As we begin to think about the fall term, I thought I’d share with you what we are hearing from undergraduate students about their needs and wants when they return to campus. Firstly, I was pleasantly surprised to see that more than 40 per cent of our record-breaking 738 incoming students have chosen to live in residence! Assuming public health regulations allow for it, these students will be seeking on-campus activities in some form.
It also has implications for our staff, faculty and teaching assistants, in that students may expect to see some of us on campus at least some of the time.
A common theme we heard at two recent events was that students would like to have study spaces open in our buildings, as well as access to the libraries, food courts, clubs, gyms and intramurals. Some mentioned they would like to be able to access these spaces and activities in safe ways, either physically distanced, or outdoors in the fall, weather permitting. Student concerns included group assignments and limited or no access to printers. Overall, the sense is that they are eager to partake in student life and meet safely with each other.
The Dean’s Office is taking this feedback into account as we plan for the next term, not knowing what safety precautions will be required at the time. However, one of our goals is to open social spaces in our buildings while following the recommended safety guidelines, which should allow them to meet with peers. All the while, we are mindful of the experience that students studying from home will have; not all of them will be on campus. In the end, I'm certain that your care for the well-being of all students will prevail and help us address the challenges.
Yours sincerely,
Lili Liu
This month I Events I Tips and reminders
THIS MONTH
Our 2021 incoming undergraduate class
The marketing and undergraduate recruitment team reports that the 2021 first-year undergraduate class is the largest to date. The June 3 confirmation report shows 738 new students, as well as three in the Bridge to Academic Success in English (BASE) program and 26 upper-year transfer students. To everyone who supported our online recruitment activities: Thank you! And thank you in advance to all those working hard to welcome and support our new students in September. Here is the breakdown of incoming year-one students by program, not including BASE (first graph), and the breakdown of upper-year transfer students (second graph):
Funding for human participant grad student research
The Faculty of Health and the Provost have each committed $100,000 to support graduate students who conduct human participant research that has been delayed by COVID. If you are, or will be, over your term limit in fall 2021 and your human participant research was directly affected by COVID, you may fill out a form to apply for this funding. Details and the form will be available in early July and will be mailed to graduate students and available on our websites. Please stay tuned.
New Frontiers in Research award for Laura Middleton
Shannon Majowicz appointed to WHO committee
Outstanding Performance Award recipients named
Congratulations to the following Health faculty members who received 2020 Outstanding Performance Awards from the University: Leeann Ferries, Lora Giangregorio, Bryan Grimwood, Scott Leatherdale, Carrie McAiney; Samantha Meyer and Chris Vigna. The awards recognize outstanding contributions to the University.
Mark Havitz receives Leisure Studies award
PhD student receives Microsoft dissertation award
PhD students receive funding for Métis housing research
Convocation ceremony now live
You
may
now
watch
or
re-watch
the
online
ceremony
from
June
18
on
the Faculty
convocation
page,
which
also
includes
the
program
with graduating
student
names,
as
well
as
stories
about
some
of
our students.
Here
are
the
award
winners
for
this
year:
University finalist for the Governor General's Gold Medal in a doctoral program: Amanda Raffoul (Fall 2020)
Governor General's Academic Silver Medal for highest standing in an undergraduate degree program: Tina Jiao
University of Waterloo Alumni Gold Medal for outstanding academic achievement: Madison Anne Ryken (Fall 2020)
Distinguished academic achievement in Kinesiology: Tina Jiao
Distinguished academic achievement in the School of Public Health and Health Systems: Michaela Johns
Valedictorian: Rithvika Ramesh (pictured)
UPCOMING EVENTS
Please note that all in-person events have been cancelled or postponed until further notice.
Ten Thousand Coffees contest: July 7-21
Faculty Fall Prep on Remote Teaching workshop: July 12
In preparation for the fall term, the Centre for Teaching Excellence and the Faculty's Teaching Fellows have designed a workshop for all instructors interested in remote teaching best practices based on our learning over the last year. Topic areas will include conferencing tools, synchronous versus asynchronous delivery, alternatives to final exams, and student engagement. No need to register; just join the Fall Prep workshop on Teams on Monday, July 12 from 12:30 - 2 p.m. The workshop will be recorded for those who are unable to attend. For more information, contact Natalie Chow.
Faculty of Health Trivia Night: July 20
Anti-racism book club: July 20
Staff, students and faculty are encouraged to join an anti-racism book club to learn more about how we can combat racism and achieve justice. Originally capped at 30, the book club is now open to anyone who wants to join. They plan to meet once a month, starting in July.
TIPS AND REMINDERS
Kinesiology and Health Sciences logos
Faculty,
staff
and
students
may
start
using
the
new
Kinesiology
and
Health
Sciences
name
and
logo
as
of
July
1,
when
the
department's
website
will
reflect
this
change.
Updated
logos
will
be
available
from
the
Waterloo
Brand
site
soon;
you
will
also
find
recommendations
on
what
to
include
in
email
signatures
there
as
well.
Social
media
account
names
and
new
e-letterhead
will
be
updated
in
the
coming
weeks,
and
signage
will
be
adjusted
in
the
coming
months.
The
new
name
will
not
be
fully
in
effect
until
later
in
the
year,
but
most
instances
should
be
complete
by
September
1.
Sign up for the Catalyst newsletter
The Catalyst is a newsletter providing regular updates on the intricate and long-term work of the President’s Anti-Racism Taskforce (PART). This newsletter is also an opportunity to showcase the many staff, faculty and students who are engaged in anti-racism work each day on campus.
This Canada Day...
Whether you are planning to mark Canada Day or not this year, consider using it as an opportunity to learn about and acknowledge the country’s true past. It is time to pause for grieving, reflect on and take accountability for our country's actions that have hurt the health and well-being of Indigenous peoples and change those that continue to oppress and discriminate. Many resources exist that highlight actions that individuals can take, including learning more about the history that was never taught, the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action, writing to an elected official, or making a contribution to an Indigenous organization. Some places to start this Canada Day: Indian Residential School Survivors Society, On Canada Project, Woodland Cultural Centre, Witness Blanket, Legacy of Hope Foundation.
Do you have a news item to share? Please email it to Eugenia Xenos Anderson.