The department of sociology and legal studies is among the world’s best — appearing in the “101 to 150” grouping in the QS World University Ranking that was published a few days ago. Initially sociology was omitted from the list, but it does belong up there, along with two other departments from Waterloo’s arts faculty, says Jennifer Kieffer of the institutional analysis and planning office. “The university obviously takes these ratings with some seriousness and enjoys advertising any evidence of our excellence,” adds the department’s chair, Lorne Dawson. “The same is true for the members of the department.” Among those smiling at the news was faculty member Martin Cooke, pictured — although he may also have been happy because word just arrived on Friday that he’s co-recipient of a $96,000 “data analysis grant” from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research. Working with a colleague from the University of Western Ontario, he’ll be using the funding “to investigate determinants of overweight and obesity among First Nations and Métis children, using Statistics Canada data”.

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Vote on Thursday, students are urged

Student organizations are urging students to take an interest in the Ontario general election that’s scheduled for Thursday — and to keep post-secondary education issues in mind when they decide how to vote.

“The Ontario Undergraduate Student Alliance representing university students and the College Student Alliance representing college students have combined their advocacy efforts to bring strategic pressure on all political parties on matters concerning post-secondary education,” says their web site, dubbed “It’s Your Vote!” The site lists some “key education issues”, including affordability, accessibility, quality, and mobility.

The Liberal Party is hoping its leader, Dalton McGuinty, will earn a third term as premier of the province. It’s being challenged by the Progressive Conservatives, under Tim Hudak, and the New Democrats, under Andrea Horwath, as well as the Green Party, led by Mike Scheiner. Some ridings also have candidates from smaller parties, as well as independents.

“Elections Ontario has put together a guide specifically for university students detailing how to vote,” says a memo from Waterloo’s Federation of Students that was e-mail across campus last week. “Don’t know where to vote on October 6? As a uWaterloo student you can vote either in your hometown or here in K-W. All you have to do is decide on where your principal residence is and vote in either location with proof of residency.”

The main Waterloo campus is in the Kitchener-Waterloo riding, where Elizabeth Witmer (PC) is seeking re-election. She’s challenged by Isabel Cisterna (NDP), Eric Davis (Lib), Peter Davis (Ind), J. D. McGuire (Green), and Melanie Motz (Freedom Party of Ontario).

The Kitchener health sciences campus is in Kitchener Centre riding, where John Milloy (Lib, and the current minister of training, colleges and universities) is seeking re-election. He’s challenged by Bugra Atsiz (Freedom), Patrick G. Bernier (Libertarian Party), Mark Corbiere (Ind), Cameron Dearlove (NDP), Dave MacDonald (PC), and Mark Vercouteren (Green).

Many surrounding areas are in Kitchener-Conestoga riding, where Leeanna Pendergast (Lib) is seeking re-election. She’s challenged by Mark Cairns (NDP), Michael Harris (PC), and Robert Rose (Green).

The Architecture building is in Cambridge riding, where incumbent MPP Gerry Martiniuk (PC) is not running for re-election. The candidates are Atinuke Bankole (NDP), Allan R. Dettweiler (Libertarian), Rob Leone (PC), Jacques Malette (Green), Kathryn McGarry (Liberal), and Robert Ross (Ind).

The Stratford campus is in Perth-Wellington riding, where John Wilkinson (Lib, and the current minister of the environment) is seeking re-election. He’s challenged by Chris Desjardins (Green), Irma DeVries (Family Coalition Party), Ellen Papenburg (NDP), Randy Pettapiece (PC), and Robby Smink (Freedom Party).

After two weeks of advance polls, and the last-minute opportunity of voting by “special ballot” at returning offices in each riding, the regular polls will be open from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Thursday in the parts of Ontario that are in the Eastern time zone.

Just one poll is scheduled to be held on campus — in the great hall of Village 1, for eligible voters whose address is Ron Eydt Village, Village 1, Mackenzie King Village, the Minota Hagey Residence, or the colleges.

Eligible voters living in the Columbia Lake Village townhouses will vote at St. Nicholas Catholic School on Laurelwood Drive. Those living in UW Place will vote at McGregor Public School on Central Street.

The Federation of Students says it “will have a poll finder in the Great Hall, Student Life Centre on October 6 starting at 9 a.m. as well as shuttles running during the day to drive you to your polling station in the area.

“If you’re on the Registered Voters List bring your registered voter’s card. If you’re not on the Registered Voters List bring one piece of photo ID and proof of residency.”

A memo from the human resources department notes that under the Ontario Election Act, “all employees who are eligible to vote in the election are entitled to three consecutive hours during voting hours on election day to cast their vote.”

Regular staff whose working hours are 8:30 to 4:30 already have more than three clear hours at the end of the day before the polls close. Night shift staff should have that much time available earlier in the day. But somebody with an odd schedule — starting before 12 noon but working past 6 p.m. — would be entitled to extra time off in order to have a three-hour voting window.

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'Inclusivity' workshop series begins

A seven-part workshop series that will “explore culture and diversity in the Waterloo workplace” will start next week, says Mark Lisetto-Smith of the university’s office of organizational and human development.

“The fall 2011 term marks the first full offering of the workshops, based on the equally named Principles of Inclusivity, which were launched on campus on October 20, 2010,” says an announcement from OHD. A preliminary version of the workshops was tried out last spring.

Lisetto-Smith recalls that the Principles of Inclusivity “were developed by a university committee to acknowledge, communicate, and promote an understanding of the complexity and uniqueness of the University of Waterloo’s campus community, presenting the ideals by which campus members should engage one another — with sensitivity, respect, and fairness.

“The Principles speak to the Waterloo workplace and support the Sixth Decade Plan with enhancing the institutional capacity to work collaboratively, understanding and improving communication, as well as supporting the university with its international goals for recruitment and retention of the best students, staff, and faculty.”

Here’s how the principles are stated:

• Acknowledge individuals have unique and particular needs in the learning and work environment.
• Respect each individual’s right to express and present themselves relative to their religion, culture, ethnic background, sexual orientation, gender-identity, physical and mental ability.
• Promote inclusivity by reasonably adjusting procedures, activities and physical environments.
• Focus on the capability of the individual without assumptions or labels.
• Be inclusive in all forms of communication.
• Serve all with sensitivity, respect, and fairness.

Says this week’s OHD announcement: “The workshop series will assist you in understanding your reactions; developing an awareness of ‘invisible minorities’; exploring different styles of communication and social interaction; fostering inclusivity for persons with visible and invisible disabilities, and developing an action plan to reinforce and champion inclusivity in your daily life.”

The series starts with a general workshop on “The Principles of Inclusivity” on October 12, and goes on with weekly sessions on subsequent Wednesday mornings: “Understanding Inclusivity”, “Generational Inclusivity”, “Sexual Orientation & Gender ID”, “Inclusive Communication”, “Accessible Communities”, and “Inclusivity Capstone”. Registration for the sessions is through myHRinfo.

CAR

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