Friday, September 11, 2015

Waterloo releases inaugural community impact report

This is the latest in a series of #UWCommunity stories that feature Waterloo in the community.

The values of our community and the University are intertwined, and these connections allow our students, faculty and staff to give back in meaningful ways. Whether it is in the form of transformational research leading to the betterment of society or supporting charitable and nonprofit enterprises by volunteering their time and resources, members of the University take pride in helping to build our vibrant community.

As we continue to expand our impact and reach both locally and globally, the University recognizes the need for a strong relationship with our community to reach our goals. This morning, University of Waterloo President and Vice Chancellor, Feridun Hamdullahpur, hosted a number of elected officials and community leaders at the Waterloo Region Museum to launch the University’s first ever Community Impact Report, Building Our Community.

Known for our academic excellence across Canada and the world, the University of Waterloo continues to place Waterloo Region on the global map, however, a key component of this success is dependent on ability to learn, build and grow with our local community. This report outlines our connections, partnerships, and impact on the community, helping us to define our collaborative future.

Our University and our community are inextricably linked, and we are stronger and more successful together. We know that our joint efforts make Waterloo region a great place to live, work and play, and invite you to learn more about the dynamic role we play in our community.

Conrad Grebel announces new artist-in-residence

Conrad Grebel University College has named I Dewa Made Suparta as an Artist-in-Residence at the Music Department at the University of Waterloo. With specialties in Balinese gamelan music and composition, Dewa’s residency will increase the University’s reputation as a centre for Indonesian music in Southern Ontario, and strengthen the school’s global music program.

As artist-in-residence, Dewa will share his expertise as a musician, composer, and teacher with students and the community. Beginning this fall at Grebel, he will work with the World Music Ensemble: Balinese Gamelan as artistic director and has plans to initiate a new community gamelan ensemble that is open to all. Dewa will also direct a Balinese chamber percussion ensemble called gender (gen’de(ə)r) and will offer private, semi-private, and group instruction for course credit or as an extra-curricular activity on the semara dana instruments in Waterloo's music program. Dewa will also collaborate with local artists, participate in Grebel and community events, and teach a new composition course called Bali, Community, and New Music Creations that uses the gamelan as musical medium.

Born to a family of artists in Pengosekan, Bali, Indonesia, Dewa was immersed in the Balinese gamelan at an early age and began performing with the children’s group of his village at age 10. Dewa is a founding member of the internationally renowned group, Çudamani, one of Bali’s most innovative gamelan ensembles. Dewa attained a S.Sen. from Institut Seni Indonesia (The Arts Institute of Indonesia).

Dewa has engaged in collaborations with international artists and performed and given workshops worldwide. Since moving to Canada, he has held the positions of visiting professor in the Faculty of Music at l’Université de Montréal and artistic director of Gamelan Giri Kedaton, resident ensemble at UdM.

“The ultimate goal of a gamelan ensemble is to achieve a unified sound and feeling,” says Dewa. “Tight coordination and a sense of community among players are necessary and cultivated by regularly rehearsing together. With this opportunity as artist-in-residence and artistic director of the gamelan, I will have regular contact with members which will strengthen community and enable new creative possibilities.”

“A dedicated position as Artist-in-Residence nicely brings together Dewa’s various threads of involvement under one umbrella," says Laura Gray, chair of the music department. "This incredible opportunity gives the Music Department flexibility to make the best use of Dewa’s expertise to Waterloo students, Grebel resident students, and the UW and K-W community.”

Remembering Jean Fraser and other notes

Human Resources has reported that retiree Jean Fraser died September 1. Jean began her employment at Waterloo in August 1974, working as a secretary in the Campus Centre (the forerunner to the Student Life Centre). Fraser retired in October 1993. She is survived by her husband Andrew and several children.

The Writing Centre has published the official dates for the English Language Proficiency Exam (ELPE). The University's academic calendar has been updated to reflect the new dates, which are:

• Faculty of Science - Friday, September 25, 4:00 p.m. and 6:30 p.m.;
• Faculty of Engineering - Saturday, September 26, 9:00 a.m., 11:30 a.m., and 2:00 p.m.;
• Faculty of Arts (GBDA, AFM, and CFM students only) Saturday, September 26, 2:00 p.m.; and
• Open session for all faculties - Monday, December 7, 12:00 p.m. and 2:30 p.m.

Full details, including exam locations and the dates and times of preparatory sessions, can be found on the Writing Centre's website.

Orientation continues today with Experience Waterloo beginning at 9:30 a.m. on the Village 1 Green. Students, using the student portal, will build their schedules for this conference-style event where they will build connections to resources on campus. Experience Waterloo takes place at a number of locations around campus and will wrap up at 5:00 p.m. Later tonight, at 8:00 p.m., is Togas at Twilight, which will feature BizProv performers, a magic show, video games, a coffee house, and then the requisite outdoor toga dance party.

Orientation also races towards its conclusion tomorrow with Black and Gold Day, an event that serves to introduce first-year Waterloo Students to the wild world of Warrior varsity sports. Black and Gold Day "exposes Waterloo students to the excitement of a live varsity game" and helps make them feel proud to don their black and gold colours. This year, the women's rugby team will take the field against their rivals, the Western Mustangs, at 1:00 p.m. on Warrior Field.

Under new head coach Andy Ireland, the women's rugby program looks to continue its tradition of consistent advancement to the playoffs. "After a heartbreaking loss to the Mustangs last season in the opening round of the playoffs, Waterloo will be looking for revenge and will most definitely exhilarate the over 2,000 first-year students in attendance," says a story on the Athletics and Recreation home page.

In addition to the game, the students will have the opportunity to mingle and participate in the pre-game carnival, which will offer games, food and drink, and will endure enjoy the traditional Orientation leader half-time dance. 

While we're on the subject of varsity sports, the season is beginning to ramp up. Here's a sampling of where your Warriors will be playing this weekend:

Friday, September 11

• Field Hockey at St. Mary’s, 5:30 p.m.
• Women’s Soccer at Windsor, 6:00 p.m.
• Men’s Soccer at Windsor, 8:15 p.m.
• Field Hockey at CIS Alumni, 9:30 p.m.

Saturday, September 12

• Women’s Golf at Carleton Invitational, 10:00 a.m.
• Baseball vs. Toronto, 12:00 p.m., Jack Couch Park
• Women’s Rugby vs. Western 1:00 p.m.
• Football at Queen’s, 1:00 p.m., Kingston
• Field Hockey at Toronto, 1:50 p.m.
• Baseball vs. Toronto, 4:00 p.m.
• Women’s Hockey vs. Toronto Aeros (exhibition game), 6:30 p.m.
• Field Hockey at Guelph, 7:10 p.m.

Sunday, September 13

• Men’s Golf at Queen’s Invitational, 12:00 p.m.

A full schedule of varsity events including venues is available on the Athletics website.

Finally, lectures begin on Monday. Enjoy the weekend!