Student Wellness and Experience
Both U of G and CBS have a variety of resources and initiatives that can boost your graduate experience and wellness! Explore the links below to learn more.
U of G Student Services
From counselling to managing conflicts with landlords, writing assignments and analyzing data, chatting about your identity in a safe space, learning about research commercialization, sharing experiences about grad school, troubleshooting technical difficulties with your computer, booking a medical check-up, and preparing for a job interview, various units across campus offer resources, group activities, and one-to-one appointments with student affairs professionals to assist you during your time in graduate school. Student Services are available for ALL students (not only undergraduate students, as it is commonly thought), so don't hesitate to benefit from them!
Gryphons Fitness and Recreation: Athletics and recreation; sports, intramural teams; gym and dance classes; personal training.
Experiential Learning – Career Services: Guidance with job searching, CVs, and interview preparation and skills; advice on career pathways; help applying for professional and PhD programs.
Computing and Communication Services (CCS): Technical support with U of G login, computer malfunctioning/hacking, and U of G Wi-Fi connectivity problems; discounted software for students.
CUPE3913: Help for Teaching Assistants: advice on rights and obligations, problems with instructors, and work harassment and conditions.
Graduate Student Association (GSA): Questions about grad student fees and benefits; opportunities for student event funding; weekly events/socials for grad students.
Grad Circle: Grad student to grad student support; sharing experiences about self-worth, managing conflicts with advisors, and talking work/life balance. Email grad.circle@uoguelph.ca.
Lincoln Alexander Student Service Centre ("the LINC"): Support for course enrollment (late add, section overload, course waivers); confirmation of enrollment and transcripts; financial aid counselling; U of G ID cards.
McLaughlin Library: Group and one-on-one support for scholarly writing, thesis organization, publishing, and literature search; help with assignments; writing, data, and studying skills; English language support.
Office of Diversity and Human Rights: Information on the University’s Human Rights Policy and Procedures, and University’s Sexual Violence Policy. EDI resources, training, and funding opportunities.
OpenEd: Technical support for CourseLink; classroom technical support (mics, speakers, AV equipment).
Research Innovation Office: Advice on research patentability, intellectual property, knowledge mobilization, research commercialization, liaising with industries and partners.
Student Volunteer Connections (SVC): Help connecting with volunteer opportunities and partners with common interests and academic/career aspirations.
Student Experience - Multi-Faith Resource Team: Support for students with any faith traditions; exploration of questions of meaning, purpose, belonging and identity; spiritual life enrichment.
Student Experience - Cultural Diversity: Support for racialized students, spaces for cultural celebration, advocacy, social justice, mentorship, skill-building, and community-building.
Student Experience - Indigenous Student Centre: Support for Indigenous students: personal, academic, financial, cultural, housing, and employment concerns.
International Student Experience: Support for international students: housing, academic concerns, immigration and permits, financial difficulties, culture shock.
Student Experience- Sexual and Gender Diversity: Advise and support for students who are Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Questioning, Two-Spirit, Intersex, Asexual, and other identities outside of heterosexual and cisgender paradigms.
Student Wellness - Counselling: Crisis support and ongoing group and individual counselling; mental health services and training.
Student Wellness - Health Services: Walk-in clinic and doctor appointments; nursing and dietician services; flu and immunization; self-care resources.
Student Accessibility Services: Accessibility: navigating buildings, using assistive technologies, accessing academic literature and resources, preparing and sitting for a QE; preparing and defending a thesis.
Sexual and Gender-Based Violence Support and Education: Support for survivors of sexual and gender-based violence (accommodations, system navigations, safety planning, and referrals); trauma-informed and anti-oppressive education and support.
Student Experience - Off-Campus Living: Help finding a home off campus; lease reviews; landlord and roommate conflicts; feelings of loneliness and isolation; community building for student off-campus.
List compiled for CBS grad students: Access to professional and career skills development opportunities in preparation for academic and non-academic positions.
Student Organizations
Graduate Student Support Circle
The Graduate Student Support Circle (GSSC) is an initiative of Student Wellness. This group of graduate students from across campus meets weekly to provide peer support and share aspects of graduate student life that may be challenging to discuss elsewhere. Visit the GSSC website or email them at grad.circle@uoguelph.ca for more information.
Graduate Student Association (GSA)
The mission of the Graduate Students' Association (GSA) is to advance the academic and social goals of graduate students at the University of Guelph. The GSA can assist you with information and services related to health and dental plans, bus passes, emergency/compassionate grants, student food bank, volunteer connections, and counselling, among others. You can visit the GSA website and follow them on Twitter and Instagram.
MCB Graduate Student Council
The Molecular and Cellular Biology Graduate Student Council consists of a group of students who are motivated to work together to promote an engaging and collaborative environment within the department of MCB, and most importantly to enhance the graduate experience of students within the department. The MCB GSC works with the department to host a variety of both academic and social events throughout the year. Get in touch: mcbgsc@uoguelph.ca; MCB GSC website.
Other Student Groups
There are more student-run organizations and clubs across campus! You can check out the full list on the U of G Student Experience website.
Opportunities for Student Involvement in CBS
Departmental Committees
If you are looking for ways to build connections and enhance your sense of community, joining a departmental committee might be of interest to you! Each department typically has several committees that include graduate student representatives. These committees span topics from EDI to curriculum, awards, outreach, teaching and learning, wellness and faculty searches, among others. Please check in with your department’s administrative assistant for current vacancies. Your department would be happy to have you!
Students Communicating Research in Biology Education (SCRIBE)
SCRIBE writers are graduate students who take an active role in translating and communicating research results from CBS research to non-specialist audiences. SCRIBE writers develop knowledge mobilization skills and get their pieces published on the CBS website. In October 2021, CBS also launched its own podcast, Gryphon CAST (Chatting About Science Today), a division of SCRIBE. Interested in being part of SCRIBE or Gryphon CAST? Email Dr. Sarah Bates.
Dedicated Spaces
Room Bookings
If you would like to book a space to study or hold a meeting for your club/organization, CBS can help! Email your department’s admin staff to explain your space needs. In addition, larger rooms can be booked through Registrarial Services and quiet study rooms can be booked through the Library.
Breaks and Lunchtime Spaces
You are welcome to use lounge rooms and kitchens in your building. You can also use the Atrium, but large groups, especially after office hours, might require booking (please check with Hospitality Services).
Indigenous Little Free Library
Everyone is welcome to peruse or borrow books by Indigenous authors from this unique space organized by IB Indigenous Belonging and Connections Committee. The library is located on the 2nd floor lounge in the SSC.
Multi-Faith and Quiet Spaces
SSC Safe Space: SSC 1119
This space is set aside for quiet reflection, meditation, and prayer, to nurture the well-being and diverse spirituality of our campus community. You are welcome to use the materials provided. Please leave the space as you found it. No booking required.
ANNU Quiet Room: ANNU 173A
A quiet room is available for booking in the Animal Wing of the ANNU building, room 173a. The room can be used by a single person at a time (or a person with a baby) for prayer, meditation, lactation, sensory and mental health breaks and other activities requiring a quiet and private space. Studying is not permitted. The room can be booked through the HHNS administrative staff.
A full list of multi-faith and quiet spaces on campus can be found on the Student Experience website.
About
The College of Biological Science is a globally recognized academic faculty with a mission to expand the understanding of life, from DNA to cells to complex ecosystems. It produces intrepid and interdisciplinary research in a student-centred learning environment that encourages and promotes comprehensive understanding of the systems that govern life.