Daily Bulletin

Students rest to stay healthy

"Nobody is to get out of bed," says Catharine Scott, associate provost (human resources and student services). Unfortunately, I don't think she meant me, or the rest of UW's staff and faculty. She was talking about first-year students, who have no orientation activities scheduled until noon today. They should be catching up on their rest so they don't catch something else -- like a cold, thanks to total exhaustion -- just in time for the beginning of classes.

The sleep-in morning, today and again Saturday, is a feature of this year's orientation program, as recommended last spring by the provost's advisory committee on orientation. Looking out for students' health, as well as their social development, is also reflected in an emphasis on alternatives to heavy drinking -- and the annual effort to make sure that all first-year student see "Single and Sexy". (The last S&S performances for the season are scheduled for 1:30 and 4:30 today, in the Theatre of the Arts.)

An orientation highlight later today will be the Monte Carlo Night that starts at 8:00 in the Student Life Centre. Dress for the big party is semi-formal; proceeds will support Habitat for Humanity.

Orientation will be over in another couple of days, and first-year students will be in class bright and early Monday morning. And within weeks, if previous years' experience is any guide, some of those students will be needing help of one kind or another, whether it's with health, drinking, homesickness, money or stress.

"There is an incredible support mechanism for first-year students, but it takes them a long time to find out how to access it," Scott said yesterday at a briefing about a new support program, "Bridges". With the help of Pam Charbonneau, UW's first-year student life coordinator, she told about 30 staff and faculty members how the five Bridges sessions will be offered on a "just-in-time" basis this fall.

The first one, "Not Too Cool for School", will be offered September 28 and 29, just about the time that new students realize how tough it can be to balance work and fun. Later sessions will offer a CD-ROM "virtual bar" that shows the effects of one drink after another, a game that teaches something about sexually transmitted diseases, a few tips on midterm stress, and some skills in managing money.

"We're trying to make them fun and interesting," said Charbonneau. She added that preview groups, including a gang of Village dons, have said the programs are so good they're planning to bring along their first-year students en masse.

Preparing grad students to teach

What on earth? I don't know, but if you can identify it, you stand to win something in the Vague Visuals contest run by UW's graphics department through its web site. The current contest began August 21 and will close tomorrow. Yvan Rodrigues of graphics writes that "This one is a little different than previous weeks in that two prizes will be awarded. Contestants can not only win $25 on their WatCard but could win two tickets to see the Toronto Blue Jays vs. Detroit Tigers on September 26."

The Certificate is a brand-new program. "In 3-6 terms," the flyer explains, "you can complete the three required 'courses' which include activities such as attending teaching workshops and writing response papers, preparing a research paper and presenting a synopsis at a workshop, developing a teaching dossier, and completing a teaching practicum."

More about the Certificate in University Teaching:

The Certificate in University Teaching represents an opportunity for you to hone your teaching skills and increase your knowledge of teaching and learning in general. Jointly sponsored by the Teaching Resources and Continuing Education (TRACE) Office and the Dean of Graduate Studies, the Certificate program is open to interested graduate students in all Faculties.

To participate, you should have held (or concurrently hold) teaching assistantships, and ideally will have the opportunity during your time as a student for some classroom teaching. The program will normally require 3-6 terms to complete, and thus is meant primarily for doctoral students.

To obtain the Certificate, you must complete two half-courses (GS 901 and 902) and a teaching practicum (GS 903). The courses are counted towards the Certificate, but not your degree program. . . .

When you complete the program, you will receive a Certificate, a statement confirming the award of the Certificate on your transcript, and mention in the Convocation program. . . .

TRACE offers three workshops every term specifically for graduate teaching assistants. Past workshop topics include: facilitating effective discussions, running tutorials, interactive lecturing, designing learning activities with interactive multimedia, group work, designing a course, and designing and using visual aids. TRACE also provides other workshops throughout the year which are open to anyone who teaches at the University. You are encouraged to attend these workshops but may also attend departmental workshops or courses which focus on teaching.

To find out more about the Certificate program and how to register, anyone interested can attend an organizational meeting that's scheduled for next Wednesday, September 16, at 12 noon in Needles Hall room 3001.

About OSAP and registration

Fee receipts and schedules can also be picked up in the small gym this week. If you still haven't paid your fees for the fall term, the place to do that is at the cashiers' office in Needles Hall, before late fees go up again.

And should you need a WatCard, you can get it today or tomorrow at the Student Life Centre (9 a.m. to 4 p.m.), or starting Monday at the WatCard office on the lower level of the SLC during business hours.

And a few other notes

Renison College will mark the beginning of a new academic year with an Opening Service at 4:00 this afternoon in St. Bede's Chapel.

There's interest in starting a Weight Watchers at Work group on campus, says Denise Barrett of information systems and technology, who has volunteered to coordinate things. "Someone from WW will run the meetings," she writes. "The deal is 10 weeks for $140 or 15 weeks for $180. Once I have a minimum of 15 people then I'll schedule the first session. I've got 10 so far. The sessions will be scheduled on the lunch hour." Anyone interested should give her a call at ext. 6627.

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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