Phyllis Forsyth says she's finding retirement "beautiful" after 32 years teaching the classics at UW. (The photo, from her web site, shows her "at rest", though pre-retirement, probably at her beloved Prince Edward Island retreat.) Says Forsyth: "I am looking forward to reading all the books I've gathered over the years, and continuing a new project on natural disasters in the ancient world. I am also going to keep in touch with UW and my department by marking Classical Studies 266T this term and 100T next term; I would really hate to lose all contact with our wonderful distance ed students." Other plans include volunteer work and travel (she and her husband spent two weeks in Iceland in August). "And I will at long last indulge my passion for classical music. In fact, I've already signed up for a distance ed course on the history of music -- from another university, alas." She notes that her UW career has seen her in the department of classics and romance languages, the department of classical studies, the department of anthropology and classical studies, and the department of classical studies again -- all in the same place.

Noon forum for staff Staff members are invited to a "town hall meeting" at noon today in Davis Centre room 1302. Organized by the UW staff association, the meeting is open to both members of the association and non-members, says association president Ed Chrzanowski. The town hall approach is a first for the association, he adds, and if successful, could be repeated each term. He's hoping the meeting will provide feedback from staff on a number of issues currently before the staff relations committee, including discussions on Policy 18 (promotions from within the university), and on compensation, pension and benefits.

Students ask: do you idle?

That's one of various questions about behaviour and attitude that make up a public opinion survey about local air quality issues, with an emphasis on motor vehicle "idling". Students in three third-year classes will be surveying members of the public in Kitchener, Waterloo and Cambridge.

Laura Johnson, who teaches one of the courses involved -- Planning 350 -- said the survey is a project for the students to learn about survey methodology, the theory of behaviour change and sustainable transportation. As well, the students will provide input to the Citizens' Advisory Committee on Air Quality (Waterloo Region), a committee that is currently developing an idling reduction plan for Waterloo Region. Survey results will be shared with CACAQ-WR in early December.

A news release for the project says greenhouse gas emissions released by Canadians idling their vehicles could fill 1,000 SkyDomes in one year, wasting approximately $682 million in fuel. Natural Resources Canada estimates that if every Canadian motorist avoided idling their vehicle for just five minutes a day, more than 1.4 million tonnes of carbon dioxide would be spared from entering the atmosphere and contributing to climate change.

The other two instructors involved are Jean Andrey, teaching Geography 351, and Jennifer Yessis, teaching Health/Kinesiology 349. The instructors stress that the project has been approved by UW's human research office, which has to give the okay to all research projects that involve questioning people.

This week's staff positions

"Due to the number of applications received, we regret that we can not respond to external applicants who apply to the vacancies listed below unless an interview is scheduled."

And then comes a list of currently available jobs:

• Communications officer, development and alumni affairs, USG 7.
• Research technologist, electrical and computer engineering, USG 8.
• Orientation/special events co-ordinator, Federation of Students, USG 6.
• Supervisor, admissions and records, registrar's office, USG 8.
• Temporary position: undergraduate secretary, biology. This position is open immediately and completes at the end of the year. Send resumes directly to Barb Rae, administrative assistant, department of biology, brae@sciborg.

"The university welcomes and encourages applications from the designated employment equity groups: visible minorities, women, persons with disabilities, and aboriginal people." More information: phone ext. 2524.

Work and study abroad fair, and more

Here's a note from Jeannie Watt in the food services department: "Firefighters from the Waterloo Fire Department will be on campus from 11:30 to 12:30 at Brubakers (Student Life Centre) and Mudie's (Village I). We are seeking donations to the New York firefighters' 9-11 Disaster Relief Fund on behalf of the university community. UW food services will be donating 5 per cent of today's net sales to this very worthwhile cause. I am hoping to have 'firefighter boots' available in other units so that people who cannot make it to Brubakers or Mudie's have a chance to donate."

A workshop on "Business Etiquette" is scheduled at 2:30 this afternoon, as part of the continuing career development seminar series. The career resource centre in Needles Hall can provide details.

A program from the newly-formed Muslim Students for Universal Justice is scheduled for tonight: a forum on "Wars and Multi-National Corporations", with speakers from the Green Party and the Progressive Conservatives as well as MSUJ itself. "Our first event was a nice success that has given us the push we needed," writes Abu Obeida Bakhach, one of the organizers, inviting people to attend tonight's forum, scheduled for 6 to 9 p.m. in Biology I room 271.

The volleyball Warriors will host teams from Western in the Physical Activities main gym tonight: the women's teams play at 6 p.m., the men's at 8 p.m.

Tomorrow brings the second round of campus visits by representatives of Ontario faculties of education. Would-be teachers can hear from Queen's University at 9:30, Windsor at 10:30, Western at 11:30, Nipissing at 1:30, York at 2:30 and Brock at 3:30. All the sessions are held in the multipurpose room of the Student Life Centre. Videotapes of the sessions, both today's and last week's, will be available in the career resource centre in Needles Hall later this month.

And here's an advance note of something called the World Religions Conference 2001, which will run from 2 to 6 p.m. on Saturday in the Humanities Theatre. The central sponsor is UW's Ahmadiyya Muslim Students Association, which has invited representatives of many other religious groups to speak on "Existence of God and Human Suffering", a timely topic indeed. I'll be saying more about this event in the Bulletin in the next couple of days.

CAR