Every winter, the Alumni House student
100
nearly 1, the
callers reach out to over 20,000 U of G
In 2013,
ed
support
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parents, providing campus updates and
parents
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15 years, donations from parents like
port!
our sup
y
you have helped to raise over $3 million
for the Parents Fund,
which primarily supports
the Learning Commons; the
U of G Library’s academic
support services for
students. Our academic
services were recently
rated A- by our students in
a Globe and Mail survey,
reflecting quality services
and the increasing number
of students taking advantage of these programs. We rely on support
from parents like you to keep these programs cost-free and readily
available. When you pick up the phone and it’s the U of G, remember that
we’re students just like your son or daughter, and every gift will help to
strengthen the student experience!
—Braeden Etienne, B.A. English ’14 & Student Caller
U of G turns 50
My name is Brittney and I
oversee the student call centre
and the parent program at the
U of G.
In 2014, we are celebrating
the U of G’s 50th anniversary,
and to help commemorate
this milestone, President
Summerlee has announced the
creation of a Gryphon Statue
on the site of Stone Road and
Gordon Street, and the U of G
Alumni Association is matching
every gift up to $100,000 until
February 28th, 2014. Some families have chosen to leave a lasting family
legacy on campus by contributing $1,000 to this special initiative and
being formally recognized in the artistic design of the entrance. Visit
www.thebetterplanetproject.ca for more information.
To get involved or make your gift please contact me at
bdudar@uoguelph.ca or 519-824-4120 ext. 56963, and join us on
campus for the Gryphon unveiling on June 21st, 2014!
—Brittney Dudar
know
JANUARY 2014
in the
It’s the U of G calling!
www.parents.uoguelph.ca
In 2014 the University of Guelph will celebrate 50 years since
its inception as a University: 50 years of making a better
planet. Students at Guelph are at the forefront of this vision.
Whether it is setting a world record by packing over
1,000,000 emergency famine-relief meals, promoting
meaningful movements like Mental Health Awareness Week
and Giving Tuesday, or collecting meals for the “Trick or Eat”
campaign, Guelph students make a difference and lead
by example.
The passion and collaboration in the student body has helped
the University to address some of the biggest problems facing
the world. The University is fortunate to have world-class
experts, top-ranking teachers, and passionate researchers
working alongside the students to develop solutions.
This year is the final stretch of The BetterPlanet Project — a
$200 million fundraising campaign to help accelerate
the pace of change in areas that U of G excels: food,
environment, health, and communities. Please join more than
62,000 donors who have supported the University.
Thank you for trusting the University of Guelph with your
student’s well-being and education. I hope you find this
newsletter helpful in connecting you with some of the exciting
opportunities we offer to the students. Alastair J.S. Summerlee, LLD, PhD, BSc, BVSc, MRCVS
President and Vice-Chancellor
PROUD U OF G
MOM JO-ANNE AND
DAUGHTER TAYLOR
AT THE WORLD
RECORD EVENT TO
FIGHT HUNGER IN
SEPTEMBER
Gryphon Parents
Both of our daughters
are currently attending
the U of G in their first
and fourth years. Our
eldest daughter was
an academic cluster
leader, organizing
study groups and other
activities to support
learning and living in
university, and has
been heavily involved
in the campus community. She
is currently considering pursuing
her Master’s degree at the U of G
next fall! Our youngest daughter
is transitioning into university life
with ease. It’s amazing to see her
grow and mature as she lives on
her own for the first time.
As parents, we are comforted
in knowing that the U of G cares
about students’ success and offers
services that equip students with
the tools to succeed throughout
their academic journeys. This
has fuelled our motivation to
contribute to valuable programs
like the Learning Commons.
Visit the Parents and Families website at
http://studentlife.uoguelph.ca/parents
This year, we chose to take
part in the 50th anniversary
celebrations by putting our
family’s name on the main
campus entrance and Gryphon
Statue, and we intend to
come back to campus for the
unveiling in June.
We’re so proud of the
progress our daughters have
made and we’re confident that
it was the right choice to attend
the U of G.
—Tony & Carla Buda
2013/2014 Parent
Fund Chairs
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The Library & Learning Commons
At the McLaughlin Library, we are dedicated to helping students find the
resources, materials and support they need at the University of Guelph.
In a recent poll, 86% of students felt that the library enabled them to be
more efficient in their academic pursuits. We understand that students
need guidance to succeed in their academic careers, and we encourage
you to direct them to the experts at the McLaughlin Library and Learning
Commons when they need any assistance.
www.lib.uoguelph.ca
Students can learn about the variety of library services that exist to
accommodate different learning styles. We are dedicated to helping
students reach their potential and that’s why our students recently
awarded us with an A− rating in the 2013 Globe and Mail University
Report Card.
Donations to the Parents’ Library Fund and the Learning Commons
Fund support the enrichment of the library’s collections, technology,
physical spaces and learning environments and helps to ensure that
students are supported in every way possible, a commitment shared
by both parents and the U of G.
—Rebecca Graham,
Chief Information Officer
and Chief Librarian
Your Student’s
Health & Wellness
Being a student can be stressful, and it’s important for you and your
student to know what services are available to them at the U of G.
Student Health Services
& Wellness Centre
www.uoguelph.ca/
studenthealthservices/
Information on healthy
relationships, sexuality, stress
management, body image, nutrition,
alcohol and drug awareness.
Doctors, nurses, psychiatrists,
a dietician and two wellness
educators are available for
appointments and walk-in service.
Athletics
www.gryphons.ca
It’s easy to get involved in athletics
at the U of G through varsity and
intramural teams, sports clubs,
fitness and recreation.
Personal Counselling
www.uoguelph.ca/
counselling
Individual counselling, therapy
groups, crisis response, training
and consultations, stress
management programs and
academic support.
Health and Performance
Centre
www.uoguelph.ca/hpc
Professional staff includes sports
medicine practitioners, massage
therapists, fitness specialists,
chiropractic practitioners,
physiotherapists, nutritionists and
pedorthists.
Contact information
University of Guelph
519-824-4120
www.uoguelph.ca
Alumni Affairs & Development
www.alumni.uoguelph.ca
Centre for International Programs
http://www.uoguelph.ca/cip
Office of Intercultural Affairs
http://studentlife.uoguelph.ca/oia
Centre for New Students
http://studentlife.uoguelph.ca/cns
Centre for Students
with Disabilities
www.uoguelph.ca/csd
Student Housing
www.housing.uoguelph.ca
Student Financial Services
www.uoguelph.ca/studfin
Undergraduate Academic
Information Centre (UAIC)
www.uoguelph.ca/uaic
As a third-year student at the
University of Guelph, I have
been able to grow in so
many ways as a student and
member of the community.
The Learning Commons
has been an invaluable
resource for me on
campus. I feel grateful
to have access to such
helpful and informative
,
ry
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Le
resources that are
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always willing to
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offer me support. The math
and writing help I have received has been crucial to my
learning experience and have allowed me to grow and succeed
throughout my time here.
My university experience wouldn’t have been as effective,
manageable or enjoyable as it has been with the services offered
through the Learning Commons. Every student, including me, is
lucky to have such an excellent support system that wouldn’t
have been possible without your support!
As a student varsity
athlete, I recognize the
importance of a wellrounded university
experience.
The Supported
Learning Groups
(SLGs) that are
offered through the
Learning Commons
have proven to be a
crucial resource.
g, BASc.
Anik Hannin
5
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The additional
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instruction, clarification,
and mock-midterms have provided me with the
confidence and conceptual understanding necessary to succeed.
As an athlete, I’ve also appreciated the programs and facilities
that have been provided to me through the generosity of our
donors. I’m extremely grateful for parents like you!
Important Dates
for
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Sunday, June 22
Family Picnic on
.uoguelph.ca.
at www.alumni
Academic Support Services were rated Ain the Globe and Mail 2013 University Report Card
McLaughlin Library
www.lib.uoguelph.ca
With more than 13,000 people
passing through the McLaughlin
Library doors each day, the Library
is one of the busiest places on
campus. Many digital resources
are also available to students
online. In partnership with the
Learning Commons, Computing
& Communications Services
provides the IT Help Desk to
assist students with tech-related
questions or problems.
The Learning Commons
www.learningcommons.
uoguelph.ca
www.uoguelph.ca/registrar/calendars
rsity of Guelph:
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Student Services
Gryphon Athletics
At Gryphon Athletics, we have a vision for a campus filled with students,
staff and faculty leading healthy, active lives. The U of G is a place where
your son or daughter is empowered with the knowledge and good habits
necessary for healthy living, taking part in the community and promoting
positive change in our local and global communities.
This past fall, the Hamilton Tiger-Cats of the CFL played at Guelph’s
Alumni Stadium for the 2013 season, reflecting the quality of the
upgrades that we’ve had to our facilities, and helping to raise our profile
while bringing business to the Guelph community.
At the U of G we provide an atmosphere that encourages learning
beyond the walls of the classroom.
—Tom Kendall, Director of Athletics www.gryphons.ca
The Learning Commons provides
free services in writing, numeracy,
and technology learning.
The Science Commons is a
one-stop learning resource centre
where students in mathematics
and statistics, physics and
chemistry can get one-on-one help
with assignments and courses.
The Ask Us Desk assists and
instructs students on finding
information, recommending
sources for research, suggesting
research strategies and helping
users navigate a wide array of
electronic and print resources
using a range of in-person, over
the phone, chat, and instantmessaging consultations.
Together, these services offer a
number of workshops, individual
We’d love to hear from you! Please fill out the parents’ survey at www.alumni.uoguelph.ca/parentsurvey
and group assistance and study
spaces, videos and podcasts
to help students achieve their
academic potential.
Supported Learning
Groups
www.lib.uoguelph.ca/
assistance/supported_
learning_groups
SLGs are peer-led study groups
that help students navigate
challenging course material and
facilitate group study and exam
preparation. The small group
format is highly interactive and
flexible to accommodate different
learning styles, and is one of
the most popular services in the
Learning Commons.
Co-operative Education
& Career Services
www.recruitguelph.ca
Co-op & Career Services is ready
to assist students from first
year through to graduation and
beyond. Current students will
receive assistance with resume
writing and mock-interviews
while searching for a part-time
or summer job. Post-graduation,
they’re ready to help answer the
age-old question, “What can
I do with
my degree?”
55,000 s
tud
were inv ents
olved in
Learning
Co
program mmons
ming in
2011/2012
.