May 2009 | VoluMe 21201Student Life

Get Involved @Waterloo

PLUS: The Basics of Filing an Income Tax Return

May 2009 | VoluMe 21201Student Life

2006 oct | NoV | Dec

2007 JaN | Feb | Mar | apr | May | JuNe | July | aug | Sept | oct | NoV| Dec

2008 JaN | Feb | Mar | apr | May | JuNe | July | aug | Sept | oct | NoV | Dec

2009 JaN | Feb | Mar | apr

May 2009

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May 2009 | 3

Athletics | 4Library | 4Police Services | 5Volunteer Opportunities | 6

Getting Involved at UW | 8The Basics of Filing Income Tax Returns | 9

New Student Orientation | 10GLOW Meet and Greet | 11International Student Orientation | 12Warrior Weekends | 13

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FeatureS

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StuDeNt liFe 201 | 3May 2009

late fees begin: bank payment or international wire transfer. Visit Student accounts for more information

co-operative Work term ends: co-op work term start and end dates; actual dates may vary depending on employer or student requirements

lectures begin

co-operative Work term begins: co-op work term start and end dates; actual dates may vary depending on employer or student requirements

First day to pick up oSap loan documents for the term. Visit the Student awards and Financial aid website for more information

Distance education open class enrolment ends

open class enrolment ends

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university holiday: Victoria Day. Visit the human resources list of university holidays for more information

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Drop, No penalty period ends

last day to drop or withdraw from courses with 100% tuition refund. Visit Student accounts for more information

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Drop, penalty 1 period begins: WD grade assigned (no credit granted) for course(s) dropped during this period

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last day to make fee arrangements. Visit Student accounts for more information

tuition fees or arrangements not •accepted after this date

the academic records of •students who have not paid for the term will be deleted

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beginning this date, registered studentscanviewtheirofficialterm grades in Quest; date when officialandcompletetermgradeswill appear along with academic standings; this is the date when officialtranscriptsthathavebeenordered will be released

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>>Student Life 201 wants to feature YOUR artwork on the front cover and throughout the magazine!

E-mail your submissions in PDF or JPG format to Johnny Trinh: jdtrinh@uwaterloo.ca

May 2009 C a l e n d a r

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Athletics Library

register Now for Spring Workshops!

Visit www.gowarriorsgo.ca for information on Spring Registration.

Intramural Registration: May 4-8th

Program and Instructional Registration: May 11-14th

campus recreation Spring registration

Ready to kick-start your studies this spring term? Act on it @ the Library by signing up for one or more of our spring workshops!

Registration is now open for sessions covering everything from research skills to Google

There are many opportunities to Work with the Warriors in the upcoming terms.

Check out the opportunities online for both Varsity and Campus Recreation positions.

Job applications for summer and fall terms can be submitted at anytime.

Work with the Warriors

We have 24 exciting clubs for Spring; each offering a wide variety of activities and events for you to get involved with.

Find out more about each sports club by visiting the Campus Rec website at www.gowarriorsgo.ca.

campus recreation Sports clubs

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Earth to tips for helping you stay current in your field of study.

Check out the full workshop descriptions and register here: http://www.lib.uwaterloo.ca/usered/index.html.

attention twitter users!

The Library has joined the Twittersphere!

Keep up with the Library’s news, events, and other updates on Twitter: www.twitter.com/uwlibrary.

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H e a d l i n e s

StuDeNt liFe 201 | 5May 2009

Police Services

The University of Waterloo Police Service would like to invite future, current and past students along with parents to visit us on Facebook.

This is a new initiative to enable our service to be more accessible to the community that we serve. It is our hope that you find the information contained within the page helpful during your time at UW.

There is a discussion box available for any questions or concerns. The page is still under development and we encourage feedback.

connect With police Services on Facebook

Waterloo International

The University of Waterloo is taking the lead in its effort to become Canada’s most internationalized university by focusing on a number of specific goals.

One is to encourage domestic undergraduate students at UW to become globally engaged learners and citizens by offering a Global

The certificate is based on three components designed by the student early in his or her program of studies to become an integral part of their overall program of studies.

Upon completion, the certificate will appear as a milestone on the student’s record.

Experience Certificate. “Our students have a tremendous opportunity to make a difference in the world through their international experiences. We are very pleased to be able to offer this certificate option to our undergraduate students,” says Bruce Mitchell, Interim Associate Vice-President International.

come on - go global!

6 | StuDeNt liFe 201 May 2009

Volunteer Opportunities

H e a d l i n e s

StuDeNt liFe 201 | 7May 2009

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by braNDoN WoNgcareer Services

Aside from academics, the University of Waterloo is an excellent place to build your

skills and meet new people. More and more employers are looking for candidates who actively participate in their community and possess leadership skills. So how do you develop these skills for the future during your time at Waterloo? Here are just a few suggestions to get you started:

Student Societies

Many faculties at the University have their own student-run society. Some faculties even have societies pertaining to specific programs or specializations. Getting involved through student societies offers you a unique environment where students are responsible for all the day-to-day activities of the organization. Ask your student society how you can get involved today!

clubs and Services

The Federation of Students hosts many clubs

and services on campus that cover a variety of interests ranging from first-aid, to dance, to the environment. Joining a club or service can help you meet people who share the same interests while at the same time allowing you to do something you love.

orientation Week

Orientation Week welcomes 5900+ students to the University of Waterloo every year! To do this successfully, a large number of upper-year students volunteer their time to become Orientation Leaders. This is a great opportunity to develop your leadership skills by mentoring your peers and first-year students while sharing your university experience. You can volunteer with either your faculty or a residence of choice. Planning positions are also frequently available in all Orientation Committees.

The earlier you start opening yourself to new experiences, the more you’ll get out of it in the end. So no matter where your interests lie, don’t be afraid to contact the appropriate society, club, service, or Orientation Committee…and get involved!

F e a t u r e s Getting Involved at UW

StuDeNt liFe 201 | 9May 2009

canada revenue agencywww.cra-arc.gc.ca

by aNDrea loreNtzStudentLifeOffice

The deadline to file your Canadian Income Tax Return for 2008 was April 30. Don’t fret if

you have yet to complete the paperwork. Most students are not required to file, however it may be in your best interest to do so. The government offers refunds to eligable candidates.

So if you haven’t done your taxes, read the following tips and get started!

What you’ll Need:

A General Income Tax and Benefit Package for • the correct tax year, and province or territory you lived in on December 31 of the tax year

All of your information slips (such as, T3, T4, • T4A, and T5 slips)

Receipts for any deductions or credits that you • intend to claim

Four Ways to File:

Postal Service: Download and print your • tax package from http://www.cra-arc.gc.ca/formspubs/t1gnrl/menu-eng.html. Mail your completed return to the appropriate Canada

Revenue Agency office. Postage is the only fee.

TELEFILE: Allows you to file your return • using a touch-tone phone. Benefits include an immediate confirmation that your return has been received and faster refunds. This is a FREE service.

NETFILE: File your income tax return • over the Internet using a CRA certified web application or commercial software. There is a fee for this service.

EFILE: Take your completed return to a • service provider to be filed electronically. This method allows for faster processing. There is a fee for this service.

When your tax return is Due:

The deadline to file a Canadian income tax • return is midnight on April 30. This date is the same every year.

If you miss the deadline and OWE taxes, you • will be charged a penalty and interest.

If you miss the deadline and DO NOT OWE • taxes, there will be no penalty. However, you will not receive any refunds that you may be eligable for.

Filing Your Income Tax ReturnPhoto courtesy of freedigitalphotos.net

e v e n t s

10 | StuDeNt liFe 201 May 2009

StuDeNt liFe 201 | 11May 2009

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New in the country?

Want to learn something about health insurance,

student activities, housing, shopping ... ?

Please come to our

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Please RSVP to Maggie by e-mail x5liang@uwaterloo.ca or

call (519) 888 4567 ext 38744

12 | StuDeNt liFe 201 May 2009

May 29 and May 30, 2009

June 26 and June 27, 2009

July 10 and July 11, 2009

StuDeNt liFe 201 | 13May 2009

Important Notice About Swine Influenza

BackgroundSwine influenza (sometimes called swine flu) is • a strain of the influenza virus that usually affects pigs, but which may also make people sick with re-spiratory symptoms similar to those of the regular human seasonal flu.Symptoms include headache, chills and cough fol-• lowed by fever, loss of appetite, muscle aches and fatigue.As April 2009, cases of human swine influenza have • been reported in Canada. More cases are expected in the coming weeks.

Are there special instructions or guidelines for workplace/school settings?

Overall, proper cough etiquette and hand hygiene • measures are the most effective way to prevent transmission of influenza. Practice proper hygiene:• Use liquid soap, disposable towels and/or hand-• dryers in washrooms or alcohol based hand sani-tizer if running water is not available;Remember that hand sanitizers are not recom-• mended if there is visible dirt/soil on hands;Clean commonly-used equipment with a low grade • cleaner or diluted solution of household bleach (1 part bleach: 99 parts water), for regular cleaning.

What should people do if they are returning from or going to Mexico?

People returning from Mexico or an affected area • should not be prevented from attending school or work. People who recently travelled to Mexico and experi-• ence flu-like symptoms within seven days of their return should contact their doctor. They should not go to the hospital emergency department unless directed by their physician or seriously ill. Likewise they should not attend their doctor’s office unless advised to do so. The Public Health Agency of Canada recommends • that Canadians postpone elective or non-essential travel to Mexico until further notice.

What can employees/students do to stay healthy?People can lower their risk by practicing the usual, pre-ventative practices against a range of illnesses, that is:

Cover your nose and mouth when you cough or • sneeze by using a tissue or coughing into your sleeve or upper arm (or into the “crook of your el-bow”). Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.Wash your hands often with soap and water, es-• pecially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hand rub/sanitizers are also effective.Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs • spread easily that way.If you get sick, Public Health recommends that you • stay home from work or school until your symp-toms are gone, and limit contact with others to keep from infecting them. If your symptoms worsen, contact your health care • practitioner (doctor).

For more informationMembers of the community who have questions or • want more information can call Region of Waterloo Public Health at 519-883-2289.

Links and resources

Public Health Agency of Canada – Frequently Asked Questions on human swine influenza –http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/alert-alerte/swine-por-cine/faq_rg_swine-eng.php

Public Health Agency of Canada fact sheet on human swine influenza –http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/alert-alerte/swine-por-cine/fs-fr_swine-eng.php

Public Health Agency of Canada – Mexico travel warn-ing –http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/tmp-pmv/2009/hsf-mex-ico-090427-eng.php

Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care human swine influenza website –http://www.health.gov.on.ca/english/public/updates/archives/hu_09/swine_flu.html

Region of Waterloo Public Health human swine in-fluenza website (including resources) – http://www.region.waterloo.on.ca/ph