Editor:
Brandon Sweet
University Communications
bulletin@uwaterloo.ca
Waterloo observes the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women
Flags on campus have been lowered today as the University of Waterloo observes Canada's National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women.
On December 6, 1989, 14 young women were murdered in a gender-based act of violence at the École Polytechnique de Montréal. Today marks the 35th anniversary of the massacre.
This day is not only an opportunity to reflect and honour the lost lives of those 14 young women, but to also consider and take action against violence that women in our communities face to this day.
The Faculty of Engineering will host a ceremony followed by a moment of silence at an event that runs from 10:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. in Engineering 7's second-floor event space. Everyone in the University community is welcome to attend. Please register.
Third-year Knowledge Integration student Kavya Srinivasan submitted a poem that her grandmother wrote soon after the events of December 6 took place. "I grew up in Austin, TX, hearing stories of December 6 from my mother, who was studying at the University of Manitoba at the time, and my grandmother, a writer, poet and (retired) professor of English at the University of Winnipeg."
The poem is entitled "My sisters, my loves."
My sisters, my loves,
When
we circled the flame
That once was Susan, Wilma, Anne-Marie,
Michèle, Sonia, Geneviève;
When
we came together again and again
with other candles, other names,
but always the same pain,
to hold hands around the flame
that once was sister, lover, child;
When
we cried for women brutally slain,
and grieved we had to come so often
to hold hands around the flame...
Oh then
there was so much power around us and within
that I could have reached my arms across the stars
and touched the Mother’s face and said,
I am home at last,
among my sisters, my loves,
with whom one day I shall meet in joy
as I meet here in pain.
But now,
though the Mother’s eyes still smile on me
from intergalactic space,
my sisters move along the halls
on other sides of other walls.
Oh my sisters, my loves,
can we come together only in grief
and never in joy?
Poem graphic by Sam Charles.
Ontario-Ukraine Solidarity Scholarship re-launches
A message from Graduate Studies and Postdoctoral Affairs and Student Awards & Financial Aid.
Initially announced on April 6, 2022 in response to the Russian military invasion of Ukraine, the province reiterated its support through the continuation of the Ontario-Ukraine Solidarity Scholarship. The provincial government is providing $1.9 million to continue supporting students attending Ontario’s publicly assisted colleges and universities. The purpose of these funds is to provide support to undergraduate and graduate students directly or indirectly impacted by the Ukrainian conflict or other conflicts.
Four scholarships will be awarded to students registered at Waterloo in the 2024-2025 academic year.
Full details and instructions on how to apply can be found in the application. Applications and required supporting documentation (as outlined on the form) must be submitted by January 15, 2025.
Here's what happened at the November 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.
The following items were approved at the meeting:
- Individuals to be awarded honorary degrees (confidential session)
- 2025-2026 academic calendar dates and calendar guidelines for establishing academic dates
Additionally, Senate received reports on the following matters:
- Statement of Institutional Neutrality, with Senate discussion/feedback to inform the Presidential Advisory Committee on Freedom of Expression and Inclusive Engagement in its review of the statement (committee activity to commence in early 2025)
- Annual Report from the University Committee on Student Appeals, with summary data pertaining to student discipline offences both academic and non-academic
- Report on Fall 2024 convocation graduates, and report on convocation metrics for 2024 including:
- Degrees awarded with delineation by faculty, by degree/diploma type etc.
- Honorary degrees and other special awards that are bestowed at convocation
- Attendance at the ceremonies (both in-person and online viewers)
- Participation from within the University community to support the success of these ceremonies
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.
International Experience Centre unveils the Global Lounge
A message from the International Experience Centre (IEC).
The International Experience Centre (IEC) recently celebrated the grand opening of its new Global Lounge with a well-attended Open House on Wednesday, November 20. Over 100 students flocked to the event, eager to explore the new space and learn about the wide range of services offered by the IEC.
The Global Lounge is designed to be a vibrant hub offering events, info sessions and key programming for international, exchange and study abroad students, and serving as a spot for students to connect across cultures.
The Open House provided an opportunity for students to connect with IEC staff, ask questions and discover the resources available to support their academic and personal journeys. From immigration consulting and exchange to international student programming and supports, the IEC offers a comprehensive suite of services to help international students thrive.
The Open House featured a variety of engaging activities including a prize wheel and trivia. Attendees also enjoyed a delightful array of international snacks such as samosas, mini quiches, spring rolls and dumplings.
The Global Lounge now hosts regular events and programs including Immigration and international student support drop-ins, International Peer Community events, Breakfast Seminars and much more!
To learn more about IEC and the services offered, visit the IEC website or stop by Needles Hall.
Upcoming office closures
The Office of the Vice-President, Research and International, which includes the Office of Research, Waterloo Ventures (third floor of EC5), and Waterloo International (second floor of EC5) will be closed on Monday, December 9, from 11:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. for a holiday celebration. The doors will be locked during that time. Normal operations will resume at 2:45 p.m.
Link of the day
National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women
When and Where
The Student Health Pharmacy (located in the lower level of the Student Life Centre) is now offering new COVID booster shots and flu shots. Call for appointments to register for the vaccination at 519-746-4500 or dial extension 33784. Walk-ins are welcome.
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!
Examination period, Friday, December 6 to Thursday, December 19.
Exam Snack Cart, Monday, December 9 to Friday, December 13.
CTE7032: Integrated Accessibility Retreat, Monday, December 9, 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., MC 2036.
What is GBA+ Anyway? An Introduction, Monday, December 9, 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. Register to receive the Zoom link.
Call for Posters – Climate Con 2025 deadline, Monday, December 9, 11:59 p.m. Calling all undergrad and grad students! Submit a proposal to present at the Student Showcase at this year’s Climate Con 2025 on Friday February 7, 2025. Prizes available. Submit today!
Chemistry Seminar: High throughput and on-site analysis using solid-phase microextraction coupled directly to mass spectrometry by Wei Zhou,Postdoctoral Fellow, Department of Chemistry, Tuesday, December 10, 9:00 a.m., C2-361 Reading Room and MS Teams.
Retirement celebration for Bev Raimbault, Tuesday, December 10, 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., Ecology Lab, EV1 134. Drop-in style event.
Int'l Spouses Tea & Chat, Thursday, December 12, 10:30 a.m. to 12 noon, Global Lounge, International Experience Centre, Needles Hall.
NEW - Chemistry Seminar: One-by-one: Single-molecule techniques for quantitative bioanalysis featuring Casey Platnich, Postdoctoral Scholar, Department of Physics, University of Cambridge, Thursday, December 12, 1:30 p.m., C2-361 Reading Room, MS Teams.
Distinguished Lecture Series featuring Professor Virginia Vassilevska Williams of MIT's EECS and CSAIL, "A Fine-grained Approach to Algorithms and Complexity," Friday, December 13, 10:00 a.m., DC 1302 and via Zoom.
Winterfest: 36th Annual Celebration, Sunday, December 15, 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m., CIF.
Holiday Dinner in a Box ordering deadline, Monday, December 16. Check out the menu and ordering details.
WUSA nomination period begins, Monday, December 16.
The Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Cities Initiative – Challenges and opportunities for freshwater cities in an era of transformation, Wednesday, December 18, 12 noon to 1:00 p.m., online.
PhD oral defences
Mechanical & Mechatronics Engineering. Alison Zilstra, "The Role of the Laminar Separation Bubble in Wind Turbine Aeroacoustics and Dynamic Stall." Supervisor, Dr. David A. Johnson. Thesis available via SharePoint - email eng.phd@uwaterloo.ca to request a viewing link. Oral defence Monday, December 9, 9:00 a.m., E5-3052.
Systems Design Engineering. Nahid Rahmati, "Computational study of cellular adhesion in metastasis: Implications for Circulating Tumor Cell Arrest, Extravasation, and Thrombosis Formation." Supervisor, Dr. Nima Maftoon. Thesis available via SharePoint - email eng.phd@uwaterloo.ca to request a viewing link. Oral defence Monday, December 9, 1:00 p.m., remote.
Kinesiology and Health Sciences. Benjamin Cornish, "Advancing Clinical Gait Assessment Methods with Low-Cost Triaxial Accelerometers: Applications for Individuals with Neurodegenerative Diseases." Supervisor, Dr. Bill McIlroy. Email Health Graduate Administration for a copy. Oral defence Tuesday, December 10, 9:30 a.m., EXP 1686 and hybrid.
Electrical & Computer Engineering. Radi Abubaker, "Novel Physical-Layer Protocols for detecting Relay Attacks using the Channel State." Supervisor, Dr. Guang Gong. Thesis available via SharePoint - email eng.phd@uwaterloo.ca to request a viewing link. Oral defence Tuesday, December 10, 12:30 p.m., EIT 3151-53.
School of Planning. Margaret Bakelaar, “Urban Justice in a Changing Climate: Rethinking Equity and Justice Criteria to Assess Climate Action Planning in Canadian Municipalities.”Supervisor, Dr. Mark Seasons. Available upon request from the Faculty of Environment, Administrator, Graduate Studies. Oral defence Tuesday, December 10, 1:00 p.m.
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:
-
Driveway between Columbia Street and Bright Starts Daycare lane closure, Monday, November 11 to December 31, 2024, Staff O Lot and Visitor O parking lots will have closures expected to start on November 18 (TBD), as an underground high voltage duct bank is installed. Vehicle traffic to Bright Starts and the Optometry loading area, X Lot, and O Lots will have to take alternate routes using Hagey Blvd.
-
Paths around V1 South and East courts CCTV inspection, Thursday, December 5 and Friday, December 6, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Tunnel Vision will be conducting CCTV inspection of storm and sanitary pipes at V1 South and East courts, pipes will be flushed prior to inspection, traffic management in place along the truck travel route, pedestrians may be required to use other paths at West and North to travel from the residences to main campus and vice versa.
-
Physical Activities Complex (PAC) electrical shutdown, Friday, December 6, 5:00 a.m. to 7:30 a.m., 120/208V non-essential power will be shut down for approximately 2.5 hours, and is required to revise breakers. Some receptacles and pot lights will be offline for the duration of the shutdown.
-
Minota Hagey Residence, Mackenzie King Village, Ron Eydt Village fire alarm testing, Friday, December 6, 1:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.
-
Toby Jenkins Building fire alarm testing, Monday, December 9, 7:00 a.m. to 7:30 a.m.
-
Research Advancement Centre, Research Advancement Centre 2 fire alarm testing, Monday, December 9, 7:30 a.m. to 8:15 a.m.
-
UWP - Waterloo Court, Woolwich Court, Beck Hall fire alarm testing, Monday, December 9, 1:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.
-
School of Optometry, Columbia Icefield fire alarm testing, Tuesday, December 10, 7:30 a.m. to 8:15 a.m.
-
UWP - Eby Hall, Wellesley Court, Wilmot Court, Claudette Millar Hall fire alarm testing, Tuesday, December 10, 1:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.
-
Environment 1, Arts Lecture Hall electrical power shutdown, Friday, December 20, 6:00 a.m. to 8:00 a.m., all 600v and 120V non-essential power will be off for 2 hours to facilitate the tie-in of a new electrical panel.