Due to the current situation with COVID-19, the GSS is making some temporary operational changes. While many (if not all) of these changes have been posted independently, we wanted students looking for answer to be able to find them without having to scroll through our feed.
Updates will be posted here and on our Facebook page. If anything is unclear, please send us an email.
January 2022
Hey Everyone, as UVic has shifted to online learning for January (https://www.uvic.ca/news/topics/2021+notice-january-classes-update+notice), we are going to continue with the closure of our building. We remain available at gssoffice@uvic.ca to assist with opt-ins/out and questions.
Update: Although UVic returned to on-campus learning on January 24th, the Halpern Centre will remain closed until (at least) after Reading Break for the safety of our staff.
Federal Government Support for Students
This morning (April 22), the federal government announced a plan to help students and recent graduates who are impacted by COVID-19.
Here is the government’s press release.
While it is still early on and we are still reviewing the content of the announcement ourselves, we wanted to share the press release as quickly as possible. We expect to offer greater comment after we have had the opportunity to review the funding that is being offered.
International Student FAQ Updated
Free Counselling Services
The Government of British Columbia has launched Here2Talk, a new mental-health counselling and referral service for post-secondary students.
The full article, including links to the service, may be found here.
BC MSP for Students with Expired Permits or Implied Status
The wonderful folks over at the International Centre for Students sent us an update that BC MSP has extended their COVID-19 special measure to April 30, 2022. Full details here.
UVic COVID-19 Bursary
UVic has created a COVID-19 Support Bursary.
From the UVic Emergency Bursaries page:
COVID-19 Support Bursary
Value: Varies | Number: Varies
One or more bursaries are awarded to domestic or international undergraduate or graduate students experiencing emergency financial need as a direct result of the COVID-19 pandemic. This funding is intended to provide for the urgent and emerging needs of students and to support students to enable them to continue their academic programs in the rapidly shifting learning environment.
Applicants are advised to contact Student Awards and Financial Aid via email at finaid@uvic.ca. Please include a brief explanation regarding how you have been financially impacted by COVID-19. You will be sent an application including a budget for the 2019/20 winter session to be completed and returned to our office for review.
Virtual Health Care and Counselling for UVic Students
Our awesome Health and Dental Coordinator has written a short primer for students (with valid MSP), on Virtual Health Care and Counselling for UVic Students.
It is also available as a PDF (updated Feb 18, 2021), for those (like me) who prefer to read things in that format.
Update from Dr. Lisa Kalynchuk, Vice-President, Research
On March 20, 2020, UVic issued an update regarding conducting research at UVic. The statement may be found here.
UVic FAQ for Graduate Students
UVic has included a section for Graduate Students on their FAQ. The FAQ can be found here.
Changes to Office Operations
Office Staff Working from Home
GSS office staff are now working from home. That being said, we are still very much available to help graduate students who have questions or issues.
If you need assistance or have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us. If you are not sure who to contact, check out the contact page or email gssoffice@uvic.ca as, even if we cannot answer your question, we can direct you to the appropriate person.
We will (at time of writing) be maintaining our usual office hours for the work day (Monday – Thursday 10am -4 pm; Friday 11am – 2pm) so emails sent outside those times may not receive an immediate reply.
GSS Events Cancelled
Due to the current extraordinary situation and the potential impacts of COVID-19, the GSS is cancelling all events for the immediate future. This is being done to ensure the health of our staff, members and the community at large.
We really appreciate your understanding.
Changes to Food Service Operations
The Grad House and Side Project are closed due to the current extraordinary situation created by COVID-19.