Inside
WILFRID LAURIER UNIVERSITY
Waterloo | Brantford | Kitchener | Toronto
Photo: Rainer Leipscher
OCTOBER 2013
A capacity crowd at University Stadium cheers on the Golden Hawks football team at Homecoming in Waterloo. Laurier lost to the WIndsor Lancers in overtime 25-26. See more Homecoming highlights on page 8.
Awards recognize employee contributions Long-service recipients recall 40 years of change on Laurier’s campuses turns entering information on it. It was kind of exciting. We had to run down to the computer centre for the printouts — we were doing a lot of running. Now we’ve come to two screens on our desk and there are printers right behind us!” The change is what kept Wilson at the campus for four decades.
“People often ask me how I can stay at one place for 40 years, but it never stays the same, and there have always been opportunities to learn,” she said. “And I just can’t say enough about the people. When I first started I knew all the staff and there were 50 students that graduated from the business program and I knew them
all — you became a part of that community very quickly. Even as the university grew, we depended on each other to do our jobs and the only way to do that well was to work collegially with other people, and Laurier has always been an excellent place for that.” Service awards see page 3
Photo: Mallory O’Brien
years, I can’t believe how much the university has grown.” Ahrens, who has always been Forty years ago in 1973, Waterloo in Accounts Payable, can’t stress Lutheran University received its enough the sheer amount of new charter as the provincially funded Wilfrid Laurier University. change she’s seen, but it’s hard to put into words. “You can say I’ve The year before, three employees gone through a lot of presidents,” began their 40-year tenure at the she said, with a laugh. “A lot of institution: Geraldine Ahrens buildings have been built. A lot of from Accounts Payable, Veronica buildings have come down.” Persaud from the Library, and On the physical evolution of Nancy Wilson from the School of the Waterloo campus, Wilson Business and Economics. adds “it’s interesting how archiWilson, who is now retired, tects look at working spaces for started out as a faculty secretary, people, and how that’s changed but soon became a secretary to over the years. The Central the dean. Over the years, the Teaching Building (now the Dr. position grew into an adminisAlvin Woods Building) was a box trative position. For the last two with practical space. When the decades of her career, Wilson Peters Building was built, it was was administrative manager, and important for all the offices to responsible for everything from have a good view, which is why budgeting and human resources it’s this odd-shaped building. to events and working with When the Schlegel Building went student clubs. up, it was important for it to have One of the biggest changes Wilson witnessed is the growth of light and open spaces.” Ahrens remembers when her the university. “When we became department got its first computer. public in 1973, there was a huge “We only had one that sat in front hiring boom from then on,” she of our desks, and we had to take said. “Even in the last couple of By Mallory O’Brien
Employee Achievement Award recipients on stage during the awards ceremony in September.
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Meet Jennifer Casey, who helps lead Laurier’s annual United Way campaign.
Michael English is studying changes in the snowpack in Canada’s North.
Instructor Duane Heide uses metaphors to help students conquer math.
Inside
OCTOBER 2013
president’s message
Homecoming highlights the Laurier experience This year’s Homecoming on the Waterloo campus was another fine example of Laurier’s extraordinary school spirit. It was also a testament to the deep connection that students and alumni have with our vibrant, 102-year-old institution. It is quite a sight to see thousands of current and former Golden Hawks sporting their purple and gold and sharing a heritage that goes back more than a century. The sense of joy and enthusiasm was palpable. As I chatted with students
and alumni, I couldn’t help but think that of the many things that distinguish Laurier from other universities, the quality of our student experience stands out. And by student experience I mean the entire package that Laurier has to offer — excellent academic programs, innovative approaches to teaching and learning, purposeful co-curricular activities, leadership opportunities, exposure to new ideas and cutting-edge research, the chance to make new friends and develop lasting relationships, and a sense of belonging to a highly
supportive community. Laurier truly inspires lives of leadership and purpose. What I experienced at Homecoming contrasts sharply with recent reports in the media that question the value of a university degree, a point of view that seems to want to reduce higher education to a single narrow category: job training. Job preparation is certainly important, and there is plenty of evidence to show that universities provide an excellent foundation for building a successful career. But as anyone who attends a
IPRM begins pilot testing of templates
Flu clinics start next month
Photo: Kevin Crowley
Max Blouw talks with guests prior to his speech on the value of a university degree at the Toronto Region Board of Trade.
Laurier Homecoming can see, universities provide students with far more than employment skills. Universities are in the business of positive human development. We are skilled and experienced at providing the kind of broad intellectual and personal growth that enables graduates to pursue rewarding careers, to achieve fulfilling lives, and to make meaningful contributions to their communities. What I love most about Homecoming is to hear from alumni about how their Laurier experience shaped their lives. The trajectory of most individuals in their education and in their careers is seldom linear. Few people at age 17 or 18 have a crystal-clear idea of what their life or career will be at age 40 or 50. And what I hear from alumni time and again is that their Laurier years taught them to value relationships, to embrace opportunities, to think deeply and critically, to get involved, and to be open to new experiences—all of which lays the foundation for successful and satisfying lives. At Laurier, we add real value to our students. The Return on Investment is high—for students,
The Integrated Planning and Resource Management (IPRM) process will answer the fundamental question, “How will we continue to make Laurier a better institution?” by identifying the key principles and priorities that are essential to Laurier’s future, then put resources toward those priorities. Templates have been designed to gather information related to the criteria by which each academic and each administrative program will be evaluated. The Academic Priorities Team has sent out academic program templates to a few areas for pilot testing, and feedback is being incorporated to make the templates as user-friendly and as efficient as possible to complete. It is anticipated that a staged distribution of the templates to academic program
areas will begin in October. Administrative program templates have also been sent out to a few areas for pilot testing. Once the templates have been revised to incorporate feedback, a staged distribution of the templates to all administrative programs will begin in November. Both academic and administrative teams have completed rubrics for evaluating the templates. The Office of Institutional Research is working diligently to provide common data sets for academic and administrative areas to use when completing the templates. Training will be provided to assist programs with the interpretation of the data sets and the completion of the templates. Programs will be given a deadline by which they will have to submit
their completed template to the prioritization committee. Answers to specific questions that arise such as “How long will it take to fill out the templates?” and “Is their overlap with program review templates?” will be provided through the Frequently Asked Questions section of the IPRM website (www.wlu.ca/iprm). In a parallel process, the Resource Management Team has been reviewing a range of budget models and resource-allocation processes from Ontario, Canadian and U.S. institutions. They will summarize their findings in a report for the Planning Task Force and will then begin to conduct internal stakeholder interviews with the Laurier community. For updates and more information, visit www.wlu.ca/iprm or email iprm@wlu.ca.
InsideLaurier is published by Communications, Public Affairs & Marketing (CPAM) Wilfrid Laurier University 75 University Avenue West, Waterloo, Ontario N2L 3C5
InsideLaurier Volume 8, Number 2, October 2013 Editor: Stacey Morrison Contributors: Lori Chalmers Morrison, Kevin Crowley, Nicholas Dinka, Jordan Jocius, Kevin Klein, Rainer Leipscher, Sandra Muir, Mallory O’Brien
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for their parents, for employers and for society. Our graduates go out into the world with hard and soft skills, with a sense of confidence and a sense of purpose. I would happily encourage anyone not convinced of this to attend a Laurier Homecoming. The next one is just around the corner: Oct. 19 on our Brantford campus.
Max Blouw President and Vice-Chancellor
Laurier Health Services is offering flu clinics for staff, faculty and students by appointment or on a walk-in basis on the Waterloo starting Nov. 4. Further appointments will be available Nov. 5, 13, 14 and 22 between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. in the Student Health and Development Centre on the Waterloo campus. To book an appointment, visit www.wlu.ca/flushots. Participants are asked to wear short-sleeves and bring a health or UHIP card. After receiving the injection, you will be required to wait in the centre for 15 minutes. Staff and faculty on the Brantford campus can contact the Student Wellness Centre to book an appointment.
Send us your news, events & stories Email: insidelaurier@wlu.ca Deadline for submissions: October 15 All submissions are appreciated, however not all submissions will be published. We reserve the right to edit all copy for accuracy, content and length.
InsideLaurier welcomes your comments and suggestions for stories. Tel: (519) 884-0710 ext. 3341 | Fax: (519) 884-8848 Email: stmorrison@wlu.ca InsideLaurier (circ. 2,100) is published eight times a year by CPAM. Opinions expressed in InsideLaurier do not necessarily reflect those of the editor or the university’s administration. Printed on recycled paper
Available online at www.wlu.ca/publicaffairs.
Max Blouw with Drew Piticco, manager of Laurier’s Student Leadership Centre, and Piticco’s son at Homecoming.
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Next issue of Inside November 2013
OCTOBER 2013 Inside NEWS
What’s new and notable at Laurier
Laurier named best music campus in CBC contest
now have access to a one-stop portal for academic support services called MyHelpSpace — one of the first of its kind at a Canadian university. Once undergraduate students log on to MyLearningSpace, they will see a link at the bottom of the page that takes them to the portal. Inside the portal, they will find information on everything from time management and study skills, to how to cite references and get help with statistics. There are online workshops and tutorials, handouts, links to other resources, and academic planners and calculators. If students need more assistance, they can book appointments with support staff, or get help through an online chat. “It’s important to offer academic support to students around the clock, because a student’s life is not 9 to 5,” said Melodee Martinuk, manager of Laurier’s Access & Transition Services. Future updates to the portal include enhancing the section on math and stats, and adding additional supports for international students. Staff and faculty who would like access to the portal can use the user name: myhelpspace.guest and the password: happyfish.
Last month CBC Radio set out to identify the best music campus in Canada. When the online voting, tweeting and blogging came to an end, and the results were posted, Laurier came out on top. “The CBC contest was an opportunity to reflect on the remarkable musical life of Laurier and on the stunning successes of our students,” said Glen Carruthers, dean of Laurier’s Faculty of Music. “With the encouragement and support of the Faculty of Music, the university and the local community, our students are inspired to dream big musically. Because of this nourishing environment, Laurier’s musical successes are diverse, innovative and abundant.” Laurier was also recognized for the number of musical events and programs staged on campus throughout the year, including open-mic nights at Wilf’s Pub, noon-hour concerts, the new singer/songwriter residence learning community, and musical theatre and opera productions. Full results can be viewed at www.music.cbc.ca/radio3.
Laurier launches portal for students seeking academic support
Video thanks 2012 donors Those who donate to Laurier represent the heart of the university’s mission to inspire lives of
Students at the Waterloo campus
The launch of Laurier’s Community Campaign kicked off with free coffee for staff and faculty at various outlets across campuses. Tania John, associate director, annual giving, chats with colleagues at the Second Cup on the Waterloo campus.
leadership and purpose. Laurier’s outstanding student experience would not be possible without the continued support of Laurier’s donors. “Every donation has helped inspire Laurier’s students, faculty, researchers and staff to reach for the highest levels of excellence,” says Rob Donelson, vice-president of Development and Alumni Relations. “We are deeply grateful.” To thank the university’s friends and donors, and to demonstrate the impact of their gifts during 2012, the university has prepared a special video to accompany the complete list of donors.
Library improvements will enhance user experience New one-stop Services and Help Desk In order to reduce confusion for users, there is now a single one-stop desk on the main floor for book checkouts, research help and general questions. Desk staff can be reached at 519-884-0710 x3222 or library.wlu.ca/askus
By Nicholas Dinka Over the summer, the Laurier Library made several improvements at its Waterloo campus location. The changes, which include new student seating areas and a convenient one-stop service desk on the second floor, are a result of numerous consultations with partners and stakeholders at Laurier and in the broader academic community. “The role of our Library is evolving to meet the needs of our users in the 21st century,” said Gohar Ashoughian, Laurier’s university librarian. “The improvements this summer are a part of this evolution, and are designed to enhance our ability to support the success of Laurier students and faculty in their studies and research. It is ultimately about creating a great overall university experience. The Library is an important contributor to designing very positive experiences as our community interacts with information.” Key improvements include:
More power outlets Thanks to funding from the Student Life Levy, 365 new two-socket electrical outlets have been installed on floors three to seven of the Waterloo campus Library. Most study carrels now have power conveniently nearby. New Library website A new Library website has been launched. The new site is designed to make it easier for our users to interact with the Library, whether via computer, tablet, or mobile device.
Photo: Sandra Muir
Increasing student spaces on the main floor In response to strong recent demand for more student space on the Waterloo campus, the Library has created a number of new seating areas and an additional group study room on its main floor.
New open shelf system for reserves and holds To improve convenience and decrease wait times, there is now an open shelf system for reserve materials and holds, located on the main floor across from the front doors. Options for electronic availability of course reserves have also been increased. For more information on changes to reserves, see library.wlu.ca/ services/reserves/changes.
Enhanced research assistance Research support hours have been increased at both the new Services and Help Desk and online at library.wlu.ca/askus.
To view the thank you video and the complete 2012 Donor Report, please visit: www.wlu.ca/development.
Laurier partners with TheMuseum for fall exhibit Laurier is collaborating with TheMuseum in downtown Kitchener to present Water Dialogues, a series of speakers and films complementing TheMuseum fall exhibition Surface Tension | The Future of Water. Water Dialogues is meant to educate and inspire conversation around the subject of water. Topics of discussion will range Service awards continued “I’ve stayed because of the people I work with, of course,” concurs Ahrens. “It’s been a real family kind of thing.” Ahrens, who retires in November, is looking forward to looking after her four grandchildren. “And I’ll probably do a little bit of travelling,” she said. “And sleeping in!” Wilfrid Laurier University recognized the commitment and contributions of all of its faculty and staff with 15, 25, 35 and 40 years of service, as well as employees who have demonstrated outstanding service to the university community, at its annual Employee Achievement event on Sept. 25. “The event provided a wonderful opportunity for us to recognize the exceptional accomplishments of our employees, with particular focus on the 2013 Employee Success Factor award winners and those who have achieved significant service milestones,” said Pamela Cant, assistant vice-president, Human Resources. “I was delighted by the number of staff and faculty who attended to share in the festivities and support their colleagues who were being recognized.” The 2013 Employee Achievement Award recipients are: President’s Awards
The new circulation and reserve area at the Library on Laurier’s Waterloo campus.
Individual Achievement: Sherry Palmer, senior adminis-
from the steps that Waterloo Region is taking to conserve drinking water, to water research in the arctic and water scarcity around the world. Water Dialogues lectures take place at 1:30 p.m. Sundays at TheMuseum unless otherwise noted. All tickets, including ones with admission by suggested donation, are available online at www.themuseum.ca. For more information on Surface Tension l The Future of Water, including a full schedule of events and speakers, visit www.themuseum. ca/exhibition/surface-tensionfuture-water/events. trative assistant, Political Science. Team Achievement: Teaching Support Services. Multi-Campus Champion Award Individual Achievement: Gwen Page, associate director: accessible learning, Learning Services. Success Factor Awards Collaborates to Promote Team and Organizational Success: Ari Grossman, associate director: business operations, Athletics & Recreation, and Nancy Lambert, administrative manager, Dean’s Office, Brantford. Seeks Opportunities for Continuous Improvement: Rob Arnold, manager, Institutional Research and Planning, and James Emary, area manager: grounds, Physical Resources. Values Relationships and Community: Michelle Baker, administrative and program manager, Faculty of Education, and James Yuhasz, manager, Special Constable Service, Brantford. Supports a Culture of Service: Sylvia Hoang, intermediate administrative assistant, Communication Studies, and Wally Pirker, institutional research officer, Institutional Research Office. Models Leadership and Accountability: Sean Thomas, director, advancement services, Development and Alumni Relations.
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OCTOBER 2013
Public criminology lectures offer a unique learning environment By Kevin Klein Laurier’s Brantford campus and the Department of Criminology is once again inviting the public to be a part of a public lecture series. The Public Criminology course brings in guest speakers and experts in the field for an open lecture every Tuesday evening at 7 p.m. in the Research and Academic Centre, 150 Dalhousie St., room RCW 002. The lectures will typically run from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. The aim of Public Criminology is to reach beyond the university in an effort to bring criminology and deviance into conversations with multiple publics. “This is our second year running the public criminology course and we’ve been able to schedule another outstanding
group of presenters,” said Carrie Sanders, associate professor in the Department of Criminology and the co-coordinator of the course. “The interaction between the presenter, the students and the public creates a unique learning environment which truly benefits all involved.” The public criminology course was designed to showcase the work of internationally recognized scholars and to demonstrate how their varied, and diverse, research contributes to a better understanding of crime and its regulation. It provides an opportunity for academic research to inform and promote sound policy while averting moral panics precipitated by extreme rare cases. This is important as it will help broaden and deepen the public’s understanding of academic research by
showing its impact where they live, work and play. The course runs for 11 weeks. Lectures include: • October 22 Kids Gone Wild: Worry about Sex Bracelets, Rainbow Parties, and Sexting, with Joel Best. • November 12 The Future of Policing in Canada: Challenges and Possibilities, with Tullio Capputo. • November 19 Social Regulation of Drugs: The New “Normal”?, with Patricia Erickson. • November 26 Children and Youth in Canada: A Human Rights Discussion, with Bernard Schissel. For more information, including a full schedule and speaker biographies, visit http://bit.ly/1aKZyuh.
Author Richard Wagamese visits Laurier By Mallory O’Brien Richard Wagamese, an esteemed public speaker and one of Canada’s foremost Aboriginal authors and storytellers, spoke at Laurier’s Waterloo campus last month for the university’s Common Reading Program. The program invites all students entering the Faculty of Arts to share a reading experience. For its inaugural year, students received a copy of Wagamese’s novel Indian Horse in the summer, and were invited to participate in orientation events focused on the book. For the event on Sept. 18, Wagamese spoke to students, staff and faculty about topics in Indian Horse, how and why he writes, and how his personal history inspired events in the book. Wagamese is an Ojibway from the Wabaseemoong First Nation in northwestern Ontario. Echoing events in the book,
Wagamese lived on the land with his family, who had suffered abuse in residential schools. Wagamese and his siblings found themselves abandoned in the bush in the dead of winter, and had to make a harrowing journey to the railhead in Minaki, where they were found and placed in foster care. With an adopted family in suburban Toronto,
Wagamese experienced “serious, chronic abuse for many years.” “In Indian Horse, Saul watching his traditions crumble in front of him in residential school is analogous to the dissipation of our culture today,” said Wagamese. “I hope the book serves as a reminder that we still have to stay connected to what makes us who we are.”
Over the summer, Laurier completed a wide range of projects on its Waterloo and Brantford campuses to improve computing and communication services for students, faculty and staff, including improved Internet access and connectivity. A few highlights include: •
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ResNet bandwidth for students has increased from 300MB to three gigabytes. Laurier Place Residence now has full wireless, high-speed Internet. A new fibre connection at St. Andrews Community Centre on the Brantford campus
Wilfrid Laurier University invites members of the Laurier community and the general public to nominate worthy individuals for honorary degrees and for membership in the Order of Wilfrid Laurier University. Honorary degrees are awarded honoris causa, “for the sake of the honour,” and are intended to recognize individuals who have made outstanding contributions locally, nationally, and globally, such as: • Leading academics and public intellectuals across the disciplines • Exemplary leaders in all fields • Outstanding artists and performers • Community builders and philanthropists The Order of Wilfrid Laurier University honours worthy recipients who have a record of exemplary and distinguished service to the university. All members of the university, including those who represent the university in the community,
are eligible for nomination. This includes current or former faculty, staff, students, volunteers, and friends of the university. Neither the honorary degrees nor the Order of Wilfrid Laurier University will be awarded posthumously or in absentia. Nominations are reviewed by Laurier’s Senate Honorary Degree Committee, which, subject to the approval of Senate Executive Committee, makes recommendations to Max Blouw, president and vice-chancellor of the university and chair of the Senate Honorary Degree Committee. Nominations are reviewed at various times throughout the year. But to have a nomination reviewed at the next meeting of the Senate Honorary Degree Committee, please submit it by Monday, November 4. Nomination forms may be found on-line at www.wlu.ca/senate or by contacting the secretary of the committee, Shara Spencer, at sspencer@wlu.ca or ext. 2047.
Name: Lori Chalmers Morrison Job Title: Acting Director, Communications and Public Affairs, CPAM Book Title: Orange is the New Black Author: Piper Kerman
Author Richard Wagamese signs books after speaking to staff, students and faculty on Laurier’s Waterloo campus.
Laurier upgrades computing and communication services across campuses By Stacey Morrison
Nominations for honorary degrees being accepted
summer for us.,” said Ken Boyd, has increased bandwidth Laurier’s director of ICT Solutions. from three megabytes to one gigabyte, making it the fastest “We got a tremendous amount of work done in a short period of building on the Brantford time while the campus was quiet. campus. We hope that students, faculty • Wireless infrastructure and staff will be able to make good maintenance on all campuses, use of the enhanced capacity and including more than 520 reliability of our IT systems. We wireless access points and have a lot more to do and we are software upgrades. getting to it.” • Staff and faculty on the Earlier in the month, Laurier Brantford campus now have also announced it has increased Caller ID thanks to a new its outbound Internet connection megalink connection. on the Waterloo campus from one • Expanded OneCard system in gigabyte to 10 gigabytes, a tenfold Brantford with new vendors, including William’s Fresh Cafe, improvement that will provide Golden Grounds, Boston Pizza, students, staff and faculty with a superior Internet experience, Subway and the Brant Food especially when sending large files Centre and Deli. during peak periods. “This was a very productive
I’m reading Orange is the New Black, a memoir by Piper Kerman, a university-educated, white middle-class woman serving a 15-month federal prison sentence for a drug crime she committed 10 years earlier. It’s a look into daily prison life, the struggle to fit into the prison hierarchy and maintain some sense of identity, and an affirmation of the power of sisterhood and poignant human connection even in dire circumstances. But the darker story, and the one that stuck with me, is one of systemic racism, abuse of power and a focus on punishment instead of rehabilitation.
What are you listening to? Name: Anthony Massi Job Title: Student Experience Manager, Wilfrid Laurier Students’ Union, Brantford Album & Artist: Words I Said by SonReal
I first heard about this Vancouver-based hip-hop artist at a conference. I have had the pleasure of working with him and booking him for our orientation programming in Brantford. I really like his lyricism and the combination of samples he uses. His music reminds me of Kanye West and Jay-Z mixed with Kid Cudi, and is perfect to listen to while doing just about anything. From getting dressed in the morning to blasting it driving home from work with the windows down.
OCTOBER 2013 Inside
Photos: Jordan Jocius, Stacey Morrison, Sandra Muir
Laurier welcomes students with Orientation Week activities
people at Laurier
For a complete list of appointments visit www.wlu.ca/hr
New appointments: Ian Aikenhead, coordinator, Co-operative Education (Waterloo campus). Adam Bloomfield, administrative assistant, Dean of Students, Student Affairs (Brantford campus). Kimberly Dean, administrative assistant, Co-operative Education (Waterloo campus). Olim Doniyorov, custodian, Physical Resources (Waterloo campus). Mandy Dunbar, intermediate administrative assistant III, Co-operative Education (Waterloo campus). Matthew Gowing, technical support specialist I, ITS (Waterloo campus). Spencer Hughes, computer support assistant, ITS (Waterloo campus).
Feng (Tony) Liu, research instrumentation technician, Faculty of Science (Waterloo campus). Laura Mammone, residence life area coordinator, Residence (Brantford campus) Patsye McCutchan, service desk analyst/service coordinator, ICT Support (Waterloo campus). Phyllis Power, manager, Global Engagement Programming (Waterloo campus). Sheena Primeaux, custodian, Physical Resources (Waterloo campus). Patrick Sadaphal, residence life area coordinator, Residence (Waterloo campus). James Tellier, custodian, Physical Resources (Waterloo campus). Jeannette Wilson, events and support specialist, Residence (Brantford campus).
Alysha Ferguson, residence experiential learning coordinator, Residence (Waterloo campus). Bailey Gross, coordinator, Student Leadership, Student Leadership Centre (Waterloo campus). Christine Haywood, health and safety administrator, SHERM (Waterloo campus). Caroline Hissa, practicum assistant, Faculty of Social Work (Kitchener location). Tamara Hundt, account administrator, Business Office (Waterloo campus). Denoja Kankesan, international program assistant, Laurier International (Waterloo campus). Sara Neziol, manager, academic advising, Central Academic Unit (Waterloo campus). Maria Papadopoulos, director of government relations (Toronto Office).
Brenda Jordan, coordinator course materials, Bookstore (Waterloo campus).
Changes in staff appointments:
Gloria Song, international recruitment and admissions coordinator, Recruitment & Admissions (Waterloo campus).
Barbara Kraler, MSW practicum field advisor, Faculty of Social Work (Kitchener location).
Tina Balfour, manager, Math Assistance Centre, Learning Services (Waterloo campus).
Michael Whitehouse, systems analyst III, Enterprise Solutions (Waterloo campus).
Lisa Leiher, MSW practicum field advisor, Faculty of Social Work (Kitchener location).
Jessica Buckle, administrative assistant to the dean, Faculty of Liberal Arts (Brantford campus).
Sarah Wiley-Thomas, associate University Secretary-Senate, Secretariat Office (Waterloo campus).
Patricia Levesque, custodian, Physical Resources (Waterloo campus).
Kyle Cleveland, coordinator, Cooperative Education (Waterloo campus).
United Way campaign kicks off A key part of Laurier’s focus on inspiring lives of leadership and purpose is supporting the communities in which we reside. It has been a proud part of our history, and is an essential part of our future. Laurier’s support takes many forms, and each year during the month of October, one of the ways we impact our communities is by supporting the United Way of Kitchener Waterloo & Area, the Brant United Way and United Way Toronto through Laurier’s United Way campaign. The university kicked off its United Way campaign with events at the Brantford campus Oct. 1 and the Waterloo campus Oct. 10. The impact the United Way’s member agencies have on the people who use their services is profound. Many of us have benefitted from these services directly, or have friends or family members who have. This is the bigger picture that we hope people understand when they make the decision about supporting the campaign. “Donating towards Laurier’s 2013 campus campaign will help ensure the continuing provision of vital programs and services,” said Deb MacLatchy, vicepresident: academic and provost and United Way campaign chair. “United Way is committed to making positive, long-term and sustainable change that targets social challenges. Donations — no matter how small or large
— will help to improve the wellbeing of our local communities.” United Way’s 2013 campaign is centered around three pillars: from poverty to possibility. healthy people, strong communities and all that kids can be. Members of the Laurier community can contribute to the United Way by: • Using a pledge form to donate through payroll deduction • Using a pledge form to donate by cheque, cash, pre-authorized chequing or credit card • In addition to your pledge forms, we encourage you and your department to come up with some creative ways to generate donations: toonie dress-down days, pot lucks or bake sales. Share your ideas and photos, and they could be shared on the website! All United Way gifts are charitable donations for tax purposes. If you wish to make a gift to the United Way, please return your pledge form to Jeanette Wilson for the Brantford campus or to Wally Pirker for the Kitchener, Toronto and Waterloo locations. The campaign closes on Oct. 25. To be eligible for the early-bird draws, submit your donation by end of day on Oct. 18. More details about the campaign and early-bird draw will be posted on Laurier’s website — look for the United Way button.
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OCTOBER 2013
coffee with a co-worker
A look at staff and faculty across campus
Name: Jennifer Casey Title: Director, University Community Relations
Photo: Lori Chalmers Morrison
Where you can find her: Unpacking in a new office at 202 Regina on Laurier’s Waterloo campus — her department just moved to first-floor office space formerly occupied by Recruitment and Admissions. Drink of choice: Coffee with just cream.
Director of University Community Relations Jennifer Casey helps lead Laurier’s annual campaign for the United Way.
How long have you been at Laurier? I’ve worked at Laurier for 24 years! I’m also an alum — I graduated with an English degree in 1989. Why does the university support the United Way? As a university we value community engagement and we exemplify this both inside and outside the classroom every day. The United Way is an important and valued partnership that aligns with the community relationships we have in all the university’s locations. The agencies supported by the United Way contribute to the well-being of our community within the university and beyond our walls. Why wouldn’t we want to be a part of that? Our support really illustrates inspiring lives of
Does the university do anything other than the campaign? For many years Laurier has been a proud supporter of the United Way’s loaned representative program. Student Union CEO Roly Webster was our most recent loaned representative, and is now on Laurier’s campaign committee. This year, student Wendy Magnus is having her co-op term as a United Way workplace campaign coordinator sponsored by Laurier.
the impact it’s having in the community. I’m so delighted about the team of folks that are coming together — their passion and excitement are setting us up for success. Deb MacLatchy is our campaign chair again this year, which is wonderful. But we really can’t talk about Laurier and the United Way without talking about Wally Pirker. He has volunteered his time to the campaign for 21 years. He’s been recognized with a volunteer award by the Province of Ontario for his outstanding support of Laurier’s United Way campaign, and has been the backbone of our committees for many years.
What has made Laurier’s involvement in the United Way successful? It’s as simple as the work we’re doing and
Are there any challenges with the campaign? Participation rates have dropped over the
leadership and purpose across the entire university — students, staff and faculty are involved.
coming Events
Heard on Twitter Check out what the Laurier community has been tweeting about at twitter.com/lauriernews. Laurier also has official sites on Facebook at www.facebook.com/LaurierNow and YouTube at www. youtube.com/LaurierVideo.
@LaurierResearch – Sept 25 #Laurier partners with @ THEMUSEUM on waterscience exhibit and lecture series ow.ly/p3uyi @OntUniv – Sept 20 Big crowd out to see Max Blouw today at TO Region Board of Trade luncheon #cdnpse @LaurierNews @craignorriscbc – Sept 19 #EQAO math scores slipping. At 8:10, teaching teachers to teach math. A @LaurierNews prof on changes in training. @ CBCKW891 #kw. @McLeanInTheAM – Sept 19 @LaurierNews political scientist @SimonKiss1 is talking about how the federal government’s Economic Action Plan ads. #cdnpoli @LaurierAlumni – Sept 19 Congrats to Tashawna Linkiewicz ‘13 our #LaurierHomecoming Retro Photo Contest winner. http://facebook. com/LaurierAlumni
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years, so we’re focusing on engaging the community to participate in whatever capacity they are able. Every donation makes a difference regardless of size. Would you like to talk about your personal support of the United Way? My husband Kevin and I have donated to United Way for many years. We’re aware that our children are fortunate, but we also know there are many kids in the community who don’t have the same advantages. We’re passionate about helping children in both our financial giving and community volunteerism. Beyond my involvement in the United Way I also serve as a board member on Nutrition for Learning. By Lori Chalmers Morrison
For a complete list of events visit www.wlu.ca/events
Kitchener-Waterloo Oktoberfest When: Oct. 11 – 19 Where: Various locations in Kitchener-Waterloo Cost: Varies Canada’s greatest Bavarian festival features more than 40 family and cultural events and the country’s largest Thanksgiving Day parade. For more information, visit www.oktoberfest.ca. Tax Planning and Your Estate When: Oct. 16 Noon – 1 p.m. Where: Kitchener Public Library, Forest Heights Branch Cost: Free Lecturer Ernie Cosgrove from Laurier’s School of Business and Economics, will help you plan for the future with this lecture at the Kitchener Public Library. Graduate and Professional Education Fair When: Oct. 18 Starting at noon Where: RCW and Wilkes House Gym, Brantford campus Cost: Free Are you considering further education? Attend the Graduate and Professional Education Fair to meet representatives from over 30 graduate, professional and post-degree college programs.
Conversational Mohawk When: Oct. 19 & Oct. 28 3:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. Where: Aboriginal Student Centre, 111 Darling St., Laurier Brantford Cost: Free Learn conversational Mohawk with Bonnie Whitlow, Aboriginal student support coordinator and Bear Clan member. Countering Global Maritime Piracy: Not Just the Pirates of the Caribbean Anymore When: Oct. 16 Noon – 1 p.m. Where: Kitchener Public Library, Forest Heights Branch Cost: Free Alistair Edgar from Laurier’s Department of Political Science will lead this noon-hour lecture. Ladies Full Moon Ceremony When: Oct. 18 7: 30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m. Where: Aboriginal Student Centre, Mino-Kummik Community Garden, 187 Albert St., Waterloo campus The full moon ceremony is a ceremony for women to gather and honour their relationship and connection to their Grandmother, the moon. Bring a skirt, shaker and/or drum, tobacco for ties. Homecoming 2013 When: Oct. 19 Where: Brantford campus Cost: Varies
It’s Homecoming on the Brantford campus! Join the celebrations, including a varsity hockey game and pub social. For a full schedule visit www.laurieralumni.ca/brantfordhomecoming.
news sources: from today’s issue of The Globe and Mail to 18th-century archives; from business news to editorial cartoons. Learn the best ways to access this information while avoiding paywalls.
Getting Behind the Paywall: Finding Online News Sources When: Nov. 6 3:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. Where: Library 3-314, Waterloo campus Cost: Free
Music at Noon When: Nov. 7 Noon – 1 p.m. Where: Maureen Forrester Recital Hall Cost: Free
At Laurier, you have access to the text of thousands of international
Bring your lunch and enjoy the music of the Pendereki String Quartet.
OCTOBER 2013 Inside research file
Studying climate change in Canada’s North Michael English researches the tundra snowpack and its impact on the ecosystem By Elin Edwards Snow is basic to Canada’s geographical identity. From the urban legend describing 50 Inuit words for snow to the common joke about Americans asking if all Canadians live in igloos, we claim snow as a common denominator across the country. Mike English, a professor in the Department of Geography and Environmental Studies, has spent most of his research career investigating snow and water in Canada’s North. His interest in the arctic began in 1977 as a graduate student doing research on the Slave River Delta in the Northwest Territories. After finishing his PhD research on the impact of snow on nutrient dynamics in sub-arctic freshwater systems in northern Labrador, he spent three years with Environment Canada at the Turkey Lakes Watershed north of Sault Ste Marie, Ont., designing mechanisms for measuring the impact on acidic snowmelt runoff on the chemistry of poorly buffered soils on hillslopes in these Canadian Shield systems. He’s been in the field working on snow, glaciers and ice ever since. He has also researched the high arctic (Axel Heiberg Island and Ellesmere Island) and more recently in the low arctic, at the Tundra Ecosystem Research Station at Daring Lake in the upper Coppermine River basin, located 300-kilometres north of Yellowknife, NWT, where along with a team of students he studied the energy budgets (the Earth’s balance of energy income and expeditures on a macro level) of the permafrost and changes in surface water chemistry as the seasonally active layer thaws and freezes back. The importance of snow to the subarctic and arctic cannot be underestimated. Snowcover is intimately tied into permafrost distribution, the northern hydrological cycle (as it accounts for a significant portion of annual precipitation), regional and global climate, and ecology of both aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems. According to scientists and First Nations elders, the temporal and spatial distribution of snowcover and its physical characteristics have been changing over the past few years, coinciding with measureable changes in climate. So, English’s current work starts with these questions: How have snowpack characteristics changed, and what are the implications for this northern ecosystem?
Mike English is studying the snowpack in Canada’s North and how climate change is affecting the snow and the animals, such as caribou, that depend on it.
Over the past decade, collaboration with Environment Canada scientist, Chris Derksen, has led to using data generated by the spaceborne Special Sensor Microwave Imager (SSM/I) satellite, which measures naturally occurring, passive microwave emissions from Earth. The satellite has the ability to isolate shorter and longer microwave radiation, which is useful because as the snowpack accumulates, the shorter wavelengths are attenuated while the longer wavelengths are not. Because of this, the ratio of long to short energy microwave emission from the snowpack changes, and this can
data is verified by travelling several times to the sites (the pixels in question) during winter to measure snowpack characteristics (depth, density, crystal formation). Ultimately, data algorithms are formulated to enable the prediction of changing SWE from the satellite data. Conducting hydrological research on snowpacks has many applied uses to climatologists, hydrologists and biologists. As travel in the arctic is very expensive, developing remote sensing tools such as this contributes significantly to our understanding of this very significant component of the natural system. Phil Marsh,
project, he’s gone a bit southwest to Wekweeti, a Tlicho community of about 140 people on the shore of Snare Lake, some 195-km north of Yellowknife. Caribou herds across the Canadian subarctic have declined by up to 85 per cent in recent years. It’s not clear if this recent decline is due to over-hunting, wolf predation, forest fires, insect infestation, changing snowpack conditions or a combination of all of these factors. Given the fact that the snowpack figures prominently on the landscape for more than seven months of the year and that lichen, the food of choice of caribou, is found at the snowpack base, physical changes to the snowpack (such as increasing density) will impact the caribou’s ability to obtain food. Physiological stress on the caribou, especially the pregnant females, increases during the
Adamczewski, a biologist with the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources, English’s study investigates how changes in the snowpack during the winter can potentially impact the health of caribou. To this end daily movement of caribou with satellite collars can be mapped and related to temporal and spatial changes in the physical nature of the snowpack. The satellite can also detect the formation of ice lenses (when the top surface of the snow melts, then pools and freezes into a hard, shiny ice layer). This project involves a significant investment of time on the ground. Laurier researchers are assisting with data collection in an area extending over a two-pixel satellite grid at different periods during the winter. English is also involved with projects focusing on quantifying the relationship between changing water quality attributed to drainage from two degrading peat plateaux in the Taiga Shield region of the Canadian Shield (with Jennifer Hickman’s MSc), and he is also helping to examine long-term changes in lake productivity at sites in the low arctic tundra and in lakes near the treeline in the northern boreal forest. “I think given the circumstances of global warming, it is now more important than ever to understand how changes impact the North, in terms of water quality and quantity, and the freshwater terrestrial ecosystem,” says English, who served as director of Laurier’s Cold Regions Research Centre (CRRC) for most of the 1990s. He will serve as co-director of the CRRC this year, along with Laurier researchers Bill Quinton and Jennifer Baltzer. Over the past few years implementation of a very
“ I think given the circumstances of global warming, it is now more important than ever to understand how changes impact the North ... ”
be related directly to snowpack water equivalent (SWE), or how much water is in the snowpack if it melted. The satellite senses data from specific coordinates on the Earth’s surface referred to as “pixels” (each 25 km x 25 km). Twice a day, the satellite produces data for each pixel. From this data it is possible to chart the temporal changes in the snowpack over large areas of arctic tundra. Quantifying these changes noted in the satellite
also a professor in the Laurier’s Department of Geography and Environmental Studies, has been working with Derksen on similar algorithm development in the Inuvik area of the Northwest Territories. The real-time application of this information is clear, but since the satellites have been picking up data for more than 30 years, it is now possible to go back in time and, using these algorithms, compare the snow features in the arctic year by year. For English’s second current
northward, 350-km spring migration, as the energy required to both find food and physically migrate through a denser, ice-crusted snowpack increases. First Nation elders living in the boreal forest and scientific reports note that due to changes in winter climate the snowpack’s physical structure is changing, especially in late winter when the days get longer and the pregnant caribou begin to migrate north. With collaboration with Derkson and Jan
significant collaborative research agreement between Laurier and the Government of the Northwest Territories has meant that Laurier researchers are now contributing in significant ways to help address concerns about current and future changes to the area’s environment. “Our work is to assist the Government of the Northwest Territories to make appropriate plans and resource management decisions in the future by providing scientific data and tools that can help.” 7
Inside
OCTOBER 2013
in the classroom
Real-world issues engage students Instructor: Duane Heide Class: EU412 – Mathematics Education I
Duane Heide, an elementary school teacher, instructor with the Faculty of Education and recipient of Laurier’s Award for Teaching Excellence, finds students are highly anxious about math education. In his first lecture he asks, “If mathematics were a living thing, what would it be for you and why?” Answers have included: “…it would be a boa constrictor. For both mathematics and boas, the more you struggle with them the more of a strangle hold they have on you,” and “…it would be a whale, so large and beautiful and often silent. We don’t always see it at work and yet it is a vital part of our lives — without it we would be lost.” “The metaphors are a safe way for students to reflect on their attitudes towards mathematics,” says Heide. “Using them as a baseline of selfefficacy, I guide my students through mathematical investigations/problems, lesson study and professional readings. Their metaphor is revisited again at the end of the term to see if positive attitudinal change toward mathematics has indeed taken place.” By Mallory O’Brien Instructor Duane Heide regularly uses math “manipulatives,” such as volume containers, to deconstruct big ideas in mathematics.
Photo: Mallory O’Brien
Description: This course examines current theory and practice related to mathematics education, including planning and implementing curriculum and effective teaching and assessment strategies.
Photos by Rainer Leipscher and Jordan Jocius
Waterloo campus celebrates Homecoming 2013
From top left: The Laurier Loop charity run kicks off; enjoying a free pancake breakfast in the Quad; live music at the HawkTail Party; and the football game, which ended in a heartbreaking loss by one point for the Golden Hawks.
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