Friday, September 5, 2025

Friday, September 5, 2025

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Editor:
Brandon Sweet
University Communications
bulletin@uwaterloo.ca

Together, we’re building what’s next

A collage of images from the latest Report on Giving.

A message from the Office of Advancement.

You may have heard that every gift tells a story — and across our University of Waterloo campus community, gifts from donors inspire stories of hope, growth and meaningful change.

In the 2024-2025 Report on Giving, you’ll read about students who are already making a difference, thanks to donor-funded academic and extracurricular experiences. You’ll meet researchers who are tackling big problems — from health care to cybersecurity to sustainable cities. And it’s all possible because of donors who believe in the transformative power of education and research at Waterloo.

Thank you to everyone who gives so generously to our campus community. Your investment is helping us discover what’s next — and building a better future for us all.

View "Report on Giving 2025" on YouTube

Read the 2024-2025 Report on Giving.

Celebration of Life for Ray Laflamme set for October 5

Raymond Laflamme.

In collaboration with the Laflamme family, the University of Waterloo will celebrate the life and legacy of Raymond Laflamme on Sunday, October 5 at 2:00 p.m. in the Mike & Ophelia Lazaridis Quantum-Nano Centre.

Dr. Laflamme was the founding Executive Director of the Institute for Quantum Computing (IQC), serving from its inception in 2002 to 2017. Dr. Laflamme built IQC into a world-class research hub and positioned Canada at the forefront of the quantum revolution. He passed away on June 19, 2025.

“Raymond was known first and foremost for his warmth, generosity, adventurous spirit, and keen sense of humour,” says a statement from organizers. “His gift for connection reached across boundaries, bringing together not only those in quantum but also friends, collaborators, partners, and community members from far beyond the field.”

Dr. Laflamme was renowned as one of the world’s leading experts on quantum information.

The Celebration of Life will begin at 2:00 p.m., followed by a reception.

Registration is encouraged.

Should you wish to make a gift in Dr. Laflamme’s honour, you may contribute through the University of Waterloo and/or the Perimeter Institute of Theoretical Physics. 

Royal Society of Canada recognizes research excellence at Waterloo

The Dana Porter library in a fall environment.

This is an excerpt of an article originally published on Waterloo News.

Six University of Waterloo researchers are being recognized as Royal Society of Canada (RSC) fellows and a member of the RSC College.

“I am thrilled to congratulate Waterloo's new RSC Fellows and new RSC College Member on this impressive achievement,” says Dr. Charmaine Dean, vice-president of Research and International. “Waterloo’s 2025 awardees are exploring a fascinating array of topics, including medical geography, advanced materials, astrophysics, theoretical computer science, biomechatronic system dynamics and family and child psychology — a testament to the breadth and depth of research conducted at Waterloo.”

Founded in 1882, the RSC comprises the Academy of Arts and Humanities, Academy of Social Sciences, Academy of Science and the RSC College. The RSC recognizes excellence, advises the government and the larger society, and promotes a culture of knowledge and innovation in Canada and with other national academies around the world.

These six faculty members are joining more than 100 Waterloo researchers who have been inducted as fellows and RSC College members and will be inducted at a ceremony held during the 2025 Celebration of Excellence and Engagement conference in Montréal, Québec, on November 14.

Read the list of new RSC Fellows and RSC College members on Waterloo News

Flags lowered for staff member and other notes

Flags across campus have been lowered today in memory of Carrie Jenks, a staff member in the Office of the President who passed away on August 21. Carrie's celebration of life event is taking place Saturday, September 6 at the Dods and McNair Funeral Home in Orangeville. Visitation with family will begin at 12:30 p.m., with the memorial service beginning at 2:30 p.m. A reception will follow.

Waterloo Tech Week graphic featuring buildings connected by wires.

The University is one of the supporters of the inaugural Waterloo Tech Week, a decentralized collection of more than 50 events celebrating the region's innovation, talent, and technology. Among the events and panel discussions:

Capping off Waterloo Tech Week will be Hack the North 2025, Canada's largest hackathon, which will take over Engineering's buildings on the east campus from Friday, September 12 to Sunday, September 14.

The smokestack at Plant Operations' General Services Complex.
"Plant Operations would like to remind the campus community about the option to subscribe to service interruption notices," says a notification from Plant Operations. "Using their UW credentials, users can self-register and manage preferences for receiving emails related to various types of planned service interruption notices (e.g. power outages, elevator maintenance, water shut-offs, etc.) and the locations impacted."  

"To subscribe, update your existing subscription, and to see a list of current planned service interruptions, please visit the Service Interruptions website. The website provides additional information about the process and subscription options."

Finally, Orientation continues today with faculty drop-in events and wraps up tomorrow with Black and Gold Day. Students are invited to support the Waterloo Warriors in their game against the Carleton Ravens on Warrior Field. First year students can stop by the Orientation Carnival, which runs from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. in Parking Lot W,  for games, t-shirts, and a chance to win the WUSA Ultimate Prize Pack. Gates open at 11:30 a.m.

Upcoming road closure

Eastbound traffic on University Avenue will be shut down between Seagram Drive and Phillip Street from Tuesday, September 2 to Friday, September 5 for water main work associated with the New Residence Building. Vehicle traffic will be diverted down Seagram for travel going eastbound only. Pedestrian traffic is still available on the north side of University Avenue. Bike traffic going eastbound will be diverted through the Ring Road.

Link of the day

Giorgio Armani dead at 91

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. Covid booster shots are available by appointment only – please call ext. 33784 or 519-746-4500. The Student Health Pharmacy’s summer hours are Monday to Friday, 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Naloxone kits are still available – pick them up in the pharmacy at no charge.

Orientation Week, Sunday, August 31 to Saturday, September 6.

Free Try-it Opportunities (fitness classes), Wednesday, September 3 to Tuesday, September 9. Find out more.

Warrior Rec Club registration, Wednesday, September 3 to Monday, September 15.

Warriors Football Black and Gold Day vs. Carleton, Saturday, September 6, 1:00 p.m., Warrior Field. Pregame Orientation Carnival, W Store Pop Up Shop and Pass, Punt, Kick Student Contest for $5,000.   Purchase tickets.

NEW - WUSA Welcome Week, Monday, September 8 to Wednesday, September 17.

WUSA Welcome Week Carnival, Tuesday, September 9 and Wednesday, September 10, 6:00 p.m. to midnight, SLC Green.

Chemistry Seminar Series: Vikram Agarwal, "Predicting the translation efficiency of messenger RNA in mammalian cells," Tuesday, September 9, 11:00 a.m., C2-361.

UWSA Election Information Session, Tuesday, September 9, 12 noon to 1:00 p.m., online.

Velocity Innovation Open House, Tuesday, September 9, 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., Federation Hall.

Free Store Pop-Up, Wednesday, September 10, 12 noon to 2:00 p.m., SLC Marketplace.

NEW - Student Entrepreneur Networking Lunch, Wednesday, September 10, 12 noon to 2:30 p.m., Engineering 7 HUB 2357.

Velocity Presents Cornerstone Idea Session, Wednesday, September 10, 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., 2nd floor Ideas Clinic, E7 2409.

UWSA Election Information Session, Friday, September 12, 12 noon to 1:00 p.m., online.

Warrior Rec Intramurals registration deadline, Monday, September 15, 11:00 a.m. New and improved registration system this term, over 15 leagues to choose from. Find out more and sign up today!

Warrior Rec Instructional Programs registration deadline, Monday, September 15, 12 noon. Dance, Martial Arts, Skating, Skipping and Climbing lessons available. Find out more and register today.

Manulife presents CareNext Collective: The potential of robotics in health care, Monday, September 15, 12 noon to 1:00 p.m., online. Register now. 

UWSA Election Information Session, Monday, September 15, 2:00 to 3:00 p.m., online.

NEW - Noon Hour Concert: Cuore Piano Trio, Tensions & Transparencies, Wednesday, September 17, 12 noon, Conrad Grebel University College Chapel. Free admission.

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:

  • Optometry building air handler shutdown, Friday, September 5 and Tuesday, September 9, 7:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., airflow throughout the older areas of the building will be reduced while the 2009 addition will be operating normally.

  • Carl A. Pollock Hall fire alarm testing, Friday, September 5, 6:00 a.m. to 6:30 a.m.

  • Energy Research Centre, Math 3, Burt Matthews Hall fire alarm testing, Friday, September 5, 6:30 a.m. to 8:15 a.m.
  • Minota Hagey, Mackenzie King Village, Ron Edyt Village fire alarm testing, Friday, September 5, 1:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.

  • Environment 1 processed cold water and potable cold water shutdown, Friday, September 5, 7:00 p.m. to Saturday, September 6, 3:00 a.m., processed cold and potable cold water will be shut down to the building during this time.

  • Needles Hall electrical shutdown, Sunday, September 7, 7:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., all power will be off in the building, emergency lighting and the new addition's elevator will be operating.

  • Douglas Wright Engineering C wing steam shutdown, Monday, September 8, 12:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., steam and hot water will not be available during the shutdown as a meter is being installed.

  • Engineering 2 and 3, Davis Centre, Math & Computer fire alarm testing, Monday, September 8, 6:30 a.m. to 8:15 a.m.

  • Aberfoyle - BioRem fire alarm testing, Monday, September 8, 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.

  • Fire Research Facility fire alarm testing, Monday, September 8, 1:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.

  • Carl Pollock Hall steam shutdown, Monday, September 8, 9:00 p.m. to Tuesday, September 9, 4:00 p.m., steam and hot water will not be available during the shutdown as a meter is being installed.

  • Engineering 2 Library Wing, Engineering 3, PHY-SHAR, J.R. Coutts Engineering Lecture Hall steam shutdown, Tuesday, September 9, at 9:00 p.m. until Wednesday, September 10, at 4:00 p.m., during this time there will be a steam shutdown to accommodate a meter installation; steam and hot water will not be available.

  • Physical Activities Complex, Student Life Centre, RAC 1 and 2, Federation Hall fire alarm testing, Wednesday, September 10, 6:30 a.m. to 8:15 a.m.

  • Physical Activities Complex steam shutdown, Wednesday, September 10, 10:30 p.m. to Thursday, September 11, 7:00 a.m., steam and hot water will not be available during the shutdown as a meter is being installed. Please note: this has been cancelled.

  • Student Life Centre Tim Hortons electrical shutdown, Thursday, September 11, 5:30 a.m. to 7:30 a.m., electricians will be working in the space before normal business hours.

  • Ron Eydt Village equipment shutdown, Friday, September 12, 10:00 p.m. to midnight, air compressor, air handling unit and chilled water plant will be shut down.

  • Carl Pollock Hall and Douglas Wright Engineering electrical shutdown, Sunday, September 14, 7:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., normal power including elevators will be off, emergency power operational.