Monday, June 24, 2024

University will stand together on Friday

"It has been one year since our community was impacted by hate-motivated violence related to gender expression and gender identity," wrote Dean Sheila Ager, Dean of the Faculty of Arts in an email circulated to the campus community on Friday. "In marking the anniversary of this terrible attack, we invite you to join us to stand together against gender-based violence and all forms of hatred and bigotry."

"This is an important moment for us to come together to affirm our support for freedom of gender expression and identity," Dr. Ager's memo continues. "The alarming increase in hate towards the 2SLGBTQIA+ community, especially targeting Two-Spirit, Trans, Non-Binary, and Gender Non-Conforming (2STNBGNC+) is troubling. This event reflects our collective commitment to creating a safe and inclusive environment for everyone."

Event details 

Date: Friday, June 28 

Time: 1:00 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. 

Location: Hagey Hall Hub (Founders Hall)   

The event will include remarks from members of the University community.

"We look forward to standing together in support of those impacted by last year’s hate-motivated violence and working together to create a world where everyone is valued and respected," Dr. Ager concludes.

Preparing for a smoke-free campus on July 1

A message from Policy 29 committee co-sponsors Michelle Hollis, Chief Human Resources Officer and Chris Read, Associate Provost, Students.  

The University of Waterloo begins transitioning to a smoke-free campus on July 1, 2024, when the revised Policy 29 takes effect. All University property, including the Waterloo, Cambridge, Kitchener, and Stratford campuses, are covered in this updated policy that encompasses all  forms of smoking, and the use tobacco or cannabis products, e-cigarettes, or other vaping devices. The use of tobacco for traditional Indigenous cultural or spiritual ceremonies is protected in the Ontario Human Rights Code and will be exempt from any changes to this policy. The University will also continue to meet other accommodations, such as medical, as required under the Code.  

The  Smoke-Free Waterloo website contains important information and frequently asked questions on how this policy change might affect you. It also identifies the locations of four temporary  designated smoking areas  on the Waterloo campus to support this transition, which will be in place until April 30, 2025. Information about smoking at our satellite campus locations and the David Johnston Research + Technology Park is on the website as well. 

For members of our community who would like help with smoking cessation, please take advantage of the support resources available to you, including access to a recorded Keeping Well at Work session that was facilitated by the Region of Waterloo Public Health. 

To promote awareness of the July 1st shift to a smoke-free environment, you will notice communications on the digital screens located around the University, as well as new posters and signage.  

If you have questions about Waterloo’s transition to a smoke-free environment, visit the  smoke-free website or contact  smokefree@uwaterloo.ca. 

Register for the PSC Safeguarding Science workshop

A message from the Office of Research.

Faculty members, staff (i.e., Research staff, Safety Office staff, Research Ethics staff, and Information Systems & Technology staff involved in research using biological, chemical, radiological, or nuclear materials or technology) and students, are invited to join Public Safety Canada (PSC) for the upcoming Safeguarding Science workshop series.

The purpose of the 90-minute workshop, offered by Public Safety’s Research Security Centre, is to raise awareness within Canada's scientific and academic communities about research security-related issues. The primary objective of this workshop is to explain the potential for misuse of dual-use research, technology and materials, along with possible risk indicators and mitigation tools to protect Canadian research assets.

Throughout the summer and fall 2024 there are several virtual events scheduled. See the list below for upcoming dates or visit the Public Safety Canada website.

Click any of the date links below to register.

• Module 1 (English) – Tuesday, July 9, 1:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.
• Module 1 (English) – Wednesday, August 7, 1:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.
• Module 1 (English) – Tuesday, September 17, 1:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.
• Module 1 (English) – Tuesday, October 22, 1:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.
• Module 1 (English) – Tuesday, November 5, 1:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.
• Module 1 (English) – Tuesday, December 3, 1:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.

This workshop is offered both virtually and in-person and is recommended as an introduction to the topic of research security. Additional modules offering a deeper dive into research security-related topics are also available.

For additional information about the workshop, please email The Research Security Centre.

Diadem for a Dean: Celebrating Sheila Ager

A message from the Faculty of Arts.

Last Thursday, Faculty of Arts and campus colleagues gathered to celebrate Dr. Sheila Ager’s five-year tenure as Dean. Emceed by Doug Peers, former Dean of Arts (a “has-dean”), there were reflections, laughs, and almost-tears shared by Sheila’s friends, colleagues, and family. Speakers included Bob Kerton, Dean of Arts Emeritus, Mary Wells, Dean of Engineering, Lili Lui, Dean of Health, Dean Ager’s brother, and the dean herself. Jim Rush, Vice-President Academic and Provost, was unable to attend at the list minute but sent his best wishes.

“I just want to say how fortunate the Faculty of Arts and University of Waterloo and has been to have such a kind and compassionate leader as Sheila Ager,” said Dean Wells.

“I always felt Sheila brought colour to our merry band of deans, and brought new ideas to many complex issues,” continued Dean Wells, who then presented a WStore Pride Goose and offered her thoughtful interpretation of how the colours might also represent the six faculty colours – starting with Arts orange on the beak and ending with Engineering purple on the tail/butt feathers. “No matter what part of the goose we represent, together we make up the full goose, just as we all make up one Waterloo.”

A feature at the event were diadems for all to wear. Handmade by Dr. Christina Vester of Classical Studies, the diadem is a decorated headband tied with ribbon at the back of the head symbolizing royal dignity. On Thursday, the many diadems worn served to honour both Dean Ager’s deanship and her extensive scholarship on Cleopatra VII.

Bob Kerton, who has been a colleague over most of Dean Ager’s 37 years at Waterloo, spoke with fitting metaphors from antiquity about her high-ranking teaching record and leadership roles.

Over the past five years including the pandemic years, Dean Liu said, “Sheila opened my eyes to what Classical Studies can teach us about modern issues.” And echoing her fellow dean, “As an academic leader, Sheila always brought compassion and care for members of the university to the table so that decisions and actions are in our community’s best interest.”

When it was Dean Ager’s turn at the podium, she first described her deanship as “a very wild ride”, and later added: “When I contemplate the past five years, the one overwhelming feeling I have is that of gratitude.”

After thanking many people, teams and offices (while assuring the audience, “I promise I’ll feel terrible for the next five years for forgetting anyone”), Dean Ager reflected: “I feel I’ve seen a genuine and concerted effort to engage Arts as an equal contributor to this university’s mission. And I’m very grateful for the wholistic vision embraced by our university leadership.”

Along with wine, flowers and an entire box of has-dean reading material from Doug Peers, Dean Ager’s legacy is being honoured by the newly established Sheila Ager Scholarship which supports Arts students.

Dean Sheila Ager concludes her term on June 30 and Dr. Alexie Tcheuyap joins the Faculty of Arts as dean on July 1.