![[University of Waterloo]](/goldbar.gif)
| Yesterday |
Thursday, November 18, 2004
|
Editor: Chris Redmond credmond@uwaterloo.ca |
![[Pepperoni pizza]](/images/2004/1118pizza.jpg)
Pizza lunch celebrates ranking (again)It's the Maclean's celebration, "round two", with a pizza lunch announced for tomorrow in the Davis Centre.The food is provided by the president as a thank-you to students, faculty and staff following UW's ranking as "best overall" Canadian university this year. The first such celebration was held last week, with speeches by UW's VIPs and visiting cabinet minister Mary Anne Chambers. "Not everyone had an opportunity to enjoy pizza because of the large turnout," says Nancy Heide of communications and public affairs, who's been working on arrangements for the second event. The party will run from 11:30 to 1:00 Friday in the Davis Centre great hall. |
![[Elmasry]](/images/2004/1118elmasry2.jpg)
UW president David Johnston yesterday made public the text of a report
from the dean of science, George Dixon, about "recent
statements attributed to Professor Mohamed Elmasry".
Elmasry (left) is a
professor
of electrical and computer engineering and president of the
Canadian Islamic Congress.
Johnston noted that the case was handled under Article 8 of the Memorandum of Agreement between the faculty association and UW, which says that "The member's Dean shall promptly investigate any concerns or allegations about a member if the Dean reasonably believes that a situation warranting disciplinary measures may exist."
I reviewed the statements which you made on the Michael Coren Show with particular reference to your statements to the effect that the targeting of Israeli civilians was an acceptable course of action.
These statements are in my view entirely unacceptable and inconsistent with the values of inclusiveness and tolerance for which the University of Waterloo stands.
During the course of the investigation, I met with you and with Professor Len Guelke. You indicated at that time that you wanted to provide a full apology with respect to the statements you had made.
I have now reviewed the full apology and retraction which you have provided to me, and understand that you are agreeable to them being placed in the public realm.
Although the statements made are indeed abhorrent and unacceptable, I have taken into account the contents of the apology and retraction and your long years of distinguished service as a faculty member at this University as well as your assurance that there will be no repetition of any such statements in the future.
Having regard to all these circumstances, I have reached the conclusion that the apology and retraction should be accepted and that no formal discipline will be imposed.
These public statements were totally unacceptable. They have understandably offended members of Canada's Muslim, Jewish, Palestinian and Arab communities and Canadians at large. They have also offended members of the University of Waterloo community.
I offer my unconditional apology to all these communities for the statements I made and for the distress they have caused.
I categorically retract the statements I made on the Michael Coren Show with respect to the targeting of civilians.
The statements were an aberration. It has always been a core belief of mine that killing civilians -- any civilians for any cause, is an immoral act.
I recognize that the University of Waterloo is an inclusive, tolerant community and that statements of that kind are abhorrent and in conflict with the values for which the University stands.
As a faculty member at this University for many years, I can provide you with an assurance that there will be no repetition in the future of any such statements by me.
![[Architect's rendering]](/images/2004/1118sybase.jpg)
Guests have been invited to product demonstrations between 8:00 and
10:30, a "wire-cutting" (not a ribbon-cutting, but something to symbolize
Sybase's contributions to wireless technology) at 9:00, and then
building tours.
The Sybase building, seen at right, is at 445 Wes Graham Way -- at the Hagey Boulevard traffic circle that marks the highest point on the north campus.
The Sybase web site notes that "Sybase's 105,000 square foot facility features the latest in technologies, a sophisticated design and unprecedented access to the University's faculty, students and alumni." The company is "a leading provider of enterprise infrastructure and wireless software" and prides itself on leadership in "Unwiring the Enterprise".
The new building, a news release says, "features enhanced employee amenities and technological advances and will house the company's iAnywhere Solutions and Financial Fusion subsidiaries in addition to other Sybase business units."
Scheduled speakers this morning include John Chen, chairman, CEO and president of Sybase; Terry Stepien, president of iAnywhere Solutions, the Waterloo-based subsidiary of Sybase that will occupy much of the building; and David Johnston, president of UW.
| WHEN AND WHERE |
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Craft and toy fair sponsored by Hildegard Marsden Day
Nursery, continues today and tomorrow 8:30 to 4:45, Davis Centre room 1301.
'Haiti and the Church' discussion 10 a.m., Siegfried Hall, St. Jerome's University, information 886-9520. Leather Jacket Day today at the UW Shop, South Campus Hall, 15 per cent discount 11:00 to 3:00. Nanotechnology lecture: Ralph Merkle, Georgia Tech, "The Coming Revolution in Manufacturing", 2:30, Davis Centre room 1302. Sociology colloquium: Reza Nakhaie, University of Windsor, "Ascription, Universalism and Rank: Canadian Professors 1987-2000", 3:30, PAS room 2030. Sheila Copps, MP, gives the annual Laurier Lecture in Canadian Studies, 7:30, Wilfrid Laurier University senate and board chambers. 'The Tempest', drama department fall production, tonight through Saturday 8:00, Theatre of the Arts, tickets 888-4908. Issues in Native Communities lecture series: Rick Hill, "The Image of the Indian", 8:00, MacKirdy Hall, St. Paul's United College. Federation Hall DJ tonight: "Baby Yu and RG". Pension and benefits committee Friday 8:30 to noon, Needles Hall room 3004. 'Data Day' hosted by South Western Ontario Research Data Centre, Friday 9 a.m. to noon, Wilfrid Laurier University library, details online. Tourism lecture series: Alvaro Lopez, National Autonomous University of Mexico, "Tourism in Mexico", Friday 9:30, PAS room 1229. Author Wayson Choy reads his work, Friday 10:30, Wilfrid Laurier University, Bricker academic building room BA201. 'Christian Canada No More?' Paul Bramadat, University of Winnipeg, Friday 7;30, Siegfried Hall, St. Jerome's University. DaCapo Choir, based at Conrad Grebel University College, concert Saturday 8 p.m., St. John the Evangelist Anglican Church, Kitchener, tickets $15 (students $10). |
A revised version of UW's Policy 67, dealing with the Employee Assistance Program, has been approved as proposed earlier this fall. Says the revision, dated November 11: "The Employee Assistance Program (EAP) exists to help employees with personal difficulties which, if unresolved, could have a negative impact on personal health, family relationships or work performance. Difficulties may include family, personal, interpersonal, financial, drug or alcohol problems. "The program is based on the belief that many problems can be successfully resolved if the employee is willing to seek help and appropriate assistance is provided."
The annual Engineering Awards Dinner is being held tonight, at Bingemans in Kitchener, and many an engineering student is polishing shoes or spritzing hair today in preparation for this dress-up occasion. The event will honour "outstanding Engineering Students who have received an award for academic excellence in the past year" and "prominent Alumni, Faculty and other VIPs from the University community". Chair for the evening is Bill Lennox, civil engineering professor emeritus and former dean of the engineering faculty. Keynote speaker is Stephen Carpenter, president of the Kitchener firm Enermodal Engineering, and one of this year's winners of the alumni achievement medal from the engineering faculty. He'll speak on "The Engineer's Role in Creating a Sustainable Society". The menu: prime rib, chicken cordon bleu, or tortellini rosé.
The Association of Cultural Executives is holding its annual general meeting today in Toronto (at the National Ballet School) -- an event that's of some interest since ACE has its headquarters at UW, in the Centre for Cultural Management. The group is described as "Canada's only cross-disciplinary network of cultural managers working in all fields of performing, visual and heritage arts". Its annual ACE Award, for "outstanding contribution and dedication to Canadian cultural management", will be presented this year to William J. S. Boyle, a former president of ACE and chief executive of Harbourfront Centre in Toronto.
An Arriscraft Lecture at UW's school of architecture, originally announced for tonight, has been cancelled. . . . The continuing education office presents a one-day course today (at the training room at its Gage Avenue offices) on "Report and Proposal Writing". . . . The Federation of Students is sending a bus to Toronto's Roy Thomson Hall tonight for students who have tickets to hear film director Kevin Smith. . . .
Dorothy Storer, who worked as a housekeeper in Village I from 1968 to her retirement in 1977, died November 5. . . . The UW Shop in South Campus Hall is offering "20% off Mom and Dad apparel and giftware" this week, just in time for Christmas shopping. . . . Canadian Blood Services happily reports that 330 units of blood were collected at the recent clinic in the Student Life Centre. . . .
CAR