Editor:
Brandon Sweet
University Communications
bulletin@uwaterloo.ca
Fall 2022 message from the president
This isthe latest post on President Vivek Goel's blog.
For me, September brings a sense of optimism. Despite the challenges our world faces from an on-going pandemic, economic strife, and geopolitical unrest, I feel optimistic when I look at the important work that our students, faculty, and staff undertake every day. Their hard work is leading towards innovations that will change our world for the better.
Over the past several months, our community has come together to participate in a visioning exercise entitled ݮƵ at 100. Through consultations with a variety of stakeholders, we are seeking to answer the question: what do we as an institution aspire to become by our 100thanniversary in 2057?
Learn more about the process, and how you can get involved atuwaterloo.ca/president/waterloo-100.
Whether you are a returning student or new to our campuses, I encourage you to explore and find ways to build connections and a sense of community.
I am often asked what advice I give to students, and it is this: ask questions and be inquisitive. Don’t be afraid of asking for help.
The University of ݮƵ works hard at providing our students with an exceptional experience which includes resources and supports related to academic success and overall health including mental health. Don’t hesitate to access these resources should you need them.
Resources and support are available atuwaterloo.ca/campus-wellness/
We continue to work diligently to ensure a safe environment for our community, and to give our students the best experience possible.
We are tracking local and provincial health indicators to ensure our operational decisions continue to be informed by the latest data. Furthermore, we are in constant contact with public health authorities and other institutions so that the most up-to-date information is readily available.
To find the latest University of ݮƵ updates and safety guidelines visituwaterloo.ca/coronavirus.
I encourage our entire community to enter this academic year with enthusiasm, empathy, and a willingness to explore and collaborate. Working together, our community can accomplish great things.
Catching up with Velocity Fund Winner Iris Redinger
This article wasoriginally published on ݮƵ News.
We caught up with Iris Redinger (BAS ’21), a recent ݮƵ grad from theݮƵ School of Architecture. This summer, she was competitively selected as one of five winners of the Mitacs Entrepreneur Award for her startupthat uses biotechnology to reduce the environmental impact of the fashion industry.
Redinger founded the company as a ݮƵ undergrad in 2018 and was supported by several campus entrepreneurial programs including winning the Velocity Fund $5K, the Norm Esch Entrepreneurship Award and the Engineer of the Future Fund. We asked her about some of her best moments as a student and what advice she would give to the new cohort starting this fall.
What is your fondest memory as a ݮƵ student?
During my first co-op semester, I worked for ProfessorPhilip Beesley, who runs a prominent installation and design studio in Toronto. I was tasked to work on a collaboration project with Iris van Herpen, a well-known Dutch fashion designer. There was another student tasked on the project too, and I remember the feverous excitement we shared working on dresses for her runway collection. We got very lucky to be assigned to this work, and I think we did a good job. The dresses were shown at Paris Fashion Week and subsequently were shown at an exhibition at the Royal Ontario Museum. I will always remember how I felt when my friends and family saw my work on display, and the memories I have working on that collection will last a lifetime.
What inspired you to launch Material Futures while you were a student?
Throughout my undergraduate degree, and especially during my co-op semesters, I found that I wanted to spend time exploring my own ideas and interests! I felt scared admitting to myself that I was more excited about my ideas and interests that (often) lay outside of architecture than the projects my professors believed would inspire the next generation of architects. I always had a few side projects on the go, and many were related to fashion and textiles. Material Futures came from an idea of mine to use microorganisms as a source of textile colorants instead of using petrochemicals, and I felt that it was an idea that should be shared with the world.
There is never a “right time” to launch a business but being a ݮƵ student at the time was extremely advantageous and gave me access to the technical and business resources I needed to bootstrap my original idea, which I am now commercializing.
Keeping up with your studies and a business sounds challenging — how did you find balance?
I’m extremely fortunate that being a multitasker is one of my natural gifts. However, I needed help filling the technical and business gaps in my knowledge that are necessary to running Material Futures as a successful business. I reached out to family, childhood friends, new friends I made on co-op, professors, peers, and people on LinkedIn! I hired a team of researchers, and some of the leading experts across Canada. I continue to build a network of allies that fill in the knowledge gaps and provide ideas, solutions, and occasional reality checks. This network of people made it possible for me to balance everything successfully.
What advice would you give our new first-year students who might also be inspiring entrepreneurs?
I truly believe there is nothing more powerful than a great idea. A great idea not only answers a need for others, but also a need within yourself. Value your ideas. Follow them and visualize where they might lead. Give special attention to the ones that elicit excitement and passion. If you have that type of reaction, I advocate that you should explore it. I wish you all the best on your journey!
CORE seeks study participants without dry eye to test new prototype contact lenses
A message from the Centre for Ocular Research and Education (CORE).
The Centre for Ocular Research and Education (CORE) is currently recruiting soft contact lens wearers for a study evaluating the performance of new prototype contact lenses, with a focus on improving comfort. Participants need to be at least 18 years of age and they will receive $110 for 5.5 hours of their time over five study visits.
COREisin need of a few asymptomatic (non-dry eye) participants in order to complete this study. Participants must be habitual wearers of soft contact lenses (for at least 3 months) and generally do not experience dry eye symptoms.
For more information regarding this study visit
All studies conducted at CORE have been reviewed and received ethics clearance through a University of ݮƵ Research Ethics Committee. To be the first to know about new CORE studies, make a participant profile at.
Pop-up booster clinicon campus next week
Region of ݮƵ Public Health returns to campus next week with a pop-up booster clinic for those seeking a COVID-19 booster dose.
Operated by the Region and supported by Health Services, booster doses are available to anyone in the ݮƵ community who meets the. No appointment is required.
The booster clinics will run on Wednesday, August 31 from 9:15 a.m. – 3:45 p.m. in the ݮƵ Centre basement area (the old W Store Location).
Please bring your enhanced vaccine certificate with you if you have one, or any alternate documentation of previous COVID-19 vaccines from within Ontario, out of Province, or out of country.
If you havequestions please emailcoronavirus@uwaterloo.ca.
Beyond the Bulletin Episode 136
The latest episode of the Beyond the Bulletin Podcast.Adanna Amechi, a third-year engineering student from Nigeria, discusses the history and significance of braids in Black culture and why she created a startup to train more stylists. The president and provost provide a safety and operational update for the upcoming fall term. Special Collections and Archives is working on an oral history project to document ݮƵ history. And Black and Gold Day is fast approaching.
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).
Բٰܳٴǰcan 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):
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Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (SoTL) Methods– self-directed, continuous self-enrollmentcourse in LEARN.
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Independent Blended Course Design (iBlend)- self-directed, continuous self-enrollmentcourse in LEARN.
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-self-directed, continuous self-enrollmentcourse in LEARN.
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Independent Remote Course Design Essentials (iReCoDE)- self-directed, continuous self-enrollmentcourse in LEARN.
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Supporting Student Mental Health (for Instructors)– self-directed, continuous self-enrollmentcourse in LEARN.
Supports are available foremployeesreturning to campus. Visitandworkplace protocolsto assist with the transition.
Studentswith permanent, temporary and suspected disabilities and disabling conditions (medical conditions, injuries, or trauma from discrimination, violence, or oppression) can register withAccessAbility Servicesfor academic accommodations (classroom accommodations, testing accommodations, milestone accommodations).
Instructorscan visit AccessAbility Services'Faculty and Staff web pagefor information about the Instructor/Faculty role in the accommodation process. Instructors/ Faculty members are legally required to accommodate students with disabilities. AccessAbility Services (AAS) is here to help you understand your obligations, and to offer services and resources to help you facilitate accommodations.
Thehasin-person and virtualservices to supportgradandundergrad students,postdocs and facultywith any writing or communication project. Services includeone-to-one appointments,drop-ins at Dana Porter Library,online workshops,writing groups,English conversation practice, andcustom in-class workshops.
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.
The Centre for Career Action (CCA)hasservices and programstosupport undergrads, grad students, postdocs, alumni, and employees in figuring out what they value, what they’re good at, and how to access meaningful work, co-op, volunteer, or graduate/professional school opportunities. Questions about CCA's services?, call 519-888-4047, or stop by our front desk in the Tatham Centre 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.,Monday to Friday.
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.
Renison's English Language Institutecontinues to offervirtual events and workshopsto help students practice their English language skills.
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.
The Libraryis open with expanded hours for access to book stacks, drop-in individual study space, bookable group study rooms, drop-in access to computers and printers, book pick-up services and IST Help Desk support. Librarian consultations, Special Collections & Archives and the Geospatial Centre are available by appointment. Full details on current services and hours are available on the Library’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.
WUSAsupports for students:
Peer support -,,,-Click on one of the linksto book an appointment either in person or online for the term.
food 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.
all available online.
-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.
-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.
GSA-UW supports for graduate students:
Thesupports students’ academic and social experience and promotes their well-being.
Advising and Support-experiencing challenges and can help with navigating university policies & filing a grievance, appeal, or petition.
Mental Health covered by the Health Plan- Thenow has an 80 per centcoverage rate (up to $800/year) for. Your plan includes coverage for psychologists, registered social workers, psychotherapists, and clinical counselors.
Dental Care- Thecovers 60to 70 per centof your dental costs and by visiting dental professionals who are members of the, you can receive an additional 20to 30 per centcoverage.
Student Legal Protection Program- Your GSA fees give you, accessible via a toll-free helpline: +1-833-202-4571. This advice covers topics including housing disputes, employment disputes, and disputes with an academic institution.
The Graduate House: Open Monday to Tuesday 11:30 a.m. to7:00 p.m. and Wednesday to Friday 11:30 a.m. to9:00 p.m.We’re open to all students, faculty, staff, and community members. Theis a community space run by the GSA-UW. We’re adding new items to the menu.Graduate students who paid their fees can get discounts and free coffee.Note: The Graduate House is closed from August 20 to September 5, 2022.
When and Where (but mostly when)
Warriors vs. Laurier Blood Donation Battle.Join ouron the Blood.ca website or app. #ItsInYouToGive
, July 4 to September 2. Open to boys and girls age 5-18. Baseball, Basketball, Football, Hockey, Multi-Sport and Games & Volleyball..
on sale now. Cheer on your Warriors W/M Basketball, Football W/M Hockey and W/M Volleyball teams at home during the 2022-23 season..
NEW -Visitors Centre in SCH closed, Monday,August 22 to Friday, September 2. Phone and email inquiries will be monitored during weekday business hours.
Warriors Men’s Basketball vs. Ferris State Bulldogs, Friday, August 26, 6:00 p.m., Carl Totzke Court, PAC.
Retirement celebration for Ron Koelewijin,Wednesday, August 31, 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m., South Side Marketplace dining hall.
TBH: To Be Honest premiere performance,Thursday, September 1, 3:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m., PAC gym.
Labour Day holiday, Monday, September 5, most University operations closed.
"Getting Ready to Facilitate Online Courses:TA Training – Fall 2022" course,Sunday, September 11.