Tuesday, April 21, 2020

Warriors say "Thank You" on National Volunteer Week

This article was originally published on the Athletics and Recreation website.

The Department of Athletics and Recreation is proud to celebrate National Volunteer Week from April 19-25. Volunteers are a critical part of the everyday operations of the department, providing the resources needed to deliver quality customer service in all areas.

Volunteering is a selfless act from a person giving up their time and providing their skills and expertise to help others without expecting anything in return. Those that have given back to the department are true Warriors and their passion and commitment is undeniable.

Volunteering has also become a very prominent way of positively impacting our current environment with the COVID-19 pandemic. There are many examples of members in our great community helping out at food banks, hospitals, and even University of Waterloo students volunteering their time to help track and monitor outbreaks of COVID-19 across the country.
 
"We are incredibly fortunate to have so many outstanding student and alumni volunteers who generously give their time to enhance our service and program delivery," said Roly Webster, director of athletics and recreation.

"We are seeing how important volunteerism is to our region and country throughout the coronavirus pandemic. Many are stepping up, while keeping social distancing as a priority, to provide necessary resources to help people navigate this unprecedented time. It is very encouraging and inspirational to see."

The magic of volunteering is that it creates social and economic value for all and we are seeing how prevalent that is in our current environment. The department is also very fortunate to have the support of alumni and community volunteers lending their time and talent to support our student-athletes and programs. 

"Volunteering is a two-way street and we hope the contributions and impact are rewarding and mutually beneficial," mentioned Webster. "We are truly thankful for all the volunteers who were so generous this past year and the ongoing effort of those graciously giving their time during the pandemic."

In 2019, Athletics and Recreation had over 500 volunteers give their time within various areas of our department including; Advancement, Clubs, Marketing and Outreach, Move Your Mind, Aquatics,  Strength and Conditioning, and Athletic Therapy.

Throughout the week, the department will be thanking volunteers on social media for their selfless contributions.

Read the Athletics volunteer profiles

Human Rights, Equity and Inclusion offers virtual resources

A message from Human Rights, Equity and Inclusion (HREI).

During this unprecedented time, the Human Rights, Equity and Inclusion Unit (HREI) recognizes the challenges faced by campus community members who are balancing home, work, and in many cases, care responsibilities. We remain committed to not only providing support and resources, but also in creating a safe(r) campus where every individual thrives. A centralized resource has been created with HREI-related on- and off-campus supports, and will continue to be updated.

HREI Education and Awareness

Our spring semester trainings and workshops will be offered virtually, and registration is now open. Due to demand, we have added additional workshops in areas such as equity, anti-racism, and conflict management.

Support and Resources for Sexual Violence

For those in our campus community who may be impacted by sexual violence, we continue to support and stand with you. Find on- and off-campus resources on our website, or reach out to Amanda Cook, Director, Sexual Violence Prevention & Response.

Indigenous Initiatives

We continue to engage with and support Indigenous members of our campus community, and work to foster and encourage Indigenous and non-Indigenous relations. Any campus community member looking to connect and be supported can reach out to Jean Becker, Senior Director, Indigenous Initiatives. 

Conflict Management in a Virtual Office Setting

While the University of Waterloo community has rallied together, working collaboratively toward the common good, tensions can still rise within our working relationships. There are effective ways to avoid harmful conflict and address these tensions early. If you are faced with tensions, relationship difficulties or conflict within your virtual work spaces, browse resources or reach out to Matt Erickson, Director, Conflict Management and Human Rights

Equity in Virtual Office and Classroom Setting

Supporting and fostering equitable office and classroom environments continues to be a priority during this work-from-home period. There are resources to assist in the maintenance and design of equitable virtual classrooms and ensuring our office relationships and environments are equitable. For information and equity concerns, please reach out to Gina Hickman, Director of Equity.

Remembering retired music professor Helen Martens

This is an excerpt of an article originally posted on the Conrad Grebel University College website.

Helen Martens, Conrad Grebel University College’s first music faculty member, passed away on Thursday, April 9 at the age of 92, surrounded by family in Winnipeg. She last visited Grebel in 2013 during the College’s 50^th anniversary.

Grebel staff and faculty remember Helen Martens for her extensive contributions to the Music Department and the College community. Helen was a beloved professor at Grebel from 1965-1993, initially teaching courses in Music and the Fine Arts, as well as Music and Literature. During her 28 years at the College, she became Director of the College choir and began piano instruction, while also teaching music history and music appreciation.

“In her pioneering work as a musicologist, pianist, choral director, and supportive mentor, Helen laid the foundation of Grebel’s distinctive music program,” noted Music Chair Laura Gray. “The mission she embodied—to equip students in academics, performance, and ensemble work, and to engage them in searching for music’s meaning in its connections with other disciplines and society—continues to inform the direction of the music program today.”

Professor Emeritus Leonard Enns remembers Helen as someone who held uncompromising standards. “She was the founding director of Inter-Mennonite Children’s Choir (IMCC) with which she established an impressive record of choral discipline and excellence, but I knew her mainly as an academic colleague whose ideals were uncompromising and strong. Her early work blossomed into what is now a very fine liberal arts music program at Grebel. Her work lives on in the Music Department, in the IMCC, and in the blending of solid and balanced academic and performance standards that are the hallmark of the current program.”

Read the rest of the article on the Conrad Grebel website.

Is this a bunch of Good Buddies of the University which I see before me?

"Unlike those other pets, Steve is NOT helpful," writes Heidi Engelhardt, lecturer in Biology. "Or as our Associate Dean Undergrad put it, he is "clearly disinterested in celebrating the assessment of student knowledge." I tried to push him off the exam draft. He stood up, stretched and plunked himself down again, taking up even more space. This quarantining is enabling his paper fetish."

"Oliver doesn’t want me to get too used to this working from home business," writes Anna Beard, specialist, digital engagement in the Registrar's Office. "Figured he bring me a reminder."

"This is Hermy the Lovebird," writes Professor Sue Ann Campbell, associate chair, undergraduate studies in Pure Mathematics. "Although she looks peaceful in this picture she is not always so (her nickname is The Herminator). Besides being a neck warmer her principal duties are paper shredding and keeping me alert by chirping loudly."

"Here we have your typical group project team," writes Melody Moss, financial & records assistant in Campus Wellness. "One sleeping on the job, one grumpy and determined to not do any work, and one eager beaver. Pictured from left to right are Ellie, Oscar and Vinnie."

"This cat is Watson," writes Sunny Fleming, an MA candidate in English. "She’s trying to help me read and understand some complex concepts, but she’s quite bored of it all."

"My family doesn’t have a living, breathing pet but Warm Buddy (Buddy for short) who is a bear stuffie has chosen to reside with us," writes Professor of Art History and Visual Culture Joan Coutu in Fine Arts. "He particularly enjoys salmon."

"Here are my grand kitties at my daughter’s home (in first two pictures)," writes Carol West-Seebeck, administrative officer, School of Public Health and Health Systems. "Asher (black  2 1/2) and Dante (grey 8 months). See how they get along. Now mine are in separate rooms, with a closed door in between. Leia (first one, mother, 7) is bullied and attacked by Marley (second one, daughter, 6). At least they are performing spatial distancing. My cats have no desire to assist me with my finances. I guess I'm on my own."