Winter 2021 Student Survey

KEY DATES: The Winter 2021 Student Survey Incentive Contest (the "Contest") begins on February 8, 2021, at 9:00 a.m. E.S.T and closes on February 19, 2021, at 11:59 p.m. E.S.T (the “Contest Period”).

SURVEY INCENTIVES/ PRIZES OFFERED:

There is a total of seventy-five (75) prizes (each, a "Prize") available in the Contest, as follows:

1. W Store Prize Packs: There are twenty-five (25) W Store prize packs available to be won (a "W Store Prize" ). The approximate retail value of each W Store Prize is $500 CAD.
2. Gift Certificates: There are fifty (50) gift certificate Prizes available to be won (a "Gift Certificate Prize"). The approximate retail value of each Gift Certificate Prize is $100.

Each Prize must be accepted as awarded and is not transferable, assignable or convertible to cash (except as may be specifically permitted by Sponsor in its sole and absolute discretion). No substitutions are permitted, except at Sponsor’s option. The Sponsor reserves the right to substitute any Prize in whole or in part in the event that all or any component of such Prize is unavailable with a prize or prize component(s) of equal or greater retail value, including, without limitation, but solely at the Sponsor’s sole discretion, a cash award. All characteristics and features of each Prize, except as otherwise explicitly stated above, are at the Sponsor’s sole and absolute discretion. Each Prize winner is solely responsible for all costs not expressly described herein. Gift Certificates are subject to all of the terms and conditions as stated by the issuer.

ELIGIBILITY TO ENTER:

This contest is open only to residents of Canada (excluding Quebec) who, at the time of entry: (i) have reached the legal age of majority in their province/territory of residence, or are sixteen (16) years of age or older but have not reached the legal age of majority in their province/territory of residence (each, a “Minor”) and whose parent/legal guardian has agreed, on such Minor’s behalf and on his/her parent/legal guardian’s own behalf, that each of them will be bound by these Official Contest Rules (the “Rules”); (ii) are registered as a full-time or part-time undergraduate or course-based masters student at the University of Waterloo (the “Sponsor”) in the winter 2021 term; and (iii) are the named and intended recipient of the Winter 2021 Student Survey (the “Survey”) invitation and reminder emails (the “Emails”) inviting them to participate in the Survey or request a PDF version of the Survey sent or as received directly from or on behalf the Sponsor. Employees (and those with whom such persons are living, whether related or not) of the Sponsor and its distributors, representatives, agents, subsidiaries, affiliates, advertising/promotion agencies and any other individual(s), entity or entities involved in the development, production, implementation, administration or fulfillment of the Survey and Contest (collectively, the “Contest Parties”) are not eligible to enter or win.

NOTE TO MINORS: The Sponsor reserves the right, in its sole and absolute discretion, on a random audit basis or at any time and for any reason, to contact a Minor’s parent/legal guardian for the purposes of verifying his/her: (i) agreement to be legally bound by these Rules on such Minor’s behalf and on his/her parent/legal guardian’s own behalf; (ii) consent to the Minor’s participation in this Contest; and/or (iii) consent to the collection of the Minor’s personal information.  Failure of a Minor’s parent/legal guardian to complete any such required verification to the complete satisfaction of the Sponsor within the timeline specified by the Sponsor may, in the sole and absolute discretion of the Sponsor, result in the disqualification of such Minor

Please note that you do not need to participate in the survey to be eligible for the Contest. Details on how to enter the Contest without participating in the Survey are included in the How To Enter section below. Please note that you must still meet eligibility requirements (i.e., University of Waterloo undergraduate and course-based masters student registered in the winter 2021 term) to be able to participate.

AGREEMENT TO BE LEGALLY BOUND BY RULES:

By Participating in this Survey and Contest, you (and your partent/legal guardian on your behalf if you are a Minor) are signifying your agreement that you have read and agree to be legally bound by these Rules.

HOW TO ENTER:

All respondents who submit their Winter 2021 Student Survey responses (via the link provided in the Emails or by emailing a completed PDF version to the Sponsor or its designated representative) during the Contest Period (February 8, 2021, at 9:00 a.m. E.S.T to February 19, 2021, at 11:59 p.m. E.S.T) are automatically eligible to receive one (1) entry (an "Entry"). 

Alternatively, to obtain one (1) Entry in the Contest without completing the Survey, please send your first and last name, @uwaterloo e-mail address, University of Waterloo Student ID number (collected for verification purposes) and a brief statement expressing your interest in the Contest to analysis@uwaterloo.ca (a “Request”).  Upon receipt of a valid Request in accordance with these Rules, you will be eligible to receive one (1) Entry in the Contest. Please note that to be eligible via this alternative method, your Request must: (i) be emailed once to analysis@uwaterloo.ca; and (ii) be date marked during the Contest Period and received prior to the Selection Date (defined below). The Sponsor or Contest Parties take no responsibility for any lost, stolen, delayed, illegible, damaged, misdirected, late or destroyed Requests.

Please note that you must meet eligibility requirements (i.e., University of Waterloo undergraduate and course-based masters student registered in the winter 2021 term) to be able to participate in the Contest.

ENTRY LIMIT AND CONDITIONS: There is a limit of one (1) Entry per person and per email address (regardless of the method of entry). If it is discovered by the Sponsor (using any evidence or other information made available to or otherwise discovered by the Sponsor) that any person has attempted to: (i) exceed any of the limits stated in these Rules; (ii) use multiple names, multiple identities, multiple e-mail addresses and/or any automated, macro, script, robotic or other system(s) or program(s) to enter or otherwise participate in or to disrupt the Contest; and/or (iii) disrupt or participate in the Contest in any other fraudulent or misleading way, then he/she may be disqualified from the Contest in the sole and absolute discretion of the Sponsor. The Contest Parties and each of their respective agents, employees, directors, successors, and assigns (collectively, the “Released Parties”) are not responsible for, and accept no liability whatsoever in relation to, any late, lost, misdirected, delayed, incomplete or incompatible Entries (all of which are void). An Entry may be rejected if, in the sole and absolute discretion of the Sponsor, the Entry is not submitted and received in accordance with these Rules.

VERIFICATION: All Entries, Emails, Surveys, Requests and entrants are subject to verification at any time and for any reason.  The Sponsor reserves the right, in its sole and absolute discretion, to require proof of identity and/or eligibility (in a form acceptable to the Sponsor – including, without limitation, government issued photo identification): (i) for the purposes of verifying an entrant’s eligibility to participate in this Contest; (ii) for the purposes of verifying the eligibility and/or legitimacy of any Entry, Email, Survey, Request and/or other information entered (or purportedly entered) for the purposes of this Contest; and/or (iii) for any other reason the Sponsor deems necessary, in its sole and absolute discretion, for the purposes of administering this Contest in accordance with the letter and spirit of these Rules. Failure to provide such proof to the complete satisfaction of the Sponsor within the timeline specified by the Sponsor may result in disqualification in the sole and absolute discretion of the Sponsor. The sole determinant of the time for the purposes of the Contest will be the official time-keeping device(s) used by the Sponsor.

PARTICIPATION REQUIREMENTS:

BY PARTICIPATING IN THIS CONTEST, YOU (AND, IF YOU ARE A MINOR, YOUR PARENT OR LEGAL GUARDIAN) AGREE TO RELEASE THE RELEASED PARTIES FROM ANY AND ALL LIABILITY IN CONNECTION WITH THE CONTEST AND YOUR PARTICIPATION THEREIN AND TO INDEMNIFY THE RELEASED PARTIES AGAINST ANY AND ALL CLAIMS, DAMAGES, LIABILITIES, COSTS, AND EXPENSES ARISING FROM YOUR PARTICIPATION IN THE CONTEST. BY PARTICIPATING IN THIS CONTEST, YOU (AND, IF YOU ARE A MINOR, YOUR PARENT OR LEGAL GUARDIAN) ALSO AGREE THAT YOUR ENTRY (AND EACH INDIVIDUAL COMPONENT THEREOF) AND ALL OTHER ASPECTS OF YOUR PARTICIPATION IN THIS CONTEST COMPLIES WITH ALL CONDITIONS STATED IN THESE RULES. THE RELEASED PARTIES WILL BEAR NO LIABILITY WHATSOEVER REGARDING: (I) THE USE OF YOUR ENTRY (OR ANY COMPONENT THEREOF – INCLUDING WITHOUT LIMITATION, YOUR SURVEY ANSWERS); (II) PARTICIPATION IN ANY CONTEST-RELATED ACTIVITIES; (III) ANY USE, COLLECTION, STORAGE AND DISCLOSURE OF ANY PERSONAL INFORMATION; AND/OR (IV) IF DECLARED THE WINNER, THE PRIZE (INCLUDING ANY USE OR MISUSE OF THE PRIZE). THE RELEASED PARTIES SHALL BE HELD HARMLESS BY YOU (AND, IF YOU ARE A MINOR, YOUR PARENT OR LEGAL GUARDIAN) IN THE EVENT IT IS DISCOVERED THAT YOU HAVE DEPARTED FROM OR NOT OTHERWISE FULLY COMPLIED WITH ANY OF THESE RULES. THIS RELEASE AND INDEMNITY SHALL CONTINUE IN FORCE FOLLOWING THE TERMINATION OF THE CONTEST AND/OR AWARDING OF ANY PRIZE.

By participating in the Contest, each entrant hereby warrants and represents that any Survey or other Contest-related information he/she submits does not contain any reference to any identifiable third parties, unless consent has been obtained from all such individuals and their parent/legal guardian if they are under the age of majority in their jurisdiction of residence; and will not give rise to any claims whatsoever, including, without limitation, claims of infringement, invasion of privacy or publicity, or infringe on any rights and/or interests of any third party.

ELIGIBLE WINNER SELECTION PROCESS: On February 26, 2021 (the "Selection Date") in Waterloo, Ontario at approximately 12:00p.m. E.S.T, the Sponsor will perform a random draw from among all eligible Entries submitted and received in accordance with these Rules during the Contest Period to select the Prize winners. The odds of winning depend on the number of eligible Entries submitted and received in accordance with these Rules during the Contest Period. Prizes will be drawn in the order they are listed above.

ELIGIBLE WINNER NOTIFICATION PROCESS: The Sponsor or its designated representative will make a minimum of two (2) attempts to contact each potential winner via email, within five (5) business days of the Selection Date. If the potential winner cannot be contacted within such time, or if there is a return of any notification as undeliverable; then he/she may, in the sole and absolute discretion of the Sponsor, be disqualified (and, if disqualified, will forfeit all rights to the applicable Prize) and the Sponsor reserves the right, in its sole and absolute discretion and time permitting, to randomly select an alternate potential winner from among the remaining applicable eligible Entries submitted and received in accordance with these Rules during the Contest Period (in which case the foregoing provisions of this section shall apply to such newly selected potential winner)

ELIGIBLE WINNER CONFIRMATION PROCESS:

NO ONE IS A WINNER UNLESS AND UNTIL THE SPONSOR OFFICIALLY CONFIRMS HIM/HER AS A WINNER IN ACCORDANCE WITH THESE RULES. Before being declared A CONFIRMED PRIZE winner, each potential winner (and, in the case of a Minor, his or her parent or legal guardian) will be required to: (a) correctly answer a mathematical skill-testing question without mechanical or other aid (which may, in the sole and absolute discretion of the Sponsor, be administered online, by email or other electronic means, by telephone, or in the Sponsor’s form of declaration and release); and (b) sign and return within two (2) business days of notification the Sponsor’s declaration and release form, which (among other things): (i) confirms compliance with these Rules; (ii) acknowledges acceptance of a Prize (as awarded); (iii) releases the Released Parties from any and all liability in connection with this Contest, his/her participation therein and/or the awarding and use/misuse of the Prize or any portion thereof, including any travel related thereto; (iv) agrees to indemnify the Released Parties against any and all claims, damages, liabilities, costs, and expenses arising from use of his/her Entry or any portion(s) thereof; and (v) agrees to the publication, reproduction and/or other use of his/her name, address, voice, statements about the Contest and/or photograph or other likeness without further notice or compensation, in any publicity or advertisement carried out by or on behalf of the Sponsor in any manner or medium whatsoever, including print, broadcast or the internet, worldwide and in perpetuity. 

If a potential winner: (a) fails to correctly answer the skill-testing question; (b) fails to return the properly executed Contest documents within the specified time; (c) cannot accept (or is unwilling to accept) a Prize (as awarded) for any reason; and/or (d) is determined to be in violation of these Rules (all as determined by the Sponsor in its sole and absolute discretion); then he/she will be disqualified (and will forfeit all rights to the applicable Prize) and the Sponsor reserves the right, in its sole and absolute discretion and time permitting, to randomly select an alternate potential winner, as applicable, in accordance with the procedure outlined above, with the necessary amendments (in which case the foregoing provisions of this section shall apply to such newly selected potential winner).

Please note that selected winners may need to provide their full mailing address in order to receive the prizes.

GENERAL CONDITIONS:

All Entries, Surveys and Requests become the property of the Sponsor. This Contest is subject to all applicable federal, provincial and municipal laws. The decisions of the Sponsor with respect to all aspects of this Contest are final and binding on all entrants without right of appeal.  ANYONE DEEMED BY THE SPONSOR TO BE IN VIOLATION OF THE LETTER AND/OR SPIRIT OF THESE RULES FOR ANY REASON IS SUBJECT TO DISQUALIFICATION IN THE SOLE AND ABSOLUTE DISCRETION OF THE SPONSOR AT ANY TIME. 

The Released Parties will not be liable for: (i) any failure of any website or platform during the Contest; (ii) any technical malfunction or other problems of any nature whatsoever, including, without limitation, those relating to the telephone network or lines, computer on-line systems, servers, access providers, computer equipment or software; (iii) the failure of any Entry, Survey, Request, Email and/or other information to be received, captured or recorded for any reason whatsoever, including, but not limited to, technical problems or traffic congestion on the Internet or at any website; (iv) any injury or damage to an entrant’s or any other person’s computer or other device related to or resulting from participating in the Contest; (v) anyone being incorrectly and/or mistakenly identified as a winner or eligible winner; and/or (vi) any combination of the above.

The Sponsor reserves the right, in its sole and absolute discretion, to cancel, withdraw, amend or suspend the Contest (or to amend these Rules) in any way, in the event of any cause beyond the reasonable control of the Sponsor that interferes with the proper conduct of the Contest as contemplated by these Rules, including, without limitation, any error, problem, computer virus, bugs, tampering, unauthorized intervention, fraud or failure of any kind whatsoever.  Any attempt to undermine the legitimate operation of the Contest in any way (as determined by Sponsor in its sole and absolute discretion) may be a violation of criminal and civil laws and should such an attempt be made, the Sponsor reserves the right to seek remedies and damages to the fullest extent permitted by law. The Sponsor reserves the right, in its sole and absolute discretion, to cancel, amend or suspend the Contest, or to amend these Rules, in any way without prior notice or obligation, in the event of any accident, printing, administrative, or other error of any kind, or for any other reason whatsoever.  The Sponsor reserves the right, in its sole and absolute discretion, to administer an alternate test of skill as it deems appropriate based on the circumstances and/or to comply with applicable law.

The Sponsor reserves the right, in its sole and absolute discretion, to adjust any of the dates, timeframes and/or other Contest mechanics stipulated in these Rules, to the extent deemed necessary by Sponsor, for purposes of verifying compliance by any entrant, Entry and/or other information with these Rules, or as a result of any technical or other problems, or in light of any other circumstances which, in the opinion of the Sponsor, in its sole and absolute discretion, affect the proper administration of the Contest as contemplated in these Rules, or for any other reason.

By entering this Contest, each entrant expressly consents to the Sponsor, its agents and/or representatives, storing, sharing and using the personal information submitted for the purpose of administering the Contest under the authority of the University of Waterloo Act, 1972 and in accordance with the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. F. 31 as amended, as well as in compliance with Sponsor’s policies (e.g., Policy 46) and guidelines.  This section does not limit any other consent(s) that an individual may provide the Sponsor or others in relation to the collection, use and/or disclosure of their personal information.  Entrants acknowledge that questions regarding the processing of personal information associated with this Contest are to be directed to Jana Carson.

In the event of any discrepancy or inconsistency between the terms and conditions of these Rules and disclosures or other statements contained in any Contest-related materials, including, but not limited to, any instructions or interpretations of these Rules given by any representative of the Sponsor, the terms and conditions of these Rules shall prevail, govern and control to the fullest extent permitted by law. Standard data rates apply to participants who choose to participate in the Contest via a mobile device.  Please contact your service provider for pricing and service plan information and rates before mobile device participation.

The invalidity or unenforceability of any provision of these Rules shall not affect the validity or enforceability of any other provision.  In the event that any provision is determined to be invalid or otherwise unenforceable or illegal, these Rules shall otherwise remain in effect and shall be construed in accordance with the terms as if the invalid or illegal provision were not contained herein.

To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, all issues and questions concerning the construction, validity, interpretation and enforceability of these Rules or the rights and obligations of participants, Sponsor or any of the other the Released Parties in connection with the Contest will be governed by and construed in accordance with the domestic laws of the Province of Ontario and the federal laws of Canada applicable therein, without giving effect to any choice of law or conflict of law rules or provisions that would cause the application of any other jurisdiction’s laws.  The parties hereby consent to the exclusive jurisdiction and venue of the courts located in Ontario in any action to enforce (or otherwise relating to) these Rules or relating to the Contest

OTHER NOTES:

• Please be advised that the Prize winners may have their names and photos posted on the IAP website, SSO UWaterloo life Facebook/ Twitter/ Instagram/ Blog or other University of Waterloo webpage.
• Gift Certificate prize amounts may be taxable. It is your responsibility to report the amount received for income tax purposes.
• If you have difficulty logging in, completing the survey, or wish to no longer receive messages related to this survey, please contact analysis@uwaterloo.ca.
• If you have any questions about the survey, incentives or privacy policy, please email analysis@uwaterloo.ca.

What is the student survey?

The Winter 2021 Student Survey is administered by the University of Waterloo Institutional Analysis and Planning (IAP) department, in collaboration with the Associate Vice President, Academic, the Associate Vice President, Graduate Studies and Postdoctoral Affairs, and the Keep Learning Team.

The purpose of the survey is to understand student experience and to better understand remote learning challenges and successes. Your input will help inform our approach to online and remote teaching and learning.

What questions are asked?

Questions addressed the following topics:

• Transition to remote or online learning
• Student technical capabilities for remote or online learning
• Experience with remote or online learning in winter 2021
• Types of course activities (synchronous / asynchronous) and technology used
• Awareness of supports available for remote or online learning

When does the survey take place?

The survey is available from February 8-19, 2021.

Who can participate in the survey?

University of Waterloo undergraduate students and course-based masters students (registered in the winter 2021 term) are invited to participate in the survey.

How can students participate in the survey?

Invitations and reminders containing a unique survey link will be emailed to student UWaterloo email addresses. If you wish to complete a PDF version of the survey instead, please send an email to analysis@uwaterloo.ca.

How long does the survey take?

Approximately 15 – 20 minutes to complete in one sitting.

What do I get for participating in the survey?

There is a total of seventy-five (75) prizes available to be won, as follows:

• Twenty-five (25) W Store prize packs (valued at approx. $500 CAD each)
• Fifty (50) gift certificate Prizes (retail value of approx. $100 CAD each)

See full official contest rules above for more information.

When will the results be available?

End of February / beginning of March.

How are the results used?

Survey results will be used to evaluate and improve remote learning approaches and supports, and plan for subsequent terms.

Where and how will the results be displayed?

Overall summary results will be published on this web page in the Results section. Summarized Faculty-specific results will be prepared only for the Faculties and relevant Academic Support Units on campus (Associate Vice President, Academic, Centre for Teaching Excellence, Information Services & Technology). If you are interested in receiving the summary results of the survey, please send an email to analysis@uwaterloo.ca.

Is this survey voluntary?

Participation is voluntary. Participants can decline to respond to any question by leaving it blank or withdraw from the survey at any point by not submitting their responses and closing the survey.

Will my responses be kept confidential?

Participation in the survey is confidential.

The survey will be analyzed only at the Faculty and institutional level.

The survey does not ask for any personally identifying information. Neither does the survey collect or use internet protocol (IP) addresses or other information which could link your participation to your computer or electronic device. Only alternative Contest Entrants and Prize winners will be asked to provide their personal information (Name, Email, and mailing address) for verification and Prize administration purposes.

Only authorized staff tasked with analyzing and interpreting the results, and who have signed a data sharing and confidentiality agreement meant to ensure secure and appropriate handling of data, have access to the survey data.

The survey is completed via an online survey operated by Qualtrics. Qualtrics has implemented technical, administrative, and physical safeguards to protect the information provided via the Services from loss, misuse, and unauthorized access, disclosure, alteration, or destruction. However, no Internet transmission is every fully secure or error free. See Waterloo’s guidelines on secure data transmission for more information.

Respondents may provide their name and email for follow-up via analysis@uwaterloo.ca. Once you click on the email link, you will be redirected to a separate email form, and your information will not be linked to survey responses.

University of Waterloo Information, Privacy and Record Retention

The University of Waterloo is committed to respecting the privacy of respondents to this survey.  All personal information is collected under the authority of the University of Waterloo Act (1972) and will be processed in compliance with Ontario’s Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act, as well as the University of Waterloo’s Information and Privacy policies. 

Questions about the collection, use, and disclosure of information associated with this survey should be directed to analysis@uwaterloo.ca. Questions about the collection, use, and disclosure of personal information by the university, should be directed to the Privacy Officer at fippa@uwaterloo.ca.

The collected data and reports will be managed according to the University records classification scheme, WatClass, and will be securely destroyed when no longer needed by the University.

Use of Personal Information: Contact information (Name, email, and mailing address) is collected from the Eligible Contest Winner only, and will be used to administer the Contest Prizes. This data will be stored separately from survey responses and deleted once the Contest is complete, and Prizes have been distributed. If you are not participating in the survey, by entering the Contest and voluntarily providing personal information including name, e-mail and student ID, you are granting us permission to collect and use the information for Contest administration and to select the Prize winners. See full Contest Rules above for more information.

Your non-identifying survey responses may be linked to demographics metrics (such as your year of study or last school country, citizenship, and status in Canada), academic plan information (such as your program and faculty), and academic record (cumulative average), and will be used for evaluation, and/or research purposes only to help improve our programs and services. Results will be reported in aggregate only, ensuring that no individual student can be identified.

Only authorized staff tasked with analyzing and interpreting the results, and who have signed a data sharing and confidentiality agreement meant to ensure secure and appropriate handling of data, will have access to the survey data. All data collected will only be reported in aggregate and will remain confidential. Results will be stored for a period of 10 years or until superseded or obsolete, in a secure, encrypted, password or key protected location.

Results will be available late February to early march.

For general survey inquiries, please contact analysis@uwaterloo.ca.

If you wish to provide additional anonymous feedback about your experience at the University of Waterloo, please click here.