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 16, 2020

In this issue:

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

• Upcoming dates and deadlines
• Updates to Term 2 exam period
• UBC Okanagan extends winter break
• Take advantage of student services during the extended break
• Win a weekend trip to Whistler by entering the Break Escape contest today!
• Be COVID safe on campus and at home
• Is your contact information up-to-date in the SSC?
• Student printing on campus
• Know a professor who’s gone above and beyond? “Thank a Prof” to give them some recognition
• Manage anxiety or stress with the Y Mind group
• Updated Hangar fitness centre hours over the winter break
• Join us in January for winter welcome back activities

Upcoming dates and deadlines

Dec 22: Term 1 exam period ends.

Jan 11: Winter Term 2 start date.

Jan 22: Last day to drop your course without a W standing (Term 2 courses).

Mar 26: Last day to self-drop a course in the SSC.

Apr 13: Last day of classes and last day to withdraw with a W standing.

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

Updates to Term 2 exam period

Apr 12: Exam period start date.

Apr 29: Exam period end date.

Because there will be four sessions per day (instead of the customary 3), standard exam duration will be 2.5 hours. All requests in the exam collection period will be set from 3 hours to the new 2.5-hour duration.

Any 3-hour exam will be an exception and limited opportunities for this length of exam sitting are available. These requests must be emailed to academic.scheduling@ubc.ca by January 22, 2021.

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.

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

Learn more

Beat the start-of-term rush – UBCO is still open for service Jan 4-11

Classes may not start until Jan 11, but student supports and services are still open Jan 4-8. Take advantage of the extra week to:

• Drop in for an appointment with an Academic Advisor
• Meet with an International Student Advisor
• Get assistance with your Term 2 learning goals at the Student Learning Hub
• Meet with a counsellor or the support team at the Sexual Violence Prevention and Response Office
• Access other student services

Enter the Break Escape contest today!

Hey, UBC students! Plan your local getaway with the Break Escape.

You could win a 2-night Getaway Package at the Fairmont Chateau Whistler courtesy of Trip Merchant and a $1,000 gift card towards your travel from alumni UBC, your future alumni association.

Open to all current UBC students.

Sponsored by Trip Merchant and alumni UBC.

Enter the contest

Be COVID safe on campus and at home

A Public Health Order for all health regions in British Columbia calls on all individuals, places of work and businesses in BC to significantly reduce social interactions and travel. The current order is in effect until January 8, 2021.

If you plan to travel in or out of Canada during the Winter Break, make sure you are aware of current travel restrictions and are prepared for your trip. If you are an international student, carefully review the updated Travelling to Canada Guide for important information on who is eligible to travel, documents to prepare, ensuring you have health insurance, making a quarantine (self-isolation) plan, and more.

If you plan to visit campus, remember to follow UBC’s COVID-19 Campus Rules, including wearing non-medical masks when indoors in common areas on our campuses, and assessing yourself daily for COVID-19 symptoms using the BC self-assessment tool at https://bc.thrive.health/. Anyone experiencing symptoms should follow the guidance provided in the self-assessment tool.

More COVID-19 resources

Is your contact information up-to-date in the SSC?

Have you updated your contact information recently?

Remember to keep your contact information up to date in the Student Service Centre (SSC) to ensure you don’t miss any important communications from UBC.

Update my info

Student printing on campus

Do you need access to a printer? With reduced academic, research and operational activity on campus, building hours and access have changed. A limited number of printers are still available on campus for student use including a colour printer located in the Commons Building (COM 106).

Learn more

Know a professor who’s gone above and beyond? “Thank a Prof” to give them some recognition

Do you know an outstanding course instructor? “Thank a Prof” is an opportunity for students to give recognition to a professor/instructor that has assisted them in their educational endeavors. Nominees receive a letter of recognition from the Centre for Teaching and Learning and are recognized on the Centre’s website.

Nominations are accepted year-round and are anonymous.

Nominate a prof

Manage anxiety or stress with the Y Mind group

Everyone experiences worries, anxiety and stress. Y Mind is a psychoeducational support group designed to help students manage anxiety and stress so they can live their best lives. Participants will learn healthy coping skills, connect with other UBCO students, and get support in a safe and caring environment.

Contact YMCA Kelowna to register for an info session on Jan 14 and 21, 2021 from 2:30 – 5 p.m. PT or learn more.

Register by emailing ymind@ymcaokanagan.ca

Updated Hangar fitness centre hours over the winter break

Dec 24 – Jan 1
Closed

Jan 2 – 3
8:30 a.m. – 2 p.m.

January 4 – 8
9:30 a.m. – 6:30 p.m.

January 9 – 10
8:30 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Learn more

Join us in January for winter welcome back activities

We know – this semester was hard! We struggled with loneliness, with technology, and with the new learning environment. This January, let’s have a fresh start!

Join us for Winter Welcome (back) from Jan 11 – 22, featuring workshops, social activities, and fun challenges that will help you connect with others and feel prepared for a new term ahead.

Some activities include:

• International Student Information Sessions
• Planning for Success: Time management workshop
• Prep your Tech for success: Learn how to navigate UBC’s learning technologies
• Games Night: Join us for some Among Us, Reverse Charades, and much more
• Do you know UBCO? A Virtual Scavenger Hunt

View all the upcoming activities and register online:

Learn more

Find us on social media @ubcostudents:

Not sure why you are recieving this email? Contact us at student.news@ubc.ca.

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