Hadfield takes Waterloo into orbit

Judging from the mood on campus Tuesday, you'd be forgiven if you said Waterloo was over the moon.

Colonel Chris Hadfield, retired Canadian astronaut and recently appointed adjunct professor of aviation, received a warm welcome from a capacity crowd in the Humanities Theatre that hung on his every word as he took them on a journey around the Earth, from launch to orbit to re-entry. Many more, from Waterloo and beyond, watched the lecture via livestream.

"It's astonishing to think that I once introduced Chris Hadfield to a Waterloo audience as he orbited the Earth on the International Space Station," said President Feridun Hamdullahpur during his introduction. "I welcome him here today as a member of our faculty. This is an exciting day as he gives his first lecture as professor."

Hadfield dazzled the crowd with often-humourous stories about everything from astronauts’ diapers to an emergency space walk during his time as commander of the International Space Station. His presentation included videos of space shuttle and Soyuz rocket launches. "It's quite a ride, really," he said. "And you're weightless, which is the coolest thing ever. The first thing that happens is everyone laughs...a couple of minutes later everyone starts throwing up."

At the core of Hadfield's message yesterday, which included lessons on leadership, the perspective one gets when viewing the Earth from above, and the marvels of engineering, was the question of how you get from here to there - in Hadfield's case, how a kid from Sarnia could get from southwestern Ontario to Low Earth Orbit.

"For me there were no programs, no Canadian role models. No Canadian astronaut program at all," Hadfield said. "But I watched the first person walk on the moon."

With the dream of space on his mind, Hadfield related how he joined the air cadets, learned to SCUBA dive, became a test pilot, ultimately flying on the Space Shuttle twice and commanding a Soyuz vehicle. "Keeping a long-term goal in mind helps you with the small decisions," he said. "You don’t get lost in the reeds. It keeps your decision-making heading in the right direction."

“Nothing in the future is guaranteed," he continued. "But what is a guarantee is if you don’t turn yourself into the person you want to be, you zero your own chances."

Hadfield told the crowd that the dream of space exploration, which he called the"very edge of magic, the edge of capability," was capable of bringing former enemies together to build the International Space Station. "You have to give people something to agree on that supersedes their political cycles and economic cycles."

Hadfield said that the International Space Station was a great place to do University of Waterloo experiments, highlighting his work with Professor Richard Hughson. "This university is absolutely world class," said Hadfield. "I'm really looking forward to coming back in the fall. That will be when the circle comes around and I feel that my feet are back on the ground."

Following Hadfield's lecture, President Hamdullahpur presented him with a Waterloo Warriors hockey jersey that bears his name, naming him honorary captain of the hockey team. The jersey number - 35 - was a reference to Expedition 35, the International Space Station mission that Hadfield commanded.

Hadfield then signed copies of his book, "An Astronaut's Guide to Life on Earth", for the more than 200 people who waited in line for a chance to meet him.

Photographs by Bruce Ladouceur.

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Teamwork makes the dream work

by Lenore Ramirez

It is common knowledge that the University of Waterloo has the largest co-operative education program of its kind in the world. However it is easy to forget exactly how important our students are to the success of co-op, which is why Co-operative Education & Career Action (CECA) believes in maintaining a strong connection with its students.

Helping us foster this connection is Feds, also known as the Federation of Students. Feds represents all of the undergraduate students on campus, and approximately 65% of these students are enrolled in co-op, so it only makes sense that Feds also keep close ties with CECA. Adam Garcia (left, shown speaking at the 2012 Co-op Student of the Year awards ceremony), The Feds' Vice-President, Education, reports, “We have a very mutual relationship in terms of trying to find out what students are looking for in their co-op experiences, and figuring out the best systems, procedures, and policies to make those happen.”

One of the ways in which both organizations are seeking to improve student co-op experiences is through the implementation of WaterlooWorks, the replacement software for JobMine, which connects students, alumni, and employers. Some of the ways that Feds and CECA have been working together is by encouraging current students, as well as student body leaders and representatives, to join the WaterlooWorks Student Panel so they can provide constructive feedback throughout the development of the new system. Adam remarks, “It’s been really good to talk about what the new system looks like so that students can have the best possible experience with it.” CECA and Feds also work together to provide another platform for feedback: the Co-op Student Council. This consists of co-op students, CECA staff, and Feds representatives, and it allows for a forum of discussion set to further improve co-op as an experiential mode of learning.

When students have grievances with co-op, these feedback mechanisms have been useful in altering back-end policies and procedures to provide constructive changes. For example, one of the changes implemented was the work term evaluation, which was changed last year to reflect a new format.

The relationship between CECA and Feds is also important financially. In 2001, Feds was asked by the university to contribute to the construction of a new landmark structure to house the operation of the co-operative education program. Feds, on behalf of co-operative education students, agreed and committed to $25 per co-op student, per academic term for a 25 year period. When complete, total student funds raised will amount to $4.35 million, more than each of the other donor partners.

Adam phrases it best when he says “It’s really important to recognize the contribution that students have made to the program; it’s not just the fact that they’re out there working and promoting the Waterloo brand, they also literally built our campus with their money.” Indeed, in tying both Feds and CECA together, we can all ensure the empowerment of our students and a working relationship that is mutually beneficial. Says Rocco Fondacaro, Director of Student & Faculty Relations for CECA: “The Feds and CECA have cultivated an open and strong partnership. We believe it works so well is because fundamentally, we genuinely share a common goal, the desire for all uWaterloo students to succeed.”

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Campus Resources in Rez

by Sabrina Hutchison.

Over the fall 2013 term, the department of Housing and Residences has been rolling out an exciting new initiative. The Campus Resources in Rez (CRiR) office is a dedicated space located in Village 1, in the midst of the busy dining area, which aims to bring campus resources closer to students in residence. Housing has partnered with several offices and services on campus to make resources more accessible to students, and create a space for these areas to promote their programs and offer support to residence students’ right where they live.

The idea for CRiR came primarily from Housing’s mission statement pledge to help students succeed personally and academically. The department is always trying to improve what they can offer to students and how to better connect them with the amazing resources on campus. Since 2007, Housing has been engaged in a partnership with Counselling Services to support a ‘Counsellor in Residence’ program. This Counsellor spends 50% of their time in Needles Hall and 50% of their time in residence. This partnership has proved extremely successful and has increased support, communication, and collaboration between the two departments. Using this partnership as a model for future collaborations, Housing developed the CRiR office to support the work and student focused outreach initiatives of various campus services.

The University of Waterloo’s strategic plan, specifically the section titled ‘A Vibrant Student Experience’ also influenced the development of CRiR. The objectives of developing strong partnerships to enhance the positive student experience, and providing an environment where students, faculty, and staff can connect both align perfectly with CRiR goals. These goals include educating residents about campus resources, providing residents with accessible resources in house, giving campus partners access to a multi-use space to advise and support students, increasing service usage for under-represented or new campus partnerships, and to role model effective cross-functional relationships which serve to enact the strategic plan of uWaterloo.

The location of CRiR provides convenience for residents, helps Housing promote programs and resources that support student success, and provides University offices and services with more outreach and engagement opportunities. It’s also ideal for walk-in consulting, advising, outreach, and small group (3-5 people) activities. Housing works with partners to set regular office hours for the term so that students become familiar with the schedule. The pilot launch for the fall term included:

• Student Success Office – International Student Advisor (Wednesdays 4:30-6:00p)
• Centre for Career Action – Career Advisor (Mondays and Fridays 9:30-11:30am)
• Health Services – Health Education Nurse (Mondays 4-7:30pm)
• Office of Academic Integrity (Tuesdays 11:30-1pm and Thursdays (10-11:30am)

Housing is interested in expanding the CRiR project so if you would like to find out how this unique and engaging space could work for your area, please don’t hesitate to connect with us!

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Wednesday's notes

“The Federation of Students is offering all undergraduates the chance to win a $500 gift card for Conestoga Mall – all they have to do is enter Part 5 of the Feds Scavenger Hunt contest,” writes the Federation of Students’ Jacqueline Martinz. “The details on how to enter are posted on FedsConnect. Once you’ve completed all the steps, you’ll be entered into a draw for the gift card. The deadline for entries is Friday, December 13 at noon. The winner will be announced shortly after. The Scavenger Hunt contest began in October of this year, and a variety of prizes including tickets to Halloween Haunt at Canada’s Wonderland were given to lucky students.”

Professor Colin Ellard of the Psychology Department will be one of the experts featured in the documentary Where Am I? airing Thursday, December 5 on CBC's The Nature of Things. The show starts at 8:00 p.m.

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