New scheduling software selected

The University of Waterloo will be implementing a new scheduling software system for the Spring 2014 term, according to a memo circulated last week.

The system is called Infosilem.

"The Scheduling, Timetabling, and Examination Project (STEP) has gone through three simulations and is now ready for production," wrote McBoyle. "The new system is driven by student demand and aims to create conflict-free schedules, maximize space utilization, and accommodate instructor constraints and preferences."

McBoyle's memo outlines the impact of this decision on each major stakeholder group:

For students:

"With the new system scheduling and timetables will be driven by student demand which means conflict-free schedules and getting into the courses needed for graduation. Students will still be asked to continue to pre-select courses during course selection week. The Registrar’s Office will continue to collect student feedback and communicate with the Federation of Students."

For faculty members:

"The new system moves from a manual, paper-based scheduling process to an electronic process. The system will accommodate chair-approved instructor constraints and preferences. Instructors should submit all schedule preferences and constraints to timetabling representatives for review and approval by the chair of the department. Scheduling staff will make every effort to accommodate instructor needs and to resolve scheduling conflicts. Collaboration with the Faculty Association will continue to ensure faculty members have access to information and opportunities to provide feedback. Further communications and key dates will follow from the Registrar’s Office."

For timetable representatives:

"Timetable representatives play a vital role in ensuring students, instructors and departments have the schedules needed. In order to produce an effective schedule it is important to have the right information at the right time. Timetable representatives will collect preferences and constraints from instructors, share with chairs for review and approval, and submit into the system. The Registrar’s Office will support timetable representatives with enhanced training and clear communication of deadlines and processes."

For departmental staff:

"The new scheduling system makes the best use of teaching space while allowing departments to retain space for department meetings, etc. Departments should submit reserved space time to timetable representatives for inputting into the system. Scheduling staff will make every effort to accommodate departments’ needs and to resolve scheduling conflicts."

In terms of next steps, a University Timetabling Committee will be established to discuss deadlines, establish the scheduling process, define business practices, and establish communication channels to ensure information is shared between timetable representatives, the scheduling office, and other departments. This committee will consult with the Provost's Advisory Committee on Timetabling (PACT), which provides leadership in the formulation of policies and protocols dealing with classroom scheduling and student timetabling. PACT evaluates and recommends policies, which are then submitted to the Provost for approval.

More information about STEP is available on the project's website.

"Thanks to everyone involved in the simulations and transition to this system," McBoyle concluded.

Update: On a related note, students still have time to fill out a short survey about scheduling to help the Registrar’s Office to better understand preferences for class schedules. Students who participate in the survey are eligible to win one of four prizes of $25, which will be added to their WatCard balance. The survey closes tomorrow.

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Staff member wins township design contest

Thanks to a University of Waterloo staff member, the Township of Woolwich has a brand new look.

Steve Brooks (right), who works in Athletics as a social media and brand manager, submitted an entry to the community-based Woolwich Logo Design Competition, wand his design was selected as the winner by an evaluation team before getting the official Council nod on January 21.

Brooks's entry was one of 29 submitted in the competition by thirteen applicants. The Woolwich Logo Project was an open competition for anyone working or living in the Township, and anyone attending an educational institution within the Region. The competition was launched in June 2013 and all submissions were due by the end of September.

An Evaluation Team, made up of representatives from the communications, tourism and marketing sectors, plus business and resident representatives, evaluated the designs based on a set of criteria, and unanimously recommended Brooks's entry to Woolwich Council.

“After much deliberation, the Evaluation Team maintained that, to differentiate a place or organization, a strong logo should be based on something iconic from that organization or place” said Linda Fegan, Director, Corporate Communications and Marketing for the City of Cambridge and a member of the Evaluation Team.

Brooks's design prominently features the West Montrose Covered Bridge, a Woolwich icon that, in the words of the Township, "provides immediate and positive association and source of pride for Township residents and is a prominent tourist attraction for visitors."

"Having recently moved here, this contest was a great opportunity to get involved with the community. My family has embraced the town of Elmira,” Brooks said. “One of the first landmarks I experienced as a new resident was the covered bridge and it quickly became a favourite location for my photography. To me, it is a lasting sign of Woolwich, and more than worthy to represent the Township.”

The new logo will be phased into use in the Township, eventually replacing the standard Woolwich crest on items such as corporate marketing materials, signage and appropriate Township vehicles. While the crest will be maintained for some uses, the new logo will become the signature identifier for the Township moving forward.

Brooks will receive an honorarium for submitting the winning design for the contest.

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Monday's notes

The fumehoods in Biology 2 will be shut down on Wednesday, January 29 at 6:30 a.m. to allow for the installation of a new fumehood in Room 153. This means that the building will be without fumehood exhaust service for the duration of the shutdown, which is scheduled to last until 8:30 a.m. Wednesday. Plant Operations is asking that all fumehoods be turned off as alarms may go off during the shutdown period.

Economics professor Larry Smith will share his stories of social change and entrepreneurship tomorrow with a talk entitled "So you want to change the world?” The lecture is being sponsored by St. Paul's GreenHouse and will take place in STP 105 at 5:30 p.m.

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