Editor:
Brandon Sweet
University Communications
bulletin@uwaterloo.ca
Coyote bite sparks safety alerts on campus
By Megan McGarry.
The University is reminding campus members to be aware of coyotes after several sightings have been reported in the area.
On the evening of November 12, Special Constable Service received a report from a non-affiliated community member who was bitten by a coyote while jogging on University property.
The woman, who was jogging north along the pathway from Health Service Road to Ron Edyt Village, was able to kick the coyote and escape to safety. After reporting the incident, she received necessary shots and further treatment at a hospital. Hospital staff reported the incident to Public Health, and UWSCS officers have notified WRPS and K-W Humane Society.
An additional sighting was made by a staff member on November 14 at the REV loading dock, though there was no interaction.
Our campus is surrounded by wooded areas, which we share with urban wildlife. With winter approaching, fallen leaves increase visibility and access to food is limited, so sightings will be more common.
Coyotes are wild animals, typically wary of humans, and should never be approached. City of Waterloo advises we can safely coexist by keeping your distance, making yourself “big and loud,” and carrying a flashlight to scare them off at night. The provincial government website offers more tips on preventing conflicts and what to do if you see a coyote.
In cases where coyotes pose an immediate threat to public safety, where direct contact has happened or is about to happen, call 911.
10 Waterloo entrepreneurs to watch
By Darren McAlmont. This is an excerpt of an article originally published on Waterloo News.
As Global Entrepreneurship Week 2025 begins, we’re spotlighting 10 standout entrepreneurs from the University of Waterloo — students and alumni who are challenging norms, redefining industries and building a better future. These innovators are not only making waves in their respective fields but are also setting the pace for what’s next for society, health, technology, the economy and sustainability.
Global Entrepreneurship Week is a worldwide celebration of innovation, creativity and the entrepreneurial spirit. It’s also a time to recognize the bold thinkers and builders who turn ideas into impact.
We’re proud to showcase ventures that exemplify Waterloo’s enduring commitment to entrepreneurship that inspires global change through bold vision and relentless drive.
Aileen Agada-Davidson (BASc ’21, MBET ’24): BeBlended
After being turned away from 15 hair salons due to a lack of expertise with Afro-curly hair, Aileen Agada set out to solve the problem for others facing the same challenge. With support from the Conrad School of Entrepreneurship and Business’ Enterprise Co-op program, she launched BeBlended — an online marketplace that connects clients with freelance hairstylists trained in Afro-curly hair care. The platform also streamlines business operations for stylists by handling scheduling, payments, client management and bookkeeping. To date, BeBlended has facilitated thousands of transactions, supporting more than 1,500 clients and 150 stylists nationwide, with plans underway for global expansion.
Nicholas Cheng (MSc ’25): Evolv
With a research background in biotechnology, Nicholas Cheng always wondered why sustainability seemed to be so costly, so he began to think like an entrepreneur. Supported by GreenHouse and Velocity — Waterloo’s centres of entrepreneurship — Cheng launched Evolv, a company dedicated to delivering advanced technological solutions that evolve to solve their client's specific problems while suiting the industry’s best practices. Its flagship project leverages enhanced chemical solutions to extract clean water from Alberta’s oil sands tailings ponds. “Evolv bridges the gap between financial and environmental responsibility, so that corporations can meet consumer demands while saving the planet,” he says.
Read the full story on Waterloo News.
Public lecture: Poetry, Pain, and the Promise of Palestine
A message from the Faculty of Arts.
On November 26, the Faculty of Arts presents guest speaker Dr. Sa'ed Atshan – scholar, Palestinian Quaker, and LGBTQ human rights advocate – on the role of poetry in capturing the realities of contemporary Palestinian life in the West Bank, Gaza Strip, and beyond.
Atshan is an associate professor of Peace and Conflict Studies and Anthropology and Chair of the Department of Peace and Conflict Studies at Swarthmore College (Pennsylvania). His scholarship intersects multiple fields including sociocultural anthropology, peace and conflict studies, humanitarianism, gender and sexuality, social movements, the Middle East, and film and visual studies.
Atshan’s book Queer Palestine and the Empire of Critique explores how transnational progressive social movements can balance struggles for liberation along more than one axis. He has also coauthored The Moral Triangle: Germans, Israelis, Palestinians, and coedited Reel Gender: Palestinian and Israeli Cinema.
As an internationally recognized scholar of Palestinian society and politics, Atshan has appeared in media outlets such as NPR, The Nation, LA Times, NBC, and The New Yorker.
Please join us for this unique opportunity to explore how interdisciplinary scholarship can be applied to both understand and address a global crisis which has had such tragic human consequences.
Please register to attend in-person or online: Poetry, Pain, and the Promise of Palestine, Wednesday, November 26, 7:00 p.m., Federation Hall.
This lecture is made possible through the generosity of donors who contributed to the Foundation for Palestinian Studies Fund.
Register for Map the System 2026
Paul Heidebrecht and Gabriel Jabile at the 2025 Map the System Nationals.
A message from the Conrad Grebel Centre for Peace Advancement.
Map the System is a research competition for University of Waterloo students to use systems thinking to map prominent issues either locally or around the world. Competing in Map the System gives students an opportunity to further their research and compete for cash prizes with the first-place winners getting to compete internationally at Oxford.
Organizations can take part in Map the System by creating a Challenge Brief for a student team to use as their topic to further their research.
Register now for Map the System.
Create and submit a Challenge Brief.
A Midsummer Night's Dream re-imagined and other notable notes
The Theatre & Performance program is staging a performance of Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream this week in the Theatre of the Arts.
"Our re-imagining of Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream begins in Athens, where a young, queer couple openly defies a homophobic, patriarchal law," says the blurb on the Theatres website. "Desperate to break free and forge their own identity, the young lovers flee into the forest, where, with the help of magical fairies, their lives are transformed. The play ends in a triple wedding, full of joy, laughter, forgiveness and revelry. In an increasingly polarized world, a fever dream of magic fairies, young lovers, and warrior queens feels like much-needed medicine in our troubled times."
Theatre and Performance's production of Midsummer Night's Dream is directed by the Stratford Festival's Tim Welham, designed by guest artists Melanie McNeill (set and props) and Adam Campbell (sound), and UWaterloo favourites Paul Cegys (lighting) and Nadine Grant (costumes).
Tickets are $15 general admission, with students and seniors paying $10 and children and high-schoolers paying $5.
More information, including links to the ticketing site, is available on the Theatres at UWaterloo website.
WUSA is inviting members of the University community to the XChanges Speaker Series: Vincent Kuber – Mentorship Through Play event on Monday, November 24.
"Join Vincent Kuber, Founder and Executive Director of STAC Hamilton, for an inspiring session exploring how sport and mentorship can drive social change and community development," says a note from WUSA. "Participate in hands-on group activities connecting leadership, teamwork, and personal growth. Enjoy complimentary food from Irie Myrie while supplies last!"
The public lecture takes place on Monday, November 24, from 12 noon to 2:00 p.m. in the Student Life Centre's Black & Gold Room. This event is open to all Waterloo students and employees.
Link of the day
40 years ago: Calvin and Hobbes
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.
International Education Week, Monday, November 17 to Friday, November 21.
Tim Hortons Holiday Smile Cookie promotion, Monday, November 17 to Sunday, November 23, cookies are $2 with 100 per cent of proceeds donated to charity, available at Tim Hortons locations across campus.
NEW - Warriors Athletics Silent Auction, Monday, November 17, 12 noon to to Monday, November 24, 8:00 p.m. All funds raised support enhancing the varsity experience. Bid now!
Theatre and Performance presents A Midsummer Night’s Dream: Reimagined, Tuesday, November 18 to Saturday, November 22, 7:30 p.m., Theatre of the Arts, Modern Languages.
Chemistry seminar, "Self-immolative polymers: Designing, synthesizing, and applying polymers that fall apart," featuring Elizabeth R. Gillies, Professor, Department of Chemistry; Department of Chemical and Biochemical Engineering, University of Western Ontario, Tuesday, November 18, 11:00 a.m.,C2-361 (Reading Room)
Campus meditation session, Tuesday, November 18, 12:15 p.m. to 12:45 p.m., HLTH EXP 1686. No registration required. Contact fmcalist@uwaterloo.ca if you have any questions.
Waterloo Centre for Automotive Research (WatCAR) Webinar, Driving Towards the Future: Deployments, Designs, and Challenges of Autonomous Vehicles, Tuesday, November 18, 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. online via Zoom. Register on the WatCAR website.
WaterLeadership - Sharing Science: Effective presentations, presented by Elise Vist, Workshops and Integrated Programs Coordinator, Writing and Communication Centre, Wednesday, November 19, 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., DC 1304. Part of the Water Institute WaterLeadership training series.
Community Well-being Fruits and Veg Market, Wednesday, November 19, 12 noon to 4:00 p.m. (while supplies last), Engineering 7 first floor (by the Robohub) and Health Expansion Building first floor foyer.
Noon Hour Concert: Duo Oriana, Bards of Bloor Street, Wednesday, November 19, 12 noon, Conrad Grebel University College Chapel. Free admission.
The AI generation: Innovation powered by co-op students, Wednesday, November 19, 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m., online.
Faculty of Engineering Research Colloquium featuring Professor Ruibing Wang PHD, FRSC, Wednesday, November 19, 1:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m., Pearl Sullivan Engineering Building (E7) 7th Floor – 7303.
2025 Sawatsky Lecture featuring the Rev. Dr. Braxton Shelley, “The Gospel Imagination,” Wednesday, November 19, 7:30 p.m., Conrad Grebel Chapel.
WaterTalk - Compound flood and drought hazards in a changing climate: Implications for risk and resilience, presented by Reza Najafi, Professor and head of the Hydroclimate Extremes and Climate Change Lab, Western University. Thursday, November 20, 11:00 a.m., DC 1302.
Gospel Music Workshop by Rev. Dr. Braxton D. Shelley, Thursday, November 20, 7:30 p.m., Conrad Grebel chapel.
Trauma-Informed Course Design Workshop - (CTE7041), Friday, November 21, 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., PHY 235.
Warriors Women’s Volleyball vs. Lakehead, Friday, November 21, 6:00 p.m., Carl Totzke Court, PAC. Camps and Minor Leagues Day, Employee Day (Limited free tickets available sponsored by Hilton. Email WarriorsTickets@uwaterloo.ca for coupon code). Buy your tickets today!
Warriors Men’s Volleyball vs. RMC, Friday, November 21, 7:30 p.m., Carl Totzke Court, PAC. Camps and Minor Leagues Day, Employee Day (Limited free tickets available sponsored by Hilton. Email WarriorsTickets@uwaterloo.ca for coupon code). Buy your tickets today!
The Make a Difference (MAD) Holiday Market, Saturday, November 22, 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Conrad Grebel University College atrium.
If the Earth Could Sing: University Choir and Chamber Choir in Concert, Saturday, November 22, 7:30 p.m., St Matthew’s Centre, 54 Benton St, Kitchener. Admission $10 general/$5 student.
Love Letters from Bohemia: Orchestra@UWaterloo concert, Sunday, November 23, 7:30 p.m., Knox Presbyterian Church, 50 Erb St. West Waterloo. Admission $10 general/ $5 students.
XChanges Speaker Series: Vincent Kuber, “Mentorship Through Play,” Monday, November 24, 12 noon to 2:00 p.m., SLC Black and Gold Room.
WCMR: Beyond the Search Bar: AI Tools for Smarter Literature Reviews, Tuesday, November 25, 11:30 a.m., EV1 221. Please register to attend.
Campus meditation session, Tuesday, November 25, 12:15 p.m. to 12:45 p.m., HLTH EXP 1686. No registration required. Contact fmcalist@uwaterloo.ca if you have any questions.
NEW - Faculty of Engineering Research Colloquium featuring Professor Ranganatha Sitaram, Tuesday, November 25, 1:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m., E7 7303.
WISE Public Lecture, "Strategic Role of Energy Storage in Clean Energy Transitions" by Jason Rioux, Chief Development Officer, NRStor, Tuesday, November 25, 1:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m., in person in Engineering 2 (E2), Room 2350 and on Zoom. Register today!
Years of Service event, Tuesday, November 25, 4:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m., Federation Hall.
NEW - MPACS Grad Program Info Session, Tuesday, November 25, 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., CGR 2202 - Community Ed Room.
Global Futures Ideas Exchange, Wednesday, November 26, 9:00 a.m. to 12 noon, SLC Black and Gold Room.
Responding to a student in distress training sessions: Virtual sessions to feel more confident when supporting students in distress, Wednesday, November 26, 10:00 a.m. to 12 noon. Register on Portal.
Eco Summit 2025: The Next Chapter, Wednesday, November 26, 1:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m., Fed Hall. Registration is required.
Connected and Collaborative Research Panel event, Wednesday, November 26, 3:00 p.m. to 4:25 p.m. (panel), 4:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. (reception), TC 2218. Please register to attend as seating is limited.
NEW - GreenHouse Social Innovation Showcase, Wednesday, November 26, 4:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m., Alumni Hall, United College (UTD 201). Register to attend.
NEW - Public Lecture: Poetry, Pain, and the Promise of Palestine, Wednesday, November 26, 7:00 p.m., Federation Hall. Please register to attend.
2025 Winterfest Artisan Market, Thursday, November 27, 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and Friday, November 28, 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Student Life Centre (SLC) Multipurpose Room.
University of Waterloo Knowledge Mobilization Community of Practice, “How to Build Bridges Between Researchers and Practitioners in Biodiversity Conservation,” Thursday, November 27, 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., Office of Research – EC5 -3167 and MS Teams. Contact Nadine Quehl to register for in-person or to request a Teams invitation.
Waterloo Aging Network for Trainees seminar, Thursday, November 27, 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m., EXP 1686 or virtual via Teams. For the meeting link, please email aging.trainees@uwaterloo.ca.
PhD oral defences
Electrical and Computer Engineering. Alex Lovi, “Multiple Model Adaptive Control with Blending in State Space.” Supervisors, Dr. Christopher Nielsen, Dr. Baris Fidan. Thesis available via SharePoint – email eng.phd@uwaterloo.ca to request a viewing link. Oral defence Friday, November 28, 10:00 a.m., EIT 3142.
Computer Science. Parjanya Vyas, “Cues, Clones, and Cars: Access Control Issues in Customized Android.” Supervisors, Dr. N. Asokan, Dr. Yousra Aafer. Thesis available from MGO – mgo@uwaterloo.ca. Oral defence Monday, December 1, 9:00 a.m., online.
Sociology and Legal Studies. Karmvir Padda, “From Radicalization to Violent Extremism: A Mixed Methods Study of Misogyny Across Forums, Podcasts, and Manifestos.” Supervisors, Dr. John McLevey, Dr. Owen Gallupe. Available upon request from the Faculty of Arts, Graduate Studies and Research Officer. Oral defence Monday, December 1, 1:00 p.m., remote participation.
Electrical and Computer Engineering. Matthew Ou, “Computer-aided Modeling and Tuning of RF Acoustic Wave Filters.” Supervisor, Dr. Raafat Mansour. Thesis available via SharePoint – email eng.phd@uwaterloo.ca to request a viewing link. Oral defence Tuesday, December 2, 1:30 p.m., EIT 3142.
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:
- School of Optometry temporary washroom closures, Thursday, September 25 until further notice, washrooms in Rooms 2023, 2026, and 3040 are out of service.
- Science Teaching Complex main atrium skylight replacement, Monday, November 3 to Friday, November 21, installation of a crash deck system below the skylight to facilitate the installation of new glass, scaffold will be present on the 3rd floor by the elevator, limiting seating areas during the day.
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North parking lot at RAC-1 shoring activity, Monday, November 10 to January 1, 2026, shoring, pile driving, lagging and tie-backs will take place between November 10 to the end of December 2025 as part of WaterFEL construction, traffic restrictions and limited access to be in place, excessive noise and vibration may occur in the work area.
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ESC roof work, Tuesday, November 18 to Thursday, November 20, the heat recovery line will be raised and a section of the roof will be re-insulated, there should be no interruption to any service or building access.
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Carl Pollock Hall, Douglas Wright Engineering, South Campus Hall, Rod Coutts Hall, Grad House fire alarm testing, Wednesday, November 19, 6:30 a.m. to 8:15 a.m.
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General Services Complex, Commissary, Central Plant fire alarm testing, Wednesday, November 19, 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
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B.C. Matthews Hall building addition domestic hot water shutdown, Wednesday, November 19, 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., domestic hot water shutdown for supply water to accommodate metering installation, no hot water to sinks.
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B.C. Matthews Hall and Lyle S. Hallman Institute for Health domestic hot water shutdown, Thursday, November 20, 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., domestic hot water shutdown to accommodate metering installation, no hot water to sinks.
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Chemistry 2 cold water shutdown, Saturday, November 22, 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., domestic cold water shutdown to accommodate metering installation, no water to sinks.