Health Services warns of measles risk

Posters being distributed by Health Services across campus are cautioning members of the campus community in the wake of recent increases in measles activity, including an outbreak in Alberta.

Health Services reports that on October 18, a measles outbreak was declared in Alberta, and there are “imported sporadic” cases in both British Columbia and Ontario.

“Measles is highly contagious and spreading globally,” states the poster, which also notes that it is possible to acquire infection with the virus by air or in the environment even after an infected person has left the area.  Travellers moving through International airports, including those in Canada, are at risk of exposure to measles. 

“We advise all students, staff and faculty members to check that their immunizations are up-to-date,” says a statement from Health Services. “Without proper immunization, you are at much higher risk for acquiring the disease and its serious side effects.”

Holiday travelers who are moving through international airports, including those in Canada, are at risk of exposure to measles, warns the poster.

Region of Waterloo Public Health recommends the following, which Health Services has reproduced on their posters:

• Everyone should be immunized for measles
• Adults born in 1970 or later should have received 1 dose of MMR (the Measles, Mumps, Rubella vaccine)
• Two doses of MMR are recommended for all children, young adults (ages 18-25 years), post-secondary students, health care workers, those who plan to travel internationally and those who received killed measles vaccine (1967-1970)
• Consult with your physician about MMR for infants over 6 months of age if travelling to high risk area

“Please speak with a health professional or your family physician if you have questions or concerns about your immunizations,” Health Services concludes.

The awareness campaign has been developed in partnership with Region of Waterloo Public Health.

To update your measles immunization please book an appointment with your family physician.  Health Services plans to respond with immunization clinics to serve the campus community as required.

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Environment students help All At Once

a news release from the media relations team.

A team of students from the Faculty of Environment at the University of Waterloo has joined efforts with musician Jack Johnson to research and further develop All At Once, Johnson’s community-based, social action network.

Professor Jennifer Lynes, director of the Environment and Business program at Waterloo, is leading the collaboration with Johnson and his team to examine how his 2013 theatre tour is integrating community-based social marketing ideas with the musician’s All At Once network.

“On this current tour we are partnering with over 75 community groups across Europe and North America through our All At Once network to support sustainable local food systems and plastic free initiatives,” said Jack Johnson, following a meeting with the Waterloo students at his Toronto show on September 28. “It is exciting for us to see these ideas resonating with music fans. Working with non-profits to inspire positive change has become an integral part of our tours. We look forward to working with the students at the University of Waterloo to track the impacts of our initiatives.”

A group of upper-year students working on the project as part of a fourth-year capstone course. Professor Lynes has been researching social marketing and behaviour change for the past decade, with a particular interest in the relationship between music and the environment. Professor Lynes and doctoral student Stephanie Whitney were recently invited to present about Jack Johnson’s initiatives at the World Social Marketing Conference and Leading Social Change in Toronto.

“Jack Johnson and his team’s efforts to implement sustainability initiatives are unsurpassed in the music industry. Not only are they trying to be as green as they can be on tour and in the production of his music, but, more importantly, they are making impressive efforts at trying to effect behaviour change amongst his fans by connecting them with local environmental non-profits, inspiring fans to take environmental action and incentivizing them with rewards,” said Professor Lynes. “We are delighted with this opportunity to have our students work with the Jack Johnson team on such an important initiative.”

During a Jack Johnson performance at Massey Hall in Toronto, Lynes’ student team had an opportunity to observe how the All At Once network is being promoted on Johnson’s 2013 From Here to Now to You World Tour.

On hand at the concert were three Toronto-based non-profits that fans could connect with including, Toronto Green Community, Foodshare Toronto and Lake Ontario Waterkeepers. Fans could also participate in the Capture Your Commitment campaign and make a public pledge to support sustainable local food and plastic free initiatives with their voice, choice and actions at the All At Once photo wall.

“As an Environment and Business student, the opportunity to work with a high-profile client with passion and drive to make the world a better place is something you only dream about for your final-year, eight-month project,” said Alexandra Ramos. “Aside from being a fantastic musician, Jack Johnson is truly a sustainability leader in the music industry and the All At Once campaign has the potential to be used as a template of sorts for other musicians to follow and use their celebrity status to change the world.”

More information about the All At Once network is available online.

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Cracking the Open Data CODE

Student entrepreneurs and innovators of all stripes are being invited to learn about and participate in the Canadian Open Data Experience (CODE) – the first national Open Data “appathon” in Canada.

The Honourable Minister Tony Clement, President of the Treasury Board and Member of Parliament for Parry Sound-Muskoka, will be at the VeloCity residence at 2:00 p.m. Friday to announce the launch of CODE, which will take place from February 28 to March 2, 2014.

CODE will challenge students from across Canada to put their hardcore coding skills to the test by developing applications using federal government data from its open data portal in a 48-hour race against the clock. The applications produced by participants will need to conform to a theme that will be announced just minutes before the event begins.

To kick off this initiative, the federal government is supporting XMG Studio Inc., organizers of the Great Canadian Appathon (GCA), which will be taking place from January 17 to 19, 2014. The top 15 GCA teams will be invited to participate as VIPs in the CODE event and be given access to the CODE HUB in Toronto, where they can mingle with other hand-picked HUB participants and mentors from the Canadian tech industry.

At the end of the CODE appathon, participants’ submissions will be evaluated. The teams that submit the top 15 apps will be invited to the CODE Grand Finale event on March 28, 2014, where they will pitch their apps to a panel of industry experts and potential investors. The winners will be awarded with prize packages including cash awards, physical prizes, and in-kind services.

Tomorrow’s announcement will be emceed by Dean of Mathematics Ian Goulden and will feature remarks from Minister Clement, President Feridun Hamdullahpur, and Ray Sharma, CEO and founder of XMG Studio Inc.

Registration details for this public event are available online.

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Thursday's notes

Human Resources is reporting that retiree Christian Maier died November 13. Maier started working at the university in August of 1969, holding the position of Custodian in Plant Operations until his retirement in November 1991. He is survived by his wife, Wally (Valentina), also a Waterloo retiree.

The Book Store is holding its Gift Sale in the South Campus Hall (SCH) concourse on Tuesday, November 26 and Wednesday, November 27 from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on both days.

"This is a great opportunity to buy gift items at up to 50 per cent off as well as fiction, non-fiction, and specialized reference books for the holiday season!" writes Tawsif Chowdhury of Retail Services.

Campus Tech, located in the lower floor of the Student Life Centre will be holding a Black Friday Sale on Friday, November 29. "There will be huge discounts (up to 50 per cent off) on a variety of headphones and earphones!" writes Chowdhury.

The 2013 Years of Service celebration for support staff members who have reached major work milestones takes place tonight from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. in the Earth Sciences Museum.

Finally, a reminder that the Fall 2013 Town Hall Meeting will be held on Thursday, November 28, 3:00 p.m., in the Theatre of the Arts.

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