Campus gateway improvements underway

Those of you who enter campus from the south side are by now likely familiar with the new University of Waterloo sign that is part of the South Campus Gateway project.

More than 200 students participated in the i3 Challenge, a design contest that invited student proposals for a creative and innovative design for the South Campus Gateway that inspired and captured the innovative spirit of the University of Waterloo.

The winning design submission from "Team Inove," consisting of Amer Abu-Khajil and Jacqueline Doucet, who at the time of the contest were both third-year civil engineering students, and Nader Alkadri and Josh Layton, who were both fourth-year urban planning students, focused on a “grand pedestrian concourse,” to be located on the northwest corner of Seagram Drive and University Avenue. The concourse includes the sign and four wooden arches over the sidewalk.

Work began on Monday, September 10, with the concrete foundational wall and footings as well as the piers for the four arches poured that week. The new sign, with a primed finish, was installed on September 19 with landscaping and sod installed afterward. The sign's letters were then painted black.

The installation of the new sign was the first stage in the design's implementation. Next to be installed are the cedar gateway arches, and the sign needs some additional paint work to meet the consultants' specifications.

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DeVidi named first SWEC Equity Fellow

a media release from the Faculty Association of the University of Waterloo (FAUW)

Professor David DeVidi will be the first recipient of the SWEC Equity and Inclusivity Award, the Status of Women and Equity Committee (SWEC) announced Friday.

The prize, to be awarded annually, is a celebration of excellence in equity, inclusivity, and diversity. It recognizes an individual or unit whose actions have demonstrated an exemplary commitment to improving equity, inclusivity, and diversity at the University of Waterloo. Although SWEC is a committee of the Faculty Association of University of Waterloo (FAUW), the new award is open not just to faculty members but to any member or affiliate of the University of Waterloo community.

SWEC Chair Diana Parry praised DeVidi for his outstanding contributions to equity and inclusivity both within the University and in the broader community. “Through his principled leadership, his generous mentorship, and his inexhaustible humanity, Dave quite simply makes the University of Waterloo a better place for everyone to work and study,” said Parry, “he is a model of progressive good citizenship.”

Since joining the Department of Philosophy in 1996, DeVidi has held such roles as Faculty Senator, FAUW President, Arts Strategic Planning Task Force Co-Chair, and Philosophy Chair. He is also a long-time autism volunteer and activist.

Feridun Hamdullahpur, the University of Waterloo's president and vice-chancellor, noted the importance of the SWEC Equity and Inclusivity Award, and congratulated its inaugural recipient. “This award is an excellent opportunity to celebrate inclusiveness at our university,” said Hamdullahpur. “Congratulations to the Status of Women and Equity Committee for developing this celebration of diversity and equality, and to our colleague Dave DeVidi for receiving the honour.”

Parry and Hamdullahpur will present the award to DeVidi October 26 at a luncheon to be attended by, among others, DeVidi’s mother, whom he credits as his first inspiration to work on equity issues. As award recipient, DeVidi will take on the lifetime title of “SWEC Equity Fellow.”

Photograph by Vicki Brett, Department of Philosophy.

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Campus firewall project takes shape

"The University has initiated a project to deploy a campus network border firewall," writes Director, Network Services Bruce Campbell. "Given the potential impact of changes, a firewall deployment will require broad consultation with the campus community."

The project's webpage provides some context: "In an environment where regulatory oversight and the hostility of the Internet are increasing, it is a challenge to maintain the right balance between openness and privacy, and between security and flexibility."

"Historically, the University has provided network services for teaching, research, and most administrative activities, with minimal use of network security controls."

So why a firewall?

"A recent security audit has highlighted the risk to the university with the recommendation to deploy a border firewall. This recommendation was identified as the number one priority for reducing the network security risk to the campus computing environment."

In addition, a recent survey produced by Educause indicates that 75 per cent of higher education institutions in Canada have deployed firewalls at the border between their internal networks and the Internet. The rate in the United States is even higher, at 86 per cent.

And thus a crack project team, whose members possess a solid understanding of the university's research, learning, and administrative activities, has been assembled, drawing from Information Systems and Technology and four faculties.

"In coming months, we will be preparing additional information, and preparing a list of frequently asked questions," writes Campbell. "In the meantime we welcome and encourage your questions and feedback."

Members of the project team are welcoming feedback and questions from the campus community.

More information and a list of project team members is available online.

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Change Starts Here with United Way campaign

by Jacqueline Martinz, Federation of Students

Faculty and staff are still able to donate to the University of Waterloo’s United Way campaign, which launched on October 1. The goal for this year is $230,000 with a participation rate of 15 per cent.

President Feridun Hamdullahpur has been a strong, vocal supporter of the campaign, and wants to see this amount not only reached but exceeded. “As our fall campaign kicks into high gear – benefitting from the outstanding leadership of co-chairs Alex Lippert and Richard Wells and the contributions of so many volunteers and donors – I encourage every member of our university community to consider supporting this truly important effort,” he said. “Many families and residents of Waterloo Region need our support.”

It’s easy to contribute – for a tax receipt, a donation of twenty dollars or more must be made. The University community is welcome to give by cheque, monthly payroll or pension deductions, monthly withdrawals, or a one-time gift.

“Like so many of us on campus, I am deeply moved by the outstanding work United Way does to provide hope and opportunity to local residents,” said President Hamdullahpur. “Hope and opportunity are two of the most important enabling conditions that make a good and fulfilling life possible.”

For more information, please visit the campaign’s web page.

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