Daily Bulletin

First aid team being formed-- reported by Barbara Elve

Like similar teams at the University of Guelph, Wilfrid Laurier University and the University of Western Ontario, the on-campus first aid crew will be trained to assist with illness, injuries and emergencies, from applying a bandage to a scrape, to performing CPR (cardio-pulmonary resuscitation) and assisting the injured until an ambulance arrives.

Two science students, Ben Thomson and Chris Mercer, initiated the idea of a student-run, volunteer first aid team, and researched similar projects on other campuses. Mercer, who had recently taken a St. John Ambulance training course, discussed the plan with Tony Lea, the director of the K-W brigade, who offered to help. Being organized as an official St. John brigade provides benefits for the fledgling team in liability insurance coverage, first aid training and assistance with start-up costs. The pair presented a proposal to university authorities, and managed to convince UW police and the health and safety office that the service would meet a need.

Although UW police have first aid training, their resources are often stretched to the limit, said Mercer, particularly at special events such as Canada Day, where the local St. John Ambulance brigade has been called to assist. "We're not replacing anyone," he insists, "just filling a niche not filled, providing a supplemental service."

In addition to helping at Canada Day celebrations, Mercer envisions a campus response team presence at such events as Student Life 101, orientation week, homecoming, Oktoberfest, convocation, and other special concerts and sports events at the university. Down the road, he foresees uniformed campus patrols.

With only four members at present, the team is planning a recruitment drive for the fall, hoping to train some 30 students from all faculties. The response team is already scheduled to provide support at the applied health sciences five-kilometre Fun Run on November 14 during Homecoming.

Support is being provided by the Federation of Students, which has promised $1,000 toward start-up costs, and use of the Feds' two-way radios and transmitters. The K-W St. John Ambulance brigade will contribute $3,000 toward the purchase of equipment and uniforms, and assist with training.

Christ Awareness Week begins

A highlight of what can be seen in the SLC is "the Xhibit", a collection of artwork from campuses across Canada (including several pieces by people from UW's fine arts department). Created last summer, the Xhibit has been touring the country. "Its intention," one of the organizers explains, "is to engage our peers in this post-modern age. The art expresses a variety of themes, from home to loneliness to pain/abuse." It arrives at UW tomorrow.

Other displays this week are on such topics as "Why Do Christians Like to Sing?", "The Bible, the Book That Has Impacted the World", and "Christian Holidays: More than Just Good Food".

Becky Romahn of Grace Christian Fellowship, one of the groups that are sponsoring Christ Awareness Week, notes some of the week's activities:

On Monday and Wednesday at 12:30 and 3:30, there will be short dramatic presentations in the SLC.

On Tuesday at 7:30 p.m., Brian Lim will explore issues of faith -- called "U2 and Me: Looking for Real Faith".

Thursday there is a time of music and singing in the courtyard outside the SLC, from 1 to 2 p.m.

Friday is the big event, called Contemplation Cafe. It is an outdoor coffeehouse on the roof of the Engineering Lecture Hall. There is an open mike time for anyone who is interested in contributing. Treats will be provided by the fellowship groups.

Sponsors of the week, besides Grace, include the Navigators, the Chinese Christian Fellowship, Korean Christian Fellowship and Waterloo Christian Fellowship.

Headlines from other campuses

The University of Windsor has joined the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics, a United States organization, and its track and field team will compete in that league next year. -- U of Windsor Daily News

A history of Dalhousie University, covering the years 1925 to 1980, has everything from senate controversies to sex scandals. -- Dalhousie News

University and student leaders trying to cut down on "abusive drinking" -- which has led to deaths at several American campuses this year -- are looking to student publications for help. -- University of Virginia Daily Cavalier

St. Mary's University in Halifax has received an "award of excellence in internationalization" for efforts in helping to develop the first university in The Gambia, West Africa. -- News release

David Barnard, professor of computer science and vice-president (administration) at the University of Regina, is that institution's new president. -- News release

Auditions for teens; other notes

The teaching resource office will hold a "learning technologies design cafe" starting at 12:00 today in Davis Centre room 1331, with a demonstration of a science teaching CD-ROM from a British university.

Electrical power (and ventilation) will be turned off in Engineering II and Engineering III tomorrow from 6:30 to 8 a.m. for repairs to a high-voltage switch. Computer equipment in those buildings should be "shut down in an orderly fashion" before the power outage, the plant operations department advises.

A one-day workshop on the Year 2000 problem, aimed at people in local businesses and sponsored by UW's InfraNet Project, takes place all day tomorrow in the Davis Centre.

Here's a notice of a PhD thesis from the psychology department:

Candidate: Craig Easdon
Thesis title: "Impairment of Inhibitory Control and Response Flexibility: Effects of Alcohol and Information Processing"
Supervisor: Dr. M. Vogel-Sprott

Finally, Catherine Fry in the ethical behaviour office sends word of an off-campus event of some interest: "Harmony Movement is an independent, non-partisan, non-profit organization dedicated to fostering mutual respect among all people and promoting diversity in Canada. Harmony Movement, with the support of a number of companies, is sponsoring an exhibition of photographs and writings on the subject of Canada's diversity entitled Them=Us, in the rotunda at the City of Kitchener Centre from June 22 to July 5. The sample of photos that I have seen is refreshing. On June 24 there will be a special opening ceremony starting at 7 p.m. Local multicultural groups will be providing dancing and musical entertainment."

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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