Student project shows where the cars are

A student-developed web application that gives real-time updates of the four student parking lots on campus is now available online and for download on Android phones. WATpark is an app that shows how many parking spaces have been used and uses colour coding to show how close the lot is to being near-full or completely full.

"It allows the driver to see in advance whether space is available at their normal lot, or whether they need to go to an alternate location," writes Peter Briant of Parking Services. "Lot statistics can be displayed but at the moment are only available for Lot C. The application is still under development, so we look forward to extra features being added."

WATPark is a fourth-year student design project developed in collaboration with Parking Services. The original student team that created WATpark included Tom Joynt, Dan Malakieh, Eric Wasaba and Tim Costa, who graduated in the spring. The new team that will carry on the development includes Michael Costa, Andrew Rasmussen, Josh Kenny and Sherry Yang, working with Giles Malet in Information Systems and Technology (IST) and Peter Briant of Parking Services.

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Don't phear the phony phishing phonecalls

As the time comes for students to arrange their fees for the upcoming term, it would appear that telephone scam artists are coming out in full force.

Earlier this week, Student Accounts was notified that a student had received a phone call claiming that fees were overdue for the winter term (which, of course, wasn't true, as fees aren't due until December 17). The caller knew the student's name. The caller's number was 760-705-8888.

“This number appears to be a Google Gmail's "call phone" feature without a Google Voice account attached. Basically the generic Google Chat Phone number all Google chat users are assigned as caller ID," writes Carol Hoffer of Telecommunications Services. "Anyone can use it and it has a reputation of running scams through this number. The individual calling identified themselves as from University of Waterloo. I believe this is likely a social engineering effort to gain credit card or personal information. Students should not provide any sensitive information or login to her computer to access any websites the caller may have suggested.”

This is not the first such incident. Recently a parent in the 613 area code whose daughter was not enrolled at the University of Waterloo called Student Accounts saying that her daughter had received multiple messages on her smartphone regarding fees that were due to the University of Waterloo.

Student Accounts does not use telephone calls to inform students of due dates or overdue fees, relying instead on email communication. The only exception is during the collections process, after a student or former student whose fees are overdue is notified three times via snail mail and email that payment is due. Only when the balance has been transferred to a collections agency would the phone calls begin, and even then, the calls would be about overdue fees from terms in the past, and not an upcoming term.

Police Services has provided some tips for situations like this:

• Never give personal information over the phone (e.g. dates of birth, Social Insurance Numbers, banking/credit card information, etc.)
• Request the name and phone number of the caller and offer to call them back at a later time - then check the legitimacy of the information
• Obtain as much information about the caller as you can - company name, location, etc.
• Note the date and time that the call was received.
  

If you receive a suspicious phone call, here are some additional strategies:

• If you have received the call off-campus, it can be reported to Waterloo Regional Police;
• If you have received the call on-campus, report it to University of Waterloo Police Services;
• Avoid answering calls from unknown caller IDs or phone numbers;
• Trust your gut. If it feels suspicious, it probably is.

More information on phone frauds can be found on websites including the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre, Waterloo Regional Police Fraud Branch, and the Ontario Ministry of Consumer Services. Other useful links include:

• Competition Bureau Canada
• Scam Detector
• The Council of Better Business Bureaus' Scam Stopper

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Creativity, crafts at arts symposium

by Jacqueline Martinz, Federation of Students

The third annual Federation of Students’ Arts Symposium featured incredible creations and performances by University of Waterloo undergraduates. From 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Tuesday, November 27, the Student Life Centre Great Hall was filled with visitors enjoying the music and purchasing their favourite pieces.

“We had everything from Christmas cards to hair accessories to paintings,” said Xinxin Zhang, the arts commissioner for the Federation of Students. “People walked away with their hands full and a smile on their face.”

Arts and Business major, Jessica Whitehead, and Geography and Environmental Management major, Jasmine Frendo had popular items. Whitehead sold handmade jewellery, and Frendo sold acrylic paintings.

Among the acts was The Waterloo Cuban Salsa Club, who showed everyone how to move to the fast-paced music.

“Our goal was to unite all campus artists and show people how much talent is at this University,” said Zhang. “It’s great to see more participants and attendees each year.”

Photograph by the Federation of Students.

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