Daily Bulletin

Grad students vote on endowment fund -- by Barbara Elve

The endowment fund is being proposed by the Graduate Student Association "based on the perceived need for improved funding for graduate studies and graduate research," says a statement by GSA president Bill Bishop. "It is hoped that this fund, if established, would enable graduate students to play a more significant role in the administration and allocation of research funding at this institution. Graduate students would be asked to voluntarily contribute $25 per term towards the fund. This voluntary student contribution would appear on their fee statements each term and a receipt for tax purposes would be issued annually. Refunds would be handled in a manner similar to the current GSA Graduate House Fee refund process."

In an interview, Bishop explained that an endowment fund for grad students would really be "playing catch-up". A number of undergraduate endowment funds have been established in various faculties.

If the fund is approved, the GSA projects some $100,000 in contributions from students annually, 50 per cent of which will be paid out in benefits to grad students each year in the form of scholarships, bursaries, or perhaps even equipment requests.

A significant clause in the proposed constitution of the endowment is one which states that all grad students can benefit from the fund, "even those who have fallen through the cracks," says Bishop, in terms of eligibility for other funding. Such students could include those who have extended their studies beyond the program limits because they had to take part-time jobs to help finance their studies. "While some grad students make over $40,000, others live on less than $10,000."

An endowment fund would not only serve the needs of today's students -- with the first fee assessed in the winter term and the first funds available as early as next spring -- but also the long-term needs of grad students in what GSA corporate secretary Sabesh Kanagalingam terms "an altruistic approach".

While older, more established universities in Canada have well-funded endowments to help them weather the vagaries of government funding, he said, newer schools like UW don't have the same resources that "can be used to smooth out some of the bumps." However, Bishop said, the UW administration has indicated it could provide some seed money for the fund.

He's also hoping the next major fundraising initiative being planned by the office of development and alumni affairs will provide resources. "We see a need for grad studies becoming a priority in the upcoming campaign." Other potential sources of funding could include corporate donors, alumni grad students, and the GSA itself.

Referendum ballots must be returned by September 18, with a 15 per cent turnout rate needed for the results to be considered valid. To pass, the referendum requires a two-thirds majority. Both full-time and part-time grad students are eligible to vote. If the endowment fund proposal is approved in the referendum, it must also be endorsed in a general meeting of the GSA in October. From there, the proposal will go the UW board of governors for final approval.

If "yes" and "no" sides emerge in the debate, a campaign will be held from Monday, August 28, to Friday, September 15. Otherwise, the GSA will attempt to provide information on the issue in an unbiased manner, says Bishop.

Internal audit department to close

"A decision by Jim Buschert, Director of Internal Audit, to take retirement, coupled with the relocation/resignations of several of his staff over the past few months, has led to the decision to close the Internal Audit Department. An accounting firm will be engaged presently to undertake various internal audit projects including audits of systems and areas with potential for significant risk."

The internal audit department, based in the General Services Complex, reports to the university secretary and exists to "review the reliability, integrity and utility of information used by management for risk-assess, decision-making, and performance-monitoring . . . assess compliance with approved policies, plans, procedures, laws and regulations . . . ensure that appropriate procedures are in place to safeguard University assets . . . carry out analyses to develop recommendations for the effective and efficient use of resources".

Claxton said that with Buschert's recent retirement, there is actually only one internal audit staff member left, and she is currently seconded full-time to the Student Information Systems Project.

The kinds of risks a university faces have changed over the years since UW's internal audit function was first set up, she said. And so have the ways of assessing risks, checking records and protecting the university's funds and other assets.

There's a new emphasis on "self-audit" within a group or department; expertise is available in the UW finance office and elsewhere on campus; auditors from research granting agencies and other external groups sometimes look at UW's business affairs; professionals from accounting firms can be brought in for particular projects, as has sometimes been done in the past; and there's an annual external audit of UW's finances and compliance with government requirements.

Positions available this week -- the full list from UW's human resources department

Due to the number of applications received, we regret that we can not respond to external applicants who apply to the vacancies listed below unless an interview is scheduled.

This job list becomes effective Wednesday, July 19, 2000 and should be removed on Tuesday, July 25, 2000.

If there are no qualified internal applications, a decision may be made, no earlier than seven working days from the job posting, to seek external candidates. All applications received after this decision will be treated on an equal basis, without consideration of the internal status of the candidate.

The Positions Available list appears in the Daily Bulletin this week because there's no issue of the Gazette today. The Gazette has its last spring term issue next Wednesday, July 26.

Data Management Co-ordinator -- Centre for Contact Lens Research, School of Optometry -- USG 5. Extensive experience with Windows 95, 98 and NT is required and previous work designing databases using Microsoft Access and Excel is essential. Must have experience manipulating/analyzing data using Microsoft Excel, Systat and/or other statistical packages. Computer programming experience is desirable. Preference will be given to those with relevant post-secondary education and knowledge of optometric and contact lens terminology. Proven aptitude for detail and accuracy. Excellent organizational, interpersonal and communication (oral and written) skills. Proven ability to work independently and as a team member in a busy and varied environment. This position is contingent on funding.

Customer Service Assistant -- Office of the Registrar -- USG 4. High school graduate or equivalent education and experience. Several years experience in a student/customer service related position essential. Proven ability to handle difficult situations with tact and diplomacy. Aptitude for detail and accuracy. Excellent human relations, organizational, communication (oral and written), analytical and problem-solving skills. Proven ability to work independently and as a team member in a busy, high pressured environment with deadlines and changing priorities is essential. Knowledge of the policies and procedures related to admissions and records preferred. Good keyboarding skills and working knowledge of various software packages (i.e., Word, WordPerfect, Eudora, Netscape, Excel). This is a 1 year appointment, with the possibility of renewal and is contingent upon funding.

Cashier/Receptionist -- School of Optometry -- USG 3. Must have receptionist and cash handling experience using a computerized system, preferably using P & P CIS. Must have previous experience in a health care environment. Good word processing skills. Excellent customer relations, communications, interpersonal and organizational skills. Proven ability to work as an effective member of a team in a fast-paced environment. Must be willing to work shifts between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m.

Financial Aid/Customer Service Assistant -- Office of the Registrar -- USG 4. High school graduate or equivalent education and experience. Several years proven experience in a student/customer service related position required. Excellent interpersonal, organizational and communication (oral and written) skills required. Proven ability to work independently and as a team member in a busy and varied environment with deadlines and changing priorities essential. Aptitude for detail and accuracy essential. Knowledge of Financial Aid programs preferred. Working knowledge of policies and procedures related to admissions and records an asset. Good keyboard skills and working knowledge of various software packages, i.e. Microsoft Word, Excel, WordPerfect, and Eudora. This is a 1 year appointment with the possibility of renewal and is contingent upon funding.

Temporary position: The Office of Development & Alumni Affairs requires an Annual Fund Intern for a 1 year contract position. This position will assist with the operation of the Mail/Call program and will work closely with managers to provide creativity and insight into the strategy and development of mail/call procedures including telefundraising operations, solicitation material, business communications and reports, and analysis and evaluation. Excellent interpersonal and communication skills are required. Supervisory experience an asset. Interest in a career in fund-raising an asset. Please forward resumes directly to Brent Charette, Office of Development & Alumni Affairs.

For more information call: University of Waterloo 885-1211 ext. 2524

News from Canadian universities Red Deer Press moves to the University of Calgary campus. News release. New name and focus for York University's Atkinson College. Report in the York Gazette. Trent and Carleton jointly offer the first PhD program in Canadian studies. Trent news release. Memorial launches Newfoundland and Labrador Centre for Applied Health Research. News release. Nunavut Arctic College is part of a human resources strategy for the north. Web announcement. Royal Roads University campus is named a historic and architectural site. News release.

Happening today at Waterloo

Also at lunchtime, the employee assistance program sponsors a talk on "Wills and Power of Attorney", by Kitchener lawyer Barney Lawrence. He'll speak at 12 noon in Davis Centre room 1302.

And at 12 noon, the intellectual property forum series sponsored by the technology transfer and licensing office continues, with a session titled "Pitfalls Associated with Using Multiple/Switched Funding Sources (Crumb Theory)", in Needles Hall room 3001.

Still more at the noon hour: LT3, the Centre for Learning and Teaching Through Technology, holds a session on "How non-digital cues affect and impact teaching, learning and working", as part of its monthly Idea Workshop. The session starts at 12:15 in Dana Porter Library room 407.

The Accounting Students Association will hold a job fair in the Student Life Centre from 3 to 6 p.m. "Many leading companies of the country that are interested in potential Waterloo co-op students and graduating students have been invited," says the ASA's professional development director, Phillip Huang. "While it is primarily targeted at accounting, economics and other business majors, we encourage all UW students to take advantage of it." Free food follows.

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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