Mathematics 3 is about ready for its September debut as the math faculty's new teaching and research space. This view looks along the bridge joining Math 3 to the Math and Computer Building. "The move-in begins this week!" says Amy Aldous, math's director of communications. "Faculty and staff from the Department of Statistics and Actuarial Science, as well as our Mathematics and Business programs, are moving in batches. Most of the office furnishings are installed and computing equipment is coming over with the new occupants."

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Engineering dean search is underway

The nominating committee set up to identify a successor to the current dean of engineering, Adel Sedra, has begun its work, says a memo distributed last week by provost Geoff McBoyle.

Sedra (left), who is also a professor in the electrical and computer engineering department, joined the University of Waterloo in 2003 and will finish his second term as dean next year. Deans at Waterloo are generally appointed for a first term of five years, often followed by a three-year second term.

From the provost’s memo: “This is to inform you that the nominating committee constituted under the terms of Policy 45  is now in place and has begun the process of identifying Dean Sedra’s successor.

“Over the next month, committee members intend to consult broadly. You are encouraged to convey your views on matters concerning the deanship in writing to Erin Windibank, associate university secretary (Secretariat, Needles Hall, erin.windibank@uwaterloo.ca) or to Gerri Woodford, an executive search consultant supporting the committee (Janet Wright & Associates Inc., 174 Bedford Road, Toronto, Ontario, M5R 2K9, gwoodford@jwasearch.com.)

“The committee especially invites you to consider the following questions, and seeks your input and feedback:

1. What are the issues, challenges and opportunities facing the Faculty of Engineering?
2. What are your aspirations for the faculty in the next five years?
3. What advice do you have for the search committee as to the background, credentials, qualifications and leadership style that should be sought in the next dean?
4. Do you have any suggestions as to individuals to whom the committee should speak about this opportunity?

“If you prefer, you may also communicate directly with any member of the nominating committee (identified below). Your input and feedback will be very important in shaping the position profile and informing the direction of the search.

“Comments are due no later than July 31, 2011 and will be held in confidence within the committee.” 

Here are the members of the committee:

• Geoff McBoyle, vice-president, academic & provost, 519-888-4766, provost@uwaterloo.ca
• Sanjeev Bedi, faculty, mechanical & mechatronics engineering, ext 32178, anjeev.bedi@uwaterloo.ca
• Sujeet Chaudhuri, faculty, electrical & computer engineering, ext. 32843, sujeet@uwaterloo.ca
• Ian Goulden, dean of mathematics, ext. 84480, ipgoulden@uwaterloo.ca
• Rick Haldenby, faculty, architecture, ext. 84544, erhaldenby@uwaterloo.ca
• Keith Hipel, faculty, systems design engineering, ext. 32830, kwhipel@uwaterloo.ca
• Trevor Jenkins, undergrad student, management engineering, 519-998-0161, t.ek.jenkins@gmail.com
• Linda Kenyon, Faculty of Engineering executive officer, ext. 32408, lkenyon@uwaterloo.ca
• John McPhee, faculty, systems design engineering, ext. 35341, mcphee@uwaterloo.ca
• Hassan Nasir, grad student, civil & environmental engineering, 519-573-3740, hnasir@uwaterloo.ca
• Frank Saccomanno, faculty, civil & environmental engineering, ext. 32631, saccomanno@uwaterloo.ca
• Michael Tam, faculty, chemical engineering, ext. 38339, mkctam@uwaterloo.ca
• Olga Vechtomova, faculty, management sciences, ext. 32675, ovechtomova@uwaterloo.ca
• David Walsh, staff, engineering computing, ext. 32788, dwalsh@uwaterloo.ca
• Erin Windibank, secretary, ext. 32225, erin.windibank@uwaterloo.ca
• Gerri Woodford, executive search consultant, 416-923-3008, gwoodford@jwasearch.com
• Janet Wright, executive search consultant, 416-923-3008, jwright@jwasearch.com

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Waterloo commuters meet Challenge

“The Region of Waterloo has had its best Commuter Challenge to date,” Mark Lisotto-Smith announces jubilantly. “There were more than 2,100 registered participants in Waterloo Region, which ranked first in the province for participation rate and second nationally (after Winnipeg) for reductions in CO2 emissions (over 23,000 kg).”

The Commuter Challenge took place June 5-11 across Canada. “Overall, the Region of Waterloo did amazingly this year, having the highest participation rate of any city or region in the whole province!” says Lisotto-Smith, the challenge co-ordinator for the university. “For example, Waterloo Region had twice the amount of participant organizations involved as the Toronto area and three times the employees of those organizations. The region increased participation by 94 per cent, almost doubling its previous participation.  It couldn’t have happened without your participation.”

Here are some results from the University of Waterloo:

• 11,745.49 kilometres logged by campus participants
• 1,779.02 (kg) CO2 avoided by carpooling to and from the campuses
• 729.51 litres of fuel saved during the challenge
• 184,999.65 calories burned by participants who biked and walked to Waterloo

Of the university participants, 30.8 per cent biked, 20.5 per cent walked, 17.6 per cent carpooled, and 15 per cent took transit. “Congratulations to all those that participated in this year’s challenge, and thanks so much for your ongoing dedication,” adds Lisotto-Smith. “Hope all of you participate again next year.”

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New optometry head being sought

School of Optometry announcement

With the recent resignation of Dr. Thom Freddo (left) as director of the School of Optometry, the University of Waterloo will begin a formal search to fill the director’s position.

Geoff McBoyle, the university’s vice-president, academic and provost, has appointed Professor Marlee Spafford as interim director of the School of Optometry at the University of Waterloo, effective June 23.

As optometry’s interim director, Dr. Spafford will continue to lead the school’s programs toward curriculum review, renewal, and enrichment, in response to widespread changes in the optometric profession, and toward the enhancement of the school’s facilities that will be needed to support a renewed curriculum.

Professor Spafford (right) has a distinguished record as a researcher, teacher, and administrator at the Waterloo School of Optometry. An optometrist with an MSc in physiological optics and a PhD in theory and policy studies in education, and a Fellow of the American Academy of Optometry, she has special research interests in healthcare professional education, service delivery, and communication, as well as in low-vision services for older adults. Among her honours are several awards for teaching excellence, including the University of Waterloo Distinguished Teacher Award.

Head of the Visual Electrodiagnostic Clinic, and a past director of the Optometry Clinic, Spafford also serves as the school’s associate director, academics and research.

CPA staff

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