Political Science Graduate Students' Association
Orientation Guide
Twelfth Edition, June 2010
Prepared by Hamish Telford
Revised in 1999 by Will Bain
Revised in 2001 by Mark Manger
Revised in 2002 by Scott Watson
Revised in 2003 by Scott Matthews, Phil Orchard,
Mark Pickup and Alana Tiemessen
Revised in 2004 by Phil Orchard
Revised in 2005 by James Gillies
Revised in 2007 by François de Soete
Revised in 2008 by Avery Poole
Revised in 2009 by Devon Richard Lougheed
Revised in 2010 by Afsoun Afsahi
Published with the Assistance of the
Director of Graduate Studies, Department of Political Science
The University of British Columbia
The Political Science Graduate Students' Association (PSGSA)
The PSGSA was established in the fall of 1995 by graduate students enrolled in the political science
department. Our constitution was ratified on October 31st, 1995, and the first executive was
elected one month later.
The purpose of the PSGSA is to better co-ordinate graduate students enrolled in the political
science department and to become more involved in the administration of our program. The
PSGSA worked diligently to help create the governing structures of the department and we have
now been incorporated in the administrative apparatus of the department. The PSGSA also seeks to
create a vibrant intellectual and social community in the department by organizing various events
and activities.
The PSGSA relies heavily on student initiative and effort. The PSGSA holds its Annual General
Meeting every September.
We encourage all graduate students joining the political science
department to become involved in the PSGSA and work to build a vibrant and dynamic program.
When you arrive in Vancouver be sure to get in touch with a PSGSA representative.
A list of the 2008-2009 PSGSA members is included on the following page.
PSGSA Representatives 2009-2010
PSGSA Administration
Prime Minister:
Deputy Prime Minister:
Secretary/Treasurer:
Governor General (Past President)
Afsoun Afsahi
Anastasia Shesternina
Beth Schwartz
Devon Lougheed
Graduate Programme Committee:
PhD Rep # 1:
PhD Rep # 2:
MA Rep :
Devon Lougheed
Emily Moore
Lauren Hurst
Curriculum Committee Representatives:
American:
Kelsey Seymour
Canadian:
Beth Schwartz
Comparative:
Jan Boesten
International Relations:
Adam Bower
Theory:
Esther Robson
Other Representatives:
CUPE 2278 Union Representative:
Speakers' Committee Representative:
Hiring Committee Representative:
Graduate Representative to
Undergraduate Committee:
Graduate Student Society (GSS)
Representative:
GSS Representative # 2:
Department Advisor on Policy and
Procedure (DAPP):
Equity and Academic Freedom Advisor:
Space Committee Rep:
Edana Beauvais
Michael Cohen
Nathan Allen
Rahim Mohammed
Conrad King
Aim Sinpeng
Tommi Rebien
Travis Paterson
Edana Beauvais
Table of Contents
Page(s)
1)
Getting Started on Campus
* Student Service Centre
* Registration
* Library cards
* U-Pass
* TA payments
* Tuition
* Financial aid
* Libraries
* Graduate student work spaces
* Department seminar room
* Keys
* Computers
* Photocopying
* Parking
* Medical services
* AMS/GSS Health and Dental Plan Opt-out
* Food on campus
* Discussion groups
1-6
2)
Off-Campus Chores
* Social Insurance Number (SIN)
* BC Health Care
* Drivers Licences and car insurance
7-8
3)
Leisure and Recreation
* University sports
* Bicycles and sporting gear
* Walking, hiking, running,
* Beaches
* Food and drink around town and on campus
* Clubs and dancing
* Drinking at home
* Movies
* Bookstores (new and used)
* CD shops
8-13
4)
Finding a Place to Live
* Temporary accommodation
* On-campus housing
* Off-campus housing
* Thrift shops
* A word on living costs in Vancouver
* One final word…
13-16
GETTING STARTED ON CAMPUS
Arriving at UBC for graduate studies can be a daunting experience. It's a sprawling campus and a
number of tasks must be completed in a variety of obscure offices. The following is a preliminary
list of some of the things you'll have to do, some others you might want to do to make your life at
UBC easier, and some other useful tips.
Student Service Centre (SSC)
You can manage a lot of your academic life at UBC through the Student Service Centre website:
www.students.ubc.ca/ssc. You can register for courses, check your financial account for fees owing
and status of financial awards, access your timetable, change your address, check your on-campus
housing registration and get your grades. Make sure that your address and full contact information
is always updated and you’re registered for the intended courses.
Registration
The university calendar will be your best source of information for this process. Registration can
only be done by logging into the student service centre website (mentioned above). Since graduate
courses rarely fill up, you may want to arrive and consult with the graduate advisor and other
faculty about your course selection; however, note that graduate courses cross-listed as fourth year
seminars tend to have larger enrolments than courses restricted to graduate students. In addition,
graduate seminars outside of the department will give their own department’s students priority.
There are many important dates listed in the calendar - add/drop dates, fee payment dates - as well
as other useful information - penalties for late fees, how to arrange fee deferrals. Be sure to note
these dates before it's too late. There are many more courses offered for the 2008/2009 academic
year so spend some time in the first week checking out as many courses as interest you.
Student / Library Cards
Your student card also serves as your library card. The card is valid for up to four years so you
can avoid waiting in line every September. The UBC Card can be picked up at the UBC Carding
Office, located in the bookstore. Try to go before classes start, as almost everyone needs a new
one and there will be huge lines. Make sure you know your student number and bring photo ID
with you. For more information, see: www.ubccard.ubc.ca
U-Pass
The U-Pass is the transportation pass for UBC students, and is in effect for the regular school
year (and for the summer term if you are registered for courses). The U-Pass costs $22/month
and can be used for the Translink bus, SkyTrain and SeaBus. This is a good deal since a regular
1 Zone, one month bus pass costs $73. As the cost will be assessed as part of your yearly student
fees, everyone that is a full-time student is eligible and it is not possible to opt-out.
The U-Pass will give you unlimited access to all zones using Translink bus, SkyTrain or SeaBus
services. Additionally, there will be increased day and night bus service to UBC. For more
information on bus routes, see: www.translink.ubc.ca
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U-Passes are mailed out late in the summer, so again, make sure your address is correctly listed
online. For more information, see: www.upass.ubc.ca
Without a U-Pass, a 1 Zone fare is $2.50. You can also buy FareSaver tickets - a book of ten costs
$10. Passes and FareSaver Tickets are available at the kiosk in the Student Union Building (SUB),
all 7-11 outlets, and other places. Bus schedules are also available in the SUB, or online at
http://tripplanning.translink.bc.ca/hiwire?.a=iScheduleLookup. Schedules are imperative for
students living off campus and commuting by bus, and for people planning to use the buses at night
when service is reduced.
UBC operates a complimentary shuttle service from the airport to campus from late August to early
September. The shuttle drops students off at the various UBC residences. Rides must be reserved
in advance. Otherwise, you can take the 100 bus outside the domestic arrivals section, connect to
the 98 B-Line, and then connect to the 99 B-Line at the intersection of Broadway and Granville.
There is also a shuttle that runs on campus to various residences and departments (see Translink
website).
TA Payments
Teaching Assistantship (TA) payments are issued on the 15th and 30th of each month, from
September 15, 2008 until April 30, 2009. You must arrange with the payroll office to have your
payment direct deposited into your bank account. Your payment will be deposited at midnight on
payday. Payroll information, including pay statements, is available on the Payroll website, at
www.finance.ubc.ca/payroll.
If you discover that you were under- or over-paid inform the department secretarial staff and/or the
Payroll office immediately. Overpayments will be discovered eventually and you will have to pay
the money back!
Paying Tuition and Student Fees
The financial account section on the Student Service Centre will tell you when your tuition and
student fees are owed. Late fees will be assessed for delinquent payments. If you are waiting for
student loans or awards to be processed, the financial aid office may push back your payment dates
(refer http://www.students.ubc.ca/finance/).
Graduate students that have TAships or RAships can have their tuition incrementally deducted from
their paycheques. PhD students who have been granted the tuition waiver cannot have the
remainder of their student fees paid by payroll deduction; this portion must be paid up front.
Financial Aid
So you think you’re going to be broke? That seems about right. The financial aid office might be
able to help you. A few things to keep in mind as it is not a pleasant process…
Make an appointment to see a financial aid advisor as soon as you think you might have
difficulties. Come prepared with a full budget of your expenses and income and be prepared to
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justify it all (including medical receipts if applicable)
You can apply for a bursary if you foresee a financial shortfall in the academic year; this can be
done online but must be done in early September. This assumes you know your financial
situation for the next 8 months! It is unlikely (if not impossible) that you will be granted any
financial assistance from UBC if you have not applied for provincial government student loans.
The financial aid office at UBC adheres to the BC Ministry Guidelines for student living costs
which projects a certain amount per month for rent, food and utilities. If you are living beyond
this level, financial aid will not compensate for the difference (refer
http://www.aved.gov.bc.ca/studentaidbc/welcome.htm ).
Emergency UBC loans may be made available to you if you have already received government
loans and a bank credit line. They become due six months after your program ends.
Information about loans, bursaries and scholarships is available at http://students.ubc.ca/finance.
Also check the Faculty of Graduate Studies (www.grad.ubc.ca) for other bursaries and
scholarships.
Libraries
Political science students use mainly the Koerner Library, but also the I.K. Barber Learning Centre
and Law Libraries. Most loans are for one month and can be renewed, subject to recall, at
www.library.ubc.ca. Fines are assessed at one dollar per day per book.
Library tours and tutorials on information services are available at the start of the school year.
Check the information board in the lobby of the Koerner Library or enquire at the information desk.
Graduate Student Work Space
There are two rooms in the Buchanan C building for use by graduate students – one on the 3rd floor
and one on the 4th floor. The 3rd floor rooms has several PCs for graduate student use, which are
connected to the printer/copier in that room. In order to print and copy, you will need to set up a
pay-up-front account with Josephine in the department office. If you wish to use one of these
rooms, you should request a key from the department office. You may also request a key to the
inner and outer doors of the building for after-hours access.
Department Seminar Room
The main department seminar room is Buchanan C403. This room is used for course seminars,
seminars organized by graduate students (such as the Political Theory Seminar Series and the
Canadian-Comparative workshops), MA and PhD prospectus defences, and department
meetings.
Keys
You may apply to the department office for keys to the reading rooms and inner and outer doors of
the Buchanan building. If you are a TA, you should also apply for a key to the TA offices in Brock
3
Hall East Annex. Once approval has been obtained, keys can be collected from the Parking and
Access Control Services office in the General Services Administration Building, which is located
on Wesbrook Mall next to the War Memorial Gym. There is a $20 deposit and your UBC ID is
required. In September, there tend to be long queues so it is advisable to go as soon as possible,
and early in the morning.
Computers
Email accounts
All students are entitled to an email account, and are strongly encouraged to obtain one as soon as
possible. There are a variety of packages available. The basic service is Netinfo and it is available
to all students. To obtain an account, you must first establish your Campus Wide Login (CWL).
This can be done at the Student Service Centre (http://ssc.adm.ubc.ca). Then go to
https://web.interchange.ubc.ca/account/register1.cfm to set up an email address, which will
appear as your CWL username followed by @interchange.ubc.ca. Note that you must first have a
valid library card. Refer www.interchange.ubc.ca further information. Having established an
interchange account, you can check your email at www.my.ubc.ca (click on ‘WebMail’).
Wireless Access
Wireless internet access is widely available on campus. There are also PC terminals in the libraries
that can be used by logging in with your library card.
IT Services are located in room 209 of the Leonard S. Klinck building. They offer a variety of
services from systems support, security problems, internet services, etc (refer
http://www.itservices.ubc.ca).
Buying a Computer
If you're looking to buy a personal computer, PC Galore at 4th and MacDonald is the place to go for
used computers. Local retailers for new PCs include London Drugs (2230 West Broadway at Vine,
665 West Broadway near Cambie, or downtown at 1187 Robson St); Future Shop (1322 West
Broadway at Pine, or downtown at 798 Granville); and BestBuy (Cambie at 6th Ave). Apple
computers can be purchased from the Apple Store in the Pacific Centre downtown (701 West
Georgia Street), Simply Computing (1690 West Broadway), and WestWorld Computers (1368
West Broadway). Craigslist is also a viable option.
Try to avoid buying a computer and accessories at the UBC Bookstore – their packages tend to be
overpriced. However, supplies such as cables, disks, and so on purchased for a reasonable price
there.
Photocopying
Students are not permitted to use the departmental copier for academic or personal use; please use
the copier in the 3rd floor computing lab. Copies here are 10 cents per page. The department will
assign you a student and personal code (and, if you are a TA, a course code) that you punch in
before copying.
The libraries have a number of photocopiers. These are best used with a copy debit card available
from copy card machines in the lobby of the Koerner Library and the I.K. Barber Learning Centre.
4
Copies are 13 cents. Photocopying is also available at Copyright, in the SUB basement, for 5 cents
a page, or at CopySmart in the UBC Village.
Parking
For those with cars, a variety of parking options are available on campus. Around the perimeter of
campus there are still a few free places to park, but this entails a lengthy walk into campus. You
can purchase a parking pass for the academic year; refer http://www.parking.ubc.ca for further
information.
Medical Services
The Student Health Service is located at the UBC Hospital (M334-2211 Wesbrook Mall, phone 64-822-7011). Another option is the University Village Medical & Dental Clinic, located at 2282155 Allison Rd (phone 604-222-2273). It is advisable to make an appointment.
The University Pharmacy (at 5754 University Boulevard in the Village) will automatically deduct
your AMS/GSS coverage from your prescriptions. Keep in mind not everything is covered and
some medications that aren’t may be replaced with similar ones that are. The ‘alternatives’ aren’t
always what you need so be prepared to fork out some cash.
AMS/GSS Health and Dental Plan Opt-Out
If you have equivalent health and dental coverage, you may opt out of the AMS/GSS Health and
Dental Plan. This must be done within the Change of Coverage Period (occurs during Sept).
Note: the British Columbia Medical Services Plan and Fair PharmaCare do not constitute
equivalent coverage. For information on the opt out procedure go to www.studentcare.net or call
1-877-795-4421 or visit the Health and Dental Plan Office in the SUB.
Food on campus
The best way to get a good meal on campus is to bring it yourself! The food is standard university
cafeteria type food that seems decent enough at first, but gets tiresome quickly. Here’s a quick
rundown of the options.
The SUB
Blue Chip cookies has good cookies and decent coffee. Benoulli’s Bagels Pacific Spirit Place on
the main floor has a Subway, A&W, Pizza Pizza, and other fast food. The basement of the SUB
has various options including the Honour Roll (sushi), the Delly (sandwiches), and a bubble tea
shop. The Pit is also located downstairs which is the undergrad bar. They serve a variety of pub
food there which only really tastes good after buying a few of their alcoholic beverages. A
preferred grad student eatery is the Pendulum which is accessible from outside the SUB or through
the basement level. They have variety of good lunch meals and lots of vegetarian dishes. Also has a
liquor license.
Other outlets
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Koerner's Pub in the Graduate Student Centre has a limited but expanding menu. Ike’s Café in the
Irving Barber Library building is also a viable option. Disclaimer: I am hardly recommending it as a
great place but somewhere you can get coffee during classes. Watch your time though. The line-ups
are sometimes long and your break, a mere 10 minutes!!! 99 Chairs (between Koerner library and
the Angus Building) offers good sandwiches and a nice space to sit, eat and study. There is also a
small cafeteria beside it and, for homesick Ontario ex-pats, a Tim Horton’s.
The Village
The University Village (along University Boulevard by the main gates) you'll find a McDonald's,
Pita Pit, Country Style Donuts and a generic international food court that offers Chinese,
Vietnamese, Japanese, and Indian food. Other convenient places in the village include small
market stores for food and flowers, a liquor store, optical store, three sushi restaurants, Starbucks, a
variety of magazine and specialty shops, dollar store, and a Staples/Business Depot. At the corner
of Westbrook Mall and University Boulevard, there is an Irish pub (Mahoney & Sons), Shoppers
Drug Mart, and Boulevard Café.
Department Discussion Groups / Workshops
There are three workshops that meet on a semi-regular basis. Each group covers a broad range of
subjects and there is a great deal of overlap between them. Graduate students and faculty are
encouraged to attend these workshops and present papers for discussion. Notices of meeting
times and places are distributed via the poligrad email list. Any student wishing to present at any
one of these groups should contact the group organizer. These organizers will make themselves
known to the students at the beginning of the school year.
Political Theory Seminar Series
Faculty and graduate students interested in political theory, broadly speaking, meet once a month
to discuss a paper written by an invited speaker. A short presentation on the paper is followed by
an informal discussion period. This is a wonderful opportunity to engage with a community of
people interested in political theory.
Comparative & Canadian Politics Workshop
This research workshop brings together faculty, postdocs, and graduate students with interests in
the fields of Canadian or comparative politics, broadly conceived. The workshop meets twice a
month, usually to discuss a paper or chapter draft written by a member of the workshop. The
workshop is an opportunity to engage with a lively intellectual community; to learn about and
contribute to colleagues' ongoing research activities; to explore and debate a range of issues
central to the comparative and Canadian subfields; and, if you choose, to receive constructive
feedback on your own work in progress (e.g., paper from a conference or seminar,
dissertation/book chapter, article draft). In lieu of formal presentations, papers are distributed
electronically to workshop members a week in advance and are assumed to have been read prior
to the session. In the past we have read and discussed work on such topics as ethnicity,
nationalism, and ethnic conflict; Canadian environmental policy in comparative perspective;
party politics; electoral behavior in Canada; comparative federalism; and democratic stability and
the rule of law. All are welcome.
International Relations Colloquia
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These are run by the Centre of International Relations (CIR, refer www.cir.ubc.ca) in the
Boardroom of the Liu Institute for Global Issues (6476 NW Marine Drive).
OFF CAMPUS CHORES
Social Insurance Number (SIN)
International students will need to obtain a Social Insurance Number from the Canadian
Government’s Department of Human Resources and Social Development. This is necessary in
order to earn any income (eg. TAships and RAships) and for other identification purposes. You can
apply for a SIN, at the nearest Service Canada office. You will need various documentation so
check the website at http://www.servicecanada.gc.ca/en/sin/apply/how.shtmlrefer. You can find
your closest office at http://www1.servicecanada.gc.ca/en/gateways/where_you_live/menu.shtml).
BC Health Care
New residents of British Columbia should arrange for a new BC Care Card. You will need this to
visit a doctor or fill a prescription. For information call the Medical Services Plan (MSP) of BC at
604-683-7151 or refer to http://www.hlth.gov.bc.ca/msp/index.html.
If you are an international student or from another province, you must pay a monthly premium, but
may apply for premium assistance or obtain exemption if you income is low enough. There are also
further reductions for families. Your income is based on what you filed in the previous year’s tax
return.
Most clinics and hospitals will bill your home province if you do not want to get a BC Care Card
with the exception of Quebec residents. If you have a Quebec health care card, you will be asked to
pay for all services personally and to apply to Quebec health for a reimbursement.
International students may obtain a BC Care Card after three months residence in the province.
During this initial period, you will be covered by iMED, the mandatory health insurance program
(refer http://www.amsubc.ca/index.php/services/category/health_plan for further information).
International House arranges for a special session in September when international students can fill
out the forms required for SINs and the MSP.
For those who manage to secure fellowships from abroad, such as Commonwealth, SSRC, or
DAAD, check whether your country has a tax treaty with Canada. Especially if you’re a MA
student, you might consider staying a resident of your home country if it is (legally?) possible and
scholarships are not taxed there. In Canada, scholarships and TAships are taxed if you become a
resident. (Refer also to the section on living costs below).
Driver's Licences and ICBC
Registered students can hold on to their out-of-province licences, but motor vehicle owners should
check with the Insurance Corporation of British Columbia (ICBC) to determine whether they need
7
to register their cars in BC. The office nearest campus is 4126 MacDonald, near 16th. There are
several others located throughout the city (refer www.icbc.com). You'll also have to get your car
checked by Air Care, the vehicle emissions testing program for Vancouver (refer www.aircare.ca).
Car insurance in British Columbia is available only from ICBC, although private insurance
companies can sell you the ICBC policy. You may now buy your optional insurance from a private
vendor rather than from ICBC. Consequently, insurance is very expensive in BC but you might
qualify for a discount (10% for every year you’ve had no accident claims up to four years). A letter
from your present insurance company detailing your past driving record may qualify you for the
discount. For general inquires call 604-661-2800.
LEISURE AND RECREATION
Vancouver offers a wide variety of recreational and leisure activities. The following suggestions
are hardly exhaustive; the intention here is just to provide a few tips to get you started. The
Georgia Straight, published every Thursday and available free in various locations, is the best
entertainment guide in the city. Check the Straight for plays and live music listings.
University Sports
UBC has a full range of athletic facilities, many administered by UBC REC (www.rec.ubc.ca). The
Alma Mater Society (AMS, at www.ams.ubc.ca) also organizes a variety of intramural sports.
Bicycles and Sports Gear
Vancouver is definitely a cycling city. Dunbar Cycles at Dunbar and 26th has a good selection of
bicycles (from campus take the number 25 bus to Dunbar and 25th and then walk the last block).
You might also try the Bike Kitchen, located in the SUB (bottom level, near the new arcade), for
new and used bike sales and service.
Cheapskates Bicycles at Dunbar and 17th probably has the largest selection of used bicycles in the
city (from campus take the number 25 bus and get down at the first stop after the bus turns off 16th
on to Dunbar; the shop is opposite the bus stop). There are three other Cheapskates stores near this
intersection; they are the best place in the city to buy all manner of used sporting goods.
Mountain Equipment Coop (MEC) at Broadway and Columbia (from campus take the number 9
bus and get down at the third stop after Cambie) has a good selection of bicycle accessories, as well
as the best selection of outdoor gear in the city.
The UBC endowment lands have excellent trails for off road riding, while 16th Ave and Southwest
Marine Drive heading off campus are excellent streets for road training, and roller-blading.
Walking, Hiking and Running
There are many excellent walks and hikes in the Vancouver area. The UBC bookstore and MEC
have a selection of guide books for lower mainland walks - a good guide is 103 Hikes in
Southwestern BC.
8
Around the city, the University Endowment Lands, Stanley Park, and all the beaches are good
places for walking and running. Also try the seawall, which starts at Coal Harbour (near Canada
Place), rings around Stanley Park, continues along the north side of False Creek near Yaletown and
then goes west along the south side of False Creek past Granville Island towards the west side
beaches. On the north shore (North and West Vancouver) you will find Cyprus Bowl, Lynn
Canyon, Lighthouse Park, and Ambleside. In Richmond you may want to walk along the dike on a
nice day. Running stores like the Running Room (1578 Broadway, 2083 Alma, 679 Denman),
Rackets and Runners (3880 Oak Street), and Forerunners (3502 West 4th Ave) offer clinics that are
a great, cost-efficient way to learn the major running routes in the city.
There are also many pitch-and-putt courses in the Vancouver area. Attractive and challenging
courses are located at Stanley Park and Queen Elizabeth Park (and elsewhere)—check the
Vancouver Parks & Recreation website (http://www.city.vancouver.bc.ca/parks/) for rates and
further information.
Queen Elizabeth Park has a great Frisbee golf (or “frolf”) course. More information is available at
http://vancouver.ca/parks/parks/queenelizabeth
Beaches
Vancouver's beaches are one of the highlights of the city. Try Spanish Banks or Jericho Beach
which are north east of campus. Heading towards the city, you'll find Kitsilano beach - the place to
play beach volley ball. Crossing over the Burrard Street bridge and heading west you'll come to
English Bay. Continue into Stanley Park and you'll find yet another beach. And on the west side of
campus is Wreck Beach for those who enjoy a little nude sun worship, or studying a self-supporting
underground economy (cash only).
Food and Drink around Town and on Campus
On campus, the main pub for graduate students is Koerner's (really hoping that by the time you guys
arrive, they would have their liquor license back) at the Graduate Student Centre. Mahoney’s and
Sons over at the Village is also an option. However, the drinks and the food are both overpriced!
Over in the SUB, you'll find the Gallery Lounge on the main floor, and the Pit Pub in the basement.
The Pit tends to be frequented by undergraduates, but the beer is cheap and you can get a cheap
burger and fries. The Pit also has a DJ and dancing at night. Half way along University Boulevard
is the University Golf Club, which has a bar.
There are a number of websites dedicated to Vancouver's restaurants, bars and clubs. These include
www.letsgofordinner.com/, www.dinehere.ca, and www.clubzone.com. In addition, The Georgia
Straight and Vancouver Magazine regularly provide restaurant reviews.
There are a number of establishments east of campus on 10th Ave and Broadway. Dentry’s on the
south side of the road has a good selection of draft beer. Further east along Broadway, between
Alma and McDonald, you’ll find The Wolf and Hound, Elwood's, and The Fringe Cafe. Calhoun's
is a large 24 hour cafe which tends to be populated by students and laptops.
Along 4th Avenue, there is Jeremiah's at Alma. Just west of MacDonald is Topanga Cafe, an
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excellent Mexican restaurant. For west coast style vegetarian food, head to The Naam (east of
Macdonald). You'll also find a number of bars and cafes nearby in the Kits beach area -- just stroll
down Yew Street between 4th and Cornwall. There you will find Malone's and the King's Head,
among other places. Perhaps the best selection of restaurants close to the university is along 4th
Avenue in Kits, between Arbutus and Burrard. Chianti's is a good little Italian place at 4th and
Burrard, although it is often busy. The Annapurna next door is a very good restaurant for
vegetarian Indian food. Across the street is India Grill, which serves good Indian food. Bimini's
and Hells Kitchen are nice for an evening drink or dinner. And for those nursing a hangover the
next day, Sophie's Cosmic Café is well known for its breakfasts (but gets very busy on weekends).
There are also a couple of tex-mex places, such as Las Margarita's. There are also quite a few places
nearby on Granville Island, including Bridges, the Backstage Lounge and The Cat’s Meow.
Downtown, there are four key streets and two additional areas. The four streets are Granville,
Robson, Denman, and Davie, which form a square. Granville is primarily filled with second-hand
stores, theatres, pizza joints, and nightclubs. There are a couple of decent pubs, such as Doolin's
and The Lennox. The Caprice (a nightclub) has a separate Lounge that serves good food and The
Granville Room has a pleasant atmosphere. At the southern end of Granville are Ginger SixtyTwo, Crush (both good for martinis but pricey), and The Morrissey (good for beer). On this end
of Granville you will also find the Yale Hotel where you can listen to Rhythm and Blues.
On Robson, from Granville to about Jervis, there are a number of chain restaurants such as
Milestones, The Cactus Club, and the Keg (which is actually around the corner on Jervis). There
is also a Gelato store and a Crepe restaurant, both of which are quite popular during the evenings.
Further west on Robson there is a selection of Korean, Chinese, and Japanese restaurants. Of
note, there is Hon's Wun Tun House which provides good fast Chinese food (those sensitive to
MSG be cautious). Hon's is famous for its potstickers. For those that prefer the Japanese version,
the Gyoza King is also a good bet.
If you head further west on Granville, you come to Denman. On the corner is Bojangles, a nice
place to get a coffee, some breakfast, or a sandwich. Further south on Denman one finds a large
variety of restaurants. In addition to a large number of Greek restaurants, there is Buds (Fish and
Chips), Indica (western style Indian food), and True Confections (large pies, cakes, ice cream).
There are at least four additional places to buy ice cream or Gelato, one of them being a Dairy
Queen. The Malaysian restaurant, Banana Leaf, is a great place for dinner. There are more coffee
shops than one could count and a number of them serve tasty bagels and breakfast items. If you
are looking for a Tapas/Wine bar, check out the Brass Monkey. At the southern end of Denman,
just passed Davie, is another Milestones. This one has not been renovated in a while but it is
extremely popular during the summer. Next to the Milestones is The Boathouse which has a
beautiful view of the beach and English Bay.
Moving back east now up Davie one comes to Random, a reasonably priced neighbourhood
restaurant. Random is near Jervis. Davie from Jervis to Burrard represents the core of
Vancouver's gay and lesbian community. It is along this strip that you will find Stepho's
Souvlaki, Vancouver's most famous and best priced Greek restaurant. If the lineup at Stepho's is
too much for you then try Takis Taverna less than half a block away. The food and prices are
nearly identical. Between them is Samurai Sushi, another hidden gem. Huge portions and cheap
prices, great food too! Also along this strip of Davie are The Jupiter Room, Oasis and the
Fountainhead Pub (all attractive bars) and Hamburger Mary's. Just past Burrard on Davie are
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Lickerish and Bin 941. Both are Wine/Martini/Tapas bars/restaurants. Lickerish has an excellent
patio for warm summer evenings.
In addition to Granville, Robson, Denman, and Davie, Gastown and Yaletown are worth
checking out. Gastown has many fun places. For hardcore drinking, there is the Irish Heather, and
Cambie Hotel - this place serves more beer than any other establishment in Vancouver! One of the
most popular places in Vancouver is the Blarney Stone in Gastown, offering live jig and reel Irish
music. On weekends lineups start early so plan to arrive by 9.30pm to avoid a lengthy wait. Check
out the Alibi Room and Chill Winston for amazing microbrewed beers.
In Yaletown, along Mainland and Hamilton, there are a number of expensive restaurants.
Amongst these are some reasonably priced bars. The Yaletown Brewing Co Restaurant and Pub
is worth checking out and there is yet another Milestones in the area. In the more western end of
the Yaletown, one finds the Elbow Room Café and DV8. The Elbow Room Café has a great
breakfast and its shtick is that the service abuses and insults the clientele (no joke). If you are
looking for late, night post-drinking nourishment, DV8 serves food until very late, as does the
Tsui Hang Village Restaurant one block west on the corner of Davie and Granville.
Vancouver has one of the largest and most vibrant Chinatowns in North America. Chinatown runs
south along Main Street beginning at Hastings. The Main and Hastings intersection is a little rough
and tumble but there are a number of authentic and inexpensive Chinese and Vietnamese
restaurants to visit here. The Cambodian Phnom Phen restaurant at 19 East Georgia (half a block
east of Main) is a gem. The hot and sour soup is to die for and the service is good. For a good
Chinese wun tun house, try Hon's on Keefer Street. The Kingsway area, beyond Knight, also has
good Vietnamese and Chinese food.
An up-and-coming Vancouver neighbourhood popular with recent UBC graduate students is
Mount Pleasant, which runs along Main Street roughly from Broadway to 33rd Ave. Here, you'll
find many hipster coffee shops, lounges, and restaurants, along with antique shops, a smattering
of thrift stores, and at least one gelato shop. The neighbourhood's most popular coffee shop is
Soma (Main and Broadway), but you might try Lugz across the street; cool restaurants include
The Whip (Main and 6th), Slickety Jim's (Main and Broadway), Bo Kong (Main and 15th) and
The Reef (Main and 26th, or so); and The Public (Main and 17th), Five Points (Main and 16th),
and The Foundation (Main and 7th) are oft-frequented drinking places. Going down Main Street
to 49th, you'll find the Punjabi Market. There are four or five inexpensive Indian restaurants here.
For example, All-India on the corner of Main and 49th. All India offer an a la carte menu or an all
vegetarian buffet.
The neighbourhood on and around Commercial Drive offers a diverse selection of restaurants,
lounges and bars. Popular hang outs include: Havana - ostensibly a Cuban restaurant, it features a
great patio that is outrageously busy during the summer; the Latin Quarter - somewhat upscale with
great tapas; Wasubeez - fusion cuisine with cool atmosphere; and Bukowski’s - cool bar/restaurant
with nice patio. All the above are within a few blocks of 1st Ave - pretty much the heart of things
on The Drive. There are dozens of other restaurants, coffee shops, etc. on Commercial, including
more than a few Italian restaurants (a vestigial reminder of the neighbourhood’s roots) and a couple
of Jamaican places. Your best plan is to explore the Drive yourself - just take the 99 B-line bus or
the Skytrain to Broadway/Commercial Station and walk north up Commercial.
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Sushi is very, very popular in Vancouver. One More Sushi is at the University Village and provides
good quality food, great prices and friendly service. On Denman you will find Tanpopo which
offers good all you can eat sushi. Shabusen on Granville at 14th has a relatively inexpensive all you
eat lunch as well as Korean BBQ. Horaya makes good quality sushi and Hi-Nippon has very
friendly service. The Eatery at 3431 West Broadway at Macdonald offers more experimental fusion
sushi and relatively cheap beer.
Clubs and Dancing
Go to http://www.clubzone.com for information on some of Vancouver's most popular clubs,
including Loft Six, Sonar, Purple Onion, Ginger 69, Caprice, Voda, Tonic, The Plaza and The
Roxy. These places are immensely popular with graduate students… allegedly.
Liquor Stores
Alcohol distribution is regulated by the provincial government. Beer and wine are available at BC
Liquor Board stores – there is one in the University Village. There are also non-governmental cold
beer outlets and wine stores. The closest off-licence outlet to campus is on Alma at 4th.
Vancouver has a number of quality U Brew establishments. For around $80 you can prepare your
own beer using the methods and ingredients provided by the U-Brew. The fermentation and
filtering process is handled for you and in about two weeks your beer is ready for bottling or
canning. A U Brew with an established record is West Coast U Brew at 29 E 2nd Avenue.
Movies
There are many movie theatres in Vancouver - check the Georgia Strait and The Vancouver Sun for
listings or on the Web go to http://www.cinemaclock.com and click on Vancouver. The AMS
shows movies at good prices most nights during the term in the SUB.
There are a couple of cinemas close to campus. The Hollywood Theatre on Broadway shows
double bills of second-run films ($5 on Mondays). The two closest first-run theatres are Dunbar
Theatre (Dunbar and 30th) and the Ridge Theatre (Arbutus and 16th). The latter focuses more on
documentaries and independent films. Fifth Avenue Cinemas at 5th Avenue and Burrard is the
closest large cinema.
The main cinemas downtown are Denman Place (124-1030 Denman), the Granville 7 (855
Granville), Scotiabank Theatre Vancouver (900 Burrard) and Tinseltown (88 West Pender). If you
drive to Tinseltown, use the underground parking at the theatre (which is free if you see a movie)
and not the aboveground parkade next to it. Otherwise, you may very well find your car broken into
when you return to it. The Cinematheque Pacifique (1131 Howe Street) is for serious film buffs one must buy an inexpensive membership here but they show great films and have several foreign
film festivals throughout the year.
Videos/DVDs
Needless to say, Vancouver has many of the major chain video stores such as Blockbuster and
Rogers. However, there are a number of good independent video stores as well. Limelight Video at
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Alma and Broadway and Black Dog Video, at Cambie and 17th, both carry excellent selections of
new and old videos. For an undisputable selection of classics, try Videomatica at 4th and Cypress.
Bookstores (New)
The UBC Bookstore is located on University Blvd (refer http://www.bookstore.ubc.ca/).
Commercial bookstores include Chapters, on the corner of Granville and Broadway, and on Robson
Street downtown, and Book Warehouse (which is a little cheaper) at various locations. A great
independent bookstore is Duthie Books on 4th Ave (between Yew and Vine Streets).
Spartacus (311 W. Hastings) is the best progressive/leftist bookstore in the city. The shop is above
street level and there is only a small sign advertising the place above a doorway - keep your eyes
peeled when you approach the address or you'll miss it. Little Sisters Book and Art Emporium is the
best gay and lesbian bookstore. It is located on Davie between Jervis and Bute. The entrance is
back from the street tucked between two buildings but has a large pink neon sign, so it is not hard to
find if you are looking for it. Women in Print, at 3566 West 4th Avenue, specializes in books by,
for, and about women.
Bookstores (Used)
Better Buy Books (4443 West 10th just outside the campus) is the best place to look for used
textbooks. Ashley's at 10th and Alma has a very good selection of used books, but it is particularly
pricy. Lawrence Books (at Dunbar and 41st - from campus take the number 41 bus to Dunbar) is an
incredibly cluttered with books. If you dig through them you'll probably find some gems. Prices
are not too bad here. ABC Book and Comic Emporium (Broadway and Granville) has a fairly good
selection of used books on a variety of topics and, as the name would suggest, has an excellent
selection of used comics. Macleod's Books (at 455 West Pender) has the best selection of used
books in the downtown corridor.
Music Stores
The best deals tend to be at A&B Sound, located on Seymour Street downtown, just north of the
Bay. The Virgin Megastore at Burrard and Robson has the most over-priced CDs, even more than
HMV in the malls. For used CDs and indie stuff, go to Zulu Records on 4th at Burrard in Kits. It
also has the widest selection of concert tickets if you don’t want to buy from Ticketmaster. Zulu’s
new CD prices are a couple dollars more than A&B but it is locally owned and operated, plus they
have listening booths where you can sample everything. CD Charlie's on Granville Street
downtown has a wide selection of used CDs.
Live Music and Comedy
There are numerous small music clubs, jazz, folk etc. around Vancouver. For weekly listings, pick
up a free copy of the Georgia Strait (available Thursdays) or go to their website
(www.straight.com). Two of the best live music venues are the Commodore Ballroom and
Richards on Richards. GM Place has bigger stadium shows.
Vancouver has a flourishing alternative comedy scene. Three edgy shows that are not to be missed
are Pump Trolley (Thursday nights, 7pm, Cottage Bistro), the Sunday Service Turbo (Sunday
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nights, 9pm, Hennessey Dining Lounge) and Bronx Cheer (first and third Tuesdays, 8pm, The
Biltmore). For more standard stand-up comedy, check out http://comedycouch.com/.
FINDING A PLACE TO LIVE
Temporary Accommodation
Students visiting Vancouver in the summer to find a place to live can usually arrange
accommodation in the University residences (for information call 604-822-1010). Alternatively,
you may wish to stay at one of the various hostels, such as the HI Hostel at Jericho beach (1515
Discovery Drive, ph. 604-224-3208) or the Downtown Hostel at 1114 Burnaby Street (604-6844565).
On-Campus Accommodation
There is a large variety of graduate student housing on campus, operated either by UBC Student
Housing (www.housing.ubc.ca) or two independent colleges. For those of you with cars, most
residences and the colleges do offer parking, but it is often only marginally more expensive to get
a faculty/staff parking pass for the university as a whole.
Gage residence offers one-bedroom apartments for married couples, but you can't live here in the
summer. Thunderbird residence offers either four-bedroom shared accommodation, studio and
one-and two- bedroom apartments. Fairview is an attractive townhouse complex for single
students and has between four and six bedroom accommodations. Just behind Fairview is the
Acadia residences for families. There is also the Marine Drive Residence, which is quite new
and offers single-student studio units or 4-person shared units (grad only units available).
Be warned that all student housing operates on wait lists that can last several months or, in the
case of the studios and one- and two- bedroom apartments in Thunderbird, close to a year.
Generally a better choice for graduate students are the two residential colleges, Green College
(www.greencollege.ubc.ca) and St John’s College (www.stjohns.ubc.ca). Both colleges offer
rooms and partial meal plans. Green College focuses more on interdisciplinary studies and is
known for its excellent location, view, and architecture. On the down side, you might have to
share a bathroom with another student. St. John’s College focuses more on international studies,
and is said by many to have the better vibe and more collegial atmosphere. It is also newer,
having been built in 1997. Both colleges have active lecture series by visiting scholars and the
residents.
Off-Campus Accommodation
Vancouver does not offer the best housing market for the student budget. Vacancy rates are close
to zero, and rents are accordingly high. One room bachelor suites tend to go for $800-1000/month,
and one bedroom apartments (suitable for singles or married couples) are about $900-1100/month.
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Many UBC students find themselves living in basements or ground-floor suites. Basement
accommodations tend to be $50-100/month cheaper than building apartments.
Shared
accommodation may cost $500-700/month. Check www.amsrentsline.com for listings.
The vast majority of suites are rented individually or by a property manager in individual buildings.
The best place to find a place is by looking in the paper or by taking a walk around the
neighbourhood you like looking for signs.
Note that looking for accommodation at the end of August in the UBC area tends to be a nightmare.
If you can't arrange your accommodation earlier in the summer, you may be in for a real struggle,
especially in the lower price ranges. If you're looking for accommodation late in August, get going
early every morning.
For most graduate students the availability and affordability of accommodations are the primary
determinants of where one ends up living. But here is a run-down of some of the more popular
locations in Vancouver:
In the first year of the political science program while students are taking a full course load and
possibly working as a teaching assistant as well, it is advisable to live as close to UBC as possible
or at least within easy access of good commuting routes.
The Westside is comprised of Point Grey (bounded by Alma and Blanca and 1st and 16th) and
Dunbar (16th and 41st and Blenheim and Crown). Accommodation in this area is primarily in
houses, so in other words, basements. A lot of students rent whole houses in this area and it is thus
a pretty good place to find shared accommodations. There are some apartments in the Point Grey
area. Buses enter the campus on 4th, 10th, and the King Edward bus (#25) comes along 25th
Avenue, down Dunbar and then along 16th into campus. The fastest way to get to campus from the
Westside—should you find yourself living near Broadway—is to hop on the 99 B-Line, an express
bus which runs along Broadway with stops at Commercial, Clark, Main, Cambie, Willow (near
Oak), Granville, Macdonald, Alma, Sasamat, and UBC. For those in the south Dunbar area, there
are the number 41 and 49 buses along 41st and 49th avenues, respectively. Commuting by bicycle
is entirely feasible in these areas.
The area known as Kitsilano (or just Kits) is situated between the Westside and the downtown area.
The area north of Broadway towards the beach and between Burrard and MacDonald or Alma is
has good access to the beach and a number of cafes. This is a great area to live but prices are not
cheap. This tends to be an expensive area to live alone. The number 4 bus goes straight into
campus along 4th avenue, with an express bus (the 44) running from downtown during the day, as
do the number 17 buses along Broadway (and the 9 during rush hours). And, of course, the 99 BLine also runs along West Broadway. Commuting from Kits to UBC only takes 20 to 30 minutes,
and a fit cyclist can make the ride in about 30 minutes (the hill from Alma to Blanca is a gutbreaker though).
There are a large number of similar accommodations in the Granville and 12th area. This too is a
fun area, though a little under-serviced for those without cars (e.g. no local supermarket). It is
convenient for commuting to UBC with easy access to Kits and downtown.
The West End is dominated by very high-density apartment buildings and condominiums. This is a
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fun area of town and the beach and Stanley Park are close. The 4 and 17 buses to UBC begin on
Howe St downtown. There is also an express bus between UBC and Burrard Station (#44) which
runs during the day, but less often (usually twice per hour).
Downtown Vancouver offers a variety of interesting places to live, although affordable rental
accommodations are harder to come by here. And certain parts of the downtown eastside (Main
and Hastings) are rather less desirable. Yaletown (south of the business district) and Gastown
(north-east of the business district) both have a number of funky lofts and studios but are more
expensive. Some cheaper places are also available around Chinatown on Main Street, although this
puts one fairly close to the dubious Main and Hastings intersection. From here the commute to
campus can reach up to an hour, but intelligent use of Skytrain and express buses can cut the trip
down considerably.
One of the hippest parts of Vancouver is the Commercial Drive area between Hastings and
Broadway. This area has a very progressive and cosmopolitan feel, but you're looking at a roughly
35-45 minute bus commute to UBC from here – the number 99 Express bus runs along Broadway
to UBC, but tend to be very crowded during peak hours.
A number of places can be found in south Vancouver, such as in Kerrisdale, along 41st west of
Granville Street. Access to UBC is easy on the 41 or 49 buses, or by cycling along Southwest
Marine Drive.
Rents tend to be cheaper on the east side, for example off Main Street or Fraser Street, between
Broadway and King Edward. The bus routes to UBC from this part of town are the 99 B-Line (a
20-25 minute trip from Main), the 25 along King Edward, the 41 and the 49.
If you are debating between two or more places to move into and need an easy way to decide, be
sure to check www.translink.bc.ca to find out where exactly the nearest bus stop is and how long it
will take to commute.
Thrift Shops
IKEA in Richmond is a standard place to seek affordable furnishings. The Salvation Army (various
locations including Broadway and Macdonald, 4th and Cypress, and Main and 12th) has a huge
selection of household furniture, beds, appliances, kitchenware, and clothes. There are also a
number of consignment stores along Main Street between 16th and 33rd with loads of used furniture
and other household necessities. The SPCA has a large thrift shop at Clark & 3rd in east
Vancouver. The SPCA also runs a smaller thrift shop on Broadway & Alma (just east of the gas
station on the south side of the street). If you have access to a car, Value Village is a giant thrift
shop that is a good place to find used furniture and bangin’ vintage t’s.
A word on living costs in Vancouver
Living in Vancouver as a graduate student can be a frustrating or terrific experience, depending on
your level of funding. As a single student, you need at least $12,000 after tax to lead a decent life.
Thus a half UGF (ca. $8000) and a TAship or a RAship is just enough to get by. Be prepared to
shop around for student discounts a lot. But if you manage to save up some money for leisurely
pursuits, you might even be able to buy a season’s pass to the local skiing mountains or a
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membership in the UBC sailing club – if you can find the time while you’re in one the most
challenging political science graduate programs in the country, that is!
One Final Word…
On behalf of the PSGSA, welcome to Vancouver and see you all in August (yes, for our
orientation…HAHAHAHAHA-evil laughter- !!!)
Sincerely,
Afsoun Afsahi
Supreme Ruler of the PSSGA, 2009-2010
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