Editor:
Brandon Sweet
University Communications
bulletin@uwaterloo.ca
Today, ݮƵ remembers
The University of ݮƵ communitywill join the rest of the country in pausingfor a few moments today to remember Canada's war dead.
"Remembrance Day isan importantday ofreflectionin Canada and many countries around theworld,"says President Vivek Goel in an official statement to the University community. "On this day weremember and honourall theindividualswho have and continue toserveinCanada’sArmed Forcesthrough times of war, armed conflict and peace."
"As we commemorateRemembrance Day, it is important to reflect on the many diverse communities who have servedand sacrificed forour country since the First World War," President Goel says. "Canada’sIndigenous, Black and otherracializedsoldiersserved this country bravely while also facing discrimination at home.Over the decades, the diversity of our veterans has continued to evolve.This year marks the 30thanniversary of end of the Gulf War, the first conflict in which women served in combat roles for Canada’s Armed Forces."
2021 also,and the centenary of the establishment of Armistice Day, to be observed annually on the Monday of the week ofNovember 11,the anniversary of the day in 1918 whenthe guns fell silentat the end of the First World War. This act of Parliament was amended in 1931, 90 years ago, to formally enshrine November 11 as Remembrance Day.Much of the imagery we associate with Remembrance Dayis connected to the First World War, including the poppies, sold by the Royal Canadian Legion and worn on lapels, thatrecall the wildflowers that grow in the fields of Flanders, in north Belgium, as mentioned in the famouspoem by Lt.-Col. John McCraethat is read at many Remembrance Day commemorations.
In accordance with the University's flag guidelines, flags will be lowered from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon on campus today. "I encourage you all totake a moment at 11:00a.m.to reflect and remember," President Goel's statement concludes.
The ongoing pandemic continues to affect the way that our campus and community are marking today's solemn occasion. There are no in-person events planned on campus today, and there will be athat includesphysical distancingand mandatory masks. There will be no veteran's parade, reviewing stand, or cenotaph vigil, and the ceremonial wreaths, 16 in total, will be placed at the cenotaph ahead of time. Similar ceremonies will be taking place in,, and.
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An alumnus uncovers his grandfather's harrowing story of war
By Geoff Keelan(MA ’10, PhD ’15).This article wasoriginally published in the fall issue of ݮƵ Magazine.
On April 21, 1941, theSS Nerissapulled out of the port of Halifax to begin a journey across the Atlantic Ocean to England where Canadians soldiers were preparing for the invasion of Nazi-occupied Europe.
On board was a 21-year-old RCMP officer, my grandfather Gerry Keelan. Nine days and 4,000 kilometers later, my grandfather and some of his fellow officers were finishing a game of bridge around midnight when a terrific blast threw them out of their chairs.
Thankfully, my grandfather’s cabin was the last one on the stern which meant he and his cabin mates were able to jump in a nearby lifeboat.
From this lifeboat, they spotted a Nazi submarine just 15 meters away. Then a second and third torpedo passed under their lifeboat, hitting theNerissaat the same time — tearing the ship in two and sinking it within seconds.
Baling water in a leaking lifeboat
For the next nine hours, it rained as my grandfather and the other conscious survivors baled water from their leaking lifeboat. Constantly battered by the high waves of the Atlantic Ocean, it was 8 a.m. when a destroyer finally pulled up alongside them just off the coast of Ireland.
Twelve were still alive in the boat when they were finally pulled out of the rocking seas. Seven others had died in the night.
Only 84 of the 290 passengers and crew of theSS Nerissasurvived in the single largest loss of Canadian troops en route to England during the Second World War — 62 Canadian servicemen died that night.
My grandfather survived and arrived in England safe and uninjured, where he was stationed at Aldershot, Hampshire with the 21stArmy Group as a member of the Military Police. Soon after, he met Irene Trott, an English schoolteacher and my grandmother.
I never heard any of these stories from my grandfather, or even from my father. Grandpa Gerry did not talk much to any of his children or grandchildren about the war before his death in 1998.Or, I was just too young to listen.
Eventually, I studied Canadian history at the University of ݮƵ with History Professor Whitney Lackenbauer, beginning my doctoral studies 70 years after theNerissasunk.
Searching for my grandfather's story
Although my work did not focus on the Second World War, my experience with Library and Archives Canada eventually helped me get a job there as an Access Archivist. With closer and easier access, I finally took the time to dive deeper into the holdings. I searched, not for my grandfather’s service records, but for records around the ship he had been on.
I discovered that he was interviewed for the Court of Inquiry regarding the sinking, but even still his words cover less than a page. One of the Provost Corps soldiers who roomed with him wrote a much more complete record of the event, which is how I now know of this harrowing night and his brush with death.
Family histories and wartime struggles
On Remembrance Day, when we are meant to remember those who were lost and those who survived, I always consider myself lucky to have even a small part of my grandfather’s story. If I had taken a different career path, my family likely never would have thought to look for anything other than a service file, or known where to look for it.
I reflect on this story whenever I give public or classroom lectures about the war, or when I have a chance to speak with a veteran. For many of us, our family histories are intertwined with wartime struggles, good and bad, but few ever get the chance to see written transcripts of something their grandparents endured.
Most can only imagine their stories in our larger history of the wars, imagining what triumphs and failures they endured and the dark times through which they lived.
All of these stories have the same common thread, whether they be found deep in the archives or told over a glass of wine late at night decades later. There is one reason, above all else, to find and tell these stories: They are meant to be remembered.
Geoff Keelanis an archivist at Library and Archives Canada.
New ݮƵ-based Collaboratory for Digital Equity Research launches
ProfessorDiana Parryand ProfessorCorey Johnson.
Co-directors ProfessorCorey Johnson and ProfessorDiana Parry from the Department of Recreation and Leisure Studies have founded the(CODER), which aims to mobilize research in the digital humanities and social sciences to inform public culture, policy, practice, and everyday social relations to create a more equitable and just society.
Other team members include Stefanie Duguay, assistant professor in the Department of Communication Studies at Concordia University,Professors Eric Filice, Luc Cousineau and Harrison Oakes, and Ph.D. student Jasmine Nijjar from the University of ݮƵ.
CODER has recently conducted several projects related to geo-social networking applications, otherwise known as dating apps, such as Tinder, Grindr, and Bumble. Among other things, they have looked at the networking application’s cultural impacts and influence on genderidentities, sexual practices, public and private spaces and users’ quality of life.
The group is also involved in multiple industry and non-profit partnerships. In collaboration with Bumble, CODER studied how dating experiences are affected by spaces that are structured around principles of justice and social equity. CODER has also partnered with the Sexual Assault Support Centre of ݮƵ Region (SASC) to understand the role that dating apps play in sexual violence online.
CODER is engaged in a multipronged knowledge mobilization strategy to disseminate their research to academics, policy makers and interested members of the public. Recently they have recruited the assistance of a video production agency to produce a series of digital shorts synthesizing participant stories of GSNA use, accessible on.For information on past and current projects visit theorcontact ProfessorJohnson via email atcorey.johnson@uwaterloo.ca.
Thursday's notes
Information Systems and Technology has announced thatthe fall 2021 issue of the IST Newsletter is now available. Read about the Mass Email Management project, WatITis conference, alumni email migration, campus Wi-Fi improvements, WCMS 3 training, and more.
Renision University College and the ݮƵ Public Library are co-hosting a virtual panel discussion entitledThe Future of Public Education: Lessons from the PandemiconNovember 16at 7:00 p.m.
"The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted education systems in unprecedented ways," says the event description. "The crisis exacerbated long-standing inequalities, revealed the limits of technology, raised questions about learning loss and recovery, heightened concerns about corporatization, exposed the value of teaching, and much more. There is an urgent need to envision the future of public education for a post-pandemic world. What lessons have we learned from the pandemic for public education systems in Canada?"
The event features panellistsVidya Shahof York University's Faculty of Education,Beyhan Farhadi, postdoctoral fellow at York University and TDSB teacher,Joel Westheimer,University Research Chair in Democracy and Education at the University of Ottawa, andjeewan chanicka, director of Education at theݮƵ Region District School Board. Social and Development Studies ProfessorKristina R. Llewellynwill moderatethis session.
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TheUniversity of ݮƵ Art Galleryand theDepartment of Fine Artsare presenting MFA alumniAmanda Rhodenizerin conversation withEmma McKaydiscussing the artist’s series of paintingsO’er the Western Hillson Thursday, November 18 from 7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Amanda Rhodenizerholds an MFA from the University of ݮƵ and BFA from the Nova Scotia College of Art and Design.Emma McKayis completing a PhD at McGill University and works with physicists to spread radical critiques of the way we do science now, focusingon how modern science is connected to the military, extraction, and colonialism, and how educational community building around diversity can help.Ivan Jurakic, the director/curator of the University of ݮƵ Art Gallery will moderate the conversation.
O’er the Western Hillswas conceived by the artist in collaboration with her subjects, including students, temp workers, teachers and retirees, who are actively engaged in work from a range of specialized STEM fields including fire safety, water quality, wetland conservation, site remediation, regenerative permaculture, ethics and justice, accessibility and outreach, and astrophysics. Despite their many professional accomplishments, the lived experiences of these members of the science community remains largely dominated by masculinity, whiteness, hetero-cis-normativity, and other forms of privilege. Rather than acting as a recruitment for Women in STEM, the thirteen paintings in the exhibition are intended as a collection of portraits of female and non-binary workers sharing their experiences.
O’er the Western Hillsis on display until December 8. For more info or to book a viewing.
Linkof the day
When and Where to get support
Studentscan visit theStudent Success Officeonline for supports including academic development, international student resources, immigration consulting,leadership development, exchange and study abroad, and opportunities to get involved.
Instructorslooking for targeted support for developing online components for blended learning courses, transitioning remote to fully online courses, revising current online courses, and more please visitAgile Development | Centre for Extended Learning | University of ݮƵ (uwaterloo.ca).
Instructorscan visit theto get support on adapting their teaching and learning plans for an online environment.
are available within your course in LEARN to help you build and edit your content and assignment pages quickly.
The following workshops, webinars, and events are offered by the KL team (CTE, CEL, ITMS, LIB):
- ,self-directed, continuous self-enrollmentcourse in LEARN.
- Independent Blended Course Design(iBlend), self-directed, ongoing
- Copyright Overview for ݮƵ Instructors and Staff-self-directed, continuous self-enrollmentcourse in LEARN.
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Thirty Minute Thursdays– PebblePad – Offered:November 11, November 18, November 25, 12:00 noonto12: 30 p.m.
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IntegratingPebblePadRetreat (IPR) -Setting up your Winter 2022PebblePadAssignments and Activities (CTE 7531)- December 7, 1:00 p.m.
Employeescanto help them work remotely, includingmanaging University records and privacy of personal information.Here are sometips for staying healthywhile working from home.
Stay informedabout COVID cases on campus byconsulting the COVID case tracker.
Thehas virtual services and programs to helpundergrads,grad students, postdocsandfaculty memberswith academic writing.
- Meet with writing advisors inone-to-one appointmentsto brainstorm, draft, revise, and polish. No time for an appointment? Tryemail tutoring for undergrads.
- Beat isolation and make writing progress at weeklyVirtual Writing Cafésfor grad students and faculty orPJ-Friendly Writing Groups for Undergrads.
- Take anonline workshopor apply to our popularDissertation Boot Campprogram.
- Faculty can requestcustom in-class workshopsfor their courses, or the WCC can facilitate anyexisting workshopsfor student groups.
Co-op studentscanget help finding a joband find supports to successfully work remotely, develop new skills, access wellness and career information, and contact a co-op or career advisor.
TheCentre for Career Action (CCA)is offering some. The Tatham Centreisopen with front-desk support, limited in-person appointments and co-op consults.Services are also available virtually.Book an appointmentorwith our Client Support Team. The CCA is here to help.
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.Good2Talkis a post-secondary student helplineavailable to all students.
Whilethe Librarycontinues to focus on digital resources andconsultations, our spaces are open for the fall term. Dana Porter Library is open Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Davis Centre Library is open Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 11 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.for drop-in individual study space,bookableindividual study rooms,drop-in access to computers and printers, book pick-up servicesand IST Help Desk support.Special Collections & Archivesand theGeospatial Centrewill be accessibleby appointment.Library staff are available for questions viaAsk us.Full detailsoncurrent services and hours are available ontheLibrary’sCOVID-19 Update webpage.
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.
The Sexual Violence Prevention and Response Office (SVPRO)supports all members ofthe University of ݮƵcampuscommunitywho have experienced, or been impacted, by sexual violence.This includes all students, staff,facultyand visitorsonthemain campus, the satellite campuses, and at the affiliated and federated ݮƵ Institutes and Colleges.For support, email:svpro@uwaterloo.caor visit theSVPRO website.
TheOffice of Indigenous Relationsis a central hub that provides guidance, support, and resources to all Indigenous and non-Indigenous campus community members and oversees the University's Indigenization strategy.
TheݮƵ Indigenous Student Centre, based at St. Paul’s University College,provides support and resources for Indigenous students, and educational outreach programs for the broader community, including lectures, and events.
WUSA supports for students:
Peer support - MATES, Glow Centre, RAISE, Women’s Centre -Visitto book an appointment either in person or online for the Fall term!
Food Support Servicefood hampersare currently available from the Turnkey Desk 24/7 in the ݮƵ Centre. Drop off locations are also open again in SLC, DC, DP, SCH and all residences.
Co-op Connectionall available online. Checkfor more details.
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..
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.
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)
(Online Fitness)
Warriors vs. LaurierBloodDonation Battle. 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.
Drop-in toWarrior Virtual Study Hallson Wednesdays from5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Come together in this virtual space to set goals and work independently or in groups each week.
continues to offervirtual events and workshopsto help students practice their English language skills.
, Wednesday, November 10 and Thursday, November 11, 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., on Zoom.
Remembrance Day, Thursday, November 11.
Online Conference, "International Humanitarian Law and the Responsibility to Protect (R2P) @ 20 Years", Thursday, November 11, 12:30 p.m. to 3:15 p.m., virtual.
NEW -COP26 side event: Canada’s Peatlands as a Nature-based Solution to Climate Change, Thursday, November 11, 1:30 p.m.
NEW -Book Launch: Peace is Everyone's Business, Thursday, November 11, 4:00 p.m.
Arriscraft Speaker Series:Praxes of Care:Caretakingfeaturing Annmarie Adams & David Theodore, moderated by Fiona Kenney, Thursday,November 11, 6:00 p.m..
“Addressing the Global Vision Crisis: Coping and Living with Low Vision”. Thursday, November 11, 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. via Zoom.
WaterTalk:York Region’s One Water Story… recognizing the value of water in all its forms, presented byErin Mahoney, Friday, November 12, 2:30 p.m.
NEW -Home Opener, Warrior (Youth) Day, Donor Appreciation Day. Free tickets available for youth; emailWarriorsTickets@uwaterloo.cafor the coupon code.
NEW -FUSION 2021: Advances and Emerging Opportunities in Financial Technology, Saturday, November 13.
NEW - GEDI Exchange Webinar - A 30 Minute Exchange with Friendlier and TeTechS: Tuesday, November 16, 1:00 p.m. Join this discussion with Friendlier and TeTechS as they discuss “Reimagining reducing and reusing before recycling”. Register here:/gedi-exchange/30-minute-exchange.
NEW -, Tuesday, November 16, 7:00 p.m. (online)presented in partnership with the ݮƵ Public Library.
NEW -WIN Thematic Seminar Series: Sustainable Nanomaterials for Environmental Management Systems, Wednesday, November 17, 12 noon.