For those returning back from co-op, summer vacation, or perhaps just an academic break – welcome back to campus! Over the past four months, many changes swept through the campus and a generally sleepy summertime Waterloo. Read on.
In May, Waterloo City Council passed the Rental Housing Bylaw that adds licensing requirements, bedroom limits, and safety requirements for rental housing within the city. Although the cost renting may increase as a result of this bylaw, the increase in housing safety for students is an added welcome. The bylaw comes into effect April 1, 2012.
Fed Hall became a hot topic when FedS announce University administration had decided not to renew the Federation’s lease on the property past April 2012. The topic is still under debate to this day.
A new student team sprung up on campus over the summer time. The University of Waterloo Formula Hybrid team is set to create a high-performance formula racecar which is kind of like the typical Formula SAE car but coupled with a parallel electric drivetrain.
Waterloo Regional Police charged a 34-year old former University of Waterloo student in connection with the anonymous posters and emails spreading anti-female sentiment on campus during the Winter 2011 term.
In June, regional council voted 9-2 in favour of pursuing Light Rail transit for the Region of Waterloo. The proposed LRT will span 14 stops from Fairview Mall in Kitchener eventually reaching UW campus before continuing through the research and Technology Park before terminating at Conestoga Mall.
UWAFT, the student team that participates in the US Department of Energy’s EcoCAR challenge, placed third overall at the competition in the United States this past summer. The team re-engineered a production general motors vehicle to be completely powered by hydrogen. The team also was accepted into the EcoCAR 2 challenge that will see the team compete in 2013 using a Chevrolet Malibu.
A small fire hit the then under construction E6. A spark from a welder’s torch started a fire within a fume hood and ductwork but did not cause any significant damage. The building is now open and the Chemical Engineering department has began moving into Engineering 6 on East Campus.
Engineering “A” society elected new representatives over the summer and actually broke voting turnout records during the Presidential election at 35%. The President and VP elections were broken up to give those who ran for president but lost a second chance to run for a VP position. Congratulations to the newly elected representatives – Leah Allen – President, Derek Thomson – VP Education, Michael Seliske and Lisa Belbeck – VP External, David Birnbaum – VP Finance, Angela Stewart – VP Internal, and Brock Kopp – WEEF Director.
The search for Dean Sedra’s successor began over the Spring term. Dean Sedra’s term began in 2003 and will conclude next year where the new Dean, selected by a committee will begin their term.
Engineering Society Joint Council passed several motions, which saw the creation of the EngSoc Capital Improvements Fund. The purpose of this fund is to determine how to allocate capital funds on improvements that will impact engineering student life.
In July, the i3 Challenge to re-design the south campus gateway to campus wrapped up after many months of planning and design from teams of students. The winning team consists of Amer Abu-Khajil and Jacqueline Doucet, from civil engineering and Nader Alkadri and Josh Layton from urban planning. The winning design will eventually get implemented as the new University’s new gateway thanks to $100,000 from the Region of Waterloo and the Faculty of Environment.
As you can see, a lot happened on campus and in the Region over the spring term. The above is just a brief summary of the more impacting events, so to catch up on more, go to our website and check out the PDF archives of our Spring term issues!
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