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Weaving a tapestry of mathematical diversity
By Zoey Wadsworth. This article originally appeared on the Centre for Education in Mathematics and Computing (CEMC) website.
The Centre for Education in Mathematics and Computing (CEMC) is excited to announce the launch of The Mathematician Mosaic, an initiative aimed at recognizing and celebrating the diverse contributions of mathematicians across a wide range of disciplines. This project seeks to inspire students to explore and research the stories of influential figures in mathematics and computing—notably those from underrepresented backgrounds. Through the creation of biographical posters, students will spotlight the lives, careers, and stories of unsung people who have made significant impacts in a variety of fields—ranging from pure mathematics to data science.
“This is an opportunity for students to help present a more inclusive narrative of mathematical history," says Fiona Dunbar, co-lead of the Mathematician Mosaic Project. "It will allow them to explore their creative side while discovering the diverse individuals who contributed to the mathematical sciences and may have been historically overlooked or underrepresented.”
Students are invited to submit posters showcasing mathematicians who have overcome adversity, pursued unique career paths, or belonged to marginalized communities. Whether working individually or in groups, participants will bring distinctive, remarkable chronicles to life and could have their posters featured on the CEMC website. This endeavour not only promotes creativity and learning, but also underscores the requisite for visibility and diversity within the mathematical sciences.
"I hope that the Mosaic project gives students an opportunity to discover and share what they learn about a wide variety of mathematicians,” says project co-lead Sachin Kotecha. “I'm excited to see what students submit, and learn a thing or two myself!”
Submissions will be accepted until January 17, 2025. We invite educators, parents, and guardians to encourage students’ involvement in this campaign.
“Educators may be interested in this project because it connects to some newer curriculum expectations in certain areas," says Jen Nelson, Associate Director, CEMC. "The Mathematician Mosaic could be a way for students to work on a task that encompasses multiple subjects such as math, history, and language. It offers an opportunity for students to explore real-life applications of mathematics and careers in mathematics, and to create profiles of mathematicians that represent aspects of their own identities.”
Together, we will honour and commemorate each tile—the individual—that comprises the boundless mosaic of the mathematical world.
To know more about this initiative or to contribute a poster, please visit - The Mathematician Mosaic webpage.
Here's what happened at September's Senate meeting
A message from the Secretariat.
The University of Waterloo Senate is comprised of faculty, undergraduate and graduate students, alumni, governors, and administrative staff who are both elected and ex-officio members. This governing body of the institution is the highest authority on academic matters and meets regularly to discuss topics such as academic programs, educational policies, appointments, and other academic priorities.
At the September 23, 2024 meeting, the following items were approved:
- Two changes to program names
- From “Religious Studies” to “Religion, Culture, and Spirituality” effective September 2025
- From “Sexuality, Marriage, and Family Studies” to “Sexualities, Relationships, and Families”;
- A major modification to the Anthropology undergraduate program to reduce the required minimum number of courses in the major plan;
- Academic regulation revisions for the Faculty of Arts, pertaining to averages and academic standings; and
- Delegation of authority to the Senate Executive Committee for the approval of all Senate committee/council appointments pertaining to vacancies on those bodies, for the period from September 24, 2024 to October 14, 2024.
Additionally, Senate considered other business:
- A presentation on the Waterloo Accessible Education Project;
- The annual report from the president regarding tenure and promotion of faculty members; and
- a report on Spring 2024 convocation.
For more information
Visit the Senate website to find the meeting agenda and related materials for all recent Senate meetings, as well as dates for upcoming meetings. The Secretariat will make Zoom links available to those wishing to attend meetings virtually.
If you have any questions, please contact the Secretariat at senate@uwaterloo.ca.
Teaching and Learning Month - next week at a glance
A message from the Office of the Associate Academic Vice President and Teaching Innovation Incubator.
Teaching & Learning Month at the University of Waterloo is in full swing, bringing awareness to the many excellent offerings our Academic Support Units and campus partners are offering that support teaching and learning.
Next week is Fall Reading Week, but there are still many sessions being offered and opportunities to further understandings of teaching and learning topics. The Teaching Assessment Processes Office and the Office of Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Anti-Racism will be sharing efforts on campus to have an equitable, holistic model of teaching assessment, and Organizational and Human Development is showcasing the VIA Character Strengths assessment tool and how it can help create stronger connections between colleagues.
The Centre for Teaching Excellence is offering its Instructional Skills Workshop, an intensive workshop designed to support teaching reflection and growth of new and experienced instructors.
Finally, the inaugural Accessible Education Day is taking place across October 16 (PM sessions) and 17 (AM sessions), raising awareness about UW’s initiatives to make our teaching and learning environment accessible to disabled learners.
Keep checking back in and see what sessions may be of interest to you throughout October.
SVPRO and EDI-R launch intake form
A message from the Office of Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Anti-Racism (EDI-R).
The Sexual Violence Prevention and Response Office (SVPRO) and the Office of Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Anti-Racism (EDI-R) are pleased to announce the launch of a new intake form to support requests for direct service, consultation, or education. This intake form can be accessed online through the SVPRO and EDI-R institutional websites and aims to streamline the intake process for all campus community members requesting support.
By collecting essential information up front, we hope to simplify and expedite the initial intake processes and enhance our ability to address campus community needs.
The new intake form is an extension of our new case management system, Simplicity Advocate. This advanced software is specifically designed to help higher education institutions effectively manage student concerns, conduct issues, and well-being through an integrated, secure, and user-friendly platform.
This intake form marks a significant step forward in how we serve our campus community, enabling faster response times and creating a more seamless, accessible experience for everyone. Together, we are building a more efficient, inclusive, and responsive campus environment.
If you have questions, comments, or feedback about the intake form, please contact us at svpro@uwaterloo.ca.
You can access the intake form directly here.
What's open and closed this Thanksgiving long weekend
Campus is on the cusp of the one-two punch of Thanksgiving long weekend and Reading Week. Oh, and don't forget Oktoberfest, which kicked off with an oom-pah for emphasis on September 27 and runs until October 19. Monday, October 14, Thanksgiving Day, is a statutory holiday and also the date of the annual Thanksgiving parade, which runs from Weber and Frederick to Weber and Bridgeport starting at 9:30 a.m. And as for Reading Week, students will have their fall break between Saturday, October 12 and Sunday, October 20.
With this confluence of celebrations a number of operational changes will take place on campus, including:
The Dana Porter and Davis Centre library locations will be open from 12 noon to 6:00 p.m. on Thanksgiving Monday and will be open throughout Reading Week, no doubt to provide students with the opportunity to actually do some reading. Check the Library's Locations and Hours page for more details.
Food Services locations will mostly be closed on holiday Monday and during the Reading Week break with a few exceptions:
The Market at CMH, open 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. and Mudie's in Village 1, open 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. on Monday, October 14.
From Tuesday, October 15 to Friday, October 18, open locations include Brubaker’s in the SLC, open 11:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (Subway and Quesada only), Tim Hortons DC and Tim Hortons SLC, 7:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., The Market at CMH, 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 p.m., and Mudie's at Village 1, 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. All other locations will be closed, according to Food Services. Check the Locations and Hours page for more details.
The Physical Activities Complex and the Columbia Icefield Arena will be open on Saturday, October 12 but closed Sunday, October 13 and Monday, October 14. Check the facility hours page for more details.
Campus Wellness operations are closed on statutory holidays.
W Store in South Campus Hall and W Print in the General Services Complex will be closed on Monday, October 14. W Store Essentials in Mathematics & Computer will be closed from Monday, October 14 to Friday, October 18 for Reading Week. Check the Locations and Hours page for more details.
The Centre in Needles Hall will be closed on Monday with the rest of campus, and will have regular campus operating hours for the rest of the week next week.
The Student Life Centre, the Turnkey Desk (I always want to call it the Turkey Desk during Thanksgiving), and the Flock Stop will all be open 24/7 over the long weekend. Turnkey@DC will be closed from Monday, October 14 to Friday, October 18.
From Metrolinx comes news that they are adding extra GO Transit services during Thanksgiving, Oktoberfest, and Reading Week. Special trains will be added to the Kitchener Line Service on October 12, 14, and 20.
On Saturday, October 12, the train schedule has the following additions:
- 10:05 a.m. and 10:05 p.m. eastbound train trips departing Kitchener GO, arriving at Union Station at 11:49 a.m. and 11:49 p.m.
- 12:38 p.m. and 7:38 p.m. westbound train trips departing Union Station, arriving at Kitchener GO at 2:26 p.m. and 9:26 p.m.
- These trips will not stop at Etobicoke North GO.
On Monday, October 14 and Sunday, October 20:
- 11:05 a.m. and 4:05 p.m. eastbound train trips departing Kitchener GO, arriving at Union Station at 12:49 p.m. and 5:49 p.m.
- 1:38 p.m. and 6:38 p.m. westbound train trips departing Union Station, arriving at Kitchener GO at 3:26 p.m. and 8:26 p.m.
- These trips will not stop at Etobicoke North GO.
For customers travelling to Kitchener for Oktoberfest, GO Transit has partnered with Kitchener-Waterloo Oktoberfest to create a round-trip combo ticket option to get to and from events. Customers can purchase the $24.99 round-trip combo ticket on the Kitchener-Waterloo Oktoberfest website.
Enjoy your long weekend, and if you're attending a turkey dinner I hope you get stuffed! The Daily Bulletin will return on Tuesday, October 15.