Daily Bulletin

Friday, August 8, 1997

UW folks embark on excellent adventures

Participants in the Vikings, Acadians and Celts tour led by UW history professor Don Horton from August 9 to 24, may take the Continuing Education/department of history travel/study trip for fun or a history credit. Horton, who specializes in French-Canadian history, "has taught several courses dealing with the early explorers, the Acadian saga and the recent politics of the Maritime region," according to the promo brochure. Additional study themes include the varied cultures of the region and the Atlantic fishery. In the "fun" category will be a screech-in, a ferry voyage across Iceberg Alley, local pub tours, seafood and moose dinners, topped off with a screech-out.

From August 9 to 20, alumni will venture further afield with a journey to the land of the Incas. On the agenda will be excursions to the ancient Inca cities of Machu Picchu and Cuzco, archeological sites in northern Peru that predate the Incas, gold museums, Indian markets, Spanish colonial buildings, the Andes, and fishing villages along the desert coast. Limited to 16 travellers, the holiday offers an optional side trip to Lake Titicaca's islands and floating Indian villages.

Any space for stowaways?

Distance exams test logistics

Students who live more than 100 km from an established exam centre, or who are writing more than two exams at an exam centre, must arrange to have a proctor supervise their exams.

An honorarium is paid to each proctor, who according to distance ed rules, "...must be a representative from a university, college, or school in either an administrative or academic capacity. A proctor must not be related to the student in any way, must not live at the same address and must not be a current University of Waterloo distance education student."

Student Life 101 spells parking crunch

To accommodate some 3,200 participants in the orientation preview, signs will be posted across campus and staff will be available at university entrances and along the Ring Road to direct traffic.

Cars will be channeled first to the Village parking lots, then to lots M, R, and N, with W and X used for overflow.

"We will have lots of parking," said Koolstra, although she admits staff who park in lots R and W could be inconvenienced.

"I understand events are to begin at noon, which could mean if you go out at lunch the lot may be filled on your return," she added. "Of course, we will accommodate staff at the closest available lot that day if that should happen".

"Geek house" project ditched

Although Raymond Brackstone, Toronto, announced last month that the residence would open in January, rather than September, to allow more time for investors to get on board, he told a local paper this week that the "main reason" for cancelling the project was lack of enthusiasm by the university. An Albert Street residence purchased for the project is for sale.

To ensure the interests of students were protected, the university had advised them to seek independent legal advice before signing contracts concerning ownership of intellectual property.

Volunteer opportunities abound

• Business-minded art lover -- The Canadian Clay and Glass Gallery needs experienced retail volunteers to assist customers, make sales and maintain displays
• Library volunteer -- A local counselling centre is looking for help in computerizing its library. Accuracy and a knowledge of library computer operations are required.
• President and treasurer -- The Heart and Stroke Foundation offers training and staff support for these two board positions. The president will need leadership skills for this high-profile post, which involves working to develop a vision and serving as a spokesperson for the chapter. For the job of treasurer, accounting skills are needed. Duties will include completing deposits, performing reconciliations, tracking and recording transactions and reporting to the board monthly.

For more information on any of these positions, phone the VAC at 742-8610.

Waterloo Web site of the day

Here it is -- or here it soon will be, anyway: an animated short film from UW's computer graphics laboratory.

"The aim of Fresh Out of the Can is to focus of character animation," the site explains. "Some of the challenges we expect are in modelling hair and specific facial expressions. The scenery will be low key, serving as a backdrop to the action. The atmosphere must exude the utter monotony of the scene while still capturing interest."

At this point you can't see much of the actual film on the Web, but "an original storyline" is there along with a couple of samples. "At the moment we are modelling objects for the animation. Music is being composed and synched up to the first machine scene. Sound effects are also being recorded and laid out. Rendering of the opening scene should begin in a few weeks."

Simon Woodside at CGL comments:

The animation team uses state-of-the-art CGI equipment and Alias and Side Effects software in the lab, which conducts graphics and interface research.

Barbara Elve
bmelve@nh4.adm.uwaterloo.ca

August 9, 1967: The Gazette announces that Of Mud and Dreams, a history of UW's first ten years, is on sale at the bookstore for $3.75.

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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