Workshop honours work of Frank Tompa

by Anna Beard.

The David R. Cheriton School of Computer Science is proud to host ‘Exploiting Text’ a two-day workshop in honour of Frank Tompa, a long-standing and accomplished professor with the School who retired in December 2013.

The focus of the workshop – which is sponsored by Open Text, the Institute for Computer Research and the School of Computer Science – is techniques for managing and using digital documents.

Topics of discussion include text search, information extraction and visualization, and summarization. The workshop will give attendees opportunities for both unstructured interaction and formal sessions devoted to specific topics.

The workshop features speakers from across the globe including John Simpson (University of Oxford), Alistair Moffat (University of Melbourne), Jose Blakeley (Microsoft), Ken Church (IBM T J Watson Laboratory) and of course, Frank Tompa.

Talks take place in DC 1302 and are open to the University community. A full schedule can be found on the workshop's website.

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CECA co-ops connect

In an effort to provide co-op students working at Co-operative Education & Career Action (CECA) with improved tools to connect with one another, Suman Armitage, director of marketing and communications, has encouraged students to volunteer for informal social leadership roles this semester.

The intention behind the creation of these roles is to foster a more supportive and connected social environment for the students. Previous CECA co-op students have indicated that this type of positive social environment would improve their work term experiences.

Heather Massie and Raida Hasan, both of whom are currently event associates, stepped forward as social coordinators for the spring term. Heather’s role as lead social coordinator involved brainstorming activities that the co-op students could participate in together. Raida’s responsibility as social media coordinator was to create and monitor a Facebook group where students could connect and organize any activities suggested by Heather.

Thanks to Heather and Raida’s efforts, many of the 16 CECA co-ops began to socialize over lunch hours, even arranging a communal potluck lunch (pictured at right). Other evening meal excursions were also planned, with students meeting outside of work hours to enjoy sushi, ice cream, and Rib Fest. They also connected on campus for the UWaterloo Canada Day festivities, as well as several Bomber trivia nights.

Because the students had the opportunity to become more familiar with each other, the social environment at CECA was perceived to be more comfortable and supportive.

“I believe all of the social gatherings have improved the overall environment and support network here because all of us are more comfortable with one another,” says Raida.

Heather agrees with Raida about the positive work environment fostered at CECA this term.

“Having this student network is great because it provides a space where students can ask each other questions about the office culture, their roles, and how to improve as young professionals,” explains Heather. “For example, this week a few of us are coming together to rehearse presentations and give constructive advice before we speak in front of full-time staff members.”

This model is one that can be emulated by other employers looking to create a connected and supportive work environment for their co-op hires.

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Stargazing, dinosaurs, and other cosmic clips

A public tour of the Gustav Bakos Observatory, which sits atop the Physics building, is set for tonight at 9:00 p.m. The observatory houses a twelve-inch telescope and is named in honour of the first astronomer hired by Waterloo's physics department, Gustav Bakos, who died in 1991. The observatory has been, well, observing things since 1967. Attendees should assemble in PHY 308 at 9:00 p.m.

Today is also Dinosaur Wednesday at the Earth Sciences Museum. The free public program, which started in July, has been in operation throughout the summer, and is open to dino-lovers of all ages. Attendees can meet the museum team, Trish the Triceratops and the rest of the terrible thunder lizards on display. The event, which runs every Wednesday until August 27, starts at 1:00 p.m. in the EIT building. I asked an Iguanodon to rate the tour and he gave it two thumbs up.

Human Resources has announced the following staff retirements, effective July 1:

• Zuhra Becirevic – Housekeeper, Villages 1 and 2, who started at the University in September 1992;
• Barbara Checketts – Executive Officer, Renison University College; who began working at the University in April 1978;
• Donna Harper – Cook, Food Services, who started in September 1984;
• Jim Reid – Electrician, Plant Operations, who started working at the University in March 1990;
• Eva Lau – Continuing Lecturer, Economics, who began working at Waterloo in January 1983;
• Neeltje Cheeseman – Account Manager, Co-op Education and Career Action, whose start date was March 2008;
• Victor Iacobellis – Cook, Food Services, who started working at the University in March 1989;
• Diane Ridler – Administrative Manager, Geography and Environmental Management; who began her career at Waterloo in August 1973;
• David Northey – Lab Technician, Kinesiology, who started in October 1989;
• Celia McGill – Research Administrative Officer, Mechanical and Mechatronics Engineering; who began working at the University in July 1988;
• George Wright – International Industrial Liaison Officer, Office of Research, whose start date was January 2013;
• Bruce Irvine – SEEPAC Database Administrator, Centre for Sight Enhancement; who started working at the University in November 1996; and
• Susan Spaetzel – Assistant to the Associate Dean, Graduate Studies, Dean of Engineering Office, Eng. Grad. Studies; who started at Waterloo in October 1984.

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