Thursday, October 17, 2024


Decolonizing and Establishing Payment Practices project launches

People sit around a meeting table with Indigenous cultural items in the centre.

A message from Finance, Human Resources, the Office of Research, and the Office of Indigenous Relations.

We are excited to announce the launch of a project at the University of Waterloo entitled “Decolonizing and Establishing Payment Practices with Indigenous Community Members”, co-sponsored by Finance, Human Resources, the Office of Research, and the Office of Indigenous Relations.

This project is meant to address systemic barriers in making payments to Indigenous Knowledge Keepers and Workers (including employees performing activities outside of their job description, invited guests, fee-for-service workers, and independent contractors), partners, and suppliers, typically given in recognition of cultural contributions, and to highlight the value of their unique and sacred knowledge.

This work aligns with the University of Waterloo’s Strategic Plan Connecting Imagination with Impact, 2020-2025, the Indigenous Strategic Plan, 2023-2028, and responds to recommendations from the President’s Anti-Racism Taskforce (PART) Report. This project also builds on the Canada Research Coordinating Committee’s Strengthening Indigenous Research Capacity Strategic Plan, which is meant to identify strategic directions, objectives, and mechanisms to support Indigenous research and training in Canada. 

The Decolonizing & Establishing Payment Practices project aims to develop a clear and concise set of guidelines geared towards making payments to Indigenous community members, specifically including information on payment options, payment timing, and payment methods. 

If you have experiences of barriers relating to making payments to Indigenous community members that you would like to share, or for more information about this project, please visit the Decolonizing Payment Practices webpage or reach out to Indigenous.Research@uwaterloo.ca

Building Inclusive Research Teams webinar coming up November 14

A diverse group of people put their hands together for a cheer.

A message from the Office of Research.

The Foundation: Building Inclusive Research Teams webinar will take place on November 14. Are you planning to attend?

The Foundation: Building Inclusive Research Teams, Thursday, November 14, 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. Register

Research shows that building inclusive research teams promotes research excellence. This presentation will take researchers through the necessary steps to identify EDI barriers on their teams, make a plan to address the barriers, and to review the outcomes of the actions they have taken and plan for the future. Please register to receive the Zoom link to participate.

Inclusive Research Resource Hub

The Hub is a resource library of important documents focused on EDI to support the UWaterloo community as they integrate EDI into their research designs and teams. The Hub was created as part of the Inclusive Research Team’s commitment to ongoing development and capacity building to support equitable and inclusive research practices.

This month’s feature highlights a resource from the Université de Sherbrooke: Managing a Diverse Team.

Upcoming webinars:

  • The Decolonial “R’s” of Research: Principled Approaches to Engaging Indigenous CommunitiesFriday, November 29, 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. Please register to receive the Zoom link to participate.
  • What is GBA+ Anyway? An Introduction, Monday, December 9, 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. Please register to receive the Zoom link to participate.

Resources

For more information or questions, please reach out to research.equity@uwaterloo.ca or Indigenous.Research@uwaterloo.ca with any questions.

Your support of the United Way makes a difference

Vice-President, University Relations Eleanor McMahon and members of University Relations in a group photo at the University of Waterloo sign.

A message from Eleanor McMahon, Vice-President, University Relations.

Our University has a proud history of supporting United Way Waterloo Region Communities and in the process, helping organizations that tackle mental health and addiction challenges, food insecurity, homelessness, and more.

This year’s United Way campaign is under way and as it does every year, it represents an important opportunity for each of us to make a significant impact on the lives of the people who live here, our neighbours, who are struggling with a myriad of challenges.

Our goal is to surpass last year’s total donation of $230,000 and we’re more than halfway there! Contributions have been coming through online e-Pledges, payroll deductions, and events. Every contribution counts and we hope you will join us in donating to this worthy cause as an opportunity to make a real impact on people’s lives. Visit the United Way Campaign website to monitor our progress as we work together to achieve our goal.

Make your donation today!

You can make a general donation to support various local United Way-funded charities, or you can choose to direct your support to specific causes. If you’re looking for a convenient way to make an ongoing impact, consider becoming a perpetual donor through payroll donations.

There are exciting events continuing throughout October that are organized by our dedicated United Way ambassadors and units across campus. And there’s still time to organize something fun to bring your team together for a good cause. Reach out to one of our 2024 ambassadors if you need some help, and be sure to check the UWaterloo United Way events page and the Daily Bulletin for upcoming events — we hope you can join us!

Thank you to everyone who has contributed to the United Way so far and for your support in making this year’s campaign a success.

Learn how to retire holistically at a special staff event

Reimagining Retirement banner featuring the panelists.

A message from the Keeping Well at Work team.

A successful retirement involves more than just financial preparedness. Have you considered how you will meaningfully spend your time? Have you practised the activities in your retirement plan yet?  

You're invited! Join the Keeping Well at Work team on October 29 from 11:00 a.m. to 12 noon for a virtual event to start thinking beyond the financial aspects of retirement. Learn how retirement is being reimagined with our hosts from Adapt with Intent and guest retirees, including Katrina Di Gravio. Get your questions answered in a live Q&A and leave with some tangible next steps to prepare for your own retirement.

This free event is open to all employees and, regardless of how close or far you are from retirement, we would love to have you join us! Learn more and register for Keeping Well at Work: Reimagining Retirement in the Era of Longevity

Naismith Classic tournament tip-off today, other notes

The logo for the Don McCrae Naismith Classic basketball tournament.

The 55th annual Don McCrae Naismith Classic basketball tournament begins today and runs until Saturday, October 19. Get your tickets now.

Waterloo's long-running Naismith Classic tournament was renamed in Coach Don McCrae's honour in 2023. McCrae coached the Warriors mens basketball team from 1971 to 1992, where he amassed a 462-252 record. During his tenure, the Warriors won six Ontario University Athletics Association (OUAA) Championships, as well as claiming their only national championship in 1975. From 1977 until 1984, McCrae was also the head coach of the Canadian national women's team, leading them to a fourth-place finish at the 1984 Olympic Games in Los Angeles.  

Gem and Mineral Show banner featuring a close-up of a sparkling rock.

The annual Earth Sciences Museum's Gem and Mineral Show is coming up on October 25 and October 26 in the Earth Sciences Museum in EIT. "Treat yourself to some new office décor or stock up on gifts from the great selection of mineral and fossil specimens and jewellery," says a note from the Faculty of Science.

Link of the day

"AMERICA, F*** YEAH!" Team America: World Police at 20

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 Game Day Tickets. Purchase your single game tickets or season packages today to cheer on your Warriors this season. Tickets on sale now for Basketball, Football, Hockey and Volleyball. Check out the schedules and purchase today!

Fall Reading Week, Saturday, October 12 to Sunday, October 20.

Instructional Skills Workshop, Wednesday, October 16 to Friday, October 18. Part of Teaching and Learning Month.

Distinguished Lecture Series featuring I.F. Akyildiz, Professor, Telecommunications, President & CTO, Truva Inc., "NETWORKING 2030: Metaverse, Extended Reality, Hologram Type and Mulsemedia Communication Challenges for 6G/Beyond Wireless Systems," Thursday, October 17, 10:30 a.m. to 12 noon, DC 1304.

Int'l Spouses Tea & Chat, Thursday, October 17, 10:30 a.m. to 12 noon, Global Lounge, International Experience Centre, Needles Hall.

Warriors Men’s Basketball vs. Brock, Thursday, October 17, 11:00 a.m., Carl Totzke Court, PAC. Don McCrae Naismith Classic, School Day Game. Buy your tickets today!

Accessible Education Day 2, Thursday, October 17, 12 noon to 4:00 p.m. Health Expansion Building (EXP). Part of Teaching and Learning Month.

Warriors Women’s Basketball vs. Memorial, Thursday, October 17, 6:00 p.m., Carl Totzke Court, PAC. Don McCrae Naismith Classic. Buy your tickets today! 

Faculty of Health hosts Canadian citizenship ceremony, Friday, October 18, 2:00 p.m., EXP 1689. Visitors welcome.

Warriors Women’s Basketball vs. UFV, Friday, October 18, 6:00 p.m., Carl Totzke Court, PAC. Don McCrae Naismith Classic. Buy your tickets today! 

Warriors Men’s Basketball vs. Saskatchewan, Friday, October 18, 8:00 p.m., Carl Totzke Court, PAC. Don McCrae Naismith Classic. Buy your tickets today! 

Warriors Men’s Basketball vs. Manitoba, Saturday, October 19, 1:00 p.m., Carl Totzke Court, PAC. Don McCrae Naismith Classic. Buy your tickets today! 

Warriors Women’s Basketball vs. Windsor, Saturday, October 19, 6:00 p.m., Carl Totzke Court, PAC. McCrae Naismith Classic. Buy your tickets today! 

Warriors Women’s Hockey vs. Queens, Saturday, October 19, 4:00 p.m., Dan Snyder Arena in Elmira. Buy your tickets today! 

The Student Experience Survey is open from Monday, October 21 until November 8. Undergraduate and graduate students are invited and those that submit their responses will receive $5 on their WatCard. 

NEW - Chemistry Seminar: Asymmetric Suzuki reactions and an organic supramolecular oscillator by Stephen Fletcher, Professor, Department of Chemistry, University of Oxford, Monday, October 21, 11:00 a.m., C2-361 (Reading Room) and MS Teams.

CrySP Speaker Series on Privacy with Dr. Alex Ozdemir, Stanford University, “Collaborative zk-SNARKs: Zero-Knowledge Proofs for Distributed Secrets,” Monday, October 21, 1:30 p.m., DC 1304 and Zoom.

NEW - University senate meeting, Monday, October 21, 3:30 p.m., NH 3407 and Zoom.

Safeguarding Science: Raising awareness of security risks and mitigation tools in the research ecosystem, Tuesday, October 22, 1:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.

2024 Gairdner National Lecture: Dr. Christian Landry, “Towards complete understanding of drug resistance in pathogenic fungi”, Tuesday, October 22, 3:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m., EV3 4412.

Noon Hour Concert: Contemporary Australian Piano Four Hands Sonatas, Wednesday, October 23, 12 noon, Conrad Grebel University College Chapel. Free admission.

NEW - Statistical Consulting and Survey Research Unit workshop, "Conducting Surveys with Qualtrics," Wednesday, October 23, 9:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., DC 1568.

NEW - WaterTalk: Mapping and quantifying health effects of inequities in community water service in North Carolina, USA presented by Dr. Jackie MacDonald Gibson, Department Head and Professor, Department of Civil, Construction, and Environmental Engineering, NC State University, Thursday, October 24, 11:00 a.m. to 12 noon, DC 1302. Networking lunch reception to follow from 12 noon to 1:00 p.m. All are welcome.

Bro Connect: Pop Culture Speed Friend event, Wednesday, October 24, 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m., Lower Concourse Flex Space, Student Life Centre.

NEW - Research Impact Canada “Dr. RIC” session featuring Fleur Macqueen Smith, manager of the nātawihowin and mamawiikikayaahk Research Networks (SK-NEIHR), University of Saskatchewan, Thursday, October 24, 11:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., online. Contact Nadine Quehl to request a Zoom invitation or for more information.

NEW - Fall 2024 Convocation, Friday, October 25 and Saturday, October 26.

NEW - Hearts of Freedom: Stories of Southeast Asian Refugees Exhibition and Film Screening, Saturday, October 26, 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., Balsillie School of International Affairs. Register now.

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 closure, Friday, September 27 to Wednesday, October 30, no access through the bridge link between MC and QNC due to construction, detour signage has been posted at the 2nd floor QNC bridge entrance and MC 3rd floor bridge entrance.
  • Staff "O" Lot closure, Monday, October 14 to Sunday, October 20. Please park in Lot X, entering via Hagey Blvd.
  • Engineering 5 domestic hot water system maintenance, Tuesday, October 15 to Thursday, October 17, no domestic hot water available, cold water will still be available.

  • Pharmacy cooling tower bearing repairs, Tuesday, October 15 to Thursday, October 17, no mechanical ability to cool buildings during this period.

  • North side of DWE next to CPH repairs to rooftop exhaust fans, Thursday, October 17, a crane will be in position all day blocking access to DWE/CPH for pedestrians and vehicles.

  • Engineering 2 and Engineering 3 electrical shutdown, Thursday, October 17, 5:00 a.m. to 7:00 a.m., all power will go down in E3 except for GAIA Lab, 600v power will go down in E2, and all air handling units in E2 will be affected.

  • Engineering 7 domestic hot water system maintenance, Thursday, October 17, 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m., no domestic hot water available, cold water will still be functional.

  • Mathematics and Computer Building (MC) crane lift for equipment delivery, Friday, October 18, 7:00 a.m. to 12 noon, crane will be on site to deliver transformers to the Graham Data Centre, site fencing will be in place along the north parking lot blocking pedestrian pathways, barrier-free parking and loading dock for the duration of the life. North entrance of MC will be closed. Flagmen will be present to direct traffic and pedestrians.

  • School of Architecture fire alarm testing, Friday, October 18, 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m.

  • Digital Media fire alarm testing, Friday, October 18, 12 noon to 1:00 p.m.

  • East Campus 2 electrical shutdown, Thursday, October 24, 6:00 p.m., lasting for four hours, electrical power will be off, emergency generators and elevators will be running.