Board approves Hagey Hall expansion

The University has doubled down on its Hagey Hall expansion to create a hub for the Faculty of Arts that will enhance the student experience.

The Board of Governors approved a project budget of $8.35 million to design and construct a 13,825 square foot infill addition to Hagey Hall on the footprint currently occupied by a courtyard, balconies and exterior stairways.

The Building & Properties Committee previously approved the project in October 2013 with a budget of $4.775 million, based on the feasibility for a 10,000 square foot project. For projects less than $5 million in price, the committee's decisions do not have to be confirmed by the Board.

The committee explained that the Faculty of Arts has identified the lack of student study and social space as a key challenge to attracting and retaining outstanding undergraduate and graduate students. This was confirmed through a strategic planning consultation process from 2011 to 2013 that included meetings, town halls, focus groups, student surveys and interviews.

During the initial project's detailed design process, additional interior floor space was added at the second and third-floor levels to create new separate study spaces. According to the committee's report, "these additions were made to address the growing need for project and teamwork space which has become a larger part of arts' curriculum in addition to space for quiet study." The result of this addition was a 38 per cent increase in the floor space (though the overall volume of the space did not materially increase).

"Although the existing Hagey Hall building has an elevator on the east side of the original building (just south of the recent School of Accounting & Finance addition), the project includes an elevator within the infill space to improve connectivity within the study space, to enhance overall accessibility and to demonstrate it publicly while ensuring that the space, which will become the hub of the Faculty, is welcoming to all in our community," says a note from the committee.

The proposed new study space in Hagey Hall is a critical element in the Faculty’s efforts to meet its strategic objectives.

“The project will be funded by the Faculty of Arts through a combination of the Faculty’s allocation of the provincial capital growth funding, donated funds, and current operating funds,” the committee’s report continues. “In addition, the student-funded Arts Endowment Fund has made a $200,000 financial commitment to the capital component of the project and a further $100,000 toward its operating costs. The university will be applying for a provincial accessibility grant to help defray part of the cost of the elevator.”

One unanswered question remains the fate of the series of "Fountains" sculptures, created by artist Ron Baird, currently occupying space in the courtyard, erected in 1971. A report from the Faculty of Arts indicates that the Faculty is working with members of the Fine Arts department and Plant Operations to identify a suitable new location for the sculptures.

Photograph courtesy of Ron Baird.

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Tales of a Teacher: Scott Leatherdale

by Fahd Munir. This is the first of three Centre for Teaching Excellence Teaching Stories that will appear in the Daily Bulletin this week.

One of the first things students learn when attending Dr. Scott Leatherdale’s lectures is to embrace curiosity. Being curious, says Leatherdale, opens the door to enhanced critical thinking.

To foster this curiosity in students, Leatherdale avoids using a textbook and focuses instead on real-world health issues that can lead to “aha” moments for students. As graduate student Patty Hoyeck says, “Dr. Leatherdale motivates us by focusing on current issues in the health care system and having us consider and analyze them.” Graduate student Adam Cole adds, “Scott brings an excitement for learning to each of his lectures. His desire for academic excellence is evident in his lectures, which are consistently updated to reflect current changes in health programs, policy, and practice. This keeps students engaged.”

In his teaching practice, Leatherdale also draws on his experience working with the Ministry of Health. He informs his students, for example, that implementing health policies at any governmental level requires excellent interpersonal skills as well as a healthy work-life balance. Again drawing on his real-world experiences, he advises students to see failures as something to build upon, and to develop a robust and resilient attitude.

As Patty Hoyeck affirms, “He focuses on developing our skills as well as our confidence in them.”

Leatherdale understands that being passionately involved in one’s work is a key to success. In his own life, this attitude is reflected in his work as a Chair in Applied Health Research for the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) and the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC), and as an advisor to Public Health Ontario (PHO). That passionate commitment is also why Leatherdale devotes personal time to attending AHS socials, is the reason he is involved in various campus committees, and is why he always prioritises time with his family and friends.

Leatherdale likewise urges his students to get the most out of their time at the University of Waterloo by becoming actively involved and engaged in campus life. Even in the classroom, Leatherdale strives to foster deep involvement by asking thought-provoking questions that require critical thinking and active responses. All of this nurtures a powerful connection between instructor and students. As graduate student Rachel Laxer says, “He is such a supportive supervisor and mentor. He provides all of his students with exciting opportunities to advance our future careers.”

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Social Prosperity Wood Buffalo receives award

By: Media release from the Faculty of Arts

From left to right: Mike Allen, MLA Fort McMurray – Wood Buffalo, Honorable Don Scott, Minister of Innovation & Advanced Education, Deputy Government House Leader; Honorable Heather Klimchuk, Minister of Human Services; Nancy Mattes, University of Waterloo; Cathy Brothers, Capacity Canada; Bryan Jackson, Suncor Energy; Diane Shannon, United Way of Fort McMurray; Heather Evasiuk, Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo; Bonnah Carey, Some Other Solutions; Katharine Zywert, University of Waterloo, Ifeatu Efu, Social Prosperity Wood Buffalo; Sana Elache, Syncrude Inc. Missing: Cathy Glover, Suncor Energy Foundation; Kim Nordbye, Suncor Energy Foundation; Tracey Carnochan, Suncor Energy; Brandi Gartner, Oil Sands Community Alliance; Manny Makia, FuseSocial; Russell Thomas, United Way of Fort McMurray; Ken Coates, University of Sasketchewan.

Social Prosperity Wood Buffalo was honoured last week for using social innovation to successfully strengthen the social profit sector in Wood Buffalo, increase community resilience, and improve capacity to address complex social problems.  The social innovation scroll of recognition was presented by the Honourable Don Scott, Minister of Innovation and Advanced Education for the Province of Alberta at the ConvergenceYMM summit in Fort McMurray, Alberta. 

In his remarks, Minister Scott acknowledged that community-driven social innovation provides the greatest opportunity to improve the quality of life of Albertans.  He thanked the Suncor Energy Foundation for their leadership and vision.  “Since its inception, Social Prosperity Wood Buffalo has had an incredible legacy of success,” he said.  “On behalf of the government and all Albertans, I want to congratulate Social Prosperity Wood Buffalo for helping to build a stronger and better Alberta.”

Nancy Mattes, Director of Social Prosperity Wood Buffalo and a University of Waterloo staff member within the Faculty of Arts, accepted the award on behalf of project partners including the Suncor Energy Foundation, the United Way of Fort McMurray, the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo, the Oil Sands Community Alliance, FuseSocial, Capacity Canada, the University of Waterloo, Steering Committee members and project team members.

“I am deeply honoured to accept this social innovation scroll of recognition on behalf of Social Prosperity Wood Buffalo,” said Mattes. “We are so proud of the extraordinary outcomes that have occurred as a result of our work including the Heart of Wood Buffalo Awards, the Arts Council Wood Buffalo, the ‘Look into Wood Buffalo’ Community Wellbeing Survey and ConvergenceYMM.  Social Prosperity Wood Buffalo effectively stewarded community initiatives and shifted the social profit sector towards greater resiliency and capacity so they are better able to achieve their missions.  We look forward to continuing our collective efforts to build a culture of social innovation in Wood Buffalo.”

About Social Prosperity Wood Buffalo:
The Social Prosperity Wood Buffalo project is a community-driven social innovation process designed to build and sustain innovation and social change within the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo. It emerged from Suncor Energy Foundation’s vision to improve quality of life in Wood Buffalo by building capacity in the nonprofit sector and reflects a partnership between community stakeholders in Wood Buffalo, the Suncor Energy Foundation, and the University of Waterloo.

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Reading Week begins and other notes

Reading Week is in full swing.

Unless otherwise specified, Retail Services operations are open this week, as are several Food Services operations. The Libraries are operating normally.

There's still time to submit nominations for a staff representative to sit on the University's Board of Governors for a term beginning May 1, 2015 to April 30, 2018.

Completed nomination forms should be submitted to the Chief Returning Officer, Secretariat & Office of General Counsel, in Needles Hall, Room 3060, no later than 3:00 p.m. on Friday, March 6. At least five nominators are required in each case.

There will be a utility shutdown in East Campus Hall on Wednesday, February 18 from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m. Electrical power to the entire building will be shut off while a new breaker is installed. Occupants of ECH should ensure that all computers are shut down in an orderly fashion tonight.

The Federation of Students held its annual elections last week, with voting period occurring from February 10 to 13. Undergraduates cast their ballots for candidates running for positions on the Feds Executive, Students' Council, and Senate. Votes were cast online at votes.feds.ca and at polling stations located on campus. The results were announced at 1 p.m. on February 13 in the Student Life Centre Great Hall. The 2015-2016 Feds Executives will be Chris Lolas (President), Maaz Yasin (VP Internal), Carly McCready (VP Operations and Finance), and Stephane Hamade (VP Education). The full results are available online.

Fantastic Alumni, Faculty and Staff Day is coming to a gymnasium near you. Staff, faculty and alumni are invited to come out and cheer on the Warriors basketball teams as they take on the Western Mustangs this Saturday, February 21. The day will feature women’s and men’s basketball, staff vs. alumni monster hoop showdown and an airplane toss for fantastic prizes. It is the perfect way to spend the afternoon with your family and friends so get your tickets today and enjoy a day showing your Waterloo pride!

Link to “get your tickets today”- https://uwaterloo.ca/alumni/events/fantastic-alumni-faculty-and-staff-day

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