Future university students got an extension at
the last minute, when yesterday's deadline for
applications through the Ontario Universities
Application Centre was adjusted. "OUAC has
experienced some server difficulties over the last
couple of days," says Nancy Weiner, UW's director
of admissions. "The deadline has been extended
until midnight on Friday, January 11."

Staff face the annual appraisal

It's that time of year again, for staff members across campus and the managers they report to. Annual performance appraisals are to be completed and filed with the human resources department by March 14, says a memo from Alfrieda Swainston, manager of salary administration.

Appraisal is done on a 1-to-5 scale, on a form that assesses such "work performance factors" as client service, working relationships, communication, job knowledge, "taking the initiative to make things better", problem-solving and time management. The resulting merit rating is a factor in determining an individual staff member's annual May 1 pay increase.

Says Swainston's memo, sent to managers and administrative assistants a few days ago: "The Provost's Advisory Committee on Staff Compensation committee members would like to remind managers to sit down with employees to discuss the content of the appraisal as well as to provide the employee an opportunity for discussion with their manager. This is also an opportunity to review changes which may have occurred in job content; to review safety practices in the workplace; and to assess whether or not job descriptions are reflective of the work being done and if the current grade should be reviewed.”

The job descriptions for most UW staff positions were put on the web in 2006, and Swainston’s memo tells managers: “If you do not find your staff member's job descriptions on the site Human Resources does not have a current document in a usable format. In this instance please forward an electronic version.”

It goes on: "The goal of the performance evaluation exercise is to provide confidential, constructive feedback to staff members regarding their performance in relation to the requirements of their job description and the appraisal rating interpretations. The exercise serves to identify areas of success, areas that need improvement which have been raised over the past year, opportunities for job enhancement and a discussion of the working environment."

Other sections of the appraisal form — which hasn't changed from last year — ask whether the staff member has "the tools and equipment to do your job" and whether communication and feedback from the manager are adequate. The form ends with "mutually agreed upon goals and objectives" for the year ahead.

Copies of the appraisal form, as well as instructions for how to fill it out and rate staff members, are available on the HR web site. Swainston says anyone who didn't receive the memo and instructions, but should have, can get in touch with her (ext. 32950) or Brenda Ciesarik (ext. 36645).

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A challenge to bleed next week

UW students are being called to join a blood donation “challenge” that has been running at campuses across the country for the past couple of years, Canadian Blood Services has announced.

“A UW student contacted us to get involved in it,” says Sharr Cairns, recruitment coordinator for CBS in this part of Ontario. “He's originally from Calgary where it all started, so we're going to join in.” A blood donor clinic will run at UW two days next week and three days the following week.

Says a news release explaining what’s planned and why: “As Canadian students, you are young, optimistic and want to make a difference in the world. One way to share your healthy vitality is to donate blood — an easy and free way to make a powerful impact on the lives of people in need.

“Blood 101 is a challenge spearheaded by students between university, college and technical campuses across the country. This year, students from 13 campuses in 11 Canadian cities — Calgary, Saskatoon, Edmonton, Sudbury, Guelph, Kingston, London, Oshawa, Hamilton, Ottawa and Waterloo — will compete to see who can save the most lives by donating blood.

“This year’s challenge runs from January 14 to February 8. Overall, our goal is to collect 2,395 units of blood across the country, with each campus setting an individual goal. At the end of the challenge, the campus that comes closest to or most exceeds its goal will receive a trophy and national glory. Any donations made during this time will also count towards the University's annual goal as a registered member of our Partners for Life program.

“Most importantly, this challenge aims to establish the next generation of blood donors. Many students say they are willing to donate blood but haven’t had the time or are afraid to try it for the first time. Currently, the largest percentage of blood donors in Canada is over the age of 50. As this group ages, there is a growing need for more young Canadians to step up, give blood, and ensure a safe and secure blood supply for their generation.”

The project comes jut as there’s been media attention to a controversy over CBS’s rules on accepting blood donations from males who “have had sex with a man, even once since 1977” and are thus considered to be at high risk for the human immunovirus that causes AIDS. Some student groups have called for a change in the rule and some have even banned blood drives on campuses.

Says Cairns: “This is the first year the University of Waterloo is participating in the challenge! Our goal is set at 325 blood donations.” Anyone who wants to support UW in the challenge, or just wants to help save lives the blood donor way, can come out to the blood donor clinics in the Student Life Centre multipurpose room: January 14-15 and 23-25, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. (except 9:00 to 3:00 on Friday the 25th).

“Book your appointment at the Turnkey Desk or stop by during clinic hours,” says CBS. There’s more information online.

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News beyond the comfort zone

Math-and-business student Nicole Mery (left) could be on her way to the title of Miss World, with the first stop being the Miss World Canada contest on March 15 in Toronto. Her goal: “Being a strong and beautiful role model for the many youth who look up to Miss World, and to always be challenging myself and my comfort zone, because that is the only way I will grow!” Mery is hoping to enter the Master of Business, Entrepreneurship and Technology program next year after finishing her current degree with a finance concentration. Says a biographical summary: “She likes dancing salsa and swing, and running. She loves volunteering with the elderly, and competed in the University of Waterloo Apprentice. She will be joining Big Sisters and the University choir next term. One of her goals is to climb the seven summits: the seven highest peaks on each continent. She loves social entrepreneurship and wants to create a non-profit organization with her friend that will help students select the right university program and bring in top professionals. Her calling is to be a life-coach, where she will help people find their passion.” And right now she has an appeal to make: “Help me turn my visions into reality and help send me to Miss World Canada!” She needs to raise another $1,000 (“which will cover the dresses, food, and week-long duration before the event”) in the next few weeks. She can be reached through her web site.

An announcement from the university secretariat makes it known that "The University of Waterloo is looking for a Chancellor (term from May 1, 2009, to April 30, 2012) to succeed Dr. Mike Lazaridis, whose second term ends April 30, 2009. Candidates must be Canadian citizens. Duties include membership on the Senate and Board of Governors and presiding at Convocation ceremonies. Any member of the University community or UW alumni is invited to send nominations, accompanied by a resumé, if possible, by January 31, 2008, to Lois Claxton, Secretary of the Chancellor Nominating Committee, Secretariat, University of Waterloo. All nominations will be treated in confidence."

And speaking of the present chancellor, industrialist Mike Lazaridis (right), he's received a new honour, induction into the Co-op Hall of Fame, which is operated by the National Commission for Cooperative Education and housed at the University of Cincinnati. Lazaridis is among a group of notable co-op employers who were nominated for the Hall this year by the presidents of the universities they're associated with (in this case, UW's David Johnston). "RIM came into being as a co-op project," says a citation, "and today employs almost 1,500 co-op students each year! Mr. Lazaridis is a community leader and passionate advocate for education and scientific research, having made founding contributions to UW’s Institute for Quantum Computing (IQC), and the Perimeter Institute for Theoretical Physics. Now serving as UW Chancellor, Mr. Lazaridis has received numerous honors for his achievements, including Officer of the Order of Canada, Canadian International Executive of the Year Award, Canadian CEO of the Year Award, and TIME Magazine’s 100 Most Influential People."

If you use a Dell computer, you'll want to note this message from the information systems and technology department: "Dell has an extended warranty program for Optiplex SX270 (ultra small chassis) and GX270/GX280 (any form factor chassis) which is terminating on January 31, 2008. The warranty covers replacing the system board due to faulty capacitors which can swell and leak, sometimes resulting in a dead system or intermittent operations. Even if your system appears to be in good working order, it is very likely that the system board is defective as a high majority of the above systems are affected. If you have one of these computers please bring the computer to the CHIP in Math and Computer room 1052 to have it evaluated as soon as possible."

CAR

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