Tuesday, January 11, 2022

University updates guidelines on research, international travel

"As we begin the winter term amidst a changing Omicron landscape, I am providing an update to University research operations and travel guidance," wrote Vice-President, Research and International Charmaine Dean in a memo sent to campus last week.
 
"There are few updates and changes from our current framework of research activities, initiated in mid-December. The changes identified below help us minimize disruptions to research activities as much as possible. These measures rely on our collective efforts to make appropriate decisions to minimize the risk of transmission so that we can continue to ensure the safety of our community, and so that further protocols are not required to navigate the current phase of the pandemic."
 
"As always, we will monitor and further adjust our approach to research activities and international outbound research travel as the Omicron situation evolves and as we receive further guidance from public health and the Government of Canada."
 
Effective Thursday, January 6, the following apply:

Human-participant research

• All in-person human participant research with vulnerable populations is paused at least until January 27, 2022. Rare exceptions can be made – principal investigators are encouraged to reach out to the Office of Research with queries through researchqueries@uwaterloo.ca.
• We strongly encourage principal investigators to review their protocols for all other in-person human participant research and consider pausing until at least until January 27, 2022.

Domestic travel

• We strongly discourage all domestic travel. If possible, please review approved domestic travel that has not yet occurred and consider remote interactions. Wherever possible, research conference interactions, workshops and other such activities should be held remotely. 
• Domestic field work continues to be permitted with the exception of field work in remote and Indigenous communities. Minimizing the risk of spread of Omicron to vulnerable communities is a priority. Exceptions can be considered if completion of the work before Jan. 27, 2022 is critical.

International travel

• There are no changes to international travel for research or other general purposes. As we outlined in December’s memo on updates to research activities and international travel, in light of the Government of Canada’s global travel advisory, travel outside of Canada is not permitted until at least January 12, 2022. We will continue to follow the government of Canada travel advice, which could be extended beyond January 12.
• Exemptions previously approved continue to be approved and new exemptions will continue to be considered using the existing processes. 
• Safety plans continue to be critical for all research activities.  

"Please also refer to the recent guidelines provided by the Safety Office on face coverings," writes Dean. "If you need to book a booster dose you can do so with Health Services and there are many online resources to help you find available shots, such as Vaccine Ontario or Vaccine Hunters."
 
"If you are feeling unwell, please stay home and follow the guidelines as outlined by the province and local health authorities."
 
"The Office of Research remains available to provide advice on any aspect of research activities. Feel free to reach out via researchqueries@uwaterloo.ca. Graduate Studies and Postdoctoral Affairs remains available to provide advice to graduate students and post-doctoral fellows."

Human Resources announces benefit changes effective January 2022

The Pension & Benefits Committee has reviewed the maxima corresponding with the extended health and dental benefit provisions and approved the following changes effective January 1, 2022:

What does this mean?  The amount available for reimbursement has increased to the new maxima as outlined above. For example, the coverage for paramedical practitioners (e.g., physiotherapy) has an annual reimbursement maximum of $768, instead of $743 per year.

For more information on your employee benefits, please visit the Human Resources benefits webpage.

Supporting student success through a change of plans

A message from the Student Success Office. 

The Student Success Office (SSO) will begin the winter 2022 term offering a variety of services and resources remotely. Students can connect with us online through our Live Chat Monday to Friday 9:00 a.m. to 12  noon and 1:00 p.m. to 4:0 p.m. 

Academic and leadership development

• Online Learning Resources are available for students looking to independently build strong study habits. Students can use the Learning Skills Self-Assessment to determine their existing strengths and gain insight into which areas they should focus on developing if they’re unsure where to start.  
• Students can register for the Planning for Academic Success: Making the Most of Your Winter Term workshop to set themselves up for success this term.
• Warrior Virtual Study Halls are weekly supported study sessions facilitated by a Peer Success Coach to introduce new academic skills, help students create study goals and answer questions. 
• Peer Success Coaches will offer virtual one-on-one appointments for personalized support addressing academic challenges and creating a plan for success. Our coaches are upper-year students with experience overcoming their own study roadblocks.  
• Student Leadership Program provides opportunities for students to develop their leadership skills and apply their new knowledge in a campus leadership role.  
• Foundational Training Program for Peer Leaders can help students develop core skills for working in a peer-to-peer program at the University of Waterloo.  
• Mentor resources are available online to support students in mentor or peer leader roles.

International student experience 

• Students can chat live with an international student experience expert for support with travel and quarantine plans or other international student resources. We’re online Monday-Friday from 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. and 1 – 4 p.m. 
• The International Peer Community will begin the term online, with plans to resume some in-person events later this winter as permitted by Public Health Guidelines. Online Discussions continue to be offered to enhance the student experience from home.  
• International pre-departure drop-in sessions will continue to be offered on Tuesdays at 7 p.m. and Thursdays at 9 a.m. for students seeking answers to their travel-related questions.
• Students can book 1:1 quarantine support any day of the week (including weekends).
• Immigration Info Sessions will continue online for international students to learn how to apply for and maintain their documents. Students can also book a virtual Immigration Consulting appointment.

Global learning

• Students who are interested in going abroad in fall 2022 or winter/spring 2023 can attend an online information session to learn how to apply by the January 27 deadline.  
• The Global Experience Certificate is a good way for students to showcase their achievements in internationalization. 

Support for Staff and Faculty

• Instructor resources have been updated with Five Minute Academic Skills Presentations for both virtual and in-person teaching, as well as this term’s Early Engagement Quick Tips.
• Advisor resources are available to support staff and faculty in advising roles. Keep an eye out for your invitation to the 2022 Waterloo Advising Community Conference later this term!

As our Warriors adjust to beginning the term online, they can count on the SSO for flexible support. If you have questions about any of the services listed above or how to better support the students you work with, please contact success@uwaterloo.ca.

New aquatic threats research facility to study how climate change is stressing fish out

Fish have a lot to stress about right now. This could mean serious problems for the future of aquaculture and the fish on your plate.

The new Waterloo Aquatic Threats in Environmental Research (WATER) facility at the University of Waterloo aims to simulate and research aquatic stressors and threats so that we are better prepared to prevent current and future problems.

“Many environmental changes are impacting both wild and aquaculture fish,” said Paul Craig, a professor in the Department of Biology and one of the lead researchers in the new WATER facility. “Our new multimillion-dollar facility will allow researchers to bridge the gap between lab and fieldwork by studying the impact of climate-related stressors in a controlled environment.”

The WATER facility, which is one of the largest aquatic test facilities in Ontario, has the capability of studying a wide range of aquatic organisms, from Canadian cold-water fish to tropical fish and amphibians. The facility is also equipped to trace the multi-generational effects different environmental stresses may have on aquatic life over multiple lifespans.

New technologies, including a pathogen challenge area, will allow researchers to study the impact of disease agents and contaminants of concern on aquaculture, expose populations to controlled climate-related stressors like water temperature and oxygen saturation levels, and measure the effects of human-centric pollution such as wastewater on aquatic ecosystems.

The new WATER facility also prioritizes sustainability by reducing water usage by 90 per cent compared to the groundwater flow through system that was previously used in aquatic research at Waterloo.

Biology Professor Paul Craig.

“With the opening of the WATER facility, we are looking to expand our research areas and expertise, and invite researchers across Canada in areas water research and aquatic conservation to collaborate with us to carry out new and innovative research,” Craig said.

Waterloo researchers involved in the development and research in the WATER facility include Craig, Brian Dixon, Barb Katzenback, Rebecca Rooney, Mark Servos, and Heidi Swanson, all professors in Waterloo’s Department of Biology. The WATER facility was a two-year, $5.2 million project undertaken by the Faculty of Science and is now active for research.