Celebrate National Philanthropy Day all week

by Ken McGillivray, Vice-President, Advancement

On Saturday, November 15, National Philanthropy Day® will be celebrated around the world. This special day acknowledges and pays tribute to the role philanthropy plays in our lives and community.

The University of Waterloo and its affiliated and federated institutions are home to thousands of students, faculty, staff and alumni who, year round, contribute to causes they are passionate about, both here on campus, and in their communities. Throughout the week, you’ll learn more about some of the many ways they are making an impact.

Whether it’s donating to our new health services facility, helping to build a home for a family in need, or changing the lives of a community in South America, philanthropy connects us all.

I hope you’ll visit our Storify page to learn how we’re celebrating National Philanthropy Day.

However you contribute, whether it’s through your time, talent or donations, thank you for your philanthropy.

 

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Police seek information after students accosted

University of Waterloo Police Services is looking to the public for assistance in identifying a suspect believed to be responsible for two incidents last week in which two female students were accosted on campus.

The first incident took place on Tuesday, November 4 at 12:20 p.m. outside RCH, when an unidentified male approached a female student, blocked her path, grabbed her hand and spoke to her. The student pulled away and fled.

The second incident took place on Wednesday, November 5 at 11:20 a.m. on the Physics roadway between CEIT and Engineering 3, when an unidentified male approached a female student, blocked her path, and attempted to walk into her and grab her. The student pulled back, and the unidentified male spoke to her, attempting to block her path. The student ran around him to get away.

The suspect in both incidents is described as male, Asian, approximately 6 feet to 6 feet three inches tall, tan in complexion with short black hair spiked up with gel. He spoke English without an accent, though in the second incident he appeared to be under the influence of drugs or alcohol as his speech was slurred and unclear. In the first incident, he was wearing a black shirt, and in the second incident, he was wearing a dark leather coat, brown or black in colour, that was zipped all the way up. He was also wearing fitted dark blue jeans.

UW Police encourage anyone that has information regarding these incidents or the identity of the suspect to contact them at extension 22222 or use the UWPS Anonymous Reporting system found on the UW Police website.

For personal safety tips, visit the safety guide on the UW Police website. Further information about campus safety resources, including the campus shuttle service, can also be found online.

 

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Health Services providing flu shots this week

Health Services will provide three community influenza vaccine clinics for the University's "healthy population" this week, which will be held in the Student Life Centre's multipurpose room.

The clinic dates and times are as follows:

• Wednesday, November 12 - 9:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. 
• Thursday, November 13 - 9:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
• Friday, November 14 - 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

"Please make every effort to get the flu shot to avoid missing quality time with family, losing time from work, and passing influenza to more vulnerable loved ones," says an official statement from Health Services. "Boost your immunity by getting vaccinated."

A flu immunization clinic will be held at the School of Pharmacy on Thursday, November 20 from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in Room 2009. A clinic is also in the works for the School of Architecture. Health Services will post additional details as they become available.

No appointments are necessary, but patrons should remember to bring their provincial health card and wear a loose-fitting shirt.

 

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Up in smoke: new campus smoking rules

The Ontario government announced the approval of new regulations on Friday that effectively ban the sale of tobacco on university and college campuses, and ban smoking on sports fields and playgrounds. These new regulations come into effect January 1, 2015.

Specifically, it will become illegal to:

• Smoke on and around children’s playgrounds and publicly owned sport fields and surfaces (e.g., areas for basketball, baseball, soccer or beach volleyball, ice rinks, tennis courts, splash pads and swimming pools that are owned by a municipality, the province or a postsecondary education institution);
• Smoke on all bar and restaurant patios, whether covered or not (with an exemption for uncovered patios established by the Royal Canadian Legion – Ontario Provincial Command before November 18, 2013)
• Sell tobacco on university and college campuses (this applies to buildings that are owned and areas that are leased by a postsecondary institution or student union)

It is unclear at this point how the government intends to enforce these regulations, and what the role of campus police services might play. According to the Council of Ontario Universities (COU), consultations are planned to address this issue before the rules come into effect in January.

The University of Waterloo's Policy 29 - Smoking, last updated in 2007 after the Smoke-Free Ontario Act went into effect, states the following:

"Smoking is not permitted in any University building or vehicle and in areas within ten metres of all buildings. Smoking for research or for traditional aboriginal cultural or spiritual purposes may be permitted as prescribed by legislation.

The promotion or sale of smoking products on University premises will cease on April 30, 2008."

Ever since the toughening of anti-smoking legislation in the province, the issue of selling cigarettes in on-campus convenience stores has been a perennial topic of debate at the Federation of Students' Council. Smoking in the Bombshelter Pub and Federation Hall was banned in March of 2000,

Indeed, the days of hacking a dart in a campus building are about as passé as the phrase "hacking a dart".

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On The #RAK Track

This is the latest in a series of #UWCommunity weekly features that highlight Waterloo in the community.

On November 7, 2014 the University of Waterloo teamed up with The Kitchener and Waterloo Community Foundation and our Federation of Students to spread kindness on our campus and in the community.

#UWaterlooRAK day saw hundreds of students, staff, faculty, and community members giving and receiving random acts of kindness. Some of the activities included sharing kindness treats, gratitude and thank you card stations, exemptions on parking violations, the collection of winter wearables for those in need, toiletry donations for the Out of the Cold program, kindness encounters with Tony the Tiger and King Warrior, and a local community clean-up.

Check out some of the amazing things going on in and around the UWaterloo campus.

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Monday's notes

Students didn't put off until another time what they could do on the Long Night Against Procrastination held last week in the Student Life Centre. Students took part in a number of workshops designed around improving productivity and work habits, including sessions on time management, researching at the Library, writing, and most importantly, sleep yoga.

Plant Operations has announced that the pedestrian breezeway from the ring road through BMH to the interior of campus will be closed as of Monday, November 10 to allow construction for the Faculty of Applied Health Sciences addition. Signs have already been posted to that effect.

Pedestrians are being directed east or west, around Burt Matthews Hall or the Manulife Wellness Centre. Construction will take approximately two years.

Plant Operations has also given an update on the M Lot construction. Parking will be available in the near future via the new entrance to the ring road, approximately opposite the entrance to R lot across the street. Access to the Manulife Wellness Centre will be via a door a few feet to the west of the existing lobby, or through the interior from BMH. A covered walkway and signage will be posted for visitors entering from M lot.

Human Resources has announced the following retirements, effective November 1, 2014:

• Lynda Johnson, who started at the University in January 1984, retired as Library Clerk in the Library; and
• Professor Paul Eagles, who started at Waterloo in September 1979, and retired as Professor in Recreation and Leisure Studies.
  
  

And effective September 1, 2014:

• Professor Richard Ennis, who started work at the University in September 2003 and retired as Professor in Psychology.

The University of Waterloo Recreation Committee (UWRC) is selling tickets to a production of "Snow White - A Traditional British Panto" that will take place on Sunday, December 14 from 4:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at the St. Jacob's Country Playhouse. Discounted group tickets are $38.50 per adult and $28.50 per youth (under 20 years old). The deadline for ticket purchases is Tuesday, November 11. Contact Shirley Chatten for more information and to purchase tickets.

2,000 books. $2 apiece. No tax. Feds Used Books is running an in-store blowout on Tuesday, November 11 and Wednesday, November 12.

The University of Waterloo Retirees Association (UWRA) is organizing a bus trip to the One of A Kind Christmas Show and Sale in Toronto on Tuesday, December 2. The all-day trip is "a unique opportunity to attend one of Canada's premiere gift shows without personally having to contend with the hassle of Toronto traffic." The bus will travel to Toronto's Direct Energy Centre for the day and attendees can view the creations of more than 800 artisans, designers, and artisans at a unique showcase. Displays will include art, furniture, fashion, home decor, toys, food, and more. Tickets for UWRA members, spouses, and guests are $40, and non-members will pay $45. The bus will leave at 9:00 a.m. from Parking Lot X, and free parking for UWRA cars has been pre-arranged with Parking Services. Return arrival time is approximately 5:00 p.m.

Cheques should be made out to the UWRA and can be mailed to Rediña Caracaz, B-435 Bairstow Crescent, Waterloo, ON, N2K 2H7 or they can be dropped off at the UWRA's mailbox at Central Stores on Phillip Street. The deadline for ticket purchase or cancellation is Tuesday, November 19. Contact Sue Fraser at 519-884-6354 or via email for more information.

 

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