Friday, October 16, 2015

Go ENG Girl takes place Saturday

Girls from Grades 7 to 10 will be visiting the University of Waterloo campus tomorrow for Go ENG Girl, an exciting opportunity to learn about the wonderful world of engineering. Attendees will meet women currently studying engineering, learn about some of the amazing things women engineers are doing, and participate in hands-on activities.

This year's keynote speaker is Hannah Gautreau, a third year student pursuing a degree in Management Engineering (Co-op, honours program). Gautreau has completed four co-op placements ranging from being a programming teaching assistant to being a project co-ordinator in the retail industry. Her most recent placement was at the TD Innovation in Communitech hub where she worked as an android developer.

In addition to her studies and co-op placements, she has been heavily involved in the engineering community. She started getting involved with new student recruitment and orientation week. She has been on the organizing committee for Engineering Orientation week, and she is currently the Engineering Society President.

The students will take part in learning activities such as building a rollercoaster and developing a medication coating that dissolves easily. They will also hear about the different programs of engineering study and exciting career opportunities in the field.

Following Gautreau's keynote address, the attendees will participate in the hands-on activity at 10:10 a.m. while their parents and guardians attend an industry speaker and panel event. Speaking will be Jenise Lee, founder and CEO of CertClean, Canada's only certification for safer beauty and personal care products.

Lee has a Chemical Engineering degree from Waterloo and an MBA from the Schulich School of Business. Prior to starting her MBA, Jenise worked for an environmental engineering firm for several years where she led a wide variety of projects related to environmental site assessments, environmental impact studies and industry leading renewable energy projects. Jenise now uses her analytical and strategic thinking skills to position environmentally conscious businesses for growth.

Following the industry speaker and panel discussion, there will be a showcase at 11:30 a.m. and a student panel at 12:15 p.m.

All Go ENG Girl events take place in Engineering 5.

Go ENG Girl is one of the events organized by Waterloo's Women in Engineering (WiE), which exists to support current female engineers, students and encourage the next generation of women to pursue careers in engineering. "This program was established to address the issues that female engineers face and encourage more girls to pursue engineering and better reflect the gender ratio of the general population within the profession," says a note on WiE's website. 

Getting into the United Way spirit

by James Skidmore. 

Each Friday in October the Daily Bulletin will feature content from the University’s United Way campaign. Learn more about the campaign, how you can get involved and make a donation.

Last year, the University of Waterloo's United Way campaign raised about $255,000. Most of that comes from individual donations ranging from a few dollars to a few thousand dollars. But 10% of that total, about $25,000, comes from the special events held by departments, units, and other areas on campus.

In fact, for a lot of people on campus, the United Way campaign period is special because of the events. It’s a time for people who work together to have a little fun, blow off a little steam, and act a little goofy all in the name of a good cause. Those of us on the campus United Way planning committee know that these events are as important as the donations themselves: they raise awareness about important issues, and they help build community spirit in our work environment within and between campus groups.

This year is no different: United Way events are taking place all across campus throughout the month of October:

• Things got started when the university went red for United Way. It was great to see the creativity that the day unleashed! The collective effort across campus was amazing.  If you have not yet had a chance to view the wrap up be sure to check out our storify.
• A special tip of the United Way hat to the good folks in Human Resources. These people are an event machine! They have put together all sorts of fun activities including a cookie exchange, yoga at lunch (how do you eat and do yoga at the same time?) and a pancake breakfast (no yoga at that – just food!).
• Advancement has an event streak, too: they’re holding a dessert extravaganza as well as Jersday Thursdays, where employees get to support their favourite team and the United Way at the same time.
• The offices of the President, the Provost, and the Secretariat got together to hold the last barbecue of the year as well as a silent auction.  Auction items ranged from a pebble watch to a potted plant and gift card for Cameron’s Flower Shop, won by yours truly.
• The faculties are getting involved as well.  The Dean of Arts office held Plasma Car Races, and the Faculty of Engineering is having a Mystery Item Silent Auction.

We encourage members of campus to get out and support these and other United Way events. The organizers are all volunteers who are doing so much both for the United Way and for campus spirit. Learn more about upcoming events or submit your event details for promotion on our site. 

Consent, campus, and community

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

Last Wednesday, October 6, the Equity Office hosted Mike Dormitz, founder of The Date Safe Project, on campus to speak to an audience of over 100 people about significant issues surrounding consent and healthy relationships. Students, faculty, and staff, along with members of the Waterloo community, listened intently to his talk, titled Can I Kiss You? Through his use of interactive humour and charisma, Mike engaged in valuable discussions with attendees, leaving a lasting impact on the well-being of our community.

Each year, the news reports on a number of sexual assault cases, both in communities and on campuses across Canada. More than 700 cases have been reported to Canadian universities and colleges over the past five years, a number which experts say is alarmingly low compared to the number of cases which sadly go unreported.

Mike Dormitz has made it his mission to inform people of all ages, all over our country. Offering positive ways to impact and support the many issues surrounding sexual assault, Mike included three significant takeaways in his talk, which will help continue discussions of healthy intimacy on our campus and in our community.

Firstly, in one of his opening lines, Mike shared with the audience that body language is the most unreliable form of communication that exists by far. Moderate signs of affection, like making eyes across a room, can often be interpreted as having romantic feelings for an interested party. By clarifying intentions before any action is taken, you can show respect and avoid missteps that could lead to an uncomfortable or unfortunate situation.

Secondly, Mike explained that gender labels have created a dangerous double standard, which often prevents bystanders from intervening before a sexual assaults occurs. He then provided attendees with four simple steps to help encourage people to stand up and take preventative action.

1. Identify the potential sexual assault
2. Picture your loved one as the victim
3. Team up with those around you and check in on the situation
4. Stay calm and focus

Lastly, whether it’s meeting someone at a party or being in a long-term relationship, consent should be part of every intimate interaction in society. During his closing remarks, Mike asked the audience: “What is the only way you can ever know what someone is thinking?” to which the audience responded with a resounding “If you ask.”

Waterloo was proud to host Mike Dormitz to teach our community about healthy behaviour and appropriate attitudes towards sexual assault. Discussions around this topic, as well as gender equity, are growing on a global scale, and UWaterloo is committed to doing its part to create healthy, safe, welcoming spaces and opportunities for our students, faculty and staff.

For more information about Mike Dormitz, and The Date Safe Project, visit his website. To stay informed about upcoming lectures and events, subscribe to our community relations mailing list.

Two new fridges available to assist campus moms

"The Office of the President is excited to announce that two additional Danby compact refrigerators have been purchased to support breastfeeding students, staff, and faculty on campus," says a note from the President's Office. "There are now four refrigerators that can be loaned out for the purposes of storing breast milk in individual offices."

Each fridge measures approximately 18”x19”x20” and should fit easily on or below most tables. 

"To make arrangements to have a fridge delivered, please contact Tony Bairos in Central Stores (csms@uwaterloo.ca)," the note continues. "Users should be aware that all fridges must be cleaned thoroughly before being returned to Central Stores."

Members of the Waterloo community are encouraged to spread the word about this resource to women who may find it beneficial. Questions should be directed to Professor Diana Parry at dcparry@uwaterloo.ca. 

Friday's notes

Listen up, muggles: a Golden Snitch has informed me that the University of Waterloo's Quidditch Program, part of Warrior Recreation, will be hosting its inaugural home field tournament on Saturday, October 17. 10 teams from across Ontario and Quebec will compete to win the first ever Dragon Challenge. 

This tournament will take place on V1 Green. Spectators are encouraged to wear their Black and Gold in support of the home team, the Waterloo Ridgebacks. Quidditch-themed merchandise will also be available.

What's Quidditch, you may ask? A fictional sport that leaped off the pages of J.K. Rowlings' Harry Potter series (and subsequent movies) into reality about ten years ago, Quidditch is described as " a mix of rugby, dodgeball, and handball." With brooms. That one rides. As one does. I could go into greater detail about quaffles, bludgers, keepers and beaters, but why not stop by the Village 1 Green during the tournament (8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.) and see what the game's all about for yourself?

And just a reminder for students, faculty and staff to check their e-mail inboxes for a link to the Daily Bulletin Reader Survey. Your input is appreciated, and you have the opportunity to enter to win one of four $25 Retail Services gift cards.