October 29, 2002

Tuesday, October 29, 2002

Stephen Lewis to speak at 2003 EWB conference
'I value the dream,' prof explains
Tuesday news and notes

Editor:
Chris Redmond
credmond@uwaterloo.ca

Stephen Lewis to speak at 2003 EWB conference

Stephen Lewis, United Nations Special Envoy for HIV/AIDS in Africa, will headline the list of keynote speakers at the second national conference of Engineers Without Borders, January 29 to February 1, 2003 at UW.

Other speakers including David Hughes, president and CEO of Habitat for Humanity Canada; David Brooks, a natural resource economist and author; and UW president David Johnston will address the conference theme, Engineering in International Development: One Piece of the Puzzle.

[EWB logo] As well, panels and workshops incorporating more than 40 Canadian and foreign speakers associated with NGOs and academic institutions worldwide, will "motivate and challenge participants to think critically about the direction of international development and the role that engineering plays."

Eight panels, each consisting of three or four specialists, will discuss the environment, gender and development, health, education, social/cultural issues, technology, peace and conflict studies, and economics.

Registration is limited to EWB members; however, the project fair and one keynote speaker will be open to the public. For more information or to become a member, visit the conference website.

Engineers Without Borders (EWB-ISF) is an organization that strives to find solutions to the technical problems of the developing world through research projects, internships, and by promoting awareness of developing world issues.

'I value the dream,' prof explains

"Change fascinates Dr. Jean Andrey," says a profile published in the Gazette recently as part of a series about Keystone Fund supporters. Says the text: "She admires people such as Ralph Nader, Rachel Carson and Mother Teresa who helped change our world and make it a better place. And Jean's academic interests include environmental change and related policy issues.

"After completing her PhD at UW in 1989, Jean became a member of the geography department. Her course load regularly includes Applied Climatology, Transportation Geography, and an Introduction to Environmental Research Methods. Her research focuses on transportation systems in Canada -- are they safe and sustainable?

"In 1995, Jean was recognized with the Distinguished Teacher award." The profile quotes a former student's comment that "Jean has a unique ability to give critical feedback while making people feel that they are capable of much more."

What do you like best about your job at UW? "I love my job first because it is an enormous privilege to be able to work with, mentor and encourage Canada's brightest youth. Also, I find the job very stimulating -- everything from thinking critically about theory and methodology to giving students feedback on their writing skills or course selection."

What do you personally value about the University? "The University of Waterloo is the result of a dream about how to make education more relevant. I value that dream."

Why do you feel the university needs funds today? "One of the things that makes Canada great is its social programs, including high-quality public education. Under-funding by the provincial government is making it difficult for Ontario universities to meet their mandate and so creative solutions are being sought."

Tuesday news and notes

Board meets today
The Board of Governors will meet at 2:30 p.m. today, in NH 3001. Along with regular committee reports, there are several items to be considered, including:

tuition fee increases
progress reports on reviews of undergraduate programs and graduate studies
the operating budget update for 2002-03

A reminder from Alex Matan in the student life office that nominations for the President's Circle Awards will be accepted until Friday, November 1. The President's Circle Awards for Volunteerism "recognize the significant contributions of students in volunteer work, both within the university community and in the community at large." Nominators may be students, staff, faculty, or community members. In addition, because volunteer work often has a low profile, students are encouraged to apply directly for an award. Nomination forms are available from the student awards office, the graduate studies office, the Federation of Students office, the student life office, or online.

Co-op job ranking forms will be available today for students who took part in the initial interview phase, with the exception of those enrolled in teaching and architecture programs (those forms will be available on Friday). Forms may be picked up after 10 a.m. from the co-op reception area -- NH 1101. Completed forms should be submitted to the main floor drop-off slot by 4 p.m.

The Staff Association holds its Town Hall Meeting over the lunch hour today, beginning at noon in RCH 301. Part of the agenda will be the release of the association's "How's the Climate?" survey results.

The UW Hip Hop Club is holding a Hallowe'en bake sale today through Thursday in the SLC Great Hall.

The Guelph-Waterloo Physics Institute's Distinguished Lecture Series features a talk at the University of Guelph today at 4 p.m. in room 113 of the MacNaughton building. Lecturer Michael Wortis of the physics department at Simon Fraser University will speak on the topic: "The mechanical basis of human red-blood-cell shapes: discocytes, stomatocytes, echinocytes and beyond."

At 4:30 p.m. in RCH 101 there will be a debate entitled "Is Elective Abortion an Immoral Act?" Taking up the two sides of the issue will be Stephanie Gray, executive director of the Canadian Centre for Bio-Ethical Reform, and Jan Narveson, faculty member in UW's department of philosophy. The event is being hosted by the University of Waterloo Students For Life, and will be moderated by Federation of Students vice president (internal) Mike Kerrigan.

At 6 p.m. in RCH 301 there will be a discussion on copyright issues hosted by the UW Liberals entitled: "The Future of Copyright: Digital Restrictions, the Digital Millennium Copyright Act, and Freedom."

From 7 to 9 p.m. this evening the UW Civics Research Group hosts an event called Healthy You, Healthy Community at the Centre for Core Area Research and Design (70 King St. E. at the corner of Frederick Street). The event is being billed as "an evening of conversation" focusing on how caregivers in the community can also care for themselves and avoid burnout. Contact Marc Xuereb at 883-2004 ext. 5765 to register.

Two notes from retail services: firstly, a reminder that the ComputerStore and both TechWorx locations will be open from 10am-5pm. Retail services apologizes for any inconvenience this may cause customers.

Secondly: UW alumna Gail Bowen will be at the Bookstore tomorrow at noon to read from her new Joanne Kilbourn mystery, The Glass Coffin. After the reading Ms. Bowen will be available to sign copies of any of her novels. For more information please contact Susan Parsons at ext. 5680.

Finally, later this week, be on the lookout for FASS Trick-or-Treaters. On Thursday, October 31, members of the FASS Theatre Company will be trick-or-treating for food donations at offices around campus. Food items will be distributed to the campus and local area food banks. If your office would like to contribute, email fass@watserv1.uwaterloo.ca to be sure someone will visit your area on the 31st.

Avvey Peters

TODAY IN UW HISTORY
October 29, 1998: The Data Security and Electronic Commerce conference takes place at UW, sponsored by the Centre for Applied Cryptographic Research.