Baby, it's cold outside — but we're open

The University of Waterloo main campus is open today. But stay warm - a severe wind chill warning has been issued for Waterloo Region. "Faculty, staff and students are responsible for determining when weather conditions make travel unsafe," the official word goes. "Those traveling to campus are encouraged to exercise caution, dress appropriately for time spent outdoors and consider using public transit."

However, there are some closings to report:

The Bright Starts Co-operative Early Learning Centre daycare is closed today.

The University of Waterloo Stratford campus is closed. University of Waterloo Stratford campus classes have been cancelled today with the exception of GBDA228 classes will take place on the main campus.

Room: Hagey Hall (HH) 373

• 1:30 - 3:30 p.m.: GBDA228 - section 1
• 4:00 - 6:00 p.m. : GBDA228 - section 2

The university's weather/emergency closing guidelines state that "a decision to "close a satellite campus activity" outside the K-W area is to be taken by the UW administrator responsible for the activity, taking into account local conditions in that area, the principles articulated in this document and the need to notify those affected by the "closure.""

Weather conditions will be monitored throughout the day and any changes will be posted to the university's homepage and to the Daily Bulletin.

 

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Ian Orchard is Waterloo's next provost

The University of Waterloo's next vice-president academic & provost is a highly respected professor and accomplished senior administrator at the University of Toronto.

Professor Ian Orchard (right) is a distinguished professor of biology at the University of Toronto Mississauga. He served as a vice-president of the University of Toronto, and principal of the University of Toronto Mississauga for eight years, during which time he led the growth and development of the University of Toronto Mississauga into a semi-autonomous campus of the University of Toronto. He was previously the University of Toronto's first vice-provost, students, and also held positions as vice-dean and associate dean in the Faculty of Arts & Science.

 

"His proven track record as a forward-thinking and engaged senior administrator and commitment to excellence makes Professor Orchard a natural choice as Waterloo's next vice-president academic & provost," said Feridun Hamdullahpur. "His breadth of talent and experience will support us in our efforts to becoming one of the top innovation universities in the world. I am very excited to have Professor Orchard joining our team.”

At the University of Toronto, Professor Orchard helped implement the university’s student financial aid program, established guaranteed funding packages for doctoral-stream students, and oversaw unprecedented enrolment and financial growth at the Mississauga campus.

In recognition for his contribution, in 2010 the University of Toronto established the Ian Orchard Student Initiatives Fund. Its goal is to enhance the student experience and strengthen the sense of community through the funding of student-led projects and events.

“Waterloo has a well-deserved international reputation for innovation, extraordinary research, and a groundbreaking approach to entrepreneurship and co-operative education,” said Orchard.  “I am looking forward to working with all segments of the university community to help Waterloo achieve the goals set out in its strategic plan, and achieve its full potential as a world leader in higher education."

An expert in insect neurobiology with more than 200 research publications, Professor Orchard has been funded by NSERC since 1982, has chaired the NSERC Animal Physiology Grant Selection Committee, and has presented numerous invited papers at International conferences. He earned a Doctor of Science degree (1988), a PhD (1975), and a B.Sc. (1972), all from the University of Birmingham, in England.

Professor Orchard succeeds Professor Geoff McBoyle, who served as vice-president academic & provost on an interim basis. His five-year term at Waterloo begins July 1, 2014.

 

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Mathematics senate nominations open

The Secretariat has put out the call for nominations for a Mathematics faculty representative to the university's senate.

The term for the senator, who will be elected by members of the Faculty of Mathematics, runs to April 30, 2016.

The nomination form requires the signatures of five nominators, and should be submitted to the Secretariat, Needles Hall, Room 3060, no later than 4:00 p.m. on Friday, January 24.An election will follow if necessary.

Information about Senate and its committees/councils can be found on the Secretariat's website.

 

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Flu clinics this week and other notes

"We are anticipating that there may be people returning to campus for the winter term who have heard about the surge of influenza cases in Alberta over the holidays," writes Barb Schumacher of Health Services. "Influenza activity has been increasing in Ontario since the beginning of December and surveillance information from Waterloo Region reflects this increase." Health Services has scheduled two flu shot clinics to be held on Thursday, January 9 and Friday, January 10 from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. to give those who missed the clinics in the fall term an opportunity to be immunized against the current strains of flu.

Faculty members and instructors are reminded that they have until Monday, January 13 to submit feedback on Simulation 3, a simulated examination schedule prepared by the Registrar's Office and the Faculty Association of the University of Waterloo (FAUW). The original deadline of January 6 has been extended.

The faculty feedback is important, according to University Registrar Ken Lavigne, as it helps to identify and address issues in individual schedules as well as in the data collection and scheduling processes.

The simulation is part of the ongoing Scheduling, Timetabling and Examination Project (STEP).

Feedback from faculty members about the simulated schedule should be given to department timetable representatives who will collect all feedback in the department/school and forward it to the STEP team.

Former president of St. Jerome's University Douglas Letson (right) is one of the latest members of the Order of Canada. The announcement was made on December 30.

Letson, who led St. Jerome's from 1989 to 1999, was named "for his contributions to the betterment of his community and for his leadership of numerous organizations in the fields of education and health care."

Letson was the the first person other than a priest to lead St. Jerome's. He will receive the honour at a ceremony to be held at a later date.

 

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