Editor:
Brandon Sweet
University Communications
bulletin@uwaterloo.ca
New director aims to strengthen vision research
A message from the School of Optometry and Vision Science.
The School of Optometry and Vision Science has named Dr. Ben Thompson as the new director to replace Dr. Stanley Woo once he finishes his second term on June 30, 2025. Thompson has been a professor at the School since 2014 and is also CEO and scientific director at the Centre for Eye and Vision Research (CEVR), which aims to develop and commercialize ocular research internationally.
Thompson is a much-lauded researcher with a long record of interdisciplinary collaboration. He is among the winners of New Zealand's top science prize, won an Excellence in Science Research Award in 2021 and was named a University Research Chair in 2022. A paper of his was recently named one of the most impactful ever published in Ophthalmic and Physiological Optics.
Formerly associate director of research for the School, Thompson is now president of the International Society for Low Vision Research and Rehabilitation and special advisor to the University of Waterloo vice-president, research and international.
At the School, Thompson was part of the team that co-wrote the School’s 2024–2029 Strategic Plan and is committed to further advancing its goals and continuing the School’s strong partnership with the optometric profession.
Read the full announcement on the School of Optometry and Vision Science's website.
Reminder: help shape the future of Waterloo and take the Campus Plan Survey
Hundreds of students, faculty, and staff have already shared their ideas—have you?
The University of Waterloo is building a future-ready campus through its new Campus Plan. Your input is key to wisely investing in flexible, sustainable infrastructure that supports community well-being, expanding inclusive housing so every student feels safe and supported, and creating more accessible pathways to make it easier for everyone to get around.
Every detail—from embedding Indigenous knowledge and values into the design of our spaces supporting reconciliation to energy-efficient buildings—will reflect our values of Thinking Differently, Acting with Purpose, and Working Together.
This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to help shape a vibrant, inclusive, and resilient Waterloo for future generations.
Take the Campus Plan Survey today and share your voice!
The survey closes Friday, May 2.
Bystander intervention training available to faculty and staff
A message from the Sexual Violence Prevention & Response Office (SVPRO).
Most of us want to help other members of our campus community but sometimes we aren’t sure how to do this. The Sexual Violence Prevention & Response Office (SVPRO) is offering Active Bystander Intervention Training for Staff and Faculty to help you address microaggressions and harassment, intervene in harmful, or potentially harmful, situations, and respond with compassion and care to a disclosure of sexual violence or other harms.
This training is intended as a welcoming space to reflect, question and learn together in a way that feels good for you – sit back and listen with your camera and microphone off or unmute, camera on and ask questions – all forms of engagement are welcome!
The training session takes place Monday, May 12 from 12 noon to 1:30 p.m. virtually on Microsoft Teams.
Register on Portal.
Upcoming office closures
The Science Undergraduate Office will be closed today from 9.00 a.m. to 10.00 a.m.
The School of Environment, Enterprise and Development office will be closed today from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. for its annual retreat for all School faculty and staff.
The Centre for Teaching Excellence will be closed Thursday, May 1 for the annual Teaching and Learning Conference.
Link of the day
50 years ago: The Fall of Saigon
When and where
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.
University of Waterloo Teaching and Learning Conference, Wednesday, April 30 (online) and Thursday, May 1, 8:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., Science Teaching Complex.
Waterloo Institute for Nanotechnology (WIN) Day, Thursday, May 1, 9:00 a.m., QNC 0101.
Abortion, Authoritarianism, and Reproductive Justice, Thursday, May 1, 1:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m., Balsillie School of International Affairs Room 142 and online via Zoom. Register today.
Co-operative work term begins, Monday, May 5.
Lectures and classes begin, Monday, May 5.
Office of Indigenous Relations and SVPRO presents “Red Dress Reflections - Transforming Tomorrow,” Monday, May 5, 10:30 a.m., EXP 1686.
Buckthorn Pull, Wednesday, May 7, 12 noon to 2:00 p.m., meet between Village 1 - South 3 Building and the forest.
Fair Trade Celebration, Monday, May 12, 12 noon to 2:00 p.m., SLC Green.
Anti-Racism Reads: See No Stranger, Tuesday, May 13, 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., LIB 323.
Spring Tree Planting, Tuesday, May 13, 12 noon to 2:00 p.m., meet between Village 1 - South 3 Building and the forest.
Velocity Innovation Open House, Tuesday, May 13, 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., South Campus Hall.
Seedling Swap, Wednesday, May 14 and Thursday, May 15, 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., EV3.
Computational Materials North 2025 (Day 1), Thursday, May 15, 9:00 a.m., QNC 1501.
Master of Taxation Virtual Information Session, Thursday, May 15, 12 noon.
Science in the City - Aging, Thursday, May 15, 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., Lancaster Smokehouse.
Lectures in Catholic Experience presents Fr. Gregory Boyle, Thursday, May 15, 7:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., SJU2 atrium.
Safeguarding science webinar – Module 6: Travelling safely: Protecting your research while travelling abroad (English), Friday, May 16, 1 to 2:30 p.m.
Computational Materials North 2025 (Day 2), Friday, May 16, 8:30 a.m., QNC 1501.
Julia Cunningham and Anthea Feaver concert, Friday, May 16, 7:00 p.m., Brubacher House, North Campus.
Register for Centre for Extended Learning (CEL) "Getting Ready to Facilitate Online Courses: TA Training – Spring 2025" course, registration closes Tuesday, May 20.
Shaw-Mannell Award and Lecture, Thursday, May 22, 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m., AHS EXP 1621.
Positions available
On this week's list from the human resources department, viewable on the UWaterloo Talent Acquisition System (iCIMS):
- Job ID# 2025-12917 - Assistant Manager, Residence Hospitality Experience - Campus Housing, Residence Hospitality Experience, USG 8
- Job ID# 2025-12921 - Events & Student Engagement Specialist - Stratford School of Interaction Design & Business, USG 7
- Job ID# 2025-12924 - Research Project Accountant - Office of Research, USG 9 – 11
- Job ID# 2025-12919 - Residence Facility Coordinator - Campus Housing, USG 5
- Job ID# 2025-12923 - Undergraduate Coordinator and Advisor, Arts and Business Program - Arts Undergraduate Office, USG 7
Secondments and internal temporary opportunities
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Job ID# 2025-12899 - Account Coordinator - Co-operative Education, USG 5-8
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:
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Modern Languages fire alarm testing, Wednesday, April 30, 8:00 a.m. to 8:30 a.m.
- QNC semi-annual PM of rooftop fans, Saturday, May 3, 6:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., with a rain date of Sunday May 4. This will affect all exhaust fans, air make-ups, and exhaust fans.
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Psychology, Anthropology, Sociology (PAS) building domestic cold water shutdown, Sunday, May 4, 9:00 p.m. to Monday, May 5, 8:00 a.m., domestic cold water will be shut off to accommodate a pipe repair.
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Biology 1 localized steam shutdown, Monday, May 5 to Friday, May 16 from 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., steam to the various portions of the building will be isolated at the beginning of each day, impacting equipment serviced downstream, including AHUs, space heating will still be available at wall radiators. The autoclave will not be affected.
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Psychology, Anthropology, Sociology (PAS) building domestic cold water shutdown, Tuesday, May 6, 1:00 a.m. to 8:00 a.m., domestic cold water will be shut off for metering installation.
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Modern Languages (ML) domestic cold water shutdown, Wednesday, May 7, 12:00 a.m. to 7:00 a.m., domestic cold water will be shut off to accommodate metering installation.
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Physics (SHARC) building domestic cold water shutdown, Thursday, May 8, 1:00 a.m. until 8:00 a.m., domestic cold water will be shut off to accommodate metering installation.
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Modern Languages, Earth Science Chemistry/Chemistry 1, Biology 1, Arts Lecture, Environment 1, Biology 2, Minota Hagey Residence, Hagey Hall/School of Accounting, Psychology Anthropology and Sociology, Environment 2, Science Teaching, Environment 3 electrical shutdown, Thursday, May 8, 10:00 p.m. to 12 midnight. Normal power will be off, emergency lighting will be on, atrium elevator at Hagey Hall, one elevator at Science Teaching and one at Environment 3 will be operating.
- Columbia Icefield, Warrior Field, Feridun Hamdullahpur Field House, Brubaker House electrical shutdown, Sunday, May 11, 7:00 a.m., normal power will be off at 7:00 a.m. lasting 5 hours, emergency power will be operational.
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Douglas Wright Engineering (DWE) domestic cold water shutdown, Monday, May 12, 1:00 a.m. to 8:00 a.m., domestic cold water will be shut off to accommodate metering installation.