Wednesday, May 27, 2026

Previous | Next

• Libraries to decommission OLOR platform

• Finally, food that fits your wallet

• Prof recognized for contributions to road safety

• Gearing up for Bike Fair 2026
• Wednesday's notes

Libraries to decommission OLOR platform

A message from the Libraries.

The Libraries' Online Learning Object Repository (OLOR) will be decommissioned as of July 1, 2026, with relevant content redistributed to Waterloo's LEARN platform and eCampus Ontario.

Launched in 2020, OLOR provided online access to learning materials supporting information literacy, research and professional skills for students, faculty and staff at the University of Waterloo and beyond.

Following a comprehensive review, the Libraries determined that maintaining OLOR is no longer sustainable. To better support teaching and learning, most content is being moved to platforms that align more closely with how users access and engage with materials:

• Course-related, Waterloo-specific content will be migrated to LEARN, where it can be integrated directly into course shells for easy access, supporting instructional context and active learning.
• Open-access content of general interest will be shared via eCampus Ontario, improving discoverability and enabling broader use within the open educational resource ecosystem.

This transition will provide a more sustainable, secure and accessible approach to delivering learning resources while reducing duplication and maintenance overhead.

Faculty who have used OLOR content can expect many of these resources to be available through LEARN or eCampus Ontario in the coming months. Questions can be directed to Stefaniada Voichita, Instructional Design Library Associate, at svoichit@uwaterloo.ca.

Finally, food that fits your wallet

A message from Food Services.

Ever find yourself in line on campus thinking, I’m hungry, but I don’t want to spend $20? You’re not alone. Students, staff and faculty have told us that campus food can feel expensive and that affordable options aren’t always easy to spot.

We’ve heard your feedback. This spring, UW Food Services is making it easier to find food that fits your budget, with lower prices, clearer signage and more everyday value options.

New this spring: Lower prices in full bloom

Available at participating UW Food Services locations.

Spring term limited time offers

• $1 drinks
  Fountain drinks, canned pop and Ice River bottled water
• Combos at lower prices
  • Chips or whole fruit + drink*: now $2.99 (previously $3.99)
  • Fries + drink*: now $4.99 (previously $5.50)

*Includes fountain drinks, canned pop and Ice River bottled water

• Add a muffin or cookie to any brewed beverage (any size, hot or cold) for $1.50
  • Available at Liquid Assets, Ev3green Café, Browsers Café & CEIT Café   
• Half-size Fresh Xpress sandwiches
  Popular favourites for under $6
• $8.99 end-of-day meals (previously $10) available daily while quantities last

Affordable options, year-round

• Value Picks
• 50 per cent off select bakery, Fresh Xpress and sushi items at the end of the day (available daily while quantities last)

Why lower prices matter

Food prices are something many people on campus have been thinking about lately. This update is about making everyday choices a little easier and a little more affordable.

Clearer pricing, simpler signage and visible value options are all aimed at helping you quickly figure out what works for your budget, without the guesswork.

Campus food just got a bit more affordable and easier to navigate too.

Prof recognized for contributions to road safety

This article was originally published on the Faculty of Engineering website.

A professor in the Department of Mechanical and Mechatronics Engineering has been honoured by transportation authorities in the United States and Canada for his contributions to vehicle safety research.

Dr. Duane Cronin received a Safety Engineering Excellence Award from the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) at the 28^th International Technical Conference on the Enhanced Safety of Vehicles (ESV) in Toronto on May 12, 2026. He was cited for his commitment to and advancements in road safety.

Cronin, who holds a Tier 1 Canada Research Chair in Trauma Biomechanics and Injury Prevention, is director of the Impact Mechanics and Material Characterization laboratory at Waterloo. His research spans impact mechanics, trauma biomechanics, occupant safety simulation and multi-material lightweight vehicles, with a focus on protecting vulnerable populations in vehicle collisions.

He has served on two NATO task groups as a subject matter expert in blast and ballistic protection and spent a decade as a council and board member of the International Research Council on Biomechanics of Injury (IRCOBI). He also served four years as executive director of the Waterloo Centre for Automotive Research (WatCAR). He currently leads the Neck Model Centre of Expertise for the Global Human Body Models Consortium, developing computational human models to mitigate injury and improve human safety, and serves on the Stapp Association Advisory Committee.

Cronin was named a Fellow of the Canadian Academy of Engineering in 2022.

Gearing up for Bike Fair 2026

A message from Sustainable Transportation.

Mark your calendars! Waterloo’s annual Bike Fair is happening on Wednesday, June 3 from 11am to 2pm in the Peter Russell Rock Garden, hosted by Sustainable Transportation and the Sustainability Office.

Bring your bike on by for a free tune-up, enjoy free ice cream, and connect with campus and community partners on programs and resources for cycling and sustainable transportation in Waterloo Region. Event participants will also be entered to win one of three $50 GRT fare cards or one of three $50 Uptown Dollars gift cards. Note: tune-ups and ice cream will be available on a first-come, first-served basis. 

For more information, visit the Bike Fair 2026 event webpage. We hope to see you there!

Wednesday's notes

The Graduate Student Association (GSA) has announced the launch of the latest cycle of their Black and Indigenous Student Scholarship program, which has been created to support and empower Black and Indigenous students. "This scholarship is designed to provide financial assistance to help you achieve your academic and professional goals," says a note from the GSA.

Employers hosting Employer Information Sessions this week and next week include 8090 Solutions Inc, Uber (Virtual Session), and Cerebras Systems Inc. and for the week of June 1, Agave Tech Inc.

Register only if you plan to attend through the Employer Information Sessions calendar on WaterlooWorks and check for any updates and more to come this term.