Thursday, October 31, 2024

Staff member in Finance is mourned

A message from Finance.

It is with great sadness that we share the unexpected passing of our cherished colleague, Jeff Lappin, on October 25, 2024. Jeff joined the University on November 1, 1982, and dedicated his entire career to UWaterloo, most recently to the Financial Systems team as a Business/Systems Analyst. Many of you may know Jeff’s alter ego as the “P-Card Administrator,” a role he embraced with pride and enthusiasm.

Jeff was a caring family man who often spoke about his children and brother with immense pride. He brought joy to our conversations, sharing his love for soccer—especially for Manchester United—and his passion for golf. During the challenging days of COVID, as we transitioned to daily virtual meetings, we had the pleasure of getting to know Jeff better through our daily Team Poll. His stories and his affinity for the poll answer “cabin in the woods with bears” brought so much laughter to our team.

Jeff will be sorely missed by everyone in the Financial Systems team and the Finance department as a whole. His absence leaves a significant void, and our team won’t be the same without him.

As we navigate this difficult time, please keep Jeff’s family in your thoughts and prayers. A celebration of Jeff’s life will be held at Erb & Good Family Funeral Home, 171 King St. S, Waterloo, on Friday, November 1 from 2:00 pm to 5:00 pm in the Fireside Reception Room. 

For those who may need support, please remember that the Employee Assistance Program (EAP) is available at 1-800-663-1142. If you or someone you know is in crisis or at risk of harm, please contact emergency services (911) immediately.

Please help us honour Jeff’s memory by sharing your favourite memories of Jeff at the tribute wall of the obituary website.

Here's what happened at the Board of Governors meeting this week

A message from the Secretariat.

The University of Waterloo Board of Governors is comprised of 36 voting members, including external members (mayors, community at large, and Lieutenant Governor in Council appointments) in addition to faculty, staff and students. This governing body of the institution is the highest authority on corporate matters and meets regularly to discuss topics such as financial well-being, institutional reputation, building and properties and human resource matters.

At the October 29 meeting, the following items were approved:

• Geothermal Bore Holes Capital Project
• Amendments to the Statement of Investment Policies and Procedures (SIPP) for the Endowment, IQC and Pension Plan
• Amendments to Board By-law 1
• New guidelines for visitors to Board Meetings
• Text amendments to the Pension Plan
• Amendments to the extended health benefit plan:
  • Biosimilars Transition Program, effective April 8, 2025
  • Gender Affirmation Coverage, effective immediately; and
  • Eligible prescribers for medical equipment, effective immediately

 Additionally, the Board received updates for information:

• Update from the President on a range of matters, including community event highlights and post-secondary education sector developments;
• Updates on activities of the Board’s standing Committees, including the inaugural report from the new Community & Culture Committee;
• Update on campus planning, deferred capital renewal, and sustainability;
• Mid-year 2024-25 budget update; and
• Annual report from the Sexual Violence Prevention & Response Office.

Please refer to the open Board meeting agenda package for a complete update. The meeting minutes form the official record of the meeting, and will be available following approval at the Board’s next meeting on February 4, 2025.

Explore new wellness habits and menopause support at work

A message from Organizational and Human Development.

Join us for two impactful Keeping Well at Work sessions this November, designed for staff to enhance personal well-being and workplace inclusivity!

1. Deep Health: Setting a Foundation
   Tuesday, November 5, 9:30 a.m. to 12 noon
   Are you ready to develop new healthy, sustainable, and mindful habits? Start your journey to deep health by learning how to define personal goals and develop habits that align with your identity. In this in-person interactive session, you’ll also learn self-coaching techniques, and how to use personal reflection strategies to stay motivated to achieve your goals. Spots are limited! Register for Keeping Well at Work Deep Health: Setting a Foundation.
    
2. Navigating & Supporting Menopause in the Workplace
   Tuesday, November 12, 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
   Understand how menopause can affect workplace experiences and learn ways to support yourself and colleagues during this transition. Led by Stacey Jacobs and Jay Love from the Sexual Violence Prevention & Response Office (SVPRO), this session aims to destigmatize menopause and provide practical tips for fostering a more inclusive work environment. Everyone is welcome to attend! Register for Keeping Well at Work: Navigating & Supporting Menopause in the Workplace.

Take proactive steps to build a healthier, more supportive workplace by attending one or both of these free sessions! See all upcoming Keeping Well at Work offerings by visiting the Human Resources event webpage.

On November 6, take your kids to work

As part of the national Take Our Kids to Work Day, Waterloo is hosting activities on Wednesday, November 6 to allow Grade 9 students of Waterloo employees to explore careers and to shadow their uWaterloo employee host.

Hands-on sessions are being offered by Advancement; Athletics and Recreation Services; Campus Housing; the faculties of Engineering, Health, and Science; the Library; Marketing and Undergraduate Recruitment; and Print + Retail Solutions.

Morning sessions run at various locations from 10:45 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., with afternoon sessions running from 1:45 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. In the meantime you can put your kid to work take your kid to work, show them around, grab some lunch on or off-campus, and give them a window into your working life here at Waterloo.

If you’re a Waterloo employee with a student in Grade 9, you're invited to register for a fun and engaging day on November 6.

Nocturnal notes for Halloween night

International Spouses coordinator Nancy Matthews sent in photos from the Int'l Spouses group's recent pumpkin-carving event. "This was the first time making jack-o-lanterns for most of the participants," Matthews says. "In addition, our Tea & Chat group will also be meeting on Halloween morning and costumes are welcome!"  Full details can be found at intlspouses.wordpress.com.  

Int'l Spouses is a group for spouses/partners of UWaterloo international students, postdocs, visiting scholars, and faculty and staff.

So what other spooky stuff is happening on campus?

Engineering Outreach is hosting a Spooktacular STEM Night drop-in event from 4:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. for "curious minds in Grade K to 6 and their families, creepy creativity, eerie engineering, and spooky science collide!  

"Each registered child will receive a Halloween treat after completing their Monster Maker's STEM pass," says the Engineering Outreach site. "The pass is complete after engaging in hands-on activities at each STEM station and working through the engineering design cycle! We can’t wait for a night filled with candy, fun and spooktacular costumes! Halloween costumes or a black and orange outfit are not required but are welcome."

You can register your little monster on the Engineering Outreach website.

The Student Life Centre's student lounge will return to its nightclub roots for one night only as the UWDJ club hosts the gRAVEyard (I see what you did there, kids - the editor). This dance party will run from 8:00 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. featuring music from local DJs and the best-dressed attendees will be awarded a prize to cap off the night. Advance tickets are sold out but there are a limited number of $18 tickets available at the door. 

The Halloween Party at the Grad House has resurrected and will feature music and dancing, affordable local craft, and a costume contest worth $150 in cash prizes. The event starts at 7:00 p.m., and while it's only open to graduate students, they can buy a non-grad a $7 ticket as their +1. This event is 19+.

Is your faculty, department, or ASU doing something fun for Halloween today? Take some pictures and send them to bulletin@uwaterloo.ca and I will feature them in an upcoming Daily Bulletin. In the meantime, may your treat bags be filled with full-size candy bars this evening.

I should also note that Halloween and Diwali are overlapping this year, the first time since 2016 that there's been such a crossover. Diwali is a religious festival celebrated by Hindus, Sikhs and Jains worldwide, a five-day festival of lights observed in October or November each year. Renison University College will be hosting a Diwali celebration in the cafeteria from 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. where you can enjoy Diwali treats and learn more about the holiday.

Locally, Diwali is among the holidays that Waterloo's city council has included in its fireworks bylaw, alongside Canada Day, Victoria Day, and the Lunar New Year. Observers are permitted to set off fireworks one day before and after the holiday, with a time limit of 11:00 p.m. Given that Daylight Saving Time ends on Sunday, November 3, the extra lights are no doubt appreciated.