Editor:
Brandon Sweet
University Communications
bulletin@uwaterloo.ca
New virtual anti-racism and anti-oppression training available
A message from the Office of Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Anti-Racism.
The Office of Equity, Diversity and Anti-racism (EDI-R) has developed an Anti-racism, Anti-oppression (ARAO) training course, a significant step in our University’s commitment to equity and diversity. Now available on the LEARN platform, this course is designed to help the University community in understanding and dismantling systemic racism and oppression across our campus.
Developed by EDI-R, the course offers theoretical knowledge and practical insights into how historical systems of oppression continue to shape our society and the impact it has on marginalized groups. It equips course completers with the ability to recognize and challenge racism in the classroom, workplace, and personal life, fostering a more inclusive and understanding campus environment.
The ARAO training also offers a valuable opportunity for self-reflection, as candidates will be encouraged to consider their social position and how it relates to the socially-constructed concept of race in Canada.
“As candidates engage with the material, it is expected that they will also develop a shared language and framework for discussing race and oppression,” said Dr. Anita Taylor, acting AVP EDI-R. “This common ground is essential for fostering open, honest, and productive conversations about these critical issues. This dialogue can bridge divides and build a more cohesive and supportive campus environment.”
Aligned with Recommendation 6 of the President’s Anti-Racism Taskforce (PART) report, this five-module course underscores the university's commitment to these principles. The course is expected to take approximately 3-4 hours to complete.
The course was piloted within the Faculty of Health, where feedback was incorporated to enhance participants' experience.
Visit the ARAO Training website for more information and to register for the course.
Outstanding Performance Award recipients named
“I am very pleased to announce the Outstanding Performance Award recipients for 2023 and would like to take this opportunity to congratulate them for their outstanding contributions to the University of Waterloo,” writes James W.E. Rush, Vice-President, Academic and Provost.
Arts
Dillon Browne; Lynn Carty; Allison Chenier; Jordana Cox; Ana Ferrer; Katy Fulfer; Owen Gallupe; Jasmin Habib; Dorothy Hadfield; Logan MacDonald; Sorouja Moll; Adam Molnar; Aimee Morrison; David Moscovitch; Alain-Desire Nimubona; Seda Oz; Konrad Pawlak; Douglas Peers; Evan Risko; Sasan Saiy; Megan Selinger; Derek Stacey; Kanstantsin Tsedryk; Adam Vitalis; and Katherine White.
Engineering
Arash Arami; Chris Bachmann; Eline Boghaert; Wayne Chang; Cecile Devaud; Ayman El-Hag; Allyson Kayla Giannikouris; Jason Grove; Jennifer Howcroft; Na Young Kim; David Mather; John McPhee; Tizazu Mekonnen; Patrick Mitran; Andrew Morton; Anh Pham; Maya Przybylski; Lola Sheppard; Stephen Smith; Zhou Wang; and Valerie Ward.
Environment
Erin O'Connell; Katherine Perrott; and Michelle Rutty.
Health
Clark Dickerson; Robin Duncan; Leeann Ferries; John Hirdes; Elena Neiterman; and Luke Potwarka.
Mathematics
Faisal Al-Faisal; Sepehr Assadi; Christopher Batty; Raouf Boutaba; Liqun Diao; David Harmsworth; David Jao; Katherine Larson; Bin Li; Tamer Ozsu; Luke Postle; Pascal Poupart; Sander Rhebergen; Matthew Satriano; Matthias Schonlau; William Slofstra; Ian VanderBurgh; Daniel Vogel; Tony Wirjanto; Karen Yeats; and Yeying Zhu.
Science
Brett Barrett; Lisa Christian; Kristine Dalton; Steven Forsey; John-Michael Gamble; Alan Jamison; John Johnston; Subha Kalyaanamoorthy; Shamroze Khan; Brenda Lee; Liam McGuire; Josh Neufeld; Madeline Simone Rosamond; and German Sciaini.
Some background on the awards: effective May 1, 2005, in accordance with the 2003 Faculty Salary Settlement, the University of Waterloo established an Outstanding Performance Fund to reward faculty members for outstanding contribution in teaching and scholarship.
International Development students get their rings
By Rebecca Wagner.
It was an awarding of rings to mark one of life’s most significant transitions and a coming together of a small cohort of graduates for an intimate final send-off.
For students in the International Development program (INDEV), a collaboration between United College and the Faculty of Environment, the International Development ring ceremony was an opportunity to celebrate the unique bond shared between the tight-knit graduating class.
“It’s important that we hold the ceremony with loved ones present,” says John Abraham, academic dean of United College. “Families and friends have always been an important part of the ceremony, as they are part of the journey. Parents and supporters fly in from around the world, and we get to shake their hand and welcome them to United College. It’s pretty special.”
The new rings, initially unveiled for the 2023 graduating class, incorporate the old and the new. They feature the new United College logo to reflect the College’s recent re-branding, and a map of the world, which carries forward design elements from the rings of previous graduating classes. The map of the world serves as a reminder to serve and act locally and globally, and to continue to have and promote a sustainable impact.
“The ring, the endless circle around your finger, consecrates a covenant, your commitment to watch over the planet,” said Michaëlle Jean, chancellor of United College. “It symbolizes a never-ending commitment, to follow the thread, the path of serving true global development. It is a vow to make the world a better place for all.”
Through virtual greetings, Michaëlle Jean thanked students for focusing their studies on something truly impactful. “You have chosen to look beyond the confines of your own experience, to open your minds and hearts to wider areas of concern that encompass the world.”
Unique to INDEV is an optional 8-month overseas placement in students’ final year of studies facilitated by the World University Service of Canada. Two students from the graduating Class of 2024, Emily Meissner and Millie Balmer, completed their placement in Kampala, Uganda, at community-based organizations Uganda Small Scales Industries Association and the Africa Agribusiness Academy.
Whether degrees included an overseas placement, a capstone project, or a thesis, the ring ceremony was a celebration of students’ unique local and global social impact, and a recognition of personal and professional growth.
And it was a celebration of the promise of even greater impact to come, supported by the many friends made along the way.
Graduating students present at the ring ceremony included Cassidy Zelle, Cristina Everett, Habibah Ibrahim, Jonah Barkley, Emily Meissner, Millie Balmer, and Sergo Haille. Rings were awarded in absentia to Ryan Ertel and Sergio Wang.
Upcoming office closures
The Campus Housing Office in REV South will be closed for renovations from Thursday, June 13 to Tuesday, June 25. The team will still be available to answer inquiries by phone at 519-888-4567, ext. 42679 or by emailing housing@uwaterloo.ca.
Link of the day
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.
Spring 2024 Student Experience Survey open, Sunday, June 2 to Friday, June 21.
WatITis 2024 call for proposals, Saturday, June 15 to Friday, August 30.
Subway Never Miss a Lunch, Thursday, June 20, Subway will donate $1 per cookie sold on June 20 to Food Banks Canada.
CPI Talk - Characterizing Machine Unlearning through Definitions and Implementations, Thursday, June 20, 10:30 a.m. to 12 noon, Arts Lecture Hall 113.
Bike Fair, Thursday, June 20, 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., Peter Russell Rock Garden. Please note the new location.
WaterTalk: Putting People at the Centre: Towards transforming climate risk assessment for water security and delivery, Thursday, June 20, 11:00 a.m. to 12 noon, DC 1302.
Queering Research: A Panel Discussion, Thursday, June 20, 2:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. EC5 1027. To register, please email your full name to researchoffice@uwaterloo.ca.
Exploring Turnitin’s Artificial Intelligence detection tool (CTE7545), Friday, June 21, 9:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m., online.
Menstrual Equity Project Reusable product distribution drop, Friday, June 21, 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., EC5 second floor.
Inclusive Menstruation: Understanding Trans Experiences, Friday, June 21, 12 noon to 1:00 p.m.
Teaching Writing After Generative AI: An Expert Panel, Open Conversation and Workshop, presented by Critical Tech Talk series, Monday, June 24, 9:00 a.m. to 12 noon, Davis Centre Library, room 1568.
A Trauma Informed Lunch and Learn: Supporting the campus communities on the 1 year Anniversary of June 28th, Monday, June 24, 12 noon, online. Register on Portal.
How to Prepare a Strong SSHRC Insight or Insight Development Grant Application, Tuesday, June 25, 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m., virtual. Please register by June 18.
Knowledge Gathering and Sharing Consultation Sessions: 2STBNGBC+ employees (staff and faculty) who also identify as Black, Indigenous, or racialized,Tuesday, June 25, 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., virtual. Register here.
Knowledge Gathering and Sharing Consultation Sessions: 2STBNGBC+ employees (staff and faculty) who also identify as Black, Indigenous, or racialized, Wednesday, June 26, 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., in-person. Register here.
SCA Pride Zine Workshop, Wednesday, June 26, 4:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., online. Register on the SCA website.
From Targeting in Academia to Promoting Trust and Understanding, Thursday, June 27 and Friday, June 28, Federation Hall.
Unlearning the Binary, Thursday, June 27, 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Canada Day holiday, Monday, July 1, most University operations and buildings closed.
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:
- MC to QNC Pedestrian Bridge temporary closure, Monday, June 17 to Friday, September 27, no access to bridge between QNC to MC due to construction.
- Biology 1 - south end by greenhouse crane operation, Thursday, June 20, partial closure of the main pathway for crane setup and operation. Pedestrian access will not be affected.
- Optometry exterior pest control spraying, Saturday, June 22, 9:00 a.m., no foot traffic entering or leaving the building should be present during spraying.
- Physical Activities Complex, Student Life Centre fire alarm testing, Monday, June 24, 7:30 a.m. to 8:15 a.m., fire alarm will sound, building evacuation not required.
- NH 1st floor non-essential lighting and receptacles electrical shutdown, Tuesday, June 25, 5:30 a.m. to 7:00 a.m., electrical power will be terminated to most 1st floor lighting and receptacles.
- Biology 1, Biology 2, Health Services, Quantum Nano Centre, Science Teaching Centre fire alarm testing, Wednesday, June 26, 7:30 a.m. to 8:15 a.m., fire alarm will sound, building evacuation not required.
- School of Architecture fire alarm testing, Friday, June 28, 8:30 a.m. to 9:00 a.m., fire alarm will sound, building evacuation not required.
- Digital Media fire alarm testing, Friday, June 28, 12 noon to 1:00 p.m., fire alarm will sound, building evacuation not required.