Your reliable first stop

Welcome - or welcome back - to the start of another academic year. If you need help or advice, the place to start for all advice and information is your college registrar's office - "your reliable first stop for advice and information." Your college is here to give you friendly and helpful attention. If you have a question about a particular course or academic program, you can directly approach the department or college responsible for it. If you need an answer or need some help, reach out: many are here to help you find what you need.

ROSI absence declaration

There is a new rule in Arts & Science about student absences from class. You are required to use the ROSI Absence Declaration:

• if you have been absent from class for medical or other unavoidable reasons AND
• if you require an accommodation for missed or late term work, such as tests, assignments or labs.

You must record your absence using the ROSI Absence Declaration, which can be found on the ROSI main menu. You should print out and give to your instructor the confirmation from ROSI that you have declared your absence on the Absence Declaration. NOTE: Instructors may require further documentation such as the U of T Medical Certificate. If so, attach the Absence Declaration confirmation to that additional documentation. The Absence Declaration will also be required for all formal petitions involving absence. The Absence Declaration should not be used to declare absences due to religious observances.

Arts & Science Council elections

Arts & Science Council is the main governance body of the Faculty. Council is made up of students, faculty and staff representatives, all of whom are elected by their peers. It approves policy and curriculum shaping the academic lives of every Arts & Science student. It is also an important consultative body for the Dean. This is a chance to influence the shape of your education and put your hard-earned experience to use for the benefit of all. Elections for first-year reps and other open student positions on the 2010-2011 Arts & Science Council will take place from September 29-30.

Course enrolments and space

If you are enrolled more courses than you intend to keep throughout the year, you should drop the ones you know you won't continue taking in order to create space for others who might want it. Do this as soon as you've made your decision - waiting lists will be closed on September 19 and the last day to enrol in F and Y courses is September 26.

Dean's Student Initiatives Fund

The application deadline for the winter competition for the Faculty of Arts and Science Dean's Student Initiatives Fund is November 1. This award was established to provide financial support for undergraduate or graduate student initiatives that aspire to create dialogue and foster a greater sense of community.

Work-study positions are now posted

The Work-Study Program provides eligible students with an opportunity to meet financial needs and gain practical experience during the school year. For the 2010-2011 school year there are over 1600 unique job descriptions available for U of T students. These jobs are part-time opportunities, up to 12 hours per week, and allow you to make some extra money, gain career and academic related experience, and work closely with U of T faculty and staff. To view these opportunities login to your Career Centre account and select 'Job Search' from the left-hand menu, then select 'Work-Study'.

New TTC post-secondary student Metropass requires student photo ID card

The new TTC post-secondary Metropass is now available. Please remember that use of this metropass requires that you have an authourized post-secondary TTC Student Photo ID card. Failure to produce the photo ID can result in costly fines. For more information on obtaining your post-secondary Metropass and ID card, please visit UTSU or the TTC.

Dean to host open discussions of Arts & Science academic plan

The Faculty of Arts & Science is holding town hall-style forums later this month to discuss its five-year strategic plan.

See also - an update (PDF) from the dean on the consultation process.

Get ready to vote: municipal election day is October 25

If you are a Canadian citizen and at least 18 years old, get ready to vote in the upcoming municipal election, happening in every city in Ontario on Monday, October 25. For those of you living in the City of Toronto (including students in residence), you can find out if you are eligible to vote at the City of Toronto's elections website. Can't vote on Election Day? You can vote eight other days. Check out when and where. Make sure you are on the Voter's List as it makes voting fast and easy. Find out how to get on the list. U of T has lots of events to help you make your decision: check out Hart House, UTSU, and the Cities Centre.

Student group encourages more high school students to consider post-secondary education

A group of Arts & Science students are working to make a university education a realistic goal for a wider range of Toronto-area high school students with a program called Project Pathways, aiming to raise awareness of post-secondary studies through information seminars and mentorship.

U of T research confirms fears of a decline in bee pollination

Widespread reports of a decline in the population of bees and other flower-visiting animals have aroused fear and speculation that pollination is also likely on the decline. A recent University of Toronto study provides the first long-term evidence of a downward trend in pollination, while also pointing to climate change as a possible contributor.

Queeriosity: Queer Orientation Week 2010

New and returning students are invited to participate in Queer Orientation 2010. Many great events are taking place on all three campuses from September 19 - 25. Come out, meet new people and find your community at U of T.

Run for the Cure comes to campus

This year's Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation CIBC Run for the Cure will take place right here on the St. George Campus on Sunday, October 3. Sign-up today to help raise funds for breast cancer research and help U of T win the University Challenge. Don't want to run? Organizers are also looking for volunteers to help out on the day.

It's fall fair season at the Career Centre

October is fall fair season and the Career Centre is no exception. Thinking about graduate school? Come to the Graduate and Professional Schools Fair on October 4 and 5, 11:00am - 2:00pm. And if you are looking for a part-time job to earn a little extra cash this year, drop by the Part-Time Job Fair on October 6, 11:00am - 2:00pm. Visit the Career Centre website for details.

The University of Toronto invites you to an evening for parents and families

As part of U of T's commitment to including parents and family members in the community, you and your family are invited to explore the campus, learn more about the resources offered to students, and laugh a little with best-selling author Marni Jackson. Thursday, October 7, 4:00pm - 6:30pm. For full detail and registration, please visit the Parents & Families website.

Win up to $1000 in U of T Video Competition!

U of T is full of stories - what's yours? Did you find your life's passion? Figure out how to change the world? Discover the best place on campus to relax? We want to know what makes U of T special to you. Be quirky, honest, ingenious, sarcastic, authentic - capture your student story in a short video and you could win up to $1000 cash! No special talent is needed - just a good story. The contest closes on October 12, 2010 at 5:00pm. Visit www.studentvideo.utoronto.ca for details.

Build on your strengths

You had the stuff to make it this far. Now it's time to build on those strengths. Throughout October, Health and Wellness, in partnership with programs and services across campus, will be dedicated to raising awareness around positive mental health. Check the Health Promotions Programs website for information about services, events, opportunities, and workshops being offered on campus in support of student wellness and academic success.

Advance your english for academic success!

The ELL Communication Café offers challenging and fun activities to help you develop your speaking skills. Join other multilingual students learning English and improve your ability to discuss academic topics and present your ideas to a group in a lab, tutorial, or seminar. Sessions are relevant for a wide range of disciplines and are free of charge, with no advance registration; just drop in.

Reading eWriting offers students academic writing practice and critical feedback from an experienced writing instructor. This free activity is done through email. Combine Reading eWriting with the Communication Café, or sign up any time. To view the café schedule and/or to sign up for Reading eWriting, visit the English Language Learning webpage.

First in your family? Mentors needed for new program

The transition to university is difficult for many students. But being the first in your family to attend post-secondary education brings its own unique set of challenges such as navigating the administrative maze and feeling like you belong and can succeed. The University of Toronto is introducing a new mentorship program to support first generation students in their transition to first year and is now recruiting upper year students as mentors. As a mentor, you'll develop your leadership and group facilitation skills, articulate what you have learned about being a successful student and support first-year students who are also the first in their families to attend university. Information sessions are coming up September 20, 22 and 29.

Office of the University Ombudsperson

The University of Toronto is committed to fairness in its dealings with its individual members and to ensuring that their rights are protected. In support of this commitment, the Office of the Ombudsperson offers confidential advice and assistance to students, faculty and staff on all three U of T campuses.