Proc on, proctors: Professor David Rose took this pre-exam snapshot of the Physical Activities Complex as proctors prepare for the Biology 130 final exam. As exams are yet another sign of the season, remember this, exam-takers: from this angle, you're each as special as a snowflake.

 

Back to top

Provost talks holiday break, office parties

The Vice-President, Academic & Provost has sent his annual holiday missive to the university community.

“Firstly, please make sure there is someone managing the telephone service in your unit until 4:30 pm on Monday, December 23, 2013,” wrote Geoff McBoyle in a memo distributed on December 10.

“Secondly, it is that time of year again when thoughts are turning to seasonal and holiday celebrations. Whether these celebrations are large or small, it is important that we take proactive steps to ensure the health and safety of our employees who attend office parties.”

“As a prudent member of the University of Waterloo community I ask you to review Policy 21, “Alcohol Use and Education”, continues the provost. “Please take steps to ensure our employees have a safe and enjoyable event.”

 

Back to top

Faculty asked to review simulated schedule

The Registrar’s Office and the Faculty Association of the University of Waterloo (FAUW) are asking instructors to review a simulated Fall class schedule and provide feedback as part of the Scheduling, Timetables and Examination Project (STEP).

“Simulation 3”, as it is called, was created using data accurate to July 2013.

The faculty feedback is important, according to Registrar Ken Lavigne, as it helps to identify and address issues in individual schedules as well as in the data collection and scheduling processes. Feedback from faculty members about the simulated schedule should be given to department timetable representatives who will collect all feedback in the department/school and forward it to the STEP team.

Faculty members are also being asked to complete the timetabling survey before January 6, 2014.

“The data collected in this survey will provide a comprehensive view of faculty members’ assessments of the scheduling process – this is a key opportunity to share your views,” reads the memo.

While the survey is anonymous, faculty members have the option to request a follow-up with Registrar’s Office staff. The survey results will be used to make adjustments and improvements to the scheduling process as a whole.

Once the survey is complete and observations about Simulation 3 are available, results will be posted to the STEP website, key issues will be summarized and initiatives to address them shared, and STEP representatives will follow up with individual instructors to discuss specific issues.

“We appreciate your assistance in creating an optimal schedule for University of Waterloo students, instructors, and departments,” the memo from Lavigne and FAUW President David Porreca concludes.

 

Back to top

Safe, seasonal shutdown suggestions for labs

The Safety Office has released its annual notice of seasonal holiday shutdown procedures for laboratories across the university. The office is asking that all labs require operations to be suspended by Monday, December 23 at 5:00 p.m. until Thursday, January 2, 2014. Other precautions that should be taken include:

• Shutting down all processes vulnerable to a failure of utilities;
  
• Removing hazardous waste from the lab. The last day for hazardous waste pickup is Tuesday, December 17 and for drop off at the Environmental Safety Facility the last day is Friday, December 20 (call ext. 35755 for more information);
  
• Shutting off compressed gases and gas supply lines to equipment;
  
• Turning off and unplug, where possible, electrical devices such as hot plates, computers, and, if not containing hazardous materials, fumehoods and environmental chambers;
  
• Ensuring lab contact information is updated with names, phone numbers and addresses in a location accessible to emergency response personnel (the inside of the lab door is a suggested location); and
  
• Including documentation on contents of freezers and refrigerators.
  

If an incident occurs, you should:

• Report failures of equipment or physical plant to Plant Operations at x33793.
  
• If a lab or building has been without power, allow the lab exhaust systems to operate for at least 2 hours before entering the lab or building.
• Contact Safety Office or UW Spill Team through UW Police at 519-888-4911 or x22222 if you have concerns relating to hazardous materials spills.

The Safety Office can be contacted at extension 35755 if you have any questions about preparing your lab for the holiday shutdown.

 

Back to top

Hawking documentary and other timely notes

Items of interest on the final Friday the 13th of 2013.

A documentary film about famed physicist Stephen Hawking is getting some screen time at the Princess Cinema this weekend.

Hawking: The Remarkable Story of a Beautiful Mind will be screened at 5:00 p.m. on Sunday, December 15, and the showing will feature a question-and-answer session led by Raymond Laflamme, director of the University of Waterloo’s Institute for Quantum Computing.

Laflamme is eminently qualified to speak about one of the world’s most famous scientists – he is a friend and former PhD student of Hawking at the University of Cambridge.

The screening of the autobiographical film is a partnership between the Perimeter Institute for Theoretical Physics and the Institute for Quantum Computing. Each screening of the film comes with a taped introduction by Hawking and Neil Turok, director of the Perimeter Institute.

"Paid parking is back at Grebel," writes Mimi Hollinger-Janzen. "This fall we were limiting our visitor parking but as of today we are back to normal." Parking costs $2 per hour up to $6 per day in Conrad Grebel's lot, payable at the front office or at the machine in the lot. Parking is free after 7:30 p.m. on weekdays and all weekend.

In addition, Conrad Grebel's electric vehicle charging station, a first at the university, is now active. More details about the station are available online.

Human Resources is reporting that the following staff members have retired, effective December 1:

• Danny Lee, who started working at the university in August 1985, and retired as Assistant Director, Cash Operations in Food Services; and
• Anneliese Burger, who began working at the university in May 1997, retiring as Advancement Assistant in the Dean of Environment office.

In addition, Human Resources has the following faculty retirements as of December 1:

• Professor Frank Tompa, who began working at the university in July 1974 as assistant professor and retires as Professor in the School of Computer Science.

Back to top