Editor:
Brandon Sweet
University Communications
bulletin@uwaterloo.ca
Last chance to register for the annual Waterloo Staff Conference
A message from Organizational and Human Development (OHD).
The countdown is on! More than 1,000 Waterloo employees have already registered for the 18th annual Waterloo Staff Conference happening on April 7 and 8. Are you joining us for this exciting opportunity to learn, connect, and be inspired? With four renowned keynote speakers, viewing parties, keynote meet-and-greets, and a multitude of employee-led workshops designed by your campus colleagues, this year’s conference promises to be unforgettable. We can’t wait for you to join us.
This two-day hybrid conference is free for University of Waterloo staff and can be experienced in the following formats:
- Day 1: April 7 – In-person spaces throughout Hagey Hall (HH), the Tatham Centre (TC) and the School of Accounting and Finance; virtual viewing options via Microsoft Teams for keynotes
- Day 2: April 8 – Virtually via Microsoft Teams and in-person viewing room options (AKA viewing parties) in East Campus 5 (EC5) and Arts Lecture Hall (AL) for the morning and afternoon keynotes
Visit the Waterloo Staff Conference website for all the details and to register on Portal today!
Already registered?
Visit the Frequently Asked Questions page for details and tips to prepare for your experience on April 7 and 8.
Register to attend a workshop on empowering students through AI-driven peer teaching
A message from the Integrated Teaching Support Unit (ITSU).
Join us on April 16 for an interactive workshop exploring Chrysalis, a UW-developed Large Language Model (LLM) being piloted in the Teaching Innovation Incubator, focused on helping students learn by having them teach the content they are learning in class to an AI-virtual student. Unlike traditional AI tutors, Chrysalis "flips the script"; it acts as a less-knowledgeable virtual student, requiring the actual student to explain concepts clearly to help the AI learn. Through novel assessment styles such as chat assignments, Chrysalis offers an active approach to AI integration in the classroom.
Why attend?
In this session, co-facilitators Dr. Pascal Poupart (Department of Computer Science) and Prashanth Arun (Department of Computer Science) will guide you through the theory of learning by teaching and demonstrate how Chrysalis provides an instructor-supervised environment where students take the driver's seat. You’ll get hands-on experience with the tool and collaborate with colleagues on how to integrate this model into your own teaching. For more information about this session’s learning outcomes, please visit the session’s registration page.
Event details
- Date: April 16
- Location: Dana Porter Library, LIB 329 (EdTech Sandbox)
- Time: 1:00 p.m. to 2:20 p.m.
- Requirement: Please bring a laptop to participate in the live demo and practice assignment.
Register here for the Chrysalis workshop.
Unable to attend the session but interested in learning more about Chrysalis?
Chrysalis is available for interested instructors and students to explore. You can explore the tool today by visiting the Chrysalis website and navigating over to the “Get Started for Free” prompt. You will need to request instructor access. Please follow the instructions provided on the website to set up your account and access the Chrysalis platform. If you encounter any difficulties or have questions about the platform, please contact the project team at tii@uwaterloo.ca.
No foolin': there will be a test of the emergency notification system tomorrow
On Thursday, April 2, the University will conduct a campus-wide test of the Emergency Notification System (ENS) provided by Regroup.
The test will send messages through the following channels:
- SMS/text message
- Regroup Mobile (safety app)
- Desktop Alert
- Campus Safety webpage
What you need to do before the test:
- Download the Regroup Mobile app and complete the login and recommended settings.
- Confirm your cell phone number is up to date:
- Staff: update it in the Regroup app
- Students: update it in Quest
- Install the Desktop Alert tool on your computer if it is not managed by the University.
If you have questions about the test or need help installing the Regroup app or Desktop Alert, please email ens@uwaterloo.ca.
What's up on a Wednesday
The Balsillie Executive Institute at the Balsillie School of International Affairs is running a course entitled Leading with AI, which is billed as “an executive-level course focused on equipping leaders to move from AI experimentation to real-world implementation. Participants will learn to identify high-impact use cases, assess feasibility, and develop a clear roadmap—all while addressing governance, risk, and strategic adoption.”
Course instructors include Dr. Dmytro Chumachenko and Dr. Ann Fitz-Gerald. The course runs from April 27 to May 1. For more information and to register, visit the Leading with AI website.
Waterloo alumni are eligible for a 15 per cent discount using the code UWALUM.
The Science and Math Communication Showcase runs today from 8:30 a.m. to 5:20 p.m. and continues tomorrow from 10:00 a.m. to 5:20 p.m. in the Science Teaching Complex's 2nd floor foyer.
WUSA Thrift's End of Term sale takes place today from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. in the SLC Multipurpose Room, where the ghosts of student council meetings past will preside over the sale of used clothing items, from hoodies to sweaters to pants. Good luck, thrifters!
The Velocity Co-op Workplace Simulation is set to run from 5:15 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. tonight in LIB 323. Participants will dive into the Matrix and take on the role of a co-op student at a healthcare company as they work with peers to uncover the organization’s key challenges in an interactive simulation. The event is open to students from all faculties and programs.
Link of the day
You can't spell literature without e-a-t: it's Edible Book 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.
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!
Science and Math Communication Showcase, Wednesday, April 1, 8:30 a.m. to 5:20 p.m. and Thursday, April 2, 10:00 a.m. to 5:20 p.m., Science Teaching Complex 2nd floor foyer.
WUSA Thrift EOT Sale, Wednesday, April 1, 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., SLC multipurpose room.
CareNext Coalition presents Better care, same team: Inside a pharmacist-led model changing cancer care, Wednesday, April 1, 12 noon to 1:00 p.m., online.
Velocity Co-op Workplace Simulation, Wednesday, April 1, 5:15 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., LIB 323.
Anti-Racism Reads Series: Algorithms of Oppression, Thursday, April 2, 12 noon to 1:00 p.m., Dana Porter Library Room 338.
Becoming a Public Scholar: Navigating the Media, Thursday, April 2, 12 noon to 2:00 p.m., DC 1302.
The Language Café: Communicating with confidence: Skills for self-advocacy, Thursday, April 2, 3:00 p.m. to 4:15 p.m., International Experience Centre Global Lounge, Needles Hall 1124. Register online.
Politics without the Podium 2026, Thursday, April 2, 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., The Bomber.
Good Friday holiday, Friday, April 3, most University operations and buildings closed.
Lectures and classes end, Monday, April 6.
University Senate meeting, Monday, April 6, 3:30 p.m., NH 3407 and online.
Pre-examination study days, Tuesday, April 7 and Wednesday, April 8.
Friesen Prize Lecture with Dr. Brenda Andrews, “Accelerating discovery: The catalytic impact of interdisciplinary environments and collaboration on basic biomedical research,” Tuesday, April 7, 1:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m., Needles Hall 3407. Please register as seating is limited.
Supervisory Relationships and Self Advocacy, Tuesday, April 7, 5:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., CLV Community Centre.
PAIR Speculative Futures Visiting Writer Series: Public Reading + Conversations. Tuesday, April 7, 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., EC5 1111.
BME Research Day, Wednesday, April 8, 10:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., PSE 2317.
Final examination period, Thursday, April 9 to Thursday, April 23.
The Language Café: Am I good enough? Understanding imposter feelings, Thursday, April 9, 3:00 p.m. to 4:15 p.m., Needles Hall 1124, International Experience Centre. Register online.
UW Administrative Professionals Community of Practice event registration deadline, Friday, April 10.
WIN-BME Joint Seminar: "Beyond Static Imaging: Structural and Functional Insights through X-ray microCT" with Marketa Kaiser and Jakub Salplachta, Tuesday, April 14, 12 noon to 1:30 p.m., PSE 231.
Positions available
This week's list from the human resources department is viewable through the Careers website or through Workday's new recruitment module. To access Workday Recruiting, login to Workday, and navigate to the Jobs Hub from the left side menu.
- Job ID# 2026-00413 – Accommodation Consultant - AccessAbility Services, USG 9
- Job ID# 2026-00414 - Graduate Coordinator - Faculty of Mathematics -Cheriton School of Computer Science, USG 5-6
- Job ID# 2026-00394 - Employer Experience Manager - Co-operative and Experiential Education, USG 11
- Job ID# 2026-00417 - Employer Experience Manager - Co-operative and Experiential Education, USG 11
- Job ID# 2026-00418 - Employer Experience Manager - Co-operative and Experiential Education, USG 11
- Job ID# 2026-00420 - Hiring Success Coordinator - Co-operative and Experiential Education, USG 5
- Job ID# 2026-00419 - Hiring Success Coordinator - Co-operative and Experiential Education, USG 5
- Job ID# 2026-00439 - Deputy Chief Information Officer - Information Systems and Technology, USG 18
- Job ID# 2026-00264 - Director, Information Technology Service Experience and Support - Information Systems and Technology, USG 16
Secondments and internal temporary opportunities
- Job ID# 2026-00409 - Services Support Specialist - Waterloo Undergraduate Student Association, USG 5
- Job ID# 2026-00432 - Alumni Relations Events Coordinator - Advancement and External Relations, USG 7
- Job ID# 2026-00429 - Project Manager, Strategic Integration and Delivery - Vice-President, Administration and Finance, USG 12
- Job ID# 2026-00441 - Director, Academic Support Unit Information Technology Experience - Information Systems and Technology, USG 16
Affiliated and Federated Institutions of Waterloo opportunities
Visit the Affiliated and Federated Institutions current opportunities page
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:
- Earth Sciences & Chemistry 1st and 2nd floor electrical shutdown, Saturday, April 11, 7:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., affecting all 120-240v electrical including lighting, emergency lighting will not be affected.
-
Earth Sciences & Chemistry low pressure steam shutdown, Monday, April 13, 12 midnight to April 14, 5:00 p.m., ESC will be without perimeter heating for the day, please dress accordingly.