Editor:
Brandon Sweet
University Communications
bulletin@uwaterloo.ca
President Feridun Hamdullahpur announces President's Anti-racism Taskforce (PART)
In a memo to campus this morning, President Feridun Hamdullahpur announced the formation of the President’s Anti-racism Taskforce (PART).
"The University of ݮƵ’sStrategic Plandefines our commitment to fostering inclusivity, belonging and a culture of involvement on our campus and within our community," Hamdullahpur writes."We have made a start on this work already – including in ourIndigenous initiatives and in theon-going workof the Human Rights, Equity and Inclusion Office.
"It is clear to me now, after spending time engaging with the issues of anti-racism, particularly anti-Black racism, over the last two weeks, that we must build further on what we’ve been doing as a University to advance equity for Black, Indigenous and People of Colour (BIPOC) on our campus.
"The President’s Anti-racism Taskforce is the next step in our commitment to strengthening diverse communities, with a specific focus on anti-Black racism, anti-Indigenous racism, and other issues of racism on our campus."
Members of the campus community who would like toshare their experience at the University of ݮƵ with PART are encouraged to emailpart@uwaterloo.ca. Taskforce members will be informed about expressions of interest to participate and someone will be in touch when the group is formed.
Read theon ݮƵ Stories.
New resource page provides tools for engaging in anti-racism work
A message from Human Rights, Equity and Inclusion.
As part of our commitments made last week, we are happy to share an. It is designed to be a non-exhaustive list of resources intended to help students, faculty, and staff at the University of ݮƵ develop a deeper understanding of anti-Black racism, along with racism toward other members of the BIPOC community (Black, Indigenous, and People of Colour).
Reviewing resources and attending trainings are a great first step in working toward anti-racism and equity, but they should be the tools we use to inform our commitments—not the end goals themselves.
Anti-Black racism, colonization and all other forms of racism are ongoing, oppressive and violent, and impact people on our campus directly.Please seeHuman Rights, Equity and Inclusion's Statement of Action on Anti-Black Racismto learn more about what we are doing to address anti-Black racism specifically. We recognize that our work must be and will be more expansive than just those commitments but wanted to share our immediate response.We lookforward to hearing from other departments and teams about their plans to embed anti-racism in their spaces in the coming days, weeks and months.
We look forward to building this list, continuing important conversations and actions, and remaining accountable.
Graduating ݮƵ warriors share a few words of wisdom
This is an excerpt from an article onݮƵ Stories
Sports have always played an integral role in bringing a community together. From standing in the crowd and cheering on our varsity teams to celebrating athletic milestones, ݮƵ strives to find a space for everyone — all students, faculties, staff and the wider ݮƵ community.
Although we cannot be together to celebrate in-person in June with students and their family members, we will hold convocation ceremonies once it is safe to do so. They can choose to come and celebrate with us then. ݮƵ strives to maintain that sense of belonging and showing our pride in celebrating our graduands.
We invited three graduating ݮƵ Warriors to share a few words of wisdom to incoming students who will be joining us for the first time in the upcoming fall term. Each of these students have been competing in different Varsity teams across campus. Where they showed a lot of integrity, perseverance, and passion for both in their athletic career and their undergraduate studies. Graduands can expect to reflect back on their own experiences as well.
Victoria Tough
Victoria Tough
ݮƵ Varsity Figure Skating
For the last five years, Victoria Tough has been part of the ݮƵ Varsity Figure Skating team here at the University.
“It’s important to remember that your university experience is about the accumulation of things that you learn, and that won’t always be inside the classroom,” Tough says.
Tough recommends every student to broaden their experience by participating in extra-curricular activities that can bring joy to a person. Tough adds, “That is the key in making your university experience the best it can be.”
“Try new things or old things, or things [that] you’re already good at,” Tough says. She explains that any activity that can make you feel happy and strong — is an activity worth trying. “The lessons and connections that you gain from these experiences will always be worth it.”
Tough is graduating with a Bachelor of Science in biology.
Read the full article onݮƵ Stories.
Employee email migration beginning
A message from Information Systems & Technology.
As communicatedonFebruary12, theOffice 365 employee email investigation recommendationto proceed with a staged migration ofthe majority ofemployee email tothe MicrosoftOffice 365cloud environmentwas approved.Workingclosely with our Microsoft partners,Information Systems & Technology (IST)hascarefully assessed the requirements fortheO365deploymentand is prepared to begin this work.
In the coming weeks, Academic Support units will be contacted by their IST Account Rep to coordinate a migration plan.ճmigration ofAcademic Supportclient email accountswill take place between mid-June and theend ofAugust 2020.
Faculty groupsinterested in migrating to Office 365 during the spring termmay submit a request ticket tort@uwaterloo.ca.
More information on the migration process – what to expect, migration schedule, and support resources – will beadded to theOffice 365 Employee Email Migration websiteas this work gets underway.
Upcoming office closure
Campus Wellness locations will be closed onTuesday, June 16from 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. due to an all-staff meeting.
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.
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):
Teaching Online: Basic Skills for TAs,June 1 to 30.
Teaching Online: Advanced Skills for TAs,June 1 to 30.
Deepening Your Course Design: Remote Edition, Monday,June 15, 1:30 p.m.
Google Translate – a tool for cheating or a tool for learning?Wednesday, June 17, 2:00 p.m.
Creating Accessible Presentations,Thursday, June 18, 10:00 to 11:00 a.m.
Introduction to OER Textbooks,Wednesday, June 24, 2:00 to 2:30 p.m.
Introduction to OER Activities, Exercises, and Student Work Examples,Thursday, June 25, 10:30 to 11:00 a.m.
Employeesto help them work remotely, includingmanaging University records and privacy of personal information
Interested in learning more about engaging your students in an online course?The Centre for Extended Learning has created a new resource for you called
ThisOpen Educational Resourcewas designed for post-secondary instructors and teaching assistants who would like to better understand the critical role of facilitation in online course delivery, and build practical skills and strategies that are relevant, effective, and authentic.
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 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.
– Providing general online Peer Support via Skype to undergraduate students. To set up an appointment, please go to:
- Providing online Peer Support for the LGBTQ2+ community via Skype to Undergraduate students. To set up an appointment, please go to:
– Providing online Peer Support via Skype to undergraduate students. To set up an appointment, please go to:
– Providing online Peer Support via Google to undergraduate students. To set up an appointment, please go to:
–Now OPEN by appointment for your bicycle repair and rental needs in the ݮƵ Centre! For more information or to schedule an appointment, please go to:
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:
- Equity –equity@wusa.ca
- Co-op and Experiential Affairs –coop.affairs@wusa.ca
-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.
is a confidential mental health and wellness service that connects students with qualified counsellors 24/7. They can be reached at 1-844-741-6389.
When and Where (but mostly when)
Every Wednesday from June 3 to July 15. Free online sessions highlighting a wide range of topics featuring Warriors Coaches and staff. Register in advance for the zoom link.
NEW - University Senate meeting, Monday, June 15, 3:30 p.m., online.
Entrepreneurship@Environment presents,Tuesday, June16,1:00 to 2:30 p.m.
Résumé Tips: Thinking Like an Employer, Tuesday, June 16, 12:30 to2:00 p.m.
Portfolio & Project Management Community of Practice (PPMCoP) session, "Estimating in Projects"Wednesday, June 17, 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m.
ճMoving careers forward: Community of Practicefor women presents:Achieve your goals with 1% effort,Wednesday June 17 at 12:00 p.m.Register in.
Entrepreneurship@Environment presents,Friday, June, 19,1:00 to 2:30 p.m.
Black Lives Matter Here, Friday,June 19, 2:00 to 4:00 p.m.
, Tuesday, June 23, 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
Entrepreneurship@Environment presents,Tuesday, June23,12:00to 1:30 p.m.
Women in Computer Science presents","Tuesday, June 23, 2:30 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Registration required.
Graduate literature reviews A: Organizing research,Monday, June 29, 10:00 a.m.Live Q & Aon LEARN.