Daily Bulletin

Behold, the end is nigh

Students who are coming back for the winter term are reminded that they need to register (i.e. pay fees) before Christmas -- in fact by December 23 -- rather than waiting until January, when they'll discover that late fees are already piling up. The "absolute last day to pay fees" for the winter term will be January 29.

It would also be wise to pick up your winter term schedule at the registrar's office, says a memo from associate registrar Gwen Sharp: "Due to the number of time changes and course cancellations for Winter 1999 term, students are advised to check for a revised schedule."

And this reminder: the university is closed from December 24, 1998, to January 3, 1999, so there's no point in planning to do your paperwork then.

Away from campus in the winter term, but back in the spring? Information about spring 1999 registration is already available on the web.

Campaign sends a year-end reminder

The main Keystone Fund appeal to current employees and retirees goes out in late spring each year, so this week's mailing is a reminder at the halfway point. "Fortunately," it says, "it's not too late to check off some things on your list. Perhaps making a charitable gift to support a because you believe in is one of those items." The brochure includes brief information about the value to UW of gifts from the people who support it, as well as the tax benefits of doing it now.

It also says: "If you are one of the many faculty, staff, or retirees who have already made your 1998 contribution to the Keystone Fund, we would like to take this opportunity to thank you for your generosity. Your support of UW is a very special gift! Feel proud that your donation is making a difference.

"You may want to take a moment to consider your contribution.Are there new areas of development at UW that you feel strongly about? If you have made the same donation each year, perhaps this is the time to consider increasing your gift.

"If you haven't made your contribution this year, please join with your colleagues in making your donation to the University of Waterloo today! Consider the convenience of a pledge through payroll deduction . . . . qualify for a 1998 tax deduction."

Meredith McGinnis of the development office says the reminder package will include "a priority projects list" as well as the Keystone Fund "season for giving" brochure.

Senate executive meets today

Among the items to pass before the committee's notice today:

• A proposal to make a full-fledged Survey Research Centre from the Survey Research Network
• An annual report from the University Committee on Student Appeals.
• A second attempt to set dates for the academic calendar of the year 1999-2000 -- dates were approved earlier, and then it was discovered that UW's February reading week didn't match the dates set at Laurier and Guelph. For the sake of unison, all three institutions are now trying for February 21-25, 2000.
• A summary of entrance scholarships awarded this fall.
• A report from the University Tenure Advisory Committee.
• A request to UW to take part in a national study of university governance and what senates do.

High schoolers visit, and more

Missing, presumed red A plea has arrived from the university graduate office, and with sappy tears I pass it along: "An 18-inch singing Douglas Fir tree, last seen wearing a red Santa hat and a pine green suit with splashes of red and yellow trimmings, has gone missing. Sings boisterously when he detects any motion nearby. Douglas has been known to startle unsuspecting graduate students, mailpersons, office staff and visiting dignitaries. He was last seen the morning of December 4. Anyone with information on the missing Fir is asked to contact Penny Pudifin at ext. 2845. All names and identities will be kept in strictest confidence."

The Institute for Computer Research presents a talk today on "Adventures on the Sea of Interconnection Networks". The speaker is Behrooz Parhami of the University of California at Santa Barbara, who was an important figure in developing database processors in the 1970s and has continued to work in such areas as computer arithmetic and parallel computing. His talk will be given at 2 p.m. in Davis Centre room 1304.

A physics department seminar at 2:30 p.m. (Physics room 145) brings Sharon Morsink of the University of Wisconsin at Milwaukee, to speak on "Spinning Neutron Stars: How Fast Will They Go?"

The Jewish studies program sponsors a talk at 4 p.m. today (Humanities room 373) by Edward Breuer of Loyola University, Chicago. His topic: "Zionism and Its Early Controversies: Culture, Politics and Religion at the End of the Nineteenth Century".

With the fall term at an end, members of the Chemistry Club are offered "one more chance to get out and have some fun" -- the Graduate House has been booked for a Chem Club wine and cheese party starting at 5 this evening. "The reason you should come," a memo says, "is because there is some free food, and one free beverage of your choice."

And a reminder, gentlefolks all, that the annual Faculty of Arts Carol Sing led by Jake Willms will be held in the Modern Languages building lobby tomorrow starting at 12:15. Everyone is welcome to this 45 minutes of Christmas magic; refreshments will be available.

CAR

Editor of the Daily Bulletin: Chris Redmond
Information and Public Affairs, University of Waterloo
credmond@uwaterloo.ca | (519) 888-4567 ext. 3004
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