Thursday, January 30, 2025

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• Reminder: inclusive research tools webinar to identify and address barriers coming up

• Waterloo selects Prime Consultant for new Campus Plan

• Centre for Teaching Excellence to host Intensive Course Design workshop this spring

• University reaffirms commitments to students through new webpages

• Thursday's notes

Reminder: inclusive research tools webinar to identify and address barriers coming up

A message from the Office of the Vice-President, Research and International.

A question that often comes to the Inclusive Research team from researchers is “what are the top three things I can do to embed EDI in my work?” In response, a virtual webinar on “Inclusive Research Tools: Identifying and Addressing Barriers” has been scheduled for Thursday, February 6, 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. This session will help researchers identify ways to understand potential barriers that may exist in their research program, project and/or teams and will provide ideas for concrete actions to meaningfully address them.

Please registerto receive the Zoom link to participate.

Upcoming Building Inclusive Research Capacity webinars

• The Foundation: Building Inclusive Teams, Friday, March 7, 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m., register.
• What is GBA+ Anyway? An Introduction,Monday, March 24, 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m., register.
• The Decolonial “R’s” of Research: Principled Approaches to Engaging Indigenous Communities, Monday, April 28, 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m., register.

Resources 

• Inclusive Resource Hub
• Inclusive Research website

For more information or questions, please reach out to research.equity@uwaterloo.ca or Indigenous.Research@uwaterloo.ca.

Waterloo selects Prime Consultant for new Campus Plan

By Sam Toman.

The University of Waterloo has partnered with design firm Brook McIlroy to update its Campus Plan. The Plan serves as a roadmap for UWaterloo’s built environment, guiding the replacement of aging infrastructure and ensuring that adaptation of spaces is done resourcefully and meets the changing needs of our students and community.

Brook McIlroy is an award-winning design firm specializing in planning, architecture, interior design, urban design, and landscape architecture. Renowned across Canada, the firm creates sustainable, inclusive, and student-centered spaces through an integrated approach to design. Their approach is to craft “whole environments” that are durable, functional, and reflective of diverse community needs.

“We recognize the importance of working with an experienced firm like Brook McIlroy on this initiative,” said Jacinda Reitsma, Vice-President, Administration and Finance at UWaterloo. “In light of our fiscal challenges, the Campus Plan is a necessary step in addressing critical infrastructure needs to ensure our resources are used strategically for the future. Their skill in gathering, analyzing, and applying input from subject matter experts is especially vital as we chart a path forward.”

Selected through a rigorous Request for Proposal (RFP) process, Brook McIlroy’s expertise stood out for its proven track record in addressing post-secondary priorities like sustainability, accessibility, and innovation.

To ensure the Campus Plan fully harnesses the subject matter expertise across disciplines, Brook McIlroy will engage students, faculty, and staff through workshops, surveys, and open houses. This inclusive process will prioritize the diverse knowledge and insights of the UWaterloo community, shaping a plan that addresses the University’s current priorities while aligning with its long-term aspirations.

A highlight of their proposal is the Indigenous Design Studio, an internal team of six Indigenous designers. The firm’s contributions to UWaterloo include the Indigenous Gathering Space on BMH Green, Long House Labs, and the Indigenous Relations office suite, meaningful additions that foster connection, cultural awareness, and learning.

"Brook McIlroy is committed to supporting the University of Waterloo on this essential initiative,” said Anne McIlroy, Principal, Brook McIlroy.  “Our extensive work with post-secondary institutions across Canada has demonstrated the value of thoughtful and strategic campus planning. By prioritizing sustainability, accessibility, and cultural inclusivity, we are committed to addressing UWaterloo’s critical needs while creating a campus that reflects the University’s values and its long-term vision.”

For more information on the Campus Plan, and to stay up to date on engagement opportunities, please visit the Campus Plan website.

Centre for Teaching Excellence to host Intensive Course Design workshop this spring

A message from Dr. Donna Ellis, Director, Centre for Teaching Excellence (CTE).

University reaffirms commitments to students through new webpages

The Office of Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Anti-Racism (EDI-R) office, Campus Wellness, and Campus Housing have launched new web content to support anti-hate and anti-racism, student mental health and well-being, and student housing needs.

The Anti-Racism and Anti-Hate Supports page provides the University community with policies, resources, and pathways needed to more easily address instances of discrimination and hate, proactively creating an inclusive post-secondary environment.

The page also highlights initiatives that reflect the University of Waterloo's approach to embedding anti-racism and equity into its policies, processes, environments, and campus experiences, ensuring a respectful and dignified experience for all community members.

“The University of Waterloo is committed to fostering a safe, inclusive, and supportive environment for all community members,” said Dr. Christopher Stuart Taylor, Associate Vice-President, EDI-R. “The Anti-Racism and Anti-Hate Supports page is a dynamic and comprehensive platform that helps community members develop an awareness of their rights, as well as the University policies available to provide resources for addressing discrimination, harassment, and promoting equity through policies and support systems.”

This commitment to safety, inclusivity, and support is shared across our campus and is amplified by Campus Wellness and Campus Housing who play significant roles in reaffirming Waterloo’s pledge to support students in all aspects of campus life while they study, work, and live here.

“The focus on creating a supportive campus environment for our students is critical to their time at Waterloo, said Chris Read, Associate Provost, Students. “Our commitments to student health and wellbeing as well as the principles of the Student Housing Framework are key components of fostering belonging, community and making student life easier to navigate.”

About Student Health and Well-being describes the vision, mission, commitment, and core principles that guide the University’s approach to overall student well-being. These principles are bolstered by a network of resources available to students and those who support them, as well as a commitment to excellence that is reinforced through a yearly report that evaluates the success of our programs and services.

The Student Housing Framework provides a comprehensive approach to supporting students with their housing needs and at the same time, aims to create a sense of belonging. The framework outlines several University commitments to students, including providing a suitable range of options in line with enrolment levels, inclusive housing options, working with the local community to provide off-campus housing, and keeping them informed on the latest housing issues, initiatives, and resources through various communications channels.

Through these initiatives, programs, and services, the University is working to maintain a positive experience for our students.

Thursday's notes

The Caribbean Canadian Association of Waterloo Region (CCAWR) and its partners will host their 6^th annual Black History Month Launch event on Sunday, February 2 at Federation Hall. The theme of the event is “Legacy and Triumph - A Black History Month Celebration.”

"February 2025 will mark the 30^th anniversary of Black History Month in Canada," says a note from organizers. "In December 1995, the House of Commons officially recognized February as Black History Month in Canada following a motion introduced by the first Black Canadian woman elected to Parliament, the Honourable Jean Augustine. Black History Month in Canada has been officially celebrated since 1996."

Giving the keynote address will be Dr. Rosemary Sadlier, a past-president of the Ontario Black History Society who was instrumental in the establishing of Black History Month in Canada.

The event runs from 12 noon to 5:00 p.m. at Federation Hall. Tickets are free.