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Support for equitable student advising
A message from the Student Success Office (SSO).
Academic advisors and student-facing staff are invited to discover your role in creating a sense of belonging at Waterloo with the IDEA series. Join the Office of Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Anti-racism on October 10 for the 2SLGBTQIA+ Fundamentals online workshop. Afterward, register for a small group conversation to apply what you learned to advising scenarios.
100 per cent of survey respondents said that an IDEA small group conversation helped them better understand how to apply equity, diversity, inclusion, indigenization, decolonization, anti-racism and/or intercultural development principles to their advising practices.
New to advising at Waterloo? Explore training and development opportunities from the Advising Community of Practice.
Paul Dirksen: Honouring a storied career
University of Waterloo President Burt Matthews, Paul Dirksen, and Wes Graham show off the console of the System 360 Model 75 computer that was a centrepiece of the Red Room.
A message from the Office of Advancement.
He was one of the pioneers of computer science at Waterloo but he always had time for his students. Now Paul Dirksen’s wife Sandra has created a scholarship in his memory that will help future computer scientists excel.
Read Paul and Sandra’s story in the 2023-24 Report on Giving.
Building trust through community conversation on climate misinformation
By Jordan Flemming. This is an excerpt of an article originally appearing on Waterloo News.
In an era where climate change is more visible than ever — rising urban temperatures, extreme weather events and increasing instances of poor air quality from wildfire smoke — the demand for accurate and trustworthy information is critical. The University of Waterloo, in collaboration with the Waterloo Climate Institute, hosted an impactful community lecture addressing this pressing issue. The lecture addressed the growing concerns over how misinformation hampers efforts to mitigate climate change, and it also explored how misinformation has sown seeds of doubt in scientific research and solutions.
This public lecture is part of the Trust in Research Undertaken in Science and Technology (TRuST) scholarly network effort to bring together researchers and practitioners from across disciplines to improve communication with the public and build trust in science and technology.
The panel discussion was moderated by Fatima Syed an Ontario-based reporter for The Narwhal.
Panel participants were:
- Dr. Sarah Burch, professor, Canada Research Chair and Executive Director, Waterloo Climate Institute, University of Waterloo
- Dr. Juan Moreno-Cruz, professor and Canada Research Chair, University of Waterloo
- Janna Wale, Indigenous Climate Researcher, University of British Columbia
Burch, an expert in sustainability governance and innovation, opened the discussion by highlighting Canada's efforts in climate action. “While it's clear there is still much work to be done to mitigate climate change, the notion that nothing is being done or that no progress is being made is a prime example of the misinformation and disinformation we face,” Burch said.
Climate misinformation is a major obstacle to effective climate action, with social media and unverified sources amplifying false information that misleads the public and delays policy solutions. The event tackled this issue while also exploring strategies to build public trust in climate science.
Drawing on both the research expertise of the Waterloo Climate Institute and Indigenous ways of knowing, the discussion highlighted how both scientific knowledge and a deeper connection to the land can help clear confusion and guide effective climate action.
“Climate change reflects a loss of balance in our relationship with the land,” Wale said. “My community has lived sustainably on our territory for thousands of years. Not only can we offer solutions to combat climate misinformation, but we also have time-tested ways of working with the land. Indigenous Peoples are leaders in maintaining a sustainable relationship with the earth, and we are ready to share these ideas and bring these solutions forward.”
Burch emphasized the importance of researchers being fully engaged with communities throughout the entire research process, rather than taking an extractive approach. “Researchers can’t just parachute into a community, conduct their studies, and then leave,” she said. “It’s crucial that we earn the trust of the communities we work with. Trust isn’t something we can take for granted simply because we are experts. Many of us have built our careers off research done in these communities, and we owe it to them to stay engaged and ensure our work benefits them in meaningful ways.”
Read the rest of the article on Waterloo News
Changes to graduate student supervisor status now in effect
A message from Graduate Studies and Postdoctoral Affairs (GSPA).
In a significant update to its graduate supervision policies, at the June 2024 Senate meeting, the University approved changes to the Approved Doctoral Dissertation Supervisory (ADDS) status, now renamed Sole-Supervisory Privilege Status (SSPS). This new designation, effective September 2024, introduces two distinct categories: SSPS1 and SSPS2, each with specific graduate student supervisory privileges.
Key changes:
- Renaming ADDS to SSPS: The new Sole-Supervisory Privilege Status (SSPS) replaces the former ADDS status.
- Introduction of SSPS1 and SSPS2: Faculty with SSPS1 can sole supervise master’s students, while those with SSPS2 can sole supervise both master’s and PhD students.
The restructuring aims to provide better oversight and clarity in the supervision of master’s students, a gap identified in the previous system. Detailed information and an overview chart of the SSPS categories are available on the Graduate students’ supervisors and committees webpage within the Graduate Studies Academic Calendar.
Impact on current faculty members:
- Faculty members currently holding ADDS status will retain their existing permissions.
- New tenure-stream faculty members will typically be granted SSPS1 upon appointment, with the process for obtaining SSPS2 remaining unchanged.
- New teaching stream faculty members may co-supervise doctoral and master’s students under specific conditions approved by the associate dean, graduate studies, or the graduate officer.
Faculty members are encouraged to update any references to ADDS on their web pages to reflect the new SSPS designation. For further information, faculty can contact their associate dean, graduate studies, or Marianne Simm, director, GSPA.
These changes mark a significant step towards enhancing the University’s graduate supervision framework, ensuring clarity and consistency in faculty supervisory roles.
Take Back the Night tomorrow and other notes
The Waterloo Undergraduate Student Association (WUSA) is participating in tomorrow's Take Back the Night Waterloo Region march and is inviting members of the University community to join in.
"The global movement known as “Take Back the Night” aims to bring an end to sexual violence," says a statement from WUSA. "The name honours the historic 1970s stand of those who first advocated for the essential right of women to walk alone at night without fear of being raped, harassed, or otherwise harmed."
Take Back the Night Waterloo Region will feature activities and a march at Gaukel Block in Downtown Kitchener.
"Members of our campus community are invited to join alongside our student leaders and make your voice heard!" says the note from WUSA. "Meet in front of the SLC at 5:00 pm (Tim Horton’s entrance) to travel to Gaukel Block together by ION, or meet up with WUSA at Gaukel Block. Be sure to wear your black and gold and show your support for our campus and community."
Here's today's National Postdoc Appreciation Week fun fact:
Are you a postdoc? If so, there is an electronic newsletter (e-news) publication just for you and will automatically arrive in your inbox on the first and third Tuesday of each month! The Postdoc e-news offered by Graduate Studies and Postdoctoral Affairs is a great place to access information on postdoc specific or applicable resources, events, and information. Staff and faculty who work with postdocs are also welcome to subscribe to stay informed and encourage postdocs to attend relevant events. Learn more about how to subscribe or submit a post on the GSPA Postdoc e-news webpage.
Employers hosting Employer Information Sessions this week include GHD, Mercer Canada, BCI, Tata, TD, Canada Life, Sanofi, ABB, Hatch, StackAdapt, Definity, Intelliware, and TMX. Make sure to register through WaterlooWorks and check the calendar for any updates.