They’re back! The Football Warriors will return to OUA action in September after a self-imposed period of withdrawal from competition and team rebuilding, says a news release from Waterloo Athletics. The first game, on September 5 at 7 p.m., is at Western. The second, on the 10th at 1 p.m., is Black & Gold Day, and it’s a home game at Warrior Field against Guelph. The full schedule is here.

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Search begins for new provost

“The Vice-President, Academic and Provost Nominating Committee has been constituted under the terms of Policy 48.” says a memo sent from from the university’s Secretariat last week.

Since October 2010, the provost, who is the university’s chief operating officer and the president’s second-in-command, has been Geoff McBoyle (left). When the previous provost, Feridun Hamdullahpur, became president, McBoyle took on the provost’s job on an interim basis while continuing his previous job as associate vice-president (academic programs). He is a professor of geography and former dean of environment.

Says the Secretariat’s memo: “Sharon Rudy and Kristine Johnson of Spencer Stuart, an international executive search consulting firm, have been engaged to assist the committee. Both have extensive experience in university senior recruitment and are familiar with the University of Waterloo. Advertisements for the position will be placed in various locations, including University Affairs, the CAUT Bulletin and the Globe and Mail.

“Nominations, applications and expressions of interest will be held in strict confidence and can be sent via email to uWaterlooVPAP@spencerstuart.com or in hard copy to:

• Sharon Rudy, Spencer Stuart, One University Avenue Suite 1900, Toronto, Ontario, M5J 2P1; Fax (416) 361-6118
• Kristine Johnson, Spencer Stuart, 2020 Main Street, Suite 350, Irvine, CA 92614, USA; Fax (949) 930-8001

“Policy 48 charges the committee with the responsibility of soliciting the views of those affected. Committee members intend to consult with the members of Executive Council; presidents of FAUW, the Staff Association, CUPE, Federation of Students and Graduate Students Association; heads of the federated university and affiliated university colleges; members of the Board of Governors; and anyone else that the committee may deem appropriate.

“All interested regular and non-regular faculty, staff and students are also invited to convey their views on matters concerning the position to any member of the nominating committee.” (Listed below)

“The committee especially invites you to consider the following questions:

1. What are the issues, challenges and opportunities facing the University of Waterloo, and what is the role of the vice-president, academic & provost in addressing them?
2. What advice do you have for the search committee as to the background, credentials, qualifications and leadership style that should be sought in the next vice-president, academic & provost?
3. Do you have any suggestions as to individuals to whom the committee should speak about this opportunity?

“If you prefer to respond in writing, your submission should be directed to Erin Windibank, associate university secretary (c/o Secretariat, Needles Hall; erin.windibank@uwaterloo.ca). Your confidential input and feedback will be very important in shaping the position profile and informing the direction of the search. Comments are due no later than July 31, 2011 and will be held in confidence within the committee."

Here are the members. The list, with addresses, is also available online.

• Feridun Hamdullahpur (chair), president, 519-888-4400 ext. 84400, feridun.hamdullahpur@uwaterloo.ca
• Erin Windibank, secretary, associate university secretary, ext. 32225, erin.windibank@uwaterloo.ca
• Katherine Acheson, faculty (at large), English language & literature, ext. 32122, koa@uwaterloo.ca
• Jean Andrey, faculty (senator), geography & environmental management, ext. 33629, jandrey@uwaterloo.ca
• Natalie Cockburn, undergraduate student; vice-president, education, Federation of Students; ext. 32340, ngcockbu@uwaterloo.ca
• David DeVidi, faculty (senator), philosophy, ext. 35701, ddevidi@uwaterloo.ca
• Susan Elliott, (senator), dean of applied health sciences, ext. 31107, elliotts@uwaterloo.ca
• George Freeman, faculty (at large), electrical & computer engineering, ext. 32876, george.freeman@uwaterloo.ca
• Kim Gingerich, staff (at large), Office of the VP, academic & provost, ext. 33187, katgingerich@uwaterloo.ca
• Ken Lavigne, staff (at large), registrar, ext. 32263, klavigne@uwaterloo.ca
• Kevin Lynch, governor; vice-chair, BMO Financial Group; 416-359-7272, kevin.lynch@bmo.com
• Michael Makahnouk, graduate student; president, Graduate Student Association; ext. 37277, mak@uwaterloo.ca
• Terry McMahon, faculty (senator), dean of science, 519-888-4591 ext. 84591, mcmahon@uwaterloo.ca
• Michele Mosca, faculty (senator), Institute for Quantum Computing, ext. 37484, michele.mosca@uwaterloo.ca
• Manoj Sachdev, faculty (senator), electrical & computer engineering, ext. 33370, msachdev@uwaterloo.ca
• Ryan Touhey, faculty (FUAC), St. Jerome’s University, 519-884-8111 ext. 28218, rmtouhey@uwaterloo.ca

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Fr. Norm Choate passes

a St. Jerome's University news release

It is with great sadness that St. Jerome’s University announces the passing of former president, chaplain and lecturer Father Norman Choate, C.R., on July 3, 2011. He was in his 80th year and resided in North Fort Myers, Florida.

Father Choate (right) is best known to St. Jerome’s for twenty-five years of leadership and pastoral commitment along with his defence of academic freedom and clear commitment to students. He first came to St. Jerome’s as a lecturer in sociology from 1964-67. He then served as university chaplain in 1974 alongside Father Bob Liddy. With the sudden illness of St. Jerome’s president Fr. Siegfried, Father Choate was asked to represent the university and in mid-November 1979, Fr. Norman Choate became the president of St. Jerome’s – a post he held until 1989.

During Father Choate’s tenure, several important initiatives were launched, including the St. Jerome’s Centre for Catholic Experience, which continues to provide lectures and life-long learning opportunities on a variety of faith-based topics each year, and the construction of Siegfried Hall, the principal lecture theatre and worship space at St. Jerome’s. Father Choate has been a teacher and administrator as well as a chaplain and parish priest.

Father Choate leaves the legacy of chaplaincy being central to St. Jerome’s University life. His connection with SJU students is notable where the students related to him instantly and he to them – through his candour and care for each individual student. In Father Choate’s own words, “I loved it from day one. I loved the whole idea of being in this academic world. I enjoyed the company of students. I was a lot younger – a lot closer to their own age. But it was a lot of laughs. And I liked being a father and I was that from day one here.” (source:  Enthusiasm for the Truth)

Father Choate also received an Honorary Doctor of Laws degree from the University of Waterloo in 1989 and in 2009, became an honorary St. Jerome’s alumnus. In 2006, Choate Common – the outdoor area in front of Siegfried Hall — was dedicated to Father Choate and each year, St. Jerome’s honours a graduate with the Fr. Norm Choate Distinguished Alumni Award. The award was first presented in 1986 to Joe and Stephanie Mancini for distinguishing themselves in professional and community life.

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Survey will quiz students on giving

The Office of Development and Alumni Affairs (ODAA) is inviting students to respond to a short online survey about their awareness of and attitude to the idea of donating to the university, says Alex Brouse of the office of the vice-president, external relations.

“The Grad Class Challenge at the University of Waterloo is a student-run, campus-wide program that has been happening annually since the 1980s,” Brouse says. “Each year, recent graduates are encouraged to give back to the institution in the form of a one-time donation reflective of their graduating year.” Money raised through the Grad Class Challenge goes back to the university through projects that enhance the university experience for current and future students.

The survey will be online until July 11. “We are basically asking about awareness and trying to instill the idea of philanthropy and giving back to the university to new grads so they will continue to do this in the future,” Brouse says. “There are only a few questions on the survey: if they know what the Grad Class Challenge is, how do they hear about events on campus, if they would be willing to donate to the university, and if an incentive would make them more willing to donate.

“The information will be used in a report that the external relations co-op student team is putting together to help ODAA determine whether or not a tag day would be a good idea to implement (that is, a day for going around campus and ‘tagging’ donated items with prices or a ‘thank you’ to show how much donations are needed for the university to function) or if we have other suggestions. We are hoping to reach as many students as possible.”

CPA staff

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