What is UBCO Life?
UBCO Life is a newsletter delivered twice per month to continuing undergraduate students, featuring academic and social events, upcoming deadlines, university news, and other issues relevant to student life and success at UBC Okanagan. | Hey, UBCO students! Happy start of term! We are loving the back-to-school vibes on campus right now. Scroll through to see how you can get involved, access resources, capitalize on student opportunities, and more this month. | - Upcoming dates and deadlines
- Tips for staying healthy and avoiding contagious respiratory illnesses (Influenza, COVID-19, cold, etc.)
- Upcoming events
- All month: Join the UBCO community at Weeks of Welcome
- Sept. 8 | Black Student Success Kickback
- Sept. 8 & 9 | A dog-themed weekend at Nonis field
- Sept. 14 | Pride Programming launch: meet and greet
- Sept. 16 | Okanagan Volunteer Fair
- Student resources
- Access free support with the Student Learning Hub
- Stop by Student Connect
- Find housing rentals and roommate listings specifically for students
- It’s never too early to think about your career journey
- Talk to an Academic & Career Advisor before the add/drop deadline
- Student opportunities
- Win a $500 gift card a UBC Homecoming
- Co-op applications are now open
- Master’s of Social Work information sessions
- Vous parlez français?
- Study looking for female participants aged 18-35
- Volunteers needed: help support a bird-friendly campus
- Move with Rec
- Free Fitness Week
- Intramural Lottery is now open
- Access your wellbeing
- Access your wellbeing at Picnic
- Free in-person food skills workshops – let's cook together!
- Yoga for mental wellness
- New changes to transit service this fall
- Get a Social Insurance Number (SIN)
| Upcoming dates and deadlines - Sept. 6: Tuition and fee deadline for most faculties
- Sept. 18: Last day to add most Winter Term 1 courses
- Sept. 18: Last day to change the auditing status for Term 1 courses
- Sept. 18: Last day to drop Term 1 courses without a W standing
- Sept. 25: Last day to drop most full-year courses without a W standing
More important dates and deadlines | Tips for staying healthy and avoiding contagious respiratory illnesses (Influenza, COVID-19, cold, etc.) Welcome to the Winter Term, as students coming back, or new to UBC, this can be a busy time getting settled into classes, adjusting to new housing, or meeting new people. During this time, we want you to also remember to keep your health and yourself a priority. Here are some tips for staying healthy and decreasing the spread of contagious respiratory illnesses, such as colds, influenza (flu), and COVID. 1. Wash your hands often – with so many people around campus, germs can spread through direct contact or from surfaces, wash your hands often, especially before and after meals 2. Avoid touching your face – some viruses picked up by our hands can enter our bodies through our eyes, nose, and mouth, so avoid touching these areas 3. Get enough sleep – adequate rest helps keep your immune system functioning better, make good sleep a habit 4. Eat healthy foods and stay hydrated – get fruits and vegetables in your diet wherever you can and ensure you get enough water every day 5. Stay home when you are sick – in group settings viruses spread easily, so please try to stay home when you are sick 6. Masks are optional – wearing a mask is a personal choice, please respect other’s choices. Wearing a mask is a good option if you have to be around others when you have a cough or other respiratory symptoms 7. Cover your mouth or nose when you cough or sneezing – use your arm (not your hand) or tissue, and turn away from others when you cough or sneeze, and if you use a tissue, throw it away and wash/sanitize your hands right after Got a question about your health and wellness, and how to stay healthy? Come by Picnic and grab some self-care resources or chat with the drop-in nurse.
| Join the UBCO community at Weeks of Welcome If you are looking to get more involved on campus or want to learn more about all the services available to you, we encourage you to attend Weeks of Welcome! There are a variety of events happening throughout the month of September.
Browse events
| September 8: Black Student Success Kickback Join new students, staff, and student leaders as you kick off the year at UBCO. The purpose of this event is to intentionally create space for new undergraduate and graduate students at the Okanagan campus who identify as Black. The orientation allows incoming students to build community, receive tips for transitioning to UBC, connect with Black-identifying student groups, and meet current Black community members. Register now
| Heat soccer is going to the dogs This weekend, it's a dog-themed weekend as UBCO Heat women's soccer is in action on Friday and Saturday evening. Friday night is our Pups at the Pitch game as we host the UBC Thunderbirds at 5:30 pm at Nonis Sports Field. Bring your favourite furry friend to the game and enjoy a rivalry night as it's the Okanagan campus versus Vancouver campus. On Saturday, B.A.R.K. will be on site at halftime with our favourite therapy dogs as the Heat face the UNBC Timberwolves at 5:30 pm at Nonis Sports Field.
See the full schedule
| Pride Programming Launch: meet and greet A low-stakes, casual meet & greet for 2SLGBTQIA+ folx on campus. Drop by the Rainbow Staircase by the University Centre on September 14 between 12 and 3 pm for a coffee, cookie, and pronoun pin, and hopefully you'll make a new friend! Stay tuned for more Pride Programming
| Okanagan Volunteer Fair Looking to Volunteer? Join us on September 16 at the 26th annual Okanagan Volunteer Fair. There will be over 60 local non-profit organizations on site, ready to share about the various opportunities available throughout the Central Okanagan! Connect with your community, network, gain experience, develop your skills, make an impact, and get involved! Learn more
| Stay up to date on all upcoming events and student opportunities at UBCO Be in the know on all upcoming events and student opportunities at UBCO by following UBCO Student Life on Instagram. We’re your number-one source for tips, opportunities, stories, and events on campus. Keep me in the loop!
| Access free academic support with the Student Learning Hub The Student Learning Hub is your one-stop shop for free and flexible learning supports and resources. Accessing support early in the term has been shown to have a major difference in academics and school/life balance. Kick off the year on the right foot! Learn more and access resources
| Stop by Student Connect Still need to pick up your UBCcard? Come see us at Student Connect! Located on the second floor of the UNC, Student Connect is also a great place to learn more about UBCO services and supports, ask questions, get directions, or find out ways to get involved on campus. Learn more
| Find housing rentals and roommate listings specifically for students Looking for off-campus housing arrangements? We know that can be a challenge in the Okanagan. UBCO has partnered with Places4Students to provide an online collection of local housing options for students. There are currently over 100 listings available; browse to find roommates, rental properties, or sublet your room. Temporarily displaced due to the wildfires? There are short-term rentals available as well. Check it out
| It’s never too early to think about your career journey The Career Development team is here to support you from your first day on campus until after graduation. Through one-on-one appointments, professional development workshops, information sessions, or employer events, this team can help you discover career options and opportunities and get engaged in your professional journey.
Want to stay in the know about Career Development events? Subscribe to our email list and follow UBC Okanagan Career Development on LinkedIn. Learn more
| Talk to an Academic & Career Advisor before the add/drop deadline Are you looking for support as we head into a new school year? Look no further than your Academic & Career Advisors. The course add/drop deadline is swiftly approaching on September 18 for most Term 1 classes. Whether you need to refine your schedule, adjust your courses, or simply seek guidance, our doors are wide open to support you. Join our drop-in express advising line between September 5 to 18 as we offer advising by phone and in person between 9 am and 4 pm. Connect with an advisor
| Win a $500 gift card at UBC Homecoming Show your blue and gold spirit at UBC Homecoming! Rally your friends to root for the UBCO Heat soccer teams on Friday, September 22, get free pizza and beverages, and have a chance to win a $500 gift card. The fun continues Saturday, September 23 with the Principal's Homecoming BBQ hosted by Lesley Cormack, Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Principal. Win prizes, explore the faculty-hosted events, or grab a souvenir photo at the photobooth. Register now
| Co-op applications are now open The Interdisciplinary Co-op Program offers undergraduate students enriched educational experiences for personal and professional growth. We work with a diverse range of community partners and sectors to provide transformative workplace learning. Explore a range of careers during a 4-, 8- or 12-month paid work experience. Students entering their third year of studies this academic year with an academic average of 70% or higher* enrolled in Bachelor of Arts, Fine Arts, Human Kinetics, Management, Media Studies, or Science are eligible. Students are admitted to the program once per year, with the application period open between September 1 and 30. * We encourage applicants with GPAs below 70% to still apply, as applications are assessed on multiple factors.
Learn more
| Master of Social Work information sessions Learn about the Master of Social Work program at UBC’s Okanagan campus and how to apply to the program. Session 1: Learn why you should join our MSW Program and what you can expect from the degree. Session 2: Learn about the application process, admission requirements, and valuable tips about preparing your application for submission. Learn more
| Vous parlez français? Espaces francophones has events for you throughout the year! Events will take place on campus as well as within the community through a partnership with the Centre Culturel Francophone de l’Okanagan (CCFO); Nuit Blanche (Nighttime arts and music festival), Soirée cinéma (Movie Nights), Amitié Express (Speed Friending), Randonnée en nature (Nature Hikes) and much more!
On September 8, from 10:30 am to 2 pm, visit us at our Kiosque de la rentrée in the Central Courtyard for a chance to win exclusive merch and free tickets for the upcoming Nuit Blanche, a creative and urban experience, in downtown Kelowna. Learn more
| Study looking for participants ages 18-35 A biology study on campus is recruiting volunteers to examine diet and appetite across the menstrual cycle. You may qualify for this study if you are a female aged 18-35 years old, have a regular menstrual cycle (21-38 days), are not taking oral contraceptive pills, and do not have a hormonal intrauterine device (IUD; e.g., Mirena, Skyla, etc.). Participation will include ten days of provided food, assessment of appetite and diet in a lab and in your free time, and monetary compensation. Fill out the pre-screening form
| Volunteers needed: Help support a bird-friendly campus BCO is launching a pilot project to monitor bird collision activity on campus. The information collected will help to inform and support UBC’s Bird Friendly Guidelines for buildings. The Sustainability Office is recruiting volunteers to help monitor bird impacts with buildings during October. Time commitment is two to four times per week for 30 minutes per day. Learn more
| Free Fitness Week Visit the gymnasium between September 11 to 17 for free fitness classes, access to the Hangar Fitness Centre, and Open Gym. Pre-registration is required for Kickboxing and Salsa Dance classes. See the Group Fitness schedule
| The intramural lottery is now open The intramural lottery registration is now open and will close September 12 at 11 pm. All those interested in participating as a team or as an individual will be able to enter the lottery. Those registering as teams will require full rosters. After the lottery closes, randomly chosen teams and individuals will be contacted with further information on how to register and pay their $15 per person fee. Learn more and register
| Access your wellbeing at Picnic Do you know about the Picnic space in UNC 122B? It's a place on campus where UBCO students can come and get little bits of knowledge, snacks, and tidbits to help improve overall wellbeing. Picnic offers a variety of programming throughout the year including Food Skills Workshops, tips on safe substance use from our Harm Reduction Team, naloxone training, free or low-cost food, grab-and-go breakfasts, and more. Come check out the space and take something for your wellbeing! Learn more
| Free in-person food skills workshops – let’s cook together! Kick the school year off in the kitchen! We are excited that Food Skills Workshops will be continuing in person this academic year in Picnic (UNC 122B). Our first workshop will be a dorm room classic, ramen, but upgraded. Next, we will make an easy meal-prep dish, burrito bowls. Workshops will be hosted on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 5 to 7 pm. Learn more and register
| Yoga for mental wellness Unwind, de-stress, and take a moment for your mental wellness in a one-hour yoga class, open to all students. Join us every Wednesday starting September 20 from 3:10 to 4:10 pm in Nechako 221 Gathering Room – registration is not required. Please arrive a few minutes early to set up your mat. Learn more
| New changes to transit this fall BC Transit adjusts service levels seasonally for the fall, winter, and summer. This fall, there are a few new changes that improve transit service to/from UBC for routes 4 Pandosy/UBCO, 6 Glenmore/UBCO, and 13 Quail Ridge. Learn more about the new changes
| Get a Social Insurance Number (SIN) Service Canada representatives will be on campus during the third week of September issuing Social Insurance Numbers (SIN) to any eligible UBC students. This service will be available for two half days only and will take place in UNC 334. You must bring your student ID, original passport, and original study permit to the session. Registration is required. If you are not able to attend one of these sessions, you are encouraged to visit the Service Canada office in downtown Kelowna. Learn more and register
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