Editor:
Brandon Sweet
University Communications
bulletin@uwaterloo.ca
Shaping the future with responsible Generative Artificial Intelligence (GenAI)
A message from the Generative AI Enablement Governance committee.
The Generative AI Enablement Governance committee is pleased to announce the launch of the Generative AI website, a new institutional resource for the use and integration of GenAI across the University’s teaching and learning, research, and administrative environments. This site will serve as the central hub for guidance, examples, and training with respect to AI, continuing to evolve as our institutional approach takes shape.
Resources to support your understanding and use of GenAI
Whether you have never used an AI tool before, or you’re ready to take a step into the advanced realm of GenAI, the Generative AI site will guide your exploration and discovery.
- Understand our AI use principles and guidelines that shape how we use GenAI tools in our work.
- Get started with a 5-minute ‘Prompt like a Pro’ guide.
- Explore the AI Toolkit to learn about the AI tools available to you through the University, use of public AI tools, and how to submit AI software requests.
- Discover AI training resources.
- Stay in the know regarding events and engagement opportunities.
Resources to support students’ understanding and use of GenAI
From the main GenAI website, students can explore the new GenAI Student Resource hub, which includes new resources to supplement and support the advice students receive from their instructors on GenAI use.
The Student Hub includes the Introduction to GenAI for Students LEARN module that features a foundational introduction to GenAI and provides guidance for responsible use of GenAI tools. It also outlines where to find on-campus support for navigating GenAI tools, flags areas to be aware of, and shares examples of how GenAI can be used responsibly in ways that enhance rather than replace students' growing expertise. The module is available as a free self-registration course on LEARN and can also be embedded in course specific LEARN shells. You can help students by encouraging them to register for the LEARN module.
The module and hub were co-created by various academic support units, who are also part of the AVPA’s New Technologies, Pedagogy and Academic Integrity working group (NTPAI) in collaboration with the UWaterloo Life communications team. Co-creating the student hub content was intentional, ensuring that student needs and ease of navigation are at the forefront of support resources.
If you would like to partner with us on content for the GenAI Student Resource Hub, please contact Angela Rooke, Student Success Office and Clare Bermingham, Writing and Communication Centre to get started.
GenAI and governance at Waterloo
Use of Generative AI is rapidly evolving across the University. To foster cross-campus communication and collaboration on the use of GenAI, the University of Waterloo Generative AI Enablement and Governance Committee (GenAI EGC) has been established. It works in partnership with existing campus groups – such as the NTPAI - to align institutional enablement with pedagogical guidance and academic integrity.
Learn more about this initiative on the GenAI site.
March of 1,000 Umbrellas: supporting our local community
By Jane Kolb.
The University of Waterloo proudly participated in the annual United Way March of 1,000 Umbrellas, a vibrant event celebrating community and philanthropy in the Waterloo Region. On Thursday, September 18, a dedicated group of 14 staff and students joined the 3 km walk, helping to kick off the United Way Waterloo Region Communities' fundraising campaign.
The walking team gathered at South Campus Hall, dressed in black and gold, before embarking on the walk from Waterloo City Hall to Carl Zehr Square in Kitchener. The UW team was a powerful embodiment of the spirit of our Waterloo at 100 commitment to our local community.
Watch for more information about the University’s annual campaign to support United Way, kicking off on October 1.
Light it up at Lumen this weekend
The University of Waterloo is proud to be part of Lumen 2025 on Saturday, September 20.
Hosted by the City of Waterloo, Lumen is an annual, free, all-ages festival that is open to the public. The event will feature more than 30 visual, interactive, new media, and performance-based installations that explore the interplay of light, art, and technology in installations located throughout uptown Waterloo.
The University will participate with installations from the Student Art Innovation Lab (S.A.I.L.), an award-winning community arts outreach program housed in the University of Waterloo's Fine Arts Department. In addition, the community will be invited to help the University celebrate the International Year of Quantum Science & Technology with the Institute for Quantum Computing (IQC). This activation at the Waterloo Public Library includes build-it-yourself hidden artwork, a crowd-controlled quantum interference experiment, and demonstrations of quantum technology in action.
For more information about Lumen and the University of Waterloo's installations, visit the Lumen Festival website.
Help students shape an accessible health future
A message from GreenHouse.
You’re invited to one of our upcoming community-embedded classroom sessions hosted through GreenHouse, HLTH 480, and KIN 418, where we’ll explore the intersections of health and accessibility. We are looking for more participants for our Needs Finding sessions on September 23 and 25 from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Join us to engage in small group discussions with students to share your insights and experiences with health and accessibility. No preparation is needed – just bring your perspectives and enthusiasm!
Learn more and register now to support an accessible health future for all.
Homecoming, honouring Bill Woodworth, and other notes
Homecoming is upon us, so don your black and gold and get ready to meet old friends and make new ones on Saturday, September 20. Homecoming highlights include the Faculty of Health Fun Run, a free yoga session at the Feridun Hamdullahpur Field House from 11:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., an outdoor spin class, a W Store pop-up shop on site full of Waterloo merchandise, facility tours led by experienced students, and a parking lot party, located in the Columbia Icefields parking lot, that will feature live music by alumni band The Alibi and an opportunity to relive the past through a display of memorability provided by the University Libraries' Special Collections & Archives. There will also be food trucks and games.
And, of course, the main event, Warriors Football vs. Queen's at 1:00 p.m. on Warrior Field. Tickets are still available(there are a limited number of free tickets for employees).
Flags across campus have been lowered in honour of Bill Woodworth, faculty member and Elder in Residence at the School of Architecture in the Faculty of Engineering, who passed away on June 9.
"A long-time faculty member in the School of Architecture and Elder in Residence for the Faculty of Engineering, Woodworth supported students, faculty and staff by sharing his knowledge, stories and care for community," says a note on the School of Architecture's website. "His calm presence brought people together, encouraged meaningful conversations and helped make the University a more welcoming and respectful place for everyone."
The School of Architecture is hosting a memorial event in Cambridge today from 1:45 p.m. to 3:45 p.m.
Civil and Environmental Engineering and Earth and Environmental Sciences are collaborating on an event Monday entitled "Unlock the Poseidon Water Quality Portal: Transforming Water Quality Data into Decisions." The event's hosts include:
- Nandita Basu, CRC Water Sustainability and Professor at University of Waterloo,
- Julie Mai, Research Associate Professor, University of Waterloo,
- Kimberly Van Meter, Associate Professor, Pennsylvania State University, and
- Meghan McLeod, Data Specialist, DataStream.
"Powered by AI and informed by stream nutrient concentration data synthesized by DataStream, POSEIDON predicts nutrient concentrations and loads at daily, monthly and annual scales, for hundreds of streams across Canada," says a note on the event website. "This session will showcase the portal’s key functionalities and provide an opportunity for you to share feedback that will help us improve its design and usefulness."
The online event takes place Monday, September 22 from 1:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. online via Zoom. Register now.
Link of the day
"Missed it by that much!" Get Smart debuted 60 years ago...yesterday.
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.
The Waterloo Eye Institute optometry clinics in Waterloo and downtown Kitchener offer comprehensive eye exams and eyewear, including glasses and contact lenses, with the Waterloo location offering various specialized services including urgent eye care. Discounts apply for University of Waterloo students and employees. The Waterloo Clinic is at a nearby interim location, 419C Phillip St, during construction at the School of Optometry and Vision Science. The Kitchener Clinic remains at the Health Sciences Campus, 10B Victoria St. S. Book online or by phone at 519-888-4062.
Clubs and Societies Fair (Day 1), Thursday, September 18, 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., Student Life Centre Great Hall.
Clubs and Societies Fair (Day 2), Friday, September 19, 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., Student Life Centre Great Hall.
NPAW 2025: Happy Hour, Friday, September 19, 3:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m., Grad House Purple Room.
Thinking Beyond the Market: A film about genuinely affordable housing screening, Friday, September 19, 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m., EV3 1408.
Remembering Elder Bill Woodworth, Friday, September 19, 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m., School of Architecture.
Homecoming 2025, Saturday, September 20.
2025 Faculty of Health Fun Run, Saturday, September 20, 10:00 a.m., Ring Road outside Burt Matthews Hall.
Warriors Football Homecoming vs. Queen's, Saturday, September 20, 1:00 p.m., Warrior Field. Free yoga session, outdoor spin class, pregame Parking Lot Party for all fans in Lot W, Alumni Day, W Store Pop Up Shop and Pass, Punt, Kick Student Contest for $5,000. Find out more and Purchase tickets.
Waterloo Institute for Complexity & Innovation Open House, Monday, September 22, 12 noon to 1:30 p.m., DC 1302.
Unlock the Poseidon Water Quality Portal: Transforming Water Quality Data into Decisions, Monday, September 22, 1:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m., online via Zoom. Register now.
Canadian Engineering Graduate Studies Fair, Monday, September 22, 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m., Engineering 7 second floor event space.
Exploring the tensions between censorship and hate speech, Monday, September 22, 3:00 p.m. to 4:25 p.m. with a reception to follow in MBET Classroom, E7-2324. Please note: this event has been postponed.
University Senate meeting, Monday, September 22, 3:30 p.m. NH 3407 and online.
Chemistry Seminar featuring Boniface Fokwa, Tuesday, September 23, 11:00 a.m. to 12 noon, C2-361.
Buckthorn Pull with the Sustainability Office, Tuesday, September 23, 12 noon to 2:00 p.m., Healing Forest.
Writing Café for Black, Indigenous, and Racialized Students, Tuesday, September 23, 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m., SCH 228F.
Health & Accessibility Needs Finding Session, Tuesday, September 23, 3:00 to 5:00 p.m., WCRI Fenwick Building.
P4E Job Fair, Wednesday, September 24, 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., RIM Park.
W3+ Coffee and UW Art Gallery (UWAG) visit, Wednesday, September 24, 12 noon to 1:00 p.m., meet at the Engineering C&D (E7 first floor) before heading to UWAG at 12:15 p.m. No registration is required.
Noon Hour Concert: Exiled, Wednesday, September 24, 12 noon to 1:00 p.m., Conrad Grebel University College Chapel.
WCC Writing Café for graduate students, Wednesday, September 24, 2:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m., GSA Grad Lounge, SLC 3216.
WaterTalk | Recent trends in groundwater use in South Asia: The role of technology and water-energy-food-poverty nexus tradeoffs, Wednesday, September 24, 2:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m., DC 1304.
Climate Crossroads: interdisciplinary networking workshop for students, Wednesday, September 24, 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., SLC Multipurpose Room.
NEW - University of Waterloo Knowledge Mobilization Community of Practice, “Building Trusting Research Partnerships: Reflections from MobilizeU and Beyond” Thursday, September 25, 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., Office of Research – EC5 3167 and Teams option. Contact Nadine Quehl to register for in-person or to request a Teams invitation.
Warriors Women’s Basketball School Day Game vs. Humber, Thursday, September 25, 11:00 a.m., Carl Totzke Court, PAC. Limited spots available for local schools to receive tickets at a discounted rate. Email WarriorsTickets@uwaterloo.ca for more information.
Generative AI and the Literature Review, Thursday, September 25, 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., online.
Health & Accessibility Needs Finding Session, Thursday, September 25, 3:00 to 5:00 p.m., E7 Faculty Hall.
Language Sessions: Speak and write with confidence!, Thursday, September 25, 3:00 p.m. to 4:15 p.m., NH 1124.
2025 Cheriton Research Symposium, Friday, September 26, 10:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., DC 1302 (presentations), DC Atrium (poster session) and DC 1301 (poster awards ceremony).
NEW - Chemistry Seminar Series featuring Adam Damry, "Proteins on the edge: Harnessing biochemistry at heterogeneous interfaces," Friday, September 26, 11:00 a.m. to 12 noon, C2-361.
22nd Annual Pow Wow, Saturday, September 27, 10:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Columbia Icefield (CIF), Outdoor Field 7.
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:
- Douglas Wright Engineering clock system shutdown, Monday, September 15 to Friday, September 19, clocks will not be showing the correct time or in some cases not operating at all.
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Tunnel between South Campus Hall and the Tatham Centre closure, Friday, September 19 to November 1, access to the A3 section of the tunnel between SCH and TC will be restricted due to construction work, there will be no entry to the tunnel and pedestrians will need to use alternative routes.
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South Campus Hall and Graduate House electrical shutdown, Thursday, September 18, 11:00 p.m. to Friday, September 19 at 5:00 a.m., all normal power affected by metering installation, emergency power will not be affected.
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School of Architecture fire alarm testing, Friday, September 19, 6:30 a.m. to 8:15 a.m.
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Digital Media Stratford fire alarm testing, Friday, September 19, 12 noon to 3:00 p.m.
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Engineering 2 electrical shutdown, Saturday, September 20, 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., all 600V power will go down in E2, AHUs in E2 will also be affected, emergency power will not be affected.
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Engineering 3 electrical shutdown, Saturday, September 20, 7:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., all normal power affected by metering installation, emergency power will not be affected.
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Earth Science Chemistry electrical shutdown, Sunday, September 21, 7:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., all normal power affected by metering installation, emergency power will not be affected.
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Engineering 5 electrical shutdown, Monday, September 22, 6:00 a.m. to 7:00 a.m., rooms 3001, 3005, 3008, 3012, 3014, 3018, 3039 UPS(x6), 3041, 3044, AV equip 3052, as well as receptacles in 3052 will have interrupted electrical power for one hour.
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Quantum Nano Centre, Biology 1 and 2, Health Services, Science Teaching Complex, Monday, September 22, 6:30 a.m. to 8:15 a.m.
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Optometry building air handler shutdown, Tuesday, September 23, 7:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., during the shutdown, airflow throughout the older building will be reduced, and the 2009 addition will be operating normally.
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Bright Starts daycare, Toby Jenkins Building, Optometry, Columbia Icefield fire alarm testing, Wednesday, September 24, 6:30 a.m. to 8:15 a.m.
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UWP - Waterloo South, Woolwich South, Beck Hall fire alarm testing, Wednesday, September 24, 1:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.
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Burt Matthews Hall original building electrical shutdown, Friday, September 26, 2:00 a.m. to 7:00 a.m., all normal power affected by metering installation, emergency power will not be affected.
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Biology 1 electrical shutdown, Saturday, September 27, 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., all normal power to the building will be off to accommodate a meter installation, emergency power will not be affected.
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Biology 2 electrical shutdown, Sunday, September 28, 7:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., all normal power to the building will be off to accommodate a meter installation, emergency power will not be affected.
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RAC-1 southeast stair closure, Monday, September 29 to October 20, stair "A" will be closed from level 2 to level 3, excessive noise will be expected throughout the closure period.