Monday, October 26, 2020

Monday, October 26, 2020

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Editor:
Brandon Sweet
University Communications
bulletin@uwaterloo.ca

Cheri Bilitz named Director, Counselling Services

A message from Campus Wellness.

Cheri Bilitz.

Campus Wellness is pleased to announce that Cheri Bilitz, MSW, RSW is the successful candidate for the position of Director, Counselling Services. The position became vacant after the transition of the long-term director, Dr. Tom Ruttan, to the new part-time role of Senior Advisor, Student Services.Bilitz has graciously filled in as interim director, counselling since September 2019.

Cheri has been with the University since 2015 when she accepted the Associate Director, Counselling Services role.Prior to joining the University, she was Clinical Director at Stonehenge Therapeutic Community.Shehas a Master's degree in social work from Wilfrid Laurier University and continues to pursue her PhDin social work on a part-time basis.In addition to her accomplishments as a leader in the mental health field, Bilitz is also a talented psychotherapist who has helped many students and community members over the years of her career. She has overseen many positive changes in our response to the evolving mental health needs of the student population including introducing the walk-in and single session service to Counselling Services. She has been an active participant on the University’s student mental health initiatives, including serving as a member of the Committee on Student Mental Health (CoSM).

As a result of her calm and thoughtful leadership style, Bilitz has established credibility in her role on the Counselling Services team, and she certainly has become a valued member of the Campus Wellness senior management team.

Please join us in congratulating Cheri on this appointment.

Registration open for virtual conference on student mental health research

Virtual conference on student mental health research banner.

A message from theCommittee on Student Mental Health.

On Thursday, November 5, the University of ݮƵ community is invited to join the Committee on Student Mental Health (CoSMH) at UݮƵ’s inaugural Virtual Conference on Student Mental Health Research. The goal of this event is to bring together members of our campus community to share knowledge, connect researchers, and promote mental wellness through presentations, posters, and interactive Q&A sessions. Topics broadly pertaining to student mental health will be explored with an emphasis on the following key themes:

  • Prevention of mental health issues and promotion of mental health-care strategies;
  • Suicide prevention;
  • Equity and wellness;
  • Harm reduction approaches to substance use; and
  • Mental health impact of COVID-19.

Attend this conference to learn more about what our faculty, staff, and student colleagues are researching. Student posters will also be featured online ahead of time on theCoSMH website, and poster presenters will be available for an interactive Q&A period during the day.

ʱ𲹲registerto attend the conference.

United Way Charitable Spotlight: KW Counselling

By: NoraEmtesali, United Way Campaign Coordinator. This is an excerpt of an article published onthe Go Red website.

The KW Counselling Services logo.

KWCounsellingServicesis a multi-service agency inݮƵRegion, providing therapeutic counselling services to individuals, couples,and families. In 2019 alone, they provided 13,896 hours of counselling to 5,818 clients; meaningthis service is in high demand.

What does KW Counselling Services do for ݮƵ Region?

During an interviewwithScott Williams, the Communications and Development Coordinator at KW Counselling Services, heexplainedhowhis organizationprovides a large variety ofprogramsto our community -such as their seasonalParenting with Passion courses and workshops, their OK2BME program for LGBTQ2+ youth, and even providingbusinesses withcultural competency training,as well astraining on LGBTQ2+ issues and crisis management.

TheParenting with Passionprogramhas been runningcourses and seminarsfor many years, helpingparents to find and embrace the delights of raising their children, with positive parent attitudes andhealthy parent-child relationships. Every yearthey continueto improve their coursesto ensure they're as relevant as possible.Scott explains, “each season we provide a different slate of multi-week courses, full-day seminars, or single evening workshops,”which adds to the demand for KW Counselling’s services.Over 400 people attended the Parenting with Passion workshopsin 2019.

Their OK2BME public educationprogramis designed to help combat homo/bi/transphobia. To accomplish this, KW Counselling Services offersacourseofadvanced clinical fundamentals for health care professionals who work with LGBTQ2+ individuals. Theyalso consultwith businessesto enhance inclusivity within theirorganization.

Read the rest of the article on the Go Red website.

Test of the campus emergency communication system set for October 28

A message from Information Systems & Technology (IST).

A test of the University’s emergency communication system is scheduled for Wednesday, October 28 at 11:00 a.m. Test activation and deactivation messages will be sent using the below channels:

  • Tweets to @UݮƵ and @WatSAFEapp
  • WatSAFE mobile app
  • The ‘WatSAFE Desktop Notification’ on-screen pop-up for desktops and laptops
  • Portal alerts and push notifications

In the event of a real emergency during this test, please contact Police Services at 519-888-4911, or ext. 22222.

Be sure to install theWatSAFEapp on your device and WatSAFE Desktop Notification tool on your desktop/laptop to receive this test message, and more importantly, to stay informed of campus emergency situations. Visit theWatSAFE websitefor more details.

Take your kids to (virtual) work day is coming up and other notes

Take Our Kids to Work Day banner featuring the University logo.

"Calling all employees with children in grade 9 - the University of ݮƵ is pleasedtoannounce its participation in The Learning Partnership’s nationalTake OurKidstoWorkDay on Wednesday, November 4," says a note from Marketing and Undergraduate Recruitment (MUR).

"We hope you’ll take part by including your grade 9 student in the day’s events. This year will include virtual activities featuring a look at a variety ofworkplaces and interactive panels from ݮƵ employees and ݮƵ students."

If you’re planningtoparticipate,please registerby Friday, October 30.

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Alexis Condotta atmurcomm3@uwaterloo.caor Jody Berringer atjberringer@uwaterloo.ca.Stay tuned for more details.

The Friday prayer space located inFederation Hallhas been extendeduntil December 18, according to a note from Human Rights, Equity and Inclusion. "Following public health regulations and guidelines, the space hosts three prayer times each Friday and is accessible.

Guidelines:

  • Everyone attending must have their own prayer mat, be wearing a mask, and remain 6 feet apart;
  • These sessions are open only to ݮƵ campus community members; and
  • Students, faculty and staff can access the space through the main entrance facing Ring Road, which has an automated door and ramp.

Available times areFridays at 12:30 p.m.; 1:30 p.m.; and 2:30 p.m.

"Continued gratitude and thanks to Drs. Elmasry, Tarek, Eihab, Wasem, and Ayman, who will be leading these sessions," says the note from HREI."Please note, should public health recommendations change at any time, the prayer space may not be available for in-person prayer."

Students, staff, and faculty are invited to get their influenzavaccination through Health Services."The change of seasonsoften brings an influenza outbreak," says a message from Health Services. "Althoughinfluenza activity generallypeaks around January, it takes the body about two weeks aftervaccination to develop antibodies that will protect against influenza virus infection. For that reason, it's important to getvaccinated before the seasonal outbreak, especially if you fall into the high risk category."

Thefluimmunizations are available to students, staff, and facultyby appointment onlystarting November 9, 2020.To book an appointment please call 519-888-4096.

Read more at Health Services.

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.

Instructorscan 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):

Remote Course Design Essentials, beginning August 26.

Independent Remote Course Design Essentials. Self-directed, continuous self-enrollmentcourse in LEARN.

Introduction to Bongo Virtual Classroom (Technical Session), Wednesday, October 28, 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Integrative and Experiential Learning Session (CTE7700),Wednesday, October 28,2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Employeescanto help them work remotely, includingmanaging University records and privacy of personal information.Here are sometips for staying healthywhile working from home.

The Writing and Communication Centreis rolling out virtual services and programs for fall term:

  • Undergrad students-- work with us to brainstorm, draft, revise, and polish assignments by meeting with our writing advisors in virtual appointments. Chat with our friendly and knowledgeable peer tutors in our virtual drop-ins and PJ-friendly writing groups. Or experience an online workshop at your own pace.
  • First-year Warriors!Check out ݮƵ Ready to Write to build your skills for writing success.
  • Graduate Students-- meet with an advisor in a virtual appointments, take an online workshop, join the grad writing community at our Virtual Writing Cafés and #ݮƵWrites groups, develop your academic voice at Speak Like a Scholar, or make progress on your thesis at Dissertation Boot Camp.
  • Instructors and faculty-- Request and access WCC workshops for use in your courses, join a virtual writing group, or speak with a writing advisor about a writing project.

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. You can also contact the University'sCentre for Mental Health Research and Treatment.

The Libraryhasonhow to avoid information overload.

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

TheUniversity 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.

– 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:

-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 at1-833-628-5589.

When and Where (but mostly when)

.Free programming including Online Fitness, Health Webinars, Personalized Nutrition and more from Warriors Athletics and Rec. Open to students, staff, faculty and alumni..

continues to offerto help students practice their English language skills.

De-escalating difficult student situations for Faculty and Staff,Tuesday, October 27, 1:30 p.m., Online –Register on.

Board of Governors meeting, Tuesday, October 27, 1:30 p.m., Microsoft Teams.

NEW -America Votes: What should we expect?, Tuesday, October 27, 7:00 p.m.

Noon Hour Concert: The Road to Peace,Wednesday, October 28, 12:30 p.m., online, free.

Taking Action Against Online Harassment Workshop for Students, with Sexual Violence Prevention and Response Office & Sexual Assault Support Centre of ݮƵ Region, Wednesday, October 28, 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.

The Centre for Bioengineering and Biotechnology presents “Quality Management Systems Webinar Series – Basic Concepts of Quality,”Wednesday, October 28, 1:00 p.m., online via Webex. ʱ𲹲to receive the link.

, Wednesday October 28, 5:00 p.m., virtual event.

NEW -Design & Deliver II: Designing Visual Support Live Q&A, Thursday, October 29, 9:00 a.m.

President's Virtual Town Hall Meeting, Thursday, October 29, 1:30 p.m.

NEW - Grad Student Community and Conversation Circle,Thursday, October 29, 3:30 p.m., Online –Register on.

NEW -Speak Like a Scholar, Friday, October 30, 5:00 p.m.

NEW -TEDxUW 2020, Saturday, October 31, 12 noon to 4:00 p.m.

NEW -Portage-Global Water Futures Research Data Management webinar series: “,”Wednesday, November 3, 1:00 p.m. Registration details are available.