Dear faculty, staff and graduate students,
As you have heard, most classes are resuming in person on February 7, except for those with enrolment that exceeds 150, which will be in person as of February 28. While there is no occupancy limit, we are taking this phased approach to limit contacts just a little while longer. Even though we are past the peak of Omicron cases, hospitalization rates lag by about a couple weeks. This means that by the end of February, we could see the back end of this wave.
For those of you who are concerned about returning to in-person instruction, I cannot guarantee that you will be 100 per cent protected from getting COVID, but I would like to offer some reassurances and remind you that protection is multi-layered:
- We have Dr. Vivek Goel, an expert public health physician, at the helm. Since joining the University of Waterloo six months ago, he has been in regular contact with leaders in provincial and regional public health offices, hospitals and academic institutions. He regularly provides the University leadership team and community with a balanced and informed perspective on the pandemic to guide decision-making. In the January 10, 2022 special episode of Beyond the Bulletin, President Goel provides a helpful explanation of the impact of Omicron.
- More than 99 per cent of our University community is fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and many have had a third dose, although two doses remains the requirement to be fully vaccinated.
- While there are still risks, some factors are within our control, including wearing well-fitted masks (good medical-grade mask or two-layer cloth with filter layer).
As President Goel said in his podcast, we may be entering the stage as a society to have conversations about whether we are ready to move on and accept the consequences. These consequences should not include serious illness for those who are vaccinated. I think that our students, especially those who have never stepped foot on campus, deserve to experience a vibrant and engaged university community.
Many of the questions I had were answered in the Federal COVID-19 Update: Possible Peak of Omicron Wave, hosted by Dr. Theresa Tam, Canada’s chief public health officer, and Dr. Howard Njoo, deputy chief public health officer. I encourage you to continue to ask questions and communicate your concerns to help you feel safe to return to campus. Please plan to attend the virtual President’s Forum on February 2. You can submit your questions or ask them during the Q and A portion of the forum.
Yours sincerely,
Lili Liu
This month I Events I Tips and reminders
THIS MONTH
Strategic Plan implementation tactics online
Last year, several subcommittees worked to brainstorm and identify various tactics to help implement the Faculty of Health's 2020-25 Strategic Plan, and now the Implementation Plan is online. Key tactics were identified for each of the four priorities – some of which have been started (and even completed, in the case of a few). The rest will continue to be implemented over the lifespan of the Strategic Plan, and it is possible other tactics will be added, depending on timing and capacity. Many thanks to all who participated in this process!
Kelly Skinner named CIHR Applied Public Health Chair
Kelly Skinner (School of Public Health Sciences) received a Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) Applied Public Health Chair in Healthy Environments for Climate Change and Food Security in Northern Canada. It is one of only seven chairs awarded nationally. Included in this prestigious position is $1.15 million in funding over five years for highly focused research that improves health equity for citizens in Canada and around the world.
UW WELL-FIT celebrates 20th anniversary
The UW WELL-FIT cancer exercise program celebrates 20 years in 2022, with several activities for the Waterloo community, as well as current and former participants, volunteers and friends. These events include a group Fitness Challenge in May, a family-friendly Community BBQ and open house on June 5 and a Roaring 20s Gala dinner event on November 12. The goal throughout the year is to raise funds to support individuals who can benefit from this programming as they combat the negative side effects of cancer.
What participants and staff have to say about UW WELL-FIT:
Remembering John Pezzack
Former long-time Kinesiology and Health Sciences staff member John Pezzack passed away on December 30, 2021. Pezzack instructed generations of Kinesiology students in the science of biomechanics. An outdoor Celebration of Life for family and friends will be held in the spring. Opportunities to pay tribute in the guest book or make memorial donations can be found in the obituary notice.
GRADflix viewing party: January 31
Cheer on our five Health students who have made the shortlist of 25 finalists in the GRADflix video competition: Alexander Malone and Jessica Vander Vaart (KHS) and Karen Hock, Lauren Gosse and Saeideh Davari Dowlatabadi (SPHS). Register for the GRADflix Showcase virtual viewing party and vote for your favourites on January 31, starting at 3 p.m. for a chance to win prizes.
Thirty Minute Thursdays for PebblePad: February 17 onwards
The focus for the winter term is ATLAS, the assessment side of PebblePad. No registration required. Please see Thirty Minute Thursdays for PebblePad for the Teams link. Hosted by the Centre for Teaching Excellence.
Professional Skills Foundation Workshop: February 22
Master's and PhD students can participate in a Professional Skills Foundations Workshop to help you identify and develop professional skills that can lead to success in your academic program, securing a job and thriving in your future workplaces. The workshop is hosted by Graduate Studies and Postdoctoral Affairs (GSPA) and the Centre for Career Development.
TIPS AND REMINDERS
Survey on web conferencing closes today
Information Systems and Technology (IST) has launched a project to review web conferencing platforms available at the University. Instructors are encouraged to share their feedback via an anonymous survey by end of day today, January 28.
Nominate outstanding instructors for awards
Consider nominating exceptional instructors (faculty or students) for two upcoming Centre for Teaching Excellence teaching awards: The Distinguished Teaching Award is open to anyone who teaches at the University, and the Amit and Meena Chakma Award for Exceptional Teaching by a Student is geared to student instructors. Please submit nominations by February 4 so that impactful teaching in the Faculty is recognized.
Experiential learning fellowship available
The Hugh C. Morris Experiential Learning Fellowship, valued at $40,000, is open to a graduate student studying in Canada in a working field related to earth, geosciences, environment, alternative energy, water, climate change, sustainability, or to the social impact, social sciences or design sciences related to these areas. The student is to design and provide a unique experiential travel program. The deadline to apply is February 15.
Sharon Lamont Student Award open for applications
Graduate students from any program who have worked at the University of Waterloo Library in the past two academic terms may apply for a Sharon Lamont Student Award by February 15. Work includes full- or part-time casual staff, co-op and work study positions, internships or volunteer roles. Two students will receive $1,000 each, and will be chosen based on extracurricular activity in the areas of equity, diversity and inclusion.
Instructional support available
If you would like instructional support as we transition back to campus, please don’t hesitate to contact Centre for Teaching Excellence Faculty Liaison Natalie Chow.
Do you have a news item to share? Please email it to Eugenia Xenos Anderson.