Editor:
Brandon Sweet
University Communications
bulletin@uwaterloo.ca
GRADflix winners named
A message from Graduate Studies and Postdoctoral Affairs (GSPA)
Please join us in congratulating the winners of the 2023 GRADflix competition.
On January 31, Graduate Studies and Postdoctoral Affairs hosted its fifth annual GRADflix Showcase, a hybrid red-carpet event featuring the 25 best 60-second videos made by graduate students to describe their research.
After a tough deliberation, a judging panel comprising Tania Del Motto (GreenHouse), Nam Kiwanuka (TVO), Matt Regehr (Creative Studio), and Candace Stewart-Smith (Centre for Career Action) selected four winning videos that best exemplified and communicated the amazing research being carried out by UݮƵ grad students. For the first time ever, they also selected a winner for a Social Impact award. This prize has been sponsored by GreenHouse and is awarded for the research video representing the most compelling social impact story. Last but certainly not least, our audience decided the People’s Choice Award winner live during the 2023 GRADflix showcase.
The winners are:
- First place - $750 prize; and People's Choice - $250 prize:Andrew Stella, MASc student from the Department of Chemical Engineering, for his video:
- Second place - $500 prize:Caitlin Laidlaw, MES student from the School of Geography and Environmental Management, for her video:
- Third place - $250 prize:Chuan Tian (Ben) Zhang, MASc student from the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, for his video:
- Fourth place - $250 prize:Kiran Dhuga, MSc student in the School of Public Health Sciences, for her video:
- Social Impact - $250 prize:Chi-en (Amy) Tai, MASc student from the department of Systems Design Engineering, for her video:
All ofcan now be viewed online.
Extended Reality Community of Practice event tomorrow
A message from the Centre for Extended Learning and the Centre for Teaching Excellence.
The Centre for Extended Learning and the Centre for Teaching Excellence organize termly events to raise awareness about extended reality (XR) technologies like augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR). We invite you to register for the upcoming XR CoP event.
Sharing Ideas and Brainstorming (CTE7511)
Please join us for a session designed to bring those interested in XR on campus together to share ideas, discuss current projects, and engage in brainstormingcentered aroundsuch as Augmented Reality, Virtual Reality, and Mixed Reality. The event will provide an opportunity for faculty members to learn from each other's experiences, ask questions, and share their expertise. This event is a great opportunity for instructors and staff to network and collaborate with their peers to advance the use of extended reality in higher education. All levels of experience and interest welcome.
The event takes place Wednesday, February 8 from 11:00 a.m. to 12 noon, and is open to everyone in the campus community. It will be hosted online via Microsoft Teams. Registration is closed, but please contact Gillian Dabrowski (gdabrows@uwaterloo.ca) to participate.
Q and A with the experts: Bill 56, Fewer Floods Safer Ontario Act 2022
Severeweather in 2022 caused $3.1 billion in insured damage – making it the 3rd worst year for insured damage in Canadian history. Kathryn Bakos of the University of ݮƵ’s Intact Centre on Climate Adaptation discusses the recently tabled Bill 56, which addresses the need to prevent residential basement flooding – the most financially costly climate disaster impacting Ontario.
What are the costs of climate change-related weather events in Canada?
Extreme weather risk is becoming more severe and costly across Canada. According to the Insurance Bureau of Canada (2023), insured damage for severe weather events reached $3.1 billion in 2022. This ranks as the third worst year for extreme weather-insured losses in Canadian history.
In Ontario, residential flooding - specifically basement flooding - is the most financially costly climate disaster. The average cost of a flooded basement is $43,000, yetinsurance coverage cap limits for basement flooding have generally decreased into the zone of $10,000 - 20,000. If a basement floods, with a cap limit of $10,000, an Ontario homeowner would be on the line for $30,000.
Over the period 2010-2020,homes across Canada experienced an; this trend is true in Ontario. In addition, 10 percent of Canadian homes are uninsurable relative to basement flood risk.
What is Bill 56, and what problems is it trying to solve?
Flooding puts Ontario residents’ homes, and financial security, in peril. In response,homeowners and renters need guidance to reduce these risks.
Bill 56 calls for the last week of March each year to be Flood Awareness Week in Ontario. In addition, the Bill requiresthe Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing to publish information on a government website about flooding issues andsupports distributing the infographic “”to homeowners in their yearly Property Tax Notices.
Since the Government of Ontario does not currently provide sufficient flooding education and prevention tools to Ontarians, a comprehensive educational campaign would help educate homeowners and renters on ways to prevent basement flooding.
What are some benefits of the Bill? Are there any drawbacks?
The benefits of Bill 56 include only an upside for homeowners and renters in Ontario.
By creating a residential flood risk awareness program, homeowners and renters across Ontario will be better equipped to avoid the otherwise unrelenting costs of flooding.
Kathryn Bakos is theDirector of the Climate Finance and Science Program at theIntact Centre on Climate Adaptation.
Join ݮƵ Womxn + Nonbinary Wednesdays and beat the winter blues
A message from theW3+ Coordinating Crew.
W3+ (ݮƵ Womxn + Nonbinary Wednesdays) is a space to meet, network, and learn from other womxn and nonbinary folks working at the University of ݮƵ. Join our listserv and/or Teams channel to connect and learn about a variety of virtual and in-person events. All womxn and nonbinary staff, faculty, grad students, and postdocs are welcome.
Events are always free and have included:
- Roundtables on Blackness in Academia, reproductive health policy, digital storytelling, and managing screentime
- Informal chats about self-care and community-care, fitness, and project management
- Yoga, walks, skill-shares, and picnics
Visitfor more information or to join (UW login required).
We can’t wait to meet you!
P.S. Wondering why we spell womxn with an “x”? It signals our commitment to making a warm, supportive space for a wide range of gender identities and racial backgrounds—especially those that the most visible women’s groups and spaces have tended to ignore. Check out this(including some critiques of the term) by the UCI Womxn’s Center.
Board of Governors meets today and other notes
Daniel Legault of the Special Constable Services snapped this pic of inspirational snow art on the Douglas Wright Engineering exterior wall. it's nice to know there are such artists among us.
The University's Board of Governors has its first meeting of 2023 today at 1:30 p.m. in NH 3407. Among the agenda items:
- A motion toapprovesabbatical and special leaves in accordance with policy 3 – Sabbatical and Other Leaves for Faculty Members;
- A motion toapprove the student services fees for all full-time and part-time undergraduate and graduate students effective 1 May 2023; and
- A motion toapprove campus housing 2023/24 residence fee rates, effective Fall 2023.
From the Board's various committees:
- A motion to approve a revised project budget of $50.34 million (previous approval was $45.25 million) for the ݮƵ Eye Institute and that the project proceed to final design and tender;
- A motion to approve the Math 4 building constructed using a Construction Management form of contract rather than the previously contemplated Stipulated Price Contract form of agreement;
- A motion toapprove the appointment of Diamond Schmitt Architects Inc. (DSAI) as the prime consultants to prepare design and construction documents for a proposed 500-bed undergraduate student residence;
- A motion to approve the Coldwell Banker Richard Ellis (CBRE) Group to provide an open-ended real estate fund (CBRE Global Alpha) for the Registered Pension Plan (RPP), the university endowment fund, and the IQC trust fund;
- A motion toapprove amendments to the Statement of Investment Policies and Procedures for the University of ݮƵ Endowment;
- A motion toapprove the 2023/24 Tuition Fee changes and Co-op Fee for 23/24;
The Board will also hear an update on the Strategic Plan: Talent, featuring a panel discussion on the Indigenization of curriculum and anti-racist pedagogies.
The full agenda and supporting documentation isavailable on the Secretariat's website.
Link of 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).
Faculty, staff, post-doc and graduate student instructorscan find upcoming teaching and learning workshops, self-directed modules and recordings of previous events onCentre for Teaching Excellence Workshops and Events page.
Instructors can access theEdTech Hubto find support on ݮƵ’s centrally supported EdTech tools. The Hub is supported by members ofIST’sInstructional Technologies and Media Services,Centre for Teaching Excellence,Centre for Extended Learningandsubject matter expertsfrom other campus areas.
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.
Did you know that theWriting and Communication Centreoffers manyin-person and virtualservices to supportyouwithanywriting or communication project? This term we've addedThe Write Spot: a new student space in South Campus hall, complete with bookable workspaces, drop-ins with our peer tutors, and free coffee and tea. We also havewith our writing and communication advisors and peer tutors,email tutoringfor grads and undergrads,,,,, and even. For any communication project, the Writing and Communication Centre is here to support you.
Research Ethics:Find yourself with an ethical question, unsure if your work requires an ethics review, or need advice about putting together a research ethics application? Reach out to one of our friendly staff bybooking a consultationoremailus with your questions.
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 to in-personon Thursdays from5:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. in DC and DP. Join a Peer Success Coach 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 here to help, both in person and online. Our spaces are open for access to book stacks, study spaces, computers/printers, and the IST Help Desk. For in-depth support, meet one-to-one with Librarians, Special Collections & Archives and Geospatial Centre staff. Visit theto access our online resources for anywhere, anytime learning and research.
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 Office of Equity, Diversity, Inclusion & Anti-Racism (EDI-R)works with students, faculty and staff across campus to advance equity and Anti-racism through evidence-based policies, practices and programs.If you have a concern related to Anti-racism and/or equity, please complete ourintake form.
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 United 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.
When and Where
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..
Fitness andPersonal Training -Registrations opened January 5this winter withandas well as a.
Student Health Pharmacyin the basement of the ݮƵ Centre is now offering Covidbooster shots (Pfizer and Moderna)and flu shots. Call 519-746-4500 or extension 33784 for an appointment. Walk-ins always welcome.
Takin’ It To The Streets: La Cartonera Exhibit,Thursday, February 2 to February 13, Dana Porter Library lobby.
, Tuesday, February 7, 9:00 a.m. to 12 noon, online.
Applying for Tenure workshop, Tuesday, February 7, 1:00 p.m., online.
Board of Governors meeting, Tuesday, February 7, 1:30 p.m., NH 3407.
Applying for Promotion to Full Professorworkshop, Tuesday, February 7, 3:00 p.m., online.
, Thursday, February 9, 2:00 p.m. to4:00 p.m., online.