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Friday, September 15, 1995

A vision for UW computing

The University Computing Committee has issued a few paragraphs titled "A Vision of Information Technology and the Future of the University of Waterloo". It's part of the committee's work in advising the UW Commission on Institutional Planning.

Says the Vision statement, in part:

The infrastructure and the technology that support it are both changing rapidly, and inaction on the part of the University is damaging to our long-term ability to meet our goals in an efficient and timely manner. Our current infrastructure is too balkanised, requiring some rationalisation. We need to establish an institutional commitment at all levels to increase the integration of information technology into our work and study. . . .

The institution must provide adequate training and support so that innovation will be successful, and individuals must ensure they have the skills and knowledge necessary to appreciate how information technology can best serve them in their study or work. Further, the individuals must help craft, use, and work within the infrastructure in a responsible fashion that reflects well upon themselves and the University. In return, the University must recognise the individual's legitimate rights to freedom of expression and privacy in our increasingly electronic workplace.

The UCC is holding another open meeting next week to discuss its planning: Thursday, September 21, from 1 to 2:30 p.m. in Arts Lecture room 116. All staff, students and faculty are welcome.

Got the wrong department

A mistake in this week's Gazette came to my attention yesterday afternoon. We published an article, reprinted from the Stratford Beacon-Herald, about the work of UW researcher Mike Stone, who's working on pollutant runoff into streams in rural areas. We followed the Beacon-Herald in identifying Stone as a UW earth scientist; in fact, he's in the he's in the school of urban and regional planning.

About an operating system

UW gets a visit Monday from Matt Welsh, co-author of the book Running Linux, about a popular computer operating system. The bookstore is bringing him here as part of a book tour; Welsh will speak Monday at 1 p.m. -- doors open at 12:30 -- in the Humanities Theatre. (Some of the advertising for this event wrongly says that it will be happening in the Theatre of the Arts. They're quite different places.) More information: ext. 5680.

Teaching assistants' workshop

Today's the day for the annual fall teaching assistant workshop. It runs from 1 to 4 p.m. (in Needles Hall room 3001) and is organized by the teaching resource office (TRACE) around this time every September.

"Your role as a TA can be varied," a leaflet notes, "but often includes some combination of marking assignments, instructing classes, assisting in laboratories, and answering student questions and concerns about assignments or marks. In this workshop, we consider several strategies to assist you in these various roles." More information is available from TRACE at ext. 3132 or e-mail trace@watserv1.

Other things are happening

For example:

Chris Redmond
Information and Public Affairs, University of Waterloo
(519) 888-4567 ext. 3004
credmond@watserv1.uwaterloo.ca

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