Spreading that co-op love: Co-operative Education & Career Action co-op students promote Canadian Association for Co-operative Education (CAFCE)’s National Co-op Week Twitter Campaign around campus.  Students can follow CAFCE on Twitter to participate in daily challenges, to enter to win daily draws, or have the chance to win a grand prize.  Contest rules and prizes are online on the CAFCE website.

Back to top

Senate acclamations and elections

The Secretariat & Office of General Counsel has announced the names of individuals who have been elected by acclamation to the University's senate:

• Faculty Representatives, terms May 1, 2015 to April 30, 2018 - Richard Staines, Kinesiology; Fraser Easton, English Language & Literature; Gordon Stubley, Mechanical & Mechatronics Engineering; Johanna Wandel, Geography & Environmental Management; Bruce Richter, Combinatorics & Optimization; Bernard Duncker, Biology.
• Faculty Representative, term 1 May 2015 to 30 April 2016 – Paul Marriott, Statistics & Actuarial Science.
• Affiliated & Federated Institutions of Waterloo Faculty Representatives, terms May 1 2015 to April 30, 2018 – David Perrin, Religious Studies, St. Jerome’s University; Mavis Fenn, Religious Studies, St. Paul’s University College.
• Graduate Student Representatives, terms May 1, 2015 to 30 April 30, 2017 – Anna Brousseau, French Studies; Rachel Mitchell, Environment & Resource Studies.

Seven faculty-at-large seats will be filled after an election that will see online voting begin on Thursday, March 19 at 8:30 a.m. and close on Wednesday, March 25 at 3:00 p.m. These seats have a term of May 1, 2015 to April 30, 2018. The candidates are:

• Giovanni Cascante, Civil & Environmental Engineering;
• Frances (Frankie) Condon, English Language & Literature;
• Eric Croiset, Chemical Engineering;
• David DeVidi, Philosophy;
• Rob Gorbet, Knowledge Integration;
• Karim S. Karim, Electrical & Computer Engineering;
• Greta Kroeker, History;
• Barb Moffatt, Biology;
• Markus Moos, Planning;
• David Porreca, Classical Studies;
• Maria Strack, Geography & Environmental Management.

All regular faculty of the University are eligible to vote in this election.

In addition, an election will be held for one Faculty of Arts regular staff seat on the Dean of Arts Nominating Committee. The candidates are:

• Andrea Charette, Dean of Arts Office;
• Janice da Silva, Psychology;
• Leanne Perreault, Stratford Programmes; and
• Donna Sutherland, Accounting & Finance.

All regular staff of the Faculty of Arts are eligible to vote. Online voting is to begin Thursday March 19 at 8:30 a.m. and will close on Wednesday, March 25 at 3:00 p.m.

Back to top

Talk to tackle legacy of the financial crisis

by Sabrina Hutchison.

Many people remember the 2008 global financial crisis, the most recent major recession, but did we learn anything from it?

On March 27, Faculty of Arts Chair in International Political Economy Eric Helleiner will discuss the financial crisis and whether it has resulted in significant changes to global financial governance.

Helleiner’s presentation is part of Research Talks, an initiative hosted by the Office of Research to celebrate research at Waterloo and provide an opportunity for staff, faculty, and students to learn more about the world-changing research underway.

“It’s easy to assume that after experiencing something as severe as the 2008 financial crisis, major transformations in global financial governance would occur,” says Helleiner. “I’m delighted to have the opportunity to be part of Research Talks and discuss the realities of what has changed so far with the Waterloo community.”

To join Eric on March 27, please register on the Research Talks website. seating is limited and registration will close when room capacity is reached.

Waterloo President Feridun Hamdullahpur will open the session. Feel free to bring your lunch – light refreshments will be provided.

Back to top

CanBuild winners announced

a message from Community Relations & Events.

UWaterloo CanBuild collected over 4,500 cans with approximately 1,000 items going to the Federations of Students Food bank and the remaining items going to the Food Bank of Waterloo Region. Through the hard work and dedication of 16 teams we were able to gather 4904 pounds of food, equaling 6,538 meals for our community!

Thank you to everyone who participated and make a difference on campus and in the Waterloo community. You’re efforts have made a significant impact in the fight against hunger!

Read the story and see who won this year’s CanBuild awards!

If you missed your chance to contribute, online donations can always be made to the Waterloo Region Food Bank and are a simple and great way to show your support!

Back to top

Bud Walker celebration, other notes

"Effective March 31, 2015 Bud Walker will be retiring from the University," says a memo from Vice-President, Academic & Provost Ian Orchard. "Since May 1, 2012 he has served as Special Advisor to the Vice-President Academic and Provost, focusing on a few projects, most notably the University’s efforts in entrepreneurship."

"Bud’s professional University of Waterloo career began in 1971. The early part of his career was in systems and computing, first as manager of student information systems and then as director of data processing. He assumed the post director, business operations in 1996 and this allowed his true passion for the student experience at Waterloo to flourish. He served as the first associate provost, students from 2009 to 2012, and then stepped into an as interim Associate Provost, Human Resources in 2013."

"There will be a celebration of Bud’s marvelous career on March 17th at 3:30 p.m. in the Village 1 Great Hall," the provost's memo concludes. "We wish Bud all the best as he moves onto the next chapter in his life."

Today is St. Patrick's Day, and the City of Waterloo, Waterloo Regional Police Services, Wilfrid Laurier University, Wilfrid Laurier University Students’ Union, the University of Waterloo, the Federation of Students, and Region of Waterloo EMS are working together to encourage safer shenanigans on this green-tinted day. The Student Success Office and the Federation of Students have participated in a social media messaging campaign to complement the city's messaging, focusing on:

• Safety as the number one priority - and WRPS will be present to help keep people safe;
• Respect neighbours, particularly those who may not be as festive as others; and
• Be an informed community member and know the municipal bylaws that may affect you.

"The Special Advisor to the President on Women’s and Gender Issues and the FAUW Status of Women and Equity Committee would like to remind you of the Gender and Equity Scholarship Series event taking place," says a message from Stephanie Chesser. "Please join us on Monday, March 23 from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. in HH 373 to engage with Dr. Patricia Marino of the Department of Philosophy as she presents Sexual Objectification and Social Autonomy."  

The Gender and Equity Scholarship Series intends to assist not only with the promotion of gender and equity research currently being conducted at Waterloo, but also with the creation of networking opportunities for equity minded individuals on campus. Light refreshments will be served at this event. Please visit the FAUW’s SWEC Gender and Equity Scholarship Series page to register.

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

Myth: “No sugar added” means a food is low in sugar.

Fact:  Seeing this label on foods and beverages can entice consumers into buying products that they think are healthier and lower in sugar. However, for many “no added sugar” products, the opposite is actually true. As an example, refrigerated fruit smoothies sold in the dairy case or the produce section of supermarkets are typically labelled “100% Juice” and “No Sugar Added.” A look at the Ingredient List reveals they are a blend of concentrated fruit juices and fruit purées. A quick check of the Nutrition Facts panel tells the real story – a 250 ml/1 cup serving contains 27 grams of sugar (or more, depending on the brand and variety), the equivalent of about 7 teaspoons!

The “no sugar added” label typically refers to refined or processed sugar, not natural sources of sugar.  But “natural” sources of sugar such as fruit juice concentrates or fruit purées are still sugar. It’s best to rely on the Nutrition Facts panel to determine the sugar content of a food or beverage; also take note of the portion size which is often smaller than what most people actually use. Health Canada is working on new labelling requirements that in the future will allow consumers to better identify sources of sugar in foods. You can read more about the proposed labelling changes as well as how to use our current food labels to make healthy choices on Health Canada’s website.

Back to top