Canadian theses won't appear on Contentville after all

Daily Bulletin

Canada Research Chairs The faculty association sponsors a special "discussion for all members of the University" this afternoon about the Canada Research Chairs program. There will be two speakers: UW president David Johnston, and James L. Turk, executive director of the Canadian Association of University Teachers, which has expressed some strong reservations about the Chairs program. "Following introductory comments of approximately 15 minutes each," a notice says, "the floor will be open for discussion of the Canada Research Chairs Program in general and its potential impact on the University of Waterloo." Today's event will start at 2 p.m. in Davis Centre room 1302.

Task force to study universities

Said Dianne Cunningham (left), the minister of training, colleges and universities: "We know our postsecondary system will experience significant growth over the next few years as more and more students turn to our colleges and universities to gain the skills and expertise they will need to compete in today's rapidly changing economy. To prepare for that increased demand, we have already increased postsecondary operating funding by $73 million to $2.4 billion; the task force will provide advice and recommendations to ensure those dollars and future spending in this period of growth continue to be invested in a better education for all our students."

The Investing in Students Task Force, which will be chaired by Jalynn H. Bennett, will "study college and university administrative operations across the province, examining options for shared services and identifying best practices for administrative functions such as information technology, procurement and data collection".

Bennett is president of Jalynn H. Bennett & Associates Ltd., a consulting firm in strategic planning and organizational development in both the public and private sectors.

"In today's knowledge-based economy, a postsecondary education is of vital importance," said Cunningham. "Changing demographics, an increasing emphasis on lifelong learning and the introduction of the new four-year high school program will mean that more students -- both traditional high school graduates and older students with different needs -- will be entering our colleges and universities."

She added: "To meet those needs, Ontario students must continue to have access to high-quality, relevant education where and when they need it throughout Ontario."

Bennett called his appointment "an exciting opportunity to review the system to ensure that its administrative foundation can support the rapid enrolment growth and changing needs of students".

In addition to Bennett, Cunningham also announced the following volunteer task force members: Jean Bidard, who practises law at Sotos Associates Barristers and Solicitors in Toronto; Roderick D. Fraser, president of the University of Alberta; Ray Ivany, president and chief executive officer of the Nova Scotia Community College; and Courtney Pratt, president and chief executive officer of Hydro One Networks Inc.

The government said that after "consulting with postsecondary stakeholders", the task force will submit its final report in January 2001.

At Monday evening's meeting of the UW senate, university president David Johnston said he had just been told that the task force would be announced shortly. "It's not something I look forward to with a great deal of enthusiasm," he admitted. "Our task is to demonstrate that we are an effective system."

Honorary degrees are announced -- from the UW news bureau

Michael Lazaridis, who is RIM's president and co-chief executive officer, will be awarded a Doctor of Engineering degree at the convocation ceremony for graduates in engineering, environmental studies, independent studies, mathematics and science to be held Saturday, October 21, in UW's Physical Activities Complex.

Lazaridis's blend of technical expertise in network connectivity tools and radio frequency engineering has made RIM a Canadian success story in wireless networks and equipment. He will deliver the convocation address at 2 p.m.

At the same ceremony, Phyllis Lambert, a leading Canadian architect and scholar, will be awarded a Doctor of Laws degree. Lambert founded the Canadian Centre for Architecture, a museum and study centre devoted to the past, present and future of architecture. She is also known both for her leadership of and contributions to the cultural life of Canada.

As well, former UW professor Giacinto Scoles, who was instrumental in establishing UW's strong reputation in the area of chemical physics, will receive a Doctor of Science degree. Scoles now is the Donner Professor of Science at Princeton University.

At the convocation ceremony for graduates in applied health sciences and arts, beginning at 10 a.m., computer innovator Donald Knuth will be awarded a Doctor of Letters degree for his contributions to art and literature. Knuth, a professor emeritus at Stanford University, is the author of The Art of Computer Programming.

UW's 81st convocation will also see honorary degrees awarded to Raymond Breton, a well-known scholar in the area of ethnic relations in Canada, and Olive Patricia Dickason, one of Canada's foremost historians and distinguished scholars.

Breton, a professor emeritus at the University of Toronto and the W.L.M. King Visiting Professor in Canadian Studies at Harvard University, will receive a Doctor of Letters degree at the morning convocation ceremony for graduates in applied health sciences and arts. At the same event, Dickason, a professor emeritus at the University of Alberta, will receive a Doctor of Laws degree and address convocation.

New galleries will open tomorrow -- by Barbara Hallett

In Gallery 1 "(An)Other Canada", a touring exhibition curated by UW's director/curator Carol Podedworny (left) for the Burlington Art Centre, is "based on landscape traditions as a nationalist agenda in Canada," she explains. "The works in the exhibition counter traditional notions of both landscape and borders." The show includes photography, paintings, and an installation by four artists: Janet Anderson, Toronto; Rebecca Belmore, Toronto; Laura Millard, London; and Sylvie Readman, Montréal.

Gallery 2 will feature "The Aurora on All Three Channels", an installation by Richard Prince, Vancouver. "The installation is filled with technical gadgetry -- computers, lights, sound, etc. -- and is based on the notion of the Aurora Borealis making sound," says Podedworny. "It's a funky installation, pairs well with the landscape exhibition, and should bring in some campus groups -- geography, engineering, computer, etc. -- who don't normally come to the gallery exhibitions."

Former UW president James Downey, during whose tenure the gallery renovations were funded, will speak at the East Campus Hall opening, and everyone is welcome to check out the improvements and the exhibitions, says Podedworny. The renovations provide exhibition spaces of 3,000 and 1,000 square feet, with 20-foot ceilings, dry-walled surfaces and a new paint job. In addition, a gallery workshop has been added for the preparation of incoming and outgoing works of art.

Podedworny has many folks to thank for the work. As well as the president's office, which provided funding, many hours of volunteer labour helped put the finishing touches on the project. Fine arts professor Don MacKay and a geography student, Luke Hartley, "spent the summer painting lights, walls and floors". Technician Murray Bastion helped with the lighting, plant operations staff provided potted plants for the new public entrance, and parking services assigned six new public parking meters on the west side of ECH for off-campus visitors to the galleries. Since taking on the director/curator post last November, Podedworny has overseen more than physical alterations to the galleries. "2000 marks a new era in the history of the UW Art Gallery," she says. "Several changes have been made to the operations structure of the institution that will affect the gallery's health and development in the coming years."

One such area is the gallery's commitment to hire students through a variety of sources. "All student positions will offer opportunities for the students to gain practical experience in the day-to-day activities of gallery work." As well, the advisory committee has been reactivated and new community members appointed.

In the wake of East Campus Hall renovations, the space will "become the focus of the gallery's activities", says Podedworny, with the original gallery in Modern Languages playing "a secondary role". It will feature exhibitions and displays developed by departments across campus, she adds, with shows this fall organized by the Pascal lecture committee and the school of architecture.

Seminar on starting a business Would-be and new entrepreneurs in Canada's Technology Triangle are being invited to attend a seminar on "Critical Paths to Creating Your Own Enterprise!" on Thursday evening (5:30 to 7:30 p.m.) in Siegfried Hall, St. Jerome's University. "This will be the first in a series of seminars designed to bring expertise, resources and information to new and would-be entrepreneurs," says John Cullen in UW's department of co-operative education and career services. Economics professor Larry Smith will host this event, which is co-sponsored by CECS, Communitech's Business Accelerator and Human Resources Development Canada. "Smith shares our view that many students and other members of the community have the potential to become successful entrepreneurs," Cullen said. Presentation and topics for discussion at "Critical Paths to Creating Your Own Enterprise!" will include . . . Start-up experiences including starting a business with friends; Networking and early sources of funding; How to approach "angels" for funding; Local Resources for New Startups; Starting your venture on a co-op work term. A question-and-answer period will follow the presentations, as well as a chance for entrepreneurs to network.

Here's today's news -- summery

You could hardly move in the great hall of the Student Life Centre at peak times yesterday, with two major events going on. Both continue today: the Imaginus poster sale (through Friday) and Club Days (ending today), showing off what dozens of student organizations have to offer. Today may be even busier, in fact, as there's a special offer at Brubakers eatery a few steps away. Food services is offering a Greek lunch today, "your choice of chicken souvlaki or beef and lamb gyros with side Greek salad, baklava, and fountain beverage", total price $4.99.

The noon-hour series of intellectual property lunchtime forums, sponsored by the technology transfer and licensing office, continues today. At 12:00 in Needles Hall room 3001, the topic is "Conflicts of Interest Related to Intellectual Property".

In the Centre for Learning and Teaching Through Technology, or LT3, there are seminars and events almost every day, it seems. Today brings a session of the "LT3 Idea Workshop", with discussion of two pieces of research about "paying attention". The dialogue starts at 12:15 in Dana Porter Library room 407.

A workshop on "Making a Career Fair Work for You" is scheduled for 1:30 today in Needles Hall room 1020. Part of the career development seminar series, it's a preparation for "Career Fair 2000" on September 27 at the Kitchener Memorial Auditorium. Organizers say more than 200 employers will have representatives at that event.

Communications and Information Ontario, a "centre of excellence" with much UW involvement, brings a "Researcher Information Road Show" to Waterloo this afternoon. A "business development team" from CITO will be in Needles Hall room 3001 from 2:30 to 4:30, "to meet with academic researchers and explore how CITO can support them in conducting leading-edge research. . . . CITO is dedicated to promoting innovation in advanced research in the communications, information technology and digital media sectors. As part of its mandate, CITO funds advanced research in Ontario's universities and builds collaborative partnerships between industry and academic researchers."

The UW Retirees' Association will hold its annual wine and cheese reception this afternoon, from 3 to 5 p.m. in the University Club.

The baseball Warriors play a home game tonight against the Wilfrid Laurier University Golden Hawks. First pitch is scheduled for 6:00 at Jack Couch Park in Kitchener.

The Waterloo Public Interest Group will host Camilo Garcia of the Cuban embassy in Ottawa, at a "night of Cuban culture" this evening, starting at 7:00 in Student Life Centre room 2139. The event includes the screening of the Cuban film "Strawberries and Chocolate", plus a presentation about Cuban art, and discussion. WPIRG notes that "while Camilo Garcia is in K-W he will also be speaking to students in the Independent Studies program about the blockade on Cuba and to a history class on the subject of Cuba and the Vietnam era."

"What is mined is yours," is the message Peter Russell will be wearing on his T-shirt today at the International Plowing Match in Elora. The UW Earth Sciences Museum curator will be working at the Partners in Conservation Education tent -- a group of 28 organizations providing information to visitors about environmental issues. As part of the "mineral gang," he and museum volunteer Bill McIntyre will be informing people about the earth materials they use, for everything from road building to toothpaste and tofu. With some 120,000 people expected to visit the site, many of them local teachers and school children, Russell will also be giving away educational brochures and mineral samples.

And . . . it sure is summery, isn't it? Reminds me of the judge who told a miscreant: "You are to pay $100 immediately, and report within 24 hours to begin serving your sentence in jail." In other words: fine today, cooler tomorrow.

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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