Making the pitch: "Our objective is to be the one of the world's most innovative universities, period," said Feridun Hamdullahpur Friday as he welcomed a delegation of university and college presidents led by Nova Scotia premier Stephen McNeil, who were visiting the University of Waterloo as part of a tour of Waterloo Region last week.

Hamdullahpur spoke about the impact of entrepreneurship, saying "this is how our economies will be fueled in the future."

Photograph by Laura Janzen.

 

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Share your memories as Canada Day hits 30

Tuesday, July 1, 2014 will be celebrated nationally as Canada's 147th birthday, but the festivities at Columbia Lake will take on a special significance this year as the University of Waterloo Canada Day Celebrations turns 30.

The University of Waterloo and the Federation of Students have partnered to host the event on the Columbia Lake Fields each Canada Day since 1984, and in honour of this milestone, the event's organizers are running a contest.

Send in your family photos or unique stories about how you've celebrated Canada Day with the University over the last 30 years. You could win a VIP experience at the event that includes refreshments and the best seats in the house for the live outdoor concert that features the Born Ruffians and Steven Page. Yes, that Steven Page!

Stories, memories and photos can be submitted by email until Friday, June 20 at 4:00 p.m. The full contest rules are online.

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Interim associate provost, grad studies named

"I am delighted to inform you that Dr. Jim Frank has been appointed as Interim Associate Provost Graduate Studies for one year. He will take up his new position on July 1, 2014," says a memo from Vice-President, Academic & Provost Geoff McBoyle.

A faculty member in Kinesiology, Faculty of Applied Health Sciences, Frank has previously held the position of Vice-President Academic and Dean of St. Jerome’s University (2011-2013). He has also held the position of Chair of the Department of Kinesiology (1992-1998), Associate Dean of Graduate Studies (2000-2003) and Dean of Graduate Studies, University of Windsor (2006-2011).

"I am delighted that Jim has agreed to serve the University in this capacity," the provost writes. "I would like to thank Sue Horton for her years of service as Associate Provost Graduate Studies."

 

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Self-image study seeks subjects

a news release from the media relations team.

A clinical psychologist at the University of Waterloo is seeking participants for a national study that uses a smartphone app to gather data. The project is recruiting females aged 17 or older with a body mass index (BMI) in the 15-19 range and who struggle with body image and eating.

Study participants will use the app to report on feelings and social interactions about six to 10 times per day for two weeks. The data collected will assist researchers and treatment specialists to better understand the daily experiences of individuals who struggle with extreme body image preoccupation and dieting behaviours, such as those with anorexia nervosa.

“We know very little about the emotions and social experiences that over the course of a day and week, lead individuals to severely restrict their eating, exercise excessively, fast, force vomiting, and so on,” said Professor Kelly, primary investigator on the project. “Gathering this kind of data as individuals are going about their day may lead to interventions that will be more effective at helping those who are struggling.”

Professor Kelly’s app prompts participants throughout the day to fill out a short survey. They can also access additional surveys through the app when they have engaged in certain behaviours, such as skipping meals or exercising, or at the end of the day before they go to bed.

“Self-monitoring tends to help make people aware of patterns they did not know existed, and often leads them to make behaviour changes too,” said Professor Kelly, who is also the director of Waterloo’s Self-Attitudes Lab.

According to the Waterloo psychologists, anorexia nervosa afflicts approximately 13,000 Ontarians, is chronic, costly, and sometimes fatal. The mortality rate associated with anorexia is the highest of all mental disorders and is notorious for the fear, grief, and frustration it triggers in friends and family. The majority who enter treatment drop out and only 30 per cent of sufferers recover.

This study is funded by the Ontario Mental Health Foundation, and is a collaboration between Professor Kelly and researchers based at Toronto General Hospital and The Ottawa Hospital. The project has been reviewed and received ethics clearance through a University of Waterloo research ethics committee. All inquiries are confidential, and all data provided by participants is kept confidential and anonymous.

Potential study participants can visit the lab website for information and contact the lab via email or by calling 519-888-4567, ext. 33983.

 

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Board of Governors, Camp Day, other notes

The University's Board of Governors meets this afternoon at 1:50 p.m. in NH 3001.

The meeting actually begins at 12:45 p.m. with part two of the governors' Strategic Plan implementation strategy briefing session. Following the briefing, the governors will be asked to consider a number of items of business, including:

• Approval of the incidental fees for undergraduate and graduate students;
• Approval of the incorporation of a wholly-owned for-profit Hong Kong subsidiary "for the purpose of the management of technology commercialization activities including licensing transactions and startup company investments," and the approval of the use of the worlds "Waterloo" and "University of Waterloo", the University's coat of arms, and all other related marks and designs in connection with the subsidiary's name and business;
• Approval of changes to the Memorandum of Agreement between the Faculty Association of the University of Waterloo (FAUW) and the University of Waterloo;
• Approval of exceptions to Policy 40, The Chair;
• Approval of the transformation of the Centre for Knowledge Integration into the Department of Knowledge Integration in the Faculty of Environment;
• Approval of a name change from the "School of Urban and Regional Planning Alumni Association" to the "University of Waterloo Planning Alumni of Toronto";
• Approval of the University's Financial Statements from 2013-2014;
• Approval of amendments to the governing resolution of the Audit Committee;
• Approval of an expansion building for Applied Health Sciences to be built on a portion of Parking Lot M;
• Approval of a design/build contract to Melloul-Blamey for said AHS expansion;
• Delegating authority to the Building & Properties Committee to approve minor land transactions between the University and the Region of Waterloo to facilitate implementation of the Light Rail Transit (LRT) project, including land near East Campus Hall;
• Approval of the appointment of Dalton Investments as a global equity manager for the University's endowment fund; and
• Approval of the filing of an actuarial valuation of the University's Pension Plan with the Financial Services Commission of Ontario and the Canada Revenue Agency.

Governors will also hear reports from the President, the Vice-President, Academic & Provost, the Vice-President, Administration & Finance, the Vice-President, Advancement, a report on Online Learning Development, and a research presentation from Bryan Smale, professor of Recreation & Leisure Studies and director of the Canadian Index of Wellbeing.

"On Wednesday, June 4 Tim Horton’s outlets across campus will be raising money for Camp Day," writes Travis Schmidt of Food Services. "Enjoy a coffee at any of our locations on campus and 100% of the proceeds will be donated to the Tim Horton Children’s Foundation."

"All children who attend one of the Foundation's six camps are selected from within the communities where Tim Horton’s Restaurants are located. Camp, to the Tim Horton Children's Foundation, is more than a fun trip away from home. Camp programs are designed to change the way young people from low-income homes think about themselves and the opportunities that exist for them.

'Last year, the Student Life Centre’s Tim Horton’s contributed over $900 in coffee sales alone. Additionally, more money was donated through ‘Rent a Tent’, ‘Rent a Cabin’, and the ‘Round it up’ donations other cash donations by customers and staff.

"This year we would like to raise even more money for Camp Day and we need your help! Come visit us at the Student Life Centre, Davis Centre, Modern Languages or South Campus Hall."

More information about Camp Day can be found on the Tim Hortons website.

Advance polls for the June 12 provincial election will be on campus tomorrow and Thursday from 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. in the Student Life Centre's Multipurpose room.

In other election-related news, the Federation of Students and the Political Science department will be hosting an election discussion panel today from 12:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. Tonight is also the date for a televised leader's debate, and there will be a live airing of the debate in the Bombshelter Pub from 6:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.

 

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