The Ontarion - Issue #176.1

Thursday, January 8, 2015

Issue No. 176.1

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T Come on Canada!!!

WJ @ 8pm

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January!

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STUDY TEST! STUDY STUDY star wars marathoning!

make a budget!!! pg. 5

-take notes for Sar - talk at 3pm in PCH - lunch with Frazer - essay writing help at the library - work on poster design for bio

Guelph Music Guide pg.12

EEEEEK!!!

Think I should START WORRYING ABOUT APRIL!

tindr date at planet bean 11:30

student resource guide pg. 19 class trip! 8am

Gryphon Frosty Mug Game @ 7:30

- bake cookies with roomies

YOGA 8pm

Celebrate my geology win! (i hope)

S

GIRLS!!!!!!

Season 3!!!

YOGA 8pm

Mondays...

S

Dinner with fam-jam

BACK TO SCHOOL GUIDE YOGA 8pm

The Winter Edition my day to wash dishes!!!

YOGA 8pm

WELCOME BACK 3 • STUDENT LIFE 4 • AROUND THE CITY 10 • SCHOOL & STUDIES 20 • HEALTH & WELLBEING 25 • FUN PAGE 30

WIFI CONNECTION PROBLEMS?

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Issue 176.1 • Thursday, January 8, 2015

WELCOME BACK! Editor’s welcome Welcome back to Guelph! Great news - this is the beginning of a New Year and a new semester full of opportunities. I’d like to welcome you back to Guelph, and to The Ontarion. It being the start of a fresh year, I think it is important to get involved in new activities, in order to broaden your horizons.

Here, at The Ontarion, we offer students and community members alike the opportunity to try out different kinds of journalistic writing. We hold volunteer meetings every Thursday evening at 5:30 p.m. in our office, which is physically accessible, located on the second floor of the University Centre, room 264. At our meetings, each section editor pitches story ideas to potential volunteer writers. Whether you have experience in journalistic writing, or not, it is a great way to get involved in events happening on campus and throughout the community.

The Ontarion is proud to have such an incredible staff, and a growing team of volunteers who make our weekly publication what it is. Articles are written on a variety of topics, ranging from guest lecturers on campus to concerts happening throughout the city to ways to improve your health. Our volunteer meetings are a great place to meet people, and to get more involved in your time here in Guelph. We also offer volunteers the opportunity to learn skills in photography and copy-editing.

Media is a really exciting field to be involved in right now; it is a field that is continually evolving, and I want to invite you personally to come out and join us in promoting the best the University of Guelph and the City of Guelph has to offer. Come by the office, meet the team, and introduce yourself - everyone is welcome!

Have a wonderful semester everyone – we can’t wait to work with you!

Emily Jones,

Editor-in-Chief

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Table of Contents STUDENT LIFE Eating on campus – 4 Perfecting being perpetually poor – 4 The importance of budgeting – 5 Dorm – 6 Sexual safety – 6 Work-study – 8 Decorate the cannon – 8 Networking – 9 Campus Safety – 9 AROUND THE CITY Hillside Inside – 10 Volunteering in Guelph – 10 Art resources – 11 Music scene – 12 Top picks for 2015 – 12 The Guelph music scene – 13 SCHOOL AND STUDIES Screen vs. paper – 20 Participation – 20 Talking to Professors – 21 First year seminars – 21 Active listening – 23 Going to class– 23 Managing your semester – 24 Things we wish we knew in 1st year – 24 Library Services – 25 HEALTH AND WELLBEING Grocery shopping – 25 Active winter – 26 Acting confident – 26 Mental health and wellness – 27 Resolutions – 28 HELPFUL RESOURCES Campus & downtown maps – centre spread 50 things to do during the winter semester – 18 Student resource page – 19

Monday Is Rib-Night At The Wooly! $20 Half Rack & a Pint $25 Full Rack & a Pint woolwicharrow.ca

Plus $5 Featured Draft Pints All Night Long!

4

STUDENT LIFE

Eating on campus Making the most of the U of G’s eateries JULIA NOEL Besides the OVC and having cows on campus, the University of Guelph is well known for its variety of on-campus food. We have been ranked first out of all universities in Canada for our well-rounded, healthy selection of food for a number of years now. There is a selection of vegan and vegetarian options, and many choices for omnivores as well. Here’s a quick guide to eating on-campus.

North Campus: The Lennox Addington Pit offers fastfood favourites at the grill, as well as Pizza Pizza, The Omelette Bar, which becomes Pastabilities in the evening, a salad bar, and Needa Pita, which also offers wraps and sandwiches. The LA Pit also has a café that makes crépes, smoothies, cake, and grilled cheese sandwiches. The LA Pit is open until 11:45 p.m. and is the place for North residence students to get their late night snacks. Creelman Marketplace

is another option in North, and is the largest dining facility on campus.

It offers Mom’s Kitchen, vegan/vegetarian options, salads, wraps, pitas, sandwiches, burritos, nachos, pasta, the Mongolian Grill, burgers, and Exhibition. Exhibition is a unique eatery, which offers specially prepared meals, ranging from barbequed steak to classic Italian meatball sandwiches.

Creelman also offers a breakfast menu which ends at 11 a.m., as well as a large selection of desserts.

South Campus: Mountain Snacks is open until 12 a.m. and offers fast food favourites from the grill, a pasta bar, Pizza Pizza, a salad bar, and a Windows Café. Windows Café serves homemade crépes, smoothies, gourmet grilled cheese sandwiches, and a selection of fancy cakes and desserts. South residence also has Prairie Dining Hall, which offers a Mongolian Grill, a salad bar, and Mom’s Kitchen. Prairie Hall is known to hold events like build-yourown sundae, where you can purchase a cup and fill it with ice cream and all the fixings.

Central Campus: In Central Campus, there is the Mack’s Coffee Shop located in the Mackinnon building, and a brand new Starbucks in the library. The University Centre food court has a number of chain

Perfecting Being Perpetually Poor Time to get a job?

GABRIELLE DICKERT With a new year, for many, comes New Year’s resolutions. Whether you’re looking to live a more healthy lifestyle, do better in school or manage your time more effectively, the key to New Year’s resolutions is to consider them more as personal goals than just as your mandatory annual look into the things you’d like to change about yourself. Take action and create a long-term plan to achieve your goals.

For students, keeping your budget on track can often be a struggle when you rely on your parents, OSAP, or other student loans as a primary income. A part-time job with just a few hours a week can truly be the difference between racking up credit card bills during school or paying them off – and believe me, you should be paying them off.

If you haven’t created a budget yet, now is the time to do it. Figure out

how much extra money you could use each month; consider even talking to a financial advisor and then job search accordingly. Of course make sure that your job won’t be cutting in to your studies too much, as your grades are of the utmost importance.

When job searching, keep in mind that you want to get job experience as closely related to your desired career as possible. For many students, this is not possible without the degree they are working towards, so consider jobs that will provide you with the skills necessary for your dream career. When it comes to making money in university, it’s 50 per cent about what the job can do for you now and 50 per cent about what it will do for you when you’re done. If you have to take a lower wage for a job that may pay off in the long run, it might be worth considering.

Ultimately, you’re the only one who knows about your financial situation, so you’re the only one who can decide whether a part-time job while you’re in school is the right move for you as you continue to be perpetually poor.

MOHAMMAD MELEBARI

With so many great food options on campus, take the opportunity this semester to step out of your culinary comfort zone and try something new. restaurants, including Pizza Pizza, KFC, Yogen Fruz, Starbucks, William’s Café, Booster Juice, and Tim Horton’s.

There is also a Mom’s Kitchen, Needa Pita, pasta bar, salad and soup bar, and a vegan/vegetarian restaurant. The UC is also home to the on-campus bar, Brass Taps, which has been open for over 40 years.

The Bullring is a Central Campus

coffeehouse with a really interesting vibe. Students go there for the coffee, the unique food, and the comfy chairs, good tunes and, occasionally, a beer.

Just outside The Bullring, Bob’s Dogs can be found on the patio. Bob’s Dogs is a traditional hot dog stand with a very charismatic owner, Bob. Next is Gryph’s restaurant and sports bar, which is located on the second floor

of the Gryhon’s Sports Centre. It is a full-sized restaurant that serves a large menu, including favourites like wings and pizza.

West Campus: West Campus is just across Gordon Street, and provides an Animal Sciences and Nutrition Coffee Cart, the OVC Cafeteria, and an OVC Second Cup.

VOLUNTEER Looking to get involved in something new this year?

Why not come out and volunteer for The Ontarion? The Ontarion is looking for writers, photographers, and copy-editors to help us put out quality papers each week.

Have a new album, or an upcoming concert you would love to review? An event, or sports game you’d love to photograph? Stop by our office and get involved!

Our office is located on the second floor of the University Centre, room 264.

Issue 176.1 • Thursday, January 8, 2015

STUDENT LIFE

The importance of setting a budget How to do it and why it is crucial for your future EMILY JONES In an interview with Alice Pelkman, the University of Guelph’s manager of Financial Aid in the Student Financial Services office, some of the most important information was discussed in terms of the financial forecast for students and recent graduates. The first step, as most of you would have already discovered, is creating your budget.

It isn’t as simple as tracking the total sum of money you have and estimating what you will spend.

The truth of the matter is, what you anticipate spending and what you will actually spend will turn out quite differently if you aren’t diligent in tracking your spending on a weekly basis. This may sound like extra work - but it is well worth it. It is something that you can do to make your stay at university more enjoyable and less stressful.

This being the beginning of a new semester, it is an ideal time to sit down and create something to stick to for the next year. Whether you are receiving student loans via OSAP and the National Student Loans Centre (NSLC) or receiving funding from student lines of credit from a financial institution, it is time to be serious and figure out your financial standing.

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As an on-campus student living in residence, there is a slightly smaller worry when it comes to figuring out your budget, because you do not have the need to add in housing costs such as rent and utilities (gas, hydro, internet, cable, etc.). Even though you may not have to deal with these things now, you should be sure to keep them in mind for the future.

If you are living on campus and are receiving some funding, you need to plan out a budget that consists of expenses like books, entertainment, food, and an emergency fund (which everyone should have - you never know what may come up). There is a difference between wants and needs when making a budget make sure to keep in mind what you actually need vs. what you really want.

Books: The cost of your textbooks may surprise you.

Depending on your area of study, textbooks will vary in price, but expect to spend a minimum of $500 each semester.

Tuition: Tuition is a set number for each semester; it is one of the heftiest amounts you will be obligated to shell out.

Remember that fall tuition is typically slightly higher than the winter tuition, as you are paying a lot of your student fees. In these student fees, you will find health and dental benefits that you can choose to opt out of if you have coverage from your parents. If you do not have coverage, keep them and use them to keep healthy over the year.

Entertainment and travel: Things like going out for drinks, dinner, and other events like

concerts, plays, movies, or a weekend away, can also be important expenses. These are mainly wants, but they may also be leisurely activities that will benefit your overall well-being if you can afford to do them once in a while.

Food: Although you are likely on a meal plan as a first-year student, keep track of the status of your meal plan account. Running out of money on your meal plan consists of loading it back up with enough money to keep you fed the remainder of the year. This is real money; use it wisely. You may also wish to purchase select items at the grocery store to keep in your room and mini-fridge.

Keep a grocery budget; although, for the most part, you will likely use your meal plan.

Last, but not least - and this goes for everyone - keep an emergency fund. An emergency fund should be something that you can turn to when you have something that needs to be tended to - such as an unexpected trip home, the loss of a part time job, not receiving as much funding as you expected, or an outrageous cell phone bill.

For those who are living offcampus, or are looking to live off-campus next year, some really important things to keep in mind are rent, utilities, transportation, and location.

Rent: When looking for a place to rent, before anything else, inform yourself of the Landlord and tenants Act and read over leases very carefully; be sure to ask questions and look for advice if needed. This is a legal document and is not to be overlooked out of excitement.

movies and more 6:45 PM

Next, have a budget going into a place and figure out whether or not utilities - such as gas and hydro - are included. If they are not, make sure your rent isn’t so high that you can’t afford your utility bills. Bills fluctuate month to month, and your hydro and gas bills will fluctuate throughout the seasons.

“Last, but not least - and this goes for everyone - keep an emergency fund.”

Utilities are not cheap! If you find a place that is $350 for rent but does not include utilities, and also find a place that is $500 all utilities included, it may not seem like it, but the $500 room with utilities included is the better deal. Not only do you not have to worry about the hydro bill spiking due to baseboard or electric heat in the winter, but you also do not have the worry of gathering money from your roommates each month when splitting the bills up evenly. If you do have to pay your utilities, it is a good experience, and you will at some point need to become responsible for these tasks. However, make sure that you have an agreement between roommates to ensure disagreements do not occur.

Debate having a car: They may seem convenient, but take into

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account that you have a bus pass that is included as a part of your tuition and student fees. Public transit gets easier as the years go on - get on the bus! If you choose to have a car, make sure to keep in mind the cost of gas, parking passes, parking tickets, the lack of parking, insurance, and upkeep.

Location: Living near campus is very convenient, but over the years, you may want to venture out into the city and really discover what Guelph has to offer.

Be sure to choose your location wisely so you can get to campus via public transit, and time your commute accordingly so you make it to as many classes as possible to get the most out of your degree.

If you are feeling overwhelmed and need a hand looking at your budget or sticking to it, there are plenty of services on campus that can enable you to make good choices. You can call and make an appointment with a financial advisor; their office is located on the third floor of the University Centre and they can help you with all of these concerns. There are also plenty of apps available for your cell phone that will calculate your budget; or, you can do it the old fashioned with a pen and a paper. Set up online banking if you haven’t done so already, and keep track of the money going in and coming out of your account. There is nothing worse than being stressed when you are running out of funds and have exams to worry about. The sooner you get a hold of this, the better off you will be and the better prepared you will be for your financial future.

Visit www.sundaycinema.ca for info on these Central Student Association events.

8:45 PM

NOON

7:30 PM

DAN MANGAN+ BLACKSMITH with

HAYDEN

SUNDAY CINEMA Sun Jan 11

SUNDAY CINEMA Sun Jan 18

SUNDAY CINEMA Sun Jan 18

NOON HOUR Fri Jan 23

LIVE CONCERT SUN MAR 1

THORNBROUGH 1200 | $3 UoG stu • $8 gen No retreat. No surrender. No fear.

Co-sponsored by Interhall.

THORNBROUGH 1200 | $3 UoG stu • $8 gen A fun steampunk-style fantasy.

Co-sponsored by Interhall.

THORNBROUGH 1200 | $3 UoG stu • $8 gen It’s dark, it’s creepy, and it’s very good.

Co-sponsored by Interhall.

UC COURTYARD | FREE Soul, jazz, funk, Afro, Latin, Caribbean sounds.

Co-presented by CFRU 93.3FM.

RIVER RUN CENTRE | $36.50 Much-garlanded Vancouver folkie plugs in.

Tickets available at www.riverrun.ca.

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STUDENT LIFE

Revamping your dorm room Feng Shui tips and tricks for a new year JOANNE PEARCE With the start of a new semester, you may be dreading heading back to the room where you spend most of your time working and, perhaps occasionally, sleeping on that rectangular object with blankets and pillows on it (i.e. bed). However, this also gives you the perfect chance to change up your room and revamp your living space in a fun way, perhaps making the room less dreary.

Here are some cool tips that you could use to change up your dorm room: Photos: Having come back from seeing friends and family, it can be nice to know that even though you have just left them, they are still close by. Walls commemorating friends and family can add to the empty space on your walls with sticky tack or easy to remove tabs that won’t damage the wall. If you are feeling extra creative, you can buy a piece of string, some clothespins and hang the photos off the pins, to create an artsy look to the scheme.

Wall decals, text, and prints: These easy-to-remove stickers can be fun phrases, images, or pictures that can also add to your wall space

and revamp your room a little. If you go to Etsy.com and type in “singlestonestudio,” you can get an idea of what I mean. Walmart, Home Depot, and Lowe’s are a few places where you can search to see if they have anything that might interest you.

Posters: Walking through the University Centre, you may have already seen that cool sales can be going on, selling things like jewelry, scarfs, posters, and more. The Imaginus Poster Sale should be coming to the UC at the beginning of the semester, so keep an eye out for colourful, fun, or cute posters that you may be interested in hanging in your room. Posters are also a fun way to show favorite bands, celebrities, and TV shows to friends.

Duvet covers, blankets and pillows: This is a fun way to add a bit of colour to your room — and also a comfy addition to revamping your room. A funky pattern or fuzzy pillow or blanket can also be a great help for when you want to sit on your bed to work on your computer or read a textbook.

World map: A fun addition to your wall if you love travelling is to put up a world map and look at all the places you want to go or have already been.

The university offers exchanges and work placements abroad to many different places around the world, which students should take

RYAN PRIDDLE

If the New Year has you in the mood to try new things, consider re-decorating your dorm room for a fresh start to the semester. advantage of. Having a map in your room can be a fun way to remind you of your plans to travel and see the world in the future — whether it be sooner or later.

Fridge accessories: This may or may not apply to you, but if you have a fridge in your room, magnets and photos in frames could be a fun addition to your room and add a more personal flair.

Add a little green: Wintertime can be, at times,

Sexual safety on campus A closer look at campus sexual assault policies and resources ALYSSA OTTEMA Over the past few years, there has been increased media attention drawn to the presence of sexual assault on university campuses.

Defined as any unwanted act of a sexual nature imposed on one person by another, sexual assault can affect individuals directly and indirectly, presenting physical, emotional, and psychological effects in victims. At the University of Guelph, several policies are in place to protect students from

these effects, but in the event of any instance of assault, it’s important to know what steps to take and what resources are available to aid in the recovery process.

Those affected by sexual assault are strongly encouraged by the University of Guelph to report any incident to the Campus Community Police, who are available to advise on the available options, as well as assist in safety planning.

Students may also choose to file a complaint under the code of Student Rights and Responsibilities. Using these administrative procedures, however, does not preclude the use of the other available options, such as criminal proceedings.

The Campus Community Police, in conjunction with Guelph Municipal Police Services, provide information on filing an

official complaint, the basics of the investigative process, and the process of criminal charges, as necessary. In the event that criminal charges are laid, the Campus Community Police will provide further information in regards to the progress in criminal prosecution. In most cases, the individual reporting will determine what action will be taken, if any.

Available 24 hours a day, seven days a week to respond to reports of sexual assault, the University of Guelph Campus Community Police can be reached at extension 5000 or at any of the numerous yellow Emergency Poles located across campus. During business hours, students can also access several other campus resources, including Student Health Services at extension 52131, The Wellness Centre at 53327, Counselling

dreary, so adding a little greenery to your room with a potted plant or flowers can make your dorm room even better. If you are worried about lighting or keeping up with watering it, cut flowers may last only for a bit, but can be a fun and temporary addition to your room, or low maintenance plants like cacti can also be an option.

Plastic storage containers: Not exactly fun or creative, but these can be great tools to help organize clothing, shoes, or school work that seems to clutter your space.

These are only a couple of tips, but even rearranging your furniture in new areas or hanging some fun photos or sayings on your dorm room door can be a fun addition to your room. If you are feeling up to more of an arts-andcrafts task, taking old magazines and cutting out shapes and words can be a less costly and more fun way to create a cool look, as well.

It can even be fun to have friends help with revamping your room, or hold a contest to see who can create the coolest or funniest ideas and designs to use.

Services at 53244, the Human rights and Equity Office at 53000, and the Occupational Health and Wellness Office at 52133. A part of The Wellness Centre, the campus Sexual Assault Free Environments (SAFE) group provides education and support on the topics of respectful relationships and consent.

Off-campus, students can deal directly with the Guelph Municipal Police Services. Additionally, the Guelph General Hospital supports the Guelph-Wellington Care and Treatment Centre for Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence, which offers both regular contact, after-hours emergency contact, and a crisis hotline.

The Guelph Wellington Women in Crisis Sexual Assault Centre is also an available resource offcampus, offering 24-hour phone

service. There are also several other crisis and distress lines available throughout the city through Community Torchlight, where students can also find support via email.

Upon receipt of any formal report of an incident, steps may be taken to protect the individual reporting, as well as the University of Guelph community as a whole. It is most important, however, for students to remember that they are not alone in this process. On-campus and off, there are a variety of resources available for those affected, directly or indirectly, by sexual assault.

Be it immediate attention or support from a distance, the campus and surrounding community provide countless services for students and community members to access.

WRITERS WORKSHOP

at University of Guelph

TWO DAYS OF WORKSHOPS

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TURN TO RADIO, WEB IN BAD WEATHER

When a winter storm hits and you need to know if the University is open before setting off for school or work, the best information sources are the local media and U of G’s website. If the president decides to close the University because of bad weather or an emergency before normal working hours, every effort will be made to communicate that decision by 7 a.m. The campus switchboard will also have a recorded message.

For more information, see Guelph’s hazardous weather policy at http://bit.ly/uofg512

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STUDENT LIFE

U of G’s Work Study program: the basics The ins and outs of working on campus ALYSSA OTTEMA The Work Study program at the University of Guelph offers on-campus, part-time jobs to assist students who demonstrate financial need in meeting their educational costs. Undergraduate students maintaining a minimum registration of 1.5 credits for the academic term in which they have applied, as well as graduate students registered in full-time studies, can apply for this assistance. These jobs are available during the fall and winter semesters, funding approved students to a maximum of $1500 for that

term. The applications for fall semester appointments are typically due by the third Friday in September, while those for winter semester appointments are due the third Friday in January.

To qualify for the Work Study program, students must fill out a Financial Need Assessment Form (NAF), which are available to be picked up on the third floor of the University Centre in the Student Financial Services office, or downloaded from the Forms and Documents section of the Student Financial Services website. The NAF may be returned in person, via email, or via fax.

Within 10 business days of submitting the NAF, students are notified of their eligibility to participate in the Work Study program. At this point, students can search for a Work Study position and begin the application

and interview process. Available jobs are typically posted two weeks prior to the beginning of the semester, but the application process remains open for at least two weeks following the start of classes.

During the summer semester, the Work Study program also offers Undergraduate Research Assistantships (URAs). The URA program provides summer research opportunities to undergraduate students who demonstrate financial need. The application process for these positions begins in December, although the applications remain open in January.

The research positions begin in May and are typically 16 weeks in length. For these positions, students are typically paid slightly more than minimum wage (currently at $11.00 per hour) for 35 hours a week.

To qualify for these positions, students must be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident. Additionally, students must currently be registered in an undergraduate degree program, returning to their degree in the fall semester immediately following, with a cumulative average of at least 70 per cent. Although there is a general academic requirement, different departments may have additional academic criteria.

Applying students must also demonstrate financial need, determined by the submission of the NAF, as with the fall and winter Work Study positions. For URA positions, however, the NAF form is completed and submitted online, and students are notified of their acceptance or rejection within four business days.

In addition to the NAF form, students have to complete an additional form, the University Student Profile, and download a copy of

their unofficial transcripts and approval to the Work Study program. All of this information should be forwarded to the contact listed for the individual research positions

by Feb. 2 of this year in order to be considered for interview. All available positions can be found on the Student Financial Services website.

Interviews for URAs begin on Feb. 4 and conclude on Feb. 13. All job offers will be made by Feb. 16, and students then have two weeks to submit a final form - the Confirmation of Employment form - to Student Financial Services.

The Work Study program is a great option for students looking for a little extra support during the academic term. Anyone interested in either the winter semester Work Study offerings or the summer semester URA positions should pick up an NAF form and apply as soon as possible.

Here’s your chance to decorate the Cannon!

Submit your completed Cannon by Monday,

January 12, to the Ontarion and your

drawing will be entered to appear in an

upcoming edition.

Issue 176.1 • Thursday, January 8, 2015

STUDENT LIFE

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Campus safety: what you need to know A look at safety services at U of G ALYSSA OTTEMA Campus Community Police: The University of Guelph Campus Community Police, established almost 50 years ago, is one of the oldest campus policing services in Canada.

The Special Constables who work for the Campus Police have similar authority to that of municipal officers.

However, this authority is limited to the boundaries of the university property. The Campus Community Police provide service to the University of Guelph community 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

The Campus Police enforce Municipal, Provincial, and Federal law, as well as the University of Guelph Student Rights and Responsibilities and the university’s code of conduct.

The Campus Community Police also maintain a close relationship with the Guelph Municipal Police and the Guelph Fire Department, to strengthen the protection of the university community.

The Campus Police dispatching centre monitors emergency phones, as well as all video surveillance, intrusion alarms, and fire alarms across campus.

The Campus Community Police are located in the Trent Building, between Maids Hall and Blackwood Hall - also

home to the Campus Fire Prevention and Parking Services. Potential crime and campus emergencies can be reported to the Campus Community Police at extension 2000.���������� ��������� Non-emergencies and other concerns should be reported at extension 52245.

SafeGryphon app: The Campus Community Police announced the SafeGryphon campus safety app last semester as a part of their movement to improve safety on campus.

The SafeGryphon app includes a Click-to-Call feature, which puts the user quickly in contact with emergency services. The app also sends push notifications with emergency information and updates, even when the app itself is not in use. There is a mapping function within the app that allows the user to interact with maps of the campus and easily email GPS location to emergency services.

The app also has a personal alarm and flashlight feature, which allows the user to draw attention in emergency situations.

CSA SafeWalk: The University of Guelph SafeWalk program, founded in 1991, is a CSA service which provides students, staff, and campus visitors with a safe accompaniment when walking after dark.

SafeWalk volunteers are available from 7:30 p.m. to 2:30 a.m. every night, excepting the break between semesters and the summer semester. The SafeWalk services operate anywhere on campus, including the Arboretum and the Ontario Veterinary

COURTESY PHOTO

The University of Guelph’s First Response Team, pictured above, is a vital part of the campus community’s safety resource network.

College (OVC), to the edges of campus boundaries. Any person looking for accompaniment to an off-campus destination may request this service in advance via email.

To request SafeWalk services, students can use extension 53200, push the SafeWalk button on any campus pay phone, use the talk button on the Emergency Poles located across campus, or simply approach any team of the volunteers on campus during the hours of operation.

First Response Team: The University of Guelph First Response Team, founded about 20 years ago, is a student-run team of volunteers which provides on-call and special event coverage to the campus community though emergency firstaid services. A division of St. John Ambulance, the First Response Team was originally implemented as a support service for intramural activities within the Department of Athletics.

The First Response Team also provides

first aid coverage at special events, such as Homecoming and College Royal.

The First Response Team provide service to the entire University of Guelph campus from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 a.m. during the week, and are available 24 hours a day on weekends.

Operating under the directive of the Campus Community Police and Fire Prevention, the First Response Team are available at extension 2000 in the case of any on campus medical emergency.

The importance of networking School and the future EMILY JONES As an undergraduate student, so much time is spent worrying about classes, grades, and essays; but something students often don’t think about until later in their degrees, or even after their degrees are finished, is networking. Networking in today’s world encompasses more than just one kind of putting yourself out there. With technology playing such a dominant role in society, it is important to try and have all bases covered when it comes to networking yourself appropriately.

Networking is a skill that encompasses many forms, from marketing yourself on social media, to meeting people when out and about running errands in town. It is something that never really sleeps. Be aware that you never know when you are going to

meet someone, or when someone is going to see you or your work, and it is best to always be prepared to present yourself in your best light. Sure, you may be able to impress someone in an interview, but how do you expect to get that interview in the first place?

Social media sources and online tools can help you market yourself – personal branding is something that may seem odd initially, but it actually makes so much sense when thinking about the way the world is moving and will continue to evolve technologically. First, be proud of what is showcased on your Facebook page, your twitter feed, your blog, and your LinkedIn account. These are all tools that are there to help brand yourself to the world outside your immediate circle. Making connections may not seem as personal as it may have in the past, but they sure are available on a larger scale! By making the most of online branding, you are able to control the kind of reputation you want to create – be sure to make the best

choices for your future, starting now.

Other more traditional forms of networking are still present. For instance, you may bump into someone while out running errands and begin a conversation that leads to a discussion and an exchange of emails.

If done well, it could lead to a professional relationship. Making these kinds of connections will enable you to learn more about different fields and areas of expertise, and can only serve to better your future plans.

Volunteerism and working part-time as a student can also lead to building strong professional connections, while at the same time, helping you build the skills you will need when looking to get into the workforce once school is over.

The sooner you begin to develop these skills, and to network yourself, the easier it will be to adapt when entering the workforce. These are things to begin doing now, so you are comfortable and well established later on. Go on, get out of your comfort zone, and begin building connections!

MATTHEW AZEVEDO/THE ONTARION

Networking has a continually broadening definition; with technological advances, networking is now also about online personal branding and marketing.

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AROUND THE CITY

Hillside Inside A music festival in the middle of winter JULIA NOEL You heard right. Hillside Inside is a music festival held in Guelph, and is celebrating its 31st anniversary this year. From Feb. 6 to 8, downtown Guelph will be a hosting a number of bands and musicians in a local festival just before reading week. The Hillside Festivals celebrate the artistic vision of musicians from Canada and around the world.

This February, The New Pornographers, Hey Rosetta, and STARS will be the headlining Hillside Inside.

The New Pornographers are an indie rock band from Vancouver, BC. The band consists of a number of accomplished solo artists and musicians within the Vancouver music scene. They joined together in 1999 as The New Pornographers, and stayed together ever since. They released their sixth studio album, Brill

Bruisers, in August of 2014.

Hey Rosetta is a seven-piece indie band from St. John’s, Newfoundland. They can almost always be found on the lineup of Canadian music festivals, including TURF, Hillside, and Osheaga.

The band formed in 2005, and has since put out four full-length albums, as well as five EPs. They are known to incorporate piano, violin, and cello into the traditional four-piece rock band setup, creating a large, energetic sound in live shows. Hey Rosetta released their fourth studio album, Second Sight, in 2014, and have been touring since.

STARS is an indie-pop band who grew up in Toronto, but now lives in, and works from, Montreal. The band was formed in 1999 and has released 7 studio albums, with broad influences from Broken Social Scene to Outkast to The Smiths. Their seventh album, titled No One is Lost, was released in October of 2014.

In addition, Jennifer Castle, Owen Pallett, Operators, Kid Koala, BizZarh, Alex Cuba, and Oliver Mtukudzi and the Black Spirits are all also on the lineup.

There is a broad musical spectrum

WENDY SHEPHERD/THE ONTARION

The New Pornographers, STARS, Owen Pallett and Kid Koala are a handful of acts headlining this winter music festival held at various venues in downtown Guelph. Featured in the photo is Tanya Tagaq, who stunned St. George’s Church at last year’s festival. available at this festival, and it is a good chance to experience a new artist or band. From DJ Kid Koala to folk singer Jennifer Castle, any music fan will be entertained.

The festival is held indoors in various venues throughout downtown Guelph. It is the perfect opportunity to see bands that normally play for larger crowds

The Guelph-Wellington volunteer connection Getting involved in your community in the New Year JULIA NOEL There are many opportunities to volunteer within the Guelph-Wellington region. Most of them are accessible by Guelph transit and are not too far away. Volunteering within the community is a commendable way to spend your spare time and a great way to build up your resume. Here are a few different places that are looking for volunteers to work for them. If anyone is thinking about starting a volunteer placement, take a look at this list and set up an appointment.

Or, take a look online as there are several databases specifically for connecting people with volunteer positions in the Guelph-Wellington region.

Canadian Cancer Society The CCS of the Wellington County Unit is currently looking for outgoing

and friendly volunteers to help plan their Relay for Life event. The volunteer commitment is of medium term length. Volunteers help by reaching out to others in the community by recruiting participants for the event.

They also have the opportunity to plan and execute outreach programs to help gain participants, and to network with other organizations through community involvement.

The Wellington Terrace Long Term Care Home The Wellington Terrace Long Term Care Home is looking for volunteers to sing and play instruments for their long-term patients and residents. They are looking for energetic people to bring a positive vibe to the building through music.

The Elliott Community Volunteers are needed at the Elliott Community, which is a long-term care and retirement living facility. The establishment is looking for dedicated volunteers to make social visits with residents. Activities include chatting, playing cards and board games, attending on-site functions, going on walks around the garden, and reminiscing.

Parkwood Gardens Neighborhood Group This organization works as an afterschool program for children in junior kindergarten to grade school. Volunteer duties include program planning, helping kids with homework, reading, snacks, crafts, and outdoor/gym activities.

YMCA/YWCA The YMCA promotes healthy active living for all members of the community. They are in need of volunteers to help run the programs in their facility. Current available volunteer positions include swim instructor assistants, and Wiggles & Giggles instructors. The swim instructor assistant positions are great experience for one day becoming a swim instructor. The duties of the assistant include assisting with youth-level swimming lessons, leading pool activities, maintaining a safe and clean environment, and greeting swimmers and parents to create a welcome atmosphere. Wiggles & Giggles offers programs for parents and children to interact together.

Volunteers should ideally be able to entertain children and babies, talk to parents, and organize and create

activities for the participants.

Whether you’re volunteering for community hours, as a New Year’s resolution, or just for fun, there are many different opportunities to find an organization that matches your preferences and

in smaller, more intimate venues.

Individual show tickets are available, as are weekend passes which will get music fans into any Hillside concert during the weekend.

interests. If none of these suggestions are intriguing to you, the internet offers many more organizations and positions in the area. Just search the title of this article and you will be guaranteed to find the right prospect for you.

M. VIA CC BY-NC 2.0

Volunteering around the city benefits everyone - personally and socially.

Issue 176.1 • Thursday, January 8, 2015

AROUND THE CITY

Getting familiar with Guelph’s art scene A wealth of communityminded programming and workshops ADRIEN POTVIN Whether you’re working, an active artist, student, enthusiast, or someone who doesn’t really know much about art, there is a wealth of workshops and other resources in Guelph for those inclined to the sublime side of things. Art objectively enriches one’s life and that of the community, so these various venues and organizations, even if you don’t know anything about art, are crucial staples to Guelph’s cultural scene, and they offer endless enjoyment, education, and inspiration.

Musagetes: A socially-minded, interdisciplinary art institution, Musagetes values the integration of arts scenes with communities at large, and much of their programming reflects this. Between ongoing exhibitions at the Boarding House Gallery, and the multi-use performance space at the newly renovated Heritage Hall (in cooperation with the Guelph Black Heritage Society), Musagetes’ ongoing projects are a case-in-point example of how art can engage with social issues and community in a proactive way.

Vocamus Press: Vocamus Press is a local organization that acts to

MATTHEW AZEVEDO/THE ONTARION

Socially-minded programming, inspirational workshops and numerous DIY resources characterize Guelph’s multi-faceted arts scene. A gallery stroll, workshop, or lecture is a great way to relax from studying and learn something new. Featured in the photo is Ben Grossman, musician and curator/ organizer at Silence. support local authors with publication services, writing workshops, and editing services. With an incorporated non-profit group, Friends of Vocamus Press, the two organizations promote the preservation of both Guelph’s historical and contemporary literary culture. If you need advice on publishing, editing, or just want to chat about books with the people who make them, Vocamus is the place to go.

Silence: An accessible, multipurpose performance space on 46

Essex Street, Silence is a home to Guelph’s experimental/improvised music scene, but hosts bands, installations, and artists of all styles. With admissions mostly on a PWYC (pay-what-you-can) basis, it’s great to catch a show at Silence on a weekend for a more intimate alternative from the downtown scene.

Publication Studio: Held every Saturday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Silence, Publication Studio (PS) is a group that offers DIY publishing materials, binding workshops, and

printing technique instruction. Ever wanted to bind that collection of poems you’ve been working on? Or make a totally awesome handmade notebook that stands out in class?

Head down to PS for some fresh coffee, fresh books, and enriching conversation.

Macdonald-Stewart Art Centre: The University of Guelph’s art gallery and performance centre, probably best known for the bear out front by the Gordon bus stop, is a vital place for local, national,

11

and international artists to host film screenings, performance pieces, and art installations. Recent exhibitions include “Carl Beam: Aakideh” – a stunning collection of one of Canada’s most significant postmodern artists.

Ed Video Media Arts Centre: For filmmakers, photographers, video artists, and A/V geeks, Ed Video is Guelph’s spot for A/V equipment, workshops, and film and video screenings. With a swath of workshops focused on editing, videography, editing, and documentary filmmaking, Ed Video makes expensive equipment available to rent at fair prices, and makes learning how to use A/V gear fun.

Renann Isaacs Contemporary Art Gallery: Located on Quebec Street, this small contemporary art gallery consistently hosts stunning exhibitions from the Guelph area and the rest of the country. With an unpretentious atmosphere and inviting, friendly programmers, this gallery is small but vital to the scene. A recent exhibit showcasing local cartoonist Seth, and Torontobased artist and former OCADU president Ron Shuebrook, is just one of many inspirational exhibits held here.

Zavitz Gallery: The home of the University of Guelph’s Studio Art program, the Zavitz Gallery hosts weekly installations by undergraduate students, print sales, and various gatherings and openings. If you’re looking for a break from classes and the bustle of campus life, take a stroll through the gallery and support your school’s arts!

COME, JOIN US Are you a local business owner, or someone who would like to learn more about the not-for-profit world? Do you have an interest sitting on a Human Resource committee and lending your expertise to our organization?

The Ontarion’s Board of Directors is always looking to gain new members.

Our Board meetings are the first Thursday evening of each month. We are looking for both students and community members to join.

Please contact ontarion@uoguelph.ca for more information.

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AROUND THE CITY

A guide to Guelph music Guelph’s diverse music scene has something for every taste ADRIEN POTVIN For a city of its size, Guelph has a strikingly diverse local scene. Punk rockers, DJs, folk songsmiths, and oddball experimentalists from the city and area flood downtown Guelph’s venues every weekend. If you haven’t got around to really digging into the local scene, you’re in for a treat.

Here’s a brief guide to some of the local music organizations that make all the magic happen.

Pinball Sessions: With innovative performance footage, posted online from their Guelph homebase, and their consistent gathering of a huge breadth of bands from Guelph, the area, and everywhere else, Pinball Sessions gets music to the public quickly and with a distinctively local edge. While they organize and promote numerous shows around the city, their

online presence is a 24/7 goldmine of fabulous local tunes and those from elsewhere. Check them out on social media to discover new bands, relive a favourite local concert, and prepare to spend hours making playlists on their website.

Incline/Decline: One of the more decidedly experimental festivals and labels in town, Incline/Decline was started up in 2013 to offer a summer festival geared towards noise music, punk, and other veins of experimental performance. Held in various venues of downtown Guelph at the end of July, Incline/ Decline – now also its own record label – is certainly something for those with more adventurous musical tastes to enjoy.

GAIN Music: GAIN (Guelph and Area Independent and New) Music, with their new headquarters at DSTRCT, is a staple to the scene, with their diverse programming and homebase. The annual GAIN Music Festival, held on all three floors of Van Gogh’s Ear sometime in March, is always a jam to look forward to - with bands of all stripes performing all night, there’s something for everyone to dig.

Fortnight Music: Made up of a close-knit and

WENDY SHEPHERD/THE ONTARION

Whether you’re a musician, enthusiast, or just looking for a fun alternative to the club scene, Guelph has a wealth of independent, local music to support and enjoy. Channel your inner flannel!

Featured in the photo are Blackie and the Rodeo Kings. like-minded group of local musicians including Alanna Gurr, Lowlands, and Odd Years, Fortnight Music started out as a concert promotion group and has extended their work to publicity and management. Presenting diverse bands, from Absolutely

Free to Bruce Peninsula, their programming is a key part of Guelph’s scene.

Clearly, there’s a vital and important musical culture in Guelph that needs support to keep going. It’s quickly catching the attention of Canada and the

world, so don’t sleep on it. There really is something for everyone’s tastes. With so many things going on in a given weekend, it can certainly be a little overwhelming, so we hope this guide will pique your interest and let you know who to watch out for. See you downtown!

TOP PICKS FOR 2015 ALBUMS Sleater-Kinney – No Cities to Love ( Jan. 20) After an eight-year hiatus, Carrie Brownstein (also of IFC’s Portlandia fame) and co. are finally back for more loud and beautiful punk rock.

Grimes – TBA (TBA) Nobody’s really sure exactly when Grimes will follow up her will-be classic 2012 release Visions, but it’s coming sometime this year, so get ready for it.

Joey Bada$$ - B4.DA.$$ ( Jan. 20) The hotly awaited debut LP by Brooklyn rapper and de facto figurehead of the Pro Era collective, Joey Bada$$, is sure to bring some boom to your bap.

Viet Cong – Viet Cong ( Jan. 20) The little that’s been shared of this Calgary post-punk outfit’s debut LP is nothing short of breathtaking. Expect to be blown away.

Kanye West – TBA (TBA) Yeezy Season is approaching. That’s it.

Modest Mouse – Strangers to Ourselves (March, 2015) Kendrick Lamar’s upcoming album release (album not yet named)

BOOKS January 6: Almost Famous Women by Megan Mayhew Bergman.

Bergman’s much anticipated second collection of short stories – centering on women who occupy the fringes of history, is said to be “gutsy and expertly written.”

March 3: The Buried Giant by Kazuo Ishiguro.

Ishiguro promises a story full of “lost memories, love, revenge and war” – a story that took over a decade to produce, Ishiguro explained, because his wife read first draft and said, “This will not do.”

April 21: God Help the Child by Toni Morrison.

The Nobel Prize, Pulitzer Prize, and American Book Award winner is publishing a new novel. Nothing more really needs to be said.

Rumoured mid-2015: The Doors of Stone by Patrick Rothfuss.

The highly anticipated third installment of the Kingkiller Chronicles, which has been under revision by Rothfuss for the past four years, is rumoured to be seeing a mid- to late-2015 release date.

October 27: Why Not Me? by Mindy Kaling.

Kaling’s second book promises to be as hilariously awkward, open, and honest as her first memoir, tackling death, censorship, body image, and everything in between.

MOVIES Jupiter Ascending – Directed by: The Wachowski brothers, Starring: Channing Tatum, Mila Kunis, Sean Bean (Feb. 6, 2015) The Hateful Eight – Directed by: Quentin Tarantino, Starring: Samuel L. Jackson, Kurt Russell, Bruce Dern (Nov. 13, 2015) Star Wars: The Force Awakens – Directed by: J. J. Abrams, Starring: John Boyega, Daisy Ridley, Adam Driver, Oscar Isaac, Andy Serkis (Dec. 18, 2015) Chappie – Directed by: Neill Blomkamp, Starring: Sharlto Copley, Hugh Jackman, Dev Patel (Mar. 6, 2015) The Look of Silence – Directed by: Joshua Oppenheimer (Summer, 2015) The Taking of Tiger Mountain – Directed by Tsui Hark, Starring: Zhang Hanyu, Tony Leung Ka-fai, Lin Gengxin (Chine: Dec. 23, 2014, North America: Unknown 2015) Selma – A much-anticipated film about the civil-rights marches that were led out of Selma, Alabama by Martin Luther King.

Cinderella – A quirky adaptation of Disney’s Cinderella, featuring Helena Bonham Carter as the Fairy Godmother.

Issue 176.1 • Thursday, January 8, 2015

AROUND THE CITY

MEG WILSON

July Talk rocks the University Centre’s Peter Clark Hall.

MOHAMMAD MELEBARI

Odd Years play at eBar, a venue above the Bookshelf.

Guelph’s music scene: Winter 2015 forecast What to look forward to this semester, in a nutshell DANIELLE SUBJECT Guelph’s music scene is alive and kickin’ during the Winter Semester. As proud Guelphites, we live in a city where live music is constantly at our fingertips, so take advantage!

There is an abundance of live music every weekend, not to mention great events such as “Get The Funk Out” every Saturday night at the Albion, or soca and dancehall nights at Vinyl. Facebook is a great tool for citizens of Guelph to use to check out weekly music events in the downtown core.

Guelph’s Hillside Festival is one of Ontario’s coolest summer festivals and, each year, Guelph is lucky enough to host the indoor version of that festival. Hillside Inside 2015 is ringing in the first weekend of February! This year’s lineup includes the new Pornographers, Hey Rosetta!, Stars, Kid Koala, and many other cool bands. Weekend passes are available, along with tickets for individual shows.

This semester also blesses us with Kazoo! Fest 2015. Guelph’s annual Kazoo! Fest is happening in April of this year, and involves tons of great bands and artists

coming in from around the country to perform at various venues around the downtown core.

Kazoo! Fest provides Guelph citizens with a unique opportunity to experience strong diversity in art and music, and the tickets are always affordable! If you’ve been itching to get more involved in this beloved city’s culture, definitely checkout Kazoo! Fest. Keep an eye out for this year’s lineup announcement!

“Guelph’s music scene is alive and kickin...’”

Missed Connection Records, a record label belonging to Guelph, has been actively trying to connect Guelph’s citizens with its culture. In a recent effort, Missed Connection Records released their first vinyl-only release, entitled Compilation No. 1”. The LP consists of tracks from Guelph’s local bands, and was released in order to bring Guelph’s local music together.

“It was more just bringing people together because it’s a small town, but there’s a lot of different little cliques with the punk and indie rock, a lot of folk musicians, too,” explained Tyler Belluz, the founder of Missed Connection Records. “I thought it would be great just to bring

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DANIELLE SUBJECT

The Beaches perform at Van Gogh’s Ear. everyone together to put on one show and put everybody on vinyl.

Everyone knows each other, but there’s still a divide between people.”

For those of you who are interested in learning more about local bands, Missed Connection’s vinyl is an excellent resource. Side A of the compilation includes Guelph’s local punk and rock outfits, while Side B includes softer indie-folk tracks. Bands that are featured on the record include Lowlands, Alanna Gurr & The Greatest State, Odd Years, Gregory Pepper and His Problems, Shopkeeper, Minotaurs,

The Furys, Esther Grey, Jordan Faye, Adverteyes, Rich Burnett, and Jessy Bell Smith – all proud Guelph bands that are making their names known around the country.

Missed Connection Records is continuing to grow and take on more bands, so checkout their website and Facebook page if you are interested in learning more about the city’s local music.

Last, but not least, I must point out that Guelph is in possession of one of the coolest and most unique spaces in Ontario: Silence.

Silence is a garage-like building located on 46 Essex St. that has

been renovated and transformed into a retro, minimalist art space with a totally lo-fi vibe. It is a cozy, open-concept building that has a rug instead of a stage that allows for complete audience-performer interaction. Although a lot of live bands and musicians play here, the space also hosts poetry slams, discussions, workshops, and improvisation sessions. Silence is easily one of my favourite venues to watch live music.

Beat those winter blues this semester by taking advantage of the cultural side to this city. Guelph has so much to offer! Following Music Lives, GAIN, Fortnight, Missed Connection Records, and Kazoo! on social media is a great way to stay updated, as well as following the pages of different venues downtown. Canadian bands love to stop in our city during their tour, so keep checking – just last semester, we had July Talk and Tokyo Police Club playing at Peter Clark Hall! Did I mention that watching live music in Guelph is always affordable?

Hey! You could even try something new this New Year, and move from being a concert-attendee to a review writer for The Ontarion!

You never know!

Check out The Ontarion Guide to Guelph Music in this issue for more information on music promoters and event coordinators around Guelph.

TheON

Finding your way through campus

NOW is a great time of year to use all of those shortcuts you found in the Fall Semester, stay warm!

You’ll definitely need to find... q MSAC / Sculpture Park

u University Bookstore

w North Residences

i University Centre (The UC)

e Johnston Hall & Green

o University Bus Terminal

r Alumni Stadium

a South Residences

t The Bullring

s East Residences d McLaughlin Library

y The Cannon

Getting around downtown Guelph

REMEMBER the free skating at City Hall, it’s a great way to get outside in this cold weather...and a good date idea!

Why not check out... q Frank & Stein’s / Apartment 58

i McCabe's Irish Pub

w Guelph Concert Theatre

o Van Gogh's / Salsateria

e Jimmy Jazz / Vinyl

a Woolwich Arrow Pub

r The Albion Hotel

s Baker Street Station d Penny Whistle

t Doogie's & Pablo's y Trappers / Palace / Tabu u OX and The Ebar

f Sip Club g Western Hotel

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Go to, or volunteer at, Hillside Inside Cross country ski through the Elora Gorge Tour the local microbreweries Go skating on the ice rink in front of City Hall Make snowforts and have a snowball fIght on Johnson Green Make a snow person Eat a snow cone Make a camp fIre Volunteer at The Ontarion Take a walk in the snow with hot chocolate Curl up with a warm blanket and a good book Buy fuzzy socks Walk along the Eramosa River Do your readings at a local coffee shop Read in front of a Youtube video of a crackling fIreplace Attend the Cornerstone’s CampFIre Sessions on Sundays Visit the Greenhouse on campus UC for a free CSA Thursday at Noon concert Go to Sunday Cinema at War Memorial Hall Order a different appetizer at each of your favourite downtown restaurants Host a wine-and-cheese night Play at an open mic - there’s one almost every night of the week Kazoo! Festival Plant a garden Go bird-watching Explore Guelph’s beautiful walking trails

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Get lost in the Arboretum Sign up for intramurals Have a beer with a professor Go to St. Jacob’s See the Guelph Symphony Orchestra at the River Run Centre Bake cookies Jog along Speed River Spend a day, or evening alone - treat yourself to something nice Eat local foods - visit the Guelph Farmers’ Market Make every meal for yourself for a week Develop a new healthy habit Keep in touch with friends and family who live far away Become a pen pal Volunteer in Guelph Sit in on a random class Write a poem, a play, or a short story for fun!

Get lost in the Dairy Bush and FInd where the ski hill used to be Go “traybaggoning” anywhere on campus Hug a tree Spend an afternoon at The Bookshelf Spend an hour at the Macdonald Stewart Art Centre Learn to knit, and create yarn-based art Spend an entire day alone Try something new that forces you out of your comfort zone, and grow as a person

student resource guide Aboriginal Resource Centre (ARC) The Aboriginal Resource Centre provides a warm and caring environment for all Aboriginal students and the community. Programs and services include: Aboriginal student advising and support, programs to help with the transition to university life, study support and tutoring assistance, bursary and scholarship information, cultural and traditional workshops, and research support.

Athletics The Department of Athletics provides a diverse spectrum of physical activities, including intercollegiate sports, intramurals, interest classes, clubs and unstructured recreation. A wide range of facilities and extensive building hours provide all students with the opportunity to become involved.

CampOut CampOUT is a student-driven support/social group that provides a safe space for students who identify as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgendered, Transsexual, Queer, Not-Straight, those who chose not to identify with a label, and/or those who are questioning their sexual orientation.

Campus Police The Campus Community Police are committed to enhancing the safety of students, staff, faculty, and visitors to the University of Guelph.

Central Student Association (CSA) The Central Student Association is a notfor-profit, run-by-students-for-students organization, that works to serve and protect the rights of undergraduate students at the University of Guelph. They represent collective interests on issues as diverse as public transit, neighborhood relations, and accessible education.The CSA listens to student concerns – whether academic, community, social or environmental – and take action. They also seek to protect and advance student rights on campus, in the community, and on a provincial and national scale.

Centre for New Students The Centre for New Students supports incoming undergraduate students in their transition to the university and throughout their first year of study.

During Orientation Week, they collaborate with more than 100 campus partners in delivering a range of events and activities designed to expose new students to the rich network of opportunities that exist on campus.

Centre for Students with Disabilities The CSD offers specialized programs and services to students with disabilities registered at the University of Guelph (full-time or part-time undergraduate and graduate). Their advisors, support staff, Peer Helpers, and volunteers work with students, faculty, and staff in the provision of programs and services designed to assist students with disabilities in participating fully in university life, and in maximizing campus accessibility.

C.J. Munford Centre The C.J. Munford Centre functions as a resource facility for students of colour of varying backgrounds. The centre focuses on issues of diversity, race, and other significant factors relevant to the lives of people of colour.

The centre houses a small lending library, as well as a safe space, events, public programming throughout the year, workshops, discussions, and counseling support. Though the centre is a volunteer driven organization for students of colour,

it is open to everyone on campus, as well as individuals within the Guelph community interested in learning about issues regarding people of colour around the world.

Community Engagement & Global Citizenship This resource fosters leadership, community engagement and social change through active collaboration and meaningful learning experiences. This unit challenges students to imagine what is possible, to seize opportunities to deepen their learning, and to affect individual and collective transformation as active, global citizens.

Co-operative Education & Career Services The Co-operative Education & Career Services (CECS) department is an essential on-campus resource for students and alumni, providing career guidance through programs and services to help you achieve your career potential. CECS provides assistance in all stages of the job search process, from building the perfect resume, performing a stellar interview, to accepting job offers. Assistance is also available in determining what to do with your degree and how to plan your career path. Recruit Guelph, the University of Guelph’s online job board, is also available through CECS, giving you access to full-time, co-op, part-time, and summer jobs at your fingertips.

Counselling & Disability Services (Csd) Counselling and Disability Services fosters academic success, personal development, and spiritual growth through the provision of responsive and proactive programs and services. The department is comprised of three units: the Centre for Students with Disabilities, Counselling Services, and the Multi-Faith Resource Centre.

Guelph Resource Centre for Gender Empowerment and Diversity (GRCGED) GRCGED is a student funded, collectively run resource centre for people of all or no genders.

They advocate anti-oppression issues within a feminist framework, recognizing that issues of gendered oppression consist of struggles against all systems of domination. They offer a relaxing, comfortable space, and provide resources and support for students, staff, faculty, and community members, who can use their extensive library, computers, and other accessible technologies, buy traditional and alternative menstrual products, attend workshops and other public events, or become a trained volunteer or collective member. If you are in crisis, you can also access peer support, referrals, and a private room.

Health & Performance Centre The Health and Performance Centre (HPC) offers a wide range of diagnostic, rehabilitation, and health promotion services, including physiotherapy, massage therapy, chiropractic, and sports medicine. The services are offered on a feefor-service basis – many services are covered by the student health plan.

Diversity and Human Rights (DHR) The role of the Diversity and Human Rights office is to help maintain an environment within which all persons, regardless of their personal characteristics, feel that they are treated with dignity and respect. Their staff, together with a large number of interested university community members, works toward meeting the university’s commitment to protecting and upholding the human rights of every individual, to providing special programs to end the effects of historical disadvantage, and to achieve equity in all areas of university life.

The Learning Commons The Learning Commons is based on a partnership model designed to support and enhance undergraduate and graduate student learning, writing, research, numeracy, and technology at the University of Guelph. Our core services are located on the first floor of the McLaughlin Library in recognition of the Library as the central gathering place for students to study, engage in writing and research, and learn in collaborative settings.

Multi-Faith Resources Multi-Faith Resources consists of a team of leaders or representatives from a number of different faiths, all working together to meet the religious and spiritual needs of the university community.

The Multi-Faith Resource Team is committed to promoting friendliness, religious understanding, harmony in diversity, and spiritual growth on campus.

Off Campus Living Off Campus Living works closely with students, residents, City of Guelph staff, landlords, and City Councillors to help facilitate communication, and to ease the way for students who live in Guelph. They also provide a range of programs and services to support students in making the transition to off-campus living, in navigating new relationships with landlords, house mates and neighbours, and, through the Information Desk, finding their way on-campus and in the local community.

Office of Intercultural Affairs The Office of Intercultural Affairs (OIA) serves the campus community by fostering an environment of cultural competency and diversity. At the intersection of academic and co-curricular learning, the OIA offers intentionally designed programming and services that foster leadership and community development within an intercultural and international context. OIA is home to the Aboriginal Student Advisor, the Aboriginal Resource Centre, Chroma, the LINK program, the International Student Advisor, and many programs, services, and awareness campaigns.

OUTline OUTline is the University of Guelph’s resource and support service specializing in questions relating to sexual orientation and gender identity.

The OUTline website was created to provide you with information about the services we offer and connect you to lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, intersex, queer, two-spirit, ally resources and support in Guelph and beyond.

Personal Counselling Offers individual counselling sessions to help support students as they work through the personal challenges that impair their ability to succeed at school and in other areas of their lives.

SafeWalk SafeWalk is a student-run organization dedicated to providing people on-campus with a safe and reliable escort after dark. This service is free of charge. To access, use the free SafeWalk button on any Bell pay phone, use the emergency blue pole phones located around campus, or approach a pair of walkers.

Student Health Services Student Health Services supports student academic success by providing comprehensive medical and health services to students and their immediate families. The health clinic staff includes: physicians, a psychiatrist, nurses, a dietitian, an addiction counsellor, and a health

educator. In addition to the clinic, we have a Wellness Centre staffed by trained student peers offering health education and information on a variety of health and lifestyle topics.

Student Help and Advocacy Centre (SHAC) The Student Help and Advocacy Centre is a student-run advocacy and referral centre that provides a safe space for students to ask questions and get information. SHAC staff and volunteers will assist students in a confidential and compassionate manner to provide them with the information they need.

SHAC strives to eliminate the discrimination against people facing all forms of oppression, as well as the stigma of asking for help. Their goals as an organization are to work hard to help advocate for the rights of the oppressed, as well as to aid as many people as possible in finding the resources they need to be successful in their endeavors.

Student Housing Services Student Housing Services provides residence space and services for over 5000 students, as well as two locations for students with families. Student Housing aims to promote students’ personal and academic success by providing communities staffed by teams who respond to student needs.

Student Life Student Life supports students in the many transitions they experience - from the time they are admitted until they graduate. They are committed to the development of the whole student and, as such, help students explore their capacity for leadership, overcome barriers to learning, assume the responsibilities of a global citizen, engage in campus and community life, and contribute toward meaningful change.

Student Support Network The Student Support Network, an after hours confidential, non-judgmental listening and support service, is a program offered by Counselling Services which is managed by a professional counsellor and delivered by a team of dedicated students who receive extensive training.

Undergraduate Academic Information Centre (UAIC) The Undergraduate Academic Information Centre, located in the University Centre, is a resource hub that provides general academic information to undergraduate students, and acts as a referral centre to other campus resources.

The Wellness Education Centre The Student Health Wellness Centre is a resource Centre at the University of Guelph. It provides information on alcohol consumption, body image, eating disorders, drugs, smoking, human rights, LGBTQ issues, mental health, sexual health, physical health, nutrition, and spirituality.

Women’s Campus Safety Initiative The Women’s Campus Safety Initiative promotes the safety of women on campus. WCSI funding has been a vital infusion of dollars into initiatives that address the safety needs of women. Funding is used to support programs, services, and initiatives that address issues of women’s safety, sexual harassment, and violence against women.

Writing Services Writing Services support University of Guelph students of all levels in becoming stronger, more confident writers, while also assisting departments and faculty who are integrating writing into their courses.

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SCHOOL & STUDIES

Reading comprehension and retention: screen vs. paper Exploring different kinds of reading JOANNE PEARCE For those of you who read eBooks, a recent study conducted in Norway at Stavanger University may be of interest, as they found that people tend to absorb less information when reading on a Kindle compared to paper books. The study gave 50 readers a short 28-page story written

by Elizabeth George to read; half used a Kindle and half read a paperback. The readers were then tested on aspects such as objects, characters, and settings found in the story.

The question of how technology changes our way of reading is a problem that has been looked at before. Anne Mangen, lead researcher on the study, based her predictions on a previous study, which compared responses on reading an upsetting short story on paper vs. an iPad. “In this study, we found that papers did report higher on measures having to do with empathy and transportation and immersion, and narrative coherence, than iPad readers,” said Mangen.

What is interesting about this is that, in her recent study

comparing reading on a Kindle versus that of a paper book, Mangen found that the Kindle readers performed “significantly worse” on plot reconstruction, which was determined by testing readers knowledge on the placement of 14 events in the right order. The researchers propose that this may be due to the difference in tactile feedback that paperback books provide, which offers a sense of progress and sensory offload that aids your visual progress in reading.

In a study conducted by her last year, Mangen looked at 72 Norwegian 10th grade student’s comprehension ability on reading PDF’s compared to paper.

The study, similarly, found that the “students who read texts in print scored significantly better on the reading comprehension test than students who read the texts digitally.”

With the digital culture that we find ourselves living in, where we read electronically everyday through books, class notes, news articles, and more, studys like Mangen’s highlight an important concern for people today. Maryanne Wolf, author of Proust and the Squid: The Story and Science of the Reading Brain and Professor of Child Development within the Eliot-Pearson Department of Child Development at Tufts University, voiced her own concern of society’s ability to “deep read” in

an article in the Nieman Reports.

“Whether an immersion in digitally dominated forms of reading will change the capacity to think deeply, reflectively and in an intellectually autonomous manner when we read is a question well worth raising,” wrote Wolf. “But it isn’t one I can answer now, given how early we are in the transition to digital content.”

The concern for changing times is not an old one, as Wolf reminds us, noting how Socrates believed literacy would delude the young into believing that they have obtained a “crux of knowledge.” Wolf ’s remarks on deep reading are thought-provoking because her points touch upon the discussion today on people’s ability to absorb information online, especially in the news. More often, we are seeing headlines becoming even more important, trying to draw attention to a society that has been criticized for having a shorter attention span. Having quick bits of information is becoming more preferable over reading longer pieces of work. In lectures, often times we are repeatedly told to research further, question everything, and read deeply into what we are looking at. This is sound advice, especially when we consider Mangen’s studies.

However, there are also many benefits for reading electronically,

PHOTO ILLUSTRATION BY JESSICA AVOLIO

As new technological alternatives to reading appear, studies have focused on the ability to retain information on screen vs. on paper. compared to paper, such as environmental considerations, ease of transport, or cost. The convenience of electronic versions is an important factor to consider, and probably will continue to be preferable, as society plows forward into the digital age.

Regardless, research on these differences will hopefully develop even further, as the research team led by Mangen could not

The highs and lows of participating in class Why you should resolve to get more involved CONNOR ARSENAULT Some university classes base a portion of your grade on how well you participate in class, but being forced to participate shouldn’t be the only reason you do it. Although participating in class can seem like a daunting task at first, it has its benefits, like higher grades and the development of successful work strategies.

The next time you find yourself daydreaming in class or wishing you were somewhere else, try getting involved. It will quickly bring you back to reality, and force you to actually focus on what the professor is saying – helping you retain information and stay on top of course content.

Participating in class is also great because it gets your name out there.

You may not instantly become best friends with the people around you, but the people around you will surely become aware that you exist when you start answering questions, and what’s better than other people knowing you exist?

“...what’s better than other people knowing you exist?”

If you’re not completely sure about a topic or something that the professor is saying, asking the professor to explain it will help you get your head wrapped around lecture material much faster than waiting to look it up at home later. You’ve

probably heard it a thousand times before, but if you’re unsure about something, there’s a high chance that there are other people around you that don’t get it either.

Sometimes there are things that can get in the way of participating in class. These include apathy and anxiety. Apathy is not such a good thing when it comes to topics and material that you’ll be tested on in a few short months. If you find yourself not caring about what the professor is saying, speaking up may be the right thing to do, because it can guide the discussion to more interesting ground and maybe even get other people participating.

If anxiety grips you every time you attempt to answer a question, making you stutter and grope for words to say what just made so much sense in your head, there is hope for you. That first time you decide to put your hand up in class, you probably feel the eyes of

everybody in the class searing into the back of your head. You may feel like they’re judging you and saying things behind your back. In reality, everyone in the room will be at least slightly envious of you, since you’ve got the guts to speak up in class.

If you’re ever participating in class and give a wrong answer, don’t fret too much about it there is no way everybody in the class had the right answer in their head, so your classmates are sure to cut you some slack. Instead of seeing this scenario as the end of the world, use it as a learning experience. If you stay up-to-date on the material, and make sure you know your stuff before each class, you’re more likely to have the right answers in class. Think of how stoked you’ll be when you provide an insightful answer, and everyone in your class wishes they’d been the one to put their hand up!

determine why readers scored significantly lower. These further studies, perhaps, will then give us a better insight into the mechanisms behind the differences, and will be an interesting thing to keep in mind when deciding whether to read on paper or not.

TheON Participating in class is a surefire way of keeping your head in the game and staying up-todate on class material. From the first time you answer a question in class, you will have more of a vested interest in doing well in that class, and more motivation to do well. On top of that, having your professors actually know your name is cooler than you’d think (there’s nothing like getting shout-outs during class), and this can make your professor even more approachable in case you’re struggling with the material.

As long as you don’t let it get to your head and start monopolizing class discussions, the benefits of participating in class greatly outweigh the costs. When there is so much to gain, and all there is to lose are your inhibitions and obscurity, getting involved and participating in class is something that everyone should do.

Issue 176.1 • Thursday, January 8, 2015

SCHOOL & STUDIES

Talking to professors

First-year seminars encouraging students to think critically

It’s essential for students to broaden their academic circles

Enriching your experience through a lesser-known course code

SAMEER CHHABRA When the winter semester rolls around, most students are normally confident with the university experience. The fall semester is for gaining one’s bearings after a lengthy summer break, but the short time afforded for winter holidays is not nearly enough time to lose the grip on university life.

Classes and professors may be unfamiliar, but lectures, readings, tests, and papers are no longer entirely foreign concepts.

In spite of the ease associated with the winter semester transition, some students never learn an important lesson: meeting with professors outside of class is an integral part of university.

Interestingly enough, one of the most common complaints levied against universities is not the steadily increasing tuition fees, but the increasing size of classes.

Students entering or continuing their tenure at post-secondary institutions around the country are frequently cited as crying out for smaller classes and more attention from professors. For most students, the transition from high school to university is marked by simultaneous amounts of large personal and academic freedom.

Contrary to popular belief, however, professors are not inapproachable nor are they disinterested in their students. Professors and teaching assistants at university simply expect students to show initiative by coming to them during office hours instead.

For some students, the thought of speaking directly to a lecturer seems daunting – but the benefits of asking questions and seeking clarification far outweigh any potential embarrassment.

Stephen D. Powell is an Associate Professor of English at the School of English and Theatre Studies at the University of Guelph. He explained that students regularly contact him by email asking for further guidance.

“Students contact me a fair amount by email, and I do regularly have students come to my office

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EMILIO GHLOUM

KATIE WEILBACHER VIA CC BY-NC-ND 2.0

By speaking with your professors or TAs regularly, you can immerse yourself within the university experience in a more encompassing and meaningful way. hours,” said Powell. “But, there are consistently some students in every class whom I will never see or hear from outside of class.”

“Students who come see me seem to benefit especially when they have specific questions, or are concerned about specific issues.

I’ve talked to lots of students over the years, and I find that I can answer most of the questions they ask me.”

Powell explained that his answers “may not always be perfect, but they can open up a dialogue that can result in a solution to the student’s problem down the road.”

When asked why he thinks students don’t speak to their professors, Powell offered one of his own experiences from his undergraduate career.

“Back when I was an undergrad, I was having trouble in a computer science course, and, after several days of beating my head against the wall, I went to see [my professor] for help,” said Powell.

“He sort of shrugged and said I should just keep trying.”

“It was lousy advice – I was quite good at programming…and I really couldn’t figure out how to get it done.”

Ultimately, Powell dropped his computer science course due to the professor’s failure at providing any aid. Powell was quick to clarify that not all professors are unhelpful. “[In] my years as a student, he was the only [professor] I got that kind of reaction from,” explained Powell.

A lesson all students eventually learn is that professors are people

too. Bad weather, troublesome traffic, and unreliable computers are all annoyances that students and professors share. However, at the root of professorship is the desire to teach and aid others; asking professors for help is sometimes the only thing needed to be done to achieve one’s academic goals.

“I recommend that students come see me – or contact me one way or the other – whenever it feels right to them,” concluded Powell.

The University of Guelph offers an enormous amount of services to their students to help make the transition to university life easier. First-year seminars prominently provide students with the opportunities to break out of their shells.

Hosted by a variety of instructors from all disciplines, these seminars are counted as an actual credit by the University - mainly because of the program’s proven track record among students. Exploring a large number of topics ranging from “The Social Life of Information,” to “The Culture of Stupidity,” these seminars provide a unique and crucial experience to first-year students who are just getting used to the university lifestyle.

These classes give students the freedom to take a course on a topic they are interested in, within an academic

setting, and at an intellectual level.

Offering smaller class sizes, the seminars themselves are less intimidating than a 300- person lecture, and allow for greater room for students to meaningfully participate.

While the first-year seminars function as an academic course, there are multiple underlying social aspects of the classes that students become exposed to. Encouraging participation and group projects, students learn the importance of communication and critical thinking.

There are many lessons to be learned as your university stay progresses - everything from how to pull all-nighters to proper e-mail etiquette, it is evident that you will inevitably learn lessons through your experience of university. Firstyear seminars offer one of the most important lessons you can learn in your first-year - becoming actively involved in your education. Taking steps toward becoming academically aware can really propel your university experience to the next level.

Furthermore, being in a first-year seminar is a great way to meet new people. You get to interact with students in all disciplines of study, as opposed to just limiting yourself to the people in your area of study.

Branching out and making connections with a variety of people on campus is crucial to the university experience. Also, the courses give you an opportunity to become acquainted with the instructors in a unique and meaningful way. On top of all this, the credit you gain from passing the course can go towards an elective. If you are a Philosophy student who wants to avoid taking Math or Chemistry, or a Zoology major can’t stand English, this is the course for you.

As stated on the website for firstyear seminars (available through the UoG website), the program, “[offers] students the opportunity to experience research in action and application, to engage more directly with the course material, and to develop skills of analysis, communication, and time-management…to help them and augment their learning throughout their time at Guelph, and beyond.”

Available through WebAdvisor under the course code UNIV, first-year seminars are open to all students in their first year. Regardless of age or discipline, students are guaranteed a spot.

With more than 20 courses and topics to choose from, the benefits of this program are unique and long-lasting.

OUR FIRST MEETING BACK IS

TODAY! WOW, HAVE WE EVER MISSED YOU.

This is a call to all previous volunteers, and to those who want to volunteer with us this semester. For those of you who don’t know – The Ontarion’s office is located on the second floor of the University Centre, room 264.

Come join us, we’ll have food!

FIND US

@theontarion

We are looking for people who want to hand out our papers outside on publication days (Thursdays) for one-hour blocks. Those who have an interest in doing so can contact us at ontarion@uoguelph.ca and will receive a $20 gift card to the Brass Taps for doing so.

Thanks for helping us out!

Issue 176.1 • Thursday, January 8, 2015

SCHOOL & STUDIES Listening with a capital “L” A short guide to hearing with intent ADRIEN POTVIN

ROBERT SCOBLE VIA CC BY 2.0

“How truly collaborative your education is may not make itself obvious immediately, but the results of listening with intent will certainly show in where your education progresses.”

In any interpersonal setting, and especially in an educational setting, there are few things more important than earnestly and actively listening to the people you engage yourself with. So often we have something pressing to say – as brashly or as tactfully as we can muster up – and, sometimes, we just like the sounds of our own voice, especially at this age.

Can you imagine what little would get done if we spoke over each other all the time? I’ve always felt that the sanctity of active listening is underappreciated and can really enrich one’s education and life. Education, relationships, work, and friendships – all of these things require a distinct and earnest level of understanding and empathy to work in a truly productive way.

I could be really flighty and say something along the lines of, “You can hear the music in everything.”

Granted the sentiment has its truths - but ideas speak loudly. In collaborating with others and implementing their ideas, new ideas can speak even louder.

As an English literature student, I can’t say much about what students in sciences, business, or engineering even do in class- let alone how to change one’s experience with these programs for the better. But, in my line of thinking, practice, and learning, I’ve felt that actively listening to yourself, paying attention to your program’s overall intellectual culture, and listening to your classmates with intent – not strictly your instructor or TA – is crucial to extending your knowledge past a classroom setting.

First years: if you haven’t encountered it yet, there will be times where it’s all on you. Your instructor can become just a mediator to your own work and ideas, and you need to flourish as an independent thinker.

Later years: I’m sure you know what I mean by now. The key to flourishing as an individual is through finely tuning your abilities to empathize and collaborate with the ideas of others.

The first step in doing this is to pay attention to concepts, understand their intricacies, and relay this information with others of like minds (or otherwise).

We’re all here to learn, work, and be the best that we can be. But, we can’t do it alone. How truly collaborative your education is may not make itself obvious immediately, but the results of listening with intent will certainly show in where your education progresses.

23

Top Five Study Spots on Campus

1) McLaughlin Library

2) Summelee Science

Complex

3) The Bullring

4) Thornbrough Lounge

5) MacDonald

Stewart Hall

TheON

Going to class and getting out of bed The importance of attendance EMILIO GHLOUM One of the most difficult things about the winter semester is dealing with the cold. Harsh, long, dark, and relentless, the windy Guelph mornings often make you not want to leave your warm bed.

For students living on residence and off-campus, braving the cold and going to class becomes increasingly difficult. However, as hard as it may be, immersing yourself within campus while attending your classes regularly is a crucial component of university life.

Attending classes should not be looked at as a chore. At university, we are given the opportunity to study a subject we are passionate about. Although all classes are not the most interesting or

awe-inspiring, students often fall into the trap of skipping when they are bored. Even if you dislike all of your classes, the act of getting up and physically being present in class can help keep you on track.

When a class is insanely boring, and the midterm is months away, it is easy to convince yourself that skipping is okay. However, there are numerous benefits that arise when looking at attendance and the effect it has on your studies.

Even though the professor has posted all of the class notes on CourseLink, being present for lectures is absolutely crucial for maximizing your ability to perform well on tests, assignments, and exams. By showing up to class, you can follow along and understand exactly what the professors expect of you. Perhaps more importantly, going to class can help you find out what you don’t need to know. Professors often give crucial information regarding tests and assignments

in class, and when students show professors that they are dedicated and involved, it becomes increasingly more beneficial to attend class.

As the semester progresses, it is undoubtedly harder to become motivated to get out of bed and go to class. While attending lectures can help you academically, it is also important for your mindset and overall confidence. Going to class is a lot like going to the gym.

If you skip and don’t go, you’ll feel terrible about yourself. If you do manage to rise from your cocoon of warmth, you will feel a sense of accomplishment, and your confidence to learn and do well will increase.

The benefits of going to class far outweigh the temporary exposure to cold weather. By regularly attending classes, you are making an effort not only to better yourself academically, but to further enrich your university experience entirely.

MATTHEW AZEVEDO/THE ONTARION

Attending classes regularly is crucial to achieving academic success both physically and mentally.

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SCHOOL & STUDIES

Tips for managing your semester A variety of tools to help keep you on track EMILIO GHLOUM The promise of a new year brings joy and splendor to many. For students however, a new year means, inevitably, a new semester - a second chance at any of the mistakes that may have been made in the fall. The holiday break can serve as a time to reflect and regroup for the oncoming barrage of homework and assignments, but once that time is over, there is little to keep you from making the same mistakes you did in the first semester. Here are some useful tools to help you tackle the new semester and make the best of your time.

Set realistic goals: Many students try to balance too many things at once. A good way to avoid falling into this trap is to set realistic and achievable goals. By dividing your goals into smaller achievements, tasks such as doing your readings, and not

procrastinating suddenly come to the forefront of your thinking. If you set the goal to make the honour roll from the start of the semester, you may neglect a lot of the smaller steps are crucial to achieving that goal. If you set multiple goals for yourself, such as reviewing notes an hour after class, or reading every night before bed, the long-term goal becomes much more attainable and realizable. Through setting smaller and more precise goals, you can work towards building strong, longlasting habits that will help make this your best semester yet.

Finding the study right environment: Surrounding yourself in an environment that encourages a positive work ethic is crucial to academic success. It is important to identify the work environment that works best for you. If you enjoy studying in complete silence, the Bullring may not be the place for you. Once you identify your ideal study environment, you can effectively build a routine to help you stay on track.

Whether it’s on your chestnut desk at home, or in a small crammed library-nook strategically located near washrooms and food, being able to identify what kind of environment works best for you can

propel your work habits to the next level.

Calendars and scheduling: Since GryphMail has switched over to using a Gmail server, scheduling and planning has become extremely convenient and accessible. Google Calendar provides a user-friendly interface that allows you to schedule and add reminders for all of your classes, assignments, or meetings. If you find yourself often forgetting to do discussion posts on CourseLink, or mixing up times and dates, integrating GryphMail and Google Calendar into your life may be helpful. If you are not technologically adept, the University Bookstore has multiple schedules, calendars, and day-planners that can encourage you to stay organized for the winter semester.

Dealing with procrastination: Procrastination is a problem that plagues a majority of students.

Regardless of how much time you are given to complete an essay or assignment, it seems inevitable that work will only see the light of day until the day before it’s due.

While it may seem more time-efficient to save all your assignments for the last day, what suffers most is the quality of your work. Even if you work well under pressure, people who procrastinate often

JESSICA CROSS CC BY 2.0

As the winter semester begins, it is important to reflect on your progress and identify your strengths in order to prevent the repetition of bad habits. find themselves missing out on crucial components of academic success. Managing procrastination is not easy, but by implementing designated work times and allotted periods to achieving specific tasks, you can overcome bad habits. Set

one hour aside for research and another for brainstorming. Whichever way you decide to divide your time, giving yourself the chance to explore and cultivate a critical perspective on your assignment is important.

Things we wish we knew in first year...

• Stressing wasn’t worth it – the more time I wasted stressing out, the less time I had to do the work. Action is far more productive!

• I wish I became involved in volunteering early.

Volunteering is a way to get involved on campus and throughout the community. It is a crucial way to gain experience and network yourself. Just be sure • Using an agenda is extremely helpful when to not overload yourself with too many different trying to organize the school/work/life balance. activities, as it is possible to overdo it and get warn It allows you to quickly check what is due as out. Find that balance, and stick to it. well as when and where you need to be, and how much free time you have on any particular day. • Getting a part-time job while in school may seem like a lot to manage, but it actually helps you learn • I wish I knew to not buy all textbooks at once how to manage your time effectively, while at the and for full price. There are lots of options – you same time can lessen your final student loan. can buy books new or used at the University of Guelph Bookstore, or the Co-op Bookstore on • Meet your professors in person! By taking the time campus. Or, you can arrange times to meet with out of your busy schedule to meet with your profespeople who have used books they are looking sors during their office hours, you allow yourself to to sell that are only a few months old. If you make a name for yourself and are avoiding being want to save money, and do not want to own the known as just a number. University campuses are books at all, you can also head to the library and busy places, with large classes. You never know what use the books that professors place on hold for kind of advice these experts can give you, or the students enrolled in their classes as well. contacts they will be for you in the future.

• It’s totally okay to change the direction you’re going with your studies.

• I wish I understood how important it is to understand your undergraduate course calendar.

Your undergraduate course calendar shows you what required courses you need to take to graduate from your program. Once I realized this was of utmost importance, I made an appointment with a program counselor and it was so helpful.

Do yourself a favour and make an appointment right away!

• Don’t eat take-out food all the time! A nice home cooked meal will work wonders.

• It’s okay to make mistakes. By experiencing new things, you are vulnerable to messing up a few times. Learn from your mistakes, and let them shape you to become a better person.

Issue 176.1 • Thursday, January 8, 2015

SCHOOL & STUDIES

25

A glance at Learning Services and Writing Services Looking at tools and resources available for students EMILIO GHLOUM The University of Guelph library has a multitude of resources that can help you make this semester your best yet. Specifically, the importance of cultivating time management and organizational skills is an area of focus that involves a vast majority of students. The McLaughlin Library is a great place to build strong and effective work habits that will help you in other aspects of your life outside of academics.

Learning Services is a program implemented through the library that helps students with a variety of learning strategies. By identifying and implementing specific tools through one-on-one appointments, Learning Services provides students with a resource to effectively improve their ability to learn and become active in their studies.

Appointments are available online throughout the entire semester, and students can constantly find information on workshops and study groups online, or on the bulletin boards scattered across the library.

Furthermore, there are a variety of incredibly useful charts, pamphlets, and handouts that students can take any time - including schedules, proper citation information, and stress-busters, to name a few.

If you feel comfortable with your study habits, but still want to improve the overall quality of your work, the Writing Services program can help you critically improve your writing. By making appointments online or signing up for drop-in appointments, the opportunity to increase the effectiveness of your writing is entirely accessible through the library. If you are unsure about your argumentation, or if your paper is coherent, actively seeking to reflect on your writing can help you tremendously as a student. Furthermore, communicating your ideas efficiently and with clarity is a crucial component of any assignment. Booking an appointment with Writing Services can help you become a stronger

MATTHEW AZEVEDO/THE ONTARION

A wide variety of information regarding study tips and helpful learning strategies can be found in the Learning Commons section of the Library. writer in ways that apply to a wide variety of disciplines.

McLaughlin Library provides services for students in all disciplines. With Learning Services and

Writing Services available readily throughout the semester, taking the initiative to better yourself as a student can benefit you in multiple ways. Not only can you become a

more efficient worker and writer, but by becoming aware of your ability to influence your educational path, you are given the opportunity to grow and mature as a person.

HEALTH & WELLBEING How to grocery shop efficiently Five steps to buying what you need STEPHANIE CORATTI Grocery shopping seems simple enough; go to the store and buy whatever is going to restock your cabinets and fridge. Despite the simplicity of it all, however, we always end up with more bags and a much longer bill than we had originally thought. The fact of the matter is, grocery shopping needs a plan – and a well thought out one at that. We have compiled five easy steps for you to make that plan and become a professional, efficient grocery shopper.

Step One: Plan your meals in advance It’s hard to know what you need to buy if you don’t know what you’re going to be cooking. Sit down and write out exactly what you’re going to be eating for each meal in the week

ahead. This weekly meal plan will also help save time and energy on those busy days when the hardest decision seems to be what you’re going to make for dinner at the end of it all.

Step Two: Search your cabinets and fridge to see what you need You (and any roommates that may be encompassed in the household grocery shopping task) should make a habit of writing down anything that runs out. Although, realistically, that list can be easily forgotten in the hustle and bustle of school and work, so checking your kitchen to see what needs to be replenished will be a good idea.

Step Three: Make a list There are two kinds of people in this world: people who love lists, and people who need to learn to love lists.

Write down everything that needs to be restocked from Step Two, followed by adding any further ingredients and food items that will be needed to follow your weekly meal plan.

If you really want to go list-crazy, try to group certain items together.

For example, list the meat products

together, then the produce, and so on.

This will help keep it a smooth sailing shopping trip.

Step Four: Check the flyers Go through the store flyers for the week to check out what’s on sale and where. Also, keep in mind that some grocery stores price match. If you don’t have a flyer delivered to your house, download one of the many flyers apps to your smart phone. Flipp is free and puts all of the weekly sales in the palm of your hand.

Step Five: Eat before you go shopping This may seem like something your mother would say, you know, “You need to eat before you go out!” But mothers usually know best, anyway.

Grocery shopping on an empty stomach could be bad news for your bank account. Realistically, walking up and down aisles of nothing but food while hungry could be anyone’s demise. To avoid purchasing unnecessary things out of hunger, cook something prior to the trip that will be sure to hold you over until after you’re finished shopping.

MARC FALARDEAU VIA CC BY 2.0

Grocery shopping may seem like a simple task, but planning and preparing before loading up the grocery cart will have your bank account thanking you.

26

HEALTH & WELLBEING

Staying active this winter

those days you’d rather stay in bed.

Workouts don’t have to disappear with the warm weather

Set goals, not resolutions Rather than focusing on what you want to stop doing as the New Year begins and the winter continues, set goals for things you want to accomplish. For most of us, resolutions hardly last part the month of January, especially when they’re fitness related. To avoid the novelty wearing off on your new found inspiration in 2015, set little goals that will continue to keep you feeling accomplished and motivated. A goal could be as simple as doing one full pullup, or running around the block without having to stop, before the end of the month. Sometimes the little successes are the most important.

STEPHANIE CORATTI It doesn’t take much more than a warm and cozy bed to ignore the alarm clock and the plan to hit the gym when the winter months arrive.

The task of wearing layer-upon-layer is exhausting just thinking about it, while clearing the snow off your car is a thought you’d rather not even entertain.

The fact of the matter is, though, we can’t hibernate – no matter how much we try to – and staying active is important, not just for our physical health, but for our mental health as well. Try some of these suggestions to stay happy and healthy this winter!

Add in some play time The cold weather might make you want to hit snooze on the alarm clock to avoid the outside (and the gym) at all costs, but who says cold weather can’t be fun? Say no to the gym every once in a while for a fun day outside. Mix in some snow angels, or even an old-fashioned

COLLIDEOUS VIA CC BY-NC-SA 2.0

Whether it’s braving the snow for a morning bike ride, or mixing in new DVD workout at home, staying active in the winter is important both physically and mentally. snowball fight (an average of 319 calories burned per hour). Skating is also a fun exercise, and it can be done both in and outdoors and boasts an average loss of 450 calories per hour.

Get involved in a winter sport Sports are always more fun than the gym, so why not take up a winter sport? Anything from skiing to snowboarding to hockey will get you up and

active this winter – and you’ll have fun in the process.

Work out at home The cold isn’t for everyone, but that doesn’t mean you should use snow and below-zero weather as an excuse!

Trying a new workout DVD at home, playing Dance Dance Revolution with your roommates, or even just running the stairs a few times could be sufficient on those lazier winter days.

Building confidence in university Confidence first step in being proactive with education

thought possible (I did mention it was a mean place). Through all of that, you just have to (get ready for the cliché) believe in yourself.

Take a look at six ways to ensure you’re helping yourself in university, rather than adding to the load.

STEPHANIE CORATTI

You’re only as good as you think.

The most important opinion about yourself is your own.

Rather than listening to others about what you can and can’t do – whether they’re family, friends, or even professors – decide for yourself and test your limitations.

Don’t forget to remind yourself of all the hard work it took to get to this point in your academic career. If you tell yourself you’re good enough, you will be.

University can be a mean, mean place.

Some of us go from the top of our class in high school to failing our first ever midterm (myself included) and suddenly we’re second-guessing our whole decision to attend this so-called academic institution. We start doubting ourselves and genuinely start to believe we may not be cut out for post-secondary education after all.

The key, however, is confidence. University is supposed to be difficult, and it’s supposed to test you in ways you never

Realize you’re the majority.

Fun fact: you’re not the only one who feels inadequate in post-secondary education. In

fact, one-third of university students feel that way after their first semester – as a fourth year student, I can promise you the feeling makes some reappearances down the road. With this, it’s important to remember that you’re not the only one who feels this way. Remember that struggles shouldn’t emphasize your doubts about your academic choices, but rather your ability to overcome difficulty.

Boost your own ego.

If you’re not good at science, chances are loading up on a semester of five science courses isn’t going to make you feel the best about yourself. Acknowledging your weaknesses is necessary – however, recognizing and playing up your strengths is also important. Take a class you know you’ll enjoy and do well in, or take up a sport with the university’s intramural program that will give you a weekly boost when

Try something new New is always better than old, right? With that logic, it’s time to get out there and sign up for indoor volleyball or that bootcamp you’ve always been too afraid to try. The winter months can definitely be strong enough to hold people down, and the excitement of something you’ve always wanted to try is a good way to stay energized and motivated on

you’re feeling down and out.

While you’re at it, start rewarding yourself for achievements – try hitting up Menchie’s when you do well on a paper.

Don’t put yourself at a disadvantage.

Choosing the comforts of our bed over an early morning class is something we’ve all been guilty of at one point or another. It’s important, though, to not make this choice a habit. It’s hard to do well in classes when you’re missing several at a time. This will evidently result in some unnecessary struggle and it could hurt your confidence level academically.

Try studying with friends.

Studying in a group can be beneficial for many reasons. First, if you don’t understand something, you have others to make you realize you’re not the only one and to help you grasp the concept before the big midterm. Second,

Be positive A lot of people don’t like winter – that just might be the understatement of the year. Putting attention on the things you do love about this season will certainly be more productive and fulfilling. If it wasn’t for winter, you wouldn’t be able to curl up on the couch with some hot chocolate to watch a movie with the significant other, and you wouldn’t be able to eat delicious inseason products like chestnuts, for example. Focusing on the positives will help you remain excited and driven to stay active and healthy.

you often don’t realize you know something until you’re put into a situation to help someone else. If you get the opportunity to help a peer understand one of the lessons, it will most definitely make you feel more confident in your abilities.

Comments should be taken constructively.

Everyone dreads the paper bleeding red ink, but, often times, that paper is the best thing for us. A majority of students look at those comments in red and immediately think negative criticism, so they ignore criticism entirely.

Viewing those comments with a constructive and positive spin – that your professor is trying to help you improve – will help you significantly down the line.

Taking things with a more positive attitude overall will also help prove to be a confidence booster, rather than something to tear you down.

HEALTH & WELLBEING

Mental health & wellness It’s a New Year, time to take care of yourself EMILY JONES It’s a New Year. It’s time to welcome 2015, and to make a promise to take care of ourselves mentally.

To be healthy means more than to recognize steps we all need to physically take to be in our best shape. We also need to be sure to take care of ourselves mentally.

“...we need to be sure that we are prepared for what lies ahead in 2015.”

Now that the hustle and bustle of the holiday season has come to an end, we need to be sure that we are prepared for what lies ahead in 2015. With a new semester underway, and being consumed with planning for our future goals, we need to recognize that right now is the best time to start taking better mental care of ourselves. Life is busy - with school, work, and personal lives it is difficult to find balance - but taking better mental care is likely

one of the most important things we can do for ourselves.

We are active beings. With busy social lives, hectic work schedules, and exhausting school work filled weeks, it’s time to find a calm in the storm we call life. I know – it’s easier said than done – but it is something that is manageable once set into action.

For starters - get organized!

Take a bit of time to organize your life, week-by-week. Plan out your basic schedule, and colour code the things you need to do.

All of these things fall under what is known as productivity. They include: work schedules, class schedules, homework, chores around the house, and volunteering. Once these items are planned out, you will feel better knowing that you have a plan.

Next, build a plan of things you want to do over the next few months. This may include taking a weekend trip somewhere you have always wanted to go, reading a book you have been meaning to read, or signing up for an activity you want to get involved in.

These things all fall under leisurely activities that are good for your body and mind.

Lastly, take time to take care of yourself. Be sure to have time each week that you spend alone, or with the company of loved ones. Schedule a dinner with your significant other or friends, go and get coffee from your favourite coffee shop, take a bath, meditate, and get to bed early.

These are all things that fall in the category of self-care.

Each of these categories are part of what makes you healthy mentally.

Tips for staying mentally healthy

MATTHEW AZEVEDO/THE ONTARION

If you make yourself one promise, and one promise only, in 2015 – make one to take care of yourself. Take time to do the things you enjoy – head to one of your favourite coffee shops and enjoy a coffee while reading a book for instance.

Try your best to find a balance, and, when you do, you will notice a great difference in your overall attitude and view of the world around

you. Make yourself a promise this year to take good care of yourself, and I promise you, you will not regret it!

Mental health and personal wellbeing, an important topic for all U of G launches new page, The Ontarion continues column EMILY JONES Mental health and wellness is one of the most important topics to talk about. It is something that affects every individual in different ways, and it is crucial that we as a society, continue to talk about

these issues in order to continue to open up the discussion on a variety of topics including, but not limited to, happiness, balance, depression, anxiety, social pressure, and stress.

Beginning last semester, the University of Guelph launched a mental well-being page on their website. It is full of information that is helpful to students who are looking to improve their mental health. It is a place for students to go to understand that they are not alone when feeling the multitude of ways university can make one feel, and it has links to help students get involved, get help, and live healthily.

27

The University of Guelph has so many resources available to students, many of which you can learn more about right here in The Ontarion’s Back-to-School Guide, Winter Edition, on our Student Resource Page, located on page 19. In May of 2013, The Ontarion began a mental health and wellness column that is dedicated to talking about issues that can, and likely do, affect everyone. It affects everyone in different ways - it can be personal, or it can affect you through relation to others. No matter what, mental health issues are not easy to deal with. This column will continue to be a part of our weekly publication, and will continue to

have rotating authorship to be able to share experiences through different voices and perspectives.

If you have something to say, or are looking for a place to feel connected, be sure to come to our volunteer meetings, or pick up a paper each week to see what has been chosen to focus on. The Ontarion is always willing to hear your ideas regarding these topics, and even if you yourself do not want to write the article, someone else may want to. Let’s continue being open with one another and further discuss these issues. No one is alone in this life, we are all here to help each other through the hardships.

1. Take time for yourself 2. Accept yourself 3. Be confident in who you are 4. Get enough sleep 5. Keep in touch with good friends 6. Take a bath 7. Go for a walk 8. Read a good book 9. Eat healthy meals 10. Drink lots of water 11. Spend time alone 12. Dance 13. Sing 14. Write in a journal 15. Make lists 16. Cry 17. Laugh so hard your face hurts 18. Watch good movies 19. Learn a new skill 20. Develop a plan 21. Stray away from a plan 22. Accept change 23. Adapt 24. Find comfort in silence 25. Spend time outdoors

28

HEALTH & WELLBEING

The Ontarion Inc. University Centre Room 264 University of Guelph N1G 2W1 ontarion@uoguelph.ca Phone 519-824-4120 General: x 58265 Editorial: x 58250 Advertising: x 53534 Accounts: x 53534

Editorial Staff Editor-in-Chief

Emily Jones Associate Editor

Emilio Ghloum News Editor

Alyssa Ottema Arts & Culture Editor

Adrien Potvin Sports & Health Editor

Stephanie Coratti Copy Editor

Sameer Chhabra Web Editor

Danielle Subject Production Staff Photo & Graphics Editor

Matthew Azevedo Director of Layout &

Design

Carly Jenkins

Office Staff Business Coordinator

Lorrie Taylor Ad Manager

Al Ladha Office Manager

Vanessa Tignanelli Circulation Director

Salvador Moran Board Of Directors President

Alex Lefebvre Chairperson

Patrick Sutherland Treasurer

Anothony Jehn Secretary

Sasha Odesse Directors

Melissa Chong Ah Yan

Bronislaw Szulc

Zina Bibanovic Contributors

Connor Arsenault

Jessica Avolio

Gabrielle Dickert

Mohammad Melebari

Julia Noel

Joanne Pearce

Ryan Priddle

Wendy Shepherd

Meg Wilson The Ontarion is a non-profit organization governed by a Board of Directors. Since the Ontarion undertakes the publishing of student work, the opinions expressed in this publication do not necessarily reflect those of the Ontarion Board of Directors. The Ontarion reserves the right to edit of refuse all material deemed sexist, racist, homophobic, or otherwise unfit for publication as determined by the Editorin-Chief. Material of any form appearing in this newspaper is copyrighted 2015 and cannot be reprinted without the approval of the Editor-in-Chief. The Ontarion retains the right of first publication on all material. In the event that an advertiser is not satisfied with an advertisement in the newspaper, they must notify the Ontarion within four working days of publication. The Ontarion will not be held responsible for advertising mistakes beyond the cost of advertisement.

The Ontarion is printed by Thuroweb.

New Year’s resolutions Setting yourself up for success, one step at a time JOANNE PEARCE We all start off the New Year with good intentions. We tell ourselves that we will eat healthier, go to the gym more often, spend more time doing the things we enjoy, learn a new language, and procrastinate less on work we have to get done.

The list, albeit well intended, often looks eerily similar to last year’s goals. Somehow, despite the determination that this year will be different, people find themselves sidetracked – often with excuses like, “I just ended up getting too busy.” Before you know it, the goal you had for the year has ended in a month, and when friends or family bring up the topic, you end up whistling and sheepishly looking off to the side. While crossing off 2014 and writing 2015 overtop one’s resolutions is one way to approach the problem, it won’t fix the issue at hand. In fact, it might just make you feel worse.

What needs to be kept in mind, however, is that New Year’s Resolutions, I believe, are not meant to be quick catalysts that will change your life. One of the dangers that I, and many others, fall into when making goals is setting ourselves up to complete vague and enormous tasks. For some people, this might work – but it doesn’t for everyone. Here are four tips I’ve found to be great advice (even outside New Year’s Resolutions): The first is to choose small, realistic goals. Going to the gym isn’t a bad goal, and being healthy is a great thing to strive for in life. However, the problem is that the goal is too ambiguous.

JERRYONLIFE VIA CC BY 2.0

The New Year often brings with it the idea of a fresh start in terms of resolutions that a lot of us find difficult to keep. When making your resolution for 2015, keep in mind that the smallest of changes can make all the difference.

By focusing and making the goal more attainable and clear, the task becomes less daunting. For example, if your resolution was to go to the gym more often, perhaps take the time to schedule three times per week that you will go to the gym, with a goal for each day that you go – whether that be running for 10 minutes or 30. If that is still too big, go smaller. Want to eat healthier? Try replacing dessert or unhealthy snacks for something else you enjoy, like fruit or yogurt instead. Small steps will still lead you to where you want to go.

The second piece of advice is to plan your change gradually.

Despite the appeal for quick fixes, like getting abs suddenly overnight or instantly speaking impeccable Spanish, the reality is that change requires hard work.

That isn’t to say that it’s impossible. By breaking up tasks and slowly building on them, goals become easier to accomplish and

you can start to form good habits.

If you find yourself overwhelmed by your list, choose one thing to focus on. Long lists can be great if there is a lot you want to do, but they can also make you get overwhelmed. If you still have struggles, don’t fret – slow down.

This isn’t a race against anyone but yourself. Change will come gradually.

The third piece of advice is an important one: don’t beat yourself up. Setbacks are a natural and normal occurrence when you try to improve. I think it’s extremely important to keep a positive and determined attitude towards the goals you set. As soon as doubt or negativity begins to permeate, take a second to calm down. Remind yourself why you set this goal, and why you want to achieve it. Beware the trap of thinking, “What the heck, I’ve already broken my goal once, who cares if I do it a second time.” A

mistake is okay, but if a mistake becomes an excuse, that is when you have a problem. If it helps, post a sticky note on your wall cheering you on to complete your goal, read an inspiring quote, tell a friend to cheer you on, or watch a video that will cheer you on.

Behavioural change is hard.

Really, really hard – it’s why bad habits form in the first place: the easier option often looks really appealing. Sometimes skipping Monday-morning-lectures seems more appealing. That is why concrete, manageable tasks are a great way to approach the problem.

You can even create a check list to get the satisfaction of completing a checkpoint in your goal. Take a chance and adjust the way you approach your New Year’s resolution goals – testing yourself and seeing what works and doesn’t work is all part of the process of change.

FIND US

TheOntarion.com

@theontarion Have a question, comment or complaint?

Send us a letter to the editor at ontarion@uoguelph.ca.

Deadline is Monday at 4 p.m., 300 word max.

UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH ASSISTANTSHIPS SUMMER 2015 Exciting opportunities exist for students interested in summer work under two unique summer research programs.

The NSERC Undergraduate Summer Research Awards (USRA) and Undergraduate Research Assistantships (URA) are available for the summer of 2015. The positions are 16 weeks in length.

USRA and URA Position Descriptions are posted on the respective websites.

USRA (NSERC)

URA

STUDENT ELIGIBILITY • Must be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident of Canada

STUDENT ELIGIBILITY • Must be a Canadian Citizen or permanent resident of Canada residing in Ontario

• Must be registered full-time at the time of application in a baccalaureate program in natural science or engineering. Normally students participating in this program are students at the University of Guelph but students from other institutions who meet the academic criteria are also eligible

• Must be a full-time or part-time student at the time of application in any baccalaureate program at the University of Guelph

• Must have a cumulative average of at least a ‘B-’ standing (≥70%) during the course of their undergraduate study • There are no

• Must have a cumulative average of at least a ‘B-’ standing (≥70%) during the course of their undergraduate study (departments may have additional academic criteria) as determined by the University of Guelph’s • Must have assessment through the submission of a Financial Need Assessment Form • Must return to study in a baccalaureate program in Fall 2015

•

• Must not have completed the last semester of their baccalaureate program

• Must not have started a graduate program at the time of the award

• Must be engaged in full-time research during the tenure of the award. However, a student may register as a part-time student at the University during the award period providing they are not registered for course(s) totalling more than 1.0 credits

• Must be engaged in full-time research during the tenure of the award

STUDENT APPLICATION

STUDENT APPLICATION

1. Forward a complete application to the respective department/unit. Complete applications consist of:

1. Submit a URA Financial Need Assessment Form to Student Financial Services for assessment, beginning Dec. 8, 2014 and no later than Feb. 2, 2015

a) NSERC’s Form 202 - Part 1 (now an online application)- refer to the NSERC website: http://www.nserc-crsng.gc.ca/OnlineServices-ServicesEnLigne/Forms-Formulaires_eng. asp

. Once an approval email is received students should forward a complete application to the respective hiring department/unit. Complete applications consist of:

b) The University’s Form 2 documents page)

a) The University’s Form 2 documents page)

supervisor once the position has been offered)

transcript to their

Financial Services)

SELECTION PROCEDURE

The Department/unit makes decisions on the applicants and selects students for either a USRA or URA, beginning February 17, 2015. A student may only hold one award at any one time.

URA & USRA APPLICATIONS MUST BE SUMBITTED TO THE DEPARTMENTS NO LATER THAN FEBRUARY 2, 2015

30

FUN PAGE

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delight 21- Frozen water 23- Brief instant 26- Fine fiddle 27- Valuable violin 28- Pertaining to Benedict XVI 29- Pelvic bones 30- Bullwinkle, e.g.

31- Shouldered 32- Gaucho’s rope 33- “Enigma Variations” composer 36- Against a proposition 42- Writing space 43- Hug 44- Average 45- Inspiring awe 47- Actress Farrow 49- German article 52- RR stops 53- Gap 54- Must’ve SUBMIT COMPLETED CROSSWORD TO THE been something ONTARION OFFICE, UC 264, NO LATER THAN ___ MONDAY JAN. 12, AT 4PM FOR YOUR CHANCE 55- Thought 56- Ear part TO WIN TWO FREE BOB’S DOGS! 57- Airline since LAST WEEK’S ANSWERS 1948 Crossword 58- Otherwise 59- Go out with Winner from 62- “___ and 175.14 is… hers” James Bullard!

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