Annual e-waste collection campaign begins

"Central Stores will be offering a 10-day departmental e-waste pickup initiative starting Monday April 2 and ending Friday April 13," writes Joel Norris of Central Stores. "Departments with university owned e-waste should call Central Stores at x32821, as soon as possible, to be placed on a pickup list." This is the third year that the e-waste initiative has been in operation.

Departments will be asked for approximate item quantities for pickup scheduling purposes and to allocate the appropriate moving equipment. A Central Stores staff member, based on faculty and/or departmental response, will contact the department to set up the specific pickup date, time and location.

This 10-day initiative will allow your department the opportunity to clear out, “for disposal”, e-waste and to do so without the normal paperwork requirements. Any items deemed to be of high value will be separated and a request for an “Asset Disposal Form” will be issued.

"Central Stores has allocated staff specifically to handle this 10-day event, which starts Monday April 2," writes Norris. "So, please take advantage of this annual event and seize the opportunity to rid your department of space consuming electronic waste."

Items accepted for e-waste pickup include CRT/LCD monitors, scanners, computers and computer peripherals (including keyboards and mice), VCRs, copiers, TVs and DVD players, laptops, stereos and speakers, cell phones, printers and their cartridges, and microwave ovens.

Norris also notes that there will be a “General Public” E-waste Green Day drop off being held on Saturday April 14, from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., at Central Stores on 263 Phillip Street.

"This single day event is also available to all University of Waterloo employees who may have personal electronic waste items at their home residences," writes Norris. "We encourage all staff to promote the single day event throughout their neighbourhood and community. Central Stores has posters and flyers available."

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New Records Manager

an announcement from the Vice-President Administration and Finance

The university welcomes Chris Halonen as the new Records Manager starting April 2. Chris was formerly the University Records Archivist in the library and has wide experience with archival work and records management which will contribute to the ongoing development of the records management initiative at Waterloo.

Chris succeeds Carolyn Dirks who retired from the position last year. In addition to continuing work on WatCLASS, the university’s records retention schedules, Chris will provide guidance on good records management practice to the university community. Questions should be directed to: chalonen @uwaterloo.ca or ext. 38284.

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Student team off to evaluation contest finals

A team of four students from the University of Waterloo are off to the final round of the national case competition of the Canadian Evaluation Society (CES) on May 14 in Halifax, Nova Scotia.

The team formed by Anum Khan, Mary Jean Costello, Renata Valaitis, and Sarah Sousa from the School of Public Health and Health Systems is one of three selected from across Canada for this annual event. Their competitors will be from the University of Ottawa and Université Laval. The competition will be held as part of the national conference of the CES.

The competition helps students build their skills in evaluating public policies and programs. Using real life examples of public sector or community-based programs, the finalists will develop recommendations for how to best go about evaluating whether the programs are “doing the right things right and making a difference” - all within the pressure of a team effort in a five hour window. Teams are judged by a panel of experienced evaluators.

“We’re very excited for the opportunity to participate in this competition and represent UW on a national level. The support from our peers, coaches and faculty has really helped us to prepare for this final round,” says team member Sarah Sousa. Dr. Anita Myers and Dr. Mark Seasons have coached teams for several years and have a strong track record in the competition.

Given the increasing emphasis on results and accountability in public policy and programs, the case competition is an important contribution by the Canadian Evaluation Society to the broader community.

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Goose on the loose and other notes

The geese may have been forced out of the Davis Centre, but their occupation of Parking Lot A continues. Reports of a particularly grizzled goose directing traffic at the lot's entrance have been coming in (perhaps we can get a reflective vest in his size). Karen Richardson snapped the shot above of the goose on the lookout for targets (Is that the same unlucky car from this March photo?). Use caution when approaching, and review this handy leaflet before attempting to breach the perimeter.

Researchers at the University of Waterloo are investigating Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in children, and are seeking participants for a new study.

There is growing research evidence to suggest that children with ADHD experience social difficulties, but the reasons are unknown. Researchers at the University of Waterloo’s Cognitive Development Lab are investigating the communicative and interpersonal challenges associated with ADHD. In particular, researchers are exploring how children with ADHD interact with their mothers, as well as how aware they are of their own behaviour during these activities.

Interested mothers and their children between the ages of eight and 12 years old are invited to take part in the study. Participation in the study involves a visit the University of Waterloo campus for 1.5 hours. The mothers will complete several questionnaires about their children’s ADHD and social interactions. The children will complete structured games with a researcher. Mother and child will also play an interactive game together.

To apply to the study, please contact the university's Cognitive Development Lab at 519.888.4567 ext. 38542 (confidential voicemail), or childresearch @uwaterloo.ca.

And just a quick final note to report that yesterday's piece on the Engineering Day for Girl Guides was written by Lauren King for the Engineering Science Quest (ESQ) blog.

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