Editor:
Brandon Sweet
University Communications
bulletin@uwaterloo.ca
Save the date: June 11 Critical Minerals and Materials Connector event
Update as of May 7, 2026: This event has been postponed and will be rescheduled.
A message from the Office of Research.
A research partnerships event with a focus on building connections in the Critical Minerals and Materials sector is planned for June 11.
The Critical Minerals and Materials Connector Event will bring together University of Waterloo faculty and organizations working across critical minerals and materials value chains. The external organizations will submit written questions or challenges they wish to explore with Waterloo experts. Topics of interest may include:
- Systems-based analysis of critical minerals and materials value chains
- Advanced materials (development, processing and recycling)
- Next-generation mining technologies, including innovation in automation, AI, and communications
- Sustainable resource management and environmental impact
- Indigenous relations
- Policy and risk assessment
Submitted questions will be published on the event website. Waterloo researchers can then sign up for the specific questions they would like to discuss during a one-hour workshop with the organization. Watch for registration opening May 11.
Waterloo to host national conference on university governance
This Thursday through Saturday, the University of Waterloo's Secretariat will host the 2026 Canadian University Governance Association (CUGA) Conference. Formerly the Canadian University Boards Association, we will be welcoming board leaders and governance professionals from universities across Canada to Waterloo.
Taking place from April 30 to May 2, the conference comes at a critical time for the sector, as institutions navigate increasing complexity, technological disruption, and growing expectations around accountability and public trust.
Centered on the theme Innovate. Impact. Inspire., the program features national leaders in governance and higher education, with sessions on artificial intelligence in governance, shared governance models, and advancing equity through initiatives such as the Scarborough Charter.
University of Waterloo President Vivek Goel will join a national panel on the university presidency and the impact of board governance, alongside fellow university leaders from across Canada. Christopher Taylor, Waterloo’s Associate Vice-President, Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Anti-Racism, will also contribute to conference programming as part of a session on equity and governance.
As host institution, Waterloo is proud to convene this important national gathering, supporting the exchange of leading practices and strengthening governance across Canadian universities at a pivotal moment for higher education.
Swapping seedlings for the growing season
A message from the Sustainability Office.
The Sustainability Office is excited to host their fourth-annual Seedling Swap from May 13 to 14 to engage the campus community on gardening, food security, and local food systems.
People who have excess seedlings can swap for other seedlings (or simply donate them). Those who are interested in getting seedlings but do not have their own to trade can bring a non-perishable food item instead (max 5 per person), which will be donated to WUSA’s Food Support Service.
Details
- Seedling drop off: May 13 (8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.) or May 14 (8:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m.) in CPH 2385. Please label seedlings and identify whether they have been hardened off. You will receive tickets to be used at the swap event in exchange.
- Swap event: May 14 (12 noon to 2:00 p.m.) in the EV3 foyer, where you can “shop” for new seedlings.
- We gladly accept fruit and veggie seedlings, houseplants, flowers, and native plants, but please do not bring invasive species.
For more information, visit the Seedling Swap event website.
The bird is the word: give birding a try on the Campus Bird Walk
“Think birdwatching sounds a little… dorky?” asks Fiona McAlister. “Fair. But it’s also surprisingly fun and weirdly addictive. One minute you’re rolling your eyes at “birders,” the next you’ve downloaded the Merlin app and are plotzing over an elusive warbler.”
“Join us for a 45‑minute intro to birding on Tuesday, May 12 (rain date: May 13) at 7:30 a.m. (sorry it's early - that’s when the birds are up!). We’ll meet at Brubacher House on the North Campus. No experience necessary! This outing is truly for everyone, whether you’re bird‑curious, nature‑loving, or just along for a walk. We’ll cover the basics and see what’s around, and we have several pairs of binoculars available to borrow.”
Interested? Email Fiona McAlister at fmcalist@uwaterloo.ca to sign up and let her know if you’ll need to borrow binoculars. Warning: you may become a bird nerd.
Upcoming office closures
The Centre for Teaching Excellence (Integrated Teaching Support Unit) will be closed today for the annual Teaching and Learning Conference.
Register for a Budget Q&A session
Two in‑person Q&A sessions will be held to discuss the 2026/2027 operating budget and related initiatives in May. Both sessions will be livestreamed. Please register for one of the following sessions:
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Q&A Session 1, Thursday, May 14, 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m, Humanities Theatre
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Q&A Session 2, Friday, May 15, 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.
For more details, visit the Waterloo Budget Plan website.
Link of the day
Close enough for International Jazz 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!
University of Waterloo Teaching and Learning Conference 2026, Wednesday, April 29 and Thursday, April 30.
Anti-Racism Reads Series: Algorithms of Oppression, Thursday, April 30, 12 noon to 1:00 p.m., Dana Porter Library Room 338.
AEESP Distinguished Lecture: Using Nature-Based Treatment to Solve Some of the World’s Water Crises, by David Sedlak, University of California, Berkeley, co-hosted by The Water Institute and the Faculty of Engineering, Friday, May 1, 2:00 p.m., Federation Hall.
Home Routes Folk Concert: V. Poulsens Kapel, Sunday, May 3, 6:00 p.m. (potluck), 7:00 p.m. (concert), Brubacher House.
WIN-ChE Seminar with Andrew Fix, "Selective Membrane Air Dehumidification: Bridging the Gap Between Materials, Components, and HVAC System Design," Tuesday, May 5, 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m., QNC 1501.
Stories Carry Us: Honouring Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls, Tuesday, May 5, 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., BMH Green and HLTH LHS 1621.
Retirement Reception for Dorothy Chapman, Tuesday, May 5, 3:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. NH 2001.
NEW - Retirement celebration for Carol Ann Olheiser, Tuesday, May 5, 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m., TC 2218.
Trusting health care in the age of AI, Tuesday, May 5, 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., Centre for International Governance Innovation (CIGI).
Performance Development Program: A Manager's Overview, Wednesday, May 6, 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m., EC1 1023.
Performance Development Program: A Manager's Overview, Friday, May 8, 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., EC1 1023.
NEW - Triathlon Ring Road Rumble, Saturday, May 9, 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., PAC Pool.
WIN Distinguished Lecture with Arben Merkoçi, "Coupling Nanomaterials with Sustainable Platforms for Next-Generation Point-of-Care Nanobiosensors," Tuesday, May 12, 11:00 a.m. to 12 noon, QNC 1501.
WICI Complexity Day: From Particles to Markets: Complex Systems Across Disciplines, Wednesday, May 13, 11:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., PSE 7303.
NEW - The Life and Legacy of the Athabasca Glacier interactive art exhibit, Thursday, May 14 to Saturday, May 16, 12 noon to 5:00 p.m., The Artery Gallery, ECH 1207.
NEW - The Life and Legacy of the Athabasca Glacier interactive art exhibit opening reception and artist panel, Thursday, May 14, 3:30 p.m., The Artery Gallery, ECH 1207.
NEW - Faculty of Arts presents The Gaza Doctrine: Implications for International Law and the future of the Middle East featuring guest speaker Neve Gordon, May 13, 7:00 p.m., Fed Hall and online. Please register.
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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Service tunnel shutdown, Monday, April 27 to Friday, May 1 and Monday, May 4 to Tuesday, May 5, service tunnels from Central Plant to BMH, V1, SLC and partially PAC will be closed to allow for removal of old de-energized high voltage cables, tunnel access will be restricted and PPE will be required.
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Laurel Trail closure, Thursday, April 30 to Friday, May 8, the segment of the Laurel Trail between University Avenue West and Seagram Drive will be temporarily closed to prepare the site for upcoming pedestrian bridge construction, during the closure, pedestrians and cyclists are asked to use alternate routes to reach their destinations. Signage will be installed on-site.
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Energy Research Centre, Math 3, Burt Matthews Hall fire alarm testing, Friday, May 1, 6:30 a.m. to 8:15 a.m.
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Minota Hagey, Mackenzie King Village, Ron Edyt Village fire alarm testing, Friday, May 1, 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.
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QNC fan maintenance, Saturday, May 2, 6:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. (rain date Sunday, May 3), all exhaust fans and air make-ups will be affected while the semi-annual preventative maintenance on rooftop fans is carried out.