Putting the Waterloo Way on display at OUF

This is an excerpt of a piece first published on the Waterloo Stories page.

More than 60,000 students, parents and educators are expected to visit the award-winning University of Waterloo booth at the Ontario Universities’ Fair (OUF) during its 3-day run at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre.

“The University of Waterloo presence at the OUF is an incredible collaboration among our faculty, staff and students,” said Valerie Herteis, manager of Waterloo’s OUF activities. “Our participation is really a manifestation of the innovation and experiential learning that make Waterloo unique."

First launched in 2010, the booth was designed by recent Waterloo architecture grads with input from students, faculty and staff. It features a ‘campus within a campus’ concept, taking a cue from Waterloo’s physical layout. It also incorporates Christie Digital MicroTiles as information and way-finding tools. Colour-coded t-shirts and ‘pavilions’ in the faculty colour schemes make it easy for prospective students to connect with the right people.

For high school students interested in attending Waterloo next year, the OUF booth provides an opportunity for ‘one-stop shopping’ in terms of connecting with the faculty, student life, admissions, and other experts that will help inform their decision.

“We’ve had extraordinary feedback about our presence at the OUF. In fact, just seeing our booth has prompted students to investigate Waterloo when they hadn’t considered the University before,” said Tina Roberts, Director of Waterloo's Marketing and Undergraduate Recruitment department. “The innovative, high-quality appearance made a splash when we first launched the booth, but it is the incredible energy and dedication of our boothers that really sustains the impact of our OUF presence each year.”

The OUF runs from Friday Sept. 27 to Sun. Sept. 29 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre.

Read the full piece on Waterloo Stories.

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Staff association outlines new leadership model

by Gail Spencer, University of Waterloo Staff Association (UWSA)

For the first time in UWSA history the position of President will be a full-time (100 per cent release time) position.  

Beginning November 1, 2013, current UWSA President Carlos Mendes (right) will serve in a full-time capacity for 2013-2014. The person elected as President-elect this October will serve as full-time President for 2014-2015.

This change comes from an acknowledgement that the President's role, as a volunteer add-on to one's current duties as a uWaterloo staff member, has been increasingly difficult to perform effectively. Often, work-related duties are not easily re-assigned or deferred, making the workload extensive and unmanageable.

The UWSA President has been increasingly called upon to participate in university-level projects such as the Staff Life Cycle, to spearhead UWSA initiatives such as the recent Staff Engagement Survey, and is frequently called upon to attend meetings which deal with high level organizational staff relations issues. At the UWSA Special General Meeting, the membership approved the motion to increase fees to provide partial funding for a full-time President. The university's administration has agreed to jointly fund this position. 

The newly-created position of President-elect was also approved by the membership at the Special General Meeting. The person elected to this position will have an entire year to gain experience for the full-time Presidential role. Their department will also have the year to prepare for that person's leave from their unit. This is an exciting new growth opportunity for staff members who feel strongly about staff advocacy, are enthusiastic about bringing their skills to the UWSA, and are eager to work with representative groups across campus.

They will join a fantastic team of members, the UWSA Board of Directors, who volunteer their time to represent and provide a voice for staff at uWaterloo.

Nominations are open for the President-elect and four Director positions within the University of Waterloo Staff Association. To become a candidate or nominate a colleague, complete and submit a nomination form before 12:01 p.m. on Tuesday, October 1, 2013.

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Traffic, transit diversions for Reunion Fun Run

Grand River Transit, GO Transit, and Greyhound bus pick-up locations will be altered on Saturday, September 28 for the annual AHS Fun Run, which is being held as part of Reunion 2013.

Beginning at 9:00 a.m. Saturday, all traffic around Ring Road will be routed to the outer lane only until approximately 12:00 noon. Police and Parking Services will be managing traffic during this time.

Greyhound will be picking up across the street from its regular pick-up location at BMH, and their only morning departure will be at 9:00 a.m. in advance of the race.

GO Transit will be picking up across the street from its regular pick-up location, and the race will only impact a few morning departures. Signs will be posted about the change to the pick-up location.

Grand River Transit has been notified of the change to ring road and will adapt their pick-ups accordingly.

If anyone has questions about the transportation diversions, please contact Alumni Advancement Officer Mari-Beth Davis by email or at extension 32610.

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Thursday's notes

Yesterday, the Murray Alzheimer Research Education Program hosted a Coffee Break in B. .C Matthews Hall (BMH) to raise funds for local Alzheimer Society chapters. A major nationwide fundraising initiative of the Alzheimer Society, Coffee Breaks give community members and organizations the opportunity to collect money for programs and services that support persons with dementia and their families in the community.

Pictured above (l to r) are Lisa Loiselle, MAREP’s Associate Director of Research; Jessica Luh, Associate Director of Research; and students from REC 650.

Speaking of fundraising, the Office of Research is hosting a United Way Bake Sale today from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. in Needles Hall room 1043. While supplies last, of course.

Dr. David Rupp, Director of the Canadian Institute in Greece, will be delivering a talk on campus next Tuesday, October 1, entitled "Canadians Take the Field Throughout Greece." The free, public lecture is being presented by the Canadian Ambassador in Greece, the Honourable Robert Peck, the University of Waterloo and Wilfrid Laurier University. According to the event organizers, Dr. Rupp will "discuss the three decades of Canadian archaeological Work in Greece, the activities and mission of the Canadian Institute in Greece and help commemorate the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Greece and Canada." The lecture will take place in PHY 285 from 1:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.

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