Dixon to continue as VP University Research

Professor George Dixon's term as Vice-President, University Research has been extended for a further two years, according to a memo from President Feridun Hamdullahpur. The extension was approved by the University of Waterloo's Senate in November 2014 and by the Board of Governors on Friday, January 16.

"I am delighted to announce that Dr. George Dixon’s appointment has been extended for a further two years, commencing on 1 July 2015," writes Hamdullahpur. "The extension was recommended by the nominating committee established under Policy 68, to consider my request that George Dixon’s appointment be extended for two years beyond the end of his second term, scheduled to conclude on 30 June 2015."

At the time of Professor Dixon’s initial term renewal, Policy 68 read: “The term of office for the vice-president, university research is normally five years, renewable for three years, to a maximum of eight years. Reappointment beyond a second consecutive term should be considered unusual and will occur only if there are compelling reasons, as specified by the nominating committee, along with strong support throughout the university.”

Policy 68 has been recently revised to provide for a five year renewal term, or a maximum of ten years.

"The committee found that there were compelling reasons to justify an extension of Dr. Dixon’s appointment beyond the end of the current second term," the president's memo continues. "Those reasons were as follows:

1. When Dr. Dixon’s term was renewed in 2012, evidence gathered during the consultation process indicated exemplary performance during the first term of appointment.
2. The university is in the midst of significant change in leadership positions, with a new vice-president, academic & provost, the prospect of four new deans by 1 July 2015, a search for a new associate provost, graduate studies, and the continuing process to identify a new vice-president, university relations. There is a compelling need for stability in the Office of Research in these circumstances.
3. With the coming Canada First Research Excellence Fund, and many other important research programmes, the university is presented with opportunities that hold transformational potential. It is vital to the university’s future that an experienced, dedicated leader be in place during this time."
   
   

The Vice-President, University Research Nominating Committee solicited opinion by issuing a general invitation for comment to all regular faculty and staff, and solicited the input of students, through direct contact and through advertisement in the Daily Bulletin and Imprint.

"The response was overwhelmingly in favour of an extension of Dr. Dixon’s second term," the president wrote. "I am extremely pleased that George Dixon is willing to continue as vice-president, university research and look forward to working with him."

"Dr. Dixon’s leadership will be a vital part of the success of the university over the period from now until June 2017."

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Open house for student teams

There will be a Student Team Open House on Tuesday January 27 in the Sedra Student Design Centre on the first floor of Engineering 5 from 3:00 to 6:00 p.m.

Whether you like working with your hands or you are more computer-savvy, if you have a creative imagination or prefer to work with people or numbers, if you want to make some new friends while joining one of the innovative student design teams, then this open house is for you.

Students from all six faculties are invited to participate in the design and construction of projects, attend local and international competitions and trade shows, and gain valuable experience in business, communications, marking, accounting, and fundraising, and this open house is a great way to break the ice and step out of your comfort zone.

Refreshments will be provided.

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Employees updated on benefit changes

Following a review of the employee benefit plan maxima by the Pension & Benefits Committee, several changes have been made effective January 1, 2015, according to a memo distributed to employees last week.

The amount of benefit available for reimbursement has increased to the new maxima outlined in the above table. For example, the physiotherapy benefit would now have a maximum benefit of $635, increased from last year's cap of $585, per calendar year.

Eligible paramedical and drug expenses are shared 80 per cent by the plan and 20 per cent up to the out-of-pocket cap. Once the employees' 20 per cent cost reaches the out-of-pocket cap, the plan pays 100 per cent of eligible expenses, subject to the benefit maxima. In order to reach that cap, employees will have submitted a total claim amount of $605 (single coverage) or $1,215 (family coverage) within the calendar year.

Detailed information is available on the Annual Benefits Maxima section of the Human Resources website.

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Senate meets today and other notes

The University's Senate will hold its first meeting of 2015 this afternoon. Among the agenda items:

• A motion to delegate Senate's authority to approve the appointment of the Dean of Mathematics to the Executive Committee in the event that the Dean of Mathematics Nominating Committee is ready to report on its decision before the regularly-scheduled February meeting of Senate;
• Program changes in Kinesiology, Accounting, French Studies, Psychology, Architecture, Computer Science, and Pure Mathematics;
• Approval of the School of Architecture's participation in the Collaborative Water Program;
• Academic plan changes in the Honours Bachelor of Architectural Studies and the Faculty of Science's International Joint Education Program; and
• Changes to the administrative structure of the Software Engineering program.

Senate will also hear reports from its various committees, a report from the President, the Vice-President, Academic & Provost, and the Vice-President, University Research.

Engineering students in their final year will be preparing for the Ritual of the Calling of an Engineer, or Iron Ring Ceremony as it is more colloquially known, with a series of preparatory talks today beginning at 4:30 p.m. in RCH 101. Mechanical, Mechatronics, Management, and Systems Design students will gather at 4:30 p.m., Civil, Environmental, Geological, Chemical, and Nanotechnology students will meet at 5:15, and Computer, Electrical, and Software students will have their session at 6:00 p.m.

The date of the ceremony is Saturday, February 7.

The Waterloo Institute for Sustainable Energy (WISE) lecture series continues with speaker Tom Chapman of the Independent Electricity System Operator's Markets Group who will give a talk on Tuesday, February 10 entitled “Demand Response & Capacity Auctions for Ontario” at 2:30 p.m. in DC 1302. Chapman's lecture will focus on Ontario’s wholesale electricity market, and the market-based approaches that have led to "once in a lifetime changes" including the phase-out of flexible coal-fired generation, renewable energy, smart meters and step changes in technology advancement such as energy storage.

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