Editor:
Brandon Sweet
University Communications
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Exceptional student teachers celebrated
The four winners of the Amit and Meena Chakma Award for Exceptional Teaching By a Student (AETS) were named and celebrated at Monday's meeting of the University's Senate.
Abigale O’Reilly
Abigale O’Reilly is an undergraduate student in the department of Chemistry, recognized by students and faculty members for her enthusiasm, capability to create a supportive environment and dedication to teaching. It was highlighted that she can deliver content efficiently to her students allowing them to have a clear comprehension of the content, her students indicated that they would leave her labs understanding the content on a deeper level, not just “knowing the answer”. Abigale has also demonstrated that she goes above and beyond for her students, one student recalling, “during my roughest times, she was there to help me plan what to do and support me through my academics, without needing extensions or excessive accommodation.” Abigale is said to differentiate herself from some other TA’s by consistently putting the student first and being able to empathize with them. Abigale makes the teaching environment welcoming, and students can come as they are and ask questions without feeling belittled. Abigale’s supervisor highlights her work as impactful: “Attendance at these voluntary drop in sessions has increased over the term (from about 10 per day to 20-30 per day) as students hear from their friends about the value of the drop in sessions”.
Abigale held a teaching assistant position forCHEM 121Land as a laboratory assistant forCHEM 125L and CHEM 123L.
Justin Schrier
Justin Schrier is a Masters student in Physics and Astronomy. He has been described as inclusive and considerate in the learning environment. He considers that all students come from different learning backgrounds and takes the time to explain concepts in ways that his students can understand. His supervisor mentions that Justin goes above and beyond for his students - “Every morning he would get there 40 minutes early so he could draw colour diagrams for students who were visual learners.” Justin dedicates himself to both his teaching and students, ensuring that his students understand the course fully, often taking extra time to explain things until all his students truly understand the material. On, Justin’s impact on the course, a student noted, “Justin added colour to the course content solely through the energy he brought when speaking about material.” Justin is described as a memorable TA, and his students constantly look forward to his instructing. His students name Justin’s as “one of the most genuine Tas” – he welcomed questions, never becoming frustrated if he had to take extra time. Considering this is Justin’s first time taking on the TA role, he went above and beyond to approach the role confidently and passionately.
Justin has held a teaching assistant position forPHYS 111L.
Mikaela Lewis
Mikaela Lewis is a Doctoral student in the department of Mechanical and Mechatronics Engineering. Mikaela has been described as passionate, and adaptable in the classroom environment; if students are struggling in her course, she adjusts her teaching according to the feedback she receives. Mikaela goes above and beyond in her role as a TA and ensures that she is up to date on course material to better benefit her students, working with them until they understand the material. As told by a student, “Mikaela came to my lectures in order to stay up to date with what students were learning in class and ensure that she could use the same verbiage for clarity when talking to students”. As well, she holds additional office hours attended by many students, highlighting her impact in the classroom. Mikaela is also highly organized in her teaching; she creates preparatory notes and structures the course to provide students with a variety of teaching modalities. Her PhD supervisor mentions, “I received plenty of great feedback from students in her tutorials; this is quite rare that students go out of their way to complement a TA.” Overall, Mikaela demonstrates great efforts in her teaching and is shown to go above and beyond for her student's success.
Mikaela has held a teaching assistant position forME 351.
Tandeep Sidhu
Tandeep Sidhu is a PhD Candidate in the Sociology and Legal Studies department. Tandeep relies on the use of critical approaches to examine a range of social issues in the classes he teaches. Known for prioritizing academic skill-building, Tandeep regularly provides his students with resources to aid in their future success beyond his class, such as organizing an Essay Writing Workshop in each class he teaches. A student who took that workshop mentioned that they are thankful for the new resource and have been implementing it into their papers. Tandeep is notable for creating a safe learning environment for his students. Finally, Tandeep is recognized for building a strong rapport with his students, where they feel he is very approachable. It was said that “[In] every single class, Tandeep would come into the room and light it up… his positive energy made a typical 3-hour lecture feel like a brief 1-hour lecture”.
Tandeep has held teaching assistant positions for SOC/LS 280, SOC/LS 227, and SOC/LS 223. Tandeep was an instructor for SOC/LS 263, SOC/LS 370, and SOC/LS 419.
The Amit andMeena Chakma Award for Exceptional Teaching by a Student (AETS) awards are open to all students who have a formal teaching role at the University of ݮƵ. Up to four awards are given annually in recognition of excellence in teaching of all kinds by registered students (e.g., teaching assistant, laboratory demonstrator, sessional lecturer).
Campus clean-up event to be held Friday in support of Earth Day
A message from the Sustainability Office and Faculty of Environment.
In advance ofEarth Day,the Sustainability Officeand others from thecommunity areorganizing acampus clean-uponFriday.Earth Day is recognized on Saturday, April 22,Իpeople around the world will celebrate the planet and commit to climate action.At the University of ݮƵ, protecting biodiversity is a cornerstone ofourܲٲԲٲٰٱ.
ݮƵ’s1,200-acreproperty is home to a wide variety of species in both terrestrial and aquatic habitats, including birds, mammals, fish, and insects. Recognizing the responsibility of stewardship for this land, the Sustainability Office and Plant Operations have beendeveloping a standardfor how wemaintainand care for our natural spaces on campus. This has led to initiativeswith students,employeesand facultytoidentifyopportunities for improvement,like using only native plant speciesingreen spacesand creatingapermeable pavementproject thathelps control runoff during heavy rainfall.The work has also includedbuildingamaster plandesigned tomaintainexisting open areas bymoving new buildings and development to the edges of campus.
However,initiatives areby no means limited to the Sustainability Office or Plant Operations. There are many others advocating for nature and environmental protections on campus. Theis a student group that hosts a variety of events to raise awareness and advocate for the protection of natureonand off campus. TheEcology Labin EV1 supports lab and field activities, courses, projects, and outreach initiatives related to the study of our environment and helps students connect with the natural world through hands-on experiences.Theplotted natural, semi-natural and landscaped areas on campusin order toenhance biodiversity data collection and monitoring.
Safeguarding nature is important for mitigating the climate crisis, butitalsohelpsuslive healthy and happy lives.Interacting with nature has many, such as lowered stress, improved memory, and restored attention. The practice of mindfully walking through natural areas, known in English as “” or Japaneseas“shinrin-yoku,” helps reduce depression, fatigue, and anxiety. As an increasing number of people experience, nature can help address feelings of anger and sadness associated withobservingthe effects of climate change. Intentionally spending time in nature helps cultivate a feeling of belonging to and a sense of the responsibility for the land.
Campus Housing clean-up volunteers from 2017.
While green space may not be so visible on ݮƵ’s main campus, nature is all around us.If you need a mood boost, take a walk by Columbia Lake in the north part of campus, explore the woodlot by Village 1, or stroll along Laurel Creek by the University colleges. Efforts are also underway to incorporate more greenery within the built environment throughpublic green space such as the Peter Russell Rock Garden,pollinator gardenssuch asat ConradGrebeland green roofslikeatEV3.
OnFriday, April 21, join the Sustainability Office and othersfromourcommunityfor aܲ-ܱof litter hotspots. This isa great wayto celebrate Earth Day, spend some time outdoors, andmake an impact to the health of ourplanetand each other.Staff will be in the EV3 atrium from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. to distribute supplies and direct groups.
Winners of the Map the System pitch competition named
By Selah Woelk. This article wasoriginally published on the Conrad Grebel University College website.
A culmination of several months of work and research for student teams, theKindredCredit Union Centre for Peace Advancementhosted theUniversity of ݮƵcampus finals of the Map the System research competition on Wednesday, April 12.
Out of 55 applicants, 5 finalists were chosen to present their research and systems maps to the judges on Wednesday afternoon for the chance to move onto the Canadian finals in May.With topics ranging from sustainability in the fashion industry to food insecurity among Syrian refugees,the student presentations were engaging and informative. Not only were student teams able to present their research, but there were also opportunities to network with campus and community innovation partners such asԻGreenHouse.
The judges,John Abraham,Academic Dean at United College,Nada Basir, AssistantProfessorinthe Conrad School of Entrepreneurship and Business,ԻSharon Kirkpatrick, Associate Professorin the School of Public Health Sciences, analyzed the team’s presentations, asked insightful questions, andfinally chosethe winning teams to receiveprizesfrom generous sponsors.
The third-place prize of $500, sponsored by theݮƵ Institue for Complexity and Innovation, was presented to a team of master's students whose research focused on “Sustainable Consumption and Production in Canadian Fashion.” Studying at theStratford School of Interaction Design and Business, Yvonne Anaekwe, Shweta Dhuliya, Noor Dhaliwal, Oksana Fedorenko, Camille Goldson, Carla Valerio Pena, and Victoria Van Hezewyk explored the fast fashion industry’s environmental impact and the culture shift needed for consumers to spur on more sustainable production methods.
Thesecond-placeprizeof $1,000,sponsored by, was awarded toEden Dale,Njoki Gacheru, Shamily Shanmuganathan, and Ming Yangwho explored the topic of“Risks to Maternal and Young Child Health Posed by Climate Change in Coastal Bangladesh.”Coming froma master’s class in the School of Environment, Enterprise, and Development thatfocusedonsystems thinking in international development, the team presented importanthealthinsightsonone of the most vulnerable countries to climate change.
The first-place prize of $2,000, sponsored by, was awarded to Adriana Ceric, Jordan Li, and Sukhmani Sadiora for their presentation on “Wetland Management in the Regional Municipality of Durham, Ontario.” This group of undergraduate students chose the topic of wetland management out of a passionate interest for the devastating wetland loss in Southern Ontario due to increased development. They described being “speechless” upon hearing they were chosen as the winners, feeling “honoured to simply be there, and even more honoured to be chosen as the winners.” The students’ co-op experience doing research into wetland health and composition as well as urban development informed both their research and passion for the topic. Team member Jordan noted that “the research process opened [her] eyes to how complex and interdisciplinary the issue of wetland management is.”
Jordan, Adriana, and Sukhmani will move onto theMap the SystemCanadian finals, which will be heldvirtually fromMay 10-12th.Jordan says that although it will be a challenge, it is one their team is up for; “we’re really excited to work with the support of the Centre’s Map the System mentors to improve our report and presentation for the Canadian finals.”
Congratulations toJordan, Sukhmani, Adriana,Իall ofthe teams who presented their research! Be sure to watch theclosely as their teamprogresses to the Map the System Canadian finals!
Interested in being a part of the Map the System competition in a future year?Learn more about what it entails and how to apply!
You're invited to IQC's inaugural Quantum Connections conference
A message from the Institute for Quantum Computing (IQC).
The Institute for Quantum Computing (IQC) invites you to join us on Wednesday, May 3and Thursday, May 4for our inauguralQuantum Connections Networking Conference.
Quantum Connections promises to be an invigorating conference experience spanning two half days, with afocus on fostering connections within Canada’s quantum community. Network with entrepreneurs, researchers and industry leaders, explore the quantum innovation cycle, and engage in new collaboration opportunities.
Focusing on the themes “Facing the Quantum Challenge” and “The Future of Quantum in Canada”, the conference features an engaging agenda full of dynamic speakers and panel discussions with the brightest minds of entrepreneurs, researchers, and innovators in Canada, as well as abundant networking opportunities, including an evening networking mixer at The Walper Hotel on May 3.
. Registration includes lunch and coffee breaks on both days,a networking mixer on May 3including two drink tickets and hors d’oeuvres, and breakfast on May 4.
Wednesday's whys and wherefores
The Office of Indigenous Relations is hosting anEarth Day Teaching with Lotunt Honyust andMyeengun Henrytoday.
"Please join us for an evening of learning surrounding Earth Day and Indigenous perspectives," says a note from Indigenous Relations. "We will hear Haudenosaunee and Anishinaabe teachings, including stories and discussion about Indigenous relationships to Mother Earth, and our responsibilities as stewards of our shared home."
Please note that this is a hybrid event with in-person and virtual attendance options available during registration. The event takes place tonight from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. in AHS EXP 1689.
The Secretariat has announced theresults of the election of a staff representative to the Board of Governors. Jennisha Wilson will be one of the staff reps on the Board for a term from May 1, 2023 to April 30, 2026. Wilson isdirector of anti-racism within the Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Anti-racism Office (EDI-RO).
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 LearningԻsubject matter expertsfrom other campus areas.
Supports are available foremployeesreturning to campus. VisitԻworkplace 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
Fitness andPersonal Training -Registrations opened January 5this winter withandas well as a.
Spring and Summer camps available for Boys and Girls ages 5-18. Baseball, Basketball, Football, Volleyball, Hockey and Multi-Sport and Games..
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.
Share how you experience the UݮƵ campus in theInclusivePhysical Space Framework surveyfor a chance to win a $50.00 on a WatCard. Survey closes midnight on Friday, April 21.
Final examination period,Thursday, April 13 to Friday, April 28.
Call for Expressions of Interest: Canada Biomedical Research Fund and Biosciences Research Infrastructure Fund (CBRF-BRIF), due Thursday, April 27.Learn more about the process.
, Wednesday, April 19, 12 noon to 1:00 p.m.;
The Changing Same: Blackness, Representation, and Video Games, Wednesday, April 19, 1:00 p.m. to 2:15 p.m., EC11323.
Earth Day Teaching with Lotunt Honyust and Myeengun Henry,Wednesday, April 19, 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., AHS EXP 1689.
ݮƵ Innovation Summit, Friday, April 21.
from the University of Ottawa "Predictors and consequences of poor mental health: Evidence from several Statistics Canada population health surveys",Friday, April 21, 2:30 p.m. to 4:00 p.m., EV3 3412.
Positions available
On this week's list from the human resources department, viewable on theUݮƵ Talent Acquisition System (iCIMS):
- Job ID# 2023-10047 - Assistant Director, Housing Occupancy and Marketing Services - Campus Housing, USG 12
- Job ID# 2023-10223 - Manager, Integrated Communications - University Communications, USG 11
- Job ID# 2023-10221 - Mechanic I – Millwright - Plant Operations, CUPE
- Job ID# 2023-10220 - Mechanic I - Sheet Metal - Plant Operations, CUPE
- Job ID# 2023-10205 - Communications and Game Day Coordinator - Athletics and Recreation, USG 8
- Job ID# 2023-10222 - Health Promotion and Evaluation Specialist - Campus Wellness, USG 9
- Job ID# 2023-10160 - Administrative Assistant - Office of the Associate Vice-President, EDI, USG 6
- Job ID# 2023-10204 - Director, Strategic Initiatives, and Integrated Planning - Dean of Science Office, USG 15
- Job ID# 2023-10215 - Patient Care Coordinator – Optometry, USG 5
- Job ID# 2023-10023 - Business Systems Analyst – WatSPEED, USG 10
- Job ID# 2022-9552 - Senior Manager Work-Integrated Learning (WIL) Curriculum - CEE - Centre for Work-Integrated Learning, USG 13
- Job ID# 2023-10226 - Alumni Engagement Officer - Faculty of Health, Dean's Office, USG 8 – 10
- Job ID# 2023-10227 - WIL Designer - CEE - Centre for Work-Integrated Learning, USG 10
Secondments/Internal temporary opportunities
- Job ID# 2023-10186 - HR Coordinator - Human Resources, USG 5 – 7
- Job ID# 2023-10225 - Student Information Systems Coordinator - Office of the Registrar, USG 8
- Job ID# 2023-9989 - Senior Manager, ݮƵ Genomics Surveillance Centre - Office of the Vice President Research and International, USG 12
- Job ID# 2023-10236 - Employee Relations Coordinator - 2025 ݮƵ, USG 7
Affiliated and Federated Institutions of ݮƵ opportunities