Friday, June 30, 2023

Waterloo stands against gender-based violence

A message from James W.E. Rush, Vice-President, Academic & Provost. This is an excerpt of a message posted to the University's homepage.

In the wake of this shocking hate-motivated, gender-based violence on our campus, our community came together Thursday afternoon in the Arts Quad to stand in solidarity against gender-based violence and all other forms of hatred and bigotry.

The gathering was live streamed and is available online for you to view.

Read individual Tweet on Twitter

Thank you for the care and compassion you have already shown to each other. Don’t stop reaching out and connecting, we all need one another right now.

Read the full statement from the Provost

Why visibility in 2023 is needed now more than ever

A message from Michael Dorr, Associate Vice-President, Marketing and Brand Strategy.

Earlier this week, I was full of pride as the University of Waterloo wrapped Pride month with so many optimistic symbols of 2SLGBTQIA+ belonging across campus. Now, after the violent events of the past 48 hours at the University of Waterloo, I am heartsick and horrified.

As we move forward and start to heal as a community, I believe that initiatives like Pride take on a deeper meaning of resilience and represent an urgent protest against hate, intolerance, and violence.  

I stand with the 2SLGBTQIA+ community of Waterloo and specifically those who are transgender, two-spirited, non-conforming, and women. I extend my heartfelt support to those who experienced the trauma of Wednesday’s events.

This year’s Pride efforts have prompted some to ask, “why now?” or “why is Waterloo making such a visible effort this year?” Here are a few of the many reasons:

• Values: a core value at Waterloo is our commitment to creating a sense of belonging for students, faculty, and staff. 
• Students: we have a significant 2SLGBTQIA+ community here at the University. We want every one of these students to feel seen, safe, and valued.
• Leadership: our president and vice-chancellor Vivek Goel is committed to supporting Pride at Waterloo, saying “While Pride Month is a time for celebration and joy, it is important that we stand in solidarity with 2SLGBTQIA+ students, faculty, staff and alumni throughout the year to ensure that all members of our community can access the same rights and privileges.”
• Climate: hate crimes are on the rise in Canada, including those crimes directed at the 2SLGBTQIA+ community. This is an important reminder that Pride is more than a celebration – it’s also an ongoing protest against hate and intolerance. 

Thank you to the Office of Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Anti-Racism, the Office of Indigenous Relations, WUSA and GLOW, UWaterloo Life, Plant Operations, Special Constable Service, and more, for helping to guide and support these efforts.

There has been an outpouring of positive response both on campus and online from not only the 2SLGBTQIA+ community, but from all people who may have been the target of hate, and their allies, sharing their appreciation and asking for more. There may have been some challenges along the way, and while this was disheartening at times, it served as an urgent reminder why visibility matters and why Pride is a message worth amplifying.

Read more on LinkedIn

Food Services celebrates the careers of Karen Majaury and Rossana Frowd

By Monika Terzic.

Retirement is a new chapter of life that brings freedom and fulfillment. It is a time where you can look back with satisfaction and look ahead with anticipation as you fill each day with enjoyment. In the coming weeks, UW Food Services will see the departure of two of our beloved full-time staff: Karen Majaury and Rossana Frowd. We are incredibly appreciative of their hard work and dedication with UW Food Services for over 30 years and wish them all the best as they depart with us!

Karen Majaury, Administrative Assistant for Catering

Karen was an instrumental part of the Catering & Events Services (CES) team and will be remembered for being a people person who enjoyed working with her clients most!

Karen began her journey with us in 1989 and in 1992, she transitioned to the role of Administrative Assistant for Catering & Event Services which she has occupied ever since! Throughout her 30+ years of service, Karen helped the advancement of the Catering & Event Services department as it grew from just a small part of Food Services to a significant portion of our organisation today.

Those who worked closely with Karen will remember her for her drive, positivity, initiative, and attention to detail. “Karen always remembered small details about our clients. This was great for building a rapport with many of them,” says Wilma Balvert, CES Supervisor, “She always enjoyed working with people most—from her clients to her coworkers”.

When asked about her plans in retirement, Karen shared that she will be volunteering at local shelters followed by travelling to some new corners of the world. She will certainly be missed, but we wish her all the best in her well-deserved retirement!

Rossana Frowd, Food Service Assistant (FSA)

We will see yet another departure this month with Food Service Assistant, Rossana Frowd. Rossana began working with us in September 1989 until she transitioned into a full time staff member in October 1991. Since then, Rossana has been a beloved member of our UW Food Services team. Her official retirement date is July 1 so make sure to wish her well before she goes!

“Rossana is a very passionate and loyal employee. She always has a positive attitude and enthusiasm which she shares daily with both her co-workers and our customers” says Tracey Ryan, Operations Manager for Area D. Her coworkers shared a similar sentiment with one worker stating that Rossana, “Creates a whirlwind of activity around her—she never stops! If it’s not busy, she will find things to keep herself busy and gets others who do not display such initiative to join on in”.

UW Food Services Assistant Director Deb Harrison has said that “Rossana has always put our customers first. She develops a great connection with those who are served by her”. When asked about who will remember her most, Tracey shared that “Staff in buildings where she has worked all ask for her whenever she is off. She will be missed by many across campus”. But what lies ahead for Rosanna in her departure?

When asked about her retirement plans, Rossana revealed that she plans to visit her family in Mexico for the summer. Rosanna will be remembered by UW Food Services for her positive spirit, her hardwork and her impeccable customer service. We wish her all the best in her next chapter!

2SLGBTQ+ faculty and staff social event coming up on July 6

The Gender and Sexual Diversity Alliance have announced that they are organizing a social event for 2SLGBTQ+ faculty and staff this summer term on Thursday, July 6 from 2:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. in the patio/courtyard of BMH/LHI.

"There will be coffee, tea, and soft drinks, and cookies and other treats," says a note from the event organizers. "The event will be a drop-in event, so you don't have to show up at 2:00 p.m. and stay for the whole time - show up when you can and stay for as long as you like! The event is open to all 2SLGBTQ+ faculty and staff, from across the university and colleges, including post-doctoral researchers. We are not currently inviting allies to this event - we hope to schedule such an event in the future."

"The purpose of this event is to get folks together, given that we're relatively siloed in our different units, it can sometimes be hard to find one another and to find community across campus," the event organizers say. "As a note about the space - the courtyard of the Matthews/Lyle Hallman Building is fairly visible (i.e., there are windows that look from the main building to the courtyard) and is outdoors. This will therefore not be a private space - if that's a concern for you, know that we do intend to plan events where visibility is less of an issue. We also have a make-up day scheduled for the following week in case of rain. Hopefully we won't have to use that, but we'll keep you posted."

The Gender and Sexual Diversity Alliance (GSDA) is "an autonomous organization composed of students, faculty, staff and alumni whose goal is to support the interests of gender and sexual diverse groups around campus."

To RSVP fill out this form

What's open and closed on the Canada Day long weekend

Tomorrow, July 1, is Canada Day, a statutory holiday marking the country's Confederation.

As an aside, can you believe it's been five years since the last full-fledged Canada Day Celebration at Columbia Lake? I'm not counting the 2019 edition, which was fireworks-only. 2018's celebration featured headliners Sloan and Fred Penner, alongside food trucks, children's activities, booths, vendors, and the slip 'n slide. It's weird that 2018 doesn't really feel like 5 years ago, but that's the pandemic for you. And next year will mark the 40^th anniversary of the erstwhile institutional Canada Day festivities, which were launched by the Federation of Students (now WUSA) with the University co-sponsoring.

But that was then, and this is now, and with Canada Day falling on a weekend, the University will be closed on Monday, July 3 to mark the holiday. Many, if not most, campus operations will be closed, or have modified operating hours, during the holiday long weekend.

Print + Retail Solutions locations will be closed Monday, July 1.

Most Food Services locations will be closed Monday, with the exception of The Market at UWP, which will be open from 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 p.m.

The Dana Porter Library will be open Saturday, July 1 from 11:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m., and the Davis Centre will be open from 11:00 a.m. to midnight. On Monday, July 3, both Dana Porter and Davis Centre locations will be open from 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., with the online chat monitored from 12 noon to 2:00 p.m., and email monitored from 11:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. Check the Library's hours page for more details.

The Physical Activities Complex, CIF and Field House will all be closed from Saturday, July 1 to Monday, July 3, returning to regular operations on July 4.

As for the Student Life Centre, the building and its Turnkey Desk will be open 24/7 all the long weekend, while the Turnkey DC location will be closed on Monday, July 3.

Have a Happy Canada Day and enjoy the long weekend. The Daily Bulletin will return on Tuesday, July 4.