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Tuesday, November 11, 2014

 

 

  • Today, our campus remembers
  • A bolt of information from the email cloud
  • Bridges to Prosperity, other infrastructure info

 

 


On Sunday, November 9, Feridun Hamdullahpur visited the Commonwealth War Graves Commission in Hong Kong, where he laid a wreath on behalf of the University of Waterloo at the Cenotaph to mark Remembrance Day. President Hamdullahpur is currently traveling on University business in South Korea, Hong Kong and Singapore.

 

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Today, our campus remembers

The Waterloo community, along with the rest of the country, will pause for a few moments today to remember Canada's war dead.

This week, President Feridun Hamdullahpur issued a memo to the campus community that read in part as follows: "On the morning of November 11, 1918, a global war that claimed millions of lives drew to a close."

"As Canadians have done every year since, we mark that moment in our hearts with remembrance, as we observe a moment of silence at 11:00 a.m."

The official date of the Remembrance Day commemoration is always November 11, the anniversary of the day in 1918 when the guns fell silent at the end of the First World War. As the centenary of that conflict is being observed this year, it is fitting to point out that much of the imagery of Remembrance Day is connected to the First World War, including the poppies, worn in lapels, that are sold by the Royal Canadian Legion. They recall the wildflowers that grow in the fields of Flanders, in north Belgium, as mentioned in the poem by Lt.-Col. John McCrae of Guelph that is read at many Remembrance Day commemorations. 2014 also marks the 75th anniversary of the start of the Second World War.

"We remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice in defence of our liberties," President Hamdullahpur continues. "We remember both those who have gone long before, and those whose sacrifices have been rendered all too recently."

"At 11 o’clock, please pause for a moment of silence. Let us remember the high price of our freedom, and redouble our collective and personal commitment to building the peace."

The flags at the University's south entrance will be lowered from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. today in accordance with the University's guidelines.

For those students, faculty and staff looking to mark the occasion on campus, the UW Chaplain's Association has organized a Remembrance Day service in the Student Life Centre's Great Hall beginning at 10:45 a.m. The event is billed as "a time to give respect to those who serve us and to pray for peace." There will be also be a ceremony in Engineering 5's Sedra Student Design Centre hosted by the Engineering Society and the Faculty of Engineering at 10:45 a.m. in . There will be a reading, a slideshow, a recitation of In Flanders Fields, and a moment of silence.

Both ceremonies are open to all students, faculty and staff.

Other community ceremonies include:

  • Waterloo - The parade begins at the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 530 at 10:15 a.m. with the ceremony taking place at the Waterloo Cenotaph at 10:30 a.m. A member of the University’s administration will represent Waterloo at the City of Waterloo’s Remembrance Day ceremony at the cenotaph.
  • Kitchener - A parade will begin at 10:15 a.m. on Young Street, proceeding along King Street to Frederick Street, with the ceremony being held at the Kitchener Cenotaph, located at the corner of Frederick and Duke Streets at 10:45 a.m.
  • Cambridge (Galt) - The parade begins at the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 121 Hall with a ceremony commencing at the Queen's Square Cenotaph at 10:30 a.m.
  • Cambridge (Hespeler) - The ceremony will begin at 10:30 a.m. at the Cenotaph located at Queen and Tannery Streets.
  • Cambridge (Preston) - A parade will begin at 10:15 a.m. at the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 126's Hall on Westminster Dr. North, proceeding to the Cenotaph on King Street for a ceremony beginning at 10:30 a.m.
  • Stratford - A parade will begin at 10:25 a.m. at the Legion Hall on St. Patrick Street, followed by a ceremony at the Cenotaph.

 

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A bolt of information from the email cloud

Student emails have a cloudy future, according to a statement from Information Systems and Technology (IST) that provides an update on the investigations and consultations around improving email services.

In May 2013, with the support of the University Committee on Information Systems and Technology (UCIST), and the Computing Technology and Services Committee (CTSC), Information Systems & Technology (IST) started an investigation into potential use of cloud email services for undergraduate student email. After conducting a survey of preferences, participating in a student consultation organized by the Student Success Office, consulting with a number of campus committees, and performing a Privacy and Security Impact Assessment with the Secretariat, IST has recommended moving undergraduate student email to the cloud.

"The change to use a cloud email service provider aligns with student preferences, and will meet the University’s expectations of privacy and security," says a statement from IST. "This will provide students with a University affiliated email address on a cloud email service provider, and allow correspondence between the University and students, using a trusted email address."

The next step is to choose a cloud email service provider, through a Request For Proposals (RFP) process. IST hopes to start that process early in 2015, and select a provider by May 2015.

 

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Bridges to Prosperity, other infrastructure info

"Join us tomorrow at noon in DC 1302 as the Keystone Campaign presents Bridges to Prosperity (B2P)," says a note from the Office of Advancement. "Members of the all-student team that makes up the University of Waterloo chapter of B2P will discuss their recent trip to Bolivia to build a footbridge for a community in need."

The event is just one in a week-long series of initiatives celebrating National Philanthropy Day. Seating is still available. Please RSVP to the Keystone campaign.

UW Police have concluded their investigation into the suspicious male who was approaching female students last week. The individual has been spoken to and it is now felt this was not a threat to safety on campus. "We wish to thank all the people who came forward with information on this investigation, and remind our community that if confronted with any situation that makes you concerned to your safety, to call UW Police and make a report," says Dan Anderson, director of UW Police Services.

Construction work for the ION light rail transit will be taking place adjacent to campus this week, according to Plant Operations. Grubbing and construction of the LRT's access road will begin on the North Campus section of the rail line this week, with work on the South Campus beginning shortly. The access road will run alongside the lengths of the track at the North Campus and South Campus sections.

The Department of Management Sciences is seeking participants for research on online marketing. Specifically, Mohammad Mahdi Roghanizad is looking for native English speakers to take place in a student about online marketing techniques in sessions on November 18, 20, and 21. Participants will take part in a single session lasting approximately 15 minutes, that includes surfing a website and filling out a questionnaire. In return, participants will receive $7. Volunteers can choose the time slots that work best for them. For more information, contact Mohammad Mahdi Roghanizad at extension 33675. This study has been reviewed by, and has received ethics clearance through, a University of Waterloo Research Ethics Committee.

Here's a message from the Faculty Association of the University of Waterloo (FAUW):

"After 18 years of distinguished service with the Faculty Association of the University of Waterloo (FAUW), Pat Moore will be retiring in the not-too-distant future." 

"Consequently, FAUW is very pleased to announce the hiring of Erin Windibank into the position of Executive Manager. Prior to joining FAUW, Erin worked in the Secretariat and Office of General Counsel as Associate University Secretary and Legal Counsel. She brings considerable experience and expertise to her new position that should enable our Association to navigate today’s changing academic environment with continued success."

"Erin begins her work on Tuesday, 11 November shadowing Pat Moore. The two individuals will be sharing the task for a limited time to ensure a smooth onboarding for Erin and continuity in the functioning of the Association’s activities during the handover. Welcome aboard, Erin!" 

 

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Link of the day

Sesame Street turns 45

When and where

Remembrance Day, Tuesday, November 11.

Waterloo Remembrance Day ceremony, Tuesday, November 11, 10:15 a.m., Waterloo Cenotaph.

UW Chaplains present a Remembrance Day service, Tuesday, November 11, 10:45 a.m., Student Life Centre Great Hall.

Waterloo Engineering Remembrance Day ceremony, Tuesday, November 11, 10:45 a.m., Sedra Student Design Centre, Engineering 5.

Centre for Bioengineering and Biotechnology Visionary Lecture Series seminar featuring Suneet Singh Tull, "The Next 3 Billion." Tuesday, November 11, 2:30 p.m., DC 1302. Details.


UWaterloo 3D Print Centre launch event, Tuesday, November 11, 2:30 p.m., E5 2004.

Flu Clinic, Wednesday, November 12, 9:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., Student Life Centre multipurpose room.

R+T Park Lunch and Learn Event, Thursday, November 13, 12:15 p.m. to 12:45 p.m., TechTown Board Room. Details.

Waterloo Unlimited Grade 12 Road Map to Research, Wednesday, November 12 to Friday, November 14. Details.

Keystone Campaign presents Bridges to Prosperity, Wednesday, November 12, 12:00 p.m., DC1302. Details.

Conrad Grebel Concert, "Sanctuary in Song" featuring Daniel Cabena, countertenor, Stephen Runge, piano, Wednesday, November 12, 12:30 p.m., Conrad Grebel Chapel.

Propel Centre for Population Health Impact and CHNET-Works! present Influencing Youth: Flavoured Tobacco webinar, Wednesday, November 12, 1:00 p.m. Details.

Velocity Fund $5K Qualifier Night 1, Wednesday, November 12, 7:00 p.m., QNC 0101.

International Dialogue Institute public lecture featuring Professor Altay Coskuri, “Ancient Anatolia: The Cradle of Civilization & the Crossroads of Empires – An Overview from the Neolithic Period to the Later Roman Empire.” Wednesday, November 12, 7:00 p.m., Conrad Grebel Community Education Room.

Flu Clinic, Thursday, November 13, 9:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., Student Life Centre multipurpose room.

Park and Veva Reilly Distinguished Seminar featuring Michael Pyne, Post-Doctoral Fellow, University of Waterloo, “Genetic and Metabolic Engineering of Clostridium Pasteurianum for Production of Butanol as a Renewable Biofuel,” Thursday, November 13, 3:30 p.m., E6-2024.

Dietary supplements as future cancer treatments: Is the cure already in the medicine cabinet? Free Pharmacy public lecture featuring professor Paul Spagnuolo. Thursday, November 13, 7:00 p.m., School of Pharmacy. Details.

Knowledge Integration seminar: Prof. Ian Rowlands, "Can Smart Homes be part of a Smart Future?", Friday, November 14, 2:30 p.m., EV3 1408. Details.

Drama and Speech Communication presents The Importance of Being Earnest by Oscar Wilde, directed by Stewart Arnott, Thursday, November 13 to Saturday, November 15, 7:30  p.m., Theatre of the Arts, ML. Tickets are $17 general, $13 students/seniors. Box Office - 519-888-4908. Details.

Flu Clinic, Friday, November 14, 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Student Life Centre multipurpose room.

Department of Chemical Engineering Seminar featuring Edward Sykes, Institute of Biomaterials and Biomedical Engineering, University of Toronto, “Size Matters: Developing Design Rules to Engineer Nanoparticles for Solid Tumour Targeting,” Friday, November 14, 11:30 a.m., E6-2024.

Biology Seminar Series featuring Marten Koops, Great Lakes Laboratory for Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences Fishers and Oceans Canada, Government of Canada, “Examining Determinants of Population Viability and Implications for the Management of Threats to Freshwater Fish.” Friday, November 14, 2:30 p.m., QNC 1501. Details.

Pilgrimage and Sacred Space: Jewish, Christian, and Muslim Perspectives – Places of Pilgrimage, Saturday, November 15, 2:00-5:00 p.m., Dunker Family Lounge, Renison University College. Details

East Asian Festival – 20th Anniversary Gala, Saturday, November 15, 6:00 p.m., Alpine Club Kitchener. Tickets are $75. Details.


International Education Week, Sunday, November 16 to Saturday, November 22, various locations on campus.

Velocity Fund $5K Qualifier Night 2, Tuesday, November 18, 7:30 p.m., EV3 4408.

Velocity Science Talk featuring Ryan Gerakopulos, founder of NanoQuan Inc., Tuesday, November 18, 7:30 p.m., EV3 4412. Details.

Conrad Grebel Concert, "The Madawaska Ensemble plays Brahms," Wednesday, November 19, 12:30 p.m., Conrad Grebel Chapel.

WE Innovate, Wednesday, November 19, 1:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., Engineering 5. Details.

SI Speaker Series: Computer-based design of Islamic geometric patterns, Wednesday, November 19, 6:30-8:00 p.m., Dunker Family Lounge, Renison University College. Details.

Women in Computer Science Public Lecture featuring Sarah Sharp, Intel Open Source Technology Center, on "Breaking into Open Source and Linux:
a USB 3.0 success story," Thursday, November 20, 5:30 p.m., Theatre of the Arts, ML. Tickets are free. Details.

Velocity Alpha workshop, “Set Up Your Business Like a Boss” featuring Alex Hardy, Partner, BDO Canada, Wednesday, November 19, 7:30 p.m., location TBA

Centre for Bioengineering & Biotechnology (CBB) seminar, Tracey Weiler, Mitacs, “Connecting Universities with Private Sector Opportunities,” Thursday, November 20. Details..

 

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