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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.

Dec 2, 2020

In this issue:

Note: Anchor links may not function in all email applications. Scroll to view items below.

 

Upcoming dates and deadlines

Dec 7: Exam period starts

Dec 22: Exam period ends

Jan 11: Winter Term 2 start date.

If you need to drop a course, do so early. If in doubt, contact an Academic Advisor to discuss your options.


UBC Okanagan extends winter break

The UBC Okanagan Senate has approved an adjusted schedule for Winter Term 2, extending the winter break by moving the start of most undergraduate classes from Jan 4 to Jan 11, 2021.

Midterm break will still be Feb 15–19, but classes will now finish on Apr 13 — five days later than scheduled. Final exams will start Apr 16 and continue through Apr 29.

Please note that a few professional undergraduate programs that have special requirements will remain with a January 4 start date. Some students may receive information from their faculties about variations that affect them.

The UBC Okanagan Academic Calendar is being updated with the new schedule, and the online course schedule will also be updated as soon as possible.

Learn more

 
Exam Jam — Saturday Dec 5

Avoid stress, stay focused, and get energized for your final exams at Exam Jam

We know that final exam season is a difficult time. It’s hard not to get anxious, overwhelmed, and stressed — but have no fear, Exam Jam is here! Peers and pros from the Student Learning Hub and Health and Wellness will lead online sessions to support you.

Exam Jam is an all-day, virtual event aimed to help you de-stress, manage your time, develop more productive study habits, and learn course content. Unwind with therapy dogs, yoga, and stress busters, and get support with tech prep, study skills assistance, and essay exam workshops. Once registered, you can pick and choose from a variety of sessions to suit your needs.

Join us on Saturday, Dec 5! Attend one, two, three, or all of our sessions — it’s up to you.

Register here

 
Children at daycare

Have children? Win a $100 bookstore gift card by completing a childcare survey

UBCO is conducting a childcare survey as part of its long-term child care expansion plan, and is looking for parents, or parents-to-be, to share their current and future child care needs.

If you have kids five and under, or are planning to have children soon, we’d love to hear from you. The information you provide will be anonymous, and will help us better understand the needs of our students, staff and faculty in order to inform future child care planning and policy development.

Participants will be entered to win one of three $100 gift cards to the UBCO bookstore. Deadline for responses is Dec 7.

Take the survey

 
Want to be a SAAM partner?

Plan an event for Sexual Assault Awareness Month

Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM) is right around the corner. Throughout January, UBC’s Sexual Violence Prevention & Response Office (SVPRO) will be hosting a series of events and programs to raise awareness of sexual and gender-based violence in our community. We are excited to announce our 2021 theme will be: End Racism x End Sexual Violence. This theme comes as part of the University’s efforts to address systemic racism on campus.

We are inviting students (to be our partners) to organize an event for SAAM and SVPRO will fund up to $250 per event. Fill out the form and start planning your event to raise awareness and take action to end racism and sexual violence.

Plan your event!

 
Photos from Go Global exchanges

Go Global deadlines are here

Upcoming deadlines to apply for Go Global are Dec 3 (early summer deadline for some partners) and Dec 15 (Round 1 deadline for winter exchanges — this is the best time to apply to go abroad next year!). Both deadlines occur at 11:59 p.m. PT on their respective date.

Need to find out more about Go Global in a hurry? We have two video series! Go Global 101 and the Ambassador’s Desk. Check them out on YouTube.

We will be hosting a variety of drop-in hours between Dec 3 and 15. Links to join the conversation on Zoom will be made available on our Contact page where you can also find information on how to e-mail us with questions!

 

 
two students talking

Connect and learn with others at our international student group

The international student group is a support group to facilitate adjustment, academic success and personal growth. Members will have opportunities to explore and share experiences as international students, engage in various group activities, and learn useful adjustment and learning strategies.

The group will run every Wednesday starting Dec 2 from 9:30–11:30 a.m. PT on Zoom. Register in advance to participate!

Learn more and register

 
students at computers

Maximizing Motivation, Focus and Wellness group

Struggling to find motivation and concentration while learning from home? Drop in to the Maximizing Motivation, Focus and Wellness group.

The group will help students explore reasons behind excessive procrastination, as well as learn and practice specific tools to create realistic goals.

The group will run every Wednesday starting Dec 2 from 3–4:30 p.m. PT on Zoom. Register in advance to participate!

Learn more and register

 
Find your way to fairness. We can help.

Dealing with a fairness issue related to university life? The Ombuds office can help!

If you’re having a fairness issue at UBCO, the Ombuds office can help you find a resolution! The Ombuds office can identify and explain relevant UBC policies and procedures, and help you explore your options on how best to proceed. They can help you clarify your goals to promote problem-solving, and facilitate discussions to seek resolution. The Ombuds office can provide an objective perspective, and give sound, practical advice.

However, the Ombuds office cannot take sides, or decide who is right or wrong. The Ombuds office also cannot provide legal advice or counselling services.

Learn more

 
syringe

Drug checking on campus...what are your thoughts?

In the coming weeks, UBCO Campus Health, in partnership with Interior Health, will be launching harm reduction services that include the ability to have your drugs checked. An FTIR machine, fentanyl and benzodiazepine test strips will be used to analyze samples that are brought in. To make sure this service runs effectively for our student body and the surrounding community we are seeking feedback.

  • Is this a meaningful service that you or your peers would utilize?
  • Are there barriers that you can identify that would prevent you or your peers from accessing this service?

Feedback of any kind can be sent to campushealth.ubco@ubc.ca

Follow us on Instagram (@campushealthubco) or Facebook (Voice Campus Health Project) to be kept in the loop of when these services will become available. We look forward to hearing from you!

Give your feedback

 
Nobel Night at UBC Okanagan

Dec 10 – Zoom into Nobel Night 2020

Learn about the 2020 Nobel Prize-winning contributions in physics, chemistry, medicine, literature and peace at the virtual UBC Okanagan’s Nobel Night. On Thursday, Dec. 10, UBC faculty experts in the prize disciplines will decipher the discoveries and achievements that have changed the world this year.

Learn more and register

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