Editor:
Brandon Sweet
University Communications
bulletin@uwaterloo.ca
The Waterloo Staff Conference starts today!
A message from Organizational and Human Development (OHD).
Over the course of the next two days, April 7 and 8, HR's Organizational and Human Development team, along with 1,200+ participants, will be taking over Hagey Hall of the Humanities and surrounding buildings for the 18th annual Waterloo Staff Conference.
This two-day hybrid conference is free for University of Waterloo staff and will be experienced in the following formats:
- Day 1: April 7 – In-person spaces throughout Hagey Hall (HH), the School of Accounting and Finance and the Tatham Centre (TC); virtual viewing options via Microsoft Teams for keynotes
- Note: Registration and doors open at 8:30 a.m.
- 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
It’s not too late to register! Registration will remain open on Portal until the end of April 8. Visit the Waterloo Staff Conference website for all the details and to register today.
Already registered? Visit the Frequently Asked Questions page to get ready and to learn which sessions will be recorded and available after the conference.
Ambassadors needed for Convocation
A message from Advancement.
Convocation is a milestone moment for our newest graduates — and an amazing opportunity for campus teams to come together, give back and celebrate as a community.
This year, we’re inviting staff to sign up as teams or individuals to support 14 ceremonies from Tuesday, June 16 to Saturday, June 20, 2026. With more than 300 ambassador shifts available, it’s easy for you and your colleagues to volunteer side‑by‑side.
Volunteering as an ambassador is a fun, meaningful way to:
- strengthen team connections
- meet colleagues from across campus
- try something new together
- contribute to an unforgettable experience for our graduates and their families
Managers are encouraged to share this opportunity and consider organizing team or individual shifts.
Visit the convocation website to learn more or register!
University provides update on parking rates
"Effective May 1, 2026, employee and student permit parking will increase by 3.5 per cent at the Waterloo and Kitchener campuses," wrote Executive Director of Safety, Security and Transportation Kate Windsor in a memo circulated to employees yesterday. "In order to continue to keep our monthly permit fees as low as possible and to support key services on campus, our daily parking rates will also increase— the standard daily rate will rise to $10 and premium lots to $20 to $30. Alongside key services like lot maintenance, EV charging maintenance and snow removal, we also continue to invest in valuable infrastructure and programming."
"Refer to our rate changes web page for more information," Windsor writes.
Investments in 2025
"This past year, we conducted a parking lot rehabilitation study to inform our multi-year plan for pavement resurfacing and repairs," Windsor's memo continues. "To extend the life of our existing lots, repairs are scheduled across several lots in 2026, with plans to start necessary resurfacing or reconstruction of others in 2027. Other improvements include lighting enhancements for safety and security into 2027."
"A large focus for our campus planning has been on bike security. Efforts include opening a new access controlled indoor bicycle parking room in EC3 which houses up to 32 bicycles, improving winter access to bike racks, and the implementation of Project 529, a global bike registration and recovery program now active in Waterloo Region. "
Sustainable travel options
Sustainable Transportation is committed to providing programs, services, and resources to help you integrate active and sustainable travel into your daily commute to and from campus. Here are just a few.
Carpooling
Preferential parking is available between 7:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. every weekday for carpool groups that have registered with Sustainable Transportation. The TravelWise Emergency Ride Home program provides up to $75 in reimbursement for emergency travel on days you commute sustainably.
Suspend your parking permit in the summer months
Our summer parking suspension program offers employees who would like to try a sustainable or active mode of transportation in warmer months the option to temporarily suspend their parking pass and hold their spot in their existing lot.
Cycling
Waterloo’s campuses are connected by many accessible and scenic routes for commuting. Various styles of open-air bike racks are available for free in high-traffic areas and secure and enclosed bike parking options are available by permit. For further security, cyclists can register their bike for free on the Project 529 website or on the 529 Garage app. Find out more about cycling.
Transit
Grand River Transit’s Corporate Pass offers Waterloo employees 15 per cent off a monthly pass or stored value throughout the year to use on GRT buses and the ION train. Full-time students have access to a universal transit pass (U-Pass) program, which entitles them to unlimited rides.
Waterloo’s main campus is served by 10 bus routes and the ION at three stations, making it highly accessible by transit. GRT information, fare cards, and tickets are available at the Turnkey Desk or east campus ION station fare vending machines. The Kitchener campus benefits from its downtown location, with direct access to the ION and 8 bus routes that are steps away. Find out more about public transit.
"Thank you for your continued support as we strive to create an exceptional campus experience for the University community," Windsor's memo concludes.
Podcast episode explores belonging
A message from the Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Anti-Racism Office (EDI-R).
What does it really mean to belong?
In the latest episode of the Conversations We Need to Have, Monique Chambers explores diasporic identity and what it means to belong when identity is shaped by culture, migration, memory, and spirit. In conversation with Aina-Nia Ayodele, they reflect on how institutions often treat Blackness as a single experience, overlooking the layered realities of diasporic communities.
Together, they discuss what’s lost when complexity is flattened—and what becomes possible when identity is understood as dynamic, historical, and deeply rooted.
Upcoming office closures
The Arts Undergraduate Office will be closed today.
Finance (including Student Financial Services) will be closed Thursday, April 9, from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. for a staff event. The front counter in East Campus 5 (EC5) will be closed during this time. Normal operations will resume Thursday, April 9 at 1:00 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.
Warriors Summer 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!
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.
GenAI in Teaching Material Development - In Person (CTE7553), Tuesday, April 14, 1:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m., MC 2036.
Board of Governors meeting, Tuesday, April 14, 1:30 p.m., NH 3407 and Zoom.
Cooperathon powered by Desjardins: registration AMA, Wednesday, April 15, 12 noon to 12:30 p.m., online.
Master of Taxation virtual information session, Wednesday April 15, 12 noon.
PhD oral defences
Mechanical and Mechatronics Engineering. Shaundell Dubay, “A Framework for Human-Robot Interaction in Industrial Environments.” Supervisors, Dr. William W. Melek, Dr. Christopher Nielsen. Thesis available via SharePoint – email eng.phd@uwaterloo.ca to request a viewing link. Oral defence Wednesday, April 15, 10:00 a.m., remote.
Recreation and Leisure Studies. Kevin Wilson, "Examining Experiential Pathways from Service Quality and Engagement to Student Outcomes in Intramural Sport." Supervisor, Dr. Laura Wood. Email Health Graduate Administration for a copy. Oral defence Wednesday, April 15, 1:00 p.m., EXP 1686.
Civil and Environmental Engineering. Ehsan Akbari, “A Surrogate Modeling Framework for Time Resolved Energy Prediction in High Performance Office Buildings.” Supervisor, Dr. Costa Kapsis. Thesis available via SharePoint – email eng.phd@uwaterloo.ca to request a viewing link. Oral defence Thursday, April 16, 9:00 a.m., E2 2318.
Mechanical and Mechatronics Engineering. Jose Rosas-Bustos, “Engineering-Oriented Verification and Probabilistic Modeling of Quantum Devices Under Noise, Finite Resolution, and Adversarial Conditions.” Supervisor, Dr. Roydon Fraser. Thesis available via SharePoint – email eng.phd@uwaterloo.ca to request a viewing link. Oral defence Thursday, April 16, 1:00 p.m., E5 3052.
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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East Campus 1, East Campus 2, East Campus 3, East Campus 4, East Campus 5 fire alarm testing, Tuesday, April 7, 6:30 a.m. to 8:15 a.m.
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Physical Activities Complex, Student Life Centre, RAC 1 and 2, Federation Hall fire alarm testing, Wednesday, April 8, 6:30 a.m. to 8:15 a.m.
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Environment 1, 2 and 3, Modern Languages, Dana Porter Library, Needles Hall fire alarm testing, Friday April 10, 6:30 a.m. to 8:15 a.m.
- 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.
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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.