Navigating your Student Experience: Social
The Graduate Student Association
The Graduate Students’ Association (GSA) is your official representative at the University of Guelph. Whether in negotiations with university administration, participation on various university committees, or through interaction with other student organizations on campus, the GSA is making sure the interests of graduate students are taken into consideration.
The GSA also offers your Universal Bus Pass that can be used for any City of Guelph bus, your health and dental plan, and funding supports!
The GSA is a great way to get involved on campus, develop your leadership skills and build connections outside of your program!
GryphLife
GryphLife is your hub for events on campus!
This is there you’ll find all the events running through the year and active clubs that you can join throughout the year. There are over 200 different clubs and organizations that all run fun events through the year. Join them if you resonate with that identity, or if you want to learn more about certain cultures, faiths and interests. All students can join all clubs!
You can search for events or organizations on the homepage, or you can see a full list by switching tabs at the top.
If you are looking to get involved in a club or organization, meet some new people, or need a study break, GryphLife is the place to go!
International Student Experience
International Student Experience serves as a central hub dedicated to assisting the educational and developmental requirements of international students. It provides a platform for seeking guidance and counsel throughout your academic journey at the University of Guelph, addressing your unique transition requirements, and facilitating access to both on-campus and off-campus resources.
You would’ve heard from the Pre-Arrival Communications Team by now, but have you heard about the International Student Advisors (ISAs)?
The ISAs offer private, confidential guidance to full-degree undergraduate and graduate international students, as well as new immigrants and refugees. Regardless of the purpose of your visit, our ISAs are always eager to meet with you, offering guidance and support based on your specific needs. They’re also qualified to offer immigration related supports!
You can find the ISAs offices on the 3rd floor of the UC!
Cultural Diversity
The Cultural Diversity team is a part of the Department of Student Experience. They organize programs that enable students to gain insights into themselves and others, fostering environments for celebrating diverse cultures, advocating for social justice, and exploring issues through the lens of diversity and inclusion.
The Cultural Diversity office also supports many cultural student groups who run events and build community. Some of these groups are
- The Indian Students Association
- The Caribbean Cultural Club
- The Bangladeshi Students Association
- The Middle Eastern Students Association
- The Guelph Hellenic Student Association
- and more!
If you can’t find a group that you think you identify with, check out Gryphlife for a full list of clubs!
You can find the Cultural Diversity offices on the 3rd floor of the UC!
Faith and Spirituality
The Multi Faith Team is part of the Department of Student Experience. They promote the well-being of every student by acknowledging the significance of faith and spirituality contributions. This is achieved by cultivating a welcoming and inclusive campus environment, providing opportunities for multi-faith encounters, and fostering meaningful dialogues.
They are supported by the Multi-Faith Resource Team (MFRT) who engage in collaborative efforts and, within their respective faith traditions, delve into inquiries surrounding meaning, purpose, belonging, and identity.
There are many spaces on and near campus are available for quiet reflection, meditation, and prayer for individuals and small-to-medium sized groups that are supported by the Multi Faith Team.
The Multi Faith Team helps students ensure that there are options for special food requirements due to religious or cultural practices. They also have a calendar of religious and cultural holidays which help support students ensure that religious accommodations are met for classes.
The Multi Faith Programs Coordinator provides support for students looking to navigate faith and spirituality resources on campus.
You can find the MFRT in Raithby House
Off-Campus Living
The Off-Campus Living (OCL) team is part of the Department of Student Experience. They offer a range of services catering to students, staff, faculty, landlords, and community members. This includes valuable resources such as rental and tenant advising, trip planning and transit information. Additionally, there are resources available for landlords and neighborhood residents. The platform also provides information about programs and opportunities designed for students residing off-campus to foster community building on campus.
The Off-Campus Advisor can also help you navigate your off-campus living experience, from looking for a house, through signing a lease, all the way to moving out.
You can find the OCL offices on the 3rd floor of the UC!
LGBTQ2IA+ Students
The term LGBTQ2IA+, stands for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Questioning, Two-Spirit, Intersex, Asexual, and other identities that fall outside of cisgender and heterosexual paradigms.
Student Experience has supports for LGBTQIA+ Students through programming, Gender Neutral Bathrooms, helping navigate name changes, the Sexual & Gender Diversity Advisor and OUTline.
The Sexual & Gender Diversity Advisor supports LGBTQIA+ students as they navigate school and their identity.
The OUTline Online Chat serves as a platform for connecting with trained volunteers in a discreet, confidential, and private online setting. Beyond the online chat service, OUTline also coordinates events and activities throughout the fall and winter terms.
Volunteering
Student Volunteer Connections (SVC) is a great place to look for off-campus volunteering.
You can find the list of places to volunteer on the SVC CourseLink page.
This is a self-enroll course on CourseLink!
You can find the SVC office at Rathby House!
Experience Guelph
Experience Guelph and the Co-Op/Experiential Learning Centre are the two places to find information about on-campus and off-campus jobs.
They have Career Advisors who would be more than happy to meet with you to talk about anything job-related. You can either make an appointment or drop-in!
There are also a team of Peer Helpers who are very knowledgeable and can help you create the perfect resume, cover letter, and even practice your interviewing skills.
While you may be super excited to find a job in your field of study, that isn’t always possible depending on when you’re looking for a job. There will be so many transferrable skills that you can take to a future and more relevant job.
You can find Experience Guelph at the EL Hub!
