Daily
Bulletin

Provost? What provost? An announcement is expected this morning about the appointment of UW's next vice-president (academic) and provost. The senate and board of governors were to hear a report from the nominating committee last night in closed sessions, and vote on naming a successor to acting provost Alan George.

UW makes room for another 266

He said there will be "about 250" extra first-year students, so that UW can benefit from an Ontario government funding formula that's emphasizing enrolment increases. Growth was the theme when provincial treasurer Jim Flaherty announced the level of grants for the current year earlier this month, and clearly he meant it. "All additional funding will be for growth," George said last night, "and the base will be the year 2000-01."

So Waterloo -- which had set the level of September's first-year class very close to last year's figure -- has revised its plans. According to a memo from Peter Burroughs, the director of admissions, the target will now be 4,333, up from the previous figure of 4,067.

George reminded the senate that the grants promised by the provincial treasurer allow for some extra students, but they don't make any provision for cost increases such as salary raises or zooming utility bills. Over three years the government says it will provide a 13 per cent increase -- but allow for even a minimal cost-of-living increase and "the real increase over these next three years is more like 4 per cent," George said.

He told the senate that fitting in another 266 students next fall means "we will be able to hold the budget essentially where it is now," that is, with campus-wide cuts of 3.5 per cent as announced last month. The cut is still being described as a one-time "clawback", but "at the moment it looks like it's permanent," George admitted.

For the next few years, "none of the scenarios look particularly appetizing," the provost said. It appears that UW will have to keep boosting tuition fees and increasing student numbers, "with essentially no increase in the number of faculty and staff to serve them".

Dianne Cunningham, the minister of training, colleges and universities, made a statement in the Legislature on May 15 declaring the government's pride in its plans for coping with the "double cohort" enrolment boom that's expected. Said Cunningham: "When we decided to implement a new four-year high school program we made a promise that we would provide the funds needed to ensure our colleges and universities were prepared to meet the increased enrolment demands created, in part, by the double cohort. . . . We have kept the promise we made to parents and students."

Peter Burroughs, UW's director of admissions, has issued a memo showing where the additional 266 students will find places next fall -- "all Faculties in varying degrees but not necessarily in all programs".

The new targets are 295 in applied health sciences (formerly 277); 1,187 in arts (formerly 1,117); 790 in engineering (formerly 735); 303 in environmental studies (formerly 283); 5 in independent studies (unchanged); 1,015 in mathematics (formerly 950); 638 in science (formerly 600); and 100 in software engineering (unchanged).

Burroughs's memo notes that the increase "may be of significant concern" for the housing department, since UW is now guaranteeing a residence room for every first-year student who wants one. But, he said, Bud Walker, the director of business operations, "has been involved in the discussions regarding the revised targets" and says the extra students "can be accommodated".

Activity fees set to increase

• Federation of Students, up from $25.40 to $27.31 per term.
• Student-Coordinated Plan (to pay for the 1992 improvements to the Student Life Centre and the Columbia Recreation Complex), up from $27.56 to $28.44.
• Graduate House, up from $11.00 to $12.00.
• Graduate Student Association, up from $12.00 to $12.40.

This week's positions available -- from the 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, May 23, 2001 and should be removed on Tuesday, May 29, 2001.

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.

Departmental Assistant, Centre for Contact Lens Research, School of Optometry, USG 3. Extensive office experience, preferably in a health care setting. Excellent communication and organizational skills with a proven aptitude for attention to detail. Working knowledge of Microsoft Office is essential. Ability to effectively work both independently and in a team environment. Experience with contact lenses and minute-taking preferred. This position is contingent on funding.

Docutech Operator, Graphics, USG 3. High school diploma or equivalent. Extensive Docutech experience. Knowledge of bindery, PC's and extensive knowledge of Xerox publishing equipment is essential. Proven aptitude for attention to detail, experience working in a fast-paced environment, good communication skills and confidentiality are imperative. Digipath experience, data entry, scanning, file management skills and some supervisory experience would be definite assets.

The University welcomes and encourages applications from the designated employment equity groups: visible minorities, women, persons with disabilities, and aboriginal people. For more information call: University of Waterloo 885-1211 ext. 2524.

And just a few other notes

Happening this afternoon: a seminar by Dean Hopkins, president of Cyberplex Inc., on "Changing the Boundaries of Enterprise: The Rise of the Network as the Basis of Competition". The talk, sponsored by UW's InfraNet Project, starts at 2:30 in Davis Centre room 1302.

Advance note: the Employee Assistance Program will sponsor a noon-hour session next Wednesday, May 30, on "Negotiation and Mediation in the Workplace and in Life". The speaker is Luke Fusco, dean of social work at Wilfrid Laurier University. The EAP is taking RSVPs for the event -- a green flyer, circulated recently, has a tear-off section to be returned to Johan Reis in health services.

Also next Wednesday, the Federation of Students will hold an open house from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at their offices in the Student Life Centre. "The entire UW community is warmly invited to attend," says Brenda Beatty, vice-president (student issues). "This is an excellent opportunity to meet our volunteers, staff, councillors and executive. Refreshments will be available."

Friday, June 1, will bring a reception and dinner in honour of Terry Hollands, retiring after 32 years in the department of mechanical engineering. Ethel Spike in the mech eng office (phone ext. 6740) is taking RSVPs.

Finally, this note from Gwen Graper, manager of alumni affairs, about a project that links alumni, development and athletics activities: the first-ever President's Golf Tournament, which is being used to establish a new Athletics Excellence Fund. "This is taking place Monday, June 4," she says, "at Blue Springs Golf Course in Acton. Our volunteer committee has been absolutely outstanding at soliciting sponsorship and golfers, and we expect to raise a minimum of $40,000. We'd like to recognize the very generous sponsors (Descartes for $15,000, four more companies for $7,500 and 19 more at $2,500), but also to raise awareness and help us fill the last two foursomes to golf ($1,600 for the foursome, $400 individual)." Interested? She can be reached at ext. 2969.

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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