Services

GSU Services

Other Services

ACCESSIBILITY SERVICES FOR STUDENTS

This service is for students who have physical, sensory or learning disabilities, mental health disorders or a chronic health condition. Call a counsellor to make an appointment to discuss your individual needs. All disclosed information is confidential.

ATHLETIC CENTRE

The Athletic Centre (AC) offers a wide range of facilities such as an indoor running track, strength and conditioning centre, dance studio, tennis and squash courts and swimming pools. Free START (intro) classes – one-time only – are available at the beginning of each semester but they fill up very quickly so sign up asap. Classes for dancing, yoga and swimming are offered for an extra fee. If you are interested in intramural sports, field space can be booked through the Athletic Centre. Graduate students have access to the Athletic Centre in the Fall and Winter session, but an additional fee is required for the Summer session (even just to use the outdoor field space – or the Macintosh Sports Clinic!).

CAREER CENTRE

The Career Centre offers a Dossier service for graduate students, interview techniques workshops, resumé seminars, individual counselling and much more.


DOWNTOWN LEGAL SERVICE 

Downtown Legal Services is a legal clinic run by U of T law students and supervised by lawyers. They offer confidential service and representation for landlord and tenant matters, small claims, academic appeals, employment issues, social assistance appeals and other legal matters. Full and part-time students have access to notaries at no (or nominal) charge. Full-time students pay $3 out of their incidental fees (part-time students pay $2). A $1 refund is available within 60 days of registration. Students are asked to call ahead to book an appointment.

ENGLISH LANGUAGE AND WRITING SUPPORT (ELWS)

ELWS helps graduate students improve their oral and written communication skills.
Through a range of non-credit courses, workshops and individual consultations, ELWS assists both native and non-native speakers of English as they adjust to the oral and written demands of graduate school. Courses such as “Pronunciation” or “Writing and Grammar” are for non-native speakers of English who have passed the TOEFL but want to continue improving their English, while courses such as “Preparing to Publish” or “Oral Presentation Skills” are for all interested graduate students. Programs are free, but admission is restricted to registered U of T graduate students. For more info, see the website, visit ELWS’s Director, Dr. Jane Freeman in Room 109, 63 St. George Street, or contact the program’s Administrative Assistant.


FAMILY CARE OFFICE AND RESOURCE CENTRE

Most grad students have multiple family responsibilities. For student parents, or those providing elder care, it may be very difficult balancing family, work and studies. It is usually only possible with good funding and resources. The additional expenses of childrearing (childcare, housing, food) can make parents more vulnerable to small changes in their budgets. Student parents are the largest group of users of the U of T Food and Clothing Bank and the workshops we help organize annually, such as “Financial Survival for Student Families”, are well attended. The Athletic Centre also offers wonderful programming for children and families.

The Family Care Office provides free confidential information and advice, organizes workshops, support groups, seminars, and works to develop policy and educate the U of T community about a diverse range of family care issues including the following: maternity leave, child care, elder care, community programs and lesbian and gay family issues. There is also a Family Care Resource Centre. This assistance is available to all members of the U of T community. Student fees fund 40% of this office so don’t hesitate to use their services.

FIRST NATIONS HOUSE

First Nations House is a dynamic place where Aboriginal students from many Nations across Canada can seek culturally appropriate services. First Nations House is not only the home of Aboriginal U of T students, it also provides a link to Toronto’s Aboriginal community, allowing others in the university to learn and network. We provide a number of culturally supportive student services and programs to Aboriginal students and the general university community.

FOOD & CLOTHING BANK

569 Spadina Ave. (Wheelchair accessible)
Clothing Bank is located on the 2nd floor.
Open Fridays from 12 – 3 pm.
Website: www.utsu.ca

The U of T Food and Clothing Bank is a student-run, volunteer-based service that provides food and used clothing to students enrolled in classes at U of T.

To register for this service, bring your U of T card and a timetable print-out from ROSI (which shows your current status) to the campus food bank.

To make donations, or to volunteer for term positions, please e-mail: terri@utsu.ca


GRADUATE DOSSIER SERVICE

The GDS assists Ph.D’s in their search for academic employment for up to ten years after graduation. Advice on job searches, maintaining confidential letters of reference for forwarding to advertised positions, and use of the Career Centre Resource Library for up-to-date material on academic searches are included.


GRADLIFE

Gradlife is composed of specialized workshops, social events, and online resources and programming covers both academic and non-academic issues. Collaboration with other campus offices and services is a regular component.

GSU GYM

The GSU gym can be booked for 1 hour/week by graduate students, either daily or monthly, and because of the demand, only graduate students are allowed to use the space. The GSU gym is open from 10 am til 11 pm Monday to Friday and volleyballs and basketballs are available. Details and booking policy available here.

GSU Handbook/Dayplanner

Pick up your free GSU handbook/dayplanner in your department or in the GSU basement lounge at 16 Bancroft Ave. It contains a wealth of information, including: how YOUR Union operates, how Course Unions and the University operate, details on GSU Sub-Committees, GSU services such as our Health and Dental Insurance and Volleyball Leagues, student victories, academic and funding information, useful resources and MORE! And a free agenda/dayplanner too!

GSU PUB

12-12 Monday to Thursday
12-1am Friday

Book the GSU Pub for a party! (After your thesis defence, or for your Course Union social) Have a drink on our patio!

Pizza Slices and light entrees (after 3 pm), pool table & big screen TV.

Main floor of the GSU, 416-978-8466.

HART HOUSE

Hart House offers athletic facilities, student clubs and a diversity of art and music. For the sport in you, there is an indoor track, weight room, drop-in aerobic classes, registered dance classes, & squash and tennis courts. Most are available at no charge to graduate students. Not all fitness classes are free, however, and we encourage you to compare the prices with the Athletic Centre as well as off-campus facilities to find the best deal. If you enjoy occasional getaways from the city, the Hart House Farm organizes seasonal celebrations. Art and music lovers can join the Photo Club, Drama Club and jazz ensemble, use the Record (and CD) Room, attend the plays and dance performances at Hart House Theatre and visit the Justina M. Barnicke Gallery. The Arbor Room offers a wide variety of food at reasonable prices.

HARVEST NOON CAFE

Harvest Noon Café, located on the top floor of the GSU Building, provides a relaxed and inclusive gathering space for both U of T students and members of the wider community to eat, cook, learn about, and express their love for food.  They aim to serve local, sustainable, and organically produced food and to support principles of food justice and accessibility.  Harvest Noon is a project of the Toronto Sustainable Food Co-operative, an organization initiated by members of the student group Hot Yam! in the Fall of 2011.  By building relationships with local producers and like-minded groups, they provide opportunities and support for folks interested in fostering good, clean and fair food alternatives.

Harvest Noon Cafe is open from 10-2 Monday through Friday. Check out their website for a menu and information.

HEALTH SERVICES

Family physicians, nursing staff, comprehensive medical care counselling and referrals are offered as well as contraception supplies and information.



This is a national online housing database owned and operated by the Canadian Federation of Students. With vacancy rates in many Canadian cities and towns being at an all-time low, it is difficult for many students to find affordable accommodation. By bringing listings for many regions together in one place, homes4students.ca enables students to search for housing anywhere in the country quickly and efficiently.

Searching the site is free and students can search by city, type of accommodation, number of bedrooms and date available. Particular features such as wheelchair accessibility, laundry facilities, and parking can also be identified. In addition, information about tenants’ rights and housing advocacy associations in each province can be found on the site.

STUDENT HOUSING SERVICES

The service includes single and family housing and also has an off-campus registry.

INCOME TAX WORKSHOP

The GSU organizes an annual Income Tax workshop in March or April every year. It is presented by representatives from the federal government’s Canada Customs and Revenue Agency. Watch the email digest for dates in the late winter/early spring.

Due to low attendance, the Canada Revenue Agency is unfortunately not providing a graduate student income tax session for 2010.

Students may be able to get help at their Community clinics for low-income individuals with simple tax returns.

International students can contact the International Student Centre for tax info: 946-8509 or 978-1754.

INTERNATIONAL STUDENT CENTRE

The ISC, located across from the Koffler Centre, offers a range of services to domestic and international students including immigration issues, U.S. visitor visas, health insurance, studying and travelling abroad, English skills, counselling, workshops on issues like income tax and navigating the library, trips and tours, and lounge/study/club space.

INTERNATIONAL STUDENT IDENTITY CARD (ISIC)

As members of the Canadian Federation of Students, full-time graduate students are entitled to a free International Student Identity Card (ISIC) which may be used to obtain discounts throughout the world. The ISIC provides members with student discounts of up to 20% on Greyhound, 30% on VIA Rail, and reduced fares on West Jet and other flights when booked through Travel Cuts. You can obtain the ISIC through the Graduate Students’ Union (GSU).  To receive an ISIC at the GSU check our office hours on our website, and drop by with a passport size photo and the first page of your invoice from the Student Web Service (ROSI),  and complete the application.  It will be ready for pick up in about 1-2 weeks.  If you want it sooner go to Travel Cuts, 187 College St. (1 block east of St. George),  416-979-2406.

New!: Check out the ISIC Benefits App for iPhone and Android devices.

INTRAMURALS (SGS)

If you’re interested in staying active and having fun while meeting your fellow grad students, join one of the SGS intramural teams.  Players of ALL skill levels are welcome!

LESBIAN, GAY, BISEXUAL, TRANSGENDERED, AND QUEER GRADS (LGBTQ)

There is a regular social (every second Thursday) at the GSU Pub as well as the Brain Orgy (seminar series), and other events to help create a positive space for LGBT grad students. Alumni, staff, working students, and friends are welcome.

MEDIATION PROJECT

This is a conflict resolution service co-hosted with St. Stephen’s Community Centre and is free to all members of U of T. Think about this if you have problems with a supervisor or a fellow student. Talk to us first. 416-926-8221

MENTORING PROGRAMME FOR WOMEN

The program is for women who identify as marginalized or from an equity seeking group based on, but not limited to, language, culture, religion, sexual diversity, disability and age. In addition, this program is for women who identify as Aboriginal, a woman of colour, a member of a sexual minority community, a parent, or a mature student.

The program is open to all UofT women students who are in a Ph.D Program, or in a Masters Program at the University of Toronto.

Metropass

See here: http://www.utsu.ca/section/1078

ONTARIO PUBLIC INTEREST RESEARCH GROUP (OPIRG)

OPIRG Toronto is a volunteer-based group with a mandate for action, education, and research on environmental and social justice issues. We are part of an international network of Public Interest Research Groups (PIRGs), including ten others in Ontario. We seek to empower and educate students and other members of the community, provide a forum for learning and sharing skills, and give people the tools and opportunity to work co-operatively for social change.

UNIVERSITY OF TORONTO OMBUDSPERSON

See the Obudsperson website for more information.

THE PSYCHIATRIC SERVICE

Assessment and treatment for students with emotional and psychological concerns. No referral required.

SAFETY

  • Walksafer is a safe & reliable escort across campus after dark. 978-7233
  • Working Alone Service: U of T police will check on you. 978-2323

STUDENT LIFE PROGRAMS & SERVICES

The division of Student Life Programs & Services emerged from an extensive review of the divisions formerly known as Student Affairs and Student Services. Student Life Programs and Services now include: Accessibility Services, Career Centre, Centre for Community Partnerships, Counselling and Learning Skills Service, First Nations House, Hart House, Health Services, International Student Centre, Multi-Faith Centre, Psychiatric Service, Student Housing Service, and Student Life Programs.

STUDENT SAVER CARD

Studentsaver is Canada’s original national student discount programme, brought to you by the Canadian Federation of Students. With discounts from coast to coast, Studentsaver saves you money on everyday purchases like books, clothing, food, and entertainment.

Look for the “Studentsaver/ISIC Accepted Here” sticker in store windows – or take your card to any of the merchants that you find in the searchable database to receive discounts ranging from 10% to 30% off purchased goods and services.

There has been an unexpected delay in the arrival of the 2012-2013 Studentsaver Cards. We will update our website when they become available.

STUDENT SERVICES

Student Services at the University of Toronto assists student learning while promoting the academic mission of the University. Services are provided appropriate to and developed in partnership with the diverse student communities.  Services and programs aim to build the confidence and skills necessary for students to succeed in their personal, academic and professional lives.


SWAP SHOP

Free used furniture. Open Wed 12-2. 487 Spadina (basement)

TRAVEL CUTS

The GSU is pleased to be able to offer you the services of Travel CUTS, the full service national travel agency that specializes in student travel. Whether you need cheap international or domestic flights, rail, and bus passes, a Spring Break/Reading Week vacation, or even help with a SWAP Working Holiday or Volunteer Abroad program, Travel CUTS can help. Your closest Travel CUTS location is: 187 College Street, 979-2406.

To obtain the best discounts at Travel CUTS, make sure you get an ISIC, available at Travel Cuts and by appointment at the GSU.

VOLLEYBALL LEAGUE

There are three leagues: recreational, intermediate and competitive.

WOMEN’S CENTRE

The Centre is just across from the GSU at 563 Spadina, on the Ground Floor and is open Monday to Thursday 11-5 p.m. Drop by and use our lounge and resource centre or call us for more information. 978-8201 womens.centre@utoronto.ca