President concludes review of March 13 protest

a statement by Feridun Hamdullahpur, President and Vice-Chancellor

Earlier this year, a guest invited to speak at a University of Waterloo Federation of Students-sanctioned club event was interrupted by vociferous protest by a group of nearly two-dozen people, some of whom were Waterloo students. Their actions were completely unacceptable.

I undertook to review the incident to make sure that all invited speakers, whatever the topic, are able to speak in a safe and productive environment. That review has concluded, focusing on the following items:

• communications between university authorities and bookings teams have been examined to ensure discussions around potentially contentious events are clear and unambiguous as possible;
• authorities have reflected on the process by which enhanced security measures are established if the appropriate authorities determine they are required; and
• standard police procedures in place in the Department of Police Services have been codified for use in  the management of protests, expressly protecting freedom of expression.

We have also identified a number of the individuals involved in the protest. Identified individuals who are not Waterloo students have been informed that their access to campus shall be limited or denied until further notice. Waterloo students identified may face discipline under our student discipline policy – policy 71.

Let me be clear – the University of Waterloo will not tolerate actions that seek to stifle any one point of view. It is the responsibility of everyone on campus to make sure that the fundamental principles we hold dear are upheld and where actions fall short of our expectations, we will take the appropriate action.

 

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Brockhouse Medal winners are mighty mighty

A professor of physics at the University of Waterloo has won the prestigious Brockhouse Medal, along with a professor from McMaster University, in recognition of their shared accomplishments in the field of soft condensed matter physics.

Professor James Forrest of the Department of Physics and Astronomy at the University of Waterloo shares the prize with Professor Kari Dalnoki-Veress of McMaster. They have collaborated numerous times on research projects, co-authored papers, and hosted each other's students in their labs, all while also maintaining their own independent research programs.

"This award acknowledges Professor Forrest’s commitment to excellence, and is indicative of both importance of his work and the respect he has of other scientists in his field,” said Professor Terry McMahon, dean of the Faculty of Science. "The Faculty of Science appreciates his contribution, and I congratulate him on this notable recognition."

The Brockhouse Medal, which is sponsored jointly by the Division of Condensed Matter and Materials Physics (DCMMP) and the Canadian Association of Physicists (CAP), recognizes excellence in research contributions to condensed matter and materials physics. It is named in honour of Professor Bertram Brockhouse, whose outstanding contributions to research in condensed matter physics in Canada were recognized with the 1994 Nobel Prize for Physics.

"There are many talented researchers studying condensed matter and materials physics in Canada," said Professor Forrest. "It's a real honour to be selected from such an impressive list of scientists and it means even more to share it with a respected colleague and friend."

Both professors will be presented with the 2013 CAP Brockhouse Medal on May 28 at the 2013 CAP Congress taking place in Montreal from May 27 through 31.

 

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Gearing up for a new term and other notes

Lectures are set to begin on Monday, ushering the Spring term in along with the very fine weather of late, and the campus is already abuzz with activity:

Housing and Residences has listed their move-in dates for the term.

A sign outside of Parking Services indicates that term permits are available for pickup.

Intersession hours at the Library wind up on Sunday, May 5.

The Physical Activities Complex and Columbia Icefield will be closed on Saturday, May 4 and Sunday, May 5, reopening at 8:00 a.m. on Monday, May 6.

Most Food Services locations will be serving up at regular times on Monday.

Feds Used Books has had extended hours since Wednesday, May 1. They are open Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., until May 10, and will be open 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Saturday, May 4 and Saturday, May 11.

Likewise, Retail Services outlets are running on extended hours this week and next.

The Austrian Studies Association is hosting its annual conference entitled Glaubenssysteme (Belief-Systems) today and tomorrow at St. Paul's University College.

Speakers include Grit Liebscher, Chair of Germanic and Slavic Studies, Tim Kenyon, Associate Dean, Graduate Studies, Robert Dassanowsky, President, Austrian Studies Association, Lukas Meyer of Universitat Graz, David Luft of Oregon State University, Lorraine Markotic of the University of Calgary, and more. There’s even an afternoon session dedicated to the works of Franz Kafka.

Retired university librarian Rienzi Crusz will be receiving a lifetime achievement award at the Festival of Literature and the Arts at the University of Toronto today. Crusz was appointed as a reference and collections development librarian at the University of Waterloo in 1969 and held that position until his retirement in 1993. And there's another Waterloo connection to this event - the presentation will be presided over by Professor Deep Saini, the principal of University of Toronto, Mississauga, who served as Dean of Waterloo's Faculty of Environment from 2006 to 2010.

Finally, tomorrow is Free Comic Book Day. Go pick one up, and May the Fourth be with you.

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