Editor:
Brandon Sweet
University Communications
bulletin@uwaterloo.ca
Orientation ovations and a wake-up for Welcome Week
by Jacqueline Martinz
The thousands of new students who arrived at the University of ݮƵ last weekend are now learning from their professors and TAs inside lecture halls, labs and classrooms. This fall, classes started on September 8. The last day for Orientation programming was Saturday, September 10. It was an exciting week filled with an array of events including old favourites such as Single and Sexy and the Feds Showcase, and new additions such as Warrior Wander and Black v. Gold. To see highlights from the week, visit the.
Thank you
The Federation Orientation Committee (FOC) has shown incredible passion and commitment during the planning and development of Orientation programming. Thank you to the dedicated student leaders who helped the incoming class prepare for campus life. Also, thank you to the 1, 400 student volunteers who despite the hot weather, cheered and supported the newest group of warriors. Another thank you to the 100 volunteers and program assistants who helped oversee the planning and implementation of our international, out of province and American, grad, and transfer/exchange programs.
Staff and faculty who participated in events, wore the “Here to help” buttons, and spent time speaking to students, providing directions, or just worea friendly face played a key role.
Faculty student volunteers and staff who assisted with pre-arrival and Orientation programs are invited to attend aThank You BBQon Friday, September 16 in the DC Quad. Thank you for the extra effort in welcoming new students.
Feds’ Welcome Week
The fun doesn’t stop after Orientation. This week, September 12 to 16, all undergraduates will be able to attend another week of engaging programming. Hosted by the Federation of Students, Fall Welcome Week is five days of exciting events including The President and Senior Staff Luncheon, Archery Tag, and a two-day carnival. More information.
ݮƵ Innovation Summit set forthis week
Top business, academic and policy decision-makers will gather in Kitchener and ݮƵ this week to get a taste of what’s in the water in one of the world’s leading innovation ecosystems.
ճkicks off on Wednesday, September 14 and runs until Friday, September 16 and promises to be an intersection of ideas and strategies that features aroster of.
and thewill host some of the world’s top business leaders, policy-makers and academics sharing their ideas and insights on inclusive innovation, scaling up companies and managing disruption, as well as people strategies in this environment.
Keynote speakers includeWalter Isaacson,president and CEO of the Aspen Institute,Chamath Palihapitiya, founder and CEO of Social Capital, andEmma Sinclair, co-founder of EnterpriseJungle. The opening address will be delivered by the HonourableԲ, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development.
Shared across two venues — the University of ݮƵ on September 15, and the Communitech Hub on September 16 — sessions and workshops at the Summit will cover critical issues, including the challenges of scaling up, why disruption is something to be managed (and not feared) and why inclusivity matters in the tech workforce.
The event includes fireside chats, tours of the ݮƵ innovation ecosystem, keynote addresses, networking breaks, workshops, panel discussions, and receptions.
During the summit, participants will explore what governments, universities, and businesses can do to ignite higher growth in a low-growth world.
Employee or contractor?Process requirements for determining status geta re-release
A message from Finance.
Countless services are provided to the University of ݮƵ on any given day, and we are required to effectively differentiate between University of ݮƵ employees and independent contractors when paying these workers.The University must be compliant with the various pieces of legislation associated with this topic including the Income Tax Act, Canada Pension Plan Legislation, Employment Insurance Act, and other employment-related legislation. Risks of non-compliance may result in substantial fines, penalties, and/or legal action.
After a soft-launch late last year, the University engaged financial services firm KPMG to help work out some of the process and determination challenges experienced in the initial months of the program.KPMG reviewed the processes and tools and were asked to provide insight into leading practices in the industry.They have also helped to prepare, and will be instrumental in delivering, end-user training to the University community over the next couple of months.
The basic tenets upon which determinations are based have not changed, but some of the original processes and tools have been updated to address issues encountered and to streamline parts of the process. Notable changes include shortcut pre-determinations on a number of common types of workers and a centralized assessment process using streamlined Independent Contractor (ICON) Questionnaires.
If you are an individual seeking to engage an independent contractor (rather than seeking to engage an employee) or seeking to engage a worker who is requesting treatment as an independent contractor (rather than being treated as an employee), you should review the updated documentation posted on theFinancewebsite.You will find important information on the requirements and what tools and information are available to support you, such as:
- Determination of Employee vs. Independent Contractor Status Website
- Determination of Employee vs. Independent Contractor Status Guide
- Independent Contractor Questionnaires (ICON)
A series of training sessions will be conducted jointly by KPMG and University staff. Sessions will be held starting later in September through October to assist those hiring or engaging independent contractors. You can sign up online usingby searching course numberFIN210to register for the sessions.
Questions regarding this transition can be directed toicon@uwaterloo.ca.
Barbecues, cookies, and other tasty tidbits
President Feridun Hamdullahpur and the University’s top brass will be donning their aprons and wielding their tongs today at thePresident and Senior Staff Luncheonin the ݮƵ Centre Great Hall as they welcome new and returning students to campus. Drop by and get served by ݮƵ’s senior leaders between 12:00 PM and 1:30 PM as they dish up barbecue-style food, including both meat and vegetarian options, to students as a show of appreciation and in celebration of a brand new semester at the University as part of Feds' Welcome Week.
Purchase a smile and give a smile
“It’s never been more important to eat cookies,” says James Skidmore, chair of the University of ݮƵ's United Way campaign.
Why? From September 12 to18, buy a smile cookie from any Tim Hortons on campus and you will be supporting our community.2025 ݮƵ is happy to introduce the Smile Cookie campaign to campus for the first time. When a Smile Cookie is purchased from a campus Tim Hortons, the full proceeds of $1will be going to the charity of choice.The locations at SLC, ML, Davis Centre and SCH will be allocating their funds to KW United Way, and Davis Centre Express and UWP will be allocated to the Keystone Campaign.
In regards to the Keystone allocation, Whitney Albright of theSenior Development Office says“It’s wonderful that our University has been chosen as a charity of choice. Not only will we raise money for our students and the important work that’s happening here on our campuses, but we’ll also continue to grow awareness about the fact that ݮƵ is a registered charity that relies on the support of donor generosity.”
If there was ever a week to indulge, this is the one. Philanthropic cookies, what more could you want?
ConcludesSkidmore:“Thanks to the generosity of 2025 ݮƵ, your cookie goes further than just your waistline.”
Remembering Rota Lister and Helena Hahn
Human Resources is reporting thatonSeptember 3.Professor Lister began her career at ݮƵ in September1966 as a Lecturer in the Department of English in the Faculty of Arts. Her research focus was in the areas of Canadian drama and theatre, women's studies and women writers, creative writing and ethnic themes.She was named Assistant Professor in 1972 and Associate Professorin 1977.
Lister served on several departmental, faculty and university committees, and was elected to the University's Senate in 1977.
She retiredinSeptember1996.
Human Resources has also reported thatonSeptember 3.Born in Salisbury, Rhodesia (now Harare, Zimbabwe) in 1934, she grew up on a large farmnear Klerksdorp, South Africa.
Hahn and her husband left South Africa in 1962 as part of an exodus of scientists, educators, doctors and other professionals due to the country's increasing political instability. Invited by then-dean of Engineering Douglas Wright, they arrived at the University of ݮƵ, with her husband taking a position in the Faculty of Engineering. Helena began her full-time employment at the University in August 1981 and was the Executive Officer in the Dean of Science Office until her retirement in January 2000.
She is survived by her husband, Professor Kishmul "Kish" Hahn,who is also a ݮƵ retiree.
Linkof the day
When and where
HeForShe Writing Contest, submissions accepted between Monday, September 6 and Friday, October 14.
, Monday, September 12 to Friday, September 16.
featuring Dr. Cheol-Joo Kim, PDF, Department Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Cornell University, “Chiral Atomically Thin Films”, Monday, September 12, 2:30 p.m., QNC 0101.
Graduate scholarship information session, Monday, September 12, 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., Humanities Theatre.
,Tuesday, September 13, 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., Federation Hall.
The Writing Centre presents"Professionalism in your communication: How to talk to your professors," Tuesday, September 13, 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
, Wednesday, September 14 to Friday, September 16.
Centre for Bioengineering and Biotechnology presents Pizza with the Profs, “Space to Earth: How spaceflight research helps with fall prevention,” Wednesday, September 14, 12:00 p.m., Grand River Hospital Freeport Campus.
Fall Farm Market, Thursday, September 15, 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., ݮƵ Centre Lower Atrium.
featuring Dr. Jean-François Morin, Department of Chemistry, Université Laval, “Well-Defined Graphene Nanoribbons and Nanographenes from Photochemical Processes: Synthesis and Properties”, Thursday, September 15,10:30a.m., C2 361.
Writing Centre presents "STEM lab reports: Improve your lab report writing,"Thursday, September 15, 1:00 p.m.
, "What Hello Barbie Can Tell Us About Behavioural Targeting," Thursday, September 15, 2:30 p.m., DC 1302.
Biomedical Discussion Groupfeaturing Dr. Melanie Campbell, Professor, Department of Physics, University of ݮƵ, Thursday, September 15, 2:30 p.m., STC 1019.
WaterTalks series: Peter van der Zaag, "Water Storage: Nature-based Solutions for Resilient Communities", Thursday, September 15, 2:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m., Davis Center, Room 1304.
Celebrate the life of Pino Tenti, Thursday, September 15, 4:00 p.m., Mathematics 3 atrium.
Together: When We Are Engaged - Opening Reception, Thursday, September 15, 4:30 p.m., Conrad Grebel Gallery.
Graduate scholarship information session, Thursday, September 15, 5:00 p.m., Humanities Theatre.
ݮƵCentre for German Studies presents "Von Berlin to Kitchener: Connotations and Cultures, A Discussion Panel",Thursday, September 15, 7:00 p.m., Kitchener Public Library.
, Friday, September 16 to Sunday, September 18.
Doors Open ݮƵ Region,Friday, September 16 to Saturday, September 17.
Seminar, “Life is Good: A Journey From Energy Storage To Protein Therapeutics”by Yunfeng Lu, Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, The University of California Los Angeles, Friday, September 16, 11:00 a.m., E6 4022.
The Writing Centre presents Literature reviews for grads (Part A): Organizing research, Friday, September 16, 1:00 p.m.
The Mush Hole Project: site-specific art and performance,Friday, September 16, 6:00 p.m., Woodland Cultural Centre, Brantford.
eCon 2016: What's next?Saturday, September 17, 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., Environment 3.
Postdoc Appreciation Week, Monday, September 19 to Friday, September 23.
The Writing Centre presents Say it in your own words: Paraphrase & summary, Monday, September 19, 1:00 p.m.
SeptemberSenate meeting, Monday, September 19, 3:30 p.m., NH 3407.
The Writing Centre presents Clarity in Scientific Writing, Tuesday, September 20, 1:00 p.m.
, "Barbarian Lost," Tuesday, September 20, 2:00 p.m., Renison University College.
CBB Workshop: UݮƵ Intellectual Property Part 2 Case Study,Wednesday, September 21, 10:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., DC 1304.
Noon Hour Concert: Earth Peace,Wednesday, September 21, 12:30 p.m., Conrad Grebel Chapel.
UWRC Book ClubfeaturingHouse in the Skyby Amanda Lindhout,Wednesday, September 21, 12:00 p.m., LIB 407.
UW Retirees Association Fall Reception, Wednesday, September 21, 3:00 p.m., University Club.
Panel: Stories of Refugee Support and Resettlement, Wednesday, September 21, 7:30 p.m., Conrad Grebel Great Hall.
FallFarm Market, Thursday, September 22, 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., ݮƵ Centre Lower Atrium.
, Thursday, September 22, 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., ݮƵ Centre Great Hall.
The Writing Centre presents Tri-Agency Scholarships (NSERC, SSHRC, CIHR), Thursday, September 22, 1:00 p.m.
Conversations on Crisis: A FAQ Panel about Migration, Thursday, September 22, 3:30 p.m., Conrad Grebel room 2202.
ResearchTalks event featuring Linda Nazar,"New vistas in electrochemical energy storage," Friday, September 23, 12:00 p.m., QNC 0101.
Further Education Boot Camp, Saturday, September 24.
13th Annual Traditional Pow Wow, Saturday, September 24, 12:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m., ݮƵ Park West (bandshell area).
School of Planning’s 2016 Induction Ceremony,Saturday, September 24, 9:30 a.m. (reception in EV3 atrium), ceremony at 11:00 a.m., Theatre of the Arts, Modern Languages.
Writing Centre presents Critical Reading and Listening,Monday, September 26, 10:00 a.m.
Monday, September 26, 4:00 p.m., CPH 4333.
The First 1,000 Days: A Crucial Time for Mothers and Children – and the World, Monday, September 26, 7:00 p.m., Balsillie School of International Affairs.
The Writing Centre presents STEM lab reports: Improve your lab report writing, Tuesday, September 27, 1:00 p.m.
Violence, Education and Life Seminar Series, "The Root of Violence,"Tuesday, September 27, 3:00 p.m., E5 6004.
P4E Career Fair 2016,Wednesday, September 28, 10:00 a.m., Manulife Sportsplex.
Fall Farm Market, Thursday, September 29, 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., ݮƵ Centre Lower Atrium.
The Writing Centre presents Literature reviews for grads (Part B): Writing it, Friday, September 30, 12:00 p.m.
Dealing with our Darknesses: An Anglican-Muslim Conversation about Transgression, Penitence, and Transformation, Friday, September 30, 7:00 p.m., Theatre of the Arts.