Editor:
Brandon Sweet
University Communications
bulletin@uwaterloo.ca
Celebrate Convocation by becoming an ambassador
A message from Community Relations and Events (CRE).
Convocation is a milestone moment for our newest graduates, and you can help make it a memorable experience!
We’re looking for staff to support fourteen ceremonies from Tuesday, June 10 to Saturday, June 14. With over 300 ambassador shifts to fill, there are plenty of opportunities to get involved, and we can’t do it without you.
Sign up now
Staff participation is strongly encouraged, and managers are asked to share this rewarding opportunity with their teams. Whether you’re looking to connect with colleagues, gain new experiences, or simply be part of this exciting celebration, there’s a role for you.
Training and meals are provided.
Visit the convocation website to learn more and sign up!
University introduces guaranteed housing for PhD students
A message from Graduate Studies and Postdoctoral Affairs.
Campus Housing and Graduate Studies and Postdoctoral Affairs (GSPA) are pleased to introduce a pilot program in fall 2025 to guarantee housing for incoming PhD students.
Designed to ease the transition to Waterloo for newly admitted full-time PhD students, the program aims to provide a stable and welcoming environment to help students focus on their academic and research pursuits.
The guaranteed housing will be available at Columbia Lake Village - South. The spaces offer private lockable bedrooms, shared amenities, and a vibrant graduate community.
This initiative underscores the university’s commitment to supporting graduate students. By reducing housing insecurity, Waterloo aims to attract top talent, foster a sense of community, and improve retention rates. The program is particularly beneficial for international students navigating unfamiliar housing markets.
Pending the pilot’s success and the current graduate housing research being conducted by Campus Housing and Academica Group, the initiative could evolve or expand in the future. For more details, visit the future graduate student website. This step forward marks another milestone in Waterloo’s dedication to creating a supportive academic environment.
Staff conference recordings and feedback opportunity available
A message from Organizational and Human Development (OHD).
Thank you to everyone who attended and volunteered for the 17th annual Waterloo Staff Conference! With a vast array of topics, workshops and experiences, we hope that you had an inspiring two days filled with meaningful connections and learning opportunities.
Conference recordings
The keynotes from April 8-9, the special panel discussion, and day two workshop recordings, along with additional conference content and resources, are now available on the OHD resources site! Log in with your WatIAM credentials to view these captured conference moments. Note: the keynote recordings are available until Friday, May 9.
Conference feedback
Help us continue to improve the Waterloo Staff Conference experience by filling out our feedback survey. Complete the survey by 11:59 p.m. ET on Wednesday, April 30 to entered into a draw for a chance to win one of two keynote book prize packs that includes Zack Sandor Kerr’s Not a Colouring Book and a $50 W Store gift card.
See you at the 18th annual Waterloo Staff Conference in April 2026!
More info about the Global Futures Fund
A message from the Global Futures Office.
Thank you to everyone who attended the recent Global Futures Fund Information Session last Thursday, April 10. For those who were unable to join, we’ve compiled a comprehensive FAQ based on the questions and discussions that took place during the session.
You can now find the FAQ on the Global Futures Fund webpage. It covers key topics such as eligibility, application process, funding criteria, and more.
We encourage everyone to review the FAQ, and to stay in touch with the Global Futures Office for any further questions/comments.
We look forward to receiving all Letters of Interest by our deadline of May 12, 2025.
Link of the day
When and where
The Canadian Graduate and Professional Student Survey is now open. Graduate students should check their @uwaterloo email for a link to participate. Students who submit their responses will receive $5 on their WatCard as well as a chance to win one of ten $150 shopping sprees. The survey is open until April 25.
The Campus Wellness Student Medical Clinic offers healthcare visits with Physicians and Nurse Practitioners to current undergraduate and graduate students. Services include: vaccinations, immunity testing, naturopathic services and more. Counselling Services offers appointments with counsellors in person as well as via phone and video. Students can book appointments for these services by calling Campus Wellness at 519-888-4096.
The privately-run 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.
Winter 2025 examination period, Wednesday, April 9 to Friday, April 25.
MobilizeU pre-registration begins, Monday, April 14 to Sunday, April 27. Contact Nadine Quehl for details.
DigFemNet Summit, Monday, April 14 to Wednesday, April 16.
Federal election advance polling, Monday, April 14 to Wednesday, April 16, 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., SLC Multipurpose Room and University Club.
Pursuits in Applied and Theoretical Science Symposium, Wednesday, April 16, 8:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., Federation Hall.
Rock Your Thesis 2: Starting to Write, Wednesday, April 16, 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Register on Portal.
WIN Seminar with Dr. Jonathan Fan, "Algorithm driven approaches to metasurface systems design," Thursday, April 17, 11:00 a.m., QNC 1501.
UW Fine Arts MFA Thesis One: Jordan MacDonald and Cree Tylee opening reception, Thursday, April 17, 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., University of Waterloo Art Gallery.
Good Friday holiday, Friday, April 18, most University operations closed.
NEW - QES-funded Beyond Borders: Field School in Ghana has re-opened applications for a 2nd round closing Sunday, April 20, 11:59 p.m.
Social Capital as a Catalyst for Place Transformation: Theoretical Frameworks and Practical Implications, Tuesday, April 22, 10:00 a.m., 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m., AHS EXP 1686 and hybrid.
Roundtable Discussion: Bots & Fraudulent Data in Survey Research, Tuesday, April 22, 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m., Microsoft Teams.
Earth Day Tree Planting, Tuesday, April 22, 12 noon to 2:00 p.m., Village 1 South 3 building near the forest.
AIMday Materials Workshop, Wednesday, April 23, 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Science Teaching Complex Room 2001.
Table Talk Series: Collecting and Understanding Queer, Trans and Non-Binary Data, Wednesday, April 23, 12 noon to 1:30 p.m., EC5 2nd floor - Office of EDI-R.
WIN & CENIDE Seminar Series on 2D-MATURE with Dr. Zakaria (Zak) Al Balushi, "Direct Integration of 2D Materials for Next Generation Electronic Devices," Thursday, April 24, 10:00 a.m., QNC 0101.
WIN Innovation Seminar Series with Dr. Carlos Gutierrez, "Improving early detection of breast cancer through infrared imaging and inverse bioheat transfer," Thursday, April 24, 11:00 a.m., QNC 1501.
SEE Canada virtual brown-bag lunch and learn, Thursday, April 24, 12 noon.
Master of Taxation Virtual Information Session, Thursday, April 24, 12 noon.
Science in the City - Tackling the global climate crisis, Thursday, April 24, 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., Catalyst Commons, 137 Glasgow St Unit 210, Kitchener.
WISE Public Lecture, “Six Nations participation in the energy transition” by Matt Jamieson, CEO, Six Nations of the Grand River Development Corporation (SNGRDC)., Friday, April 25, 1:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m., William G. Davis Computer Research Centre (DC), 1304, in-person and on Zoom. Register today.
Vision Science Graduate Student Conference 2025, Monday, April 28, 9:00 a.m. to 11:45 a.m. and Tuesday, April 29, 8:40 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., Optometry Room 1129. Please register.
Positions available
On this week's list from the human resources department, viewable on the UWaterloo Talent Acquisition System (iCIMS):
- Job ID# 2024-12632 - Accounting Supervisor – Societies - Waterloo Undergraduate Student Association, USG 8
- Job ID# 2025-12885 - Administrative Manager – Economics, USG 8
- Job ID# 2025-12784 - Assistant Ombudsperson – Secretariat, USG 8
- Job ID# 2025-12883 - Core Facility Manager - School of Pharmacy, USG 8
- Job ID# 2024-12223 - Stationary Engineer Second Class - Plant Operations, CUPE
- Job ID# 2025-12871 - Case Support Co-Ordinator - Campus Housing, USG 8
- Job ID# 2025-12858 - Laboratory Demonstrator – Optometry, USG 8
Affiliated and Federated Institutions of Waterloo opportunities
Visit the Affiliated and Federated Institutions current opportunities page
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:
- Carl Pollock Hall, Douglas Wright Engineering, South Campus Hall, Rod Coutts Hall, Grad House fire alarm testing, Wednesday, April 16, 6:30 a.m. to 8:15 a.m.
- General Services Complex, Commissary, Central Plant fire alarm testing, Wednesday, April 16, 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
- School of Architecture fire alarm testing, Friday, April 18, 6:30 a.m. to 8:15 a.m.
- Digital Media Stratford fire alarm, Friday, April 18, 12 noon to 3:00 p.m.
- QNC crane lift for strobic fan replacement, Saturday, April 19 from 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Ring Road will be limited to one lane of travel and only one sidewalk in the area, QNC loading dock will be inaccessible, no use of fume hoods or exhausts in these areas, offices and general lobby areas are still accessible as well as access into and out of the building with the exception of the loading dock.
- Douglas Wright Engineering Building electrical and domestic cold water shutdown, Friday, April 25, 12:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., domestic hot water will still be available during this time.
- Student Life Centre, Health Services electrical shutdown, Saturday, April 26, 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., both buildings will be without power but will have emergency lighting.