Academic Integrity Survey

Bruce Mitchell, Chair, Academic Integrity Committee, mitchell@admmail.uwaterloo.ca
Donald McCabe, Rutgers University, (Co–investigator and Founder, The Center For Academic Integrity, Duke University, dmccabe@andromeda.rutgers.edu

Starting on October 10, 2006 and for the following two weeks, you will have an opportunity to take part in a web–based survey of UW students (graduate and undergraduate) concerning academic integrity at integrity.rutgers.edu/waterloo.htm. The Academic Integrity Committee of UW, together with Dr. Donald McCabe of Rutgers University (our co–investigator), hope that you will take 10 to 15 minutes of your time to fill out the survey in order that we can determine students´ views on academic integrity on this campus. Faculty members at UW will be given the opportunity to fill out a similar form during that time. You will receive another email with the address of the active website and further details about our study about a week from now.

Please consider filling out the survey – your answers will be completely confidential; the survey website is secure and the data will be forwarded, without individual identifying information, directly to Dr. McCabe. The UW Academic Integrity Committee will have access only to the summary data. The results will help us to enhance the culture of honesty, fairness, and trust on the campus by helping to identify possible areas of weakness that can be addressed by the committee, thereby maintaining and improving the value and distinction of a UW degree. If you have questions about the survey, please feel free to contact any member of the Academic Integrity Committee, who will be pleased to answer them.

This project has been reviewed by, and received ethics clearance through, the Office of Research Ethics at the University of Waterloo. Participation in the survey is voluntary. Thanks so much.

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Accessing Police Services On and Off Campus

Bright yellow stickers for UW phone users are being distributed across campus. They replace the previous red stickers as the result of UW´s change to five–digit phone extension numbers. A call to the university police should now go to ext. 22222, but the outside direct–dial number, 519.888.4911, has not changed. From an on-campus phone, dialing the three digits 911 will reach a dispatcher for fire, ambulance or police, and will also notify the UW police service for quick response.

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Octoberfest

Oktoberfest originally started in Munich, Bavaria, Germany is a two–week festival held annually during September to October. This tradition has been celebrated in many other cities including Kitchener and Waterloo. With six million people attending each year Oktoberfest is considered the largest fair in the world and holds Munich’s most popular events.

The origin of Oktoberfest starts in 1810 when Prince Ludwig I got married the Therese von Sachesen–Hildenburghausen. The soldiers of the prince decided a horse race should take place in order to celebrate the event. The Prince’s father King Max, approved the races and they were set on the last five days of wedding festivities on October 17. The horse races were held annually along with the state agricultural fair. Booths started serving food and drinks in 1818.

Kitchener and Waterloo have hosted Oktoberfest for over 30 years. It is considered the largest Oktoberfest celebration in North America attracting 700 000 visitors. This nine day festival begins on Friday October 6th, 2004 and ends on Saturday October 14th, 2004

There are many events to take place such as Oktoberfest Idol (1st place winner is to receive professional recording time), Miss Oktoberfest, Rocktoberfest, a pancake breakfast, a treasure hunt, university nights and a parade. On University Nights local university students from Laurier and Waterloo will attend these events. The Oktoberfest parade happens along King Street through both cities with floats, dancers, and bands. It is broadcasted in CTV with about 300 000 people attending. Playing at Rocktoberfest will be Sloan and Walter Ostanek. For more information about these events and Oktoberfest visit Kitchener–Waterloo's Oktoberfest website http://www.oktoberfest.ca/.

Although the event has staff volunteers are always welcome to help make the event a success. If interested for volunteering next year you can submit your application by August 1 2007. All potential volunteers should send their resumes to volunteers@oktoberfest.ca.

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Presidents Circle Awards for Volunteerism

Do you know a student volunteer?

Please nominate them for the Presidents Circle Awards for Volunteerism. (Self applications are also accepted)

Go to the Student Services web site to find out more. Deadline has been extended to Monday October 16th, 2006

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Adrienne Clarkson

The UW Bookstore, along with the ONE WATERLOO Diversity Awareness Campaign, the Office of Alumni Affairs, and International Education Week Waterloo, is pleased to announce Adrienne Clarkson, Canada’s twenty–sixth Governor General, journalist and Companion of the Order of Canada, will speak about her new book, Heart Matters, at the University of Waterloo, Humanities Theatre on Thursday, November 9, 2006 at 7:00 pm. UW students, faculty and staff tickets may be purchased through the Bookstore at $5.00 each. UW alumni and community member tickets are $10.00 each, available at the humanities theatre box office. Book signing will follow presentation.

Heart Matters, Adrienne Clarkson’s much anticipated memoir, is more than a public life remembered. It chronicles an astonishing journey through triumph and turmoil. The always poised Clarkson reveals that life was not as smooth as it appeared, and with remarkable candour and poignancy, she reflects on the heartaches of her earlier years—her beautiful but troubled mother, the death of an infant, a divorce, and the estrangement from her two daughters and their later reunion.

Adrienne Clarkson’s beginnings—her family escaped from Japanese–occupied Hong Kong in 1942—were a harbinger of the drama that would echo through her life. After growing up in Ottawa, and studying in Toronto and France, she launched a successful CBC television career that lasted nearly three decades.

Clarkson forged a unique bond with the military in her position as Commander in Chief and travelled to Kosovo, Bosnia, the Arabian Gulf, and twice to Afghanistan to visit Canadian troops. Her determination to invest meaning in all her official actions created controversy at times, whether it was refashioning Rideau Hall into a real home and showcasing it for the public, or including writers and artists on state visits. Clarkson reflects on some of the behind–the–scenes machinations with a close–up view of how politics sometimes works.

Adrienne Clarkson has received numerous prestigious awards and honorary degrees in Canada and abroad. A member of the Queen's Privy Council and Commander of the Order of Military Merit, Clarkson now lives in Toronto.

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Jewish Holiday Celebrations

The last few months of the year are a time of celebration for many of the world religions. For the Jewish community, Tishri (the seventh month of the Jewish calendar which falls on September–October) is one of the holiest times of the year and the time to celebrate Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur.

Rosh Hashanah, which means "first of the year", occurs on the first two days of Tishri and is most commonly known as the Jewish New Year. Being one of the holiest days of the year it is different than the North American New Year celebration but it does have one similarity; both New Years are a time for resolutions. Rosh Hashanah is a time to look back at the past year and make resolutions for changes in the new year.

Popular Customs:

• Hearing the Shofar Sounding in a Synagogue – One of the most important customs of this holiday is hearing the shofar, a ram’s horn which is blown like a trumpet, sounded in a synagogue. The shofar sound is suggested to be a call for forgiveness.
• Eating Apples Dipped in Honey – This custom symbolizes the wish for a "sweet new year." Bread can also be dipped in honey.
• Tashlikh "Casting Off" – A custom of standing in flowing water and emptying out pockets (often filled with small pieces of bread) to symbolically "cast off the sins".

This year, Rosh Hashanah fell on the sunset of September 22nd to the nightfall of September 24th 2006. Next year it will occur on September 12th – 14th.

Days of Awe – The Days of Awe are the 10 Days of Repentance which start on Rosh Hashanah and end with Yom Kippur.

The concept is that G–d has a book in which he writes all the names as well as whether you will live or die, and whether you’ll have a good life or bad life in the next year. He writes this book on Rosh Hashanah, but the Days of Awe are an opportunity to change his final judgment through good actions such as repentance, prayer, and good deeds. Therefore, this is a common time to seek reconciliation with people you have wronged during the past year.

The greeting used at this time, "May you be inscribed and sealed for a good year" originates from this concept.

Yom Kippur – Sunset October 1st 2006 to Nightfall October 2nd 2006

Yom Kippur which means “Day of Atonement” is one of the most important holidays of the Jewish year. Even those who do not follow other Jewish customs will often refrain from work. This day is set aside to atone for the sins of the past year as it is your last chance to make amends, repent and change the judgement for the New Year.

Yom Kippur is a complete Sabbath and fast. No work can be performed and people abstain from food and drink (even water) for twenty–five hours starting on the evening before Yom Kippur and ending after nightfall on the day of Yom Kippur.

There are other less commonly known restrictions on this day which include:

• Bathing and washing
• Wearing cosmetics, deodorants, etc.
• Wearing leather shoes
• Engaging in sexual relations

During Yom Kippur, it is tradition to wear white which is a symbol of purity and the promise that "sins shall be made white as snow."

Most of this day is spent at the synagogue praying and the services end at nightfall with the blowing of a long blast on the shofar.

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Introduction to Ramadan and Fasting

As–Salamualaikum! Peace Be Upon You! Fasting (Sawm) is one of the Five Pillars of the religion of Islam which occurs in the month of Ramadan. The Islamic calendar is based on the lunar cycle and Ramadan is the ninth month of this lunar calendar. Each month begins with the sighting of the crescent moon. It was in this month that the Qur´an was first revealed to the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) which therefore increases the importance of this month for Muslims. This year Ramadan will begin on Sunday, Sept. 24th 2006. The fasting period ends upon the sighting of the next crescent moon, which occurs after 29 or 30 days. In this special month Muslims are obligated to refrain totally from all food, drinks, and sexual intercourse with their spouses from dawn until sunset for the whole month of Ramadan. The primary reason that Muslims fast in this month is because it is an obligation in Islam. God has ordained in the Qur’an (Holy Book of Islam) in one of many verses pertaining to fasting:

"O you who believe, fasting is prescribed for you as it was prescribed for those before you so that you may achieve piety" (Al–Quran, 2:183)

Muslims fast in the month of Ramadan because it is a commandment by God. During this month all Muslims, big or small, young or old, man or woman observe their daily fasts as an act of obedience to Him. To a Muslim, fasting not only means abstaining from food and drink, but also refraining from all evil acts such as lying, backbiting, gossiping, among others. By giving up all these acts for the sake of God alone, a Muslim is able to establish a closer link between him and his Creator. This month acts as a spiritual training ground for all Muslims and they are expected to continue avoiding such immoral acts for the rest of the year as well.

Islam, being the Divine Religion of God, also provides concessions to those Muslims on whom it may be hard to carry out the obligation of fasting. Those who are sick, elderly, or traveling, as well as menstruating, pregnant, and nursing women are permitted to break their obligatory fast to be made up afterwards at a time when it is easier for them.

A Day of Fasting – Muslims begin their day by eating a special morning meal called suhoor which is eaten before the beginning of dawn. As dawn breaks, the first of the five daily prayers, Fajr, is offered. The fast continues even after the second (Dhuhr) and third (Asr) prayers during early and late afternoon, respectively; and is finally broken at sunset by eating an Iftar meal. Immediately after breaking the fast, Muslims offer the fourth of the five daily prayers, called Maghrib. Finally, a few hours later Muslims offer the last of the obligatory five daily prayers called Isha. A special voluntary prayer, Taraweeh, follows the Isha prayer which is also offered in a congregation on–campus. Taraweeh will be held Monday through Thursday in the SLC 3rd floor Multi–Faith Prayer Room after 8:30pm. One of the UW Muslim Graduate students will be leading the prayer service for the whole month of Ramadan.

The end of the month of fasting is signalled by the sighting of the new crescent moon after 29 or 30 days, followed by a day of celebration, called Eid ul–Fitr. On this day, Muslims gather in one place to offer a special congregational prayer. After the prayer service Muslims traditionally visit their friends and relatives, exchange gifts, eat dishes specially prepared for this occasion, and thank God for lessons learnt by them during this blessed month!

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Ask An Alumnus – Healthy Nutrition

Angela (Koehler) Wright, BSc ´00
Consultant, Align Holistic Health and Nutritional Services

How can I ensure I´m eating a balanced diet when all I have to choose from is cafeteria food?

Balance is obtainable with a little knowledge and forethought. First, let’s decide what a balanced diet is. Our bodies need complex carbohydrates, lean proteins, and good fats to keep us going from day to day – doing all the things we take for granted. Functions like keeping our heart beating, repairing muscle, and causing our neurons to fire so we retain what we learned in today’s lecture. It’s picking which carbs, proteins, and fats to eat that can make or break your health.

Carbohydrates are typically found in any grain product, but are part of fruits and vegetables as well. Whenever you have a choice, go for whole grain or multi grain bread products, and eat a variety of grains like rice, rye, and spelt, instead of only wheat. (Tomorrow count how many times you eat wheat during the day. Remember, variety of foods provides the variety of nutrients your body needs to run efficiently.) Veggies and fruits should be staples in your diet; aim for 5 veggies and 2 fruits a day. When you eat whole fruit you get the essential fibre that you won’t get by drinking all your fruit via juice. When you do drink juice, make sure it’s 100% fruit and/or veggie juice and not sugar water with some juice for colour.

Click here to read more ...

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Career Services – Stages of Career Development for University Students

Karen Rittinger, MSW, RSW, Career Services

As a career counsellor, I often meet with students who believe they should be further along in their path to their career goals. They tell me of friends or family who have “always been sure” of where they’re heading, so they think they’re “behind”. Well, let me reassure you, you’re probably right where you need to be. Everyone’s career journey takes a different route, and while some decide early, many people finish university without a clear idea of their ultimate career goal. This does not mean you will be unsuccessful. However, for those who require a sense of structure, perhaps the following will act as helpful guideposts:

According to Judith Provost and Scott Anchors’ book, Using the MBTI Instrument in Colleges and Universities (2003), there are three general stages most students go through during their university years in their career development.

1. Upon entering university, it is common to explore options and get a sense of where one’s abilities and interests lie through taking courses, coop or other experiences. This is an ideal time to begin the self–assessment process, either through workshops (Career Exploration and Decision–Making, Exploring Your Personality Type, and Career Interest Assessment), or by meeting with a career counsellor. Self–assessment can help identify options or validate current choices, and also help in finding learning style and stress management strategies.
2. In the second stage, usually occurring during the middle years at university, plans start to solidify. A major is chosen, students take more advanced courses in a specific area, and start to see connections between what’s important in their academic and working lives. Focus on self–assessment and decision–making strategies at this point will help students create criteria for refining their choice of major and assist in determining extracurricular activities for balance.
3. As students are about to finish university, it is not necessary that they know what they’re going to do “for the rest of their lives”, but rather, what is the first step into the world of work that makes sense for them, taking into consideration such aspects as interests, abilities and training to this point. Career Services can assist students in identifying their goals and how these fit with market trends. Graduating students will start to gain expertise in job search techniques, researching potential employers, and fine–tuning the idea of how and where their career might take them.

Since most Canadians will work in at least five different career areas, and have on average 15 jobs over the course of their lives, this is really only the beginning of the journey. Just as you will take away learning on a variety of levels from your time here at UW, the skills you can learn in career exploration and decision–making will assist you for many years to come. Whatever stage of career development you’re at, talking with a career counsellor can help you feel more confident you’re on the right path and make the transition smoother.

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Counselling Services – Time Management Tips

Linda Mackay, Counselling Services

Managing your time will be one of the biggest challenges throughout your academic career (and the rest of your busy and productive life!). Time is invisible but there is no magic in using time well: employing tangible, measurable time strategies is the formula for success.

Time Assessment:

What’s working for you?
No matter how busy I get I still have time for_______?
I am always on time for ________?
I have clear goals for accomplishing ______?

What do you want to change?
I want to finish ahead of my deadlines ...
I want to have more time for a social activity ...
I want to review my class work every day ...
I want to be on time for events and appointments ...

Prime Time:
Are you working in your high energy times? By keeping a regular night–time sleep schedule, we can guard against the misuse of high energy day hours. Use high energy hours to do the most difficult work and low energy times to do what comes easy! Avoid sleeping during the day in order to protect your night–time sleep hours. If you are feeling dragged down around three o’clock in the afternoon, then why not try exercising, running errands, or doing laundry!!

Tool Time:
Find tools that will help you manage time – ones that actually work for you! It could be a low– tech tool like a Day–timer or a To Do List or even good old Sticky Notes. Or, it could be something fancier like an electronic reminder system (Outlook or a Palm Pilot). Whatever tool you choose, consider a three–part tool time system:

1. A Broader View: will enable you to keep longer term goals or deadlines in mind (like a four month erasable calendar)
2. A Medium View: will enable you to see a week ahead (like an agenda book)
3. An Immediate View: will enable you to keep your short term priorities listed (like a “to do” list or memo).

Time Goals:
Set goals that are:

1. Observable: what would you see, or a friend notice about you, if you were putting your time goal into action?
2. Achievable: can you realistically achieve this time goal within the context of your day?
3. Specific: what are the concrete steps to your time goal?

Time Chunks:
A sure–fire way to feel stuck is to be overwhelmed, so break the big picture into small snapshots. By breaking down the big project, assignment, paper, or reading task into smaller, achievable chunks, you are creating a step by step path. Take advantage of the First Minute Motivation which is: when you are assigned a task, identify and then take the first step towards accomplishing the task, immediately!

Time Contracts:
Make a commitment to yourself and sign a contract! This is easily done by being specific with your study plans and identify What, When and Where you are going to study. For example:

• What: a) review today’s Economics lecture b) look up two journal articles for History
• When: Thursday 2:30–4:30
• Where: Dana Porter

Motivate yourself by setting specific goals and then reward yourself afterwards with a healthy leisure activity (a walk, a bike ride, a dinner with friends). Remember, put it on paper and commit to your contracted study time.

Time Data:
As an experiment, observe and monitor your time for a week. Track your daily activities to find hidden time and to highlight the time that could be re–directed and used in different ways. Informed management of your time puts you in charge, helps you get things done and gives you worry and guilt–free time to have FUN!

Sign up for a Study Skills Workshop or make an individual appointment for help with your time management challenges!

http://www.adm.uwaterloo.ca/infocs/

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Responsible Gambling Council – Know The Score

Student Life Office

The Responsible Gambling Council, in partnership with the Student Life Office, will be hosting Know the Score on campus from Monday October 23rd to Thursday October 26th. The RGC is a not–for–profit organization that is focused on the prevention of gambling related problems. They do this through information, research and awareness programs such as Know the Score.

Know the Score is an interactive awareness program designed to prevent gambling related problems among young adults. The program provides students with information to help them make informed decisions about gambling. It dispels common myths regarding randomness, shares signs of a problem, offers advice on where to get help locally and provides ways to keep gambling safer. Participating students are eligible to receive daily informational giveaways, campus prizes and one of two $1,500 scholarship awards.

RGC and the Canadian Centre on Substance Abuse did a prevalence study that indicated young people aged 18–24 were at almost twice the risk of developing a gambling problem than the general population. More than 83% of adults in Ontario gamble – whether it be on lottery tickets or a periodic visit to a casino, racetrack or bingo hall. Although most of these people gamble responsibly, it is important to support education programs, research, and professional and public information services related to gambling.

Some of the signs of problem gambling include: spending more money or time than intended on gambling, expecting to make money from gambling, thinking more and more about the game and lying to family and friends about gambling

Through education, and prevention programs such as Know the Score, RGC wants young adults to understand that there are risks associated with gambling and to know how to avoid those risks. Here are a few ways to help keep gambling safer:

• Gamble for entertainment, not as a way to make money
• Balance gambling with other leisure activities
• Gamble together with friends or family, not alone
• Do not 'chase' losses; accept losses as the cost of entertainment
• Only use discretionary income, not money for everyday expenses
• Do not use cash machines to get more money for gambling than you intended
• Set a budget and stick to it
• Don't borrow money to gamble
• Set a time limit and quit when the time is up
• Take frequent breaks
• Know that the risk of problems increases at times of loss or depression

For more information, check out their booth in the SLC from Monday October 23rd – Thursday October 26th, or go online to: www.responsiblegambling.org

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Health Services – Feeling Homesick? You´re Not Alone

Health Services

Feeling "homesick" is a common experience among university students. After the anticipation and excitement of moving out and beginning a new chapter in life, students are often faced with an overwhelming feeling of loneliness and are surprised they feel this way.

There are many factors that contribute to loneliness. These include leaving your hometown or homeland, family, friends and maybe even a pet, ending a relationship, or dealing with an illness. Sometimes you may feel lonely for no apparent reason.

Loneliness does not necessarily mean being alone. It often means you have a desire to feel needed and wanted – to be connected. It is a feeling that something is missing from your life – a painful awareness that important needs are not being met. There may be a sudden realization of the importance of family and friends who aren’t there to share your feelings and thoughts with everyday. The good news is that loneliness is not a permanent feeling. You may want to consider it as a signal. Think about what it is that makes you feel lonely and find solutions to overcome it.
What to do if you feel lonely ...

• Remember ... you are not alone. Many others around you are feeling the same way.
• Talk to your Residence Don or Off–Campus Don – they’ve already been through first year!
• Get to know yourself. Think of it as an opportunity to develop independence.
• Follow healthy lifestyle habits of good nutrition, adequate sleep and regular physical activity. Regular vigorous physical activity is associated with higher levels of positive mood and overall psychological well–being.
• Seek out situations that enable you to get involved with other students and participate in activities that interest you. Try something new! Check out the PAC (Physical Activity Complex) or social clubs on campus or even look for volunteer opportunities.
• Try to initiate conversation with other students. Make eye contact, smile, and say hello to welcome communication.
• Keep in touch with family and friends

If you find yourself feeling overwhelmed by loneliness, it may be helpful to talk to a professional at Health Services at 519.888.4096 or Counselling Services 519.888.4567 x32655

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Library Services – Locating Course Reserves

Library Services

Sometimes your instructor will place copies of books, articles, answer sheets, midterms, and other course materials on reserve at the Library. Reserved materials can be in paper format at one of the libraries, or can be made available electronically through eReserves and/or UW ACE. The Course Reserves and eReserves Search page allows you to locate the readings and materials that you need.

The Course Reserves and eReserves Search page can be accessed from the Library’s home page by selecting the right navigation menu link, Course Reserves. Print and/or electronic materials on reserve can be searched by the course instructor’s last name and/or the course code. Specific eReserves can be searched by the author’s last name and/or the document’s title. (Tip: the information provided on your course syllabus will help in the search process.)

Accessing Print Reserves
To access printed material on reserve, you will need to provide the Circulation and Reserves desk staff with the call number of the item(s) that you require. Loan Periods for print material will vary, so it is good take note of how long you may borrow each item without receiving a hefty fine. Examples of loan times are:

• 1 hour (in library use only)
• 3 hours (in library use only)
• 1 day (due by Circulation and Reserves desk closing the following day)
• 3 days (due by Circulation and Reserves desk closing on the fourth day)

Material with 1 or 3 day loans may be placed on hold by students up to one week before the item is needed. These holds must be placed in person at the Circulation and Reserves desk.

Accessing eReserves
eReserves can be accessed anywhere, anytime. A few things to remember when trying to access eReserves:

• If you are trying to access library material from an off–campus location, remember to access the library’s Connect From Home proxy service first.
• Some eReserves will be password protected – this will require you to input your Quest user ID and password.

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Student Life 101 Volunteer Coordinators

Student Life Office

The Student Life 101 Committee is looking for enthusiastic, dedicated applicants for Student Life 101 Coordinator positions. Enhance your organizational, event management and leadership skills in an exciting team environment. Apply to become a member of our team today!

Student Life 101 Coordinators are responsible for assisting in the planning of Student Life 101 including, recruitment and management of volunteers, communication with faculty and staff, as well as designing advertising materials and much more. Strong interpersonal and leadership skills are an asset.

Students who will be in Waterloo during the spring term are preferred. Candidates must be available for the event on Saturday, July 21st, 2007. Successful candidates must be full time registered undergraduate students (including co–op) in good academic standing. Interested applicants are asked to submit a resume and cover letter to the Student Life Assistant by: Friday, October 20th, 2006. First and Second Year Students are encouraged to apply.

For further information please contact:
Sujeevan Mahendrarajah , Student Life Assistant
519.888.4567 Ext. 36993
email: studentlife@uwaterloo.ca

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UW Day Volunteers

UW Day will be held on Saturday November 4th, 2006, from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm. This is a time for potential UW students and their families visit our campus to see whether the University of Waterloo is the right place for them. The Visitor´s Centre is looking for many enthusiastic volunteers to make this day a success. It is volunteers like you who create a warm, friendly and inviting atmosphere that set aside UW from all other universities.

This is a great experience to increase your involvement and extra–curriculars. FREE LUNCH will be provided. If you are interestd in volunteering, please pick up a Volunteer Application Form from the Visitor´s Centre (in South Campus Hall, beside the UW Shop) or email Salima at sprinter@uwaterloo.ca. As well, please include which hours you are available to volunteer.

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