Monday, March 18, 2024


You're invited to The Co-op Student of the Year and Problem Lab Awards ceremony

Co-op Student of the Year event banner.

A message from Co-operative and Experiential Education.

Each year, Co-operative and Experiential Education recognizes 12 exceptional students for making impactful contributions to their employers during co-op work terms. Join us virtually as we celebrate the Co-op Students of the Year and honourable mentions for each faculty. Velocity will also present the Co-op Problem Lab award recipients at the ceremony.

Register for the ceremony on March 20, 10:30 – 11:45 a.m.  Learn first-hand about the astounding and impressive students here at Waterloo.

Silversides Theatre Artist Series presents lessons from Palestinian theatre

Silversides Theatre Artist Series banner featuring speaker Samer El-Saber.

The Department of Communications Arts has announced that Professor Samer Al-Saber will be a featured speaker for the 2024 Silversides Theatre Artist Series on Monday, March 18. This talk, entitled Devising Freedom: Lessons from Palestinian Theatreis co-sponsored by the Study of Palestine Research Support Fund, Peace and Conflict Studies, and Studies in Islamic and Arab Cultures.

Professor Samer Al-Saber is an artist/scholar and Assistant Professor of Theatre and Performance Studies at Stanford University. As artist/scholar, his fieldwork intersects with theatre practice as a director and writer. His work appeared in Theatre Research International, Alt.Theatre, Performance Paradigm, Critical Survey, Theatre Survey, Jadaliyya, Counterpunch, This Week In Palestine, and various edited volumes, such as Palgrave’s Performing For Survival, Edinburgh Press’ Being Palestinian, and the Freedom Theatre’s recently published Performing Cultural Resistance in Palestine. He is the co-editor of the anthology Stories Under Occupation and Other Plays from Palestine (Seagull Press/University of Chicago Press) and Arab, Politics, Performance (Routledge - forthcoming). He edited a collection of plays entitled Youth Plays from Gaza (Bloomsbury Press). Before joining Stanford, he taught at various institutions including Davidson College and Florida State University on a wide range of topics, including Conflict and Theatre, Arab Theatre and Culture, Palestinian Theatre, Staging Islam and American Politics, and Orientalism and the Victorians. At Stanford, he teaches courses concerned with identity, race, and ethnicity at the intersection of Islam and the Arts. His international research is focused on the cultural dimensions of the Arab World, the Middle East, and Islamicate regions. He has taught widely on topics of Western and non-Western theatre as well as American, Middle Eastern, and Global performance.

The event takes place from 3:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. in the Theatre of the Arts, followed by a reception. 

Register online as space is limited.

Nutrition Month profile: Christine Mills

During the month of March, Registered Dietitians (RD) across the country come together to celebrate the diverse field of nutrition and to help Canadians build knowledge and understanding of the connections between food, nutrition, and health.

What better time of year to highlight the unique and varied RD roles that are present right here on the UW campus. Join us in celebrating the important ways that our RDs are contributing to the health and wellness of our students, staff, and community at large. We are continuing our series highlighting some of the talented RDs from across our campus with our third profile: Chris Mills, Provost’s Interdisciplinary Postdoctoral Fellow in the Nutrition and Aging Lab of the Department of Kinesiology and Health Sciences. 

Dr. Christine Mills.Name: Christine Mills, RD, PhD

Position at UWaterloo: Provost’s Interdisciplinary Postdoctoral Scholar

Describe your role on campus: I’m a postdoctoral scholar in the Nutrition and Aging lab led by Dr. Heather Keller. I conduct research on nutrition and older adults living in the community. My research examines whether it is feasible to screen older adults for nutrition risk using tablets, whether older adults who are at high nutrition risk are willing to see a registered dietitian for nutrition care, and what older adults wants and needs are around nutrition resources and nutrition education. I’m also involved in other studies, one of which is examining whether a nutrition risk screening tool is valid for use in community-dwelling older adults with memory problems, mild cognitive impairment, or dementia, and whether it is valid in older adults living in retirement homes. I’m also exploring the professional development needs of interprofessional health care providers regarding nutrition and exercise for older adults. My other research interests include interprofessional primary care, food insecurity, and malnutrition prevention. My doctoral dissertation used data from the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging to examine factors associated with nutrition risk in community-dwelling Canadians at midlife and beyond. I’ll be presenting the results of the that research during Nutrition Month as part of the CLSA webinar series: https://www.clsa-elcv.ca/webinars. I previously worked in interprofessional primary care, primarily in Community Health Centres, and in public health.

If you could tell people one thing about nutrition, what would it be? There is no one perfect diet that works for everyone – nutrition is very individual and there are many different ways to enjoy a healthy diet.

What do you like to do in your spare time? I’m a crochet pattern designer and I also enjoy running, cycling, and strength training.

Last chance for staff to register for Board Foundations workshop

By Kathy Becker.

Waterloo staff - this workshop is for you.

UWaterloo employs many skilled and multi-passionate staff who have so much to offer the Waterloo community! But many of us have never served on a non-profit board, and wouldn't know where to start. UW Staff Board Foundations is a workshop for Waterloo staff to build the skills and confidence needed to volunteer as a non-profit Board Director. And because it’s funded by the UW Staff Excellence Fund, it’s being offered at no cost to UW staff. We’ve already held 4 virtual sessions - there's just 1 left, happening Thursday, March 21 from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

Participant feedback

Here are some comments from past staff participants:

  • “Some of those skills will most certainly be applied to my role on campus. And when I do join a not-for-profit, I will be more confident in my board role and better represent UW.”

  • “This opportunity definitely provided me with the confidence to apply to new board opportunities on the horizon.”

  • “I now have a much better idea of what it is like to be a board member.”

  • “It helped clarify some misconceptions I had that were preventing me from pursuing a role on a board.”

Registration now open

Waterloo staff can register now for this FINAL session via Portal: Session 005 Registration Link.

If you have questions or comments about this workshop, reach out to Kathy Becker or Sara Perkins. And if you have another idea for a staff development opportunity, consider submitting your own proposal to the Staff Excellence Fund.

Monday's notes

First, the Waterloo Warriors Women's hockey team gave everything they had on Saturday at the 2024 U SPORTS Women's Hockey Championship, but their quest for a national medal was brought to an end by two teams from Quebec - the first-place Concordia Stingers in the semifinals, and the Université de Montréal Carabins in the bronze medal game. "This year marked a significant milestone in history, as the Women’s Hockey team stepped onto the stage of the U Sports Championship for the very first time," says a tweet from the Waterloo Warriors X account. "Congratulations for a season filled with unforgettable moments." Congratulations indeed, Warriors! Here's to next season.

Second, a bit of alumni news: Jasmine Mangalaseril, one of Canada's first food bloggers, will be replacing Andrew Coppolino at CBC-KW, reporting on food-related issues. Mangalaseril got her art history degree at Waterloo.

Here's this week's Nutrition Month tip:

Using flyer apps is a great way to streamline your grocery store stops and save money! With these, you can browse sales at various stores and “pricematch” sale items at your local store, all in one trip (hint: make sure you do your shop at a store that honours pricematching before you attempt!). You can also use these to make putting your grocery list together quick and simple. Think coupon clipping, but for the new era!

Register for "Antagonistic Responses to Environment and Climate Change in the Academy"

Registration for the next event in the Antagonism and Intimidation in Academia Speaker Series is now open. Antagonistic Responses to Environment and Climate Change in the Academy will take place on Tuesday, March 26, from 3:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. in the Theatre of the Arts. This event is open to all faculty, staff and students.

Link of the day

Shigeichi Negishi, inventor of the Karaoke machine, dies at 100

When and Where

The Student Health Pharmacy (located in the lower level of the Student Life Centre) is offering flu shots with no appointments needed daily from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Call 519-746-4500 or extension 33784 for more info. COVID shots will be available on appointment basis only. You can register online at studenthealthpharmacy.ca.

Waterloo Warriors Youth Camps. Winter, March Break and PD Day camps available for boys and girls ages 5-18. Baseball, Basketball, Football and Multi-Sport and Games camps available. Register today!

Warriors Youth Summer Camps. Basketball, Baseball, Football, Hockey, Multi-Sport and Volleyball. Register today!

Deadline to submit applications for the Strategic International Experience Grants, Monday, March 18.

Knowledge Integration Museum eXhibition (KIX) 2024, Monday, March 18 to Saturday, March 23, Siegfried Hall Residence Wellness Centre Gym, St. Jerome's University.

Silversides Theatre Artist Series, Devising Freedom: Lessons from Palestinian Theatre, Monday, March 18, 3:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m., Theatre of the Arts. Reception to follow. Register online.

Math Innovation Fireside Chat featuring Scott Stevenson, CEO of Spellbook, Tuesday, March 19, 4:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m., MC 1085. Register on Ticketfi.

Immersive Impact: VR Design Challenge, Tuesday, March 19 and Wednesday, March 20, 12 noon to 1:00 p.m., Stratford School of Interaction Design and Business.

Research Impact Canada Quarterly Touchpoint: New Members, Wednesday, March 20, 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Contact Nadine Quehl at nquehl@uwaterloo.ca if interested in joining this online meeting.

Noon Hour Concert: Patchwork, Wednesday, March 20, 12:30 p.m., Conrad Grebel Chapel, Free admission.

EDIR-O Warm Welcome Open House and global taste adventure, Wednesday, March 20, 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m., East Campus 5. Register today-spaces are limited.

Theatre and Performance presents “Immolation” directed by Pam Patel, Wednesday, March 20 to Friday, March 23, 7:30 p.m., Theatre of the Arts, Modern Languages. Tickets $15 (general), $10 (students), $5 (high school students.)

Hoop Dance Performance by Feryn Karahkwiiohhstha King, Wednesday, March 20, 2:30 p.m., Arts Quad near Dana Porter. All are welcome.

UW Staff Board Foundations Workshop, Thursday, March 21, 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

Keeping Well at Work: Healthy Brekkies, Thursday, March 21, 12 noon to 1:00 p.m., online. Register on Portal by March 18.

NEW - Opening reception - NEXUS: 50th Anniversary Senior Undergraduate Exhibition, Thursday, March 21, 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., University of Waterloo Art Gallery, East Campus Hall.

Queer Film Series - Portrait of a Lady on Fire, Thursday, March 21, 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

Understanding our feelings about climate change: Impacts on our health, Thursday, March 21, 7:00 p.m., Central Branch of the Kitchener Public Library.

NEW - Cultural Caravan, Thursday, March 21, 7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m., Student Life Centre Great Hall.

Lectures in Catholic Experience Presents Dr. Tricia Bruce, Thursday, March 21, 7:30 p.m., St. Jerome's University.

Bechtel Lecture featuring Dr. John P. Eicher, "A Plot-Driven People: Mennonite Narratives in the Age of Nationalism (1870-1945)," Thursday, March 21, 7:30 p.m., Conrad Grebel University College.

World Water Day 2024, Friday, March 22, 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Federation Hall.

NEW - Therapy Dogs, Friday, March 22, 12 noon to 1:00 p.m., SLC Black & Gold Room.

Critical Tech Talk 8: Humility in Engineering and Design, Friday, March 22, 4:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m., ALH 116.

Master of Taxation virtual information session, Saturday, March 23, 9:00 a.m.

University of Waterloo Accounting and Finance Student Association free tax clinic, Saturday, March 23, 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., QNC 1502.

Warriors Figure Skating End-of-Term Showcase, Saturday, March 23, 2:00 p.m., Columbia Icefield Rink.

UWBASE presents annual showcase, “Based on Our Roots,” Saturday, March 23, 7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m., THEMUSEUM, Kitchener.

University of Waterloo Accounting and Finance Student Association free tax clinic, Sunday, March 24, 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., STC 1012.

Relay for Life, Sunday, March 24, 1:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., St, Jerome's University.

Fueling Forests, Modelling Nutrient Cycling, and Projecting Climate Change, Monday, March 25, 1:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m., DC 1302.

The Fifth Phase: Taking a closer look at menopause, Tuesday, March 26, 12 noon to 1:00 p.m., online.

Antagonistic Responses to Environment and Climate Change in the Academy, Tuesday, March 26, 3:00 p.m. to 4:25 p.m., reception 4:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m., Theatre of the Arts, Modern Languages.

Embark on your VC adVENTURE, Tuesday, March 26, 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., STC 0020.

Recognizing and Responding to a Person in Distress, Wednesday, March 27, 1:30 p.m. to 4:00 p.m., MS Teams. Register on Portal.

NEW - WUSA Annual General Meeting, Wednesday, March 27, 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., Student Life Centre Great Hall.

NEW - Equity and Mental Health Literacy, Thursday, March 28, 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.

NEW - Future Cities Institute launch, Wednesday, April 3, 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m., Federation Hall.