Editor:
Brandon Sweet
University Communications
bulletin@uwaterloo.ca
Graduate Studies and Postdoctoral Affairs seeks assistant vice-president
“Graduate Studies and Postdoctoral Affairs is seeking to fill the position of Assistant Vice-President, GSPA and Assistant Provost, Graduate Students for a two-year term, starting July 1, 2026,” was the message shared by Justin Wan, Interim Associate-Vice President, Graduate Studies and Postdoctoral Affairs, in a memo sent to all faculty members on Wednesday, encouraging applications by the deadline of Wednesday, June 3 at 12 noon.
The memo goes on to say that “this new role is part of the GSPA senior leadership team that supports excellence in graduate education, a thriving graduate community, and graduate student and postdoctoral scholars.”
“The successful candidate will bring administrative leadership experience and have experience in the graduate arena (e.g. Graduate Officer/Graduate Chair, Associate Dean, Graduate Studies). Eligible applicants must be faculty members with Sole-Supervisory Privilege Status (SSPS2). As the position involves representing GSPA in diverse contexts, applicants should be comfortable being in a visible role, providing leadership within and beyond the University community.”
To review the full details of the role, including application instructions, visit the posting online. Questions regarding this role can be directed to Marianne Simm, Director, Graduate Studies and Postdoctoral Affairs.
Panel discussion will celebrate Indigenous authorship
A message from the Office of Indigenous Relations.
In celebration of Indigenous Heritage Month, Waterloo’s Office of Indigenous Relations and the University of Waterloo Libraries invite you to an Indigenous Authors and Publishers Reading, Panel, and Q&A.
The event takes place on June 11 from 1:30 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. on the main floor of the Dana Porter Library in front of the Indigenous mural.
Featuring Indigenous-owned publishers Ojistoh Publishing and Kegedonce Press, the event brings together authors Dawn Cheryl Hill (Memory Keeper), Dr. Karenna’onwe Hill (The Good Mind), D.A. Lockhart, and Coltrane Seesequasis for readings, discussion, and audience Q&A.
Books will be available for purchase, and light refreshments will be provided.
Register on the Office of Indigenous Relations website.
What gets lost when people have to reshape themselves to be heard?
A message from the Office of Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Anti-Racism (EDI-R).
In episode 4 of The Conversations We Need to Have, with host Monique Chambers, Senior Training Specialist from the Office of EDI-R, we reflect on how communication norms inside universities are often shaped by culture, history, and power rather than neutrality alone. From professionalism and tone to clarity, silence, and emotional expression, the conversation explores how expectations around communication can shape who feels heard, understood, and able to belong.
Featured guests, Dr. Frankie Condon and Dr. Kim Nguyen from the Faculty of Arts, invite listeners to consider what gets normalized in academic spaces and what it might look like to imagine communication differently in pursuit of more inclusive and equitable communities.
What could more equitable communication look like in our campus communities? Listen to the episode.
You @ Waterloo Day tomorrow and other notes
Students who have received an offer of admission and their supporters will be on campus on Saturday, May 23 for You @ Waterloo Day, the final event in the annual recruiting cycle and a day to make a good impression on future students. Attendees will be able to meet with professors, staff and students, take a walking tour of campus, and visit residences, among other activities.
The Waterloo High School Electric Vehicle (EV) Challenge has been postponed to Sunday, May 24, due to inclement weather. Hosted by Waterloo Engineering, the challenge allows students to design, build and drive their own electric race cars in an endurance competition on the East Campus. The challenge will feature two heat races and a feature race, and a number of awards will be handed out. The races are free and open to the public. Opening ceremonies begin at 10:00 a.m.
As the course makes good use of the parking lots surrounding many of the East Campus buildings, Q Lot is essentially off-limits to drivers on Sunday. Signs have been posted to that effect.
Finally, a reminder that the Faculty of Science's Turtle Island Indigenous Science Conference kicks off on Sunday, May 24 and runs until Tuesday, May 26. The keynote speaker is climate research leader, policy advisor, and speaker Janna Wale. The event includes several plenary sessions over three days as well as a poster display.
Link of the day
International Day for Biological Diversity
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!
NEW - You @ Waterloo Day, Saturday, May 23.
Turtle Island Indigenous Science Conference 2026, Sunday, May 24 to Tuesday, May 26.
NEW - Waterloo High School Electric Vehicle (EV) Challenge, Sunday, May 24, East Campus.
MobilizeU 2026 registration deadline, Sunday, May 24, 11:59 p.m.Contact Nadine Quehl for details.
Project 529 Bike Registry Registration Rallies, Tuesday, May 26 and Thursday, May 28, 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., outside UWP.
Integrating GenAI in Assessments - In Person (CTE7551) Wednesday, May 27, 10:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., MC 2036.
Neuron e-scooter employee demo day, Wednesday, May 27, 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., on the Laurel Trail near Engineering 5.
CareNext Collective: What actually works in AI-enabled care, Wednesday, May 27, 12 noon to 1:00 p.m., online.
Fruits and Veg Market, Wednesday, May 27, 12 noon to 4:00 p.m., PSE 1st floor; Student Life Centre Marketplace; Environment 3. Open to all members of the University community, $12.99 for a bag of assorted produce while supplies last.
Cornerstone, Thursday, May 28 to Thursday, June 11.
A Rhetoricon Symposium: Figuring Constructions, Constructing Figures, Thursday, May 28 and Friday, May 29, DC 1301 and 1302.
Accessible Teaching Support for Instructors Part 1: Making the Most of the Accessible Teaching Website - Online (CTE7051), Thursday, May 28, 12 noon to 1:00 p.m., online.
Gen Z Decoded and Employer Impact Awards, Thursday, May 28, 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m., online.
Why Founders Waste Months on the Wrong Decisions and How to Avoid It, Thursday, May 28, 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., University of Waterloo, Pearl Sullivan Engineering, 2nd Floor, Rooms 2357/2317.
University of Waterloo Campus Community Survey closes Friday, May 29. The survey is open to all students, who can enter a draw to win prizes.
Pride flag re-raising event, Monday, June 1, 11:45 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., H Lot, remarks at noon.
Accessibility Ally Network, Wednesday, June 3, 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., virtually on MS Teams.
Bike Fair 2026, Wednesday, June 3, 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., Peter Russell Rock Garden.
Shaping Futures: Celebrating Vivek Goel, Wednesday, June 3, 3:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m., BMH Green and Indigenous Gathering Space.
From Research to Policy: A Panel Session on Enhancing Research Impact in the Policy Arena, Thursday, June 4, 2:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m., online. Open to Waterloo faculty, staff, graduate students, and postdoctoral fellows. Please register.
Earth's Greatest Enemy: Film Screening & Talk on war and the environment marking World Environment Day, Friday, June 5, 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., Arts Lecture Hall Room 113.
Adrian Smith 2026 Lecture: Sasha Wilson, Wednesday, June 10, 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m., QNC 2502.
Open House celebrating Dr. Richard Myers, Wednesday, June 10, 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m., United College patio.
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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REV South-East Quads water tank replacement, Wednesday, May 6 to Friday, August 14, hot water will not be available in the south-east quad affecting washrooms.
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East Campus Hall, Engineering 5, 6, Pearl Sullivan Engineering (E7) fire alarm testing, Friday, May 22, 6:30 a.m. to 8:15 a.m.
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Wilmot South, Wellesley South, Eby Hall, Claudette Millar Hall fire alarm testing, Friday, May 22, 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.
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PAS asbestos remediation, Saturday, May 23, 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., a section of corridor (3308) in PAS will be closed, with no access to Rooms 3274 and 3275, HVAC systems will be off for sections of the 3rd and 4th floors during the remediation process.
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REV South corridor temporary corridor closure, Monday, May 25, 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., access to the REV South corridor outside Mechanical Room 101 will be closed for the day. Alternate route signage will be posted.
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ESC fume hood exhaust fan outages, Monday, May 25, 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., strobic fans will cycle on and off during installation of software, please avoid activities requiring fume hood exhaust service because outages will be random and intermittent.
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Optometry air handler shutdown, Tuesday, May 26, 7:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., during the shutdown airflow throughout older areas of the building will be reduced, the 2009 addition will be operating normally.