Tuesday, September 30, 2025

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• Waterloo to mark National Day for Truth and Reconciliation
• Dean Mary Wells named to national AI task force

• Distinguished Lecture in Economics takes on changing harmful norms

• Ontario Universities' Fair a big success
• Tuesday's tall tales

Waterloo to mark National Day for Truth and Reconciliation

The University of Waterloo is holding a ceremony to recommit to reconciliation in recognition of the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. All are welcome to this public event. 

The event begins at 7:00 a.m. with a sunrise ceremony on the BC Matthews Green, followed by a commitment polishing ceremony at 10:00 a.m. The National Day for Truth and Reconciliation program begins at 11:00 a.m. and will include a walk around the Ring Road. Closing remarks, drumming, and a round dance will follow at noon. Registration is recommended but not required.

"This day honours the lost children and survivors of residential schools, their families and communities," says a note from organizers. "Vital to the reconciliation process are widespread public commemoration and acknowledgement of the tragic and painful history of Canada’s residential school legacy, its continued impact and intergenerational trauma. The University and the Office of Indigenous Relations at Waterloo continue to amplify that truth while building towards reconciliation." 

To mark the occasion, flags have been lowered across campus.

Read President Vivek Goek's Truth and Reconciliation Day message on the president's website.

The federal government tabled legislation to create the new national day in the fall of 2020, and the first National Day for Truth and Reconciliation was held in 2021. The day coincides with Orange Shirt Day, established in 2013. 2025 also marks the 10^th anniversary of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s 94 Calls to Action.

Dean of Engineering named to national AI task force

“Congratulations to Dr. Dean Mary Wells on her appointment to Canada’s new AI Task Force, unveiled today by Minister Evan Solomon,” wrote President Vivek Goel in a post on LinkedIn Friday. “Her selection is a testament to the depth of expertise and innovation that thrives at Waterloo.”

“This initiative marks a pivotal moment in shaping a national strategy for artificial intelligence that will guide Canada’s leadership in research, commercialization, safety, education, and infrastructure,” President Goel said. “Waterloo looks forward to supporting this task force and helping shape a future where Canadian AI is trusted, inclusive and globally competitive.”

Distinguished Lecture in Economics takes on changing harmful norms

This week, the 2025 Faculty of Arts Distinguished Lecture in Economics presents Dr. Eliana La Ferrera, professor of public policy at Harvard Kennedy School, addressing the harmful gender norms that persist in many countries despite productivity and equity costs. La Ferrara will discuss what factors may contribute to this persistence, and how these norms may be eradicated.

A highly respected economist, La Ferrara undertakes groundbreaking research on topics such as ethnic diversity, kin structure and social norms, and the effects of television on social outcomes. She collaborates regularly with governments and international organizations to evaluate the effectiveness of development policies.

Since 2014, the Distinguished Lecture in Economics has given students and the broader community access to new ideas and insights in economics. The series aims to ignite curiosity and cultivate a greater understanding of how economics can contribute to solutions for societal problems. 

Please register to attend “Changing Harmful Norms”, 2025 Faculty of Arts Distinguished Lecture in Economics, Thursday, October 2, 3:00 p.m., Federation Hall.

Ontario Universities' Fair a big success

A message from Marketing and Undergraduate Recruitment (MUR).

The annual Ontario Universities’ Fair took place at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre on September 27 and 28 and attracted a huge audience, with more than 85,000 attending the two-day event (that’s 15,000 more than last year).

Waterloo faculty, staff, and students enthusiastically welcomed visitors to the booth, answering questions, sharing their expertise about the Waterloo experience, and connecting prospective students to online communications so they can continue to learn more. This year, the OUF brought back the popular presentation rooms, and over 3,000 students and parents came to Waterloo’s sessions. Over the two days, we distributed over 20,000 viewbooks to visitors and collected nearly 13,000 student and parent leads to add to our mailing list.

Waterloo’s participation in the OUF is led and co-ordinated by Marketing and Undergraduate Recruitment with collaboration and support from the faculties, the university colleges, and academic support units. Across campus, these units organize teams of people to bring to the event and generate excitement about applying to Waterloo. Thank you all for making it a success! 

Tuesday's tall tales

Volunteers with the Sustainability Office will be planting 150 native trees and shrubs, while learning more about the importance of supporting biodiversity and nature on campus today. There's still time to register. Participants will meet between Village 1's South 3 Building and the forest.

Can't make it today? No worries! There's another tree planting event scheduled for Wednesday, October 1.

"Voting for the next UW Staff Association president and board of directors opens next week—are you eligible to vote?" asks the University of Waterloo Staff Association (UWSA). "While the UWSA works on behalf of all USG staff, only those with an active membership can vote in elections, attend the Annual Meeting on October 23, and provide input to shape the direction of the Association. Membership became automatic for new staff as of October 26, 2022. If you were hired before then, you may not be a member—but you can become one today!" 

"Join by October 1 to vote in elections, or by October 15 to attend the Annual Meeting. Membership also gives you access to a range of services and benefits. Visit the UWSA website to learn more or to join today. UWSA members are invited to meet the candidates in this year’s elections in an online Q&A at noon on October 6."