Task Force seeks feedback on Fall Break

In the wake of the Fall Break referendum earlier this month, the Fall Break Task Force has begun a broad consultation with those members of campus likely to be affected by a break in order to gather their views and determine its overall feasibility.

That’s the gist of a memo circulated last week by Mario Coniglio, Associate Vice-President, Academic, who chairs the Fall Break Task Force.

Students voted “yes” to the question “Should classes start on the first Thursday after Labour Day to allow for two additional days off in the fall term?" in a referendum held on November 4 through 6.

“The question as to whether or not to implement a break will be debated fully and will be voted on at an upcoming Senate meeting,” Professor Coniglio’s memo reads. “The purpose of this consultation is to inform that discussion by ensuring we have a good understanding of important issues for each group. In particular, we will focus on conditions that must be met in order to accommodate a break, including how we might schedule a break that balances pedagogical needs with the wellbeing of our students.”

Coniglio points out that aside from undergraduate students, others with a vested interest in the process include graduate students (especially in their roles as TAs), faculty and staff. A Fall Break is likely to affect future fall terms at the start of term (orientation, start of classes, and move-in days, for example), at the middle of term when the break is actually in effect, and at the end of term, depending on whether sufficient accommodation occurs at the beginning. Possible impacts include Sunday exams and fewer pre-exam study days.

 The Task Force has established a framework guiding the campus consultation that reads as follows:

• Fall term breaks are common: Almost all Ontario universities have a Fall Break ranging in duration from 2 to 5 days. Most that do not have a Fall Break are currently contemplating one.
• The idea of a mid-term break is not a new concept for uWaterloo: Following Family Day (which is a holiday Monday), we currently hold a Winter Reading Break of four days duration in mid-February. While not a holiday, most students, faculty and staff would agree that this break is a welcome pause. There is no reason to think that a Fall Break would need to be approached any differently.
• The Fall Term is widely seen as a “pressure cooker”: While first year students may experience enhanced levels of stress as a result of transition issues, students at all levels are very much affected by course demands, in no small part due to the number of midterm exams that are scheduled.
• Implementation would be challenging due to scheduling issues: There is no perfect schedule to accommodate a Fall Break, especially as we must work around Labour Day. The most promising way forward is to start classes earlier by abbreviating or changing orientation activities, so that classes commence on the first Thursday following Labour Day. Other possible accommodations exist, but these are generally more problematic than starting classes earlier.
• The timing and length of the break is key: The goal is one of choosing a time and length of break that will have maximum benefit to student success. At the same time, we need to choose a time and length that will not adversely affect current scheduling practices. Special consideration will have to be given to the days chosen for the break, and the impact of November 11 as a possible statutory holiday.

The Fall Break Task Force Report can be found on the Associate Vice-President, Academic website. The Task Force wants to hear from members of the campus community to ensure that they understand the issues that should inform Senate’s discussion of a Fall Break in the coming months.

Meetings with stakeholder groups identified by the Task Force will follow.

Comments are welcome in writing to the Office of the Associate Vice-President, Academic at NH 3006 or by emailing fallbreak@uwaterloo.ca.

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Five Days of Christmas Re-Gifting coming

A message from the Healthy Workplace Elves.

Do you have recently received gifts or items in your home you might want to recycle as a re-gift? Do you want/need to burn off some pre-holiday calories? Do you enjoy meeting new people and going to new places while giving back to your community?

If you answered yes to any of the above, plan to join colleagues across campus in the Five Days of Christmas Re-Gifting. This event is the second in a series of “Get Up and Go” opportunities being offered by your new Healthy Workplace Committee. 

This activity begins Thursday, December 4 and ends Wednesday, December 10. Your passport and travel details and locations will be posted daily on the Daily Bulletin.

It's easy to participate:

•  Register at uwworkwl@uwaterloo.ca. You can do this alone, with a friend, or create a team.  Be creative and give yourself a festive name.
• Find your “Re-Gift”, wrap it up and bring it with you as you visit all the interesting locations.  Get your travel stamps on your “Re-Gift” as you go.  Don’t forget to bring your passport, too. 
• Since it is the holiday season and giving is key, if you are able, please bring a new toy for a child when you come to the FINAL destination. The toy will be placed under the Angel Tree and donated to children in need.
• Bring your unwrapped toy for the Angel Tree Donation, your stamped “Re-Gift”, as well as your passport, to the final destination where hot chocolate and cookies, a Re-Gift Exchange and lots of fun will be enjoyed by all.
• The final travel destination is the University Club at 4:00 p.m. on Wednesday, December 10).  Mark your calendars now!

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Fee arrangement deadline is December 10

The deadline for students to become "Fees Arranged" for the Winter 2015 term is Wednesday, December 10.

Students can view their bill for Winter 2015 by logging into Quest, going to "Student Centre" and then clicking Finances>Account Inquiry.

There are two ways to become Fees Arranged:

• Payment in full - bank payment, Western Union GlobalPay transfer; or a certified cheque, money order or bank draft originating from a Canadian or US bank.
• Promissory Note - if students wish to deduct their approved financial aid (including funding from Waterloo) and only pay the remaining balance, they must submit the Promissory Note. Follow the step-by-step instructions.
  
  

If students are not Fees Arranged by January 31, they will be unenrolled and lose access to assignments, exams and course materials on LEARN. Students can view their registration status on the Account Inquiry page on Quest. Students must also be Fees Arranged in order to access scholarships, bursaries, awards, GRS and student loan funding.

Anyone with questions can contact Finance-Student Accounts via email or by checking their website for more information.

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Monday's notes

The next campus blood donor clinic is being held from November 26 to 28 in the Student Life Centre from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. daily.  All are welcome to come and donate and can visit Canadian Blood Services for more information or Student Life Centre Clinic for other upcoming clinic dates.

Quest will be down, and unavailable, from Friday November 28, starting at 4:30 p.m. until 8:30 a.m. on Monday, December 1 as a scheduled upgrade takes place.

Here's a message from the Library: "Reduced heating supply to the Dana Porter Library will occur on Saturday, November 29, 2014 from 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. due to work on new building construction nearby. Depending on outside weather conditions that day, temperatures in Porter Library could be lower than normal and may vary considerably depending on your location in the building. Please take these temperature fluctuations into account when planning your visit to Porter Library."

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