An exhibition of work by architecture students, opening tonight at the Rome campus, tackles a proposed project in the Eternal City itself. The hypothetical museum would stand beside the 17th-century Porta Portese gate and its nearby arsenal. Waterloo's Rome outpost, which has housed a fourth-year architecture program since 1979, is in a historic building in the Piazza S. Apollonia in the Trastevere district.

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Fees due this month for winter term

Thousands of students are getting ready to come to Waterloo this winter term, or to return after a term away. And that means — guess what — paying their tuition and incidental fees, and in some cases also fees for residence.

“It’s time to become ‘fees arranged’ for the winter 2011 term,” says a memo sent the other day to the students who are preregistered for the term that begins January 4. The place to see the size of the fee hit is Quest, the online student system. (Click Finances, then “My Account”, then “Winter 2011”, says the memo, sent out by the university’s finance office.)

With minor exceptions, fees are the same this fall as they were in the fall term. The per-term tuition fee could be as low as $2,577 for a Canadian student in fourth-year arts, or more than $16,000 for international students in some professional fields.

“The University of Waterloo assesses fees one term at a time,” says the memo. “You must become ‘Fees Arranged’ each and every academic term. The easiest way to become ‘Fees Arranged’ is by paying your fees in full. Please see Payment Options on our website.

“Your account balance may change as a result of housing or meal plan adjustments, or changes to your program, citizenship status or course load. Fees are recalculated nightly. Check your student financial account on Quest frequently for updates. The entire balance posted to your student account must be covered by payment in full or by a Promissory Note with proof of approved financial assistance and payment of any remaining balance, by the due date to avoid late fees.

“Note that effective with the Fall 2010 term, payment of any remaining balance calculated on the Promissory Note is due with the Promissory Note. You will be prompted to attach proof of a completed payment when submitting the online Promissory Note. If you choose to print the form and submit it via expressmail or in our drop-box, you must attach a certified cheque, money order, bank draft, proof of completed bank payment or proof of international wire transfer for the remaining balance. Submitting a Promissory Note with acceptable proof of any of the forms of financial aid indicated on the form allows you to defer payment of that portion of your fees covered by the financial aid available to you for the term.”

The finance office doesn’t accept cash payment of tuition fees at the cashiers’ counter in Needles Hall, and also doesn’t accept personal cheques. Over-the-counter and mail payments should be by certified cheque, money order or bank draft, and are due by December 17. The deadline is twelve days later, December 29, for bank payments (such as online transfers) and international wire transfers.

“Fill in the form correctly,” the memo advises. “Submit your documents together! We will not match them up for you. If you do not submit proof of funding with your Promissory Note, your Promissory Note will be discarded. If you do not submit a Promissory Note with your proof document, your document will be discarded.

“Promissory notes and certified cheques/ money orders/ bank drafts are date stamped upon receipt in our office and are processed in the order received. Processing may take up to five business days from the received date, particularly if you submit during the week prior to and including the due date. Please continue to check your Quest account. Your Registered Status at the top of the financial details page for Winter 2011 will change to ‘Fees Arranged’ once your payment or Promissory Note is processed.”

For the first time this term, promissory notes can be sent online with PDF attachments: “This will, hopefully, make it easier for many students to submit online.”

Because the university deals with each student on an adult-to-adult basis, but the reality is that some students do have backing from the family, the memo adds this vital request: “If your parents are paying your own fees, be sure to forward this email along with a copy of your Quest account for Fall 2010 to the person who will be making the payment.”

There’s also a special note for UW employees and children of employees: “If you want to deduct the amount of your Tuition Benefit from the amount you have to pay, your Tuition Benefit form must be submitted with a Promissory Note and proof of a completed payment for the fees not covered by the Tuition Benefit. The payment must be dated no later than the Promissory Note due date or it will be considered late. Tuition Benefit forms submitted without a Promissory Note will be discarded, unless the student’s account has already been paid in full.”

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Keystone gives a year-end invitation

Yes, there will be a Keystone Campaign calendar for 2011, suitable for propping on the corners of desks across campus. No, it won’t be arriving with the end-of-year reminder mailing that encourages staff, faculty members and retirees to make Keystone gifts to the university before the December 31 deadline for this year’s tax receipts.

“We are excited to be sending your annual Keystone calendar to you in early December,” says this week’s letter from the new co-chairs of the campaign, which has raised $9.6 million for the university as part of Campaign Waterloo and now goes on as part of “Making the Future”.

Right now, what individuals are getting is a brochure (left), a letter customized for past, present or never-yet donors, and an opportunity to pledge support through a single or recurring gift.

Just about any University of Waterloo activity can be the subject of Keystone support, but as the brochure indicates, the current campaign emphasis is on a few priorities including scholarships and other student awards.

“Like a puzzle,” says one version of the letter, “there are many pieces that join together to help make Waterloo a great university.  As a staff member, you are a critical piece. Gifts from staff, faculty and retirees help the university community: discover relevant solutions to local and global problems, access cutting-edge technology and infrastructure, and benefit from scholarships and award programs. Every gift makes a difference and together they power the learning and innovation that is the heart of our university.

“We believe that uWaterloo staff, faculty and retirees care about our institution, its students, and its success. In order to inspire external partners such as alumni, corporations, and foundations to support these causes, we must start here at home. By investing in a project or area you are passionate about, you are helping to complete the puzzle. It’s never too late to make an annual gift!

“We hope you will consider joining us in supporting uWaterloo and its students.”

The signers of the letter are making their first appearance as Keystone co-chairs:

• Bob Kerton, former professor of economics and dean of arts 1999-2006, representing retirees.
• Jean Andrey, professor of geography and environmental management since 1989, representing faculty.
• Paul McKone, senior design demonstrator at the Centre for Knowledge Integration, representing staff.

CAR

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