western connections parent newsletter, fall 2011

8/4/2019 Western Connections Parent Newsletter, Fall 2011

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UCC 210, The University o Western Ontario, London, Ontario

Tel: 519-661-3559 Email:[email protected]

Volume 2, Issue 1 FAll 20

Continued on pa

Some o you miss doing their laundry; some o you may be

enjoying the extra space at home; and some o you may havebought a pet just to ll the void. Whether I met you or not,it was my pleasure to be one o the acilitators o the ParentProgram this past summer during Summer Academic Orienta(SAO). I was the guy who introduced the session by showingyou my teddy bear and saying that we are not just talking abogrades and textbooks, rather, we are talking about the successhuman beings.

In my 4 years as a Western student and 3 years as a ResidenceManager, I was ortunate enough to cross paths with parents requent basis. You were the people carrying containers lled letovers into the residence every Tanksgiving Monday whenstudents returned to campus. You were the people who nudgeyour London-based child to get to school and participate inevents. Most importantly, you are the people on the home rowho indirectly place a university degree in the hands o yourchild.

As every new student at Western shues through study notescrams inside cubicles and memorizes the methods o Proessominds, review your own notes and remember the power oyour parenting subtleties. Instill condence in your child byreminding them how proud you are o them or being part o

Welcome to our ParentConnections Newsletter

Are you interested in knowing what is happening on campusbut eel you arent always getting important updates romyour son or daughter? Te Parent Newsletter is meant to be

n important link between campus and your amily.

We have contacted some key areas to provide inormation or

amilies o Western students. We hope you nd this inormationhelpul.

mportant Links:

tudent Guide 2011-2012:Tis guide is a denitive source o all things Western

ttp://westerncalendar.uwo.ca/StudentGuide.html

Academic Calendar:

ttp://westerncalendar.uwo.ca/2011/index.html

InsIde ThIs Issue

Prt Py Powrf Ro

2 stdnt Wn Infratin fr Parnt

3 Intrnhip and C-p opprtniti at Wtrn

4 Cap Invvnt

5 srvic-larning What th hyp?

6 srvic fr Firt Gnratin univrity stdnt

7 Cap evnt Iprtant Dat

8 univrity-spak Artic abt univrity trand hrt fr
mailto:[email protected]://westerncalendar.uwo.ca/StudentGuide.htmlhttp://westerncalendar.uwo.ca/2011/index.htmlhttp://westerncalendar.uwo.ca/2011/index.htmlhttp://westerncalendar.uwo.ca/2011/index.htmlhttp://westerncalendar.uwo.ca/StudentGuide.htmlmailto:[email protected]


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Western Connections Fall 2222

stt WIfortio for Prt

Open to all students. Confidential, impartial advice and information aboutUniversity policies and procedures. This office serves graduate and undergraduate students

Western Student Services Building, Room 3100b

519-661-3573 [email protected] www.uwo.ca/ombuds

At Western, we recognize the challenges your student aces as s/he makes thetransition to university and independence. We also recognize that, as parents, yohave a continuing interest in your childs progress and experience at university. T

time is a transition period or you as well, and throughout this section, weve providedsome suggestions on how you can help your student succeed with a new lie on campus

Weve consulted a number o valuable resources and combined them with our experienin understanding the rhythm o the year, not only in terms o academics, but o personwellness issues as well. While every student is diferent and has his or her own uniquecharacteristics, there are some common areas experienced by students overall that weidentiy throughout the academic year, and address through concentrated programmingand support services in residence.

For inormation on students particular needs and challenges throughout the year, pleasclick on any month in the link provided below. In it, youll nd a list o commonlyexperienced issues, some o the programming responses we conduct in residence, as welas ways that you as a parent can help support your student as s/he responds to thesechallenges.

We recognize that, even though your child is now living away rom home, yourinvolvement in your students lie continues to be an important element to his or herwellbeing and development.

Prt Py Powrf Ro

Continued from Page 1

a truly unbelievable universitycommunity. Admire your child ormastering the internet and havingthe ability to connect with students

on campus and around the planet.Acknowledge the growth they havealready made and the positive stepsthey are taking to eel comortablein their new setting. Keep plantingseeds o curiosity in their youngminds so they continuously thirstor more education, excitementand experience while they indulgein lie at Western.

Facilitating the parent program wasmore than an ino session. It wasan opportunity to cross paths withthe mentors, guides and heroes othe thousands o new students whoare changing the Western world.You are playing an integral role inthe success o your uture Westerngrad. Tank you.

Blake FleischackerAthr, Prfina spakr,

Frr Ridnc managr

Blake is the author o the new bookCampus Gets Wasted: The Lie That

Exists Between The Books And The Bars.

For inormation about Blakes speaking

programs, visit his website at www.

blakefy.com.

Wellness Links at Western

Wellness Calendar www.has.uwo.ca/housing/residence/parents/calendar_index.h

Student Health

Services

http://www.shs.uwo.ca/http://sh101.ca/a/uwo.htmlhttp://www.shs.uwo.ca/mentalhealth/parents.html
mailto:[email protected]://www.uwo.ca/ombudshttp://www.blakefly.com/http://www.blakefly.com/http://www.blakefly.com/http://www.has.uwo.ca/housing/residence/parents/calendar_index.htmhttp://www.shs.uwo.ca/http://sh101.ca/a/uwo.htmlhttp://www.shs.uwo.ca/mentalhealth/parents.htmlhttp://www.uwo.ca/ombudsmailto:[email protected]://www.shs.uwo.ca/mentalhealth/parents.htmlhttp://sh101.ca/a/uwo.htmlhttp://www.shs.uwo.ca/http://www.has.uwo.ca/housing/residence/parents/calendar_index.htmhttp://www.blakefly.com/http://www.blakefly.com/


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Itrip Co-opOpportiti t Wtr

Book Store gift cardsThe best way to help your student with backto school & all year long.

Available online. Its easy. Its quick.

We can ship to your home or hold for pick up.

www.bookstore.uwo.ca/giftcard

I

nternship and co-op work terms allow students to be employedin settings that provide experiences that are directly relatedto their academic degree programs and career objectives.

Students are discovering that applied learning, such as co-ops andnternships provide the necessary practical experiences that areequired to build their resums.

Employers denitely see the benets o hiring and trainingtudents with several years o academic education to take on

major projects and responsibilities. Both students and employersmay nd that there is a good match o interests, leading to a ullime job ofer ater graduation. For organizations, co-operativeducation work terms allow them the opportunity to train theiruture workorce.

nternships and co-ops allow students to be experienced job

applicants when seeking employment ater graduation. In act,many employers consider internship experience during the hiringprocess, and oten look to their own interns as the best potentialandidates or ull-time positions. Many students end their

work term with an ofer to return to the organization ater theyomplete their studies. In some cases, a degree-related internshipan count toward proessional accreditation.

Depending on the academic program, internships and co-opsan range rom a minimum o 140 hours to a maximum o 16

months. Some employment can occur during the academicerm, while other opportunities allow or students to participaten longer, ull-time jobs, away rom their courses and studies.

While many placements are paid, some do not ofer monetaryompensation, but provide students with valuable experience.

Co-operative education is recommended to those students whnot have any work experience in their eld. It is an opportunto sample a career path and obtain answers to questions abo

particular career eld.

Internships and co-op programs have many advantages orstudents, allowing the student to:

gain practical experience in their chosen career eld

potential to earn a salary during a work term

sample a career path and make decisions about jobcompatibility

build their resum (experience, skills, contacts)

gain condence in their abilities

http://success.uwo.ca/index.cm/experience/internships/

The only source o knowledge

is experience.

Albert Einstein
http://www.bookstore.uwo.ca/giftcardhttp://success.uwo.ca/index.cfm/experience/internships/http://www.bookstore.uwo.ca/giftcardhttp://success.uwo.ca/index.cfm/experience/internships/


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Here at Western we encourage all incoming students to get

involved. Whether they join a club, a council, a sports team,or volunteer in the greater London community, participating

n an extra-curricular activity or two is a great way to meet new

eople and reduce any stress brought on by the academic challenge.

While it is important to recognize that academics should take

recedence, a well-balanced liestyle will enrich the rst-year

xperience and set the bar or years to come.

Westerns Clubs week will help students gain an understanding

some o the activities which they can get involved in. Involvement can be

ccomplished in many many ways; students oten just need to discover their own niche! Here are some

the popular links:

University Students Council http://usc.uwo.ca

Residence Involvement Speak with staf member in residence

Service Learning www.westernserves.uwo.ca rhttp://cslnetwork.uwo.ca

Alternative Spring Break www.asb.uwo.ca

Leadership and Mentorship Program http://lamp.uwo.ca

Society o Of Campus Students http://socs.uwo.ca

Leadership Education http://lep.uwo.ca/

Westerns Volunteer Program http://wvp.uwo.caStudent Development Centre http://www.sdc.uwo.ca/

Student Emergency Response Team http://www.sert.uwo.ca

Foot Patrol http://www.uwo.ca/ootpatrol

Gazette Newspaper http://www.gazette.uwo.ca/volunteers.cm

Campus Recreation http://www.westernmustangs.ca/

44

stdnt n a trip t mxic a partf th Atrnativ spring Brak Prgra.

CamPusInvOlvemenT

Campus Computer StoreOers a wide variety o laptops and products to provide yourstudent with everything they need or the academic year.

Exclusive Offers for Students:

Save up to 70% o the regular price on several sotware

products or course work including Microsot Ofce Pro Plus.

Lower level, UCC www.computerstore.uwo.ca
http://usc.uwo.ca/http://www.westernserves.uwo.ca/http://www.westernserves.uwo.ca/http://cslnetwork.uwo.ca/http://cslnetwork.uwo.ca/http://www.asb.uwo.ca/http://www.asb.uwo.ca/http://lamp.uwo.ca/http://lamp.uwo.ca/http://socs.uwo.ca/http://socs.uwo.ca/http://lep.uwo.ca/http://lep.uwo.ca/http://wvp.uwo.ca/http://www.sdc.uwo.ca/http://www.sdc.uwo.ca/http://www.sert.uwo.ca/http://www.uwo.ca/footpatrolhttp://www.gazette.uwo.ca/volunteers.cfmhttp://www.westernmustangs.ca/http://www.westernmustangs.ca/http://www.computerstore.uwo.ca/http://www.computerstore.uwo.ca/http://www.westernmustangs.ca/http://www.gazette.uwo.ca/volunteers.cfmhttp://www.uwo.ca/footpatrolhttp://www.sert.uwo.ca/http://www.sdc.uwo.ca/http://wvp.uwo.ca/http://lep.uwo.ca/http://socs.uwo.ca/http://lamp.uwo.ca/http://www.asb.uwo.ca/http://cslnetwork.uwo.ca/http://www.westernserves.uwo.ca/http://usc.uwo.ca/


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W

hile your child studies at Western, we want their resum to be ullo rich experiences, both inside and outside the classroom. Service-learning provides an opportunity or your son or daughter to engage

n meaningul community development activities that connect with theiracademic learning and encourage their personal growth. Increasingly, Westernaculty members are ofering courses that include a service placement in the

London community. Students are encouraged to relate their experience with anon-prot agency to concepts explored in lectures and assigned readings. Tispractical, hands-on experience helps students make sense o class material, andeel like they are able to make a diference.

Additionally, Western ofers co-curricular service learningprograms in which all students can participate includingWestern Serves, a one-day community service program onSeptember 25 that had aculty, staf and students volunteeringogether at local agencies.

Stemming rom Western Serves is a brand new initiativealled the Community Service Learning Network (CSLN).

Based on eedback rom Western Serves, it became apparenthat Western students were interested in more long-term

volunteer opportunities. Te CSLN provides theseopportunities and allows students to get more involvedn the greater London community on a yearlong basis.Upper-year student volunteers, Service LearningFacilitators, are paired with various community partnerse.g. Te Boys and Girls Club o London). Interestedtudents are then given the opportunity to sign up or

he experience that most appeals to them.

Alternative Spring Break is an annual programhat sends 150 students around the world during

Reading Week to participate in service projectsuch as building homes with Habitat or

sric-lrig Whats the hype?

Continued on page 6

HOMESTEADLand Holdings Limited

Canadian Owned & Operated

Safe & Secure Apartment Living.Live at the university gates, east, west

north or south of campus. With 29 properties in London,Homestead will suit every studentslifestyle & budget.

Call us at 226-374-8630or visit us at

Come on Home to

www.homestead.ca
http://www.homestead.ca/http://www.homestead.ca/http://www.timbercreekrentals.ca/http://www.homestead.ca/


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sric-lrig

wt t yp?

Continued from Page 5

Humanity, providing medical clinicsto under-serviced communities in

Nicaragua, or working with orphanedand abandoned children in theDominican Republic.

Visit www.westernserves.uwo.ca ,http://cslnetwork.uwo.ca, andwww.asb.uwo.ca to learn more aboutthese exciting programs!

No matter your childs interest, heor she will be able to nd a service-learning program that ts. You canhelp encourage your son or daughter

to seek out these experiences as theywill undoubtedly add value to theirWestern degree, and enhance the senseo belonging they eel in the Londoncommunity!

StationPark All Suite Hotel isideally situated on RichmondRow a few blocks from

Westerns gates.The hotel offers a preferredrate for visitors to Westernincluding parents of students& alumni.

Contact the hotel directlyat 1-800-561-4574 or [email protected] andrequest the Western rate.

StationPark makes a donationback to Foundation Westernfrom each reservation.

242 Pall Mall Street at Richmond, London, Ontario1-800-561-4574 www.stationparkinn.ca www.GroceryCheckout.com Follow us on Twitter @GroceryChand join our Facebook Page!

Cards valued from $250 - $499 receive a BONUS of an Additional 3%

Cards valued from $500 - $749 receive a BONUS of an Additional 5%

Cards valued at $750 or greater receive a BONUS of an Additional 8%

Purchase a RELOADABLEGIFT CARDand we will

stretch your dollars further!

Back To School Grocery Gift Card Sale!Start The School Year O With A Well Stocked Kitchen

Follow This Link for More Details

An On-Campus Solution To

All Your Grocery Needs!!Visit us in the U.C.C. Building

on the Lower Level

sric forFirt Grtio

uirity sttI

t makes sense that students whose parents attended University would have someadvantage over students whose parent did not attend University. Parents who attenUniversity have had the experience o choosing University classes, possibly becomin

accustomed to a new city, perhaps becoming accustomed to Residence living, takingpost-secondary classes and learning about the diferent expectations placed upon themProessors, As, etc. Parents who attended University are able to regale their children stories about their experiences as studentsabout the pressure o exams, the excitemeo Orientation Week, the late-night studying and early-morning classes. A special bonoten develops between a parent and his or her child when they experience the sameeventeven i there are twenty-ve or more years and many miles between those even

Yes, there is no doubt that students whose parents attended University have someadvantage over students whose parents did not attend some kind o postsecondaryeducation and that is precisely why we have developed the First-Generation StudentProgram at Western.

Western recognizes that rst generation students ace diferent challenges rom thosestudents whose parents attended University and, in order to address these challenges,Western has a number o helpul resources in place or you. Among these resources are

Guide to Proessional Success (GPS) Mentoring Program First-Year Resource Centre operated in connection with the LAMP Peer

Mentor Program

Academic Coaching Services especially or First-Generation Students First-Generation Student Bursaryor First-Generation Students with

demonstrated nancial need

Students with questions about the above programs may contact us at yresource@uwor visitour website.
http://www.westernserves.uwo.ca/http://www.westernserves.uwo.ca/http://cslnetwork.uwo.ca/http://cslnetwork.uwo.ca/http://www.asb.uwo.ca/http://www.asb.uwo.ca/mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]://www.stationparkinn.ca/http://www.grocerycheckout.com/https://www.grocerycheckout.com/promotions.aspxmailto:[email protected]://success.uwo.ca/index.cfm/first-year-programs/first-generation-student-fgs/http://success.uwo.ca/index.cfm/first-year-programs/first-generation-student-fgs/http://success.uwo.ca/index.cfm/first-year-programs/first-generation-student-fgs/https://www.grocerycheckout.com/promotions.aspxhttp://success.uwo.ca/index.cfm/first-year-programs/first-generation-student-fgs/http://www.grocerycheckout.com/http://www.stationparkinn.ca/mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]://www.asb.uwo.ca/http://cslnetwork.uwo.ca/http://www.westernserves.uwo.ca/


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Campus Events: Important DatesHr i a ap f f th pcing vnt and infratin wk happning n cap.

Fr r vnt th evnt Candar at: http://events.uwo.ca/cgi-bin/events.pl?Op=ShowIt&CalendarName=WesternEvents

andhttp://westerncalendar.uwo.ca/pds/calendarpages.pd

September 8 First Day o Classes (Fall Term)

September 17 LAMP Kick-of Event: lamp.uwo.ca

September 19 - 23 University Students Council Clubs Week

September 20 International Opportunities Fair The Great Hall, Somerville House

September 24 Western Serves Community Event:westernserves.uwo.ca

September 29 - October 2 Homecoming Weekend

October 17 - 21 EnviroWestern Week

November 7 - 10 Multicultural Week University Community Centre Atrium

November 12 International Exchange Fair University Community Centre Atrium,Ti: 9:00 a - 3:00 p

November 28 - December 2 White Ribbon Campaign University Community Centre Atrium

December 10 - 21 Mid-Year Exam PeriodJanuary 9 First Day o Classes (Winter Term)

January 5 - 6 and 9 - 13* OSAP Pick-up The Great Hall, Somerville HouseTi: 9:00 a - 4:00 p; *Jan 13 Ti: 9:00 a -12:00 p

January 12 University Students Council Nominations Open:voteusc.ca

January 30 - February 3 Career Week. More inormation at success.uwo.ca

February 2 Job Fair Western Student Recreation Centre,Ti: 11:00 a - 4:00 p
http://events.uwo.ca/cgi-bin/events.pl?Op=ShowIt&CalendarName=WesternEventshttp://westerncalendar.uwo.ca/pdfs/calendarpages.pdfhttp://lamp.uwo.ca/http://westernserves.uwo.ca/http://westernserves.uwo.ca/http://voteusc.ca/http://voteusc.ca/http://success.uwo.ca/mailto:[email protected]://www.agentrealty.com/http://success.uwo.ca/http://voteusc.ca/http://westernserves.uwo.ca/http://lamp.uwo.ca/http://westerncalendar.uwo.ca/pdfs/calendarpages.pdfhttp://events.uwo.ca/cgi-bin/events.pl?Op=ShowIt&CalendarName=WesternEvents


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University-Speak

TERM DEFINITION

Ancillary Fees Ancillary Fees are supplementary costs that are in addition

to a principle ee (i.e. an Ancillary Fee may be required or

special access to recreational acilities).

Bursary A Bursary is a non-repayable grant usually awarded to

students based on nancial need.

Convocation Convocation means a group o people gathered or a

ceremony (i.e. Graduation).

Curriculum

Vitae (CV)

From Latin meaning course o lie. Like a rsum, a

CV or vita is a summary o your skills, experience, and

education. It is quite detailed and is oten longer than

2 pages. CVs are the documents required to apply or

Graduate School, scientic research, and academic

positions.

Frosh Frosh is a gender-less short-orm or Freshmen and reers

to new or rst-year students.

Graduate A Graduate is a student who has earned a degree.

Graduate School reers to a division o the University which

oers courses leading to degrees more advanced than the

Bachelors Degree (i.e. Masters Degree, PhD Degree).

Intent to

Register

First-year students must complete their Intent to

Register by March 31 in their rst year o studies. This

document indicates their intention to return to Western in

September or a second year and declares their intended

area o study.

Internship Internships are oered in dierent programs at dierent

stages o a students academic career. I you participate in one

o these programs, you are an Intern. An Intern is a person

who works as an apprentice or trainee in an occupation or

proession to gain practical experience. An Internship is an

ocial or ormal program that provides practical experience or

beginners in an occupation or proession.

ITS ITS (Information Technology Services) is the ront-line

support or all aspects o computing services at Western.

(www.uwo.ca/its)

LAMP LAMP (Leadership and Mentor Program) is designed to

help rst-year students learn leadership skills and, by pair-

ing them with upper-year students, will expose them to a

supportive learning community. LAMP is intended to guide

new students through their rst year o University lie.

TERM DEFINITION

O-Week O-Weekis Orientation Weekthat week at the beginning

o the school year designed to ease transition into lie at West-

ern. A variety o programs are scheduled to encourage new

students to meet other students, amiliarize themselves with

the campus, and become comortable with their new home.

Shinerama (a cystic brosis undraiser) and the Terry Fox

Run (part o the Marathon of Hope event in support o

cancer research) are two o the O-Weekprograms.

Post-Degree Post-Degree reers to that time ater a Degree (i.e. Bach-

elors Degree) has been earned. Post-Degree Diploma

Programs occur ater the rst Degree and are oten

designed to complement an Undergraduate Degree.

SERT SERT (Student Emergency Response Team) is a team

o Western students brought together by their shared desire

to help other people (i.e. in case o emergency and rst-aid

situations).

Sophs Sophs or Sophomores are upper-year students

Term Term reers to a set duration o time during which classes

take place. For example, in the Fall Term, First Term

Courses run rom September until December; in the Winter

Term, Second Term Courses run rom January until

April. Specic dates or each Term can be ound in the

Student Guide or on the Registrars Website (www.

registrar.uwo.ca/index.cfm)

Transcript A Transcript is a copy o a students academic record

that indicates dates, courses, grades, etc. certied by the

Registrar with an embossed seal.

Undergraduate An Undergraduate is a University student who has not

earned a rst or Undergraduate Degree (i.e. Bachelors

Degree). Undergraduate Studies reer to those studies

that occur prior to earning/nishing a rst/Undergraduate

Degree.

Varsity Teams Varsity Teams are the principal athletic teams that

represent Western and compete against the principal athletic

teams rom other Universities.

Work Study Work Study is a part-time employment program which

allows students to work on campus in fexible environments

through Fall and Winter terms. To qualiy or Work Study,

students must be Canadian citizens, have a 60% (or more)

course loads, and demonstrate nancial need.

University is an exciting time for Students and their Parents, but it can also be a sometimes daunting experience. The sheer sizeof the campus and the number of people working and studying here may make the school seem like its own town and, like anytown, it has its own character, rituals, and even language. This guide is intended to help you familiarize yourself with some of theterminology, the University-Speak, that you may encounter at Western. Understanding some of the jargon and expressions usedaround you is one of the best steps to feeling at home.
http://www.uwo.ca/itshttp://www.uwo.ca/itshttp://www.uwo.ca/itshttp://www.registrar.uwo.ca/index.cfmhttp://www.registrar.uwo.ca/index.cfmhttp://www.mealplan.uwo.ca/mailto:[email protected]://www.windermeremanor.com/http://www.registrar.uwo.ca/index.cfmhttp://www.registrar.uwo.ca/index.cfmhttp://www.uwo.ca/its

western connections parent newsletter, fall 2011

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