Editor:
Brandon Sweet
University Communications
bulletin@uwaterloo.ca
Commemorating the victims of the Montreal Massacre
By Charlotte Danby. This is an excerpt of an article originally published on Waterloo News.
December 6 marks Canada’s National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women. The day commemorates the 14 women, mostly engineering students, who were killed at École Polytechnique de Montréal (now Polytechnique Montréal) in 1989 by a lone gunman — because they were women.
For the University of Waterloo’s Faculty of Engineering, this day is a call to remember, to reflect and to respond to the scourge of gender-based violence and society’s collective responsibility to eradicate it.
Dr. Mary Wells, dean of Waterloo Engineering, says the Montreal Massacre continues to resonate deeply within engineering education and the profession.
“Something really broke in all of us that day — our collective innocence, our belief that progress was certain and equality inevitable,” Wells says. “But as survivor Nathalie Provost reminds us, strength can rise from adversity. Remembering the women we lost compels us to be strong, to bear witness and build a country where everyone can pursue their dreams without fear.”
Waterloo Engineering staff, students and faculty members light a candle for each of the 14 victims of the Montreal Massacre.
Remember
Dr. Maud Gorbet, director of Waterloo’s Biomedical Engineering program, was an engineering student in France when she heard about the massacre.
“I remember wondering what had happened, but no one really talked about it,” she says. “It wasn’t until I came to Canada that I fully understood its meaning — that these women were targeted because they were women studying engineering.”
Read the full story on Waterloo News
Campus-wide ORCID pilot project concludes
A message from the Libraries.
The two-year pilot project exploring the campus-wide implementation of Open Researcher and Contributor Identifiers (ORCID) will officially conclude in early 2026.
Launched in 2024, the initiative was led by the Libraries with support from the Office of Research and Graduate Studies and Post-doctoral Affairs. The project focused on PhD students and post-doctoral researchers, aiming to identify key workflows that enable staff to better identify the work of Waterloo researchers, using the ORCID affiliation tool. This tool allows researchers to authorize a trusted organization to add research information to their ORCID record, saving them time and streamlining their research activities.
As the pilot wraps up, 60 per cent of all PhD and post-doctoral researchers have signed up for an ORCID and affiliated their account with the University of Waterloo.
Throughout the project, workshops and information sessions generated positive feedback and lots of discussion of its potential uses beyond stated benefits to improve researcher workflows.
Although the pilot is ending, there is still much work that can be done to make accurately identifying researchers and their output easier. ORCID and the demonstrated value of the affiliation tool suggest that adoption across campus will continue to grow. Several faculties have already reached out to the Libraries for support in integrating ORCID into their systems. Nationally, NSERC and SSHRC have incorporated ORCID into one of their grant funding platforms, reflecting broader support across the research community.
For more information, visit Libraries’ ORCID pilot project webpage and library guide to sign up for an ORCID and instructions on how to link your Scopus account. Questions can be directed to the Libraries’ Research Intelligence Project Analyst.
20% off everything at the staff and faculty appreciation event
A message from W Store.
W Store invites you to enjoy 20 per cent off (almost) everything for a Staff and Faculty Appreciation Event! From December 8 to 12, shop in-store or online as a thank you for all you do.
Visit W Store (SCH), W Store Essentials (MC) or wstore.ca to shop and save! Apply code STAFF2025 when you shop online or let our staff in-store know you are a staff or faculty member. Don’t miss this chance to treat yourself—you deserve it!
Exclusions include course kits, textbooks, custom orders, Indigenous Collection items, YETI drinkware, Jellycat products, LEGO products, Herschel products, diploma frames, clearance products, gift cards, calculators, and all technology items.
A reminder to clean up your office before the holidays
A message from Plant Operations.
As the holiday season approaches, we’d like to share a quick reminder before you head out for the break:
- Please empty any personal office garbage, especially if it contains food waste, and place it in the kitchenette or bathroom bins.
- Recycling including organics should be sorted and placed into the waste/recycling receptacles throughout the building.
Leaving food waste behind over the break can attract pests and create unpleasant odours, so your help in keeping things clean is greatly appreciated! If you have any questions or concerns, feel free to reach out to Facilities at pltops.maintenance@uwaterloo.ca.
Monday's notes
Across campus this November, several men participated in Movember, raising money for men's mental and physical health by growing moustaches. Among them were members of Special Constable Services's motorized patrol unit, who raised more than $1,500 during this year's campaign. Thanks to Kate Windsor, Kyle Werth, and Mike Becks for the photo.
A two-part workshop offered by the Centre for Teaching Excellence kicks off today: Assessment Redesign and Generative Artificial Intelligence (GenAI) - (CTE7556) runs Monday, December 8 and Wednesday, December 10 this week from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. in MC 2036.
"This two-part assessment redesign workshop explores the implications of GenAI for assessment design, offering strategies to both harness GenAI as a learning tool and address challenges," says a note from CTE. "Over two half-days, the workshop provides space, time, expertise, and peer feedback to help participants create assessments that are both innovative and resilient in the age of GenAI."
On Tuesday, December 9, CTE is offering Getting Started in LEARN (CTE6656) from 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. in MC 2036. "This two-hour in-person session will introduce you to LEARN (D2L Brightspace), uWaterloo's learning management system for presenting course activities and resources in on-campus and blended courses," says the note from CTE.
The Music department will be hosting a Composer's Concert tonight from5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. in the Conrad Grebel University College chapel. "Composing music can be frustrating, difficult, life-giving, healing and exhilarating," says the Music department. "Come hear the result of a term's work by the Music Composition Class (Music 376). Taught by Dr. Karen Sunabacka, the students have learned to compose in various styles while maintaining their unique voice." Admission is free.
Upcoming office closures
The Office of the Vice-President Research and International, including the Office of Research, will be closed today from 11:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. for their annual holiday lunch. The doors will be locked during that time. Normal operations will resume at 2:45 p.m.
The Safety Office will close on Tuesday, December 9 at 2:00 p.m.
Link of the day
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.
Final examination period, Friday, December 5 to Friday, December 19.
Assessment Redesign and Generative Artificial Intelligence (GenAI) - (CTE7556), Monday, December 8 to Wednesday, December 10, 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m., MC 2036.
Chemistry seminar: "Synthesis of metal pnictides and exploration of their thermoelectric and catalytic potential" featuring Kirill Kovnir, Professor, Department of Chemistry, Iowa State University, Monday, December 8, 10:00 a.m., C2-361 (reading room).
Composer's Concert, Monday, December 8, 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., Conrad Grebel University College chapel.
Getting Started in LEARN - In Person (CTE6656), Tuesday, December 9, 1:30 p.m. 3:30 p.m., MC 2036.
Deadline to get "Fees Arranged," Wednesday, December 10.
ReCharge 2025: Inside Canada’s EV Battery Technology, Wednesday, December 10, 5:00 p.m., QNC 0101.
NEW - CVIS 2025 - 11th Annual Conference on Vision and Intelligent Systems, Monday, December 15 and Tuesday, December 16, Pearl Sullivan Engineering Building (formerly E7).
OHD Lending Library drop-in session, Tuesday, December 16, 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., EC1 1004. Register on Portal.
PhD oral defences
Mechanical and Mechatronics Engineering. Maryam Soleimani, “Short-Pulsed Laser processing of Metal-Oxide Nanomaterials: Role of Defects in Properties, Nanojoining, and Sintering.” Supervisors, Dr. Norman Zhou, Dr. Peng Peng. Thesis available via SharePoint – email eng.phd@uwaterloo.ca to request a viewing link. Oral defence Thursday, December 11, 8:30 a.m., remote.
School of Public Health Sciences. Laura Peach, "Experiencing Land-Based Nourishing: An Indigenous Evaluation of Urban Land-Based Food Education in the Waterloo Region.", Supervisor, Dr. Kelly Skinner. Email Health Graduate Administration for a copy, Oral defence Thursday, December 11, 9:30am, BMH 3119 and hybrid.
School of Pharmacy. Jesse St. Jean, “The examination of bacteriophage M13-based miniphagemids as a platform for the delivery of genetic material for neuronal applications.” Supervisor, Dr. Roderick Slavcev. Visit the Faculty of Science Thesis Submission Notices website for details on requesting a copy to review. Oral defence Thursday, December 11, 10:00 a.m., Pharmacy Rm 2009 .
Electrical and Computer Engineering. Nikolay Videnov, “Aluminum Nitride Photonic Integrated Circuits with Applications to Cold Atoms.” Supervisor, Dr. Michal Bajcsy. Thesis available via SharePoint – email eng.phd@uwaterloo.ca to request a viewing link. Oral defence Thursday, December 11, 10:00 a.m., remote.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:
- 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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Engineering 2 and 3, Davis Centre, Math & Computer fire alarm testing, Monday, December 8, 6:30 a.m. to 8:15 a.m.
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Aberfoyle - Biorem fire alarm testing, Monday, December 8, 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
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Fire Research Facility fire alarm testing, Monday, December 8, 1:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.
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Physical Activities Complex, Student Life Centre, RAC 1 and 2, Federation Hall fire alarm testing, Wednesday, December 10, 6:30 a.m. to 8:15 a.m.
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Optometry fire alarm testing, Friday, December 12, 6:00 a.m. to 6:30 a.m.
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Environment 1, 2 and 3, Modern Languages, Dana Porter Library, Needles Hall fire alarm testing, Friday, December 12, 6:30 a.m. to 8:15 a.m.
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East Campus 4, East Campus 5 fire alarm testing, Friday, December 12, 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
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South campus replacement of 4 main backflow preventers, Friday, December 19, 2:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., all soft water on campus will be affected, some locations will not have the use of hot water, or soft water.
- South campus replacement of 4 main backflow preventers, Saturday, December 20, 2:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., all soft water on campus will be affected, some locations will not have the use of hot water, or soft water.