Thursday, May 9, 2024


Dr. Alexie Tcheuyap named Dean of Arts

Dr. Alexie Tcheuyap.

Dr. Alexie Tcheuyap will join the University of Waterloo as Dean of the  Faculty of Arts  for a five-year term commencing July 1, 2024. 

The appointment was strongly supported by faculty and staff and has been approved by the University’s Board of Governors and Senate.  

“With many years of experience in relevant academic leadership positions, Professor Tcheuyap is well-equipped to lead this Faculty during this time of organizational and strategic opportunities and beyond,”  said James Rush, Vice-President, Academic and Provost, who chaired the nominating committee. “His input as a senior member of the University administration will be highly valued, given his comprehensive understanding of higher education in Canada acquired at every level, his experience across disciplines in issues of change management, and his leadership as a champion of equity, diversity, inclusion, and anti-racism.” 

Dr. Tcheuyap completed his BA in Bilingual Studies and his Maîtrise and Doctorat de Troisième Cycle in African Literature at the University of Yaoundé and earned his PhD in French Literature from Queen’s University. He served as an Assistant Professor from 2000 to 2003 and an Associate Professor from 2003 to 2006 at the University of Calgary before joining the University of Toronto as an Associate Professor with Tenure in 2006. He was promoted to Full Professor in 2012. Amongst his many grants, awards, and honours, he was elected as a Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada in 2021. He is currently Associate Vice-President and Vice-Provost of International Student Experience at the University of Toronto, an appointment he has held since 2021. His previous academic leadership roles at the University of Toronto included Vice-Dean, Academic Life and Equity, Faculty of Arts and Sciences (2019-2021); Chair, Department of French (2017-2019); and Associate Chair, Undergraduate Studies, Department of French (2016-2017). 

“I am excited to be joining the University of Waterloo and by the opportunity to advance the implementation of the Faculty of Arts’ strategic priorities while ensuring that inclusive excellence principles, collaboration, collegiality, respect and tolerance remain central,” Dr. Tcheuyap said. 

Dr. Tcheuyap succeeds Dr. Sheila Ager, who has served as Dean since July 2019. 

Inclusive Research webinar on gender-based analysis coming up next week

A diverse group of people put their hands together for a diversity cheer.

A message from the Office of the Vice-President, Research and International.

The Inclusive Research May Webinar is set for May 16. Are you planning to attend?  

What is GBA+ Anyway?: An Introduction takes place on May 16, from 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Gender-Based Analysis Plus (GBA+) is an important tool for embedding equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) in every stage of research from design to sharing results and other outputs. But what is it, and how is it done?

This presentation will go over the basics of GBA+ including examples that highlight its usefulness, steps researchers can take, and questions they can ask themselves to start the GBA+ analysis of their research. Please register to receive the Zoom link to participate.

Inclusive Research Resource Hub

The Hub is a resource library of important documents focused on EDI to support the UWaterloo community as they integrate EDI into their research designs and teams. The Hub was created as part of the Inclusive Research Team’s commitment to ongoing development and capacity building to support equitable and inclusive research practices.

This month’s feature highlights a resource from the Universite de Sherbrooke: An Introduction to GBA+, ADS+ and SGBA

Upcoming webinars

The Decolonial “R’s” of Research - June 11, 2024, 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m., virtual (Registration details coming soon)

Resources 

For more information or questions, please reach out to research.equity@uwaterloo.ca or  Indigenous.Research@uwaterloo.ca with any questions.

Senate considers divestment discussion at meeting

Students and community members demonstrate outside Needles Hall in May 2024.

Photograph by Dan Lauckner.

The University of Waterloo’s relationship with Israel was a key theme of Monday’s Senate meeting, on both sides of the Board and Senate chamber’s doors. 

Around 150 demonstrators gathered outside Needles Hall with demands for the University to sever its research partnership ties to Technion-Israel Institute of Technology and divest from weapons manufacturers that supply Israel with military equipment. 

With the Senate’s consent, President Goel provided a student leader, who was granted permission to address the April Senate meeting, to speak to the assembly on behalf of the demonstrating students.  

The student articulated the protester’s demands and submitted them in the form of two motions for Senate to consider, one calling for the University to sever ties with Technion and the other calling for a range of divestment measures. 

The motions were subsequently moved and seconded by Senators to consider as additions to the previously approved agenda. Members then debated whether or not to entertain the motions before voting on their substance. Ultimately, the motion to include the items failed, but members committed to further discussion and exploration of the issues. 

In response to the issues raised—and acknowledging the assembled demonstrators outside—Goel affirmed the University’s stance on protest and free expression.   

“We strongly support individual and group rights to freedom of expression, including the right to demonstrate or protest, and will preserve these freedoms in an environment that protects the enjoyment of the University campus and its facilities without undue interference with our core research and teaching activities,” he said.  

“We will not tolerate action that interferes with the rights of other members of the community or actions that represent a threat to health and safety. We have no tolerance for violence, any form of hateful or discriminatory expression or violations of the law or our policies. The freedoms to speak or express yourself and to examine, question, teach and learn are central to our purpose – and we have made it clear to the community that we all have a responsibility to uphold these freedoms and act with civility and respect.” 

Senators heard that between 2014 and 2022, there were 21 funded projects involving Waterloo and Technion in areas like quantum computing, nanotechnology and water research. The University has not funded new research projects with Technion since 2022. Since the Government of Canada currently advises to avoid non-essential travel to Israel, the ability for in-person exchanges is presently limited. 

On the issue of divestment, President Goel explained neither the University nor the pension fund have any direct investments in organizations that supply military equipment to Israel. The majority of the University’s investments are held in pooled funds.  

The University’s Responsible Investment Policy lays out the University’s approach to investing both the endowment and pension funds – including a commitment to using an ESG lens at every stage of investment decision making. Waterloo is a signatory to the United Nations Principles for Responsible Investment (UNPRI) which requires commitment to incorporating Environment, Social and Governance (ESG) issues into investment analysis and decision-making processes. As part of its selecting managers for its pooled fund investments, the fund managers are assessed on their integration of ESG factors.  

Moving forward, the University is continuing to consider the issues raised regarding investments at both the Finance & Investment committee and the Pension Investment committee of the Board of Governors. Both committees are already working to look again at reporting on investments and the ESG factors that fund managers consider. President Goel committed to providing an update on this work at the June Board meeting.  

President Goel also indicated to Senators that the institution would invest effort into consulting on and developing guidelines on institutional partnerships. This work will be informed by the outcomes of the Taskforce on Free Expression which is set to report in the coming months and the new institutional values, to be considered by the Board in June. 

Inter-Institutional Forum of the Scarborough Charter looks to build Black connections

 Building Connections for Black Flourishing banner.

The 2024 Inter-Institutional Forum of the Scarborough Charter on Anti-Black Racism and Black Inclusion in Canadian Higher Education, also known as Bridging Black: Building Black Connections for Black Flourishing, is taking place today and tomorrow at the University of Waterloo and Wilfrid Laurier University campuses. 

"For the 2024 Scarborough Charter Inter-Institutional Forum, we have chosen the theme - Bridging Black," say forum organizers. "Our intention is to bridge the gaps in both learning and action and to build better connections between the different stakeholders at higher education institutions - senior administration, faculty, staff, students, and neighbouring Black communities. Programming of the forum is built to prioritize, share, and legitimize the experiences and knowledges of Black people participating in the institution as well as the knowledges that have historically contributed to the flourishing of the academy. We hope that by providing the room for intentional idea exchange around the principles of the Scarborough Charter, leaders and participants can leave with more tools and reinvigorated spirits to follow through on redressing anti-Blackness in higher education."

The forum's keynote speaker is Dr. Debra Thompson, Associate Professor of Political Science and Canada Research Chair in Racial Inequality in Democratic Societies at McGill University. She is a leading scholar of the comparative politics of race and a member of the Royal Society of Canada’s College of New Scholars, Artists and Scientists. Her research, teaching, and public scholarship seek to analyze the complex historic and contemporary relationships among race, the state, and inequality in Canada and other democratic societies. Her keynote address begins at noon and is entitled Blackness and Belonging in the Academy.

Day One of the forum takes place at Federation Hall, with tomorow's events taking place at Lazaridis Hall at Wilfrid Laurier University. Tonight following the forum's proceedings is a Black Connections Community Expo at the Waterloo Memorial Recreation Complex's Community Pavilion from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.

The full event program can be found on the Bridging Black website.

The science of happiness

Dr. Megan McCarthy wears a life jacket while kayaking on a lake.

This is an excerpt of an article published in the 2024 issue of Waterloo Magazine: Happiness.

Dr. Megan McCarthy (PhD ’16) designed the course, ARTS 140 The Science of Happiness, to challenge students to think about their understanding of happiness, to research and test various perspectives on happiness and critically evaluate claims about it.  

McCarthy has found that, because students often come from different backgrounds, they engage in rich comparative discussions with classmates about their own beliefs and how their experiences led to those beliefs. Through these interactions, the students become more accepting of different ways of looking at the subject. 

Read how students learned test happiness-boosting claims, and developed their own practical methods to increase happiness in their community. 

Register for the "From Targeting in Academia to Promoting Trust and Understanding" conference

Registration for the upcoming international conference, "From Targeting in Academia to Promoting Trust and Understanding," is now open. The conference will take place from June 27 to 28 at Federation Hall.

Upcoming office closures

The Office of Indigenous Relations will be closed for the day today as staff are attending an offsite event. The OIR will be delayed in responding to email inquiries.

Link of the day

Legendary sound engineer and poker champ Steve Albini dead at 61

When and Where

The Student Health Pharmacy (located in the lower level of the Student Life Centre) is offering flu shots with no appointments needed daily from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Call 519-746-4500 or extension 33784 for more info. COVID shots will be available on appointment basis only. You can register online at studenthealthpharmacy.ca.

Warriors Youth Summer Camps. Basketball, Baseball, Football, Hockey, Multi-Sport and Volleyball. Register today!

Safeguarding Science workshop and more, throughout May and June. Public Safety Canada invites faculty, staff and students to attend a series of virtual event via MS Teams. Register to receive a link.

BioBlitz, Monday, May 6 to Sunday, May 12.

Food Truck Wednesday, Wednesday, May 8 to Wednesday, July 24, 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., Arts Quad.

Spring Tree Planting, Wednesday, May 8 and Thursday, May 9, 12 noon to 2:00 p.m., main campus.

Bridging Black: Building Black Connections for Black Flourishing, the 2024 Inter-Institutional Forum of the Scarborough Charter on Anti-Black Racism and Black Inclusion in Canadian Higher Education, Thursday, May 9 and Friday, May 10, University of Waterloo and Wilfrid Laurier University campuses.

Online Instructor Community of Practice (CoP): the Centre for Extended learning is hosting a CoP for Online Instructors looking to discuss the challenges and successes in their online teaching, Thursday, May 9, 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

Tri-Agencies webinar on Sensitive Research and Affiliations of Concern (STRAC) policy (in English), Thursday, May 9, 1:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. Register.

Climate Drinks with the Waterloo Climate Institute, Thursday, May 9, 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., Graduate House.

Sexual Violence Awareness Month Speaker Series, Thursday, May 9, 7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., MS Teams.

GOODHack24, Saturday, May 11, 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., 151 Charles Street, Kitchener.

Accessible Education User Testing Group expression of interest form submission deadline, Monday, May 13 (end of day).

Sip sustainably at Ev3rgreen Café during Eco Week, Monday, May 13 to Friday, May 17. Bring your reusable mug and enjoy a free fair-trade coffee or tea with any purchase.

Esports Gaming Lounge, Monday, May 13 to Thursday, May 16, 10:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m., Black & Gold Room.

Horizon Europe Town Hall for Waterloo faculty members. Learn about the Pillar II funding program and its many opportunities to support international partnerships and collaborative projects that tackle major global challenges and address Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), Monday, May 13, 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. Please register to attend in person or online via Microsoft Town Hall.

Athletics and Recreation Open House, Tuesday, May 14, 9:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., SLC Great Hall. Stop by to find out how to get active and engaged with your fellow Warriors this term.

Warrior Rec Intramural Registration Deadline, Tuesday, May 14, 1:00 p.m. Other programs are ongoing. Find out more. 

Seedling Swap, Wednesday, May 15 and Thursday, May 16, Environment 3.

Campus Life Fair, Wednesday, May 15, 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., Student Life Centre Great Hall.

Studying the Sacred: Water is Life, presented by Elaine Ho-Tassone, part of the Water Institute's webinar series: The Value of Water in Canada, Wednesday, May 15, 12 noon.

Clubs and Societies Days, Thursday, May 16, 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. and Friday, May 17, 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., Student Life Centre Great Hall.

University of Waterloo Knowledge Mobilization Community of Practice, “Bibliometrics and Research Impact and Thinking Through How to Improve KM Metrics”, Thursday, May 16, 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Contact Nadine Quehl to request a Teams invitation or for more information. 

Sexual Violence Awareness Month Speaker Series, Thursday, May 16, 7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., MS Teams.

Deadline to register for Centre for Extended Learning (CEL) "Getting Ready to Facilitate Online CoursesTA Training – Spring 2024" course, Tuesday, May 21.

Dr. Craig Janes retirement celebration, Wednesday, May 22, 3:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m., EXP 1686. RSVP by Wednesday, May 15.

Warrior Rec Instructional Registration Deadline, Tuesday, May 21, 11:59 p.m. Other programs are ongoing. Find out more. 

Foundations of Collaborative Leadership, Chapter one of the Community Leadership Certificate (CLC), Thursday, May 23, 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. (virtual).

Sexual Violence Awareness Month Speaker Series, Thursday, May 23, 7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., MS Teams.

You @ Waterloo Day, Saturday, May 25.

Tri-Agencies webinar on Sensitive Research and Affiliations of Concern (STRAC) policy (in English), Tuesday, May 28, 11:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Register.

Foundations of Collaborative Leadership, Chapter one of the Community Leadership Certificate (CLC), Wednesday, May 29, 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. (virtual).

Tri-Agencies webinar on Sensitive Research and Affiliations of Concern (STRAC) policy (in French), Thursday, May 30, 1:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. Register.

Sexual Violence Awareness Month Speaker Series, Thursday, May 30, 7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., MS Teams.

Engineering Graduate Studies Fair, Wednesday, June 6, 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m., Engineering 7 second floor event space.

Upcoming service interruptions

Stay up to date on service interruptions, campus construction, and other operational changes on the Plant Operations website. Upcoming service interruptions include:

  • Pathways connecting William Tutte Way and B.C. Matthews Hall closed for asphalt paving and repairs, Tuesday, May 7 to Thursday, May 9 (weather dependent), pedestrian/bicycle and vehicle traffic to be re-routed around alternate pathways.

  • UW pedestrian pathway closures (Lot L to Ring Road, Ring Road to Laurel Trail), Friday, May 10, 8:00 a.m. to Monday, May 13 at 9:00 a.m., pedestrian and cyclist traffic to be detoured through Laurel Trail and/or Ring Road.
  • Needles Hall emergency power interruption, Saturday, May 11, 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., emergency lighting, receptacles, exit lights will be without power for the duration of the shutdown.
  • Engineering 6 electrical shutdown, Sunday, May 12, 8:00 a.m., utility power will be off for four hours, emergency power will be operating
  • Toby Jenkins Building fire alarm testing, Monday, May 13, 7:00 a.m. to 7:30 a.m., fire alarm will sound, building evacuation not required.
  • Research Advancement Centre, Research Advancement 2 fire alarm testing, Monday, May 13, 7:30 a.m. to 8;15 a.m., fire alarm will sound, building evacuation not required.
  • UWP-Waterloo Court, UWP-Woolwich Court, UWP-Beck Hall fire alarm testing, Monday, May 13, 1:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m., fire alarm will sound, building evacuation not required.
  • DWE C wing hot water system maintenance, Tuesday, May 14, 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., no hot water available in labs during maintenance period.
  • DWE A and B wings hot water system maintenance, Wednesday, May 15, 7:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m., no hot water during maintenance period.
  • Physics, Earth Science and Chemistry, Chemistry 2, Centre for Environment & Information Technology fire alarm testing, Wednesday, May 15, 7:30 a.m. to 8:15 a.m., fire alarm will sound, building evacuation not required.
  • Village 1 fire alarm testing, Wednesday, May 15, 1:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m., fire alarm will sound, building evacuation not required.
  • School of Pharmacy, Integrated Health Building fire alarm testing, Friday, May 17, 7:30 a.m. to 8:15 a.m., fire alarm will sound, building evacuation not required.
  • Stratford Campus electrical shutdown, May 26, 9:00 a.m., all electrical power shut down for four hours
  • E7 Bicycle Shelter snow guard installation, Friday, May 31, areas around and under the E7 shelter will be blocked off for vahicle and personnel access.