10 things to know for WDCAG 2019

Submitted by camo on

10 things to know for WDCAG 2019

 

  1. If you have any questions once you arrive ask one of our volunteers; you’ll be able to distinguish them as they will be in bright yellow shirts with cool hand-painted local icons on them (of salmon, wolves, crows, camas bulbs, Garry Oak leaves etc.). You can also find info at our website: http://wdcag2019.uvic.ca/, on Twitter @wdcag2019  or by emailing wdcag2019@uvic.ca. #wdcag2019 on Instagram.

 

  1. WDCAG 2019 honours Indigenous resurgence and the UN Year of Indigenous languages and the theme “Language in Action”. We encourage you to come to the keynote presentation (included in the price of registration) featuring Onowa McIvor on “Revitalizing Indigenous Languages and Lands” (the evening of March 8). We also encourage you to come to the Banquet (get tickets here) hosted at and catered by the Songhees Wellness Centre featuring a gourmet buffet, an address by Paul Lacerte of the Moosehide Campaign, and musical stories by the legendary Art Napoleon. While here we are all invited to be respectful guests in the unceded territories of Songhees, Esquimalt and W̱SÁNEĆ peoples.

 

  1. Make sure you have registered and paid the conference fees online. Once you arrive at UVic you will be able to sign in at the following times:
    1. Friday, March 8 - 8:30-12:30 in the lobby of University Centre (from where field trips will depart); 3:00-5:00pm in the lobby of the David Turpin Building (where we will be hosting our community-engaged learning fair and departmental open house); and 5:00-7:00 in the lobby of the Engineering / Computer Science Building (where we will be hosting our welcome reception and keynote)
    2. Saturday, March 9 – 7:30-4:30 in the lobby of the Engineering / Computer Science Building (where the conference sessions will take place)

At registration you will be given your name tag, a gift, and banquet ticket (if you are attending).

 

  1. Student organizers have worked hard to make WDCAG 2019 a sustainable experience. To reduce our transportation footprint, we are providing attendees with free or discounted transit tickets (while supplies last) and free bike rentals (courtesy of SPOKES). Please inquire at registration. (Note: Many buses run between downtown and UVic including 2(7), 4, 14, & 15). Check out BC Transit for details.

In terms of food service, we are attempting to eliminate the use of all disposable products. All plates and utensils are either reusable or compostable, and recycling / composting services will be widely available. We have avoided plastic nametags instead using recycled paper ones that can be composted.  Care has gone into the choice of conference gifts / gift bags supporting local, sustainable businesses. Our lunch on Saturday (included in the price of registration) is being catered by Saraya Warmbreads – a wonderful local catering company run by a Syrian refugee family who recently immigrated to Victoria. Students have also compiled information on local restaurants and walking tours . 

 

  1. Field excursions will depart on Friday, March 8th as follows:
    1. SurfRiders Beach Cleanup - will leave from the University Centre (bus loop) at 9:00 am, walking to Cordova Bay and returning to campus for 12:00. (Note: registration will be open at 8:30 am). Principle guide: Daniel Brendle-Moczuk
    2.  The cultural / historical landscape stories of SṈIDȻEȽ (Tod Inlet) – will leave from the University Centre (bus loop). traveling on the Social Coast Community Action Bus for SṈIDȻEȽ at 10:00 am returning to campus at 2:30 pm. (Note: registration will be open at 8:30). Principle guide: Ken Josephson
    3. Urbanism Victoria-style - will meet at the fountain in Centennial Square (downtown Victoria) at 1:00 and will finish at 4:00 (downtown). (note: participants do not have to check in at UVic first but can register later). Principle guide: Cam Owens

Note: The deadline for field trips has passed but if there is space available we will try to accommodate late registrants.

 

  1. We have also organized a Scavenger Hunt, a long-time WDCAG tradition. Teams representing different institutions will get points for photos taken of certain features around campus and the city and submit by 5:00 on Saturday for prizes and bragging rights. Find details here.

 

  1. The deadline to register for the Banquet is today, March 4th. Register here. For those attending, shuttle service (purchased online with Banquet ticket) will leave for the Songhees Wellness Centre at 6:15 from UVic University Centre bus loop. Another shuttle will leave downtown from the Royal BC Museum (at 6:15) and from Mayfair Mall (at 6:25). Shuttles will return from Songhees around 9:45-10:00 pm. NOTE: You will have a choice of being dropped at any of the three locations on your way home. Songhees Wellness Centre is in Esquimalt about 5 km from downtown Victoria and is also accessible by transit.

 

  1. For presenters (on Saturday, March 9th): 
    1. If you are presenting a paper… please consult the schedule for timing. Please arrive early if you have a PowerPoint presentation to load onto the PC/Windows-based computer. If you created your presentation on a Mac, make sure you save it in a compatible format for PC (to ensure no formatting weirdness). You will have a 20-minute time slot. The expectation is that your presentation will take 10-15 minutes with additional time for questions. A session chair will keep time. We have also worked in a 10-minute period at the end of each session for any follow up discussion. We hope these sessions will be rewarding and engaging experiences.
    2. If you are presenting a poster… please arrive early. A volunteer at the registration desk will show you to your designated poster-board (in the lobby) and provide you with tacks to hang your poster up. The expectation is that the posters will be available for viewing throughout the day. However, there will be three specific periods when conference attendees will have a dedicated opportunity to peruse the posters: 10:00-10:30; 12:00-12:30; and 2:30-3:00 pm. At these times, poster authors will have a chance to share their research and answer questions.
    3. If you are facilitating / participating in a workshop or panel… check the schedule. You will have 1.5 hours. Note: you may want to arrive early to check out the layout of your room and plan how you will use that space.

 

  1. In case of emergency, call 911 or campus security 250 721 7599. In case of earthquake drop, cover and hold on. After shaking has stopped quickly leave the building, stay away from windows and courtyards, and follow the instructions of the safety officer (hi –viz vest). Know where building exits are at all times. Play safe!

 

  1. Have an enjoyable and enlightening experience at WDCAG 2019!