Thursday, February 6, 2025

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• Mary Wells reappointed as Dean of Engineering
• Here's what happened at Tuesday's Board of Governors meeting
• The History Speakers Series presents Henry Tsang
• Sustainability Office launches Free Store Seed Library

Mary Wells reappointed as Dean of Engineering

"I am pleased to announce that the Board of Governors has approved the reappointment of Professor Mary Wells as Dean of the Faculty of Engineering for a three-year term commencing 1 July 2025 and ending 30 June 2028," wrote Vice-President, Academic and Provost James W.E. Rush in a memo circulated to the Faculty of Engineering yesterday. "The appointment was strongly recommended by the Dean of Engineering Nominating Committee, which was formed in August 2024 under the terms of Policy 45, and supported by myself and the President. Dean Wells’ reappointment was approved on January 27, 2025 by Senate and the appointment was also approved yesterday by the Board of Governors."

"Dr. Wells has served in the role of Dean since July 2020, and has demonstrated a commitment to responsible leadership, and has advanced important priorities for both the Faculty of Engineering and the University of Waterloo as a whole in this capacity," Rush's memo continues. "In considering Dr. Wells’ reappointment, the nominating committee consulted widely with students, faculty, and staff in the Faculty of Engineering and leaders in the University’s administration outside the Faculty, with whom the Dean works in representing the Faculty and University. Secret electronic ballots were issued to all regular faculty and regular staff in the Faculty of Engineering, with both ballot results strongly in support of Dr. Wells’ reappointment."

Dr. Wells first joined the University of Waterloo as an associate professor in Mechanical and Mechatronics Engineering in 2007, and was promoted to full professor in 2011. Wells was named dean of the University of Guelph’s College of Engineering and Physical Sciences in November 2017, and returned to Waterloo as Dean of Engineering in July 2020.

"Please join me in congratulating Mary on her reappointment as Dean of the Faculty of Engineering," writes Rush. "I look forward to working closely with her as she continues in this important leadership role."

Here's what happened at Tuesday's Board of Governors meeting

A message from the Secretariat.

The University of Waterloo Board of Governors is comprised of 36 voting members, including external members (mayors, community at large, and Lieutenant Governor in Council appointments) in addition to faculty, staff and students. This governing body of the institution is the highest authority on corporate matters and meets regularly to discuss topics such as financial well-being, institutional reputation, building and properties and human resource matters.

 At the February 4 meeting, the following items were approved:

• Tuition Rates, Co-op Fees, Campus Housing Fees and Student Services Fees for 2025-2026;
• New Terms of Reference and title for the Governance & Leadership Committee (previously the Governance Committee);
• Board appointees to the Presidential Nominating Committee, in accordance with Policy 50 – The President of the University; and
• Changes to current Governor’s membership term dates, in accordance with recent changes to Board By-law 1 which changed the governance year to begin September 1.

Additionally, the Board received updates for information:

• Activities of the Board’s standing Committees, including a report from the Board Executive Committee that informed the Board of the following:
  • Approval of amendments to Policy 33 – Ethical Behaviour. The amendments were made in compliance with Anti-Racism and Anti-Hate directives under Bill 166, Strengthening Accountability and Student Supports Act, 2024.
  • Information on compliance with additional directives under Bill 166, including the Cost of Educational Materials directive and the Student Mental Health directive.
  • Information on compliance with the Student Housing and Data Requirements directive, under Bill 185, Cutting Red Tape to Build More Homes Act, 2024.
• Update on the 2025-2026 Operating Budget.

Please refer to the open Board meeting agenda package for a complete update. The meeting minutes form the official record of the meeting, and will be available following approval at the Board’s next meeting on April 15, 2025.

information for visitors interested in attending a Board of Governors meeting can be found on the Secretariat website.

The History Speakers Series presents Henry Tsang

A message from the History department.

The History department is excited to host Henry Tsang on Monday February 10 for the History Speakers Series. Henry will be presenting on his multi-media project and award-winning book, White Riot: the 1907 Anti-Asian Riots in Vancouver. White Riot is based on 360 Riot Walk, a digital walking tour that traces the history of and route of the mob that attached Chinese Canadian and Japanese Canadian communities following the demonstration and parade organized by the Asiatic Exclusion League in Vancouver. Participants are led into the social and political environment of the time, where racialized communities were targeted through legislative acts, as well as physical acts of exclusion and violence. White Riot asks, in the current ethos of anti-racism and decolonization, what does it take to reconcile our collective histories within this historical legacy of white supremacy?

Henry Tsang is a visual and media artist based on the unceded territories of the Musqueam, Squamish, and Tsleil-Waututh First Nations that is known as Vancouver. His projects explore the spatial politics of history, language, community, food, and cultural translation in relation to place, taking the form of gallery exhibitions, pop-up street food offerings, 360 video walking tours, curated dinners, public part, by employing video, photography, language, and interactive media.

We look forward to seeing you on Monday, February 10 from 12 noon to 1:00 p.m. in Hagey Hall 117. Light refreshments will be served.

Sustainability Office launches Free Store Seed Library

A message from the Sustainability Office.

The Sustainability Office is excited to announce the development of the Free Store Seed Library, a new initiative to promote sustainable food systems, enhance food security, and support biodiversity within our community. The Seed Library will offer free access to native wildflower and grass seeds, and non-invasive fruit and vegetable seeds, empowering members to grow their own gardens and cultivate a meaningful connection with nature. To build the library, starting February 6, the Sustainability Office welcomes members of the university community to stop by the Sustainability Office (CPH 2385) on Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. to donate seeds.

Stay tuned for the official launch of the Free Store Seed Library on March 6!