Editor:
Brandon Sweet
University Communications
bulletin@uwaterloo.ca
Applied Health Sciences to become Faculty of Health
The Faculty of Applied Health Sciences (AHS) will become the Faculty of Health as of January 1, 2021, with a full transition to the new name by September 2021.
The idea came out of the Faculty’s most recent strategic plan, which calls for more clarity regarding the name brand, especially to external stakeholders. The proposal passed at the October 27 Board of Governors meeting.
“While we built a community around the AHS acronym and love it, we also saw that externally, there was confusion about what we represented as a Faculty,” said Dean Lili Liu. “Rebranding as the Faculty of Health allows others to easily understand what we study and aim to achieve – which is a healthier world in all its dimensions.”
The name change is also more representative of the Faculty’s three academic units – Kinesiology, Recreation and Leisure Studies, and the School of Public Health and Health Systems – and the degrees they offer, which range from BSc, BA, BPH to MSc, MA, MPH, MHE, MHI and PhD. The three units conduct research and teach health from a variety of viewpoints: from physiology and neuroscience to community wellness, social justice and public health.
“The name does not change the culture of our Faculty,” said Dean Liu. “We will still be the same caring, welcoming community we have always been.”
The Faculty grew out of the School of Physical and Health Education with the establishment of the world’s first department of Kinesiology in 1967, and was renamed School of Physical Education and Recreation in 1968. The name changed to the Faculty of Human Kinetics and Leisure Studies in the early 1970s and became the Faculty of Applied Health Sciences in 1990.
The last University of ݮƵ Faculty to undergo a name change was the Faculty of Environment in 2008.
A ݮƵ legacy
ByMegan Vander Woude. This article was originally published inݮƵ Stories.
When Brooke McNeil entered her first year at ݮƵ, she wasn’t sure what to expect from her professors during classes or office hours. That year, one professor stood out.
“I’ve never met a lecturer who was as thorough and concerned about his students understanding the material,” she explains. “Professor Bissonnette had no problem with spending an extra class on a concept if students didn’t understand it—even if it was just one person. He was so kind.”
Carey Bissonnettewas a lecturer in ݮƵ’s Faculty of Science. He had a deep knowledge of chemistry and a firm understanding of how to pass that knowledge on to young scientists. Outside the classroom, he worked as an enthusiastic advisor and cheerleader for individual students and student groups. He was a beloved figure in our campus community.
In 2019, Carey lost his battle with cancer, and ݮƵ lost one of its most dedicated teachers. His wife Kim created theCarey Bissonnette Memorial Scholarshipto honour his work and continue his legacy.
“I had heard from students that they cherished his ways,” she says. “I think that he remembered how it was to be a student and he kept that in mind when he was teaching. It was very important to him and his door was always open for advising and questions from his students and colleagues.”
The scholarship is awarded to a graduating undergraduate student who demonstrates a commitment in teaching or research.
“Carey always wanted to help hardworking students,” Kim says. “So this award is meant for students with strong academic achievements and who are involved in the University community through volunteering or jobs.”
When Brooke learned that she was the first recipient of the Carey Bissonnette Memorial Scholarship, she was extremely honoured. Carey’s compassionate nature had stuck with her for the last four years and had inspired her to get involved. As an upper-year student, she became a teaching assistant and tried to emulate Carey’s thoughtful, patient style. She also employed that style as a student volunteer, sharing her experiences with prospective university students.
In September 2020, she began her doctorate degree at Simon Fraser University. She hopes to spend her career in academia, dedicating her life to research and teaching—just as Carey did.
“I feel a personal responsibility to do my best research and provide the best teaching for my future students—to show the same passion that Professor Bissonnette had,” she says. “I want to make him proud.”
Read more in the Report on Giving.
ݮƵ Magazine launches with stories of alumni working with purpose
ճfall 2020 issueofthe ݮƵMagazineis now online.
ճalumnifeatured in this specialWorking on purposeissue highlightsstories about alumni working with purpose to inspire and educate us during a time when the call to focusour talentshasnever been stronger.These stories challengeus all to find our purposeand show us a way forward.You’ll also be introduced to the University’s new Future-Ready Talent Framework.
In thisedition,we share thestory ofSheldon Fernandez (BASc’01), chief executive officer atDarwinAI, the company creatinga screening device for COVID-19.You’ll also find out howھھ(MSc ’09, PhD ’13) vice-president of research and development at MediphageBioceuticals, is leadingresearch onanewcoronavirus vaccine.
Ebele Mogo(BSc ’09) shares how she found her purpose as a global health expert and founder of the Engage Africa Foundationwhen her lifelong plan to become a medical doctor changed.
These stories and more areavailable on the ݮƵ Magazine website.
Registration open for WatITis conference
A message from the WatITis committee.
On behalf of the WatITis Committee, we are pleased to announce that the 18thannual WatITis (ݮƵ Information Technology and Information Systems) conference will take place onDecember 8, 2020. This year, due to the Covid-19 Pandemic, we are going to hold the conference online.
is now open fromWednesday, October 28until Wednesday, November 25.
We are also excited to announce this year we will have two Keynote speakers. In the morning, Lyndia Littel, B.Eng., M.Ed. project manager, strategic initiatives and assessment at the Universitywill be speaking and David Gosset, PhD, associate professor, Quantum Computing (IQC) will be speaking in the afternoon.
For more information on the conference and to register, please visit/watitis. Join ourso you don’t miss out on conference updates.
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President's Town Hall tomorrow and other notes
Joe Petrik of the School of Computer Science took this photo of a campus in the throes of fall, with theUniversity of ݮƵ sign in its new location near the Dana Porter Library.
ճPresident's Virtual Town Hall Meetingis set to take place tomorrow online at 1:30 p.m. More than 800 students and employees have already registered to attend, andandsubmit a question..
Two units on campus are hostingonline auctions in support of the United Way:
- Legal and Immigration Servicesis holdingits second annual United Way Silent Auction. The auction is open now and runs until November 25 at 1:00 p.m.
- The Secretariatis holding itsUnited Way Silent Auction. The auction is open now and runs until November 20 at 4:00 p.m.
Plant Operations has announced that there will bean elevator shutdown in Engineering 7fromThursday, October 29 at 8:00 a.m. to Friday, October 30 at 4:00 p.m. Only one elevator will be offline for maintenance during this time.
Here's what is happeningat theCentre for Career Action (CCA) this week:
- Wednesday, October 28:,9:00 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. EST
- Friday, October 30:, 10:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
You can see CCA’s full offering of virtual programming online. Students can register on . į
The CCA virtual drop-in advising hours for October are as follows:
Résumé, cover letter, andinterview drop-ins for UG and Masters students are offered Monday to Friday from9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. and 12:00 p.m. to1:00 p.m. as wellas Monday to Thursday, 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Career Consult and work search drop-insfor UG and Masters students are offered Monday to Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. and 12 noon to 1:00 p.m.
Further Education drop-insare offeredMondayto Friday, 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.PhD and Postdoc drop-ins are offered Monday to Friday, 12 noon to 1:00 p.m.
Students can book all virtual drop-ins through.Onlinebegins at 8:00 a.m. daily.
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.
NEW -Remote Course Design Essentials,beginning Wednesday, November 11.
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.
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.
– 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 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.
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. Pleaseto receive the link.
, Wednesday October 28, 5:00 p.m., virtual event.
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.
Grad Student Community and Conversation Circle,Thursday, October 29, 3:30 p.m., Online –Register on.
Speak Like a Scholar, Friday, October 30, 5:00 p.m.
TEDxUW 2020, Saturday, October 31, 12 noon to 4:00 p.m.
Portage-Global Water Futures Research Data Management webinar series: “,”Wednesday, November3, 1:00 p.m. Registration details are available.
WaterLeadership: Develop a Knowledge Mobilization Plan for Your Grant Proposals (Q&A with Nancy Goucher),Tuesday, November 3, 1:00 p.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Positions available
On this week's list from the human resources department, viewable on theUݮƵ Talent Acquisition System (iCIMS):
- Job ID# 2020-5855 - Academic Advisor/Academic Integrity - Math Undergrad Office, USG 7 - 8
- Job ID# 2020-5815 - Academic Services Coordinator - Electrical and Computer Engineering, USG 6
- Job ID# 2020-5827 - Accounting Assistant, Accounts Receivable and Payable - ݮƵ Undergraduate Student Association, USG 6
- Job ID# 2020-5831 - Administrative Coordinator and Advisor, Undergraduate Studies - Economics, USG 6
- Job ID# 2020-5880 - Analyst - CEE - CEE Business Services, USG 8 - 11
- Job ID# 2020-5821 - Communications and Media Relations Manager - ݮƵ Undergraduate Student Association (WUSA), USG 8
- Job ID# 2020-5794 - Financial Coordinator - Mechanical and Mechatronics Engineering, USG 7
- Job ID# 2020-5872 - Student Financial Services Associate - Finance, USG 6
- Job ID# 2020-5870 - Administrative Assistant to the Associate Dean, Research and External Partnerships - Engineering Research Office, USG 7
- Job ID# 2020-5793 - Executive Assistant to the Associate Provost, Co-operative and Experiential Education - Co-operative and Experiential Education, USG 7
Internal secondment opportunities:
- Job ID# 2020-5830 - Communications Specialist - ݮƵ Undergraduate Student Association (WUSA), USG 7
- Job ID# 2020-5841 - Director of Planning, Engineering - Engineering Dean's Office, USG 13
- Job ID# 2020-5819 - Specialist, Campus Engagement - Registrar's Office, Marketing and Undergraduate Recruitment, USG 9