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Wednesday, February 16, 2005

  • Project celebrates one-tonne saving
  • UW 'a leader' in green energy
  • Sign of spring, and other notes
Editor:
Chris Redmond
credmond@uwaterloo.ca

The first university for the deaf


[Lemon]

Retirement parties (by invitation) were held in Waterloo and Toronto late last month to honour Morley Lemon, who officially retired from the school of accountancy January 1. Lemon came to UW in 1981 from McMaster University as one of a cluster of faculty members who formed the "accounting group", later to become the school. Friends have been invited to donate to the Morley Lemon Family Scholarship, which is awarded to "an outstanding student" entering first year in the new Bachelor of Accounting and Financial Management program.

POSITIONS AVAILABLE
On this week's list from the human resources department:

  • Non-OSS admissions and recruitment specialist, registrar's office, USG 7
  • Administrative officer, biology, USG 10
  • Technician, Campus TechShop, USG 5
  • Graduate admissions coordinator, mechanical engineering, USG 4

    Longer descriptions are available on the HR web site.

  • Project celebrates one-tonne saving -- from the UW media relations office

    As part of a campaign to reduce pollution, the Residential Energy Efficiency Project (REEP), a joint initiative of UW and the Elora Centre for Environmental Excellence, is thanking a local couple today for cutting back on greenhouse gases in their home.

    "The faculty of environmental studies is pleased to celebrate homeowners' achievements in reducing carbon emissions," said Jean Andrey, associate dean (research) in the ES faculty. "Action is needed to meet the Kyoto Protocol, and the Thomases have shown us how to convert ideas into emission reductions."

    In recognition of their contribution to a healthy planet, Greg and Jennifer Thomas of Dundas Street North in Cambridge will receive a certificate from Mayor Doug Craig today, the day the international Kyoto Protocol comes into effect to set targets for reducing greenhouse gas emissions. It's one of a number of awards being given out across the country to honour Canada's climate action pioneers.

    By making energy efficiency improvements in their home last year, the Thomases are already meeting the Canadian government's One Tonne Challenge. With help from the REEP, a local environmental partnership, they have reduced the amount of greenhouse gases produced to heat and run their home by 7 tonnes per year, or 3.5 tonnes per person.

    "By getting out in front of the One Tonne Challenge," says a news release, "the Thomases have not only helped the environment, but also have improved their home comfort and reduced their energy bills by an estimated $1,500 a year. As an added bonus, they have received $1,056 under the federal government's home retrofit incentive grant program as a reward for demonstrated improvements in residential energy efficiency."

    As part of its Kyoto plan, the federal government has called on individual Canadians to reduce their personal share of GHG emissions by one fifth, or about a tonne annually. A recent advertising campaign featuring TV personality Rick Mercer has promoted the campaign.

    "Most people want to be part of the solution," said UW geography professor Paul Parker, a member of the management team at REEP. "Improving the energy efficiency of the house is one practical and relatively painless way for many families to reduce emissions and the associated impacts of climate change."

    To help, REEP offers EnerGuide for Houses (EGH), the federal government's home energy rating system. Using sophisticated tools and software, certified energy advisors help people like the Greg and Jennifer Thomas identify the best ways to save energy and reduce emissions. The cost of the evaluation is $125 in most of Waterloo Region or $100 in Cambridge and North Dumfries where Cambridge North Dumfries Hydro has partnered with REEP to lower the price and promote electricity conservation.

    Homeowners can get more information by calling REEP at 744-9799 or e-mailing waterlooregion@thereep.ca.

    [Brochure cover]

    UW 'a leader' in green energy

    "Waterloo is a recognized leader in 'green energy' research and innovation for sustainable environmental, social and economic benefit to society," says a brochure (right) produced by the university's research office -- the latest in a series on "The Full Spectrum of Research" that has already ranged from automotive technology to the performing arts.

    "Waterloo's Green Energy Research Institute," it adds, "is developing and promoting technologies for diversified and localized energy systems, clean energy alternatives, sustainable development and energy security. . . .

    "While the Institute was formally launched in 2004, green energy research has been ongoing for many years. . . . Most UW departments are involved in green energy research, with the leading ones being Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical and Computer Engineering, and Environment and Resource Studies."

    The brochure lists 40 faculty members working in aspects of environmentally sound energy -- from several in mechanical engineering who are interested in fuel cells, to Terri Meyer Boake of the school of architecture, a specialist in solar technology. Other aspects of the field include hydrogen production, greenhouse gas emission control, wind energy, power distribution, insulation and combustion.

    David Fuller of management sciences, the brochure says, "studies energy markets and policies with large-scale models to assess the potential market penetration of new energy technologies. This also evaluates the effects of proposed limits or taxes on the emissions of pollutants such as greenhouse gases or acid rain precursors."

    Meanwhile, Linda Nazar of chemistry is working on the design of materials for rechargeable batteries, and Robert Varin and Zbig Wronski of mechanical eng are developing nanomaterials for hydrogen storage.

    The brochure also touches on UW's Midnight Sun solar car project, studies of rural and third-world power generation, and the student project that operates a solar panel on top of Federation Hall.

    WHEN AND WHERE
    Falun Gong art exhibition continues today 9 to 7, Student Life Centre.

    Stress Relaxation Series begins: "Autogenic Relaxation", 12 noon, Math and Computer room 5158, no charge (CDs for sale).

    'Personal Tax Strategies' seminar sponsored by Waterloo County Education Credit Union, 12:15, Davis Centre room 1302, reservations ext. 3574.

    'Music of the Baroque' concert by Barbara Kaplanek (flute) and Cynthia Hiebert (harpsichord), 12:30, Conrad Grebel University College chapel.

    Installfest -- "get help installing and configuring open source software on your computer" -- sponsored by Computer Science Club and other groups, 3 to 9 p.m., Davis Centre lounge, details online.

    Author John Gould (shortlisted for 2003 Giller Prize) reads from his book Kilter: 55 Fictions, 4 p.m., St. Jerome's University room 3014.

    'Fitness Explosion' free fitness class 5:30, Columbia Icefield gyms, no need to preregister.

    Country presentation: "Malaysia", 6:00, Rod Coutts Hall room 308, sponsored by Society of International Students.

    'Making the Most of March Break: Ideas for Family Fun in Waterloo Region', sponsored by Employee Assistance Program, Wednesday 12:00, Davis Centre room 1302.

    Arriscraft Lecture by Christopher Sharples, of Sharples Holden Pasquarelli, "Retooling", Thursday 7 p.m., Architecture lecture hall.

    Sign of spring, and other notes

    Hard to believe on a morning when every twig of every tree is coated in fairyland ice (and the sidewalks have a fair amount of the same substance), but there is such a thing as April. And April means exams, and February means the exam schedule is ready. A note from the registrar's office announces that the final exam timetable for the winter term has been published (and is at a different web location from previously, so anybody who has it bookmarked should make a change). Exams will run from April 8 to April 21.

    [Lamont] The library has announced the appointment of Sharon Lamont (right) to its senior executive ranks, under the title "director, organizational services" -- a somewhat different label from the one held by her recently retired predecessor, Lorraine Beattie. Lamont was most recently head of the library's user services department, but has been working there since 1976 -- initially as a "casual" staff member in her student days, then full-time since 1985. She has served as president of the UW staff association and been co-chair of the United Way campaign, and she's currently a part-time student in the master's program in library and information science at the University of Western Ontario. In her new job she'll be in charge of many administrative matters and the library's multi-million-dollar operating budget, and the user services department will be reporting to her.

    The Student Life 101 E-Zine produced by UW's student life office is currently featuring the Gays and Lesbians of Waterloo group: "Each semester GLOW runs a variety of social activities the highlight being an all-ages queer dance often referred to as a BBGG (Boys and Boyz, Grrls and Girls). . . . GLOW has developed a queer women's social group that meets every Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. in the GLOW office. Dyketopia meetings include a variety of social activities generally decided by those in attendance or arranged through the mailing list (dyketopia@hotmail.com). . . . GLOW maintains a collection of several hundred books, magazines, newspapers and other resources in the lending library."

    The Federation of Students election continues today and tomorrow, with online polls open and voting booths available in several campus buildings. . . . The Warrior basketball teams, both men and women, play tonight at Windsor. . . . Down time for the Quest student information system will start tomorrow night at midnight, with an updated system scheduled to appear by February 28. . . .

    CAR


    Communications and Public Affairs, University of Waterloo
    200 University Avenue West, Waterloo, Ontario N2L 3G1
    (519) 888-4567 ext. 3004
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