A banner year: With autumn showing off its colours, it's the perfect season for the University of Waterloo to show off its colours as well.

New banners have been installed on roads adjacent to campus, prominently displaying our heraldic shield.

Photograph by Manleen Singh.

 

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Heaving on a jet plane

Jacqueline Martinz.

It's a bird, it's a plane... and nearly a dozen staff, faculty, and student leaders from the University of Waterloo. The group gathered at the Waterloo Regional International Airport for the United Way KW's 2014 Plane Pull, the first event of the year's fundraising campaign.

Together, they pulled an 8,000 pound T-33 jet trainer, which resides at the Aircraft Museum in London, Ontario. Vying for the shortest time against teams from other organizations in the area, the pulled the plane down the runway in 24.93 seconds. While this didn't result in a victory (the winner was the Berry Vrabanovic for Mayor team who crossed the finish line in 20.68 seconds), everyone left with a memorable experience.

At the event, the United Way Kitchener Waterloo & Area announced its fundraising goal of $5 million. The University of Waterloo United Way Campaign 2014 starts on October 1. More information is available online.

Top photograph by Mellissa McDonald. Inset photograph courtesy of the United Way Campaign.

 

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Self-compassion: your body will thank you for it

Women who accept and tolerate their imperfections appear to have a more positive body image despite their body mass index (BMI) and are better able to handle personal disappointments and setbacks in their daily lives.

Research out of the Faculty of Arts at the University of Waterloo found that this self-compassion might be an important means to increase positive body image and protect girls and young women against unhealthy weight-control practices and eating disorders.

“Women may experience a more positive body image and better eating habits if they approach disappointments and distress with kindness and the recognition that these struggles are a normal part of life,” said Professor Allison Kelly of the Department of Psychology, and the study's lead author. “How we treat ourselves during difficult times that may seem unrelated to our bodies and eating seems to have a bearing on how we feel about our bodies and our relationship with food.”

This study adds to the growing body of literature suggesting that self-compassion might offer unique benefits that self-esteem does not. Self-esteem comes from evaluating oneself as above average, and so may be limited in helping individuals cope with perceived shortcomings.

“Regardless of their weight, women with higher self-compassion have better body image and fewer concerns about weight, body shape or eating,” said Professor Kelly. “There is something about a high level of acceptance and understanding of oneself that helps people not necessarily view their bodies more positively, but rather acknowledge their bodies' imperfections and be okay with them.”

The research results suggest that eating disorder prevention and health promotion that focus on increasing young women’s self-compassion may be an important way to foster healthier weight management across the BMI spectrum.

This study gathered data from 153 female undergraduate students and used BMI calculations based on each participant’s self-reported height and weight. The research team administered a series of questionnaires assessing levels of self-compassion, self-esteem, body image, and eating behaviours.

The study appears in the September 2014 issue of the journal Body Image. Funding from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council supported the research.

 

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Nominations open for staff seat on Board

The nomination period is open as the search continues for candidates to occupy a full-time staff seat on the University's Board of Governors for a term ending April 30, 2017.

During the spring term, Mark Walker was re-elected to one of the two staff seats on the Board of Governors. Due to his departure from the university in mid-July, there is now a staff vacancy on the board.

Completed nomination forms should be submitted to the Chief Returning Officer, Secretariat & Office of General Counsel, Needles Hall, Room 3060, no later than 3:00 p.m. on Friday, October 3. At least five nominators are required on each form.

An election will follow if necessary, with full-time staff members eligible to vote.

 

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Office closures and other notes

And now, a pair of messages about upcoming office closures:

"The Arts Undergraduate Office (PAS 2439) will be closed from 8:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. on Wednesday, October 1 for a staff meeting. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause. Please go to the Arts Undergraduate Office webpage for our regular office hours."

“The Science Undergrad Office (ESC 253) will be closed from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. on Wednesday, October 1. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause. Check the Science current undergraduate students page for our regular hours.”

The Bookstore is featuring local writer (and Waterloo staff member) Pam Fluttert, author of "Until Today" at an event starting at 4:30 p.m. in the Bookstore, located in South Campus Hall. Fluttert, who works as a manager in IST's Project Management Office, will be speaking about her book, described as "a portrait of loss, betrayal and courage in the face of abuse. Kat is alone with a secret she doesn’t want to keep but can’t risk telling. A victim of longtime sexual abuse at the hands of her family’s trusted friend, Kat is torn between trying to protect herself and safeguarding her little sister, whom she fears might be next.” A Q&A session will follow the speaking engagement.

And finally, here's a note from recently-retired Pat Mihm:

"Dear colleagues:

You are overdue a huge thank-you for the wonderful send off I received after 30 years at U of W. I have had time to reflect since April 1 2014 on my work life and the wonderful people I have met over the years. The banquet, gifts, cards and well wishes along with the open house were a bit overwhelming. I will remember your friendship support and kindness always. I'm truly enjoying my retirement.

In friendship,

Pat Mihm

Sheet Metal Worker, Plant Operations."

 

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