Wednesday, April 2, 2025

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• It's your last chance to pre-register for the Waterloo Staff Conference
• Budget Information Forum takes place today
• Grebel Gallery exhibition makes the point that art is always conflict
• Test of the emergency notification system happening tomorrow

It's your last chance to pre-register for the Waterloo Staff Conference

A message from Organizational and Human Development.

The countdown is on! More than 1,000 Waterloo employees have already registered for the 17^th annual Waterloo Staff Conference happening on April 8 and 9. 

Are you joining us for this exciting opportunity to learn, connect, and be inspired? With three renowned keynote speakers, two special sessions, viewing parties, keynote meet-and-greets, and a multitude of employee-led workshops designed by your campus colleagues, this year’s conference promises to be unforgettable. We can’t wait for you to join us.

This two-day hybrid conference is free for University of Waterloo staff and can be experienced in the following formats:

• Day 1: April 8 – In-person spaces throughout Hagey Hall (HH), the Tatham Centre (TC) and the School of Accounting and Finance; virtual viewing options via Microsoft Teams for keynotes
• Day 2: April 9 – Virtually via Microsoft Teams and in-person viewing room options (AKA viewing parties) in East Campus 5 (EC5) and Arts Lecture Hall (AL) for the Envisioning Canada’s Healthiest Campus panel and this year’s closing keynote

Visit the Waterloo Staff Conference website for all the details and to register on Portal today! Already registered? Visit the Know Before you Go page to get ready.

Budget Information Forum takes place today

The Budget Information Forum is set to run from 1:30 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. today online via Microsoft Teams.

Join the livestream at 1:30 p.m. today.

At this budget information forum, the University community will hear more about the University’s current financial position and what proposed finances look like for next year as part of Waterloo's three-year plan to return to a balanced budget.

The recommended operating budget will be presented to Senate and the Board of Governors for their review and approval in mid-April, and the University's leaders would like to share what will be considered by these bodies with the community in advance for awareness.   

At previous events, there have often been more questions posed than could be answered during the proceedings. For this forum, attendees have been invited to submit a question in advance during the registration process. Questions will be grouped together according to larger themes so Waterloo's leaders can address as many of them as possible during the information forum.

Grebel Gallery exhibition makes the point that art is always conflict

The Grebel Gallery at Conrad Grebel University College is showcasing a retrospective exhibit entitled Art is Always Conflict with a launch event on Tuesday, April 8 at 2:00 p.m.

The Grebel Gallery's latest exhibit features bold needlepoint by Liz Wenger (1946-2022), an Indiana artist who created art beyond the confines of her disability and in response to the harm she experienced within her family and the church.

“Liz used textile arts – line drawings, needlework, and poetry – to express themes that are both religious and universal,” says a note from Conrad Grebel. “Placing pain and joy side by side, she reimagines familiar narratives in form, colour and symbolism, finding love and grace everywhere. Liz encourages us to not settle for less.”

Members of the University community are invited to join curators Carol Penner, Director of Theological Studies, and Sadie Ingle, a current Masters of Theological Studies student, for the launch event on Tuesday April 8. RSVP on Airtable.

The exhibit will run until mid-June, from 8:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. Monday to Friday and 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Saturdays in the Grebel Gallery, located on the fourth floor of Conrad Grebel University College.

Test of the emergency notification system happening tomorrow

On Thursday, April 3, the emergency notification system (ENS) provided by Regroup will be tested on a campus-wide basis.

The test will include the following communications channels:

• SMS/text
• Email
• X (formerly Twitter)
• Regroup Mobile (safety app)
• Desktop Alert

Please ensure that you have:

1. downloaded Regroup Mobile to your device and follow the login and recommended settings steps,
2. ensured your cell phone number is up to date either in the app if you are staff, or in Quest if you are a student,
3. downloaded and installed the Desktop Alert tool onto your computer if your computer is not managed by the University.

If you have any questions about the upcoming test, or about how to make sure Regroup’s app and desktop alert are installed properly on your devices, email ens@uwaterloo.ca.