Editor:
Brandon Sweet
University Communications
bulletin@uwaterloo.ca
ݮƵ to host Virtual Open House this weekend
A message from Marketing and Undergraduate Recruitment (MUR).
The ݮƵ Virtual Open House (WVOH) will be held this Saturday November 7, from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Building on the success of our first virtual event in October, the WVOH will allow prospective students from around the world to learn more about ݮƵ’s varied programs and services, and to connect with hundreds of professors, staff and students who will be on hand during the event.
Attendees will have the chance to sit in on live information sessions, ask questions through chat and video Q&A, watch videos, and download brochures.
If you know a university-bound student, invite them to register.
Peace Incubator start-ups display progress and promise
From top left, counterclockwise: Cassie Myers, Lunaria; Amin Gharebaghi, GeoMate; Nastaran Saberi, GeoMate; Tina Chan, PASS.
This article was originally featured on theConrad Grebel University College website.
The heartbeat of the Kindred Credit Union Centre for Peace Advancement’s work is mobilizing impactful, collaborative social innovation efforts to advance peace. Participants in the Centre’sEpp Peace Incubator programpair their expertise with the Incubator’s support to catapult their ventures to new heights.
Three of the Centre’s current Incubator start-ups,,, andhave a history of consistently leveraging the program’s resources and connections to grow their businesses. Over the past couple of months, each of these start-ups has received external affirmation for their progress and promise. Here is an update on the recent successes of these Incubator ventures.
Cassie Myers, founder and CEO of Lunaria,a venture providing businesses with diversity and inclusion solutions, recently participated in the first everbootcamp, hosted by Invest Ottawa. This opportunity culminated in a pitch competition with 200, 000 dollars available in prize money. Lunaria wasat the event, awarding her the chance to meet with the Ottawa Angel Network. Cassie Myers is a leader in her field, having also spoken recently on a panel at—a gathering for female tech entrepreneurs. Lunaria is persistent in its efforts to bring awareness to important issues in the workplace, developing relevantand thought-provoking.
An artificial intelligence start-up improving local travel safety,GeoMate is garnering the interest of organizations a bit closer to home—in the ݮƵ Region innovation ecosystem. GeoMate was awarded up to $50,000 in funding through its. As one of ten companies chosen for the program’s second cohort, this funding will allow them to develop their products even further. Additionally, GeoMate was recognized for their leadership in the geospatial technology sector,. GeoMate, operated by CEO Dr. Amin Gharebaghi and CTODr. Nastaran Saberi, is a mapping service that will continue to increase accessibility and foster safer cities.
PASS, founded by academic and advocate Tina Chan, is another social enterprise tapping into noteworthy program opportunities. PASS’ mission is to improve access, add urgency, and spark change in the field of mental health, known for their flagship “first aid for mental health” PASS Kit., a program for women entrepreneurs, which ended with a pitch competition. Chan, competing alongside eight other entrepreneurial endeavors. Additionally,Chan was recently named the recipientof the 2020 Faculty of Applied Health Sciences Young Alumni Award. With the recent release of, Chan is innovating and making her mark in the field of well-being.
Centre for Peace Advancement Director,Paul Heidebrecht, is eager to watch Incubator participants grow even more to advance peace in new ways: “As these social entrepreneurs continue to move the needle on pressing issues of justice and peace, it is an honour that the Centre for Peace Advancement can play a role in their journeys.”
Staff Excellence Fund supports remote exercise programs for staff
A message from UW Fitness.
Spending too much time sitting and not enough time moving? Join your co-workersfor a fitness boost.UW Fitness (part of CCCARE – Centre for Community, Clinical and Applied Research Excellence) is launching 3 new remote exercise series featuring Bootcamp, Core Training and an Express Home Workout starting November 9. Each series will be 6 weeks long with a new exercise video released each week.
These videos will be pre-recorded and accessed through LEARN. Let our exercise professionals motivate and guide you through various effective workouts that require minimal equipment in the safety of your own home. Thanks to funding from the Staff Excellence Fund, these remote exercise programs will be offered at no cost to all ݮƵ staff(Note: available as fee-for-service for Faculty wishing to participate).
For more information on how to register,please see our website for more details.
Volunteer with the UWinterloo program
A message from the Student Success Office (SSO).
As the weather begins to change and the days get colder andshorter, students are beginning to think about the winter holidays. This time ofyearis often a lonely and isolating experience for many international students, butthis upcomingwinter brings additional feelings of uncertainty and worry due to COVID-19. Our International Student Experience team at the Student Success Officehas kept these realities top of mind when revamping the¾ԳٱǴDz. But weneed your help to make it a success.
ճ¾ԳٱǴDzhas been running for the pastdecade. Ourgoal is to build community and foster a sense of belonging for international students who are unable to head home for the winter break. On our ten-year anniversary, the program will be shifting to accommodate COVID-19 guidelines and ensuring that students can participate wherever they are in the world. This year,UWinterloofeatures a new pen pal activity.Internationalstudents will be matched with a Canadian student,facultyor staff pen palto connect with over the winter break. Weinvite you tovolunteer as a pen palduring the month of December and virtually meet an international student.
Post-election resources and other notes
The University recognizes that the US election—whatever the outcome—may have an effect on many in our University community, particularly Black, Indigenous and People of Colour (BIPOC).
Since the spring, the world was angered and united in the wake of brutal acts of racism across North America. In June, the University committed to take steps to engage our campus community and address racism at ݮƵ. While institutions, including our own, and the world at large have started important discussions about dismantling systemic racism, those taking action still face barriers that preserve oppression and backlash against the anti-racism movement.
Consequently, regardless of the election results, many in our community may face anxiety over the uncertainty of the future or fear of increased harassment or violence.
If you, your students or team members are in need of support, below are some resources, including mental health supports available to our University community, tips for coping and information for further reading.
- Mental Health Resources
- Students:If you feel overwhelmed or anxious and need to talk to somebody, please contact the University’sCampus Wellness services.
- Employees:Our Employee and Family Assistance Program is available 24/7 for counselling, coaching and support. Call 1-800-663-1142 or visit Homeweb.ca.
- These community supports are also available:
- - 1-844-437-3247
- - 1-866-925-5454
- - 1-833-456-4566 or by text 45645
- Accommodations for racial trauma:understand youroptions for academic accommodationsrelated to traumatic experience based on race
- The Human Rights, Equity and Inclusion team has compiled alist ofAnti-Racism resources.
- Information about theUniversity’s anti-racism initiatives.
If the news cycle is overwhelming, the Libraryhasonhow toavoid information overload.
ճCentre for Career Action is hosting anEmployee Career Workshop entitledAssessing Your Skillson November 26 from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
"Being able to confidently talk about your skills starts with being able to clearly identify all the skills you have and want to use in your career," says the note from the CCA. "Prior to this workshop, you will have an opportunity to use theto identify your skills. In the workshop, we will discuss how the results of the assessment can be used to improve your résumé and influence your career planning. Take this time to create a plan to develop your skills for future opportunities."
"Sue Fraser, Employee Career Advisor and Learning Specialist invites you toand services our program provides to full-time staff, faculty and CUPE members and contract employees with a contract of at least 1 year.Book an appointment throughand get inspired to develop your career."
Links of 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):
Remote Course Design Essentials, beginning August 26.
Independent Remote Course Design Essentials. Self-directed, continuous self-enrollmentcourse in LEARN.
Remote Course Design Essentials,beginning Wednesday, November 11.
Assessment Design Cafe, Friday, November 20,1:30 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Employeesto help them work remotely, includingmanaging University records and privacy of personal information.Here are sometips for staying healthywhile working from home.
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.
ճݮƵ Indigenous Student Centrefacilitates the sharing of Indigenous knowledge and provides culturally relevant information and support services for all members of the University of ݮƵ community, including Indigenous and non-Indigenous students, staff, and faculty.
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.
Warriors vs. LaurierBloodDonation Battle, until December2020. Join your fellow Warriors, donatebloodand help us win theBloodBattle against Laurier for a second year in a row.or add the PFL code: UNIV960995 to your account if you have ablood.ca account already. Questions? ContactWarriorsInfo@uwaterloo.ca.
Portage-Global Water Futures Research Data Management webinar series: “,”Tuesday, 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.
More Feet on the Ground Mental Health Training for Students,Wednesday, November 4, 9:30 a.m., Online –Register on.
Noon Hour Concert: noondaagochige,Wednesday, November 4, 12:30 p.m., Online, Free.
, Wednesday November 4, 5:00 p.m., Virtual Event.
, featuring Oren Etzioni, Allen Institute for AI and the University of Washington, “Semantic Scholar, NLP, and the Fight Against COVID-19,” Thursday, November 5, 3:30 p.m.,.
for employees and students is available until Friday, November 6.
Portage-Global Water Futures Research Data Management webinar series: “”Friday, November6, 1:00 p.m. Registration details are available.
participation applications close Monday, November 9.
Positions available
On this week's list from the human resources department, viewable on theUݮƵ Talent Acquisition System (iCIMS):
- Job ID# 2020-5876 - Associate Vice-President, Marketing and Brand Strategy - Marketing & Strategic Initiatives,USG 17
- Job ID# 2020-5865 - Clinic Operations Manager - Optometry Clinic, USG 7
Internal secondment opportunities
- Job ID# 2020-5588 - Career Advisor - Centre for Career Action, USG 8 - 10