Editor:
Brandon Sweet
University Communications
bulletin@uwaterloo.ca
COVID-19 causes modifications to campus operations
"The University is continuing to take steps to safeguard our people, enable employees to work from home through the delivery of alternative and online services andmaintaincritical on-campus functions," wrote President Feridun Hamdullahpurin a memo circulated to employees last night.
University administrators havetaken the unprecedentedstep of closing most campus operations in light of the evolving COVID-19 situation while continuing to provide critical functions.
"Where possible, we are making services available through alternative formats, for example online, with reduced hours or staff, or over the telephone," the president wrote."Co-operative Education, Information Systems and Technology, the Registrar’s Office and Human Resources are examples of units that have confirmed their physical locations will not be open and they will continue delivering services online."
A list of amended services isavailable on the COVID-19 website.
As of March 17,on campus. Exceptions includeresidence food outletsin Village I, Ron Eydt Village, and Claudette Millar Hall andCatering and Event Services. "Effective today (March 17, 2020) all 2025 ݮƵ locations on campus will be closed until further notice," says a note from 2025 ݮƵ."This includes all franchises, The University Club and Catering & Event Services. This decision was not made lightly and is due to measures taken in regard to COVID-19, taking into account the safety of staff and students, and the significantly reduced population on campus.Our residence eateries will remain open. We thank you for your understanding during this time of uncertainty. We will keep ourup to date with any further changes to hours of operations."
ճLibraryreports that beginning Tuesday, March 17, Library instruction, digital collections and research support services will be provided on an online-only basis. “Library facilities will be closed to the public until further notice,” is the official word. For the most updated information,check out the Library’s website.
“In response to the University’s outbreak protocols,Print + Retail Solutionshas made the difficult but important decision toclose all W Store and W Print locations until further notice,”says a note from Print + Retail Solutions.
“In order to meet the needs of our campus community, we will continue to process online orders placed via. Additionally, for as long as on-campus classes are suspended, we will offer $3 flat rate shipping for all deliveries within Ontario, and $10 flat rate shipping for the rest of Canada. Note that on-campus pickup for online orders will not be available at this time.”
“Please be aware that this process could change at any time, as the situation continues to evolve. Feel free to reach out to us atwstore@lists.uwaterloo.cashould you have any questions.”
Human Resourceshas closed its reception area in EC1 and has posteda comprehensive list of changes to its operations.
Athletics and Recreationhave closed the CIF and PAC facilities, with no open rec, registered programming, or varsity activity taking place.
"In-person operations of The Centre are closed indefinitely due to COVID-19,"says a note from the Centre."Please connect with us ataskthecentre@uwaterloo.caor 519-888-4567, ext. 42268. Official documents can be ordered online for mail or courier only."
Health Services remains open, though more screening is being done over the phone so that students don’t have to come to campus. Campus Wellness is moving as many appointments to phone-based assessments as possible.
Counselling Services is also open, though Needles Hall appointments will be moved over to the main Health Services building in the coming days.
Campus Wellnesshas confirmed thatall groups, workshops and mental health training sessions will be cancelled for the rest of March. "We will re-evaluate and make decisions about future groups, workshops and training, coinciding with direction from the University," says a note from Campus Wellness.
AccessAbility Servicesis offering student appointments by phone. In-person appointments are available at this time by request. The Technology lab is closed from March 16 to 20. Accessible transportation service will be discontinued while in-person classes are suspended, and in-person workshops are now only available on AccessAbility Services’ LEARN Course.
In-person support atthe three IST service desksclosed yesterday at noon.
ճTurnkey Desk in the ݮƵ Centre (SLC) remains open 24/7as is their custom. Open areas in the SLC, including the Great Hall, cafeteria seating, and space on the second floor remain open as well, however the study rooms, third-floor study room, piano rooms and the multi-faith prayer space are closed.
WUSA-run businesses in the SLC, includingInternational NewsԻFeds Used Books, closed at the end of day on March 16.
ճCIBC,Student Health Pharmacy, andLifetouch Photographyare currently operating with regular hours.Campus Dentist,SOS Physiotherapy, andKim Rau & Associateswill be closed until April 6.
Update: Lifetouch Photography has closed until April 6. ճTurnkey Deskhas begun selling a few packaged food and drinks as other food outlets in the SLC have closed their doors.
ճTurnkey@DC location remains openTuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday from 12:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., and Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. and Saturday from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
ճWatCard office has suspended in-person operationsas of March 17. WatCard office staff will be working remotely and students can still contact them for assistance.
In-person operations at the Student Success Office closedas of March 16. Immigration consulting is being done remotely.
Theatre Centre operationson campus have also been suspended and no events are currently taking place.
Occupational Healthis closed to foot traffic but services are available by telephone and email.
Alumni Relationshas closed its office and its employees are working from home. "All ݮƵalumni events scheduled before May 1, 2020, are either cancelled or postponed," says a notification on the Alumni website. "If an alumnievent is cancelled rather than postponed,and you paid an event registration fee, you will be refunded in the near future. You will also receive an email from the event organizer informing you of whether the event is postponed or cancelled."
University issues work from home guidance to employees
Please note:the situation is evolving rapidlyand updated directives will be circulated via mass email as appropriate.
"Following a numberof the COVID-19 developments around the globe,I have asked members of Executive Councilto make planstoenableemployees to work from home,until further notice," wrote President Feridun Hamdullahpur in a memo circulated to employees yesterday afternoon."You should expect guidance from your department head or manager on this direction today."
"However, people in roles that leadersdeemare essential to the ongoing and safe operation of our campus should report to work. ճUniversity will make sure that we canfollow public health guidance for social distancing and cleaning protocols."
"We understand that this is anunprecedentedtime and we are committed to supporting our whole community, President Hamdullahpur writes."I have been impressed by the sense of calm and co-operationexhibitedby our entire campus community.We are implementing this change in response to new guidancelate on Sundayfrom the Public Health Agency of Canada and the Region of ݮƵ Public Health. Health authorities haveadvisedthat everyone engage in social distancing, which means maintaining a distance from other people and avoiding places where large groups of people gather."
Additional information and resources
- We are keeping the University’swith information.
- If you have questions or concerns about coronavirus and ݮƵ, please email coronavirus@uwaterloo.ca and our team will help find the right campus contact.
"Thank you for your continued commitment and patience, especially as we navigate our way through this difficult period," the president's memo concludes.
Co-op provides update on operations
Co-operative and Experiential Education (CEE) has provided an update onevents and activities that are currently cancelled, postponed or going virtual.
- scheduled co-op interviewswill now take place via phone or webcam until the end of the continuous interview cycle. Students should check ݮƵWorks for details related to their scheduled interviews.
- Employer Information Sessions (EIS)scheduled between March 13 and April 30 have been cancelled
- Co-op Student of the Year AwardsԻProblem Lab Awardsscheduled for Thursday, April 9 havebeen postponed (future date TBD)
Centre for Career Action(CCA) services are still available virtually. Students are encouraged to visit the Career Centre Events Tab into book appointments and review available supports and events. The following workshops have been cancelled:
- Wednesday, March 18:Moving your career forward Community of Practice for women
- Thursday, March 19:Exploring careers in sustainability: Working for a better world
- Wednesday, March 25:Growing your career through reflection
EDGE:
- In-person advisinghas been suspended for the remainder of the term
- Capstone workshop& remaining skills identification and articulation workshops have been moved online
- To schedule a phone advising appointment or speak to an EDGE team member, contactedge@uwaterloo.ca
Remembering Rick Zalagenas
A message from Plant Operations.
Plant Operations received the sad news that Rick Zalagenas passed away on March 11.
Rick began working at the University of ݮƵ in 1988 as the youngest Chief Stationary Engineer in Ontario. After years of dedicated work, he was promoted to the Director of Maintenance andUtilities and started to manage a large portfolio of what is now over 9 million square feet of space. During his career, Rick was a strong advocate of sustainability at ݮƵ and for many years he led the Energy group of the OntarioAssociation of Physical Plant Administrators (OAPPA).
In addition to his technical skills, Rick was admired for his dedication and strong leadership not only to his team, Plant Operations, but to many across our campus.We offer our sincere condolences to Rick’s family during this difficult time.
Further details can be found at.
Tuesday's notes
Please be advised of the following updates onevent cancellations across campus:
- All Music department end of term concertshave been cancelled.
- The Legal and Immigration Services"Foreign visitors, including IVGS" lunch 'n learnscheduled for Wednesday, March 18 has been cancelled.
University statement to students regarding Ezra street gathering
"Students should avoid going to large public gatherings, particularly the non-sanctioned St. Patrick’s Day gathering expected for March 17,"says a note sent yesterday to students by the University. "In line with public health advice, attendance at this event constitutes a public health risk and could act as a catalyst for the spread of COVID-19."
"In addition to putting your health at risk, attendance at a mass gathering such as the St. Patrick’s Day gathering is contrary to public health advice," the memo continues."It puts you and our community’s most vulnerable—the elderly and people with pre-existing health conditions—at risk.Please ensure you keep your health and the wellbeing of our fellow community members in mind as you make decisions during these extraordinary times."
Linkof the day
When and Where
Please note:The University has suspended all events that are not considered vital to its academic mission. Please contact the event organizers to confirm that the specific event has been cancelled or postponed, or if the event has shifted to an online mode of delivery.
If you have listed an event with the Daily Bulletinand need to cancel, postpone or modify the listing, please send an email tobulletin@uwaterloo.ca.
If you have an upcoming event that has not yet appeared in the When and Where listing, please send an email tobulletin@uwaterloo.cato confirm the event's status.
More Feet on the Ground Mental Health Training for Students,Tuesday, March 17, 2:00 p.m., HS 2302 –Register on.Please note:this event has been cancelled.
Research Ethics drop-in session for faculty and students, Wednesday, March 18, 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., Dana Porter Library (study booth on the main floor).Please note:this session in the series has been cancelled.
Coping Skills Seminar – Thriving With Emotions, Wednesday, March 18, 6:00 p.m., HS 2302 –Register on.Please note:this event has been cancelled.
Grad Student Community and Conversation Circle,Thursday, March 19, 3:30 p.m., HS 1106 –Register on.Please note:this event has been cancelled.
, Thursday, March 19, 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., MC 5501.Please note:this event has been cancelled.
ݮƵ Centre forGermanStudiesGrimm Lecture 2020, “Thinking Itself is Dangerous: Reading Hannah Arendt Now,” Thursday, March 19, 7:00 p.m.Please note:this event will be livestreamed -.
, “Apply for the chance to win up to $20,000 and take your research to the next level,” Friday, March 20.
Coping Skills Seminar - Empowering Habit Change,Monday, March 23, 3:30 p.m., HS 2302 –Register on.Please note:this event has been cancelled.
Research Ethics drop-in session for faculty and students, Wednesday, March 25, 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., Dana Porter Library (study booth on the main floor).
NEW -Documenting Your Teaching for Tenure and Promotion,Wednesday, March 25, 11:45 a.m. to 1:15 p.m.,E7 7363.Please note:this event will be delivered as an online webinar.
NEW - Akindi Live Training (Webinar),Wednesday March 25, 2:00 p.m. to3:00 p.m. -.
Nutrition Month Myth vs. Fact
Here's the latestNutrition Month "myth vs. fact"supplied by Health Services Sandra Ace:
Myth:
If you’re lactose intolerant you need to avoid all milk products.
Fact:
Lactose is a sugar found in milk and milk products. It is also added to some foods and medications. People who are lactose intolerant don’t produce enough lactase, a digestive enzyme the body makes which allows lactose to be broken down and then absorbed. Undigested lactose is fermented in the large intestine and causes symptoms like gas, bloating, cramps, nausea and/or diarrhea. The severity of symptoms experienced is usually related to the amount of lactose consumed. Using over the counter
lactase enzyme tablets or drops which are found in most pharmacies may eliminate symptoms when used as directed.
Mostpeople do not need to follow a completely lactose free diet and may feel fine when consuming small amounts of regular milk throughout the day, for example in the amount needed for coffee, tea or a small bowl of cereal. Hard or aged cheeses contain very little lactose and are generally well tolerated. Yogurt and kefir, especially those with live probiotic bacteria, are often acceptable because of bacterial digestion of lactose. There are also many lactose free products available in the supermarket dairy case – including lactose free milk, cheese and yogurt. Goat milk contains only slightly less lactose than cow’s milk, so if you try this, start with a small amount only.
If you don’t consume two servings of milk products or calcium fortified milk alternatives most days, include foods fromto ensure you’re getting enough calcium from other foods. Dark green leafy vegetables, tofu and dried beans are just a few examples of calcium rich non-dairy foods. If you think you may be lactose intolerant and you haven’t already done so, speak with your healthcare provider.