2SLGBTQIA+. We are also excited to build solidarity and work in coalition with groups advocating for equity across UWaterloo. 2SLGBTQIA+ community members are welcome to join us on Teams for ongoing conversation or come to our bi-weekly organizing and planning meetings.

We ask the UWaterloo community to stand with us on May 17 and every day. Stand against homophobia, transphobia, and biphobia by speaking up, by educating yourself and others, and by showing your support for peers and colleagues through small acts of respect and care (sharing your pronouns, respecting other’s pronouns, not assuming the gender of someone’s spouse or partner, posting a pride flag on your office door, etc.). We also ask you to check in with 2SLGBTQIA+ friends, peers and colleagues during Pride month and as the anniversary of June 28 approaches. Let’s work together to make the University of Waterloo a place where everyone feels safe to be their authentic selves.

The Fine Art of Computing

 Oroni Hasan, Annie Sun, Shannon Cui, Hannah Choi, and Georgia Berg.

A group photo of Professor Daniel Vogel, his teaching assistant and students taken at the exhibition. Top (from left to right): Elaine Zhong, Frederica Zhang, Professor Daniel Vogel (instructor), Matthew Lakier (teaching assistant), Inchang Huh, Lam Pham, and Rayhan Moidu. Bottom (from left to right): Oroni Hasan, Annie Sun, Shannon Cui, Hannah Choi, and Georgia Berg. Photo by Joe Petrik.

This is an excerpt of an article originally published on the Cheriton School of Computer Science website.

If Leonardo da Vinci, Pablo Picasso, and Vincent van Gogh lived in the 2020s how different would their art be? Would they use any computer science principles just like students taking CS 383: Computational Digital Art Studio?

This third-year class teaches students how to create artwork using “advanced computer science techniques like computer vision, 3D graphics, generative agents, audio processing, real-time data streaming, distributed systems, and more,” says Professor Daniel Vogel who taught this course for the Winter 2024 term. Ultimately, students use these methods to devise interactive art installations.

CS 383 is cross-listed with FINE 383 in the Faculty of Art's Fine Arts department, and the content balances art and science. For example, Professor Vogel delivers seminars about related contemporary artists and art theories such as generative art, networked art, and interactive installations, alongside coding workshops. 

Throughout the term, students create three independent computational artworks, the third being their final project drawing from all their experience, knowledge, and expertise. This term’s class held an exhibition on Wednesday, April 4 in East Campus Hall. 

“This exhibit showcases highly original and creative digital artwork produced by students taking what I believe is the most unique course in our computer science program,” says Professor Vogel.

Read the full article and view the artwork

Stratford campus is looking for some MVPs

A woman smiles as she converses with someone over a table.

Do you know any high school students who are interested in design, technology or business? If so, they are invited to the MVP Challenge – a one-day design + business challenge hosted by the Stratford School of Interaction Design and Business. They will work with a group to develop and pitch their next great idea.

The event features workshops on Creating With AI as a Tool with Dr. Lennart Nacke and Navigating the Design Process with Noah Pratt.

This is a chance for participants to showcase their creativity and ingenuity, and there will be prizes for first place finishes. Lunch will also be provided, and free bussing is available (from certain areas, natch).

You can learn more and register on the MVP Challenge website

What's open and closed this long weekend and other notes

Monday, May 20 is Victoria Day, a statutory holiday that is celebrated on the last Monday before May 25.

The holiday honours Queen Victoria, who was born on May 24, 1819, and in 1901, the year of her death, the day was made a federal holiday. More colloquially, it serves as an unofficial kickoff to the summer season.

With the holiday closure there will be a number of changes to operational hours at the University:

  • Print + Retail Solutions locations will be closed Monday, May 20. Check the Hours and Locations page for specific details;
  • The Dana Porter Library and Davis Centre Library branches will be open from 12 noon to 6:00 p.m. on Monday, May 20. The Library's "Chat with us" service will not be available, but email will be monitored from 12 noon to 6:00 p.m. Check the Opening Hours page for more details;
  • Most Food Services operations will be shuttered on Monday, May 20, with the exception of The Market at UWP, open 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. Go to the Locations and Hours site for more details;
  • The Physical Activities Complex, the Columbia Ice Field Arena, and the Feridun Hamdullahpur Field House will be closed on Sunday, May 19 and Monday, May 20. Visit the Facility Hours website for specific details; and
  • The Student Life Centre and the Turnkey Desk will be open Monday, May 20.

As always, even on holidays, the Special Constable Service (ext. 22222, or 519-888-4911), and the central plant will monitor campus buildings (24-hour service and maintenance line, ext.33793) in case of problems or emergencies.

As for the encampment on the Grad House green, one assumes it will be business as usual on Monday.

A goose stands atop one of the south campus archways.

Moving on to other things, this time of year is for the birds, even though goose nesting season is for the most part behind us.

With GooseWatch apparently offline, community members have had to rely on their wits and keep their heads on a swivel as our fine feathered overlords have gone about their business this spring.

Here are some tips to avoid avian assaults:

  1. When passing geese, keep your chest and face pointed towards them. Maintain direct eye contact.
  2. Be neutral. Do not show fear or act in a hostile manner.
  3. If a goose acts aggressively, back away slowly and calmly. (editor's note: don't run, you'll just die tired)

One easy way to put some distance between yourself and an aggressive goose is on a motorcycle. Carlos Radic, Senior Mechanical Technologist in Plant Operations, has been participating in the Distinguished Gentleman's Ride fund-raising event for the last 10 years. He'll be riding in style on Sunday, May 19.

Carlos Radic on a vintage motorcycle wearing a vintage Crash helmet."I'm riding my 1973 BMW R75/5 AKA The Black Baron," Radic writes. "Along with over 77,365 fellow men and women across the globe in 105 countries in over 965 rides, I'm riding to raise funds and awareness for prostate cancer and men's mental health on behalf of Movember." 

"Men die on average 6 years earlier than women and for largely preventable reasons," Radic continues. "The number of men that are suffering is growing, and we need to do something about that. I'm asking you to join me in raising funds and awareness for these causes by donating what you can."

The Distinguished Gentleman's Ride has raised more than $49 million USD. Says Radic, "there's more to motorcycle riders than meets the eye."

The latest in the Atlassian blog post series published by Information Systems & Technology (IST) is now online, and is entitled Master JQL: Join Our Open Floor Q&A Session!

So, in conclusion: whether you're on a motorcycle, a Muskoka chair, a patio, or digging up a flower bed, I hope you enjoy the long weekend by doing something you enjoy. The Daily Bulletin will return on Tuesday, May 21.

Upcoming office closure

The Office of Indigenous Relations will be closed today as HVAC repairs are carried out in the office.

Register for the "From Targeting in Academia to Promoting Trust and Understanding" conference

Registration for the upcoming international conference, "From Targeting in Academia to Promoting Trust and Understanding," is now open. The conference will take place from June 27 to 28 at Federation Hall.

Link of the day

International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia, and Biphobia

When and Where

The Student Health Pharmacy (located in the lower level of the Student Life Centre) is offering flu shots with no appointments needed daily from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Call 519-746-4500 or extension 33784 for more info. COVID shots will be available on appointment basis only. You can register online at studenthealthpharmacy.ca.

Warriors Youth Summer Camps. Basketball, Baseball, Football, Hockey, Multi-Sport and Volleyball. Register today!

Safeguarding Science workshop and more, throughout May and June. Public Safety Canada invites faculty, staff and students to attend a series of virtual event via MS Teams. Register to receive a link.

Food Truck Wednesday, Wednesday, May 8 to Wednesday, July 24, 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., Arts Quad.

Sip sustainably at Ev3rgreen Café during Eco Week, Monday, May 13 to Friday, May 17. Bring your reusable mug and enjoy a free fair-trade coffee or tea with any purchase.

Clubs and Societies Days, Thursday, May 16, 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. and Friday, May 17, 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., Student Life Centre Great Hall.

Deadline to register for Centre for Extended Learning (CEL) "Getting Ready to Facilitate Online CoursesTA Training – Spring 2024" course, Tuesday, May 21.

Cheriton School of Computer Science Distinguished Lecture Series, "Reflections on the Value of Visualization," featuring John Stasko, Professor, School of Interactive Computing, Georgia Tech, Wednesday, May 22, 10:00 a.m., DC 1302 and virtually over Zoom.

Dr. Craig Janes retirement celebration, Wednesday, May 22, 3:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m., EXP 1686. RSVP by Wednesday, May 15.

Victoria Day holiday, most university operations and buildings closed, Monday, May 20.

Warrior Rec Instructional Registration Deadline, Tuesday, May 21, 11:59 p.m. Other programs are ongoing. Find out more. 

All staff are invited to play Games @ Lunch, Wednesday, May 22, 12 noon to 1:00 p.m., DC 1301.

Foundations of Collaborative Leadership, Chapter one of the Community Leadership Certificate (CLC), Thursday, May 23, 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. (virtual).

Sexual Violence Awareness Month Speaker Series, Thursday, May 23, 7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., MS Teams.

You @ Waterloo Day, Saturday, May 25.

Tri-Agencies webinar on Sensitive Research and Affiliations of Concern (STRAC) policy (in English), Tuesday, May 28, 11:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Register.

Waterloo Genomics Lunch and Learn Series: Illumina, Tuesday, May 28,12 noon to 1:30 p.m., B2-350. Please register.

Foundations of Collaborative Leadership, Chapter one of the Community Leadership Certificate (CLC), Wednesday, May 29, 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. (virtual).

NEW - WISE Public Lecture: Solar Powering Ontario's Clean Grid Economy” by Steve Dyck (President, Guelph Solar), Wednesday, May 29, 1:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m., Engineering 7, 7303/7363, in-person and on Zoom. Register today!

Tri-Agencies webinar on Sensitive Research and Affiliations of Concern (STRAC) policy (in French), Thursday, May 30, 1:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. Register.

Sexual Violence Awareness Month Speaker Series, Thursday, May 30, 7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., MS Teams.

NEW - Reunion 2024, Friday, May 31 and Saturday, June 1.

Generative Artificial Intelligence and the Literature Review, Wednesday, June 5, 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m., LIB 323 learning lab.

Inert Atmosphere Fabrication and RAC Capabilities Open House, Thursday, June 6, 11:45 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., Research Advancement Centre (RAC).

Engineering Graduate Studies Fair, Wednesday, June 6, 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m., Engineering 7 second floor event space.

Indigenous Community Concert | Sultans of String "Walking Through the Fire", Monday, June 17, 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., Federation Hall.

Upcoming service interruptions

Stay up to date on service interruptions, campus construction, and other operational changes on the Plant Operations website. Upcoming service interruptions include:

  • Pathways connecting William Tutte Way and B.C. Matthews Hall closed for asphalt paving and repairs, Tuesday, May 7 extended to Friday, May 17 (weather dependent), pedestrian/bicycle and vehicle traffic to be re-routed around alternate pathways.

  • School of Pharmacy, Integrated Health Building fire alarm testing, Friday, May 17, 7:30 a.m. to 8:15 a.m., fire alarm will sound, building evacuation not required.
  • University Club, Bauer Warehouse, Avril Building fire alarm testing, Friday, May 17, 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m., fire alarm will sound, building evacuation not required.
  • Douglas Wright Engineering, Rod Coutts Hall, South Campus Hall, Carl Pollock Hall, Graduate House fire alarm testing, Tuesday, May 21, 7:30 a.m. to 8:15 a.m., fire alarm will sound, building evacuation not required.
  • Bright Starts Co-operative Early Learning Centre fire alarm testing, Wednesday, May 22, 7:00 a.m. to 7:30 a.m., fire alarm will sound, building evacuation not required.
  • Engineering 7, School of Optometry, Columbia Icefield fire alarm testing, Wednesday, May 22, 7:30 a.m. to 8:15 a.m., fire alarm will sound, no building evacuation required.
  • UWP-Eby Hall, UWP-Wellesley Court, UWP-Wilmot Court, Claudette Millar Hall fire alarm testing, Wednesday, May 22, 1:00 p.m to 2:30 p.m., fire alarm will sound, building evacuation not required.
  • East Campus Hall, Engineering 5, Engineering 6 fire alarm testing, Friday, May 24, 7:30 a.m. to 8:15 a.m., fire alarm will sound, building evacuation not required.
  • Stratford Campus electrical shutdown, May 26, 9:00 a.m., all electrical power shut down for four hours
  • E7 Bicycle Shelter snow guard installation, Friday, May 31, areas around and under the E7 shelter will be blocked off for vehicle and personnel access.