OISE/UT Bulletin 2000/2001 -- University of Toronto Graduate Studies in Education
Student Services and Facilities
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STUDENT SERVICES AND FACILITIES

On the following pages is brief information about some of the student services and facilities available at OISE/UT and at the University of Toronto. Information on all major student services and facilities is provided in the handbook, 'Getting There'. which is given to all students at registration. It describes the Career Counselling and Placement Centre, Hart House activities, the Health and Housing Services, the International Student Centre, the work of the University Ombudsperson, and the services of the Graduate Students' Union.

OISE/UT Services AND FACILITIES

Education Commons

In partnership with academic programs and research initiatives, the Education Commons provides the services traditionally associated with libraries, distance learning, computing, and media centres to meet the information and technology needs of the OISE/UT community. At the main campus and through field operations, in person and through electronic means, the Education Commons seeks to provide "one-stop-shopping" for "knowledge" services. It supports and promotes the use of technology, including computers and multimedia, in all aspects of OISE/UT activity.

Users will have access to:

More information on how the Education Commons and its staff can support your work at OISE/UT can be obtained from the main site of the Education Commons at 252 Bloor Street West, or at any of its other sites throughout OISE/UT.

Location: 252 Bloor Street West, 3rd Floor

Hours: Contact the following areas

Telephones:

GRADUATE STUDENTS' ASSOCIATION

The Graduate Students' Association (GSA) of OISE/UT is the official graduate student government at OISE/UT and is affiliated with the Graduate Students' Union of the university. All OISE/UT graduate students are members of the GSA. It is an advocacy group which lobbies on behalf of students in any and all social, cultural, and political events of interest to students. The GSA promotes and coordinates activities of students in the various departments and decision-making bodies of OISE/UT.

OISE/UT students have full access to student services and facilities provided by the university. These include the Athletic Centre, Legal Aid, and Ombudsperson as well as Hart House, the Career Centre, Health Services, and the International Student Centre.

Location: 252 Bloor Street West, Room 8-105
Telephone: (416) 923-6641 ext 4724
E-mail: gsa@oise.utoronto.ca

INDIGENOUS EDUCATION NETWORK (IEN)

The IEN is a self determining organization founded, within OISE/UT in 1989, by Aboriginal students. It provides an Aboriginal presence at OISE/UT and a forum for discussion on issues relating to Aboriginal education and research. The IEN includes an Aboriginal Student Caucus which is a peer support group providing direction to the IEN. Co-chairs representing both faculty and students lead the IEN.

The IEN supports Aboriginal students and their study interests in education while at OISE/UT; promotes Aboriginal education; advances research on Aboriginal issues in relation to education; and supports the development of Aboriginal curriculum at all levels of education. IEN is comprised of Aboriginal students, alumni, and faculty in initial teacher education and graduate studies in all departments at OISE/UT plus non-Aboriginal faculty and students interested in Aboriginal education and research. The IEN invites interested faculty and students to participate in its network.

The Indigenous Education Network:

•meets monthly to share information, organize events, and work towards goals established by the IEN

•maintains a computer listserv to extend discussions of IEN topics to interested OISE/UT students and faculty on and off campus

•maintains an Internet IEN homepage (www.oise.utoronto.ca/other/ien/ienpage.html) with links to relevant sites

•provides a database of Aboriginal students and IEN members in all departments at OISE/UT plus their study and work interests

•lobbies OISE/UT to acquire Aboriginal faculty, and supports OISE/UT administration in locating suitable candidates

•participates in relevant current events, conferences, guest lectures, symposiums, workshops, and Aboriginal community events

•hosts an Aboriginal Speakers' Series

•collaborates with other groups related to Aboriginal education and Aboriginal issues at OISE/UT, e.g., the Transformative Learning Centre (TLC), the Anti-Racist Network (ARN), the Midnorthern/Northeastern Centre in Sudbury, the First Nations House and the Transition Year Program.

•represents the IEN on the Advisory Council of First Nations House at the University of Toronto

•provides initial information for incoming students on available financial assistance: Aboriginal scholarships and awards, plus other scholarships, awards, bursaries, grants, and work opportunities - e.g., graduate assistantships, teaching assistantships, and research positions

•organizes social events and get-togethers

•raises the profile of Aboriginal students in the field of education.

Location: Room 7-191, 252 Bloor Street West
Telephone: (416) 923-6641 ext. 2286
E-mail: ien@oise.utoronto.ca
Website: www.oise.utoronto.ca/other/ien/ienpage.html

INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS

A special effort is made to welcome students from abroad and to meet their special needs. On one hand, the Canadian student benefits greatly from the opportunity to work, formally and informally, with educators from other countries. On the other, we consider it an honour and an obligation, in a world so rapidly decreasing in size, to make our resources available insofar as we can, to students who plan to return to their own countries on completion of their studies.

Major essays or other individual projects constitute an important part of each course. Wherever possible, international students are encouraged to select topics which will permit them to explore systematically the possible implications that the concepts under discussion have for their home situation. In addition, within the Collaborative Program in Comparative, International, and Development Education many courses are offered which deal specifically with educational issues in non-Canadian contexts, and which are particularly suited to international students.

INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS' ASSOCIATION (ISA)

OISE/UT's International Students' Association (ISA) arranges "buddies" for incoming students from abroad; holds an orientation meeting and monthly luncheon meetings for academic and cultural exchange, and holds social and cultural events and activities. It works jointly with other organizations to serve international students interests and represents international students on committees and councils established at OISE\UT. It helps international students become inextricably woven into the fabric of the OISE\UT community. The ISA represents the international students' perspective on issues, concerns and problems that require a collective solution and looks into the specific needs of the international students. The ISA is also represented on the GSA General Council.

Location: 252 Bloor Street West, Room 8-107
Telephone: (416) 926-4733
E-mail: isa@oise.utoronto.ca

KIDSPACE DAYCARE

Kidspace Inc. Day Care is a non-profit centre that provides daycare for children of staff, students, and faculty at OISE/UT. Kidspace is licensed to care for a maximum of 24 children between the ages of two-and-a-half and five. The children are cared for by qualified teachers who provide group and individual activities designed to promote gross and fine motor skills, language development, cognitive skills, and social and emotional growth. Children wishing to attend Junior or Senior Kindergarten are accompanied to Huron Public School in the afternoon.

Kidspace is open Monday to Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Part-time care is available. Fee subsidies are available but must be applied for to the Metro Toronto Children's Services Department.

Location: 252 Bloor Street West, 1st Floor
Telephone: (416) 926-4702.
Fax: (416) 926-4725
E-mail: swakefield@oise.utoronto.ca

OISE/UT Student Services OFFICE

The primary purpose of the Student Services Office is to support and enhance the development of students as they proceed through their academic and professional training at OISE/UT. The Office provides students with financial assistance, employment preparation services, and co-curricular professional development opportunities.

Academic Director: Prof. Tara Goldstein
Admin. Assistant: Wendy Mauzeroll
Graduate Studies Financial Awards Officer: Margaret Brennan
Teacher Education Financial Counsellor: Allan Shatsky

Teacher Employment Centre (TEP)

Co-ordinator: Nola Rogers
Location: 252 Bloor Street West, Room 5-105
Telephone: (416) 923-6641 ext 2699
E-mail: stuserv@oise.utoronto.ca

Research Consulting Service

The Department of Curriculum, Teaching and Learning provides a free consulting service to OISE/UT students and staff involved in research projects. Consultation topics may include research methodology, questionnaire design, data processing, graphics, qualitative analysis techniques, statistical procedures, software use, results writeup, etc. Short non-credit workshops are offered on research-related software: data entry, SPSS, and qualitative software packages. Appointments must booked in advance by calling the number above, while drop-in advice is available daily in the Education Commons lab #6 between 3:00 and 4:00 p.m weekdays.

Head: Susan Elgie
Location: 252 Bloor Street West, Room 11-250
Hours: Drop-in advice - 3:00 to 4:00 p.m. Monday to Friday in lab #6, Room 3-320
Telephone: (416) 923-6641 ext. 2601
E-mail: resconsult@oise.utoronto.ca

University- WIDE Services AND FACILITIES

Aboriginal Student Services and Programs - First Nations House

First Nations House, located in the Borden Building North at 563 Spadina Avenue, houses the Office of Aboriginal Student Services and Programs (OASSP), founded in 1992, and the Native Students Association. The House provides culturally supportive student services and programs to Aboriginal students at the University of Toronto. Leadership, spiritual growth and academic excellence is the motto of First Nations House.

First Nations House provides a home for Aboriginal people on campus, a place for the Native community in Toronto to interface with the university, and a place where the university community can learn about Native people.

For more information please contact:

The Office of Aboriginal Student Services and Programs
First Nations House
563 Spadina Avenue, Third Floor
University of Toronto
Toronto, Ontario M5S 1A1
Telephone: (416) 978-8227
Fax: (416) 978-1893

ACCOMMODATION AND COST OF LIVING

The following figures represent the minimum costs for a single student living in Toronto for twelve months in 1999/2000, excluding tuition:

ITEM

$

Rent

5,200

Food

3,800

Clothing

650

Books

750

Health insurance (UHIP)

(for international students)

587

Dental Insurance

130

Local transportation

370

Miscellaneous:

3,500

TOTAL

14,987

Student Housing

Most of the university's students live at home in Toronto. The balance are divided equally between those who reside on campus in a student residence and those who locate off-campus accommodation within approximately 30 to 45 minutes travel time from classes. The University of Toronto Housing Service in the Koffler Student Services Centre serves as a year-round source of up-to-date off-campus housing and residence information as well as other information a student might need to assist in locating and arranging suitable student housing. Students needing more information regarding their student housing options should contact the Housing Service.

Student housing information is available on the Internet at: www.library.utoronto.ca/www/housing_service/

On-Campus Residences

If you are interested in applying for residence, you should contact the residence directly to inquire about application. You may apply for residence before you are admitted to the university. At the Housing Service on the St. George campus, students may use the Residence Information Terminal to view photographs and get information for the residences on all three campuses. If you are unable to get the information you need on the Internet, contact the Housing Service.

The following two residences provide accommodation for single graduate students and range in cost from $4,300 to $8,800 depending on whether meals are provided.

Women and men; apartment style with shared kitchens.

Women and men; traditional residence with compulsory meal plan. Acceptance by election. Application deadline is May 1.

Family Housing

Family housing is available in 710 apartments on the St. George campus and in 84 apartments on the Erindale campus. Priority for the unfurnished, university apartments is given to student families. The term "family" refers to students residing with their dependent children and to childless couples in a permanent relationship. Waiting periods for these apartments may vary depending on the time of year and the type of apartment requested, so it is advisable to apply as soon as a student is seriously considering attending the university. Students may submit an application for Family Housing before being given an offer of admission to the university. Contact Family Housing at the University Housing Service to receive an information/application package.

Off-Campus Housing

Each campus Housing Service maintains listings of available off-campus housing advertised by city landlords and by students seeking others to join them. Students who are looking for off-campus housing use the lists of advertisements displayed in their Housing Services as they would the classified section of a newspaper locating accommodation to meet their needs while staying in temporary housing which they arrange in advance of their arrival. At the Housing Service on the St. George campus, students may also search on-line by type(s) of accommodation, area(s) of the city, and price range desired. The Housing Service at the Koffler Student Services Centre will provide a list of temporary accommodation on request.

For the Fall and Winter academic sessions, some students rent their long-term housing from August 1 or October 1, avoiding the September 1 occupancy date which is popular with students at most post-secondary educational institutions in the city. Housing is usually advertised about four to six weeks in advance of the date it becomes available for occupancy and it generally takes one to three weeks for a student to locate suitable accommodation, depending on the type of housing desired and budget. Since accommodation is not inspected, the quality cannot be estimated or guaranteed. Therefore it is very important for students to meet with the landlord and inspect the premises before entering any agreement.

Cost of Student Housing - Residence, Family Housing and Off Campus

As a guideline, for the 1998/99 school term, the cost of residence with a full meal plan is approximately $5,500 to $6,300 for the eight-month, academic year. Modified meal plans are available in some residences. After paying an initial deposit, the balance of fees are usually paid in two installments at the beginning of each of the four-month Fall and Winter sessions. As of August 1, 1998, rent for the bachelor, one- or two-bedroom units located in the Student Housing Complex located at 30/35 Charles St. West range from approximately $460 to $752 depending on the size of the unit, and is payable monthly. Rooms in shared houses or apartments off-campus generally cost students $350 to $500 per month. However, a student requiring a private apartment off-campus usually pays $500 to $650, $600 to $750, and $750 to $1,000 for a bachelor, one- or two-bedroom unit respectively. A three-bedroom house will usually rent for $1,100 to $1,400.

More information can be obtained from:

Career Centre

The Career Centre offers a Résumé Clinic, Career Information Library, Extern Program - shadow a career of interest, volunteer listings, employment listings - part-time, temporary, summer, full-time, Graduate Dossier Service, career counselling (by appointment), career management workshops, Student Outreach Office, JOBS Canada Database, Career Fairs and information panels.

Career management specialists for University of Toronto students.

The Career Centre
Koffler Student Services Centre
214 College Street
Toronto, Ontario M5T 2Z9
Telephone: (416) 978-8000
Website: www.careers.utoronto.ca

DISABILITY SERVICES FOR STUDENTS

The mandate of DISABILITY Services for Students is to facilitate the integration of students who have disabilities and chronic health conditions into university life. All students first meet with an intake counsellor to discuss their individual needs and their eligibility to receive services. When appropriate, students may then meet with one of the professionals on staff, such as the Adaptive Equipment Co-ordinator, Learning Disability Specialists, Psychologist or Occupational Therapist to establish strategies and appropriate accommodations for academic success. All discussions are confidential. The service offers liaison with academic and administrative units within the university and with off-campus agencies. The service also offers a wide range of supports including alternative test and exam arrangements, volunteer notetaking services, on-campus transportation, personal advising, assessments for adaptive equipment and assistive devices. Information on health conditions and disability related issues are provided to the university community.

The office is located at the address below. Services are also available at the Scarborough and Mississauga campuses.

Koffler Student Services Centre
214 College Street
Toronto, Ontario M5T 2Z9
Telephone: (416) 978-8060, (Voice)
T.D.D.: (416) 978-1902
Fax: (416) 978-8246
E-mail: disability services@utoronto.ca

Family Care Advisor

Many students balance family obligations with their studies. The University of Toronto is committed to fostering a "family friendly" learning and working environment.

The Family Care Advisor provides counselling and referral services to students who require child care, elder care or other forms of assistance with family responsibilities. Additional services include support groups, workshops and guest speakers. The resource centre contains a library of material on issues ranging from pregnancy and parenting to lesbian and gay family issues, homework and bereavement.

The Family Care Advisor and the Resource Centre are located on the second floor of 40 Sussex Avenue, one block west of Robarts Library. Note that the Office will be moving to the Koffler Student Services Centre in 1999. Office hours are limited, therefore, students are asked to telephone (416) 978-0951 to arrange an appointment in advance.

HART HOUSE

All OISE/UT students are automatically members of Hart House. Come in and enjoy a wide variety of social, cultural and athletics programs - indoor track, swimming pool, Nautilus circuit, fitness and instructional classes, remarkable art gallery, fantastic music and free concerts, great debates and 30+ clubs and committees from bridge to yoga. All in one magnificent building that is open to welcome you 365 days a year. Travel to Hart House Farm in the Caledon Hills.

Enjoy fresh food in the Arbor Room, an excellent lunch or Sunday brunch in the Gallery Grill, book an event or meeting (the catering service is unsurpassed), or simply find a quiet place to read or relax. Make Hart House your 'home away from home'.

Telephone: (416) 978-2452

Website: www.utoronto.ca/harthouse

HEALTH SERVICES

Medical and psychiatric services are available at the University Health Services, Koffler Student Services Centre, 214 College Street (Medical Clinic, 978-8030; Psychiatric Division, 978-8070). The Medical Clinic also offers its services to spouses or partners. Sports injury services are under the auspices of the Department of Athletics and Recreation (978-7376).

All students need health insurance coverage - for example, OHIP, other provincial plans, CIDA, Commonwealth, UHIP, or other private insurance plan. Students with no health insurance are responsible for health care costs of visits, lab work, etc. The University Health Insurance Plan (UHIP) is compulsory for international students. Please contact the International Student Centre (see below) for UHIP information.

University Health Services
Koffler Student Services Centre
214 College Street
Telephone:
• Medical Clinic, 978-8030
• Psychiatric Division, 978-8070
• Sports Injury, 978-7376
E-mail: health.services@utoronto.ca
Website: www.utoronto.ca/health

INTERNATIONAL STUDENT CENTRE (ISC)

All members of the university are invited to use the facilities and services of the Centre and take part in ISC programs. Services include: counselling and assistance with problems arising from cultural differences, information about work or study opportunities abroad and English conversation classes. Services especially for international students include a reception service and orientation events for newcomers and ongoing assistance with a variety of non-academic concerns (e.g. immigration, health insurance [UHIP], tax). ISC also organizes socio-cultural activities such as trips, cultural evenings, international days, career and scholarship information sessions, etc.

General questions may be addressed to:

International Student Centre
33 St. George Street
Toronto, Ontario M5S 2E3
Telephone: (416) 978-5646
E-mail: isc.information@utoronto.ca
Website: www.library.utoronto.ca/www/isc/

INTERNATIONAL STUDENT EXCHANGE OFFICE

Students from all faculties and departments are encouraged to participate in the international and Canadian exchanges offered through the International Student Exchange Office.

International exchanges include universities in the following countries:

Australia, Barbados, China, France, Germany, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, New Zealand, Singapore, Sweden, Taiwan, Trinidad, the United Kingdom and the United States.

Canadian exchanges include; McGill University, McMaster University, Queen's University, Université Laval, Université de Montreal, University of Alberta, University of British Columbia, University of Waterloo, and the University of Western Ontario.

All students accepted into CANEX, the Canadian exchange program, are eligible to apply for the CANEX Bursary. All students accepted into an international exchange program are eligible to apply for the International Student Exchange Bursary. Additional awards are available for some exchanges. For more information and application forms, contact:

International Student Exchange Office
Koffler Student Services Centre, Room 202
214 College Street
Toronto, Ontario M5T 2Z9
Telephone: (416) 946-3138
Fax: (416) 978-6110
E-mail: student.exchange@utoronto.ca
Website: www.utoronto.ca/student.exchange/

SEXUAL HARASSMENT EDUCATION, COUNSELLING, AND COMPLAINT OFFICE

The Sexual Harassment Education, Counselling, and Complaint Office administers the university's Sexual Harassment Policy by providing advice, education, and information to the university community, counselling all parties to complaints, and mediating complaints about harassment based on sex or sexual orientation. The policy covers all members of the university. All complaints and requests for information are kept completely confidential. For appointments, contact:

SHECC Office
40 Sussex Avenue, 3rd floor
Toronto, Ontario M5S 1J7
Telephone: (416) 978-3908
Fax: (416) 971-2289


OISE/UT Bulletin 2000/2001 -- University of Toronto Graduate Studies in Education
Search the Bulletin for a word or phrase: