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• Can’t wait for UÀ¶Ý®ÊÓƵ Giving Day?
• Join the celebration — support our grads as a Convocation Ambassador
• New benefit rates went into effect May 1
• Test of the emergency notification system happening tomorrow
• Community garden plots open for rent and other seeds of info

Can’t wait for UÀ¶Ý®ÊÓƵ Giving Day?

A message from the Office of Advancement.

We’re about to make history at UÀ¶Ý®ÊÓƵ! On May 15, we’ll launch our first-ever UÀ¶Ý®ÊÓƵ Giving Day, a 24-hour campaign in support of teaching, learning and research at UÀ¶Ý®ÊÓƵ. We’ll invite everyone in our campus community — alumni, friends, students, faculty, staff, retirees, parents of students, and YOU — to be part of it.

You don’t have to wait to show your support — all gifts made between now and midnight on May 15 will count toward Giving Day totals. When you give early, your gift can go twice as far! That’s because all eligible donations of up to $1,000 will be matched 1:1 (until matching funds run out), meaning you can DOUBLE your impact in the area that’s most meaningful to you.

and be among the first to give today to help build tomorrow.

Join the celebration — support our grads as a Convocation Ambassador

A message from Community Relations and Events (CRE) and Alumni Relations.

It’s not too late to sign up to celebrate our students as a Convocation Ambassador!

We’re looking for staff to support 14 ceremonies from Tuesday, June 10 to Saturday, June 14. With over 160 staff ambassador shiftsÌýto fill, there are plenty of opportunities to get involved — we can’t do it without you.Ìý
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Staff participation is strongly encouraged, and managers are asked to share this rewarding opportunity with their teams. Whether you’re looking to connect with colleagues, gain new experiences or simply be part of this exciting celebration, there’s a role for you.Ìý

Training is provided, and meals are included during back-to-back shifts.

Visit theÌýconvocation websiteÌýto learn more and sign up!Ìý

New benefit rates went into effect May 1

A message from Human Resources.

On May 1 each year, the University of À¶Ý®ÊÓƵ renews its extended health, dental, life insurance, and long-term disability (LTD) benefits contracts, applying new rates and processing employee deductions. Rates for extended health and dental are based on expected claims, taxes, and administration charges, while Life and LTD rates are determined by Sun Life Financial based on claims experience.

New rates (effective May 1, 2025)

• Extended Health:Ìý$84.72 single, $270.29 family (7.3 per cent increase, 100 per cent University paid)
• Dental:Ìý$64.12 single, $192.95 family (3.0 per cent increase, 100 per cent University paid)
• Life Insurance:Ìý$0.169 per $1,000 of coverage (15.8 per cent increase, University pays 1x earnings, 66.7 per cent for 2x and 3x earnings)
• LTD:Ìý1.167 per cent of earnings (no change, 100 per cent employee paid)

Participation in the benefits program is mandatory for all eligible employees. For more details and the complete communication, visit the benefits webpage or contactÌýhrhelp@uwaterloo.ca.

Test of the emergency notification system happening tomorrow

On Thursday, May 8, the emergency notification system (ENS) provided by Regroup will be tested on a campus-wide basis.

The test will include the following communications channels:

• Regroup Mobile (safety app)
• SMS/text
• Email
• X (formerly Twitter)
• Desktop Alert

Please ensure that you have:

1. downloaded Regroup Mobile to your device and follow the login and recommended settings steps,
2. ensured your cell phone number is up to date either in the app if you are staff, or in Quest if you are a student,
3. downloaded and installed the Desktop Alert tool onto your computer if your computer is not managed by the University.

If you have any questions about the upcoming test, or about how to make sure Regroup’s app and desktop alert are installed properly on your devices, email ens@uwaterloo.ca.

Community garden plots open for rent and other seeds of info

"Did you know you can grow your own food on campus?" asks the Sustainability Office. "Students, staff and faculty are invited to rent plots, free of charge, at theÌýV1 Food Garden and the North Campus Community GardenÌýfor the 2025 growing season."Ìý

Registration for food garden plots opened on Monday, May 5 this week and are available on a first-come-first-served basis.

Government Relations is inviting members of the University community who may be active in lobbying various levels of government to a series of virtual information sessions on lobbying rules and regulations at the federal, provincial, and municipal levels, including onboarding for the Region of À¶Ý®ÊÓƵ's new lobbyist registry before the June 1 registration deadline.

The sessions are as follows:

• Wednesday, May 7, 11:00 a.m. to 12 noon
• Monday, May 12, 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.
• Wednesday, May 14, 1:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.

There's still time to register! To register, please . Government Relations will share a calendar invite based on the session you select. For questions, contact Kerri Behling at kbehling@uwaterloo.ca. Ìý

Carlos Radic riding the "Black Baron," a 1973 BMW R75/5 at the 2024 DGR in Toronto.ÌýPhoto by Dan Lim.

À¶Ý®ÊÓƵ employee Carlos Radic is once again saddling up for theÌý (DGR) in Toronto, a global motorcycle event that raises funds for men's health, especially prostate cancer research and mental health programs. The event takes place on Sunday, May 18.

"This year marks the 12^th time I've been riding the DGR Toronto event," Radic writes. "It’s something I look forward to every year – getting dressed up, riding with a great bunch of people, and most importantly, supporting a cause that really matters."

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"In light of the April 26 Lapu-Lapu Day tragedy in Vancouver, B.C.,Ìýwe are hosting a vigil to honour the lives taken and impacted by this tragedy," says a note from the Faculty of Health and the University of À¶Ý®ÊÓƵ Filipino Students’ Association (UWFSA). "Eleven individuals were lost and dozens of individuals sustained significant physical injuries, but also mental and emotional trauma."Ìý

"We hold our community in our hearts and invite you to this space to gather, reflect, and honour the lives of those impacted by this tragedy. We also offer community/well-being resources, space for connection, and collective gathering to grieve, remember,Ìýand support those affected."

The event takes place on Thursday, May 8 from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. in the Conrad Grebel Chapel and Garden. Light refreshments will be served. Please register to attend.