It's Our Home: With more than 3,000 views already, the latest video on the Experience Waterloo YouTube channel and on the Find Out More page is a viral guide aimed at introducing future students to the City of Waterloo.

"Our research shows that “I want urban environment”, “I dislike Waterloo's campus”, and “not enough student life info to make decision to attend Waterloo” are among the top reasons decline their offer of admission," writes Lisa Brackenridge, manager, digital communications in Marketing & Undergraduate Recruitment. "This video aims to address those issues."

And address them it does, namechecking local landmarks like the St. Jacob's Farmer's Market and Waterloo Park, and UpTown hangouts like Death Valley's Little Brother and Beta.

 

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Ontario expands tuition grant eligibility

Students in their final year of a five-year co-op program are among those who will benefit from an expansion to the 30% Off Ontario Tuition Grant administered by the Ministry of Training, Colleges, and Universities.

The Minister of Training, Colleges and Universities, Brad Duguid, was at the William M. Tatham Centre yesterday to make the announcement that approximately 5,000 more students in Ontario, including senior co-op students and students attending private career colleges and other private provincial institutions who are eligible for financial aid through the Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP), are now eligible for the grant.

"Expanding eligibility for the 30% Off Ontario Tuition Grant will help ensure that a postsecondary education in Ontario is accessible based on a student’s ability to learn, not their ability to pay," said Minister Duguid. "Our government remains committed to supporting one of the most generous student financial aid programs in Canada."

Pictured from left to right are Peggy Jarvie, executive director, Co-operative Education & Career Action, the Honourable John Milloy, minister of government services, government house leader, and MPP for Kitchener Centre, Feridun Hamdullahpur, president and vice-chancellor, the Honourable Brad Duguid, minister of training, colleges and universities and MPP for Scarborough Centre, and Stephane Hamade, undergraduate student in the Faculty of Mathematics.

Students who apply for aid through OSAP will automatically be considered for the grant without a separate application, including those who have already applied this year. Approximately 230,000 students received the 30% Off Ontario Tuition Grant last year.

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Science celebrates ski day on the snowy slopes

A message from the Faculty of Science.

It was a fabulous Friday for alumni and friends of the Faculty of Science as over 70 people took advantage of the invitation to join fellow alumna, Yeti Agnew, for a fun-filled day on the beautiful hills of Osler Bluff in Collingwood.

“We couldn’t have asked for a better day this year,” says Sharon McFarlane, Alumni Officer in the Faculty of Science who coordinated the event, “the weather was perfect and since Osler is a private club, our alumni group had almost the entire mountain to ourselves. We’re hoping word spreads so we can host even more science alumni and friends next year”.

This is the fifth year Science has hosted a Ski Day event at Osler. In addition to science alumni, other skiers in the group included faculty and staff as well as a few hopefuls for the Class of 2024.

 

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Students to vote on bus pass...again

The Federation of Students' Board of Directors has called a referendum to be held simultaneously with the upcoming Federation of Students elections.

The referendum question is as follows:

Do you support continued participation in the Grand River Transit Universal Bus Pass Program for a termly fee of $77.29 (currently $72.23) per full-time undergraduate student?

Voting for the referendum will be held from 10:00 a.m. February 11 to 10:00 p.m. on February 13.

In keeping with the Federation of Students' referendum procedures, students will form committees that will be officially recognized by the Referendum Committee.

Undergraduate and graduate students first voted in favour of a universal bus pass in a referendum held in March 2007.

 

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Diversity, drawing, and other details

The Federation of Students’ Diversity Team is inviting all undergraduates to a special meet and greet in The Bombshelter Pub from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. tonight. "Students will be able to enjoy free food while learning about each other’s interests, cultures, and more," writes Jacqueline Martinz. "The meet and greet is an exciting opportunity for students to expand their social networks on campus." Students are able to register for the free event online.

Fine Arts is offering Life Drawing Open Sessions for anyone to drop in and practice life drawing. The sessions will take place every Wednesday from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. until April 9 and will be held in ECH 1224A. They are free, supervised non-instructional sessions with unclothed (and sometimes clothed) models. Easels will be provided, but participants should bring their own drawing board, paper and materials. For more information, please contact Elisabeth Little.

Thursday, January 23 is Leather Jacket Day at the Waterloo Store, a great opportunity to save $60 off the regular price of a custom leather jacket. The sale is scheduled to take place in the concourse in South Campus Hall from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., with both mens and ladies sizing available.

Housing and Residences is currently renovating space in Village 1 and UW Place to add study and learning space, according to a tweet from Housing Officer Glen Weppler. If all goes according to plan, the new space will be available by September 2014.

The nomination period for a Faculty of Mathematics representative to the University's Senate closes on Friday, January 24 at 4:00 p.m. The Secretariat has requested the nomination of one faculty member of the university to be elected by and from the Faculty of Mathematics for a term that ends on April 30, 2016. At least five nominators are required for a nomination form to be considered. Nominations should be submitted to the Secretariat in Room 3060 of Needles Hall by the Friday deadline.

 

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