For life-threatening emergencies you should call 911, but if you encounter any other problem on campus (e.g. being victim of theft in campus, getting stuck in the elevators, locking yourself out of your office on a Sunday evening!) you can call The University of Toronto Police at 416-978-2222. Their office is close by, located at 21 Sussex Avenue.
The International Student Centre (ISC), located in a heritage property at 33 St. George Street just one block south of our department, is one of our recommended places to you. You can visit them whenever you have question about almost anything. If they do not have the means to help you, they can always steer you in the right direction. Programs and services offered at the ISC are available to all U of T students (both international and Canadian students).
If you have questions regarding Visas and Immigration please visit the ISC.
The Graduate Students' Union, located at 16 Bancroft Avenue just on the west side of our department, is the graduate students~R home to get information regarding their academic life, to get involved in student issues, to enjoy free or inexpensive social events organized by Grad Escapes, or to relax in its pub/caf�.
Also, you can get a free ISIC-Card (International Student Identity Card) from their office in the basement of 16 Bancroft Avenue after making an appointment which will give you discounts at various stores. Don't forget to bring a passport picture with you when applying.
The School of Graduate Studies (SGS) is located at 65 or 63 St George Street just across the street.
Available resources on the SGS website are as follows:
Registration and Enrolments, Fees, Financial Support
SGS Calendar, Important Deadlines
Supervision, Thesis Information and Microfilming, PhD Examinations, Graduating, Graduate Education Research, Governance
The resource you will visit at least twice a year is ROSI (the Repository of Student Information). It contains data relating to a student's admission to and academic performance at the University of Toronto. To gain access you have to provide a valid student number and a valid Personal Identification Number. To name a few things you can do on ROSI, you can add and drop courses, vote in student elections, order transcripts, update addresses, etc. Some services, such as course enrolment and elections, are available only during periods specified by relevant faculties or organizations.
Important Note:
Make sure your address is up-to-date on ROSI
In case you forget your password on ROSI you can talk to our Graduate Assistant, Krystyna Biel.
If you would like to get more information on Equity Issues in University of Toronto you can visit the Equity Issues home page. Their general inquiry phone is 416- 946-5624.
There are a number of programs and services for students with a disability in Accessibility Services (St. George Campus Office), located on first floor of Robarts Library, 130 St. George Street.
The lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgendered, queer resources and programs office deals with concerns, complaints, issues or ideas and provides confidential service to anyone experiencing a problem related to heterosexism, homophobia, or other related matters.
The Status of Women Office is responsible for identification and removal of barriers and inequities across all three campuses.
Race Relations and Anti-racism Initiatives Office is responsible for dealing with discrimination and harassment on the basis of race, ancestry, place of origin, colour, ethnic origin, citizenship or creed.
The First Nations House supports the needs of Aboriginal students at UofT.
The Counselling and Learning Skills Service (CALSS) provides short-term crisis counselling and brief psychotherapy for students. It also offers individual counselling and group programmes in learning skills and stress management.
The University of Toronto Health Service is located in the Koffler Centre, 214 College Street on the corner of College Street and St. George Street. It is open Monday to Friday 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and Tuesday & Wednesday 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Health Service is able to accept a limited number of drop-in patients each day. Scheduled appointments are required for certain problems. For emergencies please go to the nearest hospital emergency department. If you require medical attention here is a list of local community resources provided by Health Service.
Please know that you have already paid the UHIP fee as part of your tuition fee. UHIP is a compulsory health insurance plan for all international students, exchange students, new permanent residents and returning Canadians who are not covered by the Ontario Health Insurance Plan ~V OHIP.
Important Note:
Students with a UHIP plan need to go to a Preferred Provider Network for fully covered service. According to the information brochure, the PPN consists of the following hospitals downtown:
St.Michael's Hospital
Hospital for Sick Children
Click here to find a complete list of the PPN.
The Family Care Office provides free confidential information, guidance, referrals and advocacy for students on childcare, elder care or other family matters. There are a number of free workshops, seminars and support groups on the Family Care Office that you can check out.
The Dental Clinic of the Faculty of Dentistry offers full service to students with reduced dental fees. You can visit their homepage to understand the process of becoming a patient.
Also you can find more information on dental care plan for teaching assistants in the GSU handbook or on their website.
If you have any complaints of harassment based on sex or sexual orientation at the University of Toronto you can refer that to The Sexual Harassment Office.
Important Note:
You as a graduate student should know your rights on this matter and it is equally important to be aware of your relationship as a teaching assistant with your students because TAs are sometimes accused of sexual harassment by their students.
For students who are in crisis as a result of any type of assault or abuse, Sexual Assault Counsellor/Educator provides services.
The Career centre, located at Koffler Centre at 214 College Street, offers employment and career services to University of Toronto students, recent graduates and employees. There are several workshops each month organized by the career centre. Please check emails from our graduate assistant, Krystyna Biel .
On the Hart House home page is written:
"If you are a UofT student, consider Hart House your home away from home! Feeling hungry? Grab a bite to eat in the Arbor Room. Need to study? Find a quiet corner of the Library to hunker down in. Want to hear some new music? Tune in to Hart House's Record Room. Feeling a little sleepy? Have a catnap on one of the cozy sofas which line the halls. Looking for a place to shoot some pool? Rack them up on our free pool table. You get the idea. No matter who you are or where your interests lie, Hart House has something for you!"
What other reason do you need to pay a visit to this relaxing place?
Are you sportive? If so, do not forget about The Athletic Centre, please note that you already paid member fee as part of your tuition fee for the period of September ~V May so get there and enjoy. Please note that you have to provide a lock for the lockers and that there is a towel service - unlike at the gym in the Hart House, where there is no towel service, but you will receive a lock for your locker.
The University of Toronto as a unilingual institute expects its students to communicate and write well in English. There are a number of resources across St. George campus to help graduate students with their English.
The first place you can get support is The Office of English Language and Writing Support. This office offers individual consultations, single-session workshops, and non-credit courses [5~for both native and non-native speakers of English. All programs are FREE, but participation is restricted to registered graduate students of the University of Toronto.
To see a variety of part-time or full-time courses which follow communicative approach you can visit English Language Program (School of Continuing Studies)
To find out more about the services offered in writing centres and which writing courses you need, you can start with page of Frequently Asked Questions and then look at advice files, and read the latest announcements about writing support programs.
Brief definition of Sexual harassment: ~S Sexual harassment is unwanted sexual attention or unwanted emphasis on your sex or sexual orientation. It includes any unwelcome pressure for sexual favours, any comments, gestures or other conduct which places an offensive focus on the sex or sexual orientation of another person, and any gender-based conduct that is directed at you and that creates an intimidating, hostile or offensive working or learning environment for you.