Graduate Studies and Postdoctoral Affairs (GSPA)
Needles Hall, second floor, room 2201
On Dec 3 the following email was sent to the graduate students
To: Graduate students
From: Jeffrey Casello, Associate-Vice President, Graduate Studies and Postdoctoral Affairs (GSPA)
Subject: preparing for the winter 2021 term
The winter 2021 term will be here before we know it. Whether you are studying remotely or are on campus for in-person classes or research, we are here to support you. Our collective goals are to ensure that you are safe and that you can successfully continue to advance your graduate studies at Waterloo. In this email, you will find some helpful hints and reminders to get you ready for the winter term, including:
· Thesis proposals, comprehensive exams and thesis defence
· Staying connected and supported
With the start of classes delayed to January 11, most important dates and deadlines for the winter term were revised. A few key dates to know now:
For a complete list, review the winter 2021 academic schedule changes.
If you are enrolled in courses, you should:
· Log in to WatIAM to enter an external password recovery email address so you don't get locked out of your University accounts.
For online courses:
· Stay informed about what services are physically open and available to you and which are offering modified services - these may be updated throughout the term.
If you are completing your thesis proposal, comprehensive exams, or thesis defence:
• Discuss your timelines with your supervisor and agree upon the scheduling of these important milestones.
• Review the process for a remote thesis defence
• Check out the remote defence: tips for success
University leadership and the graduate and undergraduate student associations have approved the incidental fees that will be charged for winter 2021.
• Deadline to opt out of optional and voluntary fees is December 15.
• International students who will not be in Canada for the winter term can opt out of UHIP coverage on Quest between November 30 to December 15.
As agreed with GSA-UW and WUSA, we are charging the athletics and recreation fee for the term. Recognizing the important roles that recreation and physical activity play in supporting your mental and physical wellbeing, we have made athletics facilities open to students since September. We have seen considerable use of the facilities and will continue to operate following public health guidelines.
Staying connected and supported
I encourage you to continue to engage with your fellow graduate students, as well as your research group, supervisors, and course instructors. Among many possibilities, you may consider some of the following opportunities and resources:
• Visit the Graduate Student Association-University of Waterloo (GSA-UW) website for upcoming virtual events.
• Find an online writing community at the Writing and Communication Centre.
• Explore the many resources available to you from the University of Waterloo Library:
o Book an online consultation with your librarian for assistance navigating the library website, searching databases and using the library catalogue to find books and journal articles;
o Contact your librarian for in-depth research support, such as research data management and systematic reviews;
o Get help with copyright, open access and depositing theses and research in UWSpace, our institutional repository.
• Schedule frequent check-in meetings with your research group and supervisors. For more tips on staying connected, explore the work from home and remotes resources web page.
• Learn about the Student IT Services available to you, how to use them, tips for remote learning, and how to get IT help/support.
• Take some time to read through your weekly graduate student e-news (it arrives in your inbox each Thursday). This includes upcoming events, workshops, and important dates.
• Refer to the set of university services and resources available for you.
• Explore the Campus Wellness website; know that wherever you are, Counselling Services is here to help you.
• Review your financial situation and be aware of the University’s supports for those with financial needs including the Academic Readiness Bursary that can help offset the costs of remote learning.
On behalf of all my colleagues at the University of Waterloo and in the Graduate Studies Community, know that you have our support during your upcoming winter 2021 term and always. If you have any questions as you approach the start of the term, I encourage you to contact your supervisor, graduate officer or graduate co-ordinator, or send me an email. Stay well.
Graduate Studies and Postdoctoral Affairs (GSPA)
Needles Hall, second floor, room 2201
The University of Waterloo acknowledges that much of our work takes place on the traditional territory of the Neutral, Anishinaabeg and Haudenosaunee peoples. Our main campus is situated on the Haldimand Tract, the land granted to the Six Nations that includes six miles on each side of the Grand River. Our active work toward reconciliation takes place across our campuses through research, learning, teaching, and community building, and is co-ordinated within the Office of Indigenous Relations.