For a traditional play production, the designer meets with the director to discuss the physical requirements of the piece, along with time, setting, and overall concept. The University Players Zoom-based performances of four works, collectively titled The Stream You Step In, will be anything but traditional.

Tickets go on sale today, Oct. 1, for the unique theatrical experience, which will present new works specially commissioned from four Canadian playwrights.

Set designer David Court (BA 1996) has produced a computer-generated rendering of the space that will serve as the stage for good white men by David Yee — the apartment that is shared by three members of the cast. See his video tour at https://youtu.be/pgyFUs2Jb-Y.

The Stream You Step In will take the form of two double-bills, Nov. 5 to 8 and 19 to 22. Find ticket information and order online.

Drama and film student Aruna Martin-Bhalla interviewed faculty and staff involved in the project to share their enthusiasm in a short video. Among the comments is assistant costume designer Jacqueline Khan’s “You know the saying, the show must go on… so you adapt.”

Watch the entire video:

The University of Windsor is seeking input from the campus community and public in its process to review the name of Sir John A. Macdonald Hall.

The move is in response to a petition gathered by a University of Windsor alumnus regarding the name of the residence building, Macdonald’s involvement in and support of the residential schools system, and its impact on ethnic and racialized groups, particularly First Nations, Métis, and Inuit peoples.

President Robert Gordon initiated the process with a committee representing such University stakeholders as the on-campus Aboriginal community, Residence Services, the University of Windsor Students’ Alliance, and others.

“Like other universities across Canada we are taking a new look at past naming practices,” says committee member and spokesperson Bruce Tucker.

“We are hoping to open the conversation in a way that is constructive and addresses the concerns of affected members of our campus community, as well as others who wish to voice their opinions and viewpoints. Our goal as a university has always been to provide a welcoming, inclusive campus for all, and we see this process as a step in a more positive direction.”

Individuals are invited to share their feedback and suggestions at: https://uwindsor.ca1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_4VCewyoAbpQy6W1

Written feedback can be directed to:

• Diane Rawlings
  Head of Residence Services Department and committee chair
  401 Sunset Ave.
  Windsor, Ontario, N9B 3P4.

The committee will summarize its findings and recommendations in a report to the university’s Board of Governors. The deadline for submissions is Oct. 28.

Even though the University of Windsor’s Official eSport Team is still in the planning stages, video gaming has already made a difference in student life during COVID-19. Over the summer, Lancer Rec Intramurals held two cycles of competition and crowned its first esport champions. The sessions offered students a unique opportunity to get involved in the UWindsor community remotely.

During intramurals, students were given the opportunity to participate in a variety of leagues including Rocket League, MLB the Show, FIFA, NBA, NHL, and Mario Kart. Each session attracted about 100 competitors.

In July, a pair of student-athletes from the University of marked Canada’s first-ever inter-university eSports victory. Happy Ananum and Sudiksha Khanduja represented Canada in the inaugural FISU eSports Challenge Football, and Khanduja beat Jasleen Badyal of India's Lovely Professional University 6-0 in the women’s tournament.

“Esports is an excellent conduit for students to become active in the campus community,” said Cindy Crump, director of the Student Success and Leadership Centre. “It opens the door to new experiences and leadership roles.”

Campus esports organizations have planned multiple events for the fall semester. Lancer Gaming will hold tryouts for the official UWindsor League of Legends team in early October and students selected for the squad will be eligible for a $1,500 award, while the eSports Club tryouts are underway and Lancer Rec is beginning to promote intramural opportunities.

—Bridget Heuvel

The University of Windsor will mark Cybersecurity Awareness Month 2020 with its own all-digital campaign focused on themes that are particularly relevant to faculty, staff, and students working and learning online.

Cybersecurity Awareness Month is an internationally recognized campaign held each October to inform the public of the importance of cybersecurity. This campaign is focused on helping all Canadians be more secure online by being informed and knowing the simple steps to take to protect themselves, their families, their workplaces, and their devices.

“We want to remind and educate the campus community about best practices around working from home, spotting phishing attempts, browsing safely, securing their mobile devices, and managing their workstations,” says Kevin Macnaughton, team leader security in Information Technology Services.

Each week throughout October, a key cybersecurity theme will be shared via DailyNews and UWindsor’s social media channels. More information is available at uwindsor.ca/cybersecurity.

While the University continues to operate on an essential-services only + approved in-person classes and critical research model with campus buildings being closed, limited three-hour appointments in two on-campus workspaces are available to individuals experiencing internet challenges at home.

Both workspaces are set up in adherence with COVID-19 physical distancing and flow guidelines. Cleaning and sanitation protocols are in place as well as health and safety measures including a completed Return to Campus information session, a current COVID-19 self-assessment, and mandatory masks. Food and drinks are not permitted in either workspace.

Appointments for on-campus workspaces must be booked online in advance.

Single Study Student Space (Alumni Auditorium, Student Centre)
This space offers 30 quiet study stations with internet access. It will be open Monday to Friday with three-hour timeslots available in the morning (8:30 to 11:30 a.m.) or afternoon (1 to 4 p.m.). Book online here.

Computer Workstation Space (Leddy Library)
This space offers five computer workstations. It is open Monday to Friday with three-hour timeslots available in the morning (9 a.m. to noon) or afternoon (1 to 4 p.m.). Book online here.

Now is a good time to extend the public health strategy of the designated driver from preventing driving drunk to mitigating the harms tied to broader substance use, says sociology professor Jacqueline Lewis.

“In 2020, COVID-19 adds an additional layer to evolving substance-use harm-mitigation strategies,” she writes in an article published Thursday in the Conversation, which shares news and views from the academic and research community.

Dr. Lewis proposed promoting “buddy circles” to challenge norms and promote behaviour change in order to reduce harm. Buddy circles are small groups of individuals who get together socially and look out for each others’ well-being.

She notes that the concept takes into account “other substances and risks — including COVID-19 and social media — in order to build a more comprehensive harm mitigation strategy for the 21st century.”

Lewis highlights four potential risks that may be addressed by this approach: overconsumption of substances, unintended or non-consensual consumption of substances, social media exposure, and COVID-19.

Read the entire piece, “The designated driver role gets a modern update, covering dangers from COVID-19 to social media,” in the Conversation.

The Office of Research and Innovation Services has created two awards valued at $500 each to be given to students in a STEM-related discipline who have demonstrated a dedication to and mastery of the principles of equity, diversity, and inclusion.

The award was created in lieu of a speaking fee for Lisa Willis of the University of Alberta, who gave a seminar titled “Writing Effective EDI Statements” to the University of Windsor community on Sept. 15.

Students can nominate themselves or their peers. Faculty are also invited to nominate students. Nominations are due by 4 p.m. Oct. 21 using the form at: https://uwindsor.ca1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_ebvYQW20BLMYKbj.

Results will be announced during the week of Nov. 9. For more information, email oris@uwindsor.ca.

Students and researchers seeking assistance in applying data and statistical analysis to their research can now take advantage of virtual labs online.

Librarians and data experts at the Academic Data Centre (ADC) are now offering daily virtual labs for student consultations Monday to Friday from 1 to 4 p.m.

“Before the COVID building closure, students who needed assistance could simply visit the ADC to get help from our team,” said Berenica Vejvoda, research data librarian. “We wanted to bring this drop-in style lab back in a safe manner.”

The drop-in style virtual lab take place throughout the week using Blackboard Collaborate online and allows the Centre to provide consulting services on different topics such as finding datasets, interpreting statistical methods and procedures, managing research data and creating graphs and maps.

“It’s a great solution for us and allows us to help multiple students each day,” said Vejvoda. “We know students might run into issues when working and we want to be accessible for them when they need us.”

The virtual labs allow students to access help without booking an appointment. The platform also allows the centre to host a virtual classroom to share study materials, discussions, and announcements with students.

Students are encouraged to self-enroll in the ADC organization site on Blackboard to receive updates on services, and to access all the learning material and workshop schedules.

In addition to the drop-in labs, the centre also provides individual consultations through email and Microsoft Teams meetings.

Learn more about the Academic Data Centre and its services on the library’s website.

—Marcie Demmans

Webinars hosted by program lead Paul Brereton of the Entrepreneurship Practice and Innovation Centre (EPICentre) will provide information for those interested in its EPIC Founders Accelerating 2020s Program.

Designed for startups and early-stage businesses that are ready to take their ideas to market, the four-month program offers participants skills training and access to prototyping equipment and expertise.

Learn more at one-hour online sessions this week and next:

• Thursday, Oct. 1 at 1 p.m.
• Wednesday, Oct. 7 at 10 a.m.

Click on the links for each event to register.