Wednesday, May 27, 2020

Wednesday, May 27, 2020

Editor:
Brandon Sweet
University Communications
bulletin@uwaterloo.ca

ݮƵ professor wins prestigious Killam Research Fellowship

Professor Jennifer Clapp.

This article originally appeared onݮƵ News.

ݮƵ food security expert Jennifer Clapp has been awarded a Killam fellowship for her work on the rise of agrifood mega-companiesand the implications for the global food system.

During her fellowship, Clapp will conduct research on how corporate consolidation and the financialization in the agrifood sector create new risks for the food system. Clapp will also look at the dynamics of international policy responses to these shifts.

“A Killam fellowship is one of the greatest achievements a Canadian scholar can achieve in any discipline,” said Feridun Hamdullahpur, President of the University of ݮƵ. “We’re incredibly proud that Dr. Clapp is again recognized as a global leader in food security — something critical to our efforts to achieve the UN Sustainable Development Goals.”

Clapp’s award comes at a time when our global food system is in peril due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Her recentpublished in the New York Times revealed how a trend towards corporate consolidation and commodity specialization results in the paradoxical situation in which significant amounts of food are being destroyed around the world as a growing number of people are going hungry.

“Heartbreaking images of spoiled dairy, rotting vegetables, and animals needlessly destroyed should make us all reconsider how efficient our food systems really are,” said Clapp. “I am extremely grateful to the Canada Council for the Arts for supporting me as I investigate the causes and consequences of the rise of mega-companies in the food system, and how diverse local markets and sustainable production can make our food system more resilient.”

Clapp, a Canada Research Chair in Global Food Security and Sustainability, was also awarded a Trudeau Fellowship in 2013. In 2018 Clapp won the Innes Gérin Medal for contributions to the Social Sciences from the Royal Society of Canada.

CEE, ݮƵ International collaborate to support co-op students

A laptop screen with the word "scholarships" on it.

A message from ݮƵ International (WI).

ݮƵ International (WI) has allocated $20,000 to support co-op students. This is the result of a collaboration with Co-operative and Experiential Education (CEE), who identified a need to provide additional resources to international students.

“Traditionally, our international co-op students have a great track record of finding employment,” says Norah McRae, associate provost of CEE. “The pandemic has added challenges and barriers that we’re committed to helping them overcome.”

One of those challenges is finding employment with international organizations.To limit the spread of COVID-19, the Government of Canada advises toavoid all non-essential travel outside of Canadauntil further notice. In alignment with this advisory, ݮƵ hassuspendedall University-relatedtravel outside of Canada,including co-op work terms. This means that any international employer can only post job opportunities that allow a student to work from within Canada.

And although jobs are still being posted, many employers are also facing funding cuts, and some of these jobs are unable to offer a competitive salary. This impacts international students, who have limited access to Canadian government financial aid packages.

“Shifting priorities, internal and external pressures, and competition for scarce resources have created many challenges for our international students. Collaboration across campus is critical at this time to ensure that all students have access to support and resources. ݮƵ International is pleased to offer this assistance to provide meaningful employment for our international co-op students,” says Christine McWebb, assistant vice president, International Operations, ݮƵ International.

This money will be split evenly among 20 positions with the business units within the Aga Khan Foundation Network in Pakistan as $1,000 scholarships. The positions are diverse, ranging in focus from research, communications, public health, nursing, and climate. The funding aims to provide financial options for international students, but any student who wishes to accept one of these roles would qualify for the scholarship.

“These funds are meant to assist international co-op students, who wish to take advantage of these unique opportunities, but still need an income of some kind,” says McWebb.

Farzana Karim-Haji, director of university partnerships at Aga Khan University, says universities around the world will have to adapt to a ‘new normal’ regarding student mobility and work-integrated learning. “In this spirit, the Aga Khan University’s new Virtual Internship Programme has been developed to engage with students in innovative and meaningful ways by providing virtual experiences, which will allow students to contribute their knowledge, build their skills and navigate their careers through these uncertain times,” says Karim-Haji.

McRae says students have shown remarkable resilience and adaptability during the pandemic. “ݮƵ students want to work, and they are still actively looking for employment. We have increased the flexibility of our program for the spring term, creating flexible pathways that take pressure off their upcoming co-op work terms,” she says. “With the generous support of ݮƵ International, and collaboration with our international partners, we can continue to offer resources that can help students in this challenging time.”

New video resource to help identify COVID-19 phishing attempts; other notes

"As noted in amessage shared on May 15, COVID-19 related phishing attempts are on the rise. IST’s Information Security Services (ISS) group has added another great video to their “Working from home securely” video series to help the community identify and better understand," says a note from IST.

While we're on the subject of phishing, Parking Services is advisingparking permit holders about a fraudulent email currently circulating, and warns recipientstonot click on any link that states there are changes to their parking account and to log on vie epark. "Parking Services is not actively making any account changes whatsoever and it is clearly an attempt to obtain personal information," says a note from Sharon Rumpel, associate director, parking, grounds and transportation.

Here's what's happening thisweek at the Centre for Career Action (May 25 – May 29):

  • This is the last week for theHow to find a co-op job for Spring 2020webinar series:
    • Thursday, May 28:How to find a co-op job for Spring 2020Webinar 3:Virtual Interviews, 9:30 a.m.
  • What’s happening at the Centre for Career Action:
  • Centre for Career Action virtual drop-in advising hours for May:
    • Résumé, cover letter and interview support drop-ins running 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. Students can book virtual drop-ins on ݮƵWorks.
    • New this month: 15-minute Career Consults and Works Search drop-ins are available 12:00 to 1:00 p.m., Monday through Friday.

ճBoard of Governors meets on Tuesday, June 2at 1:30 p.m. The agenda is posted onthe Secretariat website. As always, guest observers are welcome. If you would like to attend the meeting as a guest observer, please contactEmily Schroederto request to join the meeting. All requests must be received by Monday, June 1at 3:00 p.m.

May we present for your consideration some Good Buddies of the University

Shadow the Dog.

"This isShadowand her name fits for two reasons: she's mostly blind and can see only shadows and she is my constant companion while working from home, writes Carrie Howells, manager, LMS/QA specialists at the Centre for Extended Learning. "She is always close by whether I am in my office or on the deck enjoying the nice weather while on a call."

Annie the Cat sleeps with her front paws sticking out.

"Annieencourages taking breaks for yoga (naps?) whenever possible," writes Kate Mercer,engineering and science librarian at the Library.

Max the Dog lounges in a sunbeam.

"This is my colleagueMaxhard at work," writes Sharon McConnell, grants and contracts manager, FANS and institutional research in the Office of Research. "He is responsible for neighbourhood surveillance, squirrel patrol and indoor sunbathing. He takes his job very seriously!"

Pandora, Titania, and Otis sit near a window.

"Here's my contribution to the ongoing parade of Good Buddies in the Daily Bulletin.From top to bottom, they'rePandora,Titania, andOtis," writes Professor Craig Kaplan of the Cheriton School of Computer Science."They provide a welcome distraction from work, and are frequently available as napping assistants."

Linkof the day

When and Where to get support

Studentscan visit theStudent Success Officeonline for supports including academic development, international student resources, leadership development, exchange and study abroad, and opportunities to get involved.

Award fromGSEF-GSA-GSPAforthesis-based master’s and PhD studentswho have lost funding because of COVID-19. Visit/gspa/covid-19-updates-graduate-studentsfor more details.

Բٰܳٴǰcan visit theKeep Learning websiteto get support on adapting their teaching and learning plans for an online environment. The following workshops are current offerings from the KL team (CTE, CEL, ITMS, LIB):

Wednesday, May 27, 1:00 p.m.

, Wednesday, June 3.

, Wednesday, June 3, 1:00 p.m.

Employeesto help them work remotely, includingmanaging University records and privacy of personal information

Here are sometips for staying healthywhile working from home:

ճWriting and CommunicationCentre has gone virtualto provide assistance.

Grad Writing Cafésand#ݮƵWrites,self-registration on LEARN:

  • Tuesdays: 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
  • Wednesdays: 2:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
  • Fridays: 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

Virtual Drop-In Appointments,Tuesday, May 19to Thursday, August 6, registration on WCONLINE

  • Sunday - Thursday from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m.
  • Sign upbegins at 5:55 p.m.
  • Closed for the holidays on July 1 and August 3
  • Appointments are 25 minutes long

We understand that these circumstances can be troubling, and you may need to speak with someone for emotional support.Good2Talkis a post-secondary student helpline based in Ontario, Canada that is available to all students.

If you feel overwhelmed or anxious and need to talk to somebody, please contact theUniversity’s Campus Wellness services, eitherHealth Servicesor Counselling Services.

The Libraryhasonhow to avoid information overload.

ճFaculty Association of the University of ݮƵ (FAUW)continues to advocate for its members.for more information.

ճUniversity of ݮƵ Staff Association (UWSA)continues to advocate for its members.Check out the UWSA blogfor more information.

WUSA supports for students:

Food Support Service food hampersare currently available from the Turnkey Desk on weekdays from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.in the ݮƵ Centre. If you have any questions please email us atfoodsupport@wusa.ca.

MATES– Providing general online Peer Support via Skype to undergraduate students. To set up an appointment, please contactmates@wusa.ca

Empower Meis a confidential mental health and wellness service that connects students with qualified counsellors 24/7. They can be reached at 1-844-741-6389.

Glow Centre- Providing online Peer Support for the LGBTQ2+ community via Skype to Undergraduate students. To set up an appointment, please contactglow@wusa.ca

The Women’s Centre– Providing online Peer Support via Skype to undergraduate students. To set up an appointment, please contactwomenscentre@wusa.ca

RAISE– Providing online Peer Support via Skype to undergraduate students. To set up an appointment, please contactraise@wusa.ca.

Centre for Academic Policy Support-CAPS is here to assistݮƵ undergraduates throughout their experience in navigating academic policy in the instances of filing petitions, grievances and appeals. Please contact them atcaps@wusa.ca. More information at

WUSA Commissionerswho can help in a variety of areas that students may be experiencing during this time:

WUSA Student Legal Protection Program-Seeking legal counsel can be intimidating, especially if it’s your first time facing a legal issue.The legal assistance helpline provides quick access to legal advice in any area of law, including criminal. Just call1-833-202-4571.

When and Where (but mostly when)

Please note:The University has suspended all in-person events until further notice. Please contact the event organizers to confirm whetherthe event has shifted to an online mode of delivery.

Organizing a virtual event?Send an email tobulletin@uwaterloo.cato have it featured in Where and When.

ճis live-streaming classes on Tuesdays and Wednesdaysfrom 12:05 p.m. to 12:50 p.m. in April and May.

, May 11 to June 7.

(panel session 2 of 6) Wednesday, May 27, 1:00 p.m.

, Wednesday, May 27, 6:30 p.m.

International Student Online Discussion,Filing your taxes in Canada,Thursday, May 28, 9:00 a.m., online.

Science Innovation Hub Guest Lecture: Scientific Innovation and Entrepreneurship with Prof. Joseph Bondy-Denomy, Thursday, May 28, 2:00 p.m.

.Eight leagues available (FIFA20, NHL20, NBA2K20, Madden20 for Playstation 4 or XboxOne). Only $5/entry.

,Tuesday, June 2, 1:00 p.m.

Board of Governors meeting,Tuesday, June 2, 1:30 p.m., online.

Human Rights, Equity and Inclusion Seminar,Equity 101,Wednesday, June 3, 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

Q&A with the Science Innovation Hub Advisory Team,Wednesday June 3, 10:00 a.m.

, Wednesday, June 3, 6:30 p.m.

More Feet on the Ground Mental Health Training for Students,Thursday, June 4, 9:30 a.m., Microsoft Teams –Register on.

, Monday, June 8.

Human Rights, Equity and Inclusion seminar,Policy 42 & You, Lunch and Learn on Policy 42: the Sexual Violence Prevention and Response Policy and Procedures, Tuesday, June 9, 12:00 noon to 1:00 p.m.

Science Innovation Hub Skills Development Workshop: Understanding a Paper, Wednesday June 10, 3:00 p.m.

Conrad School of Business and Entrepreneurship presents “Meet the MBETs Information Sessions – Part-time MBETs,”Wednesday, June 10, 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

, June 10, 6:30 p.m.

Human Rights, Equity and Inclusion seminar,Managing Difficult Conversations, Thursday, June 11, 9:00 a.m. to 12 noon.

Thursday, June 11, 1:00 p.m.

Positions available

On this week's list from the human resources department, viewable on theUݮƵ Talent Acquisition System (iCIMS):

  • Job ID# 2020-4990 - Director Research Partnerships - Mathematics Dean's Office, USG 15
  • Job ID# 2020-5354 - Administrative Coordinator and Advisor, Undergraduate Studies – Psychology, USG 6
  • Job ID# 2020-5361 - Campus Liaison – WatPD, USG 8
  • Job ID# 2020-5360 - Work- Integrated Learning (WIL) Training Coordinator – WatPD, USG 8