Tuesday, December 10, 2024

Tuesday, December 10, 2024

Editor:
Brandon Sweet
University Communications
bulletin@uwaterloo.ca

No more pay and display: AMP mobile pay coming to visitor parking lots in January 2025

Snow covered cars in a campus parking lot.

Pay and display parking is about to become a thing of the past on campus.

“The University continues to explore more streamlined and efficient practices to improve the parking experience on campus,” says a memo from Sustainable Transportation sent to students and employees yesterday. “The team in Sustainable Transportation has recently focused on daily visitor traffic to our campuses.”

“As a part of this work, we will start using the AMP mobile pay app in all visitor lots effective January 20, 2025. We will decommission and begin removal of all pay-and-display machines from visitor lots after this date. AMP mobile provides a safe and convenient digital payment experience for users and supports sustainability by eliminating the need for physical machines and paper tickets.”

"The AMP mobile pay (AMP) app provides a safe and convenient digital payment experience for users and supports sustainability by eliminating the need for physical machines and paper tickets," the memo continues. "With AMP, you can pay for parking using your license plate, view pictures of parking location for easy reference, renew parking sessions from your phone, and more. AMP has been operating successfully in limited parking lots on our campuses including in Health Services, Village 1, and South Campus Hall since 2022."

You can either download the AMP app through Apple’s App Store or the Google Play Store on your phone, or register through the AMP app website. Payment can be done using a credit card via secure online transaction.

 Find out more about AMP. 

“Beginning in mid-December, you will see signs for the mobile payment option beside existing pay-and-display machines,” the memo continues. “Sustainable Transportation staff will be on site throughout January in high-traffic visitor lots and available via email or phone at 519-888-4567 x33100 for support in the transition to AMP.”

All university pay-and-display visitor lots in Waterloo and Kitchener will switch to AMP beginning January 20, 2025, including:

  • Physical Activities Centre/Student Life Centre; 
  • Lots B, C, CLV, J, M, N, Q, S, UWP, T, V, W, and X; 
  • Davis Centre/General Services Complex; 
  • Health Services;
  • South Campus Hall;
  • Toby Jenkins building;
  • Village 1 lots;
  • School of Pharmacy; and
  • University Club.

We will continue to collectuser feedback on the AMP experience and make ongoing adjustments and improvements,” the memo concludes. “Please email comments or questions to sustainable.transportation@uwaterloo.ca.”

Nyasha Gondora wins Canada’s Top 100 Black Women to Watch award

Nyasha Gondora with her award certificate and trophy.

This is an excerpt of an article that originally appeared on Waterloo News.

Dr. Nyasha Gondora (PhD ’20) has been honoured with the prestigious Canada's 2024 Top 100 Black Women to Watch award for her outstanding contributions. Canada International Black Women Excellence (CIBWE) recognizes Black Canadian women who are making a difference in their communities and professions.

Moving from Zimbabwe to Texas to Kitchener-Waterloo, Gondora’s journey instilled in her courage, adaptability and a deep appreciation for community.

“I was raised to value education and to make the most of every opportunity,” Gondara says.

This drive for education led her to become the first Black PhD graduate of the University of Waterloo School of Pharmacy in 2020. During her time at Waterloo , Gondora was the recipient of eight awards and scholarships including the Special Merit Award for Substantial Impact on Pharmacy Research Mission and the Donald J. and Kathleen D. McDougall Graduate Scholarship for her outstanding contributions to the program, community service and leadership. Gondora was also the first PhD student from the School of Pharmacy to win first place in the Faculty of Science, Three Minute Thesis competition in 2017.

Remote video URL

“Looking back at my time as a PhD student, I am grateful for the phenomenal mentorship and support I received from my research supervisors Drs. Mike Beazley and John G Mielke,” Gondora says. “They not only cared about my work but supported my full professional development.”

Gondora attests to the tight-knit community at Waterloo Pharmacy’s graduate program and speaks on the value of diverse people coming together to learn from one another and benefit from each other’s experiences. “It was an environment where my unique value was recognized,” she explains.

Read the rest of the article on Waterloo News.

Waterloo makes a splash as No. 1 University in Canada for water resources in global ranking

The University of Waterloo's main campus in wintertime.

This article was originally published on the Water Institute's website.

The University of Waterloo has claimed the No. 1 position in Canada for water resources and climbed to 24th globally in the 2024 Shanghai Ranking’s Global Rankings of Academic Subjects—its highest position to date. Rising from 25th last year, the ranking underscores the university’s performance and reputation in water resources, a field critical to addressing escalating climate change and water security challenges worldwide.

The Shanghai Ranking’s Global Rankings, launched in 2017, annually assess universities worldwide across academic subject areas. In this year’s evaluation, over 1,900 institutions from 96 countries and regions were included, with rankings based on academic metrics, such as world-class faculty, world-class output, high quality research, research impact and international collaboration.

“The University of Waterloo’s leading position in Canada and its strong global reputation in water resources reflect the importance of the Water Institute’s leadership role in bringing world-class faculty together to advance impactful water research and education, tackling some of the world’s most pressing sustainability challenges” said Joan Rose, Homer Nowlin Chair in Water Research at Michigan State University and Chair of the Water Institute’s External Advisory Board.

The University of Waterloo established the Water Institute in 2009 to demonstrate world-class leadership in interdisciplinary water research and education. The Institute fosters collaboration and knowledge exchange to address complex water challenges and promotes innovation in research and education. Its membership includes over 170 faculty members, including more than 20 Canada and University Research Chairs, and 300 graduate students, representing 25 departments and schools across all six faculties.

“Reaching this top global ranking among Canadian universities serves as a testament to the unwavering dedication of the Water Institute and the dedicated pursuit of global water security through innovative solutions and technologies by our researchers,” said Roy Brouwer, Executive Director of Waterloo’s Water Institute. “We are proud to provide critical resources to support faculty and students across all academic disciplines,” he said. “Our committed team works tirelessly to bring cutting-edge, innovative work to the forefront, where it can enhance human well-being, economic development, and environmental protection.”

Notice of regular senate elections for faculty and graduate students

The Board and Senate chamber in Needles Hall.

A message from the Secretariat.

Elections for faculty and graduate student vacancies on Senate will be held in January 2025, and all eligible faculty and graduate students are encouraged to consider nomination.

To appear on the ballot, nominees must provide a brief statement (100 words maximum) along with a completed nomination form. Those interested in becoming a Senator can find more information on the Senate Elections and Nominations website. Nomination forms will be available through the same link when the nomination period opens.

The nomination period will open January 6, 2025 and remain open until January 27. 

 If you have any questions, please be in touch with the Secretariat

Gifts for Tickets season returns to Sustainable Transportation

Gifts for Tickets banner featuring Christmas ornaments hanging from pine branches.

A message from Sustainable Transportation.

They're making a list and checking it twice: Sustainable Transportation Services 'Gifts For Tickets 2024' campaign started on Friday, December 6. 

Since 2016, the University of Waterloo community has generously donated gifts in place of parking tickets. In the past three years alone, this has resulted in over 490 gifts!

The Gifts for Tickets initiative allows you to pay your parking tickets by donating new, unwrapped gifts valued at $25 or more. By participating, you can resolve your parking ticket while bringing joy to a family, child, or animal in our community.

All donations go directly to the Salvation Army, The Humane Society, and WUSA Food Bank, ensuring they reach those who need them most.

Drop off your donations at the Sustainable Transportation Office in the GSC building between 8:30 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. from December 6 to 18, 2024.

Please note that gift donations for parking tickets will not be accepted before or after this timeframe. 

For detailed instructions on how this program works, visit Gifts For Tickets 2024 or, connect with us at: sustainable.transportation@uwaterloo.ca or 519-888-4567 ext. 33100.

Upcoming office closures

The Sustainable Transportation Office will be closed on Wednesday, December 11 from 12 noon to 2:00 p.m. for its annual holiday gathering.

The Writing and Communication Centre and The Write Spot will be closed on Wednesday, December 11 from 12 noon to 3:00 p.m. for our annual holiday celebration. Regular service will resume at 3:15 p.m.

The Campus Housing Office in REV will be closed on Thursday, December 12 from  12 noon onward due to a department-wide event. It will re-open at 8:30 a.m. on Friday, December 13.

The University Relations office in East Campus 5 will be closed on Thursday, December 12 from 12:15 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. due to a staff celebration.

Link of the day

Human Rights Day

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.

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.

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.

NEW - Holiday Lunch Buffet at Fed Hall, Thursday, December 19, 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., Federation Hall, $38.50 per person. Book today by calling Catering Services directly at 519-888-4700 or emailing your request to catering@uwaterloo.ca.

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 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.

  • University Daycare - Bright Starts fire alarm testing, Tuesday, December 10, 7:00 a.m. to 7:30 a.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.

  • Douglas Wright Engineering, Rod Coutts Hall, South Campus Hall, Carl Pollock Hall, Graduate House fire alarm testing, Wednesday, December 11, 7:30 a.m. to 8:15 a.m.

  • Central Services Building, General Services Building, Commissary fire alarm testing, Wednesday, December 11, 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.

  • School of Architecture fire alarm testing, Friday, December 13, 9:00 a.m. to 10:15 a.m.

  • Digital Media Stratford fire alarm testing, Friday, December 13, 12 noon to 1:00 p.m.

  • Biology 1 steam outages, Monday, December 16 to Friday, December 20, localized air handling unit outages during steam trap replacement.

  • Physics, Earth Science & Chemistry, Chemistry 2, Centre for Environment & Information Technology fire alarm testing, Monday, December 16, 7:30 a.m. to 8:15 a.m.

  • Village 1 fire alarm testing, Monday, December 16, 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.