Dear faculty, staff and graduate students,
End of August signals a transition period for most of us. Spring term has ended and faculty and staff make one last effort to squeeze in some vacation time with family. Those with young children make back-to-school preparations. Professional master's programs such as social work and public health were already in full swing with their summer institutes. June graduands are starting new jobs or graduate programs. Meanwhile, faculty, staff and current students are gearing up for fall term and fall convocation.
For me, this August was a time to celebrate the contributions of faculty and staff who are retiring or leaving for other positions. It is also a transition for me from the end of my first term to the beginning of my second (shorter) term as your dean. The recent dedication of an Eastern Redbud tree to the memory of staff member Cassie Bechard, who passed away too soon, just over a year ago, is a reminder of the impermanence of life. But when we have an impact on each other, we can carry on the values inspired by those who have moved on.
I hope that as we transition into another academic year, you not only feel recharged, but able to reflect on the relationships that you treasure and are inspired to make an impact in your own ways.
Happy start of term,
Lili Liu
News I Events I Did you know?
NEWS
New Executive Assistant in Dean's Office
Nadia Linares joined the Dean's Office on August 6 as the new Executive Assistant to the Dean and to Elder Myeengun Henry. Linares comes from Conestoga College, where she worked as a program assistant. Prior to that, she was the administrative assistant to the Chair of Applied Math at Waterloo and before that, administrative coordinator, undergraduate studies, in that department. She has more than 10 years of experience as an office administrator in academic institutions.
RLS student receives Graduate Researcher Award
Recreation and Leisure Studies master's student Peggy Vacalopoulos received the 2024 Graduate Researcher Award from the Travel and Tourism Research Association (TTRA) Canada. This award includes a significant cash prize and complimentary TTRA Canada conference registration in PEI this October. Vacalopoulos' research interests lie in promoting regenerative tourism practices and her thesis explores the lived experiences of frontline hospitality workers through a critical feminist lens.
Tree dedicated to Cassie Bechard
An Eastern Redbud tree dedicated to Cassie Bechard has been planted on the berm between Ring Road and the M parking lot near the Expansion building. Bechard was the Faculty of Health's IST Liaison, and an engaged member of the Waterloo campus community and Waterloo Region who passed away suddenly last year. The tree's bright pink flowers at the beginning of every spring will remind us of a valued friend and colleague.
UPCOMING EVENTS
First-year orientation: August 31 - September 7
Prepare for a busy campus as orientation and the first day of classes approach. The Faculty of Health will hold first-year orientation events from August 31 through September 7 on the BMH Green, in the Expansion building and in other locations throughout our buildings. Classes begin on September 4.
Getting Started in LEARN: September 3
Instructors are invited to attend an online workshop on September 3 from 1 to 3 p.m. This two-hour session will introduce you to LEARN (D2L Brightspace), Waterloo's learning management system for presenting course activities and resources in on-campus and blended courses. To register, visit the Getting Started in LEARN event webpage on the Centre for Teaching Excellence website.
LEARN for teaching assistants: September 12
Teaching assistants (TAs) are encouraged to join an online Q&A session on September 12 from 10 to 11:30 a.m. with the Centre for Teaching Excellence (CTE). This workshop focuses on the effective use of LEARN for TAs to communicate with their students. To register, visit the LEARN for TAs event webpage on the CTE website.
First-year student welcome ceremony: September 16
Instructors and staff are invited to join first-year students for a welcome ceremony, led by Indigenous Knowledge Keeper Myeengun Henry. Meet on September 16 from 1 to 2 p.m. on the BMH Green, weather permitting.
The Australian Child Maltreatment Study Lecture: September 17
Dr. James Scott, chief investigator on the Study, will discuss the findings on the prevalence of child maltreatment and associated mental disorders and health risk behaviours during this lecture taking place on September 17 from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. All are welcome to attend in-person or via live stream. For details on registration, visit The Australian Child Maltreatment Study event page on the School of Public Health Sciences website.
Homecoming: September 21 and 22
Homecoming (formerly Black and Gold Day) is filled with activities, varsity action and opportunities to reconnect with former students. All are welcome to participate! The event on September 21 includes Warrior Rec Yoga, Warriors Football vs. Laurier, a Warriors Hall of Fame induction ceremony and more. Expect a busy campus and full parking lots. The next day, Kinesiology graduates from the early 1970s will celebrate with a 50th anniversary reunion. Check out the Homecoming web page for details and tickets.
Book Club with EDI focus: September 23
Faculty of Health grad students, staff and faculty are invited to participate in a new Faculty of Health Book Club with selections focusing on equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI). The goal is to meet once a month over lunch hour in BMH 3119 (with a virtual attendance option) to discuss the selected book. The first book will be The Truth About Stories by Thomas King, to be discussed on September 23 from 12 to 1 p.m. For details and to sign up, visit the Faculty of Health Book Club web page.
Faculty and staff annual BBQ: September 26
Please save the date for the Faculty of Health annual BBQ taking place this year on September 26 from 4 to 7 p.m. A formal invite with RSVP details is to come. This social and networking event will bring together grad students, staff, faculty and postdocs from across the Faculty. It's a great opportunity to get to know people, share experiences and learn from one another. Drinks, vegan and vegetarian options will be available.
Annual Waterloo Pow Wow: September 28
Everyone is invited to attend the 21st anniversary of the Gidinawendamin/Ska’nikú•lát annual Pow Wow, hosted by the Shatitsirótha’ Waterloo Indigenous Student Centre (WISC) and the University of Waterloo Office of Indigenous Relations (OIR). This one-day non-competitive celebration of Indigenous heritage features vendors, dancers and singers from the Waterloo region and beyond. Visit the Gidinawendamin/Ska’nikú•lát 21st Annual Pow Wow event page for more.
Truth and Reconciliation Day: September 30
On the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, we honour the lost children and survivors of residential schools, their families and communities. A sunrise ceremony will start off the event at 7 a.m. on September 30, followed by the Grand Opening of the Indigenous Gathering Space on the BMH Green.Then, Elder Myeengun Henry will commence the University's third annual commitment ceremony. A Truth and Reconciliation walk along Ring Road will also take place before lunch. All are welcome to attend, with no registration required.
Instructional Skills Workshop: October 16 to 18
The Instructional Skills Workshop (ISW) is an intensive, collaborative and experiential learning model that uses videotaped micro-teaching and peer feedback sessions to support teaching reflection and the growth of both new and experienced instructors. It will take place from October 16 to 18, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. each day. Participants will receive a widely recognized certificate of achievement upon successful completion. Visit the ISW event page on the Centre for Teaching Excellence website for details.
Partnership Pitches Lunch 'n Learn: October 17
In this interactive in-person workshop, faculty members will be provided with tips to create research partnership pitches and receive feedback from colleagues. Afterward, participants will start developing a partnership list with resources and tools provided in the workshop. To register for the event, please visit the Polishing your pitch and finding your partners - Lunch 'n' Learn event page on the Office of Research website, and bring a lunch. It will take place in EXP 1686 on October 17 from 12 to 1:30 p.m.
DID YOU KNOW?
Copyright resources available for instructors
The Copyright Advisory Committee has prepared a series of reminders on keeping copyright in mind as you use materials in your fall term courses — everything from slides to course readings to audio-visual material. The Copyright Decision Tool is also available for use, or feel free to reach out to the services available for help with copyright.
LITE Seed Grant deadline and important changes
The University’s Learning Innovation and Teaching Enhancement (LITE) Seed Grants support projects that investigate innovative approaches to enhancing teaching and fostering deep student learning. Please see the LITE Seed Grant Guidelines for information regarding changes to the LITE Seed Grant deadlines and funding periods. The upcoming deadline to submit applications is October 1.
Do you have a news item to share? Please email it to Jenna Braun.