Editor:
Brandon Sweet
University Communications
bulletin@uwaterloo.ca
Help shape Waterloo’s future leadership: nominations open for senior leadership committees
A message from Vivek Goel, President and Vice-Chancellor; and Chair of the Vice-President, Academic and Provost Nominating Committee and Vice-President, Research and International Nominating Committee.
On June 30, 2027, the terms of the following positions will conclude:
- Interim Vice-President, Academic and Provost (VPAP) – Dr. Tom Duever; and
- Vice-President, Research and International (VPRI) – Dr. Charmaine Dean.
Consistent with Policy 48 (VPAP) and Policy 68 (VPRI), the President will chair both nominating committees with support from the Office of the President. As specified in the respective policies, additional members are appointed to each committee (e.g. Board member, affiliated/federated college faculty).
Seats open for nomination
VPAP Committee:
- Senator of professorial rank from each faculty
- Two regular faculty members (faculty-at-large)
- Two staff members (regular staff)
VPRI Committee:
- Senator of professorial rank from each faculty
- One regular staff member from the Office of Research
Committee timelines
Both committees will commence their work by spring 2026 and continue for approximately nine to twelve months.
Additional considerations
While members of the community may stand for election to both committees, note that each represents a significant workload over a period of 9 to 12 months. If elected to both committees, members will be expected to participate fully in both committees.
Nomination details
The deadline for nominations is Friday, January 23 at 4:00 p.m. Nominations for each committee must be supported by at least three nominators. Click below to access the self-nomination form:
For questions about nominations and elections, please email vps.search.elections@uwaterloo.ca.
Elections will take place during the last week of January 2026.
Questions
Direct inquiries in confidence to Andrea Kelman, Executive Director, Office of the President at akkelman@uwaterloo.ca, and refer to the VPAP and VPRI nominating committees website for updates on the search process.
Reminder: register and join the Antagonism and Intimidation in Academia panel today
A message from the Office of Research.
Don’t miss the final panel in the Antagonism and Intimidation in Academia Speaker Series 2.0, happening today, Monday, January 12, from 3:00 to 4:25 p.m., followed by a reception from 4:30 to 5:00 p.m. in East Campus 5 (EC 5), Room 1027.
Moderated by Dr. Shana MacDonald, Associate Professor of Communication Arts at the University of Waterloo, this panel will explore free speech, hate speech laws, and freedom of expression within and beyond university environments. Topics include the complexities of free speech, university conduct under expanding freedom of expression, and issues surrounding the banning of symbols, flags, and insignia under hate speech laws.
Panelists:
- Dr. Honor Brabazon, Associate Professor, Legal Studies, St. Jerome’s University at the University of Waterloo
- Dr. Allyson Lunny, Associate Professor, Law & Society, York University
- Dr. Alexie Tcheuyap, Professor of French Studies; Dean of the Faculty of Arts, University of Waterloo
This panel is supported by the Office of the Vice-President, Research and International, and the Office of the Vice-President, Academic and Provost, in partnership with event organizer Dr. Suzan Ilcan, Professor of Sociology and University Research Chair.
Seats are limited, so please register now to secure your spot!
Eight next generation scientists making real-world impact
By Sarah Fullerton. This is an excerpt of an article originally published on Waterloo News.
The University of Waterloo prioritizes developing future-focused solutions through experiential learning and boundary-breaking research that provides the opportunity for students to lead innovation for real-world impact.
This vision comes to life in the Faculty of Science, where students take their curiosity far beyond the classroom into labs, field sites, research institutes, and community spaces. From tracking methane emissions to authoring inclusive stories, forecasting drought, advancing health research, and exploring planets beyond our solar system, these students are shaping the future of scientific discovery.
Explore eight stories of students pushing science forward.
Allysa Greidanus - Chemistry
Allysa Greidanus is developing purification methods to recycle wastewater under the guidance of Dr. Graham Murphy. Partnering with deutraMed, a deuterium science and innovation company, she is working to analyze, evaluate and purify deuterium oxide (D₂O) wastewaters for refining and reuse, which is vital to pharmaceutical science and advanced materials like OLEDs. Read more about Allysa.
Talina Papazia -Biomedical Sciences
As an ally of the disability community, Talina Papazian wrote and illustrated You Taught Me, a children’s book featuring inclusive characters and narrative to raise funds and awareness for children with disabilities and developmental differences. The book has sold over 800 copies and 100% of the proceeds are donated to the Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital, where she continues to support their programs as an ongoing volunteer. Read more about Talina.
Link of the day
Holy 60th anniversary, Batman!
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.
Warriors Winter Youth Camps, registration is now open for multi-sport and games, baseball, basketball, eSports, football and hockey camps for boys and girls ages 5 to 18. Register today!
Warrior Rec Intramurals registration deadline, Monday, January 12, 1:00 p.m. Over 15 leagues to choose from. Find out more and sign up today!
Global Futures Fund 2.0 Online Information Session, Monday, January 12, 3:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m., online. Register now.
Antagonism and Intimidation in Academia Speaker Series 2.0, Monday, January 12, 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m., EC5 1027.
GSA Nourish'n' Go event, Tuesday, January 13, 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 a.m., SLC Grad Lounge.
NEW - GIS Speed Run Sessions: What is GIS?, Tuesday, January 13, 2:30 p.m. to 3:00 p.m., online.
Velocity Innovation Open House, Tuesday, January 13, 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., Federation Hall.
Winter 2026 Start of Term International Student Mixer, Tuesday, January 13, 6:00 p.m to 9:00 p.m., Needles Hall International Experience Lounge.
Noon Hour Concert: Songs & Dances from Spain & the Americas, Wednesday, January 14, 12 noon, Conrad Grebel Chapel. Free admission.
Cracking the code: tips for technical interview success, Wednesday, January 14, 12 noon to 1:00 p.m., TC 2218.
Fruit and Veg Market, Wednesday, January 14, 12 noon to 4:00 p.m., SLC lower atrium, PSE 1st floor. $10 for a bag of assorted produce while supplies last.
NEW - The Stories We Carry, Wednesday, January 14, 5:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., SCH 219.
MPACS Grad Program Info Session, Thursday, January 15, 12 noon to 1:00 p.m., Register today!
NEW - Queer Movie Night, Thursday, January 15, 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., Grad Lounge, Student Life Centre.
Science in the City – Energy, Thursday, January 15, 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., Catalyst Commons, 137 Glasgow Street, Kitchener.
Lectures in Catholic Experience presents Dr. Gary Adler, Jr., "Catholic in Governing, not Catholicism in Government: How Local Government Officials Manage Interaction between Religion and State," Thursday, January 15, 7:30 p.m., Notre Dame Chapel, St. Jerome's University. Register on the SJU website.
NEW - UWaterloo Charity Handmade Market, Friday, January 16, 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., PSE Second Floor Event Space.
Data Organization Made Easy with dplyr, Tuesday, January 20, 9:30 a.m. to 12 noon, DC 1568.
NEW - Waterloo Knowledge Mobilization Community of Practice, “Innovative Tools for Knowledge Mobilization in Civic Education... and Beyond,” Wednesday, January 21, 1:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m., OVPRI EC5- 3101 or MS Teams. Contact Nadine Quehl to register for in-person or to request a Teams invitation.
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:
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Engineering 2 and 3, Davis Centre, Math & Computer fire alarm testing, Monday, January 12, 6:30 a.m. to 8:15 a.m.
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Aberfoyle - Biorem fire alarm testing, Monday, January 12, 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
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Fire Research Facility fire alarm testing, Monday, January 12, 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.
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Physical Activities Complex, Student Life Centre, RAC 1 and 2, Federation Hall fire alarm testing, Wednesday, January 14, 6:30 a.m. to 8:15 a.m.
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General Services Complex, Commissary, Central Plant fire alarm testing, Thursday, January 15, 6:30 a.m. to 8:15 a.m.
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School of Architecture fire alarm testing, Friday, January 16, 6:30 a.m. to 8:15 a.m.
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Digital Media Stratford fire alarm testing, Friday, January 16, 12 noon to 1:00 p.m.