Peace out! This past week, campers and volunteers have been exploring the concept of peace at the annual Conrad Grebel Peace Camp. The overall theme this year was “Epic Peace: Turning the World Upside Down.”

Themes included "Reduce, Re-use, Recycle" and the environment's connection to peace, and "Everyday Peace," which looked at accessibility and conflict resolution as practical ways to make peace in everyday life. Campers also visited the Woodland Cultural Centre.

Campers enjoyed the weather, played games, made musical instruments out of garbage, and heard from guest speakers about topics including local agriculture.

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One Warrior's fight in the battle against MS

This is the latest in a series of #UWCommunity weekly features that highlight Waterloo in the community.

Each spring Scott Davis, faculty relations manager at Co-operative Education and Career Action (CECA), tunes up his bike and begins another journey in his fight against Multiple Sclerosis.

This season marks the 8^th year that Scott has participated in MS Bike, raising awareness and funds for research in the battle against Multiple Sclerosis. Since he began, Scott has cycled a total of 3,313 kilometers on behalf of the MS Society —nearly the equivalent of cycling from the University of Waterloo to Calgary, Alberta.

By the end of this season Scott will have logged many more kilometers. Already under his belt are the Prince Edward County ride and the Grand Bend to London ride. Next up is his traditional ‘home’ MS ride in Niagara on August 24. Scott will finish his season with Team Canada in October at the Bay-to-Bay ride from San Diego to Los Angeles.

There are nearly 100,000 Canadians living with MS, and for Scott, this fight is personal.  His wife Linda was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis 9 years ago. “Linda is my champion; her determination, resolve and grace as she faces her challenges inspire me to train and ride each year”, says Davis.

In 2013, Scott raised a total of $18,050, bringing the overall total funds raised to an astounding $82,799.98. Davis’s fundraising goal this year is set at $18,000 with a personal commitment to match the highest individual donation he receives.

Proceeds from MS Bike fund research with 3 primary goals: to find a cause and cure for MS, to repair nervous system damage caused by MS and to stop MS attacks. Funding also provides support and services to help those living with this disease as well as their families and caregivers.

To learn more, or to sponsor Scott, please contact him by email at snorck@sympatico.ca.

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A reminder about hospitality expense guidelines

by Corrine Krauss, associate director, audit & communications.

The end-of-summer barbecue season is soon upon us and we would like to take this opportunity to remind everyone of the University’s Guidelines for Eligible Hospitality Expenses.

The guidelines outline that alcoholic beverages are to be purchased and served by a licensed establishment.  In particular, the cost of alcoholic beverages for events will not be reimbursed under the following conditions:

• When an individual purchases alcoholic beverages directly from a supplier, such as The Beer Store, Liquor Control Board of Ontario (LCBO), or any similar establishment.
• When the event, at which alcoholic beverages are served, is not held at a commercial, licensed establishment. The University’s Food Services – Catering department is required to serve at events held in a private residence.

The guidelines are in place to ensure that all alcohol service and consumption is managed in a safe environment that is in line with both the University (see Policy 21 – Alcohol Use and Education) and the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) policies. The guidelines are designed to protect the University, but also the individual holding the event. If something were to happen at an event at the individual’s home, they would be considered liable. Unlicensed events sponsored or reimbursed by the University (or even perceived to be sponsored by the University) cause the University to risk losing our liquor license for the entire campus. 

The University is a publicly-funded organization and as such falls under the Broader Public Sector Accountability Act.  Any individual incurring hospitality expenses on behalf of the University must be able to demonstrate the prudent and responsible use of public funds.

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Notes on the cusp of a long weekend

Monday, August 4 is a Civic Holiday, observed on the first Monday of August in most provinces and territories across the country. It's hard to believe that time of year is already upon us, but there it is. That means the University, by and large, will be closed on Monday as the smell of barbecuing foodstuffs wafts across the city.

All Retail Services locations will be closed for the holiday on Monday.

All Food Services units are closed for the holiday unless otherwise specified on their website. The Student Life Centre Tim Hortons will remain closed until August 31 as it undergoes renovations.

The Physical Activities Complex and Columbia Icefields will be open on Saturday, August 2 and Sunday, August 3 from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., and will be closed on Monday.

As always, the Student Life Centre's Turnkey Desk remains open 24 hours a day, and UW Police are available at extension 22222 or 519-888-4911 off-campus.

An exception is the Library: the Davis Centre library will be open 24 hours on Monday, while the Dana Porter library will be open from 11:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m.. The circulation desk will offer services from noon to 6:00 p.m.

While we're on the subject, the Library has extended its hours for the pre-exam and exam period from July 27 to August 16. The Davis Centre library will be open 24 hours daily except for Sundays, when it is closed from 2:00 a.m. to 8:00 a.m. On the final day of extended hours, August 16, Davis will close at midnight.

The Dana Porter library will be open Monday to Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. and from 11:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays.

During this time, service desks and related services will be closed at regular times, which is 11:00 p.m. at Dana Porter and midnight at Davis Centre. There will be attendants present at Davis Centre Library for security purposes. Attendants will also monitor for noise, cell phone use, and hot foods that are not permitted in the library.

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