The Daily Bulletin is published by Internal and Leadership Communications, part of University Communications
Contact us at bulletin@uwaterloo.ca
Submission guidelines
Enhanced campus map now in beta
A new mobile-friendly Waterloo campus map is now available for beta testing.
The campus map is now accessible, easier to use, and provides a gateway to more information than ever before, including: transit stops, Food Services outlets, building lookup, and other popular points of interest.
Information Systems and Technology (IST) is inviting members of the campus community to explore the Waterloo campus map (beta) and let them know what you think using the “submit feedback” button.
The map is developed by the Faculty of Environment's Mapping, Analysis, and Design (MAD) department in partnership with Information Systems and Technology (IST).
Anyone with questions or concerns can submit them to the feedback form.
Latest issue of Waterloo magazine now online
Wartime secrets, ice-encased mysteries and alien invasions — you’ll find them all in the spring 2015 issue of University of Waterloo Magazine, now available in print and online at https://uwaterloo.ca/magazine/
From University news to excerpts from lectures by academic celebrities, personal retrospectives to updates on some of Waterloo’s most interesting alumni, Waterloo Magazine delivers high-impact stories to more than 140,000 University alumni and stakeholders around the world.
Featured in this issue:
- “Keeping Secrets”: How a quiet mathematics professor put Waterloo on the map, while never revealing wartime work that cracked a top Nazi code;
- “Lost and Found” North research by a Waterloo anthropology professor helps bring lost ships and other Arctic artifacts to life;
- “Start Me Up”: The startup revolution may have begun in Silicon Valley, but the world is taking notice of Waterloo’s innovation ecosystem; and
- “Alien Invasion”: When animals, plants and diseases show up where they shouldn’t, it spells trouble for more than just the environment.
Provide feedback, suggest future content or request your copy of Waterloo Magazine by contacting uwmagazine@uwaterloo.ca.
New enhancements to disability management program
A message from Human Resources.
Everyone will experience some form of illness or injury in their lifetime. Occasionally, an illness or injury is severe enough to impact an employee’s abilities, daily activities and work experiences. When this happens, the University is committed to delivering positive outcomes. The University facilitates safe, healthy and sustainable return to work plans which may include workplace accommodations.
An effective disability management program focuses on early and safe return to work which benefits everyone. The Disability Management team has reviewed the Disability Management program with a view to providing exceptional service to both UWaterloo Management and Employees.
Enhancements to the program will be launched campus wide on Monday, June 1 and include:
- A new Disability Management Guide has been created and offers details regarding the processes and Manager/Employee roles and responsibilities;
- A modified HR Website which contains Disability Management program information under the Absences from Work link;
- A new Sick Leave/Return to Work Form that is posted on the Absences from Work section of the HR website.
As a reminder, absences 5 days or greater (or at manager’s request) must be reported to the Occupational Health Nurse (faculty) or Disability Advisor (staff).
Questions regarding the program may be directed to the Disability Management Team:
- Nellie Gomes, Disability Advisor - ngomes@uwaterloo.ca
- Linda Brogden, Occupational Health Nurse - lbrogden@uwaterloo.ca
- Karen Parkinson, Occupational Health Nurse - kparkinson@uwaterloo.ca
Students to hunger for knowledge, not food, after exam policy changes
A motion passed at May's Senate meeting has explicitly prohibited the eating of food at final examinations.
The change was part of an amendment to regulations motion brought forward by Registrar Ray Darling after consultations that took place last May.
"Students brought this to us," said Darling at the Senate meeting, noting that the matter has twice been considered by the Undergraduate Student Relations
This new regulation will mitigate issues of distraction during exams, including for such distractions as noise and smell, while also helping to counter risks to academic integrity by removing potential unauthorized aids. This regulation was brought to the Undergraduate Student Relations Committee and the Graduate Student Relations Committee and did not encounter major objections at those bodies.
The change went into effect on May 20.
Not only was the bringing in of food a distraction for many exam-takers, Darling explained, but there were academic integrity implications as well. "It is possible to put cheat notes on a hamburger wrapper," he said.
The regulation applies only to final examinations, and makes allowances for students who who need nutrition breaks for medical reasons. Students must register for special accommodations with AccessAbility Services and submit appropriate documentation at least two weeks prior to the start of the final examination period.
Water is allowed as long as it is in a clear bottle without labels.
"At first we were only going to ban food that was smelly and noisy," said graduate student representative Robbie Henderson, who noted that this half-measure would have left interpretation open to the instructor or proctors.
Darling noted that Waterloo was one of only two schools that still allowed outside food to be brought into exam rooms.
So students will no longer be able to enjoy, say, a bowl of soup with their finals.
Tuesday's notes
The latest entry in the Winter 2015 Arriscraft Lecture Series will feature Gregg Pasquarelli, the founding partner of SHoP, a New York based architectural firm with projects completed or underway on four continents.
SHoP has "set the standard for creative exploration in the field of architecture and modeled a new way forward with its unconventional approach to design."
At the heart of the firm's method is a willingness to question accepted patterns of practice, coupled with the courage to expand, where necessary, beyond the architect's traditional roles.
Celebrated designs such as the Porter House apartments, the East River Waterfront, and the Barclays Center arena have cemented SHoP's reputation for transformative neighborhood interventions. In 2009, SHoP was honoured with the Smithsonian/Cooper-Hewitt's National Design Award. In 2014, Fast Company named SHoP "Most Innovative Architecture Firm in the World."
The event will take place on Thursday, May 28 at 7:00 p.m. in the Lawrence Cummings Lecture Theatre at the School of Architecture in Cambridge.
"The Keystone Campaign is looking for volunteers to help with the annual Keystone Picnic on Friday, June 5," writes the Student Success Office's Yen Ho. "We need your help to make this campus-wide event a success!"
"There are a variety of volunteering opportunities, so when you fill in our online volunteer form, let us know which task and time you’d prefer, and we’ll do our best to match you up. Each volunteer shift is approximately one to one-and-a-half hours, so you’ll still have time either before or after your shift to get lunch and enjoy the picnic too."