Daily Bulletin

University of Waterloo -- Waterloo, Ontario, Canada

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Wednesday, October 16, 1996

Students visit science faculty

A program of visits to UW's science faculty starts today, and each Wednesday through the end of November there will be hundreds of high school students getting a sneak preview of university life. The visitors have "a full program of activities to choose from", says Gayle Goodfellow in the dean of science office. They can attend lectures, take part in labs and go on tours: "Our research in science shows that visits to campus have a positive impact on students' decision to apply. Consequently, our mission on Science Days is to make our visitors feel welcome and at home in Science, wow them with with all that Science has to offer, and provide accurate information about details like admissions, scholarships and residence."

Next Wednesday, October 23, brings Super Science Day, with special activities to help mark National Chemistry Week and National Science and Technology Week. Also offered is a mentoring program: "Visitors will be paired up with a science student ambassador for a portion of the day and accompany them to classes, labs and lunch. The mentors are trained as tour guides and also provide information about science as they make their way around campus."

Nearly 100 science students will take part in one or all of the Science Day programs this fall, Goodfellow says. "Students are involved with everything from student panels and information stations, to Super Science Day setup early Wednesday morning, and as many as 80 have signed up to be mentors and tour guides."

Advising the advisory panel

As it says on the front page of today's Gazette: today's the day for a UW presentation to the Advisory Panel on Future Directions for Postsecondary Education, appointed to advise the government of Ontario. The Waterloo presentation actually comes in two parts: a brief face-to-face hearing today, and a written document due by the end of October.

This afternoon at McMaster University in Hamilton, the provincially appointed advisory panel will hear six UW representatives, who will share a 90-minute presentation slot with Sheridan College. Jim Kalbfleisch, UW's provost, says he expects the UW team will be expected to discuss issues with the panel after brief opening remarks, the pattern that's been established at other sites where the hearings have been held.

At the hearing, they're being asked to speak to the following issues:

the most appropriate sharing of costs among student, the private sector and government;
ways to promote and support cooperation between colleges and universities, and between them and the secondary school system;
ways to meet expected levels of demand for postsecondary education, with reference to existing public institutions and existing or proposed private institutions.

While umbrella organizations such as the Council of Ontario Universities will address concerns common to all universities, individual institutions are being given an opportunity to present their unique perspectives on the issues at a series of hearings in Thunder Bay, Sudbury, Ottawa, Hamilton, Toronto, London, and North York.

Meanwhile, the Federation of Students is also submitting a brief to the panel. A draft is now available on the Feds' Web pages, at http:/watserv1.uwaterloo.ca/~fedacad/choices.html, and will be brought to students' council on October 27 for approval. Any comments or suggestions can be forwarded to Kelly Foley, vice-president (education) of the Federation, at ext. 2340, kefoley@feds.watstar.

Happening today and soon

It's United Way Day in the financial services department. From 11:30 to 1:30, the party animals in East Campus Hall will be serving a hot dog and chili lunch, selling baked goods, trying a jelly-bean-guessing contest, selling books, and doing other happy things to raise a little extra for the United Way campaign. Everyone's welcome, says Karen Cressman, one of the day's organizers.

The drama department's first production of the season, "Salt Water Moon", opens tonight at 8 in Studio 180 in the Humanities building. Tickets are $10 (students $8) -- phone 888-4908.

It's a birthday today for Yvonne Weppler in the psychology department, who subtly advised her colleagues the other day that "I prefer wine to chocolates." No pressure, of course.

Voting continues today, until 4:30 p.m., in the election of a new vice-president (administration and finance) for the Federation of Students.

And looking ahead to Saturday: before the Waterloo-Toronto football game, the arts alumni group and Warrior football alumni are sponsoring a tailgate party in Waterloo Park (bandshell area) from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. "Mingle with various UW alumni and students, while enjoying Oktoberfest epicurean delights, beer tent, and a live band," organizers coax. Tickets are $7 per person from the alumni affairs office at ext. 4973.

Computing courses offered

This note arrives from Bob Hicks in the department of information systems and technology:

The IST Computing Course schedule is now online for November-December. Many of the more popular courses are being repeated, and there are some new offerings including "Using Synchronize", "Components of Corel WordPerfect Suite 7", and "What's New in WordPerfect Version 7". You can view the complete list of courses on the Web or pick up a brochure from any of the computing consulting offices on campus. Registration for these courses is done on the Web.

Local volunteers are wanted

Wish-list for the week from the local Volunteer Action Centre:

Reception desk volunteers for "a busy living history museum and gallery" to sell tickets, greet visitors, answer the phone and so on -- once a month, for four hours on a Saturday or Sunday. Listing 110-85.
Big Brothers are needed, "to share leisure time with boys age 6-12 from male-absent homes . . . a good way to help the youth in our community develop positive and meaningful relationships". Also now happening is "Couples for Kids", by which "a couple is matched with a little friend between the ages of 6 and 16". Listing 006-27.
English tutors for the Multicultural Centre -- two hours a week for four months. Listing 051-270.

The VAC has more information, not to mention more listings, and can be reached at 742-8610.

CAR

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