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Wednesday, March 4, 2015

  • Nobel winner to deliver Presidential Lecture
  • International Women's Day Dinner Friday
  • Support the supporters, study says
  • Aboriginal business course established
  • Wednesday's notes


Nobel winner to deliver Presidential Lecture

Nobel Prize-winning economist Edmund S. Phelps will deliver a guest lecture on campus this Thursday, March 5.

Phelps is the McVickar Professor of Political Economy at Columbia University. He received the Nobel Prize in Economics in 2006. His latest publication, Mass Flourishing: How Grassroots Innovation Created Jobs, Challenge, and Change, has received wide-spread recognition.

 

He has published widely on capitalism, unemployment and inclusion, economic growth, microeconomics business swings, economic dynamism, unemployment, altruism, and morality.

 

The lecture will take place from 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. in QNC 0101. A book signing will follow the lecture from 3:00 - 3:30 p.m. Registration for the lecture is required as seating is limited.

 

The event will be livestreamed.

 

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International Women's Day Dinner Friday

Join the University of Waterloo as we recognize and celebrate International Women's Day 2015International Women’s Day is an annual global celebration that inspires, promotes, and champions the equality and achievements of women everywhere.  

 

In partnership with the Office of the President, University Relations, and the Federation of Students Women’s Centre, the University of Waterloo’s Department of Women’s Studies is hosting the International Women’s Day Dinner featuring guest speaker, Jo Atlee.

 

Jo Atlee is a professor for the Cheriton School of Computer Science here at the University of Waterloo. Much of her research focuses on automated tools and techniques for analyzing software requirements and specifications.

 

The event takes place on Friday, March 6 at 5:30 p.m. at the University Club. Register to reserve your seat.

 

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Support the supporters, study says

Children and youth who help care for family members with special needs are not adequately supported by community service agencies, according to new research from the Murray Alzheimer Research and Education Program (MAREP) at the University of Waterloo. Estimates suggest that up to 12 per cent of Canadians under the age of 25 are young carers.

 

The new study surveyed 58 adult and children’s community services in the Waterloo region about the support they offer young carers. The findings revealed that 24 per cent of agencies routinely ask if there is a young person in the household with a client they serve, and less than a quarter of those ask what responsibilities this young person has within the household.  More than 58 per cent of the agencies surveyed do not provide any support to their clients' young carers.

 

“There is a gap in our community with regards to providing support to youth who help care for a family member,” said Lisa Loiselle, associate director of research for MAREP and lead researcher on the project. “Many of the agencies we looked at cited funding as a barrier to enhancing their services. This may be the case, but the fact remains, nobody is looking out for these young people.”

 

They may contribute to their families in a variety of ways, ranging from emotional and financial support, to assistance with physical care. Many young carers report their own needs are often overlooked as a result of their unique family situation They may experience reduced participation in in leisure activities, compromised relationships with friends and increased levels of stress.

 

To increase support for young carers, MAREP partnered with the Young Carer Project to create three new resources, released later today at a community event at Kitchener City Hall.

 

Support Matters, a new addition to MAREP’s By Us For Us series, examines factors that are important in the lives of young carers and suggests ways to manage and cope with responsibilities. The guide also provides advice and guidance to adults and organizations on ways in which they can better support young carers in their community.

 

Young Carers, a short documentary film, portrays the lives of five young carers from Waterloo region. The film illustrates the diverse range of responsibilities they have and the impact of their experiences on different aspects of their lives. Along with the guide and documentary, a new website provides online resources for them and individuals or organizations looking to support them.

 

“These resources are intended to help close the support gap,” said Loiselle. “They will bring to the forefront of people’s minds the hidden and underserved population of young carers in our community.”

 

The Young Carers Project is a community group working to identify their needs, create resources, and help community agencies understand the importance of supporting youth in unique family situations. Funding for this project was provided by Homewood Foundation and the Ontario Brain Institute.

 

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Aboriginal business course established

by Eugenia Xenos Anderson.

St. Paul's University College is pleased to announce that policy analyst and Aboriginal consultant Michael Fox will be the Visiting Professor of Aboriginal Business Development for Fall 2015, and will teach a new First Peoples and Business Development course. Previously, Michael has taught at Confederation College, as well as at Lakehead and Queen’s universities.

The new course, ENVS 400: First Peoples and Business Development, will be open to all students at the University of Waterloo, but may be especially interesting to those in “X and Business” programs as well as Legal Studies, Economics, History, Anthropology, Engineering, and others that prepare students for future public or private sector leadership. The course will examine how Aboriginal businesses are developed and sustained, the legal and cultural context for new business initiatives between the Canadian public and private sectors and Aboriginal communities, and the perspectives of Aboriginal people on entrepreneurship and economic development.

Michael is currently president of Fox High Impact Consulting, a Thunder Bay-based firm specializing in Aboriginal processes, participation, and partnership deals in the energy and mineral sectors. Most of his clients are Northern Ontario communities.

Michael has also worked as a resource sector specialist with the Nishnawbe Aski Development Fund, an Aboriginal Financial Institution hat assists Aboriginal entrepreneurs and Aboriginal community-owned enterprises. He grew up in the Weenusk First Nation and has lived in North Bay and Timmins. He holds an Honours Political Science degree with a focus on natural resource development and Aboriginal law from Lakehead University.

Michael has been praised for his strategic thinking, business acumen, and community commitment to negotiating agreements that are based on Aboriginal and treaty rights.

“Aboriginal economic development is an increasingly important reality of Canadian life,” says St. Paul’s Principal Graham Brown. "Business and government will hire graduates with the skills, knowledge, and respectful attitudes to operate effectively in this growing area. St. Paul’s believes that Michael Fox is the right person to develop this key area of a sound business education at Waterloo.”

 

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Wednesday's notes

The Staff Relations Committee wants all staff to know that it has opened up the first portion of its meetings to members of the university community and regularly has agenda items of interest to staff members in all units of the university. At the meeting scheduled for this Friday, March 6 starting at 12:15 p.m., there will be presentations and discussion on the draft university risk management policy and an update on 2015-16 undergraduate recruitment. The meeting will be in Needles Hall 3001 and the committee invites you to bring your lunch and join us in learning more about these issues and activities.

The Healthy Workplace initiatives is providing a brown bag lunch session on Thursday, March 5, 2015 from 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 pm in DC 1302 for all employees entitled "Reducing Stigma: Mental Health in the Workplace."

 

Here are some mental health-related facts from Linda Brogden:

 

  • Did you know that 1 out of every 5 people will experience some form of mental illness each year?
  • Did you know that 1 out of every 3 people will experience some form of mental illness in their lifetime?
  • Did you know that 20% of all sick leaves have some component of mental illness?

 

"Come and find out how you can help stamp out the stigma which surrounds mental illness," Brogden writes.

 

Do you have family members or friends who are currently in high school and may be interested in participating in a class project at the University of Waterloo? Marketing and Undergraduate Recruitment has a unique opportunity for high-school students to participate in upcoming User Experience Design Study research on March 17.

 

"Marketing and Undergraduate Recruitment is participating as the client in the class project in partnership with Jill Tomasson-Goodwin’s DAC 309 class," writes Lisa Brackenridge. "The purpose of this study is to better understand awareness/motivation drivers around augmented reality/interactive print and how high school students may interact with applications on their mobile devices to gain a richer multimedia experience of the University of Waterloo."

 

The session will take approximately an hour to complete and is intended to be short, informal and conversational. Refreshments will be provided, and participants will receive a certificate of participation.

 

Any questions should be sent to MUR.

 

Upcoming dates for tours of the Gustav Bakos Observatory include Wednesday, March 4 and Wednesday, April 1. Tour participants should meet in PHY 308 at 8:00 p.m.

 

Employers on campus next week hosting employer information sessions include Lookout Mobile Security, Essroc Canada Inc, Soochow University, Contemporary Security Canada, Digital Extremes Ltd., Google and FDM Group Canada Inc.

 

Visit the info sessions calendar for more information.

 

Here's today's Nutrition Month "myth vs. fact" supplied by Health Services Dietician Sandra Ace:

 

Myth: Eating healthy when travelling is impossible!

 

Fact: Although sticking to a healthy eating plan while travelling may be challenging, it can be made easier by planning ahead. Some smart strategies include:

  • Bring snacks so you don’t have to buy food at the airport or roadside convenience store. Include fruit, pre-cut veggies, whole grain cereal bars and protein-rich nuts or seeds.      
  • Pack a refillable water bottle – staying hydrated is key to fighting travel-related fatigue and decreases reliance on sugary drinks and caffeine.
  • Aim for a balanced breakfast that incudes whole grain cereals or breads, fruit, yogurt and eggs or peanut butter.
  • Check with hotel staff about nearby grocery stores for replenishing snacks and restaurants with healthy options so you don’t have to rely on fast food.
  • At dinner, avoid the temptation to fill up on bread or cocktails while waiting for your meal to arrive. If you are served more than you’d typically eat if you were home make a decision ahead of time to eat your normal portion.
  • It you can’t resist that decadent dessert, share it or take half back to your room, refrigerate and enjoy it two days in a row.
Make a point to be especially active, whether it’s a morning swim at the hotel pool or an after dinner walk. This can help to offset extras that we may indulge in when we travel.

 

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Link of the day

Ta'anit Esther

When and where

UWaterloo CanBuild, Monday, February 9 to Thursday, March 12. Details.

 

Renison University Library Used Book sale, Tuesday, March 3 to Thursday, March 5, 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

 

Public lecture by Professor Manuela Scarci, University of Toronto, "Sex and the City: The Single Woman in 16th Century Venice", Wednesday, March 4, 5:00 p.m., St. Jerome's Room 3012. Contact Professor Gabriel Niccoli for more details.

 

Panel: Career Paths in the Risk Management Industry, Wednesday, March 4, 5:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., Tatham Centre room 2218.

 

Velocity Alpha: Pitch Like A Pro, Wednesday, March 4, 7:30 p.m., Mathematics & Computer building room 2054. Details.

 

Gustav Bakos Observatory Tour, Wednesday, March 4, 8:00 p.m., PHY 308. Details.

 

Career Exploration and Decision Making, Thursday, March 5, 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Tatham Centre room 1112.

 

Healthy Workplace Brown Bag Lunch session, "Reducing Stigma: Mental Health in the Workplace," Thursday, March 5, 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m., DC1302.

 

Presidential Lecture with Nobel recipient Edmund Phelps, Thursday, March 5, 2:00 p.m., QNC 0101. Details.

 

Water Institute Lecture featuring John Smol, Queen’s University, “Exploring the past to protect our future: Using lake sediments to study water quality issues”, Thursday, March 5, 2:30 p.m., DC 1302. Details.

 

Make Networking Count, Thursday, March 5, 2:30 p.m. to 4:00 p.m., Tatham Centre room 1208.

 

Professional School Interviews (Standard and MMI), Thursday, March 5, 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., Tatham Centre room 1208.

 

Winter 2015 Arriscraft Lecture Series featuring Marc Fornes, THEVERYMANY, Thursday, March 5, 7:00 p.m., School of Architecture.

 

English Language & Literature presents David Bentley, "Mean Girls: Queen Bees, Wannabees and the Education of Cady Heron," Friday, March 6, 2:00 p.m., PAS 2438. Details.

 

International Women's Day Dinner, Friday, March 6, 5:30 p.m., University Club. Details.

 

Knowledge Integration seminar: “Cultural Translation”, featuring artist and educator Soheila Esfahani, Friday, March 6, 2:30 p.m., Environment 3 (EV3), room 1408. Details.

 

The Department of Philosophy and the Canadian Bioethics Society present “Makayla’s Choice: Ethics and the Aboriginal Right to Pursue Traditional Medicine,” Friday, March 6, 3:30 p.m., HH 373.

 

DaCapo Chamber Choir, conducted by Leonard Enns, Professor Emeritus at Conrad Grebel University College, presents “O Earth, Return!” Saturday, March 7, 8:00 p.m. and Sunday, March 8, 3:00 p.m. with pianist Catherine Robertson. Tickets are available online.

 

Water Institute Lecture Series featuring Professor John Smol, Queen's University, "Exploring the Past to Protect our Future: Using Lake Sediments to Study Water Quality Issues," Thursday, March 5, 2:30 p.m., DC 1302. Details.

 

OGVG Celebrating Ontario Agriculture Awards Reception for Food Services, Friday, March 6, 2:30 p.m., University Club.

 

Résumé Tips: Think Like an Employer, Monday, March 9, 2:30 p.m. to 4:00 p.m., Tatham Centre room 2218.

 

For graduate students and post docs: Mitacs - Essentials of Productive Term, Tuesday, March 10, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Tatham Centre room 2218.

 

Work Search Strategies, Tuesday, March 10, 2:30 p.m. to 4:00 p.m., Tatham Centre room 1208.

 

“Taking it personally: Why Gender Violence is an Issue for Men” – A lecture by Dr. Jackson Katz, Tuesday, March 10, 4:00 p.m., Humanities Theatre, Hagey Hall. Note the change in location. Details.

 

Velocity Science: Brainstorming, Tuesday, March 10, 7:30 p.m., Environment 3 room 4412. Details.

 

Noon Hour Concert, Metamorphosis featuring Mauro Bertoli, piano, Wednesday, March 11, 12:30 p.m., Conrad Grebel University College Chapel. Free admission.

 

Career Interest Assessment (Strong Interest Inventory), Wednesday, March 11, 2:30 p.m. to 4:00 p.m., Tatham Centre room 1214.

 

Computational Mathematics Sushi Night, Wednesday, March 11, 4:30 p.m., DC 1301. RSVP to Patricia Robinson-Angel by Monday, March 2.

 

Senior Co-op Student Panel: Strategies for Success, Wednesday, March 11, 5:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., Tatham Centre room 2218.

 

Velocity Fund $5K Qualifier – Night 1, Wednesday, March 11, 7:00 p.m., Quantum-Nano Centre room 0101. Details.

 

UWaterloo CanBuild, Thursday, March 12. Details.

 

Connect with NSERC’s President on a Vision for 2020, Thursday, March 12, 10:00 a.m., Federation Hall, Main Hall. RSVP details.

 

For graduate students and post docs: Writing CVs and Cover Letters, Thursday, March 12, 2:30 p.m. to 4:00 p.m., Tatham Centre room 1208.

 

Faculty of Arts 3 Minute Thesis heat, Thursday, March 12, 4:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., HH 1106. Details.

 

2015 TD Walter Bean Lecture in Science featuring Tom Stohlgren, Ph.D., "Invasions from Inner Space: Species Invasions and Extinction," Thursday, March 12, 5:30 p.m., Humanities Theatre, Hagey Hall. Details.

 

Multiple-Mini Interview (MMI) Practice Session, Thursday, March 12, 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., Tatham Centre room 2240.

 

Velocity Fund $5K Qualifier – Night 2, Thursday, March 12, 7:00 p.m., Quantum-Nano Centre room 0101. Details.

 

Environment Research Seminar featuring Michelle Morris, Friday, March 13, 10:00 a.m., EV1-221.

 

Interviews: Preparing for Questions, Friday, March 13, 10:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., Tatham Centre room 1208.

 

Department of Psychology presents Steve “The Worm Wrangler” Schaefer, “All About Vermicomposting,” Friday, March 13, 12:00 p.m., PAS 3026. RSVP to Marianne Appleby.

Positions available

On this week's list from the human resources department, viewable through myHRinfo:

• Job ID# 2749 – Contract Coordinator, Procurement, USG 10
• Job ID# 2750 – Customer Service Assistant, Registrar’s Office, USG 5

Internal secondment opportunities, viewable on myCareer@uWaterloo


• Liaison Librarian, Library, USG 8-13
• Research Ethics Administrative Coordinator, Office of Research, Research Ethics, USG 5
• Learner Support Representative, Centre for Extended Learning, USG 5
• Secondary School Liaison Officers, Marketing and Undergraduate Recruitment, USG 8

 

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