We know that the transition to graduate school in a new city can seem overwhelming.
At Green College, it doesn't have to be—you have an immediate support system of fellow Greenies (our favourite term for Resident Members) around you.
Take a look at resources right here at the College, as well as the many support initiatives and services available at UBC.
Support and Services at Green College
- Green College staff (Membership and Accommodations Coordinator, Communications Manager, Assistant Principal, Principal)
- Green Lanterns
- Wellness Committee (Resident Committee)
Depending on what you need, Green College staff are a good first line to help. Staff can help clarify any questions you may have about how things are done and help identify where your solutions might be found. Next, Green Lanterns are a special group of independent residents, trained and supported to support Resident Members at a peer level. If something is on your mind but you might feel it's not something you want to bring up to staff, you can confidentially speak to a Green Lantern for help. Finally, the College's Wellness Committee helps coordinate various events throughout the year for health and wellness, ranging from art nights, dialogues on sexuality, and workshops.
Green College is committed to a harassment-free and sexual-assault-free environment; one that has no tolerance for harassment or sexual assault, that encourages harassment and sexual assault concerns to be brought forward, that commits to sensitive and timely responses to such concerns, and guarantees a transparent, timely and effective administrative process in dealing with such concerns.
The College's policies and procedures are published in the Resident's Handbook.
UBC's policies, including Policy 3 (Discrimination and Harassment) and Policy 14 (Response to at risk behaviour) are available on the Office of University Counsel's website here.
Support and Services at UBC
UBC has a lot to offer for students that Green College can't provide. Here are just some of the few that are out there:
Academic English Support (AES)
AES provides free, professional language support to UBC students who speak English as a second/additional language. Please check the AES program website for more information.
International House
International Student Advisors at International House can help with information and guidance regarding the most common questions from international students who are new to UBC. Their services include help regarding immigration and employment, medical insurance, and personal and cultural transition to the UBC learning environment.
Arriving in Vancouver and Settling In
- Pre-arrival information: Whether you are coming to Canada for the first time or you have lived here before, this checklist will help you prepare for a successful start at UBC.
- UBC International Student Handbook: Contains information about immigration, visas, study permits, finding a place to live, where to bank, how to get involved with UBC, and much more.
- Graduate orientation
- Getting involved in campus life
- Getting around UBC and Vancouver
- Vancouver International Airport
Professional Development / Academic Support
- GPS: Graduate Pathways to Success: offers non-credit workshops, seminars, and other activities that cover a wide range of personal and professional development topics to support you throughout your time in graduate school.
- English language support
- Career Services
- Faculty Advisors: Each faculty has an advisor to help students plan academic programs and give academic advice.
- Centre for Teaching, Learning and Technology (CTLT)
- Tutoring Services
- Writing Centre: From September to April, the UBC Writing Centre offers an award-winning tutoring service free for currently enrolled UBC students.
Advising, Wellness, and Counselling Services
- Student Financial Assistance and Awards
- Equity Office: resource for handling complaints regarding discrimination and harassment
- Counselling Services: provides a wide range of counselling, consultation and referral services; free to registered UBC students.
- Sexual Assault Support Centre (SASC): they provide emotional support and intervention, as well as educational and prevention information
- Student Health Service
- Speakeasy Student Support: a safe space (in-person) for students to talk about anything and everything. It is a free, confidential student service offering peer crisis support, information, and referrals to the UBC community.
- UBC Chaplains
- Wellness Centre: staffed by trained student volunteers (Wellness Peer Educators) who are on hand to answer your health and wellness questions, or refer you to the health service you need.
- Women against violence against women (WAVAW): WAVAW Rape Crisis Centre offers counselling, support, advocacy, information and accompaniments to hospital, police, and court appointments for survivors.
Conflict Resolution
- Office of the Ombudsperson for Students: works with UBC community members to ensure students are treated fairly and can learn, work and live in a fair, equitable and respectful environment.
- Graduate Student Society (GSS) Advocacy Office
- Alma Mater Society (AMS) Advocacy Office: provides free representation, guidance and assistance to students engaged in conflict with UBC. The Advocacy Office works very closely with the AMS Ombuds Office to resolve student rights issues.
- AMS Ombuds Office
- Law Students Legal Advice Program (LSLAP): LSLAP aims to empower clients to be more aware and more comfortable in exercising their legal rights.
Fitness and Recreation
Other Resources
- Campus Security
- SafeWalk: offers free walk-home services; a co-ed person team will walk with you to any location on the UBC campus.
- RCMP
- Currency exchange rates