![[University of Waterloo]](/goldbar.gif)
| Yesterday |
Thursday, October 24, 2002
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Editor: Chris Redmond credmond@uwaterloo.ca |
![[Peering at blue display boards]](/images/2002/1024openhouse.gif)
Ecological
detail was thick as autumn leaves at Tuesday's open house to
describe the planning process for the "environmental reserve" on
the north campus.
"The reserve is approximately 109 hectares (270 acres) in size," says
a background report from
consulting firm CH2M Hill, "and comprises a mixture of land uses including open
fields, woodland and wetlands. . . . The
most dominant feature of the reserve is Columbia Lake, which is fed by
both Laurel Creek and the upstream Laurel Creek Reservoir. Columbia
Lake is an engineered reservoir that provides online flood control. The
lake is approximately 12 hectares (30 acres) in size and also provides a
variety of aquatic and marsh habitat."
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He also briefed the senate on the creation of an "Aboriginal Education Council" to advise on "issues affecting Native students, staff and faculty at the University and its federated and affiliated Colleges". The council will be a mixture of people from UW and "representatives from local and provincial Aboriginal organizations", the senate was told.
Brown was joined in his presentation by Elaine Garner of the graduate studies office, who herself has a native background, and who told the senate that the plan has strong support from "the local native community".
Garner estimated that there are 100 aboriginal students on campus and perhaps 200 to 250 registered at UW altogether, including those taking distance courses and those in UW courses offered through the Six Nations Polytechnic.
Said the written report to senate from St. Paul's: "It has long been noted at the University by staff, faculty and students that there is a need to provide Native students more support. In recent years, some senior academic administrators have indicated an interest in recruitment of Native students.
"In November 2001 the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities (MTCU) invited several institutions to apply for funds to hire an Aboriginal Counselor under its Aboriginal Education and Training Strategy (AETS). To be eligible for AETS funds, an institution must create an advisory body for Aboriginal programs and services. . . .
"Due to its involvement with Canadian Studies and Native Studies, St. Paul's was invited to look into the matter. The College consulted the President, senior officers of the University, the Director of Counseling, College Heads, and various University faculty and staff who have taught or worked with Native students at the University. It was agreed that the Ministry invitation was an opportunity to do more for Native students, staff and faculty.
"An Aboriginal Education Committee was begun drawing on Native students, staff members, faculty who teach in Native Studies and representatives from local Aboriginal organizations that were involved with the development of the Native Studies Program. The Terms of Reference for an Aboriginal Education Council was drawn up and St. Paul's made an application for AETS funds on behalf of the University.
"The Job Description and Terms of Reference follow closely those developed by other institutions who have been involved with the AETS program for some years.
"The application was successful. A team is currently conducting a search for an Aboriginal Counselor."
St. Paul's is holding an "auction and celebration of native art" on Friday, November 8, as a fund-raiser for the project. Information: 885-1460.
Students brainstorm on Region's futureA half-day brainstorming or "charrette" exercise tomorrow will collect the ideas of UW architecture and planning students for the "Grand Vision" series, sponsored by The Record, that's exploring the future of Waterloo Region.About 50 students have been invited to take part, says Mark Seasons of the school of planning. Other people on campus are welcome to join in or watch, tomorrow from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Environmental Studies I courtyard. "We will create 4-6 teams," says Seasons, "assign them themes, and let them create visions of a preferred future for the region, as well as the means of arriving there. Participants will include student planners, architects, geographers, environmental scientists, economists, political scientists, fine arts, etc. "The day's structure will comprise an orientation to the process and desired product, the brainstorming/charrette exercise, and end-of-day summary presentations by the teams. The products will be converted into material for a future edition of the 'Perspectives' section of the Record. The output will include narrative and graphics content, depending on the abilities of the groups." |
No ordinary dinner, the annual bash at the Canadian Room of the Royal York Hotel has become a "must attend" industry event for Ontario planners, as well as architects, engineers, lawyers, land developers, and others in related professions. It's an opportunity to socialize, network and meet other professionals.
Most importantly, the event -- now in its 12th year -- provides significant financial support for the UW school of planning, funding the Planner-in-Residence program and an entrance scholarship.
Each year, a high-profile guest speaker is invited to the dinner. This year's feast on October 28 is no exception, with international architect Helmut Jahn of Murphy/Jahn, Inc. Architects discussing "Urban Architecture: Form-Space-Technology" -- named one of the 10 most influential living architects by the American Institute of Architects in 1991.
Planning such an event is a challenge, even for a planner. "It requires a certain level of dedication," quips Guzzi, who begins attending meetings with a dozen other UW planning alumni each January.
Started as an alumni reunion, the dinner, "a kind of super high-charged conference", now attracts some 850 people. "There's a timely topic, a guest speaker, and always a buzz afterwards," says Guzzi. "It's more than just fundraising," he adds. "Everybody benefits. It helps the profession, re-energizes people, and provides opportunities for professional development and client development for corporations." As well, the UW school of planning sends some 50 students to the dinner each year, giving them a chance to get acquainted with the profession.
Guzzi attributes the success of the event to the fact that the UW school of planning is "a tight-knit group" of faculty and alumni. Alumni play an ongoing support role for the school as advisors to the Planner-in-Residence program, and as student mentors, providing career development and networking opportunities for the next generation of planners. "Alumni have a very warm and friendly relationship with the school."
![[Red suspenders, broad gesture]](/images/2002/1024pettle.gif)
Jordan Pettle as Picasso at CanStage |
"On Thursday, October 24, UW Drama and Speech Communication will host the 3rd Annual Silversides Theatre Artists Series. This year we are very pleased to 'up the ante' by having not one but two guests: Adam and Jordan Pettle, writer-actor and actor-director, respectively, they are also brothers who trained at the National Theatre School.
"Adam's recent play, 'Zadie's Shoes', was a major success when it premiered at Toronto's Factory Theatre in 2001, following which it was picked up as part of the Mirvish subscription season the following year. This past year he wrote and starred in 'Therac 25', a play that deals with Adam's own experience with cancer.
"Jordan, who starred in his brother's hit play, 'Zadie's Shoes', has also been seen in 'Picasso at the Lapin Agile' (CanStage/Toronto), 'Romeo and Juliet' (Citadel Theatre/Edmonton), 'A Midsummer Night's Dream' (Stratford) and 'Angels in America' (Neptune Theatre/Halifax). This past season he directed Adam in his brother's play, 'Therac 25'.
"Silversides will take place in the Bookstore, South Campus Hall, as in years past. A live chamber group begins performing at Noon, and there are complimentary refreshments to accompany the musicians. The Pettles will speak at 12:30, led in conversation by Gerd Hauck, a Drama and Speech Communication faculty member."
There was a fair amount of media publicity earlier this week following a government announcement of $40 million in funding "to modernize and upgrade facilities" at universities and colleges. UW is to receive $1.7 million of the money. "This investment is another step in our plan to ensure that Ontario's postsecondary institutions are prepared for the double cohort," said minister Dianne Cunningham. University leaders see it a little differently: the $40 million is the annual grant for maintenance of buildings and equipment. The equivalent grant last year was $140 million.
The United Way campaign on campus just keeps rolling along. Latest figures that I've seen are from Tuesday night, by which time 353 staff and faculty members and 78 retirees, plus the proceeds of special events and a few student gifts, had brought the campaign's total to $105,990. That's just past 70 per cent of the campaign goal, which is $150,000 -- and which organizers are aiming to reach by Hallowe'en.
Events today, very briefly:
And today's the day to register for Saturday night's haunted house and hayride event for staff association members and their kids -- information, phone Terri McCartney at ext. 3482.
CAR
TODAY IN UW HISTORYOctober 24, 1964: A student-created program is aired on CKKW radio for the first time, in a project that would eventually lead the founding of CKMS. October 24, 1968: The UW senate becomes the first governing body of an Ontario university to open its meetings to the public. October 24, 1982: UW holds the second day of a 25th anniversary open house. |