Don't copy that floppy...donate it!

They lie in the darkest recesses of desk drawers or in the depths of forgotten storage boxes, gathering dust and sleeping fitfully as they dream of lurking magnets or an accidental re-format. They are floppy disks, those data storage devices of yore that, like most bits of obsolete tech, were eminently useful until the moment they suddenly weren't, supplanted by CD-Rs, USB sticks, memory cards, and the gathering cloud.

However, the University of Waterloo Sustainability Project's EcoArt working group is aiming to give these faded data storage champions one last shot at glory. They are collecting floppy disks to create a wall mural in the Mathematics and Computer building.

If you happen to have floppy disks hanging around (I for one kept a banker's box full of 5.25-inch disks for years because you just never know), Federation of Students Services Manager Zoe Naugler is willing to take them off your hands. She will even pick them up for you. Contact services.manager@ feds.ca or call extension 31202 for more information.

University Records Manager Chris Halonen has reached out to me with a good point - many of these disks, old as they are, may contain personal or confidential information, so if it is at all possible, wipe, reformat, magnetize, or otherwise render them non-functional before donating them.

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CIGI supports Waterloo researchers

A news release from the Centre for International Governance Innovation

The Centre for International Governance Innovation (CIGI) has announced that eight research projects directed by faculty members at Wilfrid Laurier University and the University of Waterloo are being supported by CIGI research awards.

The funding (of up to $30,000 per project available to tenure-stream faculty at each of the two universities) contributes to CIGI’s mission to produce academically rigorous, world-leading research that promotes policy-innovation in global governance. The eight selected proposals each align with one of the independent think-tank’s research themes: global economy; global security; environment and energy; and global development.

The interdisciplinary projects will produce CIGI publications, convene workshops and seminars and support field research activities. Applications were peer reviewed by the CIGI Research Advisory Committee (RAC), which includes representatives from CIGI, Wilfrid Laurier, the University of Waterloo and the Balsillie School of International Affairs.

“CIGI is pleased to work collaboratively with faculty who are widely regarded in Canada and internationally as experts in their fields,” said David Dewitt, CIGI’s Vice President of Programs. “The RAC carefully considered many proposals, and I believe that these eight will produce important findings and policy recommendations that contribute to better understanding of and potential solutions to global challenges.”

As part of the CIGI Collaborative Research Awards, CIGI also accepted applications for the CIGI Strategic Research Initiative, which will provide successful applicants with up to $450,000 over three years. Two research proposals remain under consideration and a final decision will be announced later this year.

CIGI intends to announce a second call for applications for Collaborative Research Awards in September 2012. Information about this second RFP will be available on the CIGI website and will be announced via e-mail to faculty with the assistance of the Office of the Vice-President Research at each of the partner universities.

The University of Waterloo recipients of the 2011-2012 CIGI Collaborative Research Awards are:

• Joel Blit, Department of Economics, University of Waterloo, "Benefits to the international governance of intellectual property; intellectual property rights and private sector R&D in a globalised world",
• Amelia Clarke, School of Environment, Enterprise and Development, University of Waterloo, "Implementing Agenda 21 through Local Agenda 21s: An International Study to Improve Collaborative Governance Structures and Green Economy Outcomes",
• Kimie Hara, Department of History and Political Science, Keiko and Charles Belair Centre for East Asian Studies, Renison University College/University of Waterloo, "East Asia - Arctic Relations: Boundary, Security, and International Politics",
• Kathryn Hochstetler, Department of Political Science, University of Waterloo/Balsillie School of International Affairs, "From Recipients to Donors: Development Assistance from Brazil and China",
• P. Whitney Lackenbauer, Department of History, St, Jerome’s University/University of Waterloo, "The Internationalization of the Arctic Council: Regional Governance under a Global Microscope".

Wilfrid Laurier University researchers Timothy Donais, Dejan Guzina, and Pierre Siklos also received the awards.

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myHRinfo feedback reminder and other notes

Human Resources is encouraging all employees to share their feedback on the services offered through myHRinfo. "Our goal is to ensure managers can complete administrative tasks quickly and efficiently while putting individuals in control of their careers," reads a message from HR.

There are two ways you can participate any time between now and July 31:

• Book a one-hour presentation on what myHRinfo can do for your, experience new functionality and provide input about future enhancements. Contact Stacey Parsons (sjparson@ uwaterloo.ca) or Pam Fluttert (fluttert@ uwaterloo.ca) to book a presentation.
• Take part in a quick and easy online survey, open to all users of myHRinfo (employees, managers, and students). To access the survey, go to the myHRinfo login page.

Members of the University of Waterloo Dragon Boat Club (UWDBC) are participating in the 2012 Club Crew World Championships (CCWC), held this week in Hong Kong's Victoria Harbour, the home of modern Dragon Boat Sport. The 2012 Club Crew World Championships, which is supported by the Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) and is a sanctioned international Dragon Boat Federation (IDBF) will be the first ever world-level competition that UWDBC has taken part in. The team will be racing in the Under-23 category in the mixed division (200m, 500m, 1000m and 2000m races). There are 24 students in the Waterloo Warriors team.

Waterloo Regional Police and the University of Waterloo Police are investigating a series of break and enters into offices in E5, E6 and MC3 that are believed to be related. The incidents occurred over the weekends of May 25 – 27 and June 1 – 3 but investigation has led police to believe the B & Es occurred on the Sunday night of both weekends. In all instances locked office doors were pried open and Apple MacBooks and an Apple desktop computer were stolen.

UW Police has issued the following description based on two images of the suspect:

May 27, E6: Male, black, medium build, 5’5”-5’8”, shaved head, grey shoes with black trim, blue jeans, grey t-shirt with logo of letters “APGO” on left breast.

June 3, MC3: Male, black, medium build, shaved head, silver hoop earring in right ear, grey shoes, blue jeans, dark windbreaker with 2 white pinstripes running down outside sleeve.

Video of a suspect from both weekends has been obtained and UW police is asking members of the university community to view the suspect's image to help them identify the suspect.

In both instances the male is seen entering the buildings with a black bi-fold laptop bag slung over his right shoulder and exiting the buildings with a large black duffle bag slung over his right shoulder.

Anyone with information is asked to contact UW Police at extension 22222 or Waterloo Regional Police at 519-650-8500 extension 3300.

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