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Fall 2021 New Student Orientation

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At this time, we intend to hold in-person Orientation activities in late August 2021 and early September 2021, before the first day of classes of the Fall 2021 semester. Please note, the unpredictability of the COVID-19 situation may necessitate altering the delivery of this programming. The University of Guelph-Humber will continue to follow the direction of the Ontario Government and local public health officials to ensure we are complying with all protocols. More information will be shared with new students in the coming months.

Fall 2020 New Student Orientation

 

 

New to the University of Guelph-Humber? The Student Success Sessions, First Year Experience Socials, Student Success Guide, and Swoop into Success Month are here to help you succeed. And your University of Guelph-Humber community is ready to support you through Fall 2020 and beyond. We’re all in this together!

Student Life has organized a series of events and activities to support you as you enter your first semester at the University. These Orientation experiences will strengthen your knowledge of supports and resources and introduce you to other new students, staff, and faculty. The Student Success Guide, sessions with Program Heads and Assistant Program Heads, and FYE socials will get you one step closer to achieving your goals!

Your Student Success Guide

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A workshop-based guide to help you discover how the University of Guelph-Humber community is supporting you in this new chapter. Complete the workshops at your own pace – they’re available until the end of the Fall 2020 semester. Each workshop is Co-Curricular Record certified, meaning you could earn up to SEVEN CCR experiences just by completing these!

VISIT THE STUDENT SUCCESS GUIDE

Student Success Sessions

During Orientation Week, we hosted live Q&A’s with your Program Heads and Assistant Program Heads on Microsoft Teams. They answered your questions and provided key tips to help you succeed during your first year in your program.

Missed your program’s session? Or did you attend but want to revisit those pearls of wisdom? We’ve got you covered – the recordings for the Student Success Sessions are now available below.

If you’d like a copy of your Student Success Session’s presentation slides, email life@guelphhumber.ca. Be sure to include your program in your email!

First Year Experience (FYE) Socials

Your FYE Leaders hosted drop-in socials on Microsoft Teams in your FYE groups from August 31 to September 4. But don’t worry – there will be more! Check out the FYE website for more information on upcoming FYE events.

Haven’t joined your FYE group yet? Follow these step-by-step instructions to access your FYE group. Once you log in, you’ll see your FYE group listed under Teams. Email life@guelphhumber.ca if you have any trouble accessing your FYE group.

  Important Dates   Semester Updates   UofGH Covid-19 Updates
 

FAQs

Here are common questions we receive from new students, answered by current UofGH student leaders.
Can’t find the answer to your question? Email us!

When is the first day of classes?

The first day of classes of the Fall 2020 semester is Wednesday, September 9, 2020.

Will classes go back on campus this semester?

Course delivery for the Fall 2020 Term will reflect a blended approach, with most classes using alternate formats and some being face-to-face. More information can be found in the University’s Fall 2020 COVID-19 information.

One of my classes says Online Distance. What does this mean?

Courses that are marked Distance means they are exclusively online with no on-campus components. You will not have to be online at any specific dates or times. Further details of course delivery will be provided by your prof/instructor closer to the start of the semester. For more definitions and to view your Fall 2020 course schedule, please visit the Course Selection webpage.

Where can I find my course outlines?

You can find course outlines by using the Course Outlines search engine and selecting the corresponding Course Code found on your Course Schedule. Double-check that you’re choosing the correct course outline by looking at the Year, Term, and Section. Some of the Fall 2020 course outlines may not be posted yet, but it can still be beneficial to view old outlines from previous semesters to gain an understanding of what you can expect from the class.

What textbooks do I need for class?

You can find out which textbooks are required for each class by viewing the Course Outlines. Textbook information can be found underneath the heading Learning Resources. It’s recommended that you wait until the first day of class to speak to your prof/instructor before purchasing textbooks, as some may accept older editions, have an online PDF available for the class, or might not require the textbook entirely.

You can also email your prof/instructor before classes begin to confirm textbook information. Their contact information can be found in the Course Outlines underneath the heading Instructional Support.  

Where can I buy textbooks?

You can purchase your textbooks from several places! The Humber Campus Store  offers new, used, and rental textbooks, plus a price-matching program, with delivery or pick-up options. Students can also purchase UofGH apparel and merchandise at the Campus Store. You can find textbooks in Facebook groups where upper-year students sell their used textbooks, Amazon, Indigo, and more.

Remember to wait until the first day of class to speak to your prof/instructor before purchasing textbooks, as some may accept older editions, have an online PDF available for the class, or might not require the textbook entirely.

What is Reading Week and when is it?

Reading Week is a designated period where normal class schedules and academic requirements are put on hold. These are breaks to support student wellness and mental health.

During Reading Week, for both online and in-person courses:

  • There are no mandatory academic events (e.g., classes, lectures, labs, tutorials, seminars).
  • Instructors are not permitted to schedule academic evaluations (e.g., quizzes, midterms, presentations).
  • Instructors cannot set any course deadlines (e.g., essays, projects, presentations)

There may be some exceptions regarding Field Placement/Practicum or any other experiential learning integral to a course, but this will be reflected in your course outline.

Reading Week for the Fall 2020 semester is scheduled for October 12-16, 2020. 

Reading Week for the Winter 2021 semester is scheduled for February 15-19, 2021.  

Getting Involved

How do I get involved?

There are so many ways to get involved in the UofGH community!

Here are some ways to get involved at UofGH and Humber College:

Where do I find out about clubs?

Learn about clubs through the IGNITE website. All clubs available for the North Campus are listed on the site alongside their contact information to join. If you don’t see a club you wish to join, you can also apply to start your own club! 

Will I be able to access Student Wellness and Accessibility services this Fall?

The Student Wellness and Accessibility Centre is closed until further notice, but staff in all areas of expertise are available online or by phone. You can access services through a combination of remote/virtual options, including Zoom calls.

If at any time you need immediate personal support or counselling, you can access the Good2Talk Helpline at 1-866-925-5454 or by texting GOOD2TALKON to 686868, or use Therapy Assist Online, which provides online and mobile tools to support mental health.

If you are in crisis and need urgent mental health support, please call 911 or go to your nearest emergency department.

Financial Questions

When is tuition due?

A non-refundable $200 registration deposit was due on Friday, August 14, 2020. The balance of your Fall semester tuition and fees is due on Friday, September 18, 2020.

View other critical financial dates.

How/where do I pay tuition?

You can view your semester bill and a breakdown of the charges for Fall 2020 online by logging into WebAdvisor and clicking Account View under Academic Profile. To pay the tuition bill, click Make a Payment under Academic Profile and enter in the exact amount you wish to pay. From there, it will guide you to choose a payment method to complete the process.

View the approved methods of payment.

Will tuition be lessened due to classes being online?

For the Fall 2020 semester only, compulsory ancillary fees have been reduced by $139.36. Visit Student Financial Services’ COVID-19 FAQs for a breakdown of which fees were reduced. Questions can be directed to finaid@guelphhumber.ca.

How do I apply for OSAP (Ontario Student Assistant Program)?

Eligible full-time and part-time students can now apply for OSAP. Read about eligibility requirements, application deadlines, and more here.

I’m receiving my OSAP payment after the tuition payment deadline. What do I do?

Student Financial Services encourages all students to submit their OSAP application in a timely manner to ensure funding is released on time before the September 18 deadline. If you expect your funding to be delayed or are experiencing difficulties making payments, please contact Student Financial Services at finaid@guelphhumber.ca to discuss payment arrangements.

Other

What insurance coverage do I have?

All full-time UofGH students are automatically enrolled in a Flexible Health & Dental Insurance Plan provided by IGNITE. To view a full breakdown of the different insurance plans and what they cover, visit We Speak Student.

Can I opt out of the insurance coverage?

Review the Flexible Health & Dental Insurance Plan information from IGNITE. There are prescription opt-out and entire plan opt-out options. The deadline for September-start students to opt out of the entire flexible plan is October 9, 2020 at 4:00 pm.

How do I receive my Student ID card?

The fall semester is almost here, and that means you'll be receiving your student ID card soon!

To create your University of Guelph-Humber student ID card, you will need to complete the following 3 steps:

STEP 1: Submit your photo for your ID Card online 

STEP 2: Upload the required documentation to confirm your identity and citizenship

STEP 3: Confirm your mailing address.  

Please visit the ID Card website for instructions and further details.