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Thursday, September 28, 2000

  • 'All health plans are struggling'
  • Party prepares for United Way launch
  • Computing courses given in October
  • Student works on submarine code
  • Less talk, more action

'All health plans are struggling'

Changes to the faculty and staff health plan are "not acceptable", one employee said at an open meeting yesterday afternoon discussing the proposals. "You're talking about reducing our compensation!" he told UW provost Jim Kalbfleisch, and got some applause.

"None of us on the committee relish this exercise," replied Kalbfleisch, the chair of the pension and benefits committee, which distributed the proposals this week.

He told the meeting that per-person premiums for the health plans have gone up by 46 per cent in less than two years and premiums for the dental plan have risen 25 per cent in the same period. With its income going up very little, there's no way UW can afford that kind of thing, the provost said. "We've only got one envelope -- if we spend it on benefits, we don't have it for other things."

The afternoon meeting was attended by about 75 people. A similar meeting was held at 9:00 last night, mostly for people who work the night shift, and a third meeting is scheduled for 9:00 this morning in Davis Centre room 1302.

Much of the meeting was taken up with questions and comments about details of the proposals, which would eliminate coverage for semi-private hospital rooms, cover dental "recall examinations" every nine months (instead of every five months), and limit prescription dispensing fees to $6. There was also discussion about the share of benefit costs that go to the insurance company that administers the health plan. The meeting was told that administrative costs, profits and taxes are 10 per cent at the most, and 90 per cent of health plan costs depend directly on the actual claims by staff, faculty and retirees.

The recent cost increases are "just a blip", one speaker told Kalbfleisch. The provost's reply: "I sincerely hope you're right, but I think you're wrong." He said health costs in Canada are going up faster than inflation -- because governments are downloading costs onto insurance plans and individuals, because new expensive drugs are coming into use, and because people use health care more. "All health plans," he said, "are struggling with this problem."

Some members of the provost's audience were skeptical. "We should be looking at improvements!" one person said forcefully, drawing applause. Joe Szalai of the library staff, who has been advocating unionization of UW staff, quoted figures that demonstrate "more work for less pay" for university employees over the past decade, and said the Canadian Auto Workers would provide the solution. "I do have CAW membership cards here," he told the meeting, and several members of the audience laughed.

Towards the end, the meeting turned to the university funding crisis in general. "Why isn't the administration publicly being louder about funding?" one questioner asked. "It's always a question," said Kalbfleisch, "of what tactics are likely to work with a particular government."

"We're just trying to do damage control now," another person said. "We're not getting at the root of the problem. There must be some way we as a group can control it, as voters, as taxpayers."

Party prepares for United Way launch

The build-up to this year's United Way campaign on campus begins this afternoon with a recognition event for past supporters.

Jim Kalbfleisch, UW's provost, will host a special reception for the sixty faculty, staff and retirees who have contributed at the "Leadership" and "Friends" giving levels and their guests.

The reception will take place at the University Club from 4:00 to 5:30 and will include a presentation by United Way of Kitchener-Waterloo and Area representatives, highlighting the work of the fifty community agencies supported by their fund-raising efforts.

[United Way logo] UW's United Way campaign will be launched on Friday, October 6, with a campus-wide "Dress Down for United Way" day. Chandrika Anjaria of the information systems and technology department and Winston Cherry of statistics and actuarial science are the co-chairs of this year's campaign, which has an announced target of $142,000 -- an increase of $2,000 over 1999's goal.

Two days before the launch, on October 4, department UW representatives will have a kickoff event at noon. And just before that, at 10 a.m., some of them will go on a bus trip to see United Way agencies in action. "This year the agencies include Big Sisters, the Canadian Hearing Society and the 4C's (Canadians Concerned with Crimes against Children," says Jenny Treutlein in the United Way office.

Meanwhile, United Way fund-raising events in individual UW departments are getting started. The registrar's office will hold a PartyLite party today from noon to 1:00. "PartyLite," says Debbie Knepper, one of the organizers, "offers quality candles and accessories. Twenty per cent of the sales will be donated to United Way. It's the day before payday, but a cheque can be postdated for the 29th (cash and credit card is also accepted)."

On Monday, my own department -- information and public affairs -- will hold a used book sale from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. in Needles Hall room 3043, with prices starting at 25 cents a volume.

Computing courses given in October

The information systems and technology (IST) department is offering several computing courses in October to UW faculty, staff and students: The following courses are part of Skills for the Academic e-Workplace, and are offered to faculty, grad students, and staff with instructional responsibilities: The library is also offering two courses to graduate students and faculty: More information about the courses is available on the web, along with the course registration form. New courses will be taught every month, and advertised at the same Web location.

Student works on submarine code
-- from the UW Recruiter newsletter for co-op employers

"You've sunk my battleship!" has been heard in almost every family room across the country for nearly thirty years. This strategic game Battleship, has sparked countless people to read or see, "The Hunt for Red October," and/or "20,000 Leagues Under the Sea." What exactly people find alluring about large water vessels remains unclear. However, naval ships are a common theme among childhood dreams.

[Mangan] Brian Mangan (right), a mechanical engineering student, acted on his dream of designing boats through the co-op program. Brian’s fourth work term, his first with Computing Devices Canada (CDC) – Maritime Systems Division located in Ottawa, offered him the opportunity to work on the development of a new sonar software code for submarines. CDC is recognized worldwide for its high-fidelity acoustic processors and simulators for anti-submarine detection. Sonar devices emit high frequency sound waves through the water and register the vibrations that return from an object, specifically, the speed and intensity. Sonar has several uses, including finding enemy submarines, torpedoes, and mines, as well as, determining water depth.

During his 2B work term, Brian worked directly on the AN/SQS 510 Sonar System for the Canadian, Belgian, and Portuguese navies. More specifically, Brian examined the sonar system code after it had been downloaded onto the system. Testing was accomplished by, first, devising a scenario, such as an "enemy submarine." Next, the proper procedure was rehearsed to test the new code in relation to the particular scenario. If there were any problems, or if the scenario proved to be unsuccessful, modification was necessary. Brian checked the system once the code had been altered. This particular code, Baseline 5, has not been released yet; therefore, it is the best marine technology available. AN/SQS 510 is the front-runner for detecting objects (mines, subs, etc.) at a distance – no other company compares. Brian states, "CDC offers co-op students a rare opportunity to work with leading-edge technology" in this exciting area.

The marine engineering industry remains of such interest to Brian, that he will be returning to CDC for a second work term. Stew Kennedy, Brian’s supervisor, cites his willingness to tackle tasks, positive attitude, and excellent work ethic as impressive. More specifically, his outstanding interpersonal skills and well-roundedness as a person, produced an extremely gratifying situation for Stew, Brian and CDC. Brian hopes to continue his education by pursuing a Master’s degree in Ocean and Naval Architecture Engineering. One day perhaps, he will even design his own Battleship!

Less talk, more action

An exhibit on "Black History in Early Ontario" can be seen in the great hall of the Student Life Centre all this week. Says a note from the Waterloo Public Interest Research Group, which is sponsoring it: "This 22-panel exhibit from the Ontario Black History Society chronicles the story of Black history in Ontario begins with the practice of slavery, through its abolition, continues to the first Black settlement areas of the nineteenth century, moves then to the large influx of fugitive slaves during the 1850s, and ends with the exodus of many Blacks from the province during and after the American Civil War. It was a dramatic period in Ontario history, highlighted by many splendid examples of inter-racial cooperation and amity, as well as some bitter recollections of racial discrimination and prejudice."

Also from WPIRG: the video "Paying the Price -- Killing the Children of Iraq" will be shown at 8:00 tonight in Engineering Lecture Hall room 101.

The Graduate Student Association holds its annual golf tournament today at the Merry Hill Golf Club, followed by a barbecue at the Grad House.

Happening at 3:30 this afternoon:

Not happening at 4:00 this afternoon: the Tropic Networks Pub Night that had been scheduled at the Graduate House. It'll be rescheduled for later this term, an announcement says.

Tonight at Wilfrid Laurier University, the annual "Chancellor's Summit" will bring a panel of 16 executives and editors together to discuss "Redefining Corporate Responsibility for the New Economy". The chancellor of WLU is John Cleghorn, chairman of the Royal Bank, who will be there along with John Wetmore of IBM Canada, David Crane of the Star, and other luminaries. A big audience from WLU's business school is expected; the event runs from 4:00 to 6:30 in the Theatre Auditorium at Laurier. Information about admission: 884-8848 ext. 2214.

The board of governors of St. Jerome's University will meet at 6:00 this evening in the board room at St. Jerome's.

The term's first meeting of WatCHI, an interest group on computer-human interaction, is scheduled for 7:00 tonight in Davis Centre room 1302.

Scheduled for tomorrow through Sunday is a "Weekend Directed Prayer Experience" at the Guelph Centre of Spirituality, sponsored by St. Jerome's University. Registrations were due quite some time ago, but Harry Froklage at St. Jerome's might be able to provide last-minute information.

Memo from the international programs office: "A Work/Study Abroad Fair is being held at the Great Hall, Student Life Centre, on October 3 from 11 a.m. till 3 p.m. There are 25 educational agencies participating in this event representing institutions from the United States, Canada, Europe and Australia. Several interesting possibilities exist for Canadians to become involved in international work and study abroad programs. In addition to study abroad opportunities, UW currently offers 80 international student exchange programs with universities throughout the world." More information: ext. 3999 or 2009.

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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