UW pays fee for weight of paper

Under a new law, UW is accountable for the printed matter it originates that eventually ends up in Ontario blue boxes, and has to help pay the cost of the blue-box program. Here's the word from Patti Cook (right), the university's waste management coordinator:

"We are obligated under Ontario's Waste Diversion Act, 2002, to provide Stewardship Ontario with the weight of all printed materials branded to the university (calendars, promotional materials, other material that clearly was initiated by the university) and which goes out to students, alumni, faculty, the public, and ultimately ends up as blue box material. Included are such things as newspapers, magazines, catalogues, directories, calendars, tickets, product inserts, statements, instructions, annual reports, promotions, direct mail, greeting cards, flyers, coupons, information and confirmations for events and conferences, etc. We would then be assessed a levy based on the weight of the printed matter.

"I began collecting information from Tony Chaves in Central Stores on bulk mailings, and had begun coordinating the collection of the data on each department's mailings. The registration of the material weights for 2002 (and the cheque) was due on April 20, 2004.

"A negotiated agreement by Pierre De Gagne from the Physical Resources Service at University of Ottawa and Stewardship Ontario resulted in the first year levy to be paid by Ontario universities to be based on a per full-time equivalent student formula. Next year we may have to provide weights of all printed UW materials leaving the campus. The Ontario University Association of Waste Managers, with representation from the Ontario University Physical Plant Managers, and Procurement Managers, will be meeting to discuss and plan for next year.

"After all that, this year's charge is just over $120 based on the formula Ontario universities are to use for this the first year."

She notes that UW appears on the "Registrated Organizations" list on the Stewardship Ontario web site along with just two other universities: Toronto and Guelph. "Other universities are in the process of registering, or were not notified to register this year."

CIBA Vision gives major gift to UW's School of Optometry -- from the UW Media Relations Office

The University of Waterloo has received a major gift from CIBA Vision that will allow more students to study at the School of Optometry.

At a reception on Thursday, the school celebrated the $500,000 Cdn gift from CIBA Vision, bringing the school's expansion campaign closer to its $7.2-million goal. To honour the donation, a plaque was unveiled and a meeting room in the Centre for Contact Lens Research (CCLR) was named the "CIBA Vision Conference Room."

"The School of Optometry would not enjoy the success it has without corporate partner leaders such as CIBA Vision," said Bill Bobier, the school's director. "CIBA Vision has once again answered our call for support as the school expands its student enrolment by 50 per cent."

The "CIBA Vision Conference Room" is centrally located beside the waiting room to the CCLR, which sees over 700 visitors a year. The room caters to a wide variety of uses, including executive meetings, continuing education sessions, graduate classes, thesis defences and overnight research studies.

A physical expansion of the school is necessary to accommodate a 50-per-cent increase in enrolment. The goal is to admit 30 new students spread over a six-year period. The school began to expand student numbers in 2002. This will be the first increase in enrolment for aspiring optometrists in Canada since the School of Optometry-the only English-speaking school in Canada-was associated with UW in 1967.

In 1995-96, CIBA, along with other private sector donors, contributed to the school's first building expansion since the School of Optometry building was completed in 1974. That first addition added 17,000 square feet of research space, which has been largely responsible for a 400 per cent increase in research funding.

Philosophy retirements are a concern

"People with international reputations" are among the faculty members who will soon be retiring from UW's philosophy department -- a prospect that puts the department's high quality at risk, according to an academic program review recently presented to the UW senate.

It's one in a series of reviews that are to be done for all UW academic programs on a seven-year cycle. Based on a self-study and an assessment by outside experts, it was submitted to senate, along with others, by the associate vice-president (academic), Gail Cuthbert Brandt.

Says the philosophy review: "In 2002, the Department had 13 full-time faculty members, plus another 3 cross-appointed with other departments. There are two full-time staff members. For full-time faculty, the standard teaching load is 5 term courses annually. . . . .

"The Department believes that, at the graduate level, it can claim to be the best in Canada in History and Philosophy of Logic, and Philosophy of Mind and Cognitive Science, and to be very good in Ethics, Epistemology and Philosophy of Science, and Analytical Metaphysics/Philosophical Logic/Philosophy of Language. The Department states it has a history of research excellence, illustrated by the fact that four members have become Fellows of the Royal Society of Canada."

The review team found that philosophy at UW "is a strong department with effective programs at both the undergraduate and graduate levels, the Department is well managed, and the students seem to be of high calibre. Continuing success is not guaranteed, however, and the review team concluded that the most serious challenge would be faculty renewal since over half of the faculty are scheduled to retire over the next 7 years. In the group retiring are people with international reputations, second to none in the country, plus others who are very good."

As for the undergraduate program, the review team commented that it was "extremely impressed". The mix of courses is called "excellent, and more diverse than what is found in many plans of similar size". The faculty was also viewed to be clearly committed to teaching undergraduates, with one indicator being very eminent senior faculty teaching both service and introductory level courses.

Regarding the undergraduate curriculum, the review team was very complementary, and emphasized that "there is little here to criticize." But it goes on: "Replacement of the 6 or 7 faculty who will retire over the next 7 years is the most important issue. The team suggested that bridging positions should be considered, and some appointments should be at above the entry-level salary, both being intended to attract superior candidates, including junior faculty now at other institutions.

"Regarding gender balance of faculty, the Department has a good record, but it will soon have no female faculty. The team noted that well qualified women will be highly sought after in the coming years, and the Department should be given special consideration if special funding is created in UW to meet gender concerns. . . .

"The review team also encouraged Philosophy to determine what could be done related to fund raising, starting with alumni, to seek financial support to create a trust fund which could be drawn upon to enhance the learning environment.

"Philosophy is a mid-sized department in its discipline by Canadian standards, but is recognized as offering high quality learning experiences for its undergraduates, and for consistently having faculty research programs which meet high external standards, based on recognition received by faculty. With almost half the faculty scheduled to retire in the next 7 years, Philosophy has a major opportunity for renewal."

WATs GOING ON HERE?

Lots. The Waterloo Christian Fellowship are holding their first meeting of the term today at 7 p.m. in MC 2054.

Today is your last chance to RSVP Pauline Cotrell (pauline@wcecu) if you plan to attend the Life Insurance 101: What You Need to Know session Tuesday, May 11, 12:15-12:45 p.m., in Davis Centre room 1302. Organizers are the UW Staff Association and the Education Credit Union.

Hardy Hearts is a rehabilitation program for cardiac patients operating out of Grand River Hospital that relies on UW kinesiology student volunteers to lead the exercise classes. The annual Hardy Hearts Health Walk fundraiser will be held on Saturday, May 8 in Waterloo Park near the picnic shelter off Westmount Road. Registration starts at 9 a.m. A pledge form is on the website.

Team Crazy-a group of people from Distance and Continuing education-are planning a 60-km Weekend to End Breast Cancer walk, with proceeds to Princess Margaret Hospital. They are kicking it off with a party at 141 King Street East, Kitchener, Saturday at 8 p.m. For tickets or more information call Tami Everding at ext. 3967 or teamcrazy@rogers.com.

Conrad Grebel music professor Carol Ann Weaver, Toronto singer Rebecca Campbell, and poet Di Brandt have recorded a new CD entitled Awakenings. They'll launch the CD with a concert and reading at K-W Art Gallery on Sunday, May 9, 3 p.m. There is an admission charge. 579-5860

All students are invited to a free Student Professional Awareness Conference May 12 and 13 in the Tatham Centre. Sponsored by the IEEE student branch at UW, speakers from Microsoft, Nortel, RIM, and other companies-as well as UW professors-will talk about such things as academics, technology, career development, and personal finance.

Looking farther ahead, Monday, June 14, is the date for this year's Matthews Golf Classic, an annual event for faculty, staff, and retirees. It starts at noon at the Grand Valley Golf and Country Club and winds up with dinner at about 6 p.m. The format is a scramble, which means that all members of a four-person team tee off at each hole and the team decides which of the four balls will be played for the second shot. Cost is $46 for the day, $26 for golf only, $20 for dinner only. The registration form can be found on the web and must be returned to Jason Greatrex in IST (MC 2020) by May 28. Jan Willwerth (jan@uwaterloo.ca, phone ext. 2376) or Jason Greatrex (jgreatre@uwaterloo.ca, ext. 6494) can provide more information.

The elevator in Chemistry 2 will be shut down for repairs from 3:30 p.m. today to Monday, May 10 at 5 p.m.

Finally, a correction. Contrary to what was reported in yesterday's Daily Bulletin, UW graduate students have won the coveted NSERC Doctoral Prize not six times, but eight.

C&PA