Daily Bulletin

University of Waterloo -- Waterloo, Ontario, Canada

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Friday, July 5, 1996

More than a place to work

Campaign Waterloo is over, but the slogan goes on, and so do the university's needs. So, there will still be invitations for staff, faculty and retirees to make cash contributions. The 1996 "annual appeal" hit people's desks yesterday, the first such appeal since the end of the five-year Community Campaign which brought in slightly more than $3 million.

"Every dollar you and I contribute," writes Meredith McGinnis of the development office, "helps to attract additional donations from individuals and organizations outside the university. Our gifts have a very positive effect on the day-to-day operations of our faculties, colleges, and departments."

The appeal brochure has a pledge form attached, and includes a "shopping list" of projects on which faculty, staff and retiree money gets spent. They range from scholarships in just about every academic department to building funds, library books, teaching equipment, special lectures and services for the disabled. McGinnis, at ext. 2562, can provide more information.

The students are coming

So far 3,448 people have said they plan to come to UW as first-year students this fall, says a report from registrar Ken Lavigne. "Although some shortfalls in some programs will have to be addressed," he writes, "I am pleased to report that we have achieved 95% of our September 1 objective. I am confident that our Year 1 enrolment objective will be achieved and possibly exceeded." The total target for September 1 is 3,609, and for November 1 (including late arrivals, and current students continuing in year 1) is 3,702.

Applied health sciences is well ahead of its target, with 322 reservations received since universities sent out their acceptances last month. The target for AHS first-year enrolment as of September 1 is 280. On the other hand, environmental studies acceptances are at about 80 per cent of the fall target, and arts and engineering in the 87 and 88 per cent area. Math and science are both at about 104 per cent. The figures are as of Wednesday.

Talking about local plants

A conference on bioregional diversity is being hosted by UW today through Sunday 7 at the Davis Centre. The Eastern Native Plant Alliance conference will talk about efforts to conserve the native vegetation of the eastern forest systems in Canada and the United States.

People interested in habitat protection and management, landscape ecology, ecosystem restoration and natural science education are expected to attend, says a brochure about the conference. The conference theme, supported by lectures and field trips, is maintaining regional biodiversity on an individual, small-scale basis, i.e., starting with individuals' own backyard landscapes.

For example, Chris Gosselin, a Waterloo Region planner, will discuss the region's approach to biodiversity conservation. And Ted Cheskey, of the Waterloo County board of education, will talk about how to get "school kids hooked onto biodiversity."

The goal of the three days "is to instill a day to day regard for our regionally distinct natural environments consistent with how we recognize and jealously guard our cultural distinctions regarding architecture, food, dialect, etc." Field trips will take participants to Schaefer's Woods in Erbsville, the University of Guelph arboretum and nursery, and the Waterloo Farmer's Market.

The event is sponsored by UW's Heritage Resources Centre, the Canadian Wildflower Society and the Ontario chapter of the Society for Ecological Restoration.

Local volunteers are wanted

Current opportunities listed by the Volunteer Action Centre:

Receptionist for Parkwood Mennonite Home, two hours a week between 5 and 7 p.m. Listing 085-1096.
K-W Extend-a-Family volunteers "to befriend an individual with physical and/or developmental disabilities . . . giving the gift of friendship by sharing recreational and social activities". Listing 034-1295.
Newspaper and magazine sorter for the public library, about two hours a week. Listing 119-1586.

Fuller information: 742-8610.

Music in late July

"I'm pretty sure I'm the only faculty member at UW doing concert promotion," writes David Wang of electrical and computer engineering, who's heading the organization for Charity Fest on July 28. And what's it all about?

Charity Fest is a music festival being put on by an interdenominational organization of youth to raise money for various charities such as World Vision and Compassion Canada. There are alternative, rock and dance bands from Seattle, Vancouver, Nashville, Edmonton as well as several local acts. It takes place on Sunday, July 28, 1996, at Bingeman Park. The headliners are Hokus Pick, Ian, One Hundred Days and Grammatrain. Tickets are available by calling 744-1555.

And on that cheerful note . . . a good weekend to all. Hey, the sky is blue again, and a reference book tells me that the earth reaches aphelion at 2:00 Eastern time today, some 94,510,000 miles from the sun.

CAR

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