Student dies after lightning strike Friday

A first year student was struck and killed by lightning while walking on campus Friday, September 5.

The incident took place on a pathway leading from the ring road to the Village One residence around 9:00 a.m. According to a statement issued by Waterloo Fire Rescue, firefighters responded to the incident along with University of Waterloo Campus Police. Firefighters and Region of Waterloo EMS staff provided medical treatment to the student and she was transported to Grand River Hospital, where she died of her injuries.

The student's name is being withheld at her family's request.

"It is with deep regret that we have confirmed the death of a member of our campus community and student body, who was struck by lightning this morning during an unexpected storm, and died of her injuries," said President Feridun Hamdullahpur in a statement Friday. "On behalf of our entire community of students, faculty, staff, and alumni, I express heartfelt condolences to this student’s family, friends, and fellow students at this profoundly difficult time."

The 18 year-old had been admitted to Waterloo's Nanotechnology program, one of Canada's most competitive engineering programs. Nanotechnology Engineering is offered collaboratively through the Department of Chemical Engineering and the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering in the Faculty of Engineering, and the Chemistry Department in the Faculty of Science.

"Orientation week is a time when campus is especially vibrant and filled with optimism for the future, which makes this student death even more distressing, and her passing a source of immense grief," President Hamdullahpur said. "As we struggle to come to terms with the tragic loss of a friend and colleague, I remind our University of Waterloo community members, and students in particular, that our Counselling Services team is available to support you."

"We hold this student’s loved ones in our hearts and minds at this difficult time."

 

Back to top

As lectures begin, it's time for Welcome Week

The Federation of Students is hosting Fall Welcome Week from Monday, September 8 to Friday, September 12. It's five days of exciting events for all undergraduates.

To launch Welcome Week, a free breakfast will be provided for a lucky group of students in the Student Life Centre Courtyard (if it rains, in the SLC Great Hall) on Monday morning at 8:15 a.m. On Monday night, all students who are 19+ will be able to try their luck at Sex Toy Bingo in The Bombshelter Pub for an array of prizes.

Other Welcome Week highlights include the Welcome Week Carnival, which will be happening on Tuesday from 2 p.m. to 10 p.m. on the BMH Green. Students will experience the lively, playful carnival atmosphere on campus with a variety of rides. A five thousand dollar grand prize will be awarded to the student who wins the Amazing Goose Chase on Wednesday at 5:00 p.m. in the SLC Courtyard. The most anticipated Welcome Week event will be happening on Thursday night. Popular performers Serani, USS, and Down with Webster will be putting on an unforgettable show at 7:00 p.m. in the PAC.

The full schedule for Welcome Week and information on how to register for free tickets to the events with limited capacity is available online.

 

Back to top

OHD announces lineup of workshops

Organizational & Human Development (OHD) has announced that registration is now available for their latest lineup of learning and development workshops. OHD is offering the full series of the Principles of Inclusivity courses as well as the full Business Communication certificate series.

Further, OHD will be offering the next in its "Bookshop" series, which is a blended program offering components of a book club and workshop. This term the book Switch: How to Change When Change is Hard will be the focus. Finally, OHD is introducing a much-requested customized customer service session as Exceptional Service as part of our regular ongoing offerings to the campus community.

Upcoming courses for September and October include:

• Bookshop: Switch (Part 1 of 3) (OHD806), September 22, 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
• Principles of Inclusivity (OHD502), September 23, 8:45 a.m. to 12:45 p.m.
• Proofreading & Editing, September 25, 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
• Writing Matters I (OHD207), October 3, 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
• Report & Proposal Writing (OHD211), October 6, 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
• Understanding Inclusivity (OHD503), October 7, 12:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
• Principles of Leadership (OHD106), October 8, 8:45 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. (Formerly The Basic Principles (OHD101))

• Writing Matters II (OHD208), October 10, 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

• Inclusive Communication (OHD504), October 15, 12:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.

• Integrity Matters (OHD120), October 21, 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

• Principles of Inclusivity (OHD502), October 23, 12:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.

• Bookshop: Switch  (Part 2 of 3) (OHD806), October 28, 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

• Generational Inclusivity (OHD505), October 29, 12:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.

To register for OHD workshops, visit the MyHRinfo system. The system allows attendees to view spaces available in workshops, register online, and receive immediate registration notification via email, and view workshops for which they are enrolled and have completed.

Register through the Learning and Development module of the Self Service MyHRinfo menu (where you view your payroll and benefit information). Select Request Training Enrollment and enter the course name or course number.

 

Back to top

Trudeau visits, Square opens, and other notes

Justin Trudeau, the leader of the Liberal Party of Canada, is coming to campus on Wednesday as part of a larger tour of Waterloo Region. He will address students at 2:00 p.m. in the Great Hall of the Student Life Centre.

Trudeau last visited campus in 2007. This is his first visit to campus since becoming Liberal leader.

Square, the mobile payments business, will be opening an office in Waterloo Region Wednesday. President Feridun Hamdullahpur will be bringing greetings on behalf of the University. Square founder and CEO Jack Dorsey visited campus last September.

The office will be located at 305 King Street in downtown Kitchener.

The MacGregor Albert Community Association is organizing a community BBQ on Saturday, September 13 from 12:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the MacGregor Sr. Public School.

“The community event is aimed at strengthening relations between permanent residents and the students living in our community,” writes co-organizer Carrie Stevenson. “We want to create an event for all ages so that residents, both temporary and permanent, can celebrate the diversity and vitality within our neighbourhood.”

 

The BBQ is free and students living in the MacGregor-Albert neighourhood are welcome to attend.

 

This is a reminder of the construction work in the Physical Activities Complex's laneway that will force a rare closure of the Ring Road on Wednesday, weather permitting. Work in the laneway begins tomorrow and continue for approximately two weeks, which means there will be no access for motorcycle parking or service spots. Pedestrian access, however, will not be affected.

On Wednesday, September 10, the portion of the Ring Road at the PAC laneway will be closed in both directions as a new storm sewer line is connected. Vehicles will need to turn around in the Village residence driveway, or if coming in the opposite direction, the main PAC entrance while the work is carried out. Signs have been posted notifying drivers of the closure.

 

Back to top