Daily Bulletin

UW explores electronic theses

"The University of Waterloo Electronic Thesis Project Team has been exploring the governance issues and technical feasibility of submission, storage and distribution of electronic theses and dissertations," a memo explains. "On the basis of its investigations and a pilot project conducted in the summer of 1997, the Project Team has recommended that the University of Waterloo proceed towards adopting a policy of accepting, storing, and providing access to electronic theses."

A thesis in electronic form has several advantages over a paper one that may never see the light of day again once the proud graduate deposits it in the library, says the chair of the electronic thesis team, Christine Jewell of the Dana Porter Library reference and collections development department. She lists some of them:

• Better access for researchers: searchable, remotely accessible
• Powerful medium for expression of ideas
• An idea whose time has come
• Possible savings: shelf space, handling of paper, photocopies

The next step is a "prototype database" of electronic theses, and that's being developed in cooperation with the University of Guelph and Wilfrid Laurier University, Jewell says -- those being the two libraries that are linked with Waterloo in the Tri-Universities Group. "I will be inviting contributions to the database," she says. "At this stage in the project, the contributions must be MA or PhD theses that have already been formally accepted. Procedures for electronic submission to the Graduate Studies Office are being developed."

Wednesday's open house is for people from all three universities, and will start at 11 a.m. in Davis Centre room 1304. Jewell will give a background talk and a demonstration of the pilot project that was done last summer, she says. "Then I'll show the new TUG prototype database site, and ask for contributions. I'll try to answer questions throughout, but it would also be good if the last 15 minutes could be set aside for discussion."

Comfort on the first day of exams

Many Grebelites are experiencing various levels of stress as the term comes to a close: exams, papers, job interviews, future uncertainty . . . the list goes on. Pray for, support and take care of each other as we head into the "home-stretch". Here are a few reflections for your consideration; enjoy!

"If some stress is brought to bear on a system in equilibrium, the equilibrium is displaced in the direction which tends to undo the effect of the stress." -- LeChatelier's Law.

"He respects Owl, because you can't help respecting anybody who can spell Tuesday, even if he doesn't spell it right." -- A. A. Milne, from House at Pooh Corner.

"Many a time we've been down to our last piece of fatback. And I'd say, 'Should we eat it, or render it down for soap?' Your Uncle Jed would say, 'Render it down. God will provide food for us poor folks, but we gotta do our own washin'.'" -- Granny on "The Beverly Hillbillies".

"When I look back on all these worries I remember the story of the old man who said on his deathbed that he had a lot of trouble in his life, most of which never happened." -- Winston Churchill.

"God provides." -- Abraham.

Food services tells what's open

Here's a summary of operating hours for the food services department for April and the spring term:

Village I: Dining room open the usual hours, early morning to late night, until April 22, when it closes at noon and stays closed all summer for renovations. The Variety and Chip Wagon will be open early and late on April 23 for students who are still around; it'll have limited hours the week of April 27; it'll be open the afternoon and evening of Sunday, May 3, as spring term students arrive; and it'll be open 8 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. through the spring term.

Ron Eydt Village: Usual hours through April 25, then closed for the spring term except for conferences.

And outside the residences, Monday to Friday only:

Double U's, South Campus Hall: 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. this week and next, and again May through July; 8 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. the week of April 27.

Bon Appetit food fair in the Davis Centre: 10:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. today through Thursday; 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. this Friday and all next week; closed the week of April 27; 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. May through July.

Tim Horton's in the Davis Centre: 7:30 a.m. to 7:30 p..m today through Thursday; 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. this Friday, the following two weeks, and May through July.

Brubaker's in the Student Life Centre: 7:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. this week and next; 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. the week of April 27 (except closing April 30 at 2 p.m.); 7:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. through the spring term.

Pastry Plus in Needles Hall: 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. all weekdays (except closing April 30 at 2 p.m.).

Pastry Plus in Matthews Hall: closed now; starting May 4, 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

Modern Languages coffee shop: 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. this week and next; closed the week of April 27; 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. during the spring term.

For want of a nail . . . and more

Earlier this week someone borrowed the bagel tongs from the coffee and bagel enterprise in the lounge. If you are finished using these tongs, could you please return them. The tongs belong to the Arts Student Union Coffee Shop, and we were just using them while we are open between terms. If the tongs are not returned, a new set will need to be purchased -- this will somewhat reduce the profits, therefore further renovations may be drastically reduced. As well, if I attempt to barbecue this weekend I may burn myself, as in the interim I have replaced the lost tongs with my barbecue tongs from home. If I burn my arms it will seriously impair my typing -- I could even be off work -- further weekly memo's may need to be cancelled; pay sheets, travel forms may not get done. As you can see, the loss of a single set of tongs could cause serious damage to the department. A simple request -- Please return the tongs.

From the Chronicle of Higher Education: "Canadian colleges and universities have reported only a handful of cases in which Asian students on their campuses have sought emergency financial help in the wake of the economic downturn in their home countries. But Canadian recruiters are bracing for a drop in demand from Asian students this year, and are moving quickly to broaden the search for international students, stepping up efforts in Latin America and the Middle East in particular."

From the Globe and Mail: "Bank lenders have rebuffed the Ontario government's bid to have a new student-debt repayment program in place for September. Citing the short time-period for implementation, and other issues, three bank lenders in the student-loan business told the government last week they will not participate. . . . The rebuff is the latest blow to the Progressive Conservative government's election pledge to institute a so-called income-contingent loan-repayment program that links debt repayment to a graduate's future earnings. . . . Some post-secondary student spokesmen said the banks' rebuff is a signal for the government to rethink its approach."

CAR

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