Monday, January 20, 2025

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• Presidential Advisory Committee on Freedom of Expression and Inclusive Engagement launches
• Mark your calendars and get involved with the 17th annual Waterloo Staff Conference

• A new year brings a new opportunity to normalize consent

• Proposals for 2025 Teaching and Learning Conference due today

Presidential Advisory Committee on Freedom of Expression and Inclusive Engagement launches

A message from Vivek Goel, President and Vice-Chancellor

We are pleased to announce the membership of the Presidential Advisory Committee on Freedom of Expression and Inclusive Engagement. The Advisory Committee will serve as a standing advisory body, composed of faculty, staff, and students with relevant expertise to be available to advise the University on free expression matters, including policy revision and development, and the various tasks and responsibilities that have been identified as part of the implementation plan resulting from the report of the Task Force on Freedom of Expression and Inclusive Engagement.

Thank you to everyone who shared expressions of interest in contributing to this important work. We received many submissions from faculty, staff, and students in response to our call for nominations.

After much consideration, we are pleased to confirm the following members:

• Laura Deakin, Associate Professor, Teaching Stream, Associate Dean of Science (Teaching and Learning)

• Emmett Macfarlane, Associate Professor, Political Science

• Adam Molnar, Assistant Professor, Sociology and Legal Studies

• Sharlee Cranston-Reimer, Senior Manager, Research Equity, Office of Research

• Nick Manning, Associate Vice-President, Communications, University Relations

• Dane Mauer-Vakil, PhD Candidate, School of Public Health Sciences

• Lucia-Maria Ussia, Undergraduate Student, Sociology and Legal Studies, Faculty of Arts

• Christine McWebb, Associate Vice-President, Faculty Planning and Policy (ex-officio)

• Vivek Goel, President and Vice-Chancellor, Chair

The committee will be supported by Katherine Thorne, Director, Faculty Relations or delegate.

As outlined in the Terms of Reference, the overall objective of the advisory committee is to help ensure that the University maintains a campus environment for open inquiry and exchange, free expression, and inclusive engagement. 

We look forward to working with members of the Advisory Community. To share your ideas, comments, and questions, please write to us at avpfpp@uwaterloo.ca.

Mark your calendars and get involved with the 17th annual Waterloo Staff Conference

A message from Organizational and Human Development (OHD).

Save the date! Join us for the 17^th Annual Waterloo Staff Conference on April 8 and 9.

The Waterloo Staff Conference is an annual two-day learning and development opportunity designed exclusively for staff at Waterloo. Featuring employee-led workshops and inspiring keynote speakers, the conference is hosted by Human Resources’ Organizational and Human Development (OHD) team and made possible through the Staff Excellence Fund. Best of all, it’s free for all staff to attend! 

Mark your calendars for this year’s event: 

• April 8: In-person sessions with live-streamed keynotes. 
• April 9: Primarily virtual sessions, with recordings and in-person keynote viewing rooms available. 

Don’t miss this chance to invest in your development and strengthen connections across the Waterloo community! Registration opens in March.

Interested in being part of the Waterloo Staff Conference beyond being a conference attendee? Have a topic that you’re passionate about sharing with others or the desire to volunteer?

You can get involved with the Waterloo Staff Conference by:

1. Submitting your workshop proposal by Friday, January 24
   • We are looking for stimulating and interactive learning experiences focused on the professional and personal development of our university employees that align with the new institutional values.
2. Volunteering to support conference activities by Friday, February 14
   • Sign up for the times and roles that best fit your schedule. Our conference would not be possible without our amazing volunteers!
      

If you have any questions about proposals or about this conference, please reach out to Krystal Mittler, OHD Events and Programs Coordinator at ohd@uwaterloo.ca. 

A new year brings a new opportunity to normalize consent

A message from the Sexual Violence Prevention & Response Office (SVPRO).

SVPRO, the Sexual Violence Prevention & Response Office, is preparing for Winter Consent Week - Monday, January 27 to Friday, January 31. This is an opportunity for the UWaterloo community to continue discussions about consent and set intentions to normalize, consider and understand consent in new ways.

Consent can be used every day, with every interaction and within every relationship. Sexual consent is important, but focusing on this type of consent often ignores the bigger picture of what consent can look like in daily practice. Everyday consent is choosing to respect personal and emotional boundaries. Everyday consent provides an opportunity for people to feel more comfortable, seen and safe.

It's important to think about the power dynamics in our lives. Who do we have power over, who has power over us. Power is directly related to our social location and identity. Where do you have advantage in your life and where do you have disadvantage. By recognizing this you can reflect on how to interact with others in more considerate ways. You could leave more space for someone to say no. You could respect no the first time it is communicated. You could work on being more approachable. You can try to not make assumptions. For example, you could say:

• I could use some help with __________, but I know you are busy so if you can’t I understand
• What is your preferred form of communication – email, phone, Teams, text…
• I have something to share with you, do you have time for a chat this week
• Ask how someone is doing with sincerity – not because it is a social norm – let them know you care – I have time to chat if you do!
• May I take your picture, may I post your picture
• Would you like my advice or would you like me to listen
• Do you have any dietary restrictions or allergies you would like to share
• I included the gift receipt – my feelings won’t be hurt if you exchange it

Using everyday consent can help people feel empowered, respected and cared for. Modeling this behaviour on campus helps build a supportive community where people feel they belong and are welcome.

Click here for a full list of Consent Week initiatives.

Please contact Stacey Jacobs with any questions..

Proposals for 2025 Teaching and Learning Conference due today

A message from the Centre for Teaching Excellence.

This is your reminder that today is the final day to submit your proposal for the 16^th annual University of Waterloo Teaching and Learning Conference!