Thumbs up (I hope): these electrical and computer engineering students weren't about to let a little snow (okay, a lot of snow) get in the way of their Iron Ring Ceremony celebrations Friday as the university was closed due to heavy snow for the first time in five years. Turns out the fruit of the students' labour was a rather rotund snowman.

 

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This Friday, space is the place

 

The International Space Station (ISS) has been orbiting some 370 km above the Earth since its first components were launched into space in 1998. This week, however, a strong connection will be made between that free-flying spacecraft and the University of Waterloo.

Astronaut Chris Hadfield is currently on board the International Space Station (ISS), and is set to assume command of the orbiting research laboratory in March. Hadfield, who once studied at the University of Waterloo, is working with Waterloo researchers in the Faculty of Applied Health Sciences on two experiments running during his time on the station that focus on how prolonged stints in zero-gravity affects the human circulatory system. He will also become the first Canadian to command the International Space Station.

As reported previously in the Daily Bulletin, students at the University of Waterloo will have the unique opportunity to engage in a conversation with Hadfield on Friday February 15, at 11:30 a.m. via an exclusive space-to-ground satellite connection held in partnership with the Canadian Space Agency. During the discussion, Hadfield will address several questions posed by the University of Waterloo community.

The event will begin with a talk by Canadian Space Agency astronaut Jeremy Hansen, followed by the University of Waterloo’s Richard Hughson. Hughson, the Schlegel Research Chair in Vascular Aging and Brain Health, is working with Hadfield to examine how zero-gravity affects the circulatory system. The Waterloo study will help researchers understand what factors might be involved in the stiffening of arteries as we age here on Earth.

Hughson is also monitoring Hadfield’s blood pressure while on the five-month mission in an effort to answer questions about why some astronauts are prone to fainting once they return to Earth after extended space flight.

Members of the university community have been invited to participate, either in person, or online, in this high-flying event, with registration and livestream information available on the event web page.

 

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Health Services expansion update

 

"The snow day on Friday was an unexpected gift of time to the staff at Health Services and the IST team, who were pushing to finish for opening of the new student clinic today," writes Dr. Barb Schumacher, the university's director of health services. "Several physicians and the clinic assistant, Anna Gerard, braved the weather to join Mark Beadle, Chris Strome and Rob Yawney, working to install the computer hardware necessary to run the electronic health records. On Saturday and Sunday, many other hands worked to stock exam rooms and position equipment and resources."

Today, students will be able to enter the clinic through the main doors of the original building and register in a familiar setting. However, there's more to the expanded facility than meets the eye "Discovery of the light and privacy of the new clinic awaits through the construction door to the expansion," Schumacher continues. "Over the next few days the new reception will be furnished and the automatic doors at the new entrance will welcome students and visitors."

Meanwhile, Central Stores will assist Dr. Schumacher with emptying the old building of all remaining furnishings and equipment in preparation for the second phase of construction — renovation of the old building — that will begin on Monday, February 18 with the installation of a new roof.

"Those who have observed the white hose running from a tray in the ceiling into a white barrel at the information desk will appreciate the importance of this first step in rejuvenation of the building," Schumacher concludes, noting that the original structure was designed by Raymond Moriyama and erected in 1968.

The Health Services expansion has been ongoing since 2011.

 

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Volunteers sought for March Break Open House

A message from Marketing & Undergraduate Recruitment

It’s that time of year again and uWaterloo is preparing for its annual March Break Open House (MBOH) for future students! This means that the Visitors Centre is once again looking to recruit enthusiastic and knowledgeable student volunteers to help out with this important event! This year’s MBOH is happening over two days: Tuesday, March 12 focuses on the faculties of Engineering and Math, and Wednesday, March 13 focuses on the faculties of Applied Health Sciences, Arts, Environment and Science.

This event provides future students and their families with the opportunity to visit our campus and learn more about what uWaterloo has to offer. Throughout the day, visitors will have the chance to attend academic sessions related to their areas of interest in addition to general information sessions about residence life, financing, and co-operative education, and meet representatives who can answer all of their questions. They can visit Waterloo residences, take a campus tour, and more!

This event is critical in helping students decide if they would like to accept their invitation to uWaterloo and also plays an important role in uWaterloo’s recruitment efforts. If you are interested in exploring this great opportunity to get involved on campus, meet more enthusiastic students like yourself, and give back to your university community, you’re just who we’re looking for! If you’d like to volunteer for this exciting event please complete a volunteer application and bring it back to the Visitors Centre, SCH before Friday, March 1.

Applications can be picked up in the Visitors Centre or downloaded as a PDF.

 

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Town Hall tomorrow and other notes

 

The Winter 2013 Town Hall is scheduled to get underway at 3:00 p.m. tomorrow in the Humanities Theatre. Remarks will be delivered by President & Vice-Chancellor Feridun Hamdullahpur and Vice-President, Academic & Provost Geoff McBoyle, followed by a question and answer session. Questions will be taken from the floor, from emails sent to townhall@uwaterloo.ca, and from Twitter by using the #uwth hashtag. The event will be livestreamed.

Human Resources is reporting that Patricia Morrison, who began working at the university in November 1969 and retired as Supervisor in the library in November 1987, died on February 5.

The Math Grad Committee is hosting a Grad Info Session to help prepare upper-year mathematics students for their impending graduation. The event will be held from 5:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. this evening in MC 4021. Representations from the Tatham Centre, Lifetouch Photography, and Alumni Affairs will speak, and there will be free pizza and pop for all who attend.

 

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