Friday, December 4, 2015

Campus vigil marks National Day of Remembrance

The University of Waterloo will host a vigil to mark the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women. Established in 1991 by the Parliament of Canada, December 6 marks the anniversary of the murders in 1989 of 14 young women at the engineering school,  l'École Polytechnique de Montréal. The women, many of them young engineering students, were killed by a man who claimed feminism was ruining his life.

The campus event will be held on Friday, December 4 at 10:30 a.m. at the Sedra Student Design Centre in Engineering 5.

Speakers at the vigil include:

• Mary Wells, Waterloo Engineering’s associate dean of outreach
• Diana Parry, professor in the Faculty of Applied Health Sciences, and special advisor to the president on women's and gender issues.
• Catherine Fife, MPP for Kitchener-Waterloo
• Daiene Vernile, MPP for Kitchener Centre

The December 6 National Day of Remembrance also gives Canadians an opportunity to reflect on violence against women in our society as a whole and to consider ways to eliminate all forms of violence against women and girls.

The University of Waterloo, under Wells’ leadership, is working to bring  more women into the engineering profession through the Faculty’s community outreach programs. The Faculty of Engineering runs an annual event called Go ENG Girl for students in Grade 7 – 10. Another special event is a conference for Grade 11 girls, which puts students in touch with young women who are working in engineering.

In May 2015, Feridun Hamdullahpur, University of Waterloo president and vice-chancellor, accepted an invitation from the UN Women’s HeForShe campaign for the University of Waterloo to participate in their Impact 10x10x10 framework alongside governments, leading universities, and global businesses. As part of this framework, the University has committed to boosting female student participation in STEM experiences and academic careers to build the pipeline of future female leaders in traditionally male dominated disciplines.

Waterloo co-op student dies in California collision

This is an excerpt of a statement published on the Waterloo News page.

It is with deep sadness that the University of Waterloo must confirm the death of Gabriel Barsky, a student studying Computer Science in the faculty of Mathematics. Gabriel, aged 20, died as a result of injuries he sustained while travelling to work for a co-op work term in California on Wednesday, December 2, 2015.

His sister, Sabrina Barsky, said:

"Gaby was the golden boy. He was more than just my brother. Gaby's intelligence superseded his years. There will not be one moment where I forget his infectious laugh, beautiful smile and grand wisdom. Gaby was very captured by the words of Eckhart Tolle in The Power of Now, which provided wisdom on the benefit of living fully within each moment. He embodied that. Gaby focused on the present, learned from the past and never worried for things out of his control. 

"Students, friends, co-workers, family and those that did not have the pleasure of meeting my bright, beautiful twin, I urge you to focus on this moment. Be upset; be angry; be torn. Immerse yourself into the utter devastation of this loss. Give yourself this time to grieve fully because one day, instead of drowning in grief, you will feel empowered. The pain will still exist, but it will turn into a drive. A drive to be better. To push yourself to limits you didn't even think were possible. 

"This is how Gaby lived his very short 20 years. With complete feeling. He put everything into his friendships, his academia, his job, his travels and his love for every single living being. 

"I will remember him when the sun shines on my cheek, when the winds blows through my hair and even when the snowflakes fall on my nose.  

"Many commented on how similarly Gaby and I looked. Just know that when I smile, if you look closely enough, you'll see him smiling back. I will love you forever, Gabetski."

Feridun Hamdullahpur, president and vice-chancellor of the University of Waterloo, said:

“The death of Gabriel Barsky is a immensely sad loss for his family, friends colleagues and the entire University of Waterloo community. By all accounts Gabriel was an extraordinarily talented student who lived life to the fullest and had a vision for making an impact on the world around him. He will be missed and we will keep his family in our thoughts at this most difficult of times."

Support is available for anybody who knew Gabriel. 

Read the rest of the announcement on Waterloo News.

President issues update on response to Syrian refugee crisis

by Feridun Hamdullahpur, President and Vice-Chancellor

Canadians are responding to the international refugee crisis in ways that reflect our values of freedom, respect for cultural differences, peace and collaboration. I would like to share some initiatives we are supporting across campus as we raise awareness of emerging options.

• The University is pleased to share with you that we have asked our student refugee partner agency World University Service of Canada to increase Waterloo’s intake of refugee students next year, dedicating the increase to Syrian refugee students who wish to attend the University of Waterloo or any of our four Affiliated and Federated Institutions. We have worked with Their Excellencies David and Sharon Johnston to ensure eligible Syrian refugees students have access to their scholarship and international endowments here at Waterloo.
• Locally, community organizations are preparing to receive and help settle 1,150 refugees over the next several weeks. Local governments and Waterloo Region’s Immigration Partnership Council are working with these organizations to identify needs specific to our region and have launched Waterloo Region Welcomes Refugees, which coordinates and directs a variety of options for providing support.
• Internationally, the Red Cross is also supporting hundreds of thousands of refugees in situ. We are mindful that these refugees do not have the benefit of resettlement to Canada or another country. To find out more or make a contribution see the University of Waterloo giving page.

Over the last several months, members of our own University community have also been finding meaningful ways to contribute.

• Volunteer opportunities supporting local community organizations will be coordinated by the Federation of Students Volunteer Centre.  Opportunities are open to members of the UWaterloo community and will be updated once need has been identified by local organizations.
• University of Waterloo academic research and insights continue to expand our understanding of the crisis and of potential solutions. Our University community is also encouraging discussions around the Syrian refugee crisis through public lectures, seminars and information sessions.
• Student-led initiatives, such as the Society of Arab Students donation drive in April and October, are helping refugees at the Dar Al Fatwa refugee camp in Lebanon.
• Led by the Faculty of Arts, the University has developed a collection of items for Refugee Relief Kits.
• Renison University College has established a fundraising campaign to support Syrians not able to leave the Middle East in partnerships with the Mennonite Central Committee.

As various levels of government continue to release details around their plan for settlement, additional opportunities to support these efforts may arise. We will keep the campus community apprised of relevant developments in the coming weeks and months. I thank you for your efforts thus far and know that you will join in supporting Canada’s approach to this global crisis.

VP University Research committee seeks nominations

As required by Policy 68 – Vice-President, University Research, the Secretariat & Office of General Counsel is preparing to constitute the Vice-President, University Research Nominating Committee.

Nominations are requested for the following seats on the nominating committee:

• One senator of professorial rank from each Faculty, elected by a vote within that Faculty – nomination form
• One staff member elected by and from the regular staff in the Office of Research – nomination form

Completed nomination forms (at least three nominators are required in each case) should be submitted to the Chief Returning Officer, Secretariat & Office of General Counsel, Needles Hall, Room 3060, no later than 3:00 p.m., Wednesday, December 16. An election will follow in early January if necessary.

For more information, please see the Secretariat & Office of General Counsel website.