AHS, Science campaign wins CASE bronze

by Chantel Franklin.

The Faculties of Applied Health Sciences and Science are pleased to announce that Waterloo’s “Who will you become?” pathways to health professions campaign won a Bronze Circle of Excellence award from the Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE) under the "Collaborative Programs" category.

The campaign was created last fall to help prospective students learn about the Bachelor of Science (BSc) programs at Waterloo that can help prepare them for careers in health. The multi-platform campaign included a print brochure, webpage, Fall Open House presentation, and recently released video. The goal was to provide superior customer service by presenting student-centred, theme-based content – allowing prospective students to see the broad range of opportunities available to them across both faculties.

“We’re proud that this student-focused campaign creates a one-stop-shop for future students interested in health professions and Bachelor of Science programs. Prospective students and parents have told us how helpful the brochure was for them,” says Amy Geddes, Marketing & Recruitment Specialist in Science.

The campaign will continue this year as we recruit students for September 2015.

 

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Addiction freedom could start with low-nic cigs

 

Cigarettes with very low levels of nicotine may reduce addiction without increasing exposure to toxic chemicals, according to a new study from the University of Waterloo. 

The study published in the journal Cancer Epidemiology monitored the smoking behaviours of 72 adults as they switched to three types of cigarettes with markedly reduced nicotine levels.

Unlike when smokers switch between conventional cigarette brands—all of which have very similar levels of nicotine content— the study found no change in participants' puffing behaviour, number of cigarettes consumed or levels of toxic chemicals in their systems.

The landmark findings may ease concerns that smokers would increase their consumption of cigarettes or puff harder if governments reduced nicotine levels to negligible amounts.  

“One of the primary barriers to reducing nicotine levels is the belief that individuals who continue to smoke will smoke more cigarettes in an effort to extract the same nicotine levels, thereby exposing themselves to greater amounts of toxic chemicals. Our findings suggest this is not the case,” said Professor David Hammon (pictured above), of the Faculty of Applied Health Sciences at Waterloo, and lead author on the paper. “The smokers were unable or unwilling to compensate when there was markedly less nicotine in the cigarette and when the experience of smoking is far less rewarding.”

The cigarettes used in the study—Quest 1, Quest 2 and Quest 3—had a nicotine content of 8.9, 8.4 and 0.6 mg, respectively, as opposed to an average of 12 mg in a regular cigarette.

“There is ample evidence from inside and outside the tobacco industry that major reductions in the nicotine content of cigarettes would result in a less-addictive product," said Professor Hammond. “Overall, the impact of a less- addictive cigarette on reducing smoking uptake and cancer prevention is potentially massive.” 

At time of the study, Quest cigarettes were the only commercially available cigarettes in the world with significantly reduced nicotine levels.

 

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It's Back to School season at Retail Services

 

Retail Services locations are open for business this week as the campus prepares for its annual Orientation inundation, and they have posted their extended hours for the coming retail rush:

The Bookstore, Waterloo Store, and Write Stuff, located in South Campus Hall, will be open Saturday, August 30 from 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m., Sunday, August 31 from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., and Monday, September 1 from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. From Tuesday, September 2 to Friday, September 5, the locations will be open from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., and they will also be open on Saturday, September 6 from 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Campus Tech and WatCard in the Student Life Centre will be open on Sunday, August 31 and Monday, September 1 from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Regular hours begin Tuesday, September 2 with 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. openings, Monday to Friday.

Media.Doc locations across campus will see regular 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. hours begin Tuesday, September 2.

 

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Tuesday's notes

 

Go soak your head: The ALS Ice Bucket Challenge, a viral fundraising phenomenon drawing attention to the degenerative nerve disease Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, has reached the Waterloo campus, with counsellors from Engineering Science Quest taking the, er, plunge. Note: If you have participated in the challenge on or off campus, forward me a link of the video and I will post it.

Human Resources has reported that a number of retirees have recently died:

Catherine (Kay) Hill died August 19. Kay began her employment at Waterloo in August 1972 as a Secretary/Stenographer in the chemistry department. She also spent six years working for the Graduate Club as a Secretary/Bookkeeper before returning to Chemistry. She retired in September 1992. She is survived by her husband, Joseph.

Austin Zoeller died August 6. Austin began working at the University in April 1973. He was a Custodian in Plant Operations and retired in April 1982. He was predeceased by his wife, Margaret.

 

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