Friday, May 9, 2025

Friday, May 9, 2025

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Editor:
Brandon Sweet
University Communications
bulletin@uwaterloo.ca

Research Talks: Rural community development and wellbeing

Research Talks logo featuring grain and feed silos and a river.

A message from the Office of Research.

You’re invited to attend Research Talks, a free public event and panel discussion on Tuesday, May 20, from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at St. Jacobs Lions Club Hall in St. Jacobs.

A collage of five panelists for the upcoming Research Talks event.

The event will feature University of ݮƵ researchers and community leaders, including Drs. Karla Boluk, Feng Chang, and Tejal Patel from UݮƵ, Ellie Joseph of the Mohawk Nation, Turtle Clan, and Jay Bailey, who are co-founders of .

The presentation on rural community development and wellbeing will highlight key strategies and initiatives to improve the quality of life in rural areas.

You can visit the Research Talks webpage for more information about the event, speakers, and to register. This event is supported by the Research Support Fund.

ݮƵ launches Service Effectiveness Survey

The sun sets behind Dana Porter in springtime.

ݮƵ recently joined UniForum, a global benchmarking program that compares administrative services across more than 50 universities. This work will help us understand where we are doing well and where we can improve, based on data and input from our own community.

On Tuesday, May 6, some employees received an invitation to complete UniForum’s Service Effectiveness survey (SES). UniForum has defined parameters in their benchmarking data to ensure accurate comparability across institutions of similar size and focus. The survey group is standardized across all participating institutions and consists of mid-to-senior level faculty and employees, who are selected based on their experience with people, processes, and systems across multiple services during their day-to-day responsibilities.

Your participation is important

The results of the SES outline what ݮƵ employees have identified as areas of strength and areas for improvement. Larger sample sizes and high response rates improve our confidence in the survey results and give us more robust data to compare against our counterparts.Also, an important aspect of the UniForum data is its longitudinal viewpoint. With a high participation rate, we will be able to gain a deeper understanding of how changes in our administrative processes impact our overarching mission year over year.

If you have any questions about UniForum, please email uniforum@uwaterloo.ca.

For more information and updates as work progresses, visit the UniForum webpage on the ݮƵ Budget Plan website.

Staffer joins Team Canada mission for 2025 FISU Summer World University Games

Steve Brooks kneels with a camera in hand.

This is a version of .

U SPORTS, as the Canadian representative of FISU, the International University Sports Federation, announced the Team Canada mission staff for the 2025 FISU Summer World University Games, to be held in Rhine-Ruhr, Germany from July 16-27.

Longtime ݮƵ Athletics photographer Steve Brooks will be joining Team Canada's communication staff alongside Kevin Baxter of Queen's, Alberta's Connor Hood, and Mike Still from Manitoba.

Brooks is the Creative Design & Brand Specialist for Athletics and Recreation. He has worked with the University's athletics department since 1998, when as a new hire he was tasked with a redesign of the Warriors logo, which is still in use today. His design work can also be seen if you drive through the Township of Woolwich - won a design contest in 2014 and was adopted by the township.

Karla Karchof Mount Royal will be Canada's chef de mission at the Games. Her assistant chef de mission will beAlexandra Roy, the U SPORTS manager of international programs.

Joining Karch and Roy at the biennial summer games are operations directorBrian Finnissand communications managerChris Cameron,both from Acadia, along with chief medical officerJessica Curranfrom Carleton.

Rounding out the operations staff areBreanna Burtonof Queen's,Guy Dubéof RMC,Loralyn Murdochof UNBC andKatya Sodaminof Mount Royal.

The team's medical staff are also drawn from universities across the country.

"We are thrilled with the mission staffs we have assembled for the 2025 FISU Summer World University Games," said Karch. "Thanks to their support and expertise, we are confident that Canadian student-athletes will enjoy a memorable experience and will achieve great success in Germany this summer."

Team Canada is making its return to the FISU Summer World University Games, after missing the 2023 event. Canada captured six medals (one gold, one silver, four bronze) at the Summer World University Games in Naples in 2019.

In Rhine-Ruhr, Canada will send approximately 140 athletes and is scheduled to participate in nine sports: archery, athletics, badminton, artistic gymnastics, rowing, rhythmic gymnastics, swimming, table tennis and taekwondo. Roster announcements for each of those sports will follow in the coming weeks.

Participants needed for macular degeneration study

A patient wearing a headband undergoes visual stimulation from a computer screen.

Researchers at the School of Optometry & Vision Science are currently seeking adults 18 years and over diagnosed with macular degeneration who use their side vision to see for a study which examines whether reading can be improved through a combination of practice and the use of a safe, well-established technique for modulating brain function called non-invasive brain stimulation. Recently published results from the group suggest that . The current study is exploring the possibility of longer lasting effects.

Participants will be asked to read words on a computer screen for 9 study sessions (each 2 hours per visit) spaced out over a period of 2 to 3 months. Participants should not be undergoing eye-based injections and must be eligible for non-invasive brain stimulation (researchers will screen for this). Eligible participants will receive $20 per session in appreciation for their time and regional transportation costs will be covered. If you, your family members, or acquaintances might be eligible and interested, please contact Melanie Mungalsingh for more information at mamungal@uwaterloo.ca.

This study has been reviewed and received ethics clearance through a University of ݮƵ Research Ethics Committee.

Friday's notes

CSTV Movie Night showing an image of the three main characters in the Matrix.

Get ready to take the red pill with the Centre for Society, Technology and Values, who will be hosting a screening of the 1999 cyberpunk classic The Matrix on Tuesday, May 13 in Engineering 5.

"This movie combined cyberpunk themes with kung-fu and lots of guns to raise issues of human freedom in the age of AI," writes organizer Dr. Cameron Shelley. "All UݮƵ students, faculty and staff are welcome."

The screening begins at 6:30 p.m. in E5 6008. Admission is free, and there will be popcorn.

A group of people sitting around a conference table.

Board Foundations workshops are coming up: Theworkshop series helps staff build the skills and confidence needed to volunteer on a non-profit board of directors. Funded by the Staff Excellence Fund, participation in a UW Staff Board Foundations workshop isfreefor all UݮƵ staff.

If you’re new to board governance, start with on May 14orSeptember 22. If you’ve taken previous workshops or have board experience, twonewworkshops are availableMay 26andOctober 22that delve deeper intoandStrategic Planning (registration opening soon).

  • Board Foundations - Wednesday, May 14, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., in person. .
  • Board Culture - Monday, May 26, from 12 noon to 1:30 p.m., online
The Research Impact Canada logo in English and French.

Research Impact Canada’s next Dr. RIC session will be held on Thursday, May 29 from 1:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m., and is entitled EDI (equity, diversity, and inclusion) and Knowledge Mobilization.

The session includes two presentations:

  • Embedding Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Decolonization in Research with Alex Levine from Western University; and
  • Bridging Knowledge Mobilization and Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion: Pilot Workshop Reflections featuring Jayne Morrish and Syna Thakur fromBrock University.

If you are interested, please contactNadine Quehlfor the Zoom link.

The Atlassian logo - an illustration of two people interacting with floating computer network icons.

Here are the two newest posts in the Atlassian blog series published byInformation Systems & Technology (IST):

Upcoming office closures

The offices in the Campus Support and Accessibility (CSA) unit (Sexual Violence Prevention & Response Office; Conflict Management Office; Employee Health & Accommodations; Office of the Associate Provost, Campus Support and Accessibility; Campus Accessibility; AccessAbility Services) will be closed today from 1:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. for a staff event.

The AccessAbility Services Exam Centre will remain open for scheduled exams.

Link of the day

When and where

The Campus Wellness Student Medical Clinic offers healthcare visits with Physicians and Nurse Practitioners to current undergraduate and graduate students. Services include: vaccinations, immunity testing, naturopathic services and more. Counselling Services offers appointments with counsellors in person as well as via phone and video. Students can book appointments for these services by calling Campus Wellness at 519-888-4096.

Theprivately-run (located in the lower level of the ݮƵ Centre) is now offering new COVID booster shots and flu shots. Call for appointments to register for the vaccination at 519-746-4500 or dial extension 33784. Walk-ins are welcome.

Giving Day cookie campaign, Monday, May 5 to Thursday, May 15, when you buy a cookie at participating UW 2025 ݮƵ locations across campus,25¢ from the sale of each cookie goes to the ݮƵ Fund. Pre-order your cookies in bulk to support Giving Day, Thursday, May 15!

CareNext Collective launch, Friday, May 9, 12 noon to 1:00 p.m. online.

Bystander Intervention Training for Staff and Faculty, Monday, May 12, 12 noon to 1:30 p.m., online.

Fair Trade Celebration, Monday, May 12, 12 noon to 2:00 p.m., SLC Green.

, Monday, May 12, 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.For questions, contact Kerri Behling at kbehling@uwaterloo.ca.

Anti-Racism Reads: See No Stranger, Tuesday, May 13, 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., LIB 323.

Spring Tree Planting, Tuesday, May 13, 12 noon to 2:00 p.m., meet between Village 1 - South 3 Building and the forest.

Chemistry Seminar: Antibody-Epitope Descriptions Guide the Design of Next-Generation Biomedical Interventions against Malariafeaturing Jean-Philippe Julien, Associate Professor, Departments ofBiochemistry and Immunology, University of Toronto, Tuesday, May 13,2:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m., C2-361 (Reading Room).

Velocity Innovation Open House, Tuesday, May 13, 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., South Campus Hall.

NEW -CSTV Movie Night: The Matrix, Tuesday, May 13, 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., E5 6008. Free popcorn!

Seedling Swap, Wednesday, May 14 and Thursday, May 15, 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., EV3.

NEW -, Wednesday, May 14, 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., in person.

AI is fast—but can it read the room? Wednesday, May 14, 12 noon to 1:30 p.m., online.

, Wednesday, May 14, 1:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.For questions, contact Kerri Behling at kbehling@uwaterloo.ca.

Computational Materials North 2025 (Day1),Thursday, May 15,9:00 a.m., QNC 1501.

Master of Taxation Virtual Information Session, Thursday, May 15, 12 noon.

Science in the City - Aging, Thursday, May 15, 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., Lancaster Smokehouse.

Lectures in Catholic Experience presents Fr. Gregory Boyle, Thursday, May 15, 7:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., SJU2 atrium.

registration deadline, Friday, May 16. Students, faculty and staff eligible for half off the regular price. ContactNadine Quehl for details.

Safeguarding science webinar – Module 6: (English), Friday, May 16, 1 to 2:30 p.m.

Computational Materials North 2025 (Day 2), Friday, May 16, 8:30 a.m., QNC 1501.

, Friday, May 16, 7:00 p.m., Brubacher House, North Campus.

NEW - Victoria Day holiday, Monday, May 19, most University operations and buildings closed.

"Getting Ready to Facilitate Online Courses: TA Training – Spring 2025" course, registration closes Tuesday, May 20.

Virtual WISE Public Lecture, “The role of sustainable power in the evolutionof a special care baby unit in Sierra Leone” byDr. Niall Conroy, Public Health Physician, Specialist in Communicable Disease Outbreak Management, Adjunct Professor of Public Health, University College Cork, Dublin, Ireland., Tuesday, May 20, 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m., via Zoom.Registertoday.

Research Talks: Rural community development and wellbeing, Tuesday, May 20, 6:00 p.m., to 9:00 p.m., St. Jacobs Lions Club, 31 Parkside Drive, St. Jacobs. This is a free public event and is open to everyone.

Woodlot Understory Planting, Wednesday, May 21, 12 noon to 2:00 p.m., meet between Village 1 - South 3 Building and the forest.

Safeguarding science webinar – Module 7: (English), Wednesday, May 21, 1:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.

Shaw-Mannell Award and Lecture, Thursday, May 22, 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m., AHS EXP 1621.

ݮƵ.AI AIJobFairSpring 2025, Thursday, May 22, 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., Davis Centre.

NEW - , Monday, May 26, 12 noon to 1:30 p.m., online.

, Tuesday, May 27, 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., QNC 1501.

Talking to Children about Consent, Tuesday, May 27, 12 noon to 1:00 p.m.

NEW -Research Impact Canada’s Dr. RIC: “EDI (equity, diversity, and inclusion) and knowledge mobilization,” Thursday, May 29, 1:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m., online via Zoom. If interested, please contactNadineQuehlfor the Zoom link.

Deadline to, Sunday, June 1.For questions, contact Kerri Behling atkbehling@uwaterloo.ca.

Upcoming service interruptions

Stay up to date on service interruptions, campus construction, and other operational changes onthe Plant Operations website. Upcoming service interruptions include:

  • Biology 1 localized steam shutdown, Monday, May 5 to Friday, May 16 from 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., steam to the various portions of the building will be isolated at the beginning of each day, impacting equipment serviced downstream, including AHUs, space heating will still be available at wall radiators. The autoclave will not be affected.

  • Douglas Wright Engineering clock system repair, Wednesday, May 7 and ongoing, clocks may be incorrect, non-functioning or missing for the duration of repairs.

  • Physics building electrical shutdown, Saturday, May 10, 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., electrical shut down will affect all normal power within the building to accommodate metering installation, emergency power will not be affected.

  • Douglas Wright Engineering (DWE) domestic cold water shutdown, Monday, May 12, 1:00 a.m. to 8:00 a.m., domestic cold water will be shut off to accommodate metering installation.

  • Engineering 2 and 3, Davis Centre, Math & Computer fire alarm testing, Monday, May 12, 6:30 a.m. to 8:15 a.m.

  • Aberfoyle - Biorem fire alarm testing, Monday, May 12, 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.

  • Fire Research Facility fire alarm testing, Monday, May 12, 1:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.

  • Physical Activities Complex, ݮƵ Centre, RAC1 and 2, Federation Hall fire alarm testing, Wednesday, May 14, 6:30 a.m. to 8:15 a.m.

  • Math & Computer electrical shutdown, Thursday, May 15, 6:30 a.m. to 8:00 a.m., normal power will be off for the southwest quarter of the building, 1st through and including 4th floors, emergency power will be on, elevators will be operating.

  • School of Architecture fire alarm testing, Friday, May 16, 6:30 a.m. to 8:15 a.m.

  • Stratford School of Interaction Design and Business fire alarm testing, Friday, May 16, 12 noon to 3:00 p.m.