Monday, April 27, 2015

Earth Week in review

by Mat Thijssen. 

Thank you to everyone who participated in #UWEarthWeek! It was exciting to see interest and involvement from many areas of campus in Waterloo’s public lecture on climate change, community cleanup, 20-minute makeover, and film screenings.

Over 110 campus and community members stopped by the Kitchener Public Library on Wednesday evening to hear insightful presentations on climate change from Environment faculty members Maria Strack, Blair Feltmate, and Ian Rowlands. Thanks to the presenters and the audience for many intriguing ideas and questions.

Closer to campus, a team from Marketing and Undergraduate Recruitment celebrated Earth Day by tidying campus via the 20 Minute Makeover – and got a pleasant surprise in the process.

“Our research shows that campus tours are our most influential recruitment tool,” said clean-up crew leader Lisa Brackenridge. “So it makes sense for us to invest some time to make sure campus looks its best.”  But when it came to filling their bright red garbage bags, the team found surprisingly little trash to stash. “Our team would like to thank the campus community – and Waterloo’s grounds crew, especially – for helping to create an attractive, welcoming environment for future Waterloo students.”

Housing and Residence also did a tidy-up around the villages and managed to sneak in between the rain and the hail. Another group ventured further as part of the Community Cleanup, tidying up the space along the Laurel Trail north of campus.  They found some oddball items (check out #UWEarthWeek on twitter) but were also glad to see that the trail was relatively clean – which was all the better since freezing rain chased them back to campus.

There were also climate change related film screenings happening throughout April.  Thanks to everyone who stopped by for provocative documentaries, Hollywood hits, and, of course, snacks.

To wrap up the week, we’re thrilled to announce the members of the President’s Advisory Committee on Sustainability, which will meet early in the Spring term to begin advising on the future of Waterloo sustainability. As the committee gets up and running, stay tuned for future opportunities to participate.

Visit the Sustainability website for upcoming events, chances to get involved, and sustainability resources around campus.

Van Vlasselaer named interim AVP International

"I am pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Jean-Jacques Van Vlasselaer as Interim Associate Vice-President International effective June 1, 2015 and continuing until the arrival of a permanent AVP, International," says a memo from Vice-President, Academic & Provost Ian Orchard circulated last week. "Until that time, Dr. Nello Angerilli will continue as Associate Vice-President International."

"In April 2010 Jean-Jacques was appointed as Special Advisor to the President, which is a role he will continue during his term as Interim Associate Vice-President, International," the provost's memo continues. "He previously held this interim role in 2012."

International Development students return from field placements

by Eugenia Xenos Anderson.

Twenty-seven fourth-year International Development (INDEV) students return to campus today after two terms interning with local development organizations in Asia, Africa and Latin America.

Placed through the World University Service of Canada in countries such as Senegal, Ghana, Nepal, Peru, Vietnam, Botswana, and Burkina Faso, the students will have a week of debriefing and then make final presentations at a capstone event at St. Paul’s University College on Friday, May 1.

“What I learned in Senegal couldn’t have been taught in a classroom: It is life experience,” said Lexi Salt, who interned with a women’s network in Dakar. “I have learned lots about international development in practice, agriculture in Senegal, challenges faced by female farmers, and much more, such as the complexities of making a lasting difference.”

Gráinne Ryder, the program’s field placement coordinator, said, “We look forward to having the students back for this week because we can see how much they’ve grown and learned overseas. Each student’s experience is unique, but most come back with a greater resilience and capacity to handle complex problems. These are highly valued skills, not just in international development, but for any professional setting.”

The INDEV capstone event takes place in Alumni Hall at St Paul’s University College and is open to the University of Waterloo community.

The International Development program is delivered as a partnership between the Faculty of Environment’s School of Environment, Enterprise and Development and St Paul’s University College. 

For more information, contact Gráinne Ryder, INDEV Field Placement Coordinator, at St Paul’s University College gryder@uwaterloo.ca or phone 519 885 1460 x 201. 

Simulated emergency exercise, fire drills this week

If you see emergency vehicles and people in hazmat suits milling on the north campus this morning, don’t panic – a joint training exercise with the University of Waterloo and Waterloo Fire Rescue (WFR) has been scheduled to take place today between 9:00 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. The event is a simulated anhydrous ammonia leak at Columbia Icefield (CIF) involving the rescue of an unconscious worker and subsequent response by the WFR Hazmat Response Unit.

In addition, the Safety Office, in partnership with UW Police Services and Waterloo Fire Rescue, will be conducting fire drills in academic buildings on campus, beginning at 8:30 a.m. and ending at approximately 2:30 p.m. on Tuesday, April 28.

The drills are part of a required annual review of fire safety plans. All building occupants are expected to evacuate a building when the fire alarm sounds, even during scheduled drills.

Each building takes between 5 and 10 minutes to conduct the drill. In the event of inclement weather the drills will be rescheduled to Thursday, April 30.