Daily Bulletin

Arts discusses first-year seminars

The proposal was distributed by the dean of arts, Bob Kerton, and written by Betsy Zanna (right), academic counsellor in arts, based on a study of programs designed to benefit first-year students at various other universities. In her report, she gives particular attention to the University 101 course at the University of South Carolina and the Freshman Seminar program at Princeton.

Many first-year students, Zanna writes, "enter university filled with confidence and optimism about their plans and prospects. For some the actual experience is a surprise. Some students have difficulty adjusting to different methods of teaching and learning, to more complex library systems, to facilities available in university." University 101 is the "predominant model", she says, of programs designed to help students adjust to university. "The Freshman Seminar is the model chosen most often by elite universities that tend to enrol academically strong students."

She's suggesting a plan for UW that has something in common with both models. "A group of individual faculty members would be invited to take part in a First-year Seminar program, each generating a different seminar on a topic born of and reflective of his or her interest or expertise. As a result, first-year students may choose one from among a number of different seminars. Each seminar would provide the introduction to and experience of specific learning and study skills which university students are expected to be able to use. . . .

"It is hoped the Arts First-year Seminar program might be expanded to be offered to students in other faculties."

Zanna is suggesting classes that would meet once a week for three hours. Students would give seminar presentations, write a number of short papers, perhaps keep a journal, and in most cases write a major essay at the end of the course. "Hour tests and final exams would not fit the rationale of the seminars because demonstrated mastery of factual material would not be the goal of these courses." The emphasis would be on learning university skills: using computer systems, writing, doing library research, making oral presentations.

An appendix to her report lists a number of existing courses that could easily be turned into First-year Seminars, on topics ranging from "Women in Literature" to "Mass Political Violence" and "Canadian Cultural Narratives".

Today's meeting of the arts faculty council (starting at 3:30 in Humanities room 373) will also deal with the usual curriculum matters and other reports, including word from the dean about this year's admissions targets.

Student conference is a month away

The conference, sponsored by IBM Canada, Nortel Networks, Research In Motion and Sybase Canada, will provide a forum to explore the future of technology, involving representatives of the high-tech industry along with students and professors. It is expected to draw more than 150 undergraduate students from across Canada.

Says a release from the UW news bureau: "They will have the chance to listen to several distinguished keynote speakers, as well as participate in numerous workshops. As well, there will be an exposition showcasing the latest technological advances."

According to Jessica Barrie, a geography and business student who is one of the organizers of the event, "This completely student organized initiative will not only provide an excellent opportunity to network with the industry and academia, but also for students to meet others with similar interests from universities across the country." She added that no such forum currently exists for industry and academia to come together to showcase and exchange ideas. "There is no common arena to discuss the impact and future of some of the most influential industries of this day and age."

The conference will include many guest speakers from both academic and industry fields, including chief executive officers of major high-tech companies. Talks will be organized into the following tracks: The Internet; Next Generation Hardware and Software; Graphics and Multimedia; Social Issues; and Entrepreneurship and Innovation.

These keynote speakers are expected:

• Bill Hawe, Senior Vice-President and Chief Technology Officer, Nortel Networks
• Ian Goldberg, Chief Scientist and Head Cypherpunk, Zero-Knowledge Systems
• Mike Lazaridis, President and Co-Chief Executive Officer, Research In Motion
• Susan M. Puglia, Vice-President, Application Server Development and Director, Toronto Laboratory IBM Canada Ltd.
• Brian Vink, Vice-President Mobile and Embedded Computing, Sybase Canada

On a bright winter Tuesday

Here's a reminder from the library: "From January 24 to March 27, weekly drop-in sessions are scheduled for students using the Dana Porter Library or the Davis Centre Library. Encourage your students to come with questions related to term papers, assignments and projects when they need instruction such as searching TRELLIS, locating journal articles, how to begin their research etc. While this is similar to the assistance provided at the Information Desk, staff wearing 'Ask Me' buttons in the computer areas are prepared to spend more time with each individual." The service is available in the Davis Centre from 4 to 5 on Mondays, and in Dana Porter from 3 to 4 on Tuesdays (that's today).

The department of statistics and actuarial science today presents Peng Huang (left) of the University of Rochester Medical Center, speaking on "Design and Analysis of Sequential Trials with Triangular Stopping Boundaries" (3:30, Math and Computer room 5136).

The career development seminar series continues. Today at 3:30 the topic is "Create Your Own Future: The Enterprising Edge", and tomorrow at 1:30 it's "Interview Skills: Selling Your Skills". Seminars are held in Needles Hall room 1020.

Ric Asselstine, described as "entrepreneur, author, and WLU business professor", will speak at UW this afternoon at 4:30, sponsored by the Engineering Society. His topic: "Career and Life Planning for Entrepreneurs of the Future". Location: Carl Pollock Hall room 3386.

Tomorrow brings Arts Academic Major Information Day -- catchy title -- meaning that representatives of all the departments in the faculty of arts will be available in the great hall of the Student Life Centre from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. "to answer questions and provide information about their department's course offerings and program options". The day is intended mostly for first-year arts students, helping them prepare for preregistration (March 6-10), when they will be expected to choose their second-year courses "and, if they are ready, declare their academic major program". But students in other faculties who want to know more about what's available in arts are also welcome to drop in, says Eric Breugst, assistant academic counsellor in the faculty.

A staff representative is wanted on UW's Traffic and Parking Appeal Board, says a memo from Charlene Schumm of the staff association nominating committee. People interested in taking that role should apply through her -- with "the reasons why you'd like to serve on this committee" -- by February 24. Schumm can be reached by e-mail at cschumm@admmail.

How do you keep a provost in suspense? By announcing that there's going to be an announcement, but not yet. Dianne Cunningham, Ontario minister of training, colleges and universities, said yesterday that "details on the allocation of capital funds for colleges and universities through SuperBuild would be made within the month." Her announcement said more than 100 proposals had been submitted for the $660 million available. That would include two applications from UW.

CAR

Editor of the Daily Bulletin: Chris Redmond
Information and Public Affairs, University of Waterloo
credmond@uwaterloo.ca | (519) 888-4567 ext. 3004
| Yesterday's Bulletin
Copyright © 2000 University of Waterloo