But one announced trip is not happening, as the classical studies department's May trip to Italy, for 18 days' visit to Etruscan sites from Florence to Rome, has been cancelled.

Provost's warning on safe travel

The provost announced that a set of guidelines for student trips, particularly overseas trips, are coming into effect as of May 1. The guidelines appear on the UW safety office web site.

They make it clear that responsibility for safety on trips is shared by the students who travel, the advisor or coordinator, the department chair or dean, and UW's international programs office. There must be "mandatory pre-departure briefings for students participating in Student Abroad Programs", which "will cover at a minimum critical country or program specific aspects of academic, work, health, safety, travel, citizenship, legal, political, religious, cross-cultural awareness, culture shock and risk management considerations".

If emergencies arise, such as an injury to a student on a trip, the "coordinating agency" is the UW police, the guidelines say.

The provost's memo also says that "travel to world 'hot spots' or potential 'hot spots' is particularly hazardous and must be avoided. . . . Travel by UW faculty, staff, students or post docs . . . will not be authorized" to areas covered by federal government travel warnings.

The ban covers four levels of "Canadians should not travel" warnings from the federal department of foreign affairs and international trade. Currently barred under those warnings are Afghanistan, Burundi, Central African Republic, Iraq, Liberia, Somalia, Colombia, Ivory Coast, Haiti, and portions of Indonesia, Israel, the West Bank and Gaza, Russia and Chechnya, plus specified areas of 38 other countries.

Says the memo: "Faculty, staff, students or post docs on approved UW travel who are in a country or region when such a warning is issued by DFAIT should immediately advise the Canadian embassy and depart as quickly as possible. Extraordinary expenses associated with such departure will be handled by the University. . . .

"A Dean or senior University Officer who thinks that circumstances in a particular case might warrant an exception to be made may discuss them with me."

Athletes of the year are named

There were co-winners this year for the Totzke Trophy for male athlete of the year -- Matt Mains, swimming, and John Sullivan, football.

A department news release notes that Mains is a fourth-year computer science student. "He is no stranger to the podium here as he was our Athlete of the Year last year. He returns because he has had another fabulous year. Since we last met, Matt attended the 2003 Pan American Games, where he finished 5th in his breaststroke event. Matt has been the captain of his team and a 2 time Academic All Canadian. He trains 12 months a year and has yet to hit his international stride.

"For the second year in a row, Matt was voted the Swimmer of the Year by his opposing coaches. This season, Matt was undefeated in all the dual meets, swimming both his best events and off events, for the team points. He always enters the maximum number of events possible at each meet. For the second year in a row, he won the swimming excellence award for the best in the individual medley event. Matt has amassed, to date, 14 OUA medals and seven CIS medals. This year, Matt won four gold OUA medals in the breaststroke and the individual medley and then went on the CIS nationals and won three bronze medals. He broke his own OUA record in the 200 breaststroke this year. Matt currently is the holder of six Warrior all time records.

"All of these accomplishments are absolutely outstanding in a swimming field of swimmers in Canada that are the national team cream. Matt works out with the Warriors and the ROW swimming center 12 months a year."

As for the other male winner: "John Sullivan, a fourth year political science student, was the team MVP for his outstanding year from his free safety position. John was an OUA all-start this past year as well as the OUA nominee for the CIS President's Trophy given out to the most outstanding defensive player. John played in the CIS all-star game here in Waterloo last May. John attended the CFL evaluation camp, March 20-21 in Ottawa and will be eligible for the CFL entry draft in April. He is a two-time OUA All Star, two-time MVP of the Warrior team, started every game at Waterloo (an unbelievable feat in football), twice led the OUA in tackles made, this year led the CIS in tackles made, and is first in all-time Warrior records of tackles made. He represented the university at the East-West Bowl game last year and was this year's OUA nominee as the best stand-up defensive player for the CIS."

Winner of the Marsden Trophy as female athlete of the year was Leigh Nevermann (left) of the rugby Warriors.

Said the department's tribute: "Leigh is a graduating kinesiology student. She has been an Academic All Canadian for three of her four years. She has competed at many positions on the rugby team but is a strong and excellent flanker, that is, she is involved in all aspects of the game. Leigh must possess all round stamina, speed, and determination. She is a tenacious tackler and she must also advance the ball with her running attack skills.

"Here are some of the accolades that Leigh has attained: Captain of the team for two years; co-MVP this season; an OUA All Star three times, and an All Canadian twice. During Leigh's four competitive years, the women's rugby team has medalled every year in the OUA. This includes two gold, one silver and one bronze medal. Her teams went to the CIS championships twice in her time and medalled both times with a silver and a bronze medal -- outstanding. Leigh was named a CIS All Star in one of those trips to nationals."

Among other honours, Payman Charkzarin (soccer) was male rookie of the year; Kathleen Freeman (volleyball) was female rookie of the year; Matt Iannetta (soccer and hockey) received the J. O. Hemphill Award "in recognition of outstanding administrative contribution to the Inter-University program"; Beth Nordemann (field hockey and indoor hockey) received the Director's Award, also recognizing administrative contributions; and Peter Mackie (men's and women's soccer) was named Imprint Coach of the Year.

And just a few other notes

It's the last week of business -- ever -- for Ground Zero restaurant, the Federation of Students business on the west side of the Student Life Centre. It'll be closed as of next week, to reopen in September as a 24/7 Tim Horton's outlet operated by food services. "Anyone wishing to have one more $2.99 all-day breakfast should get there this week," says Dave McDougall of the Federation staff. And I note that Ground Zero is giving away free insulated coffee mugs with every coffee purchase, while supplies last.

Speaking of breakfasts, but on the more elegant side, here's a note from the UW development office: "On April 6, all the UW community, staff, faculty, and students are welcome to come out and learn about the research of one of our outstanding professors. Geoffrey Fong will be speaking about the International Tobacco Control Policy Evaluation Project: 'Using Science to Fight the Global Tobacco Epidemic'. Few are aware of the magnitude of the harm of tobacco use on a global scale. By the end of the 21st century, it is estimated that one billion people, most in developing countries, will have died because of tobacco use. The project is the first international effort to evaluate the psychosocial and behavioural effects of tobacco control policies. This study will provide evidence to help international governments implement effective health policies to comply with a newly established World Health Organization treaty on Public Health." The event, sponsored by the President's Committee of heavy-hitter donors to UW, is next Tuesday, 7:30 to 9 a.m., in the Festival Room, South Campus Hall. Tickets for continental breakfast and the talk are $15 -- "bring a guest at no charge." RSVPs happen online.

The next English Language Proficiency Examination will be held on Friday at 7:00 p.m. in the Physical Activities Complex. Says Ann Barrett, manager of the English language proficiency program: "Students must bring their WatCard, as that is the only form of ID we now accept. Procrastinating arts students (and there are thousands of them) should note that the pass for arts is moving up to 65 in September 2004."

And . . . tomorrow is, really and truly and finally, the deadline for applying to enter UW this September.

CAR