Thursday, November 21, 2024

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• Thank you for supporting the United Way campaign
• An emergency management update
• Employees celebrated at Years of Service reception
• Applications open for 2025-26 Staebler Insurance OER Fellows grant
• Reminder: Eco Summit coming up on Monday
• Thursday's notes

Thank you for supporting the United Way campaign

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

As we wrap up our 2024 United Way campaign at the University of Waterloo, I want to take a moment to extend my deepest gratitude to each of you for your support, dedication, and generosity.  

Together, we’ve raised over $215,000 – getting us very close to our goal. It’s a testament to the power of our community and the culture of giving at Waterloo. This is not just a number; it represents lives changed, opportunities created, and hope brought to those who need it most, right here in our local community. Every donation, large and small, has contributed to making this possible.  As we conclude our campaign, a special thank you to all event organizers who brought your teams together for a great cause. Our United Way campaign ambassadors bring a fun energy to campus during the month of October and raise money in creative, and often delicious, ways. 

Once again, thank you for contributing to our culture of giving at Waterloo and for making the 2024 United Way campaign a success. 

You should be very proud of the difference you are making in so many lives.  

An emergency management update

A message from the Safety Office. 

We last updated you in May about our progress on initiatives regarding the emergency management and safety protocols on campus. In the wake of the Hagey Hall attack, we have been continuing our important work on several initiatives to enhance the campus climate and culture.  

Emergency communications plan launched 

The University has created an Emergency Communication Plan (ECP) which will support the University’s communication efforts during emergency events. The aim of the ECP is to enhance the safety of students, staff, faculty and visitors by providing accurate information and safety instructions as quickly as possible. Training for emergency communications officers and Special Constable Services has been completed and will continue through the fall. 

Ongoing work with our Emergency Response Plan 

Since our last update, we have been working on implementing protocols to prepare for specific circumstances, including an active attacker and an infectious disease plan. We will also be training more resources within Faculties and Academic Support Units to assist as operational liaisons during emergency situations.  

Launch of Regroup Emergency Notification System  

On October 1, the University officially retired the WatSAFE app and transitioned to using Regroup Mobile as its sole emergency notification system (ENS). With its multi-channel approach — including SMS, voice calls, emails, in-app push notifications, and desktop alerts —Regroup provides fast and reliable emergency communication. Please download Regroup Mobile for Android or iOS to receive important safety notifications and tests of the ENS system. 

For any questions related to Regroup Mobile, please email ens@uwaterloo.ca. 

Helplines 

Helplines have been temporarily disabled as we continue to evaluate their placement and technology. Work to assess and upgrade technology will continue through the winter and spring 2025. Please take advantage of existing health and well-being campus supports in the meantime or visit the Special Constable Service website for information about campus security.   

Access Control Project 

The Access Control Project involves evaluating external access to all campus buildings. All existing Hirsch-Identiv access control units and HID readers will be replaced by a modern Wat-Card-based ICT access control system by May 2026. This transition is in process or complete in East Campus 2, the School of Architecture, and Needles Hall. The goal of this project is to enable more robust general security as well as the expedient securing of buildings in the event of an emergency. 

Training for emergency wardens  

In the coming weeks, the Fire Warden Program will undergo a significant update. New training will support Fire Wardens in expanding their current role to Emergency Wardens: an update which aims to enhance general preparedness and ensure effective support during emergencies across campus.  

This training will provide Emergency Wardens with the knowledge and skills needed to manage emergency scenarios such as extreme weather, violent situations, power outages, and shelter-in-place circumstances. Training will also outline general emergency procedures such as how to report an emergency, identify suspicious individuals or packages, and assist with medical emergencies alongside first aid responders. 

Employees celebrated at Years of Service reception

More than 250 people gathered at Federation Hall on Monday night to celebrate faculty and staff members who reached employment milestones in 2024. Many employees were joined by their managers to celebrate the occasion.

“Whether you started in 1974 or 2019, everyone in this room continues to make an important contribution to the institution,” said President Vivek Goel in his opening remarks. “You are leaders across our institution who champion our values of thinking differently, acting with purpose and working together. This afternoon’s event acknowledges your commitment and dedication to the University of Waterloo.”

President Goel noted that the combined experience of the employees celebrating career milestones added up to more than 6,130 years.

The president also congratulated Connie Deighan, Library Assistant in Derived Cataloguing, who was celebrating 50 years with the University, as well as Patricia Bester from the School of Environment, Resources and Sustainability, Joseph Heffernan from Facilities, and Shaun Frape from Earth and Environmental Sciences, all who were celebrating 45 years at Waterloo.

“Who we are as an institution starts with individuals like you,” President Goel said. “You have played, and continue to play, a pivotal role in reinforcing our values as an institution and advancing our mission and vision.”

Michelle Hollis, Chief Human Resources Officer, also delivered remarks, noting that there were 136 employees celebrating 5 years, 91 employees celebrating 10 years, 37 celebrating 15, 56 faculty and staff celebrating 20 years, 54 marking 25 years at Waterloo, 13 people celebrating 30 years, 28 celebrating 35, 11 employees celebrating 40, 3 celebrating 45 and one employee marking 50 years of service to the institution.

Hollis called out bits of timely pop culture trivia and historical events over the decades, including on-campus events as far back as 1974, when the School of Optometry’s building opened on the University’s North Campus.

Attendees celebrated with hors d’oeuvres, build-your-own poutine and taco stations, and photo walls. Employees celebrating milestone employees received a recognition package at registration.

Applications open for 2025-26 Staebler Insurance OER Fellows grant

A message from the Library.

As part of the Library’s efforts to ensure learning materials are freely accessible and available to learners and researchers at Waterloo, we’re once again seeking applications from Waterloo instructors with projects to create or adapt an open educational resource (OER) for a Waterloo course. 

Grants of up to $5,000 will be awarded to cover expenses such as work time and/or software needed to create the proposed OER. 

Applications will be accepted until Monday February 24, 2025, via an online form and will be reviewed by a cross-campus committee. Awarded projects will be announced in March, 2025. 

The grant is supported by a generous donation from Staebler Insurance and all materials created as part of these projects will be made publicly available. 

If you have questions about the grant or the application, email the Library at OERgrant@uwaterloo.ca.  

Reminder: Eco Summit coming up on Monday

A message from the Sustainability Office.

There is still time to register and join the Sustainability Office on Monday, November 25 for our 11^thannual Eco Summit to learn more about the inspiring initiatives that are working to find solutions to our complex needs on campus.

This event will feature remarks from Vivek Goel, President and Vice-Chancellor, two exciting panels of Waterloo students and employees, the 2024 Sustainability report and an opportunity to connect with students, teams and offices from the campus community to find actionable ways to make an impact! Light refreshments and snacks will be provided.  

When: Monday, November 25 from 1 to 4 p.m. | Doors open at 12:30 p.m.
Where: Federation Hall
Registration: There is no cost to attend, but registration in advance is required. Register today!

Thursday's notes

The Centre for Education in Mathematics and Computing (CEMC) is hosting a series of workshops to introduce students to computer science concepts. "Designed for Grade 8 students attending school in Canada and belonging to gender identities underrepresented in computer science, the CS Escape workshop consists of a series of four sessions introducing students to computer science concepts."

The workshop aims to equip participants to initiate their own programming projects, offering them an excellent opportunity to delve into fresh concepts and bolster their self-confidence, potentially paving the way for new career prospects. The workshop will be held in January 2025 and interested students can apply between November 18 and December 2, 2024. Selected applicants will have to pay a $25 fee to attend. Learn more by visiting the CS Escape webpage.

The 2025 RIC Engaged Scholarship Award has officially launched, according to a note from the Office of Research. "Graduate students whose work uses engaged scholarship principles and incorporates knowledge mobilization activities are strongly encouraged to apply. PhD winners receive a $3,000 CAD cash prize and Master’s winners receive a $2,000 CAD cash prize. This opportunity is open to all graduate students from RIC Canadian universities."

The application deadline is Monday, February 24, 2025.

While we're on the subject of Research Impact Canada (RIC), here are some additional reminders:

• Research Impact Canada resources are open to all staff, faculty and students at Waterloo;
• Stay tuned for the summer MobilizeU course in 2025, a free 8-week, online, self-directed knowledge mobilization course;
• Contact Nadine Quehl (nquehl@uwaterloo.ca) if you would like to attend ‘Dr. RIC’ sessions; 'Dr. RIC' is a monthly membership call for the Research Impact Canada community. Members are invited to discuss whatever is on their minds as it relates to knowledge mobilization.
• Sign up for RIC’s monthly newsletter to stay informed about upcoming events, news, and resources for knowledge mobilization on the RIC website.