Next year's new students, thousands of them anyway, will meet UW this weekend, when the annual Ontario Universities Fair takes place at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre. "Last year's Fair had an estimated 75,000 visitors, and we're expecting the same type of turnout," says Julie Kalbfleisch of UW's marketing and student recruitment office. "The UW booth will have over 220 staff, faculty and students working over the weekend to greet students and answer questions." She says the booth has been "improved" from last year's version, with an area added for student awards and financial aid and another to provide information about the co-op program, "as well as a section to promote programs like Graduate Studies, Pharmacy, Optometry and Social Work."

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East Asian festival this weekend

Renison College holds its 12th annual East Asian Festival this weekend with three events that present the art, music, flavours, and festivities of China, Japan and Korea. “The East Asian community is an important member of Renison College,” a news release explains, “and we are honoured to commemorate their heritage during these two days.”

Things start at noontime Friday with Renison's Literary Event. “You can come see the sights, but you won't hear the sounds, of silent storyteller Noriko Yamamoto,” organizers promise. “Noriko is a silent storyteller who uses non-verbal forms of storytelling. Instead of spoken words, other means of communication are used, including mime, movement, dance and music.

“Her performances are so expressive and visual, it is not only beautiful and fun to watch, but it also promotes retention and understanding. This unique technique is perfect for an audience with varying levels of language proficiency, plus it crosses language barriers so the magic of stories can be appreciated by all.” This free event runs from 12:00 noon to 1:00 p.m. tomorrow at Renison College room 2106.

On Saturday comes “Family and Culture Day” as always, aimed at all ages of participant. Another Renison news release explains the idea: “Families teach children about tradition, social behaviour, rules, beliefs, and culture. As a society, we should learn as much as possible about each other’s culture. Learning about other cultures helps us celebrate our differences, fosters understanding, and builds community spirit.

“Come out and discover East Asian culture . . . bring the family and explore East Asia without using your passport. Observe the martial art demonstrations, learn the art of calligraphy, quench your thirst with bubble tea, enjoy live music performances, and experience the flavours of East Asian cuisine.”

Family and Culture Day runs from 11 a.m. to 2 pm. Saturday at Renison. Admission is free.

Finally, there’s a Saturday night cocktail reception and silent auction. “Your eyes and ears won’t know what hit them once they feast on our entertainment,” organizers promise. “The evening kicks off with a Sakura (Japanese Flowering Cherry) tree ceremony presented by Consul-General Kawakami from the Consulate-General of Japan. This will be immediately followed by the high energy and breath-taking performance of the Taiko Drummers of Japan, by twilight in Renison College’s courtyard.

"Members from our local Chinese community will perform a colourful and traditional Silk Dance, Umbrella Dance and Mongolian Bowl Dance sponsored by the Consulate General of the People's Republic of China. Finally, the night will conclude with the beautiful soft sounds of Dr. Gerard Yun as he performs the Shakuhachi (Zen Buddhist bamboo flute).

“Your taste buds will be asking for more after they enjoy our East Asian inspired cuisine. Hot and cold hors d'oeuvres will be served throughout the night, along with a complementary cocktail.

“Once your eyes see our silent auction tables, you won’t be able to keep your hands off the items. Renison College has gathered a wonderful selection of East Asian focused items for you to bid on. Tickets to this exciting event are only $25.” Last-minute information: telephone 519-884-4404 ext. 2-8657.

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Toyota gift creates graduate awards

from the UW media relations office

Toyota Motor Manufacturing Canada is making a one-time gift of $250,000 to UW to help commemorate 20 years of success and corporate leadership in Waterloo Region. The gift, spread over three years, will fund graduate student fellowships, to be named the Toyota Fellowships in Mechanical and Mechatronics Engineering.

The gift will help the faculty of engineering realize a goal, set out in its Vision 2010 strategic plan, to increase graduate enrolment from 1,000 students to 1,500 by 2010. There are currently 150 graduate students in the department of mechanical and mechatronics engineering. Vision 2010 calls for an additional 100 new grad positions in the department.

"We hope this support for the University of Waterloo will help to attract more top students and eventually strengthen our region's base of highly skilled engineers," said Ray Tanguay, president of Toyota Motor Manufacturing Canada.

“This very generous gift is an outstanding example of the community leadership demonstrated time and again by Toyota,” said UW president David Johnston. “UW is grateful for the support shown by Ray Tanguay and his leadership group at Toyota. They clearly understand the importance of investing in education and research development for the betterment of society."

“The effect of this gift will be far-reaching,” said Adel Sedra, dean of the faculty of engineering. “Not only will graduate students benefit, but our entire faculty will sustain enrichment through higher quality graduate awards, the exceptional students these fellowships will help us attract, and the multiplier effect that could easily top $1 million.”

He said the private gift means the faculty would be eligible for new capital funding to support infrastructure required for the proposed graduate student expansion.

The Toyota fellowships will be awarded at the annual engineering student awards dinner each fall.

TMMC has been manufacturing vehicles at its Cambridge, Ontario, plant since November 1988. The automotive plant makes Matrix, Corolla and Lexus RX 350 vehicle models. TMMC is currently building a second assembly plant in Woodstock, scheduled to begin production in 2008.

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Other notes as Homecoming nears

A notice from the university secretariat: "Nominations are requested for one graduate student seat to be elected to the University Senate by/from the full- and part-time graduate students of the University, term to April 30, 2008. Completed nomination forms (each nomination form must be signed by at least five members of the constituency from which the member is to be elected) should be submitted to the Secretariat, Needles Hall room 3060, no later than 3:00 p.m., Tuesday, October 10."

"Take the fall health challenge!" is the invitation from UW's campus recreation program. "This five-week program will expose you to a variety of ways to incorporate a healthy lifestyle into everyday living. Starting Tuesday, October 3, this program costs only $35 for the entire five weeks. Sessions run from 5 to 6:30 p.m. Interested students can register at the Physical Activities Complex athletics office. Limited spots are available." Sessions include "personal training", "nutrition", "learn to run", and even "healthy cooking". Also new from campus rec this fall: an eight-week class in indoor cycling.

Catching up on documents from earlier in the year, I was flipping through the annual reports that were presented to the staff association general meeting in June, and among them is a report from Julie Pocock of the registrar's office, who is the staff representative on the President's Advisory Committee on Traffic and Parking. She describes the year's work, including a review of how "handicapped" parking spaces are assigned, and adds this note: "The committee reviewed a significant assortment of altered, photocopied, and false parking permits that had been confiscated from users. The committee proposed that a new fine be administered at $125 plus the cost of towing, which was accepted by the University and made effective January, 2006." Pocock also notes that "a long-term plan for campus parking" is in the works.

Canadian Blood Services sends the usual thank-you after the blood donor clinic that was held in the Student Life Centre earlier this month — the first such event under the new plan to hold clinics monthly rather than just once a term. "We collected 151 units of blood, thereby helping to save or improve over 450 Canadians who will need blood or blood products," recruitment coordinator Sharr Cairns writes. "We also welcomed 32 first-time donors in these three days." The agency will be back on campus October 4-6 and November 15-17.

Printing of the full supply of "new faculty" publications has been delayed, but departments should be getting the promised copies of them next week, my colleagues in Communications and Public Affairs say. . . . A report for 2005-06 says the university issued 17,250 parking tickets during the year, as well as 1,825 warnings. . . . The athletics department says no, the Toronto Raptors basketball squad will not be holding an event on campus this fall during their training camp at Waterloo's RIM Park. . . .

And here's a reminder that nominations are due October 2 — Monday — for this year's President's Circle Awards for Volunteerism, to be presented to as many as ten students who have contributed to campus and community through volunteer effort. "Any member of the University or the community-at-large many nominate a student," a memo this fall noted. "As well, because volunteer work often has a low profile, students are very much encouraged to apply directly." Details are on the Student Services web site.

CAR

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