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THE Varsity
STUDENT HANDBOOK
VOL. XXXIV
21 Sussex Avenue, Suite 306
Toronto, ON, M5S 1J6
Phone: 416-946-7600
thevarsity.ca
Editorial Board
Editor-in-Chief
Joshua Oliver
Handbook Editor
Danielle Klein
editor@thevarsity.ca
features@thevarsity.ca
Production Manager
production@thevarsity.ca
Dan Seljak
Managing Online Editor
online@thevarsity.ca
Murad Hemmadi
Design Editors
Shaquilla Singh
design@thevarsity.ca
Photo Editor
Carolyn Levett
Senior Copy Editor
Catherine Virelli
photo@thevarsity.ca
copy@thevarsity.ca
News Editor
Zane Schwartz
news@thevarsity.ca
Comment Editor
comment@thevarsity.ca
Alec Wilson
Arts & Culture Editor
arts@thevarsity.ca
Sofia Luu
Science Editor
Katrina Vogan
science@thevarsity.ca
Sports Editor
Elizabeth Benn
sports@thevarsity.ca
Illustration Editor
illustration@thevarsity.ca
Nancy Ji
Video Editor
Jamieson Wang
video@thevarsity.ca
Web Devloper
Natalie Morocos
web@thevarsity.ca
Contributors
Elizabeth Benn, Salena Barry, Danielle
Klien, Demi Lee, Sofia Luu, Anjum Sultana,
Zane Schwartz, Carrie Tang, Katie Vogan,
Alec Wilson
Copy Editors & Fact Checkers
Lucy Genua, David Han, Heather Peirce,
Sifa Tauqir, Catherine Virelli
Designers
Jeannie Kim, Dan Seljak, Shaquilla Singh,
Mari Zhou
Cover Design
Dan Seljak
Cover Illustrations
Janice Liu, Nancy Ji, Dan Seljak, Doran Woo
Special Thanks
Kerrie McCreadie, Nathan Watson
Business Office
Business Manager
Timothy Sharng
business@thevarsity.ca
Advertising Manager
Victoria Marshall advertising@thevarsity.ca
Advertising Executives
Stephanie Lau
stephanie@thevarsity.ca
Terence Leung
terence@thevarsity.ca
Vanessa Wen
vanessa@thevarsity.ca
2 student handbook 2013
Letter from
the editor
This is your university.
For the next four years, you get to claim this
place as your own.
In your first few weeks here, the whole
campus can seem like an overwhelming blur
of new faces in frosh t-shirts, rushing off to
classes in buildings they can’t find. Don’t worry. You’ll acclimatize swiftly, and before you
know it, you’ll be in your last year here, pointing out where Convocation Hall is to a wideeyed newcomer struggling with a wrinkled
campus map.
It all seems so large and daunting at first, but
as your first year goes on, you’ll find that your
niche gets smaller. You’ll carve out a place for
yourself here, through your college, your program, the clubs you get involved in, or maybe
the people you meet at the library (pg. 11).
We hope that this handbook helps you get
there. We hope it helps you see the opportunities there are on campus to be part of a diverse
community tailored to your interests and
needs. We hope it helps you see that you’re
not alone.
If you want to make some new friends, join
a campus club (pg. 14-16). If you’re struggling
in a class, seek support from your college’s
writing centre, or go to the office hours of a
TA or a professor. If you’re experiencing stress
and anxiety, seek counseling through U of T’s
Health and Wellness services or join a campus
support group (pg. 20). Reach out and take
advantage of the support that’s there for you.
As you build your little corner of U of T, never stop looking for what more the university
can offer you. Explore Toronto and become
an urban adventurer (pg. 5). Stay informed on
campus issues and know what you’re voting
on in annual elections (pg. 9). Use your free
gym membership and sign up for intramurals
(pg. 18), or skip the gym and grab some free
eats instead (pg. 4).
Your time here will go by fast. You’ll be at
your convocation before you know it, wondering where the time went. Make the most
of your experience here by making use of
the perks and finding a meaningful place for
yourself. This is more than just your university. It is your community, and it is yours to
create over the next four years.
Danielle Klein
Handbook Editor
2013-2014
Contents
To-do at U of T
Campus hangouts for commuters
Welcome to Toronto
U of T Mississauga
U of T Scarborough
Who’s who on campus Key student issues
Provincial and municipal politics
People you'll meet at U of T's libraries
Downtown campus map
Guide to campus arts
Welcome to science culture
Apps for students
Get active on campus
Varsity Blues team previews
Health services
Equity and accessibility
50 things to do in frosh week
Important contacts
the varsity
First Year to-do list
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by Danielle Klein
Your first year will be filled with new adventures and U of T rites of
passage. Here’s a list that covers the basics to get you started.
The week one musts: Pick up your TCard at Robarts
Library, grab an International Student Identity Card
at the University of Toronto Student Union (utsu) office, buy your textbooks at the bookstore or at notso-secret sales advertised on campus, and configure
your campus Wi-Fi.
Explore campus between classes and discover all of the
quaint, leafy corners and hidden treasures — the maze-like
University College, the indoor Bamboo gardens in the
Donnelly Centre, or the peaceful reading rooms at
Hart House.
Angrily tweet about any of the following: waiting forever in line at the Robarts or Sid Smith cafeterias, not
getting a snow day despite a colossal storm, students
who send mass emails to their entire class, or no seats
at the library. #UofTproblems
Follow up on that pamphlet you picked up at the Clubs
Fair, or log onto the Ulife website to discover the many
U of T clubs and organizations; send out a few emails to
get yourself involved.
Drown in mud taking a poorly thought-out shortcut to
class through King’s College Circle or Queen’s Park.
Go to lecture hung over, over-tired, and/or disheveled,
and doze off halfway through.
Grab a hot dog outside of Sid Smith after a night of
partying in residence or sampling the bars along Bloor.
Pick up a copy of The Varsity and stay in the know on issues and events. New issues are on stands every Monday.
After an amazing lecture that changes your perspective and keeps your thoughts racing for days, or an
unforgettable night with your new friends, realize
that it’s all worth it.
Peruse U of T’s degree program options online and
consider what majors or minors you want to enroll in
next year.
Bullshit your way through a tutorial that you did no readings for, with flying colours.
Visit U of T’s many libraries and figure out which one
will be your exam-time home (pg. 11).
Go to lecture in Convocation Hall and bask in the revelation that you’re definitely not in high school anymore.
Check out the gyms and discover if you’re of the Hart
House variety or more of the Athletic Centre type.
Write down all your essay due dates and exam dates and
realize that you have absolutely no idea how you are going
to do this — don’t worry, we’re all in the same boat.
When the U of T bubble is getting you down, take a
walk off-campus and explore all that the city of Toronto
has to offer you (pg. 5).
the varsity
2013 student handbook
3
Commuter Hangouts
For commuter students, campus often becomes a second home during long stretches
between classes and even the occasional
library all-nighter. In between lectures,
meetings, and whatever else tethers you
downtown for the day, check out these
spots for a moment of Zen or a power nap
Cafeteria, Medical Science Building
Article and photos by Demi Lee
The Understudy Cafe,
Gerstein Library
When you feel like indulging in a welldeserved break after a copious amount of
studying (or just browsing the internet,
which is equally tiring), this cafe — situated
near the main entrance of Gerstein — is the
place to go. Besides some delicious meal options, The UnderStudy gets bonus points
for providing a microwave to heat up meals
brought from home by the savvy commuter.
Cafeteria, Rotman School of
Management Building
Welcome to Toronto
by Sofia Luu
Exploring the small wonders of the vibrant
city surrounding St. George campus
With a population of 2.6 million, Toronto might seem like a big, scary
place to newcomers. It’s understandably tempting to enter the world of
U of T and never leave the comforts of campus. Although the St. George
campus offers plenty of terrain to explore, don’t be afraid to wander
beyond the borders of Bloor-College and Spadina-University. Toronto is
an energetic and diverse urban hub, well worth venturing beyond the U
of T bubble every once in a while to discover what the city has to offer.
Not sure what to do or where to go? Continue reading for a crash course
in student-friendly hangs easily accessible from campus.
University of Toronto
The Rotman initiative to expand the school
boasted a hefty budget of $91.8 million, leading to the production of this gorgeous building. Built in the past year, the cafeteria's spacious interior and modern seating are perfect
for a coffee date with a friend or a couple hours
of studying, complimented by excellent people-watching through the large windows overlooking St. George and Harbord.
Indoor Bamboo Gardens
Terrence Donnelly Centre
Situated right in front of an assorted selection of fast-food chains — including Pizza
Pizza and Spring Rolls — this space offers a
great opportunity to sit down, enjoy a delicious meal, and read lecture notes all at the
same time. If you’re with friends, the cafeteria extends into the adjacent room and contains comfy sofas well-suited for socializing.
Kruger Hall Commons,
Woodsworth College
Despite the college’s Victorian exterior,
it houses a very modern interior. Within
Kruger Hall lies a great expanse of open
space with ample seating. It is also lined
with multiple circular tables, which are
convenient for larger groups.
Junior Common Room,
University College
It is definitely worth the while to figure out
how to reach this room within the maze of
UC for its legendary sofas and cozy atmosphere. Commonly shortened as the JCR, it
is also home to the college’s own studentrun cafe, Diabolos', which serves cheap coffee and bagels. It’s common to find students
taking long naps here, so don’t be ashamed
to lay out on a couch and snooze.
These isolated spaces surrounded by bamboo
trees allow students to sit and enjoy indoor
greenery that is hard to find in the city. Grab a
tea and come take a seat on one of the benches
to meditate and breathe.
Campus Eats
By Danielle Klein
Forgot your lunch? No room in your
bag? Check out these cheap oncampus food options.
Free tea and cookies:
University College Commuter Student Centre, Monday-Thursday,
2:30-3:30pm.
50-cent soda:
ASSU office, Sid Smith
(SS1068), daily.
Hart House 5-Buck Lunch:
Hart House, Great Hall,
Wednesdays, 11:45am-1:30pm.
$1 coffee:
Diabolos', Junior Common Room,
University College, daily. Cheap
bagels and baked goods also
available.
$3.00-$5.00 local & organic
lunch: Harvest Noon, Graduate
Students' Union Building, second
floor (16 Bancroft Ave), Monday through Friday, 10am-2pm.
Gluten-free options and fair trade
coffee also available.
$4.00 Vegan lunch:
Hot Yam!, Cumberland House
(33 St. George St.), Wednesdays,
12-2pm.
Four colleges, Victoria, University, Trinity, and St. Michael’s,
take part in the University of Toronto College Book Sales every
fall. These book sales are heaven for anyone with a penchant
for books and good deals. You can find everything from mint
condition copies of classic novels to rare, out of print editions
that bibliophiles will pay top dollar for. Arrive early and give
yourself ample time to peruse the massive selection available.
Honest Ed's, a Bloor West landmark
Nicole Wong/THe VArsity
Chinatown
Bloor West
Seeking a greasy, delicious, and affordable meal? Chinatown is the place
to go. With dozens of restaurants densely packed along the neighborhood, simply choosing a place to dine is a near-impossible task. While
some restaurants are open until 4 am, opt out of sinfully delicious Chinese take-out for those late nights out and instead head to Anh Dao for
some Vietnamese food. This family-run restaurant has been around for
ages and their Vietnamese wraps are among the best in the area.
There are pockets of restaurants to discover on Bloor West that
indirectly cater to a student’s shoestring budget. Nazareth on
Bloor and Dovercourt is one of them. This tiny Ethiopian restaurant has the ability (but not capacity) to draw crowds with their
tibs, a flavourful mixture of meat and vegetables, often served
with injera, a tangy pancake-like flatbread. A little goes a long
way at Nazareth. For just ten dollars, there’s more than enough
food to comfortably feed two.
Kensington Market
Immediately west of Chinatown is Kensington Market, a neighborhood driven by an eclectic mix of independent commerce. Try to
visit the market on a Pedestrian Sunday before the cold weather and
the intense library study sessions arrive. For a quick and healthy
lunch, head over to Hibiscus. For less than ten dollars, you can walk
away with a salad and soup deal that’s both filling and delicious. Alternatively, if you’re looking for a new study spot that’s not Robarts,
check out Pamenar, a trendy café with great coffee, interesting décor, and a beautiful backyard patio. It’s the perfect place to get ahead
on readings or to unwind after a marathon day of lecturing.
Yonge-Bloor
When it comes to the stretch of Yonge Street south of Bloor and
north of Dundas, anything goes. The strip itself can be a bit of an
eyesore, but luckily, you only have to venture just a few minutes
north of Bloor on Yonge in order to save yourself from the overwhelming cluster of tourist shops and tacky displays. The Toronto
Reference Library is every student’s dream when it comes to studying or conducting research. Before you lose yourself in the books,
stop for a caffeine boost at Balzac’s Coffee in the lobby of the library,
and enjoy some high-quality people-watching.
Little Portugal
The corner of Dundas and Ossington is home to a high concentration of bars, all located within minutes of one another. However, there’s a lot more to this strip of Dundas than drinking
and late nights. While the Art Gallery of Ontario is considered
the centre of Toronto’s art scene, Little Portugal is home to a
number of small, independently owned galleries that charge a
student-friendly admission price of zero dollars. The Monkey’s
Paw is unlike any other bookstore in Toronto and easily our
city’s worst kept secret. The Biblio-Mat, a book vending machine, calls this shop of printed curiosities its home. Insert a
toonie and the machine will gift you a book. The type of book
you get is a surprise and that is the beauty of the Biblio-Mat.
University of Toronto
Mississauga
University of Toronto
Scarborough
I
L
by Carrie Tang
by Anjum Sultana
f you’re venturing to the scenic University of Toronto Mississauga (utm) campus this year, perhaps you are a new
full-time UTM student, or a St. George kid taking an extra
course offered from one of our 125 programs. Whatever the
case, here’s a quick guide to help you navigate your way through
the charming 225 acres of campus that we UTM students fondly
call home.
ocated in East Scarborough, University
of Toronto Scarborough (UTSC) distinguishes itself from its Mississauga and
St. George counterparts by its focus on undergraduate education and its unique co-op programs as well as its dual degree-diploma programs with Centennial College. These cover
various programs, including Journalism,
Microbiology, and Paramedicine. In addition to the many facilities on campus to
help students with campus engagement
and with academic and career aspirations,
there are also many unique locations to see
and experience.
Getting Around
Have classes in between Sheridan’s Davis campus and utm, or just
need a quick ride to St. George? If you’re a UTM student, your student
card will allow you unlimited transport between all three locations for
the Fall/Winter session. As a St. George or Scarborough student, you
can buy bus tickets at the Info Booth in the Student Centre or at Hart
House. To get around Mississauga in other ways, the bus station in
front of the Kaneff Centre allows you to take the 110 South bus to the
Clarkson Go Station or the 101 East bus to the Islington subway.
Getting in Shape
Want to grab some grub before your next class, but not sure
where to start? Head to the Temporary Food Court (TFC) in
the William G. Davis building for a large variety of munchies — including Booster Juice and Tandoori Indian Cuisine. Not
enough time for a sit-down? Snag a hot dog, among other foods,
from Mike’s Dog House in front of the Communication, Culture,
and Technology (CCT) building. The Instructional Centre (IC)’s
Panini Fresco is great while waiting for the St. George shuttle
just around the corner. If you’re sticking around for the evening,
grab a few friends and head to the Blind Duck, UTM’s official
pub, for some food and fun.
Hanging Out
Eventually, the quiet, idyllic UTM scenery might not do it for you
and your pals on a Friday night. Several bus stops away, you’ll
find Square One — Mississauga’s largest mall, boasting over
100 stores — with Playdium, Chapters, and two movie theatres
right next door. You can also visit a large assortment of fine
dining establishments in this area. Other shopping centres near
UTM include the Erin Mills Town Centre and South Common
Mall, both of which are also easily accessible by bus.
Get Your Groove On
Since its establishment in 2006, the Recreation, Athletic, and
Wellness Centre (rawc) has provided UTM students with a
place to work out. Luckily, this facility is open to visiting St.
George students as well. While the standard gym amenities
are available (a track, a spacious pool, and various machines),
many fitness classes are also offered for the less self-motivated, including zumba, kickboxing, and yoga. The meditation
class is great for relieving stress and tension. If you’re into
team play, look into joining a sports group like the Quidditch
Team. For a slower pace, take a stroll on our campus trails
and try to spot some deer.
6 student handbook 2013
Outside view of the CCT Building
CAROLYN LEVETT/THe VArsity
Hunger Pangs
For athletics and recreation, students use
the UTSC gym — comprised of a cardio
theatre, a cycle-fit room, a strength and
conditioning centre, a gymnasium, a
teaching studio, and squash courts. UTSC
students also have access to all St. George
gym facilities — such as Hart House and
the Athletic Centre — at no additional
cost as part of their incidental fees.
Student Engagement
Academic and Career Advising
One of the first event many students
at UTSC will be exposed to is First Year
Orientation. The two groups that primarily lead this multi-day event are the
Scarborough Campus Students’ Union (SCSU)
and the Department of Student Life (DSL). SCSU
is the official representative of all undergraduate
students at UTSC. It operates the Student Centre,
own’s the Rex’s Den restaurant on campus, and
provides a range of services — such as giving out
bursaries and selling discount movie tickets and
Metropasses. The union also provides services for faxing, graduation photos, lockers, and photocopying, administers the
student Health & Dental plan, and plans
large-scale events such as Mosaic and Spring
Formal. The Department of Student Life (DSL)
manages student life programming for the
International Student Centre, leadership programs, as well as first-year mentorship and
community programs. It also hosts many workshops and events, organizes campus student
clubs and groups, and provide employment opportunities for students.
The Academic Advising & Career
Centre (AACC) offers advice and counsel
on academic and career development. It
hosts workshops on study skills and on
academic and career planning. It also
hosts job and graduate school fairs, job
shadowing programs, and employment
panels. The centre also holds individual
appointments with students for career
and academic concerns. The UTSC library
is the go-to place for all your study needs
— from access to computers, softwares,
books, and articles to study space, including group study rooms and individual study carrels. Interlibrary loan services enable students to access material
from across the U of T community.
The Student Centre
Natural Beauty
Located in the southwestern part of campus, the UTSC Valley is a hidden gem.
With picturesque hiking trails, running paths, and the Rouge River cutting
through the middle, the valley is a scenic
place for students and community members to unwind. If you walk to the absolute edge of the valley, you will get access
to the tennis courts, baseball diamond,
and two grass fields suitable for soccer,
rugby, football, and other play.
Sweet Study Spots
Where to Eat
When all you need is a quiet corner for tomorrow’s exam, the
obvious solution would be the Hazel McCallion library, where
you’ll find sofas, study carrels, and bookable group-study
rooms. (Check out the bookshelves — they can move on their
own; it’s magic!) If you want variety or can’t book a study
room, various areas around the IC will provide adequate group
space, like the front alcove or the second floor. Computer labs
can be found across campus — such as those beside the Multimedia Studio Theatre (MiST) at the CCT Building and on the
second floor of the IC.
On campus, there are many places to
eat. In the Student Centre, your options
are KFC, Hero Burger, Asian Gourmet,
Subway, and Rex’s Den. The newly built
Instructional Centre houses La Prep, a cafe
with many soup, salad, and sandwich options. In the heart of campus, the H-wing
marketplace has Pizza Pizza, Bene Pasta,
Bhoj, Bento Sushi, Spring Rolls, and Grille
Works. UTSC also has two Tim Hortons — one
located in the Meeting Place and another
located in the Academic Resource Centre
(ARC) near the library.
Artsy Fartsy
Get your art on at UTM! Take a gander at the two art galleries
found at the Kaneff Centre and the Community Culture and
Technology (CCT) building. They host artwork from both UTM
art students and professional artists from around the world.
Various computer labs on campus host the latest multimedia
programs, including Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign. Creative art-related events throughout the year include
the Annual Art Festival and plays shown at Theatre Erindale.
the varsity
CAROLYN LEVETT/THe VArsity
the varsity
2013 student handbook
7
Who’s Who at U of T
by Zane Schwartz
Get to know the public figures who will be making
headlines in The Varsity this year
Munib Sajjad
Cheryl Regehr
Sajjad leads the University of Toronto Students’ Union (utsu) for a one-year term, with
a team of elected and appointed student executives and their assistants, plus a handful
of permanent staff. The union, which represents more than 44,000 students, collects
and re-distributes around $16 in student fees
per student each semester. The utsu offers
many services and perks to members, including discounted movie and sports tickets,
selling monthly metropasses, distributing
agendas, and providing campus-wide clubs
with funding and leadership training. The
union is also heavily involved in advocacy,
lobbying the provincial government on postsecondary issues and representing the student body’s concerns to the administration.
During exam season, the union distributes
care packages in libraries, and it hosts a major concert and clubs fair every frosh week.
Sajjad assumes the presidency in the midst of
controversy, as some student societies are in
the process of trying to leave the union citing
concerns about allegedly undemocratic and
unrepresentative practices.
The provost’s job is to oversee the budget
and all academic matters. Regehr supervises principals and deans, working to determine the university’s academic priorities,
teaching practices, and research agenda.
Regehr assumes the post of provost on September 2, 2013, replacing Cheryl Misak. She
previously served as vice-provost, academic programs, one of six vice-provosts who
each oversee a distinct portfolio, from student life to academic operations, and who
work directly under the provost. She has
been appointed for an 18-month term, but
will be permitted to seek reappointment in
February 2015 if she so desires.
UTSU President
Bernarda Gospic/THe VArsity
Michael Wilson
Chancellor
As Chancellor, Wilson is the ceremonial
figurehead of the administration and the
public face of the university. When you
convocate, Wilson will be the one in the resplendent robe on stage, shaking your hand
and handing you your degree. Wilson was
Minister of Finance in Brian Mulroney’s
Progressive Conservative government, and
the Canadian ambassador to the United
States. He graduated from U of T in 1959. He
is serving a three year term which began
July 1 2012.
David Naylor
Bernarda Gospic/THe VArsity
8 student handbook 2013
the varsity
This fall will see a major shift in the
university’s top leadership as President
Meric Gertler will assume his new role
on November 1 and Provost Cheryl Regehr will take hers on September 2. From
a student's perspective, the president
and provost are the two most influential
leaders of the university. Prior to being
selected as President, Gertler was the
Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Science.
Gertler’s interim replacement is David
Cameron, who will serve until June 2014
or until a replacement is found. The Faculty of Arts and Science is the largest undergraduate faculty.
Access Copyright
Vice-provost, students
President designate
The president is the university’s de
facto CEO, ensuring that the university’s finances are in order, its rules and
governing institutions are functioning
smoothly, and the school has long-term
strategic plans guiding its growth. Naylor must answer to the provincial and
federal governments and to the Governing Council, a Senate-like ruling body
of 50 community members, including
students, staff, and faculty who must
give final approval to all important university decisions. Naylor has served as
president since 2005. He will step down
on October 31, 2013.
New Senior Administration
Jill Matus
Jill Matus and her office are responsible
for determining all policies and procedures
related to students and student life, across
all three campuses. The Office of Student
Life coordinates club approval, rents office
space at 21 Sussex, and provides training to
student leaders. The office is also responsible for recruiting students, rewarding scholarships and distributing financial aid, as
well as running the study abroad program.
Matus is the only one of the three most
prominent senior administrators who will
not be new to her post this year.
Prior to being selected as president,
Gertler served as the dean of the Faculty
of Arts and Science. As dean, Gertler was
quite popular, although he oversaw the
introduction of flat fees —
­ a controversial system where full time students pay
the same amount of tuition regardless
of how many courses they are taking. A
distinguished scholar, Gertler’s research
has focused on geography and urban
planning. Gertler will assume the presidency for a five-year term beginning
November 1, 2013. He faces numerous
challenges, including provincial belttightening, ongoing controveries in student politics, and major turnover within
the senior administration.
by Zane Schwartz
Issues to watch out for in on-campus politics this year
Provost
Meric Gertler
President
Hot topics at U of T
The site of the proposed Student Commons at 230 College street.
CAROLYN LEVETT/THe VArsity
Fee Diversion
Student Commons
A decade old conflict between the University of Toronto Student's Union (utsu)
and opposition student groups on campus rose to a fevered pitch last year, with
students Trinity Colleges and members
of the Engineering Society voting overwhelmingly to leave the union. Students
at Victoria College also voted to leave, but
their referendum fell short of the required
voter turnout. The opposition student
groups cited what they describe as an unfair election system, which has seen an
incumbent Canadian Federation of Students (cfs) backed slate win every election
for the past ten years. Claiming internal reform is no longer possible, they are trying
to divert the fees that they pay away from
the union towards their respective student
societies, effectively leaving the utsu. The
union denies these allegations and does not
recognize the legitimacy of these referenda. The administration weighed in on the
conflict, setting up a series of mediation
sessions over the summer to try and foster
a compromise. While all undergraduates
will be paying fees to the utsu this year,
some student societies remain deeply dissatisfied with union, and it is unclear what
the ultimate resolution will be.
The Student Commons is an entirely
student run facility that will contain space
for clubs, studying, alternative food options, and common space. First approved
in 2007, the commons location was confirmed as 230 College St. late last year,
with construction set to begin in September. In a surprise move over the summer, the Executive Council of Governing
Council postponed the vote on Student
Common, citing the ongoing fee diversion
controvery. The agrement that would have
governed Student Commons had a provision that the Student Commons would revert to the univeristy if the utsu no longer
reprented all full-time undergraduates. At
present, the future of Student Commons
seems contigent on the resolution of the
fee diversion controvery.
the varsity
Access Copyright is a non-profit organisation that collects fees from the university on behalf of copyright holders.
The university’s agreement with the organisation has been controversial, with
student groups and some law professors
criticizing it as unnecessary and expensive for students. In June, the provost
cancelled the current agreement which
saw students paying $27.50 per semester
and entered into negotiations with Access Copyright to, among other things,
lower the fee paid by students. The negotiations represent more than just potential savings for students, as copyright
law is undergoing a fundamental transformation in response to the internet
and the increasing dominance of digital
forms of communication. Many universities have cancelled their agreements
with Access Copyright, and a series of
recent legal changes have been cited as
strengthening the case of the universities. That being said, Access Copyright is
in the midst of a legal battle with York
University arguing that their interpretation of what is copyrighted is against the
law. U of T and Access Copyright have
until January 1 to determine a new deal.
2013 student handbook
9
Mayors and metros
U of T Libraries 101
by Alec Wilson
A crash course in the municipal issues making Toronto headlines this year
Many diverse species of student can be observed in their natural habitat: the library
Library Do's
...and Don't's
C
onsidering the recent slew of developments both on campus
and outside of its borders, it would seem that we are in store
for an engaging year of opinion journalism at the University
of Toronto. However, the selection of opinion to be published in
The Varsity’s Comment section this upcoming year is about as predictable as the eccentric behavior of our local municipal politicians.
That being said, here are some issues you are likely to read about in
the pages of The Varsity this year.
Rob Ford
DO take out books for pleasure —
it’s a great way to save money.
DO library-hop — there are so many options,
try to see them all.
DO buy school supplies at the handy
supply machines if you forgot a pen
or a notebook at home.
DON’T save seats for your seven friends
using sweaters and random objects that
you have on you.
Robarts Library "The Beast"
Mayor Rob Ford’s current term in office will expire in 2014,
which means that campus politicos will be embroiled in a serious debate over the future of our city. Mayor Ford has already
announced his intention to run for re-election, but he will no
doubt be met with fierce competition from opponents looking
to wrestle the city away from the belt-tightening conservatives.
Expect to find impassioned endorsements from university political leaders in The Varsity as campaigns begin and the competition becomes more clearly defined.
City hall
lmnop88a/Flickr
Queen’s Park
Pan Am Games
The Ontario Provincial Legislature at Queen’s Park, located
just off campus, is set to be a major source of debate yet again
this year — with by-elections across the province scheduled to
occur August 1, weeks before classes resume at the university.
The results of these elections will help to clarify the province’s
current political leanings going into a provincial election.
Shifts in Ontario’s political landscape are likely to exhume debate over the essence of our post-secondary education system.
Earlier this year, the Conservative party released a white paper proposing radical changes to higher education. Changes
to the government's post-secondary education priorities will
have serious consequences for the way institutions like U of T
are funded, especially as society tries to adapt to an evolving
economy. Pending these precursory byelection outcomes, the
future of the post-secondary system in Ontario will be a hot
topic on campus and in the province.
Physical changes to the campus have already begun in preparation for the 2015 Pan Am Games, which will be hosted by
the City of Toronto. As construction continues and the city
prepares itself to welcome the world, be aware of dissenting
opinions — not only over infrastructural changes, but also
over more conspicuous cultural and social changes within the
city. These types of high-profile events often bring discord
with them, even as the city tries to be on its best behavior.
While the games themselves are still far off, the initial period could see rifts develop across the city as citizens become
discontented with changes to their communities. The university is not immune to this friction, as we have already seen in
the dispute over converting U of T's back campus to artifical
turf. The Varsity’s pages will be well-populated with informed
commentary as this process continues and the city deals with
changes to its environment.
the varsity
It’s 24 hours before an exam, or an essay is
due at midnight and it’s half an hour before
the deadline; at the height of desperation,
students shut themselves in Robarts Library.
Many call this concrete monstrosity
home — especially during night hours, when
tired souls take to the first three floors for serious napping. Robarts is U of T's largest library,
and is fondly known as Fort Book, because of
its imposing concrete stature and seemingly
endless collection of books. Although you’ll
meet some intense researchers and crazed insomniacs at Robarts, it also serves as a social
hub for students across all three campuses,
housing the largest number of books in the
university and a cafeteria with a Starbucks line
that is almost always out the door.
DON’T forget your Tcard.
DON’T get frisky in the stacks —
at least not during busy hours.
E.J. Pratt "The Hipster"
Theme Song: "The Final Countdown" by Europe
Snack of choice: 12” Meatball Sub
from the cafeteria
Transit debate
10 student handbook 2013
DO stealthily sneak food in your backpack to
the upper floors of Robarts.
DON’T whisper — we can still hear you.
The results of the mayoral election are sure to influence the
ongoing transit debate in Toronto City Council in the upcoming
year. As different proposals for how to ameliorate the way that
Torontonians navigate the megacity roll in, The Varsity will focus on how these proposed changes will affect the university’s
overwhelming commuter population. With some estimates suggesting that as many as 85 per cent of our classmates commute
to and from the university’s three campuses every day, any potential disruptions or innovations to the city’s transit systems
will definitely play a large part in campus discussion and the
opinions published in this paper.
by Danielle Klein and Elizabeth Benn
Theme song: You’ve probably never
heard of it
Snack of choice: Sushi from Wymilwood
Café in the Goldring Centre
Home to Victoria College students, expect
to see the artsy folk on campus getting their
work done in Pratt library. Pratt offers optimal private space, with long mini-cubicles
for individual students lining one side and a
bar of window seats facing the scenic Victoria College residences on the other. The bottom floor contains some overflow stacks, as
well as couch seating and vending machines
for social interaction after hours of solitary
study.
Robarts Library
Bernarda Gospic/THe VArsity
Graham Library
"The Next Rhodes Scholar"
Gerstein Science Library
"The Hopeful Pre-Med"
Theme song: "Winter" from Vivaldi’s
Four Seasons
Snack of choice: Lunch from The Buttery
Theme Song: "The Scientist" by Coldplay
Snack of choice: Pizza (brain food)
from the downstairs café
Gerstein is home to U of T’s life science
students. Here, you’ll find first-years
commiserating over Biology textbooks
and Chemistry labs, as medical students
pass by with their matching backpacks
(yep, that’s a thing). Unlike the gloomy
interiors of Robarts, Gerstein boasts
plenty of windows to make even the most
dreary of study days just a tad brighter.
Graham Library
Bernarda Gospic/THe VArsity
the varsity
The Grahman Library takes up the centre wing of the beautiful Munk School
building. Its popular reading rooms play
host to lounging students who spend
large portions of their days in the soft,
welcoming Morris chairs — especially
during colder months. Meanwhile serious studiers situate themselves in the
surprisingly comfortable wooden chairs
in front of the spacious individuallylit desks. Many windows boast beatiful
views of Trinity College or of the gardens
on Devonshire Place.
2013 student handbook
11
Downtown
Campus
Map
BLOOR STREET
This way to
Bloor West
This way to
Yonge and Bloor
2
CHARLES ST W
27
SUSSEX AVE
3
1
8
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page 21
2nd floor
room 612
room 416
1st floor
3rd floor
upper floors
page 4
pages 5 & 14
page 11
pages 5 & 15
pages 5 & 15
page 11
page 4
page 11
pages 18 & 19
page 5
pages 5 & 18
pages 9 & 20
pages 4, 5, 15
page 21
page 4
page 20 &21
page 4
page 9
pages 4 & 11
page 4
page 4
page 4
whole house
on Wed. only
pages 20 & 21
2nd floor
1st floor
1st floor
page 9
page 21
page 14
page 14
7
6
5
HOSKIN AVE
HARBORD AVE
10
ST. JOSEPH ST
11
CLASSIC AVE
ST. GEORGE ST
1. 21 Sussex
• The Varsity's office (come visit!)
• The Sexual Education Centre (sec)
• The Sexual and Gender Diversity Office (sgdo)
• Campus Police
• Office of Student Life
• Many student clubs' offices
2. Woodsworth College
3. Victoria College
4. E. J. Pratt Library
5. St. Michael's College
6. Trinity College
7. John W. Graham Library
8. Rotman School of Management
9. Robarts Library
10. The Athletic Centre
11. uc Commuter Student Centre, Morrison Residence
12. Hart House
13. utsu Office
14. University College
15. lgbtout Drop-in Centre, Sir Daniel Wilson Residence
16. ASSU office, Sidney Smith Hall
17. Multi-Faith Centre, Koffler Institute
18. Harvest Noon, gsu Office
19. Simcoe Hall
20. Gerstein Library
21. Medical Sciences Building
22. Terrence Donnelly Centre
23. Cumberland House
• Centre for Interntional Experiance
• Hot Yam!
24. Koffler Student Services Centre
• U of T Health Services
• Counseling and Psychological Services (caps)
• Family Care Office (fco)
25. 230 College St.
26. 215 Huron St.
27. Innis College
28. New College
GLEN MORRIS ST
HURON ST
Find all of the places, services, hangouts, libraries,
gyms, and eateries mentioned in this handbook:
4
9
16
28
WILLCOCKS ST
17
12
15
13
14
WELLESLEY ST
18
20
BANCROFT AVE
19
RUSSELL ST
This way to
Chinatown and
Kensington
21
26
25
GROSVENOR ST
22
24
23
This way to
Little Portugal
COLLEGE STREET
12 student handbook 2013
the varsity
the varsity
2013 student handbook
13
A Guide to Arts at U of T
Trinity College
by Salena Barry
Welcome to U of T, a school with a diversity of students who, in turn, have a
broad range of interests. That may seem
like a cookie-cutter statement, but the
endless list of Arts and Culture (A&C)
clubs and societies at our university certainly does the cliché some justice. The
A&C clubs and events at U of T range
from college-specific to campus-wide.
Each college has at least two of the following: a dramatic society, a newspaper,
or an Arts Review. This guide highlights
just some of the many artsy clubs and
groups at U of T, some college-related and
some not. There are way too many groups
to list them all here, so explore the clubs
fairs and Ulife to find even more.
Hint: Often, students can join college-specific
groups or attend college events even if they
aren’t part of the college itself.
Campus-Wide Must-Knows
College-Specific
Woodsworth College
22 Pages
Hart House
This student life hub houses the
historic and cozy Hart House
Theatre which stages both student
and professional plays and musicals
year-round. Hart House also holds
classes in dance, photography, filmmaking and theatre.
harthouse.ca
University of Toronto
Arts Centre
The University of Toronto Art Centre
(UTAC) and the Justina M. Barnicke
Gallery are the campus' two galleries,
both of which offer a breadth of material ­— from artwork that dates to the
Middle Ages to that of contemporary visual artists. Located in the centre of campus, it doesn’t hurt those seeking a quick
foray into the art world between classes
that these two galleries are closer than
the AGO or the Gallery District.
utac.utoronto.ca
jmbgallery.ca
14 student handbook 2013
Caribbean Film Festival
UC Review
Also called “The Lit,” the Trinity College
Literary Institute has been one of
Trinity College's most deeply-rooted traditions for nearly 200 years. Although it
was originally a forum for serious debate
surrounding current issues, it has now
adopted a more satirical format — where
the object of debate is often a joke and the
objective is to make the audience laugh.
christopher.hogendoorn@mail.utoronto.ca
mikhail.amyn@mail.utoronto.ca
Besides the proverbial “sun and sand,”
the Caribbean provides great fodder
for documentaries and dramas. The
festival is free and includes discussions with filmmakers, whose films
shed light on Caribbean politics and
culture. Although it is not formally
a part of New College, the festival is
sponsored by the Caribbean Studies
Students Union (CARSSU), housed at
the college, and the CINSSU.
students.carssu@gmail.com.
A collection of students' short fiction, poetry, and visual art. Aside
from being a great forum to have
creative work published, the
Review also allows students to
get involved in other capacities, such as graphic design and
editorial positions.
uc.review@utoronto.ca
The society meets weekly to discuss and
debate theological and academic topics.
The TCTS also hosts guest speakers and
occasional outings.
jozef.kosc@utoronto.ca
Hart House
Victoria College
Motion Victures
This club began with a group of
friends with a comedic bent, an improvisational tendency, and the good
judgment to film and upload their
performances to YouTube. Since its
modest beginnings, Motion Victures has written and performed
advertisements for the Bob — Vic’s
comedy revue — and has created a
feature film, all of which are on its
YouTube account.
motionvictures@gmail.com
A comic book club that allows students
to team up with their peers to publish
collaborative works. The club also gathers to discuss comic books and comic
book culture, rendering it ideal for aspiring comic writers and artists.
22pages@mywcsa.com
New Faces: New College's
Drama Society
Check out New Faces' Facebook group
for updates on events and auditions
around campus.
Innis College
Free Friday Films
As a reward for those tough weeks
at school, enjoy a free film at the
Innis Town Hall. The event, hosted
by the Cinema Studies Student Union
(CINSSU), features a diverse array of
film styles — from French New Wave to
Hollywood blockbuster.
cinssu.fff@utoronto.ca
The Gargoyle
In the editor's own words, "The
Gargoyle glides past the drudgery
of report journalism in favour of a
sometimes farcical, sometimes serious consideration of things similar
to art, politics, and sharks. In order
to facilitate a tasteful and truthful
conversation of the world we all
tenuously occupy, The Gargoyle is
accepting of made-up words, metaisms and smartassery, and averse to
poor writing, meta-meta-isms and
dolphins."
ucgargoyle@gmail.com
St. Michael's College
Kelly's Korner
Held on the last Wednesday of every month by the St Michael's
College Student Union (SMCSU),
Kelly’s Korner is an open mic night
that allows students to showcase
their artistic talents. Finger-snapping might not be mandatory, but
St. Mike’s monthly coffee house
certainly warrants it.
Acta Victoriana
Vic’s annual literary journal, which has
included the works of now-famous Canadians Margaret Atwood and Lester B.
Pearson.
actavictoriana.ca
the varsity
University College
Trinity College Literary Institute
Trinity College Theological Society
Bernarda Gospic/THe VArsity
New College
Illustrations by Nancy Ji
Annual Musical
The Art Society
Innis Jamz
A forum for students engaging in artistic endeavors to meet, discuss their
work, and share ideas.
theartsociety@mywcsa.com
A bi-monthly music session for
both experienced and novice instrumentalists. Look up Innis Jamz
on Facebook.
A surefire way to make new friends
and sing off midterm stress. Past
shows include Sweeney Todd and
Hairspray. Auditions begin just after
frosh week.
the varsity
2013 student handbook
15
By: Katrina Vogan
There’s more to science on campus than
lectures and lab reports. Science life at
the University of Toronto includes research opportunities, activism, purple
people, and a functioning cannon. All are
part of the unique culture of the U of T's
science and Engineering programs.
Research and Discovery
U of T has a rich tradition of discovery and invention, and that tradition
is maintained in part because of the
contribution of undergraduate students. There are many opportunities for
U of T students to get involved in high-level research. Science students can apply to
work-study programs during the year, or
work with research teams over the summer. These positions are paid, and offer
valuable experience for those students
who seek work in research fields.
Students can also choose to participate
in a second-year Research Opportunity
Program (rop). rops are either full-year or
summer-long courses which count toward
degree and program requirements. Students participating in rops generally work
with faculty on pre-existing research projects, though some rops allow students to
create their own projects in a self-directed
learning environment. Students interested in taking an rop course should look
for course codes which end in “299Y” and
check out this website:
www.artsci.utoronto.ca/current/course/rop
Clubs and Activism
Clubs and societies allow students to explore science in a less rigorous setting. A
wide variety of activities and events are
run by students through their respective
colleges and faculties, as well as through
the University of Toronto Students' Union
(utsu) and ULife services.
Clubs that are activism- and action-focused
work on varying scales. Engineers Without
Borders is one of many clubs on campus
that does work locally and internationally.
The University of Toronto Biology Environmental Action Team (utbeat) works toward
establishing sustainable practices within the
university's biology departments.
Clubs are open to students regardless
of what they study, and most collegesponsored clubs are open to all students
regardless of college affiliation.
16 student handbook 2013
Doran woo/THe VArsity
We are the engineers!
The University of Toronto Engineering Society, or SkuleTM, is the oldest engineering
society in Canada. Engineering classes typically do not overlap with Arts and Science
courses, which can lead to a divide between
engineering students and “artscis” (pronounced “artsys” — the word is engineer
slang for Arts and Science students). Boisterous and tight-knit, engineers are a distinct
and often divisive group on campus.
Particularly distinctive is the practice
of purpling, which requires the subject to
cover themselves head-to-toe in purple
paint. Also hard to miss is the boom of the
SkuleTM cannon, the official SkuleTM mascot.
The cannon is often accompanied by the
Lady Godiva Memorial Bnad [sic] (lgmb).
All engineering students are members of the
lgmb by default. Absolutely no musical talent is required to play with the lgmb, which
contributes to its inimitable sound.
the varsity
Though they may seem odd to outsiders, these traditions play an important
role in engineering student culture.
“When you start doing the crazy stuff,
you’re all silly, but you’re all being silly
together. So that gives everyone a sense
of community, and that’s where the engineering community — this sense of
belonging — comes from, ” says Tabish
Gilani, second-year mechanical engineering student and former Track One
representative. “I would definitely recommend purpling as an experience.”
SkuleTM sponsors its own societies and
events. Massimo Gordillo, a third-year
industrial engineering student, says that
though engineers may seem to outsiders to be “cliquey” or “intimidating,”
non-engineering students should “absolutely” come out to these events: “Just
because we’re in different faculties, doesn’t
mean that we can’t be super cool [and]
get along.” Gilani adds, “At the end of the
day, we’re all from U of T.”
Popular Campus Apps
Science Culture at U of T
By: Katrina Vogan
Dropbox
Super Note
www.dropbox.com
www.clearskyapps.com
Price: 2 GB of free storage, with options to pay for more
What is it? A multi-platform app that allows for storage
and multi-device synchronization
Price: Free (lite version)/ $1.99
What is it? A note-taking app with integrated recording
capabilities
Why? The sign-up and set-up processes are easy. The software
design is intuitive. File sharing is very easy. For even more space,
there’s a reward system for referrals that allows users to increase
their storage to a maximum of 18 GB. The app also does not
support ads, allowing for uninterrupted use.
Why not? You may already use one of the numerous other
services that offer similar services, like Evernote or Google docs.
In its default settings, Dropbox will sync automatically, which
can be rough on data plans.
Why? The app allows students to record their lectures and
take notes simultaneously, linking the recording to the notes
for easy access and organization. There are two ways to
export data to another system: through email or through an
easy downloading process.
Why not? The free version only allows for the creation of
four notes at a time (if you have time, you can circumvent
this limit by immediately uploading or emailing the notes to
yourself through the in-app methods). Typing long notes is
more difficult on devices with smaller screens.
iStudiez
The Transit App
www.istudentpro.com
www.thetransitapp.com
Price: Free (lite version)/ $2.99
What is it? An award-winning organization and calendar app
for university and college students
Price: Free
What is it? A slick navigation app for public transit
Why? A truly impressive amount of information can be
stored in the app. Terms, classes, lecture sessions, tutorials,
assignments, seminars, professors, and teacher’s assistants
can be sorted and tracked, and all of this information can be
integrated into the schedule. The app also includes a GPA
calculator. Despite high information content and functionality,
the app is easy to use and rarely feels cluttered.
Why not? The free version of iStudiez limits the amount of
information that you can store within the app, though with
creative use of the way the app sorts information this limit can
be circumvented. The GPA calculator (which can be turned off
completely) can be difficult to use. Inputting information can be
time-consuming.
Why? The specialization means that routes are ultra-accurate and information is easy to sort through. The app has
an amazingly useful ability to re-orient the map to match
the direction that you are facing, and automatically updates to give you real-time information about your route.
Users are also able to download city-specific, in-app data
for offline use of the app. Impressive visual interface.
Why not? An unusually steep learning curve and no in-app
help can make the initial use of the app daunting. The app
is vastly more effective when location services are enabled,
which may upset the privacy-obsessed. It also only works
in certain metropolitan centres (the Toronto data package
includes the GTA, Guelph, Waterloo and Hamilton regions).
Blackboard Mobile/
Official University of Toronto APP
www.blackboardmobile.com /
available on Apple App Store and Google Play Store
Price: Free
What are they? Two apps that allow quick access to course information or official university news
Why? Most professors use Blackboard to co-ordinate their courses, and having mobile access to the site can be invaluable when trying to organize your life. U of T mobile is highly customizable and functions more as a mini-operating
system than as a traditional app. The “micro-app" system ensures that you only get the information you want.
Why not? If app glitches really bug you, you should be aware that U of T Mobile is new and is still being perfected.
Certain screens on the Blackboard app are visually cluttered, and it can be hard to sort through the information presented. Blackboard can also be slow to update course information.
the varsity
2013 student handbook
17
Get Active on Campus
by Elizabeth Benn
I
Team previews
by Elizabeth Benn
U
t’s inevitable that you’ll get bogged
down in the books this year, but remembering to stay fit and active will
help you focus at school and feel good.
At U of T, there are a number of ways
to participate in sports ­— whether you
have years of competitive experience or
have never laid eyes on a field. With various fitness centres, intramural teams,
and classes, there are ample opportunities to complement your academic activity with physical activity.
of T has 44 varsity teams, many of
which achieve high levels of success competing at the provincial
and national levels. These teams have
been consistently strong, and hope to
continue this trend in the upcoming seasons. Many individual athletes also compete with provincial or national teams
on the international stage — from the
Universiade to the Olympics.
Join a Varsity Team
U of T has 44 mens' and womens' varsity
teams, ranging from hockey and mountain biking to basketball and figure skating. Students are encouraged to contact
coaches if they are interested in competing on a team, but also have the option
of attending an open tryout — the dates
of which are posted on the Varsity Blues'
website. Taking part in the varsity program allows students to learn time management skills, compete in a high-level
sport, and become a part of a tight-knit
group of athletes.
Bernarda Gospic/THe VArsity
Bernarda Gospic/THe VArsity
Womens' Track and Field
Join a Tri-Campus Team
U of T students are provided with a
unique opportunity to play a sport at
competition level between the varsity
and intramural levels. The Tri-Campus
program involves students from each of
the three campuses — Mississauga, St.
George, and Scarborough — facing off
against one another in various sports, including basketball, volleyball, and soccer.
The level of competition is high, so students seeking a challenge less competitive than the varsity level or who prefer
not to make the time commitment to a
varsity team have an on-campus league
in which to compete.
Join an Intramural Team
The U of T intramural program provides an
impressive assortment of options, including
ultimate, cricket, softball, and volleyball.
Most sports are offered at both a competitive and recreational level, so faculties, colleges, and student groups have the chance
to compete at whichever level best suits their
teams. Teams compete about once a week, allowing students to get physical activity that
is far more fun than running around a track.
Students interested in joining one of these
teams should contact the administration at
their faculty or college for more information.
18 student handbook 2013
Bernarda Gospic/THe VArsity
Mens' and Womens' Soccer
The Athletic Centre
and Hart House
The Athletic Centre (ac) is the largest athletic
facility at U of T, home to a variety of workout
rooms, pools, and classrooms for students in
the Physical Education and Kinesiology programs. Intramural sports, Tri-Campus sports,
and varsity sports also take place here, and
students can usually watch the games for
free. The MacIntosh Sport Medicine Clinic
is located in the basement of the building,
allowing students with athletic injuries to
conveniently travel from their workout area
to the clinic to receive treatment. Contrasting with the modern look of the ac, the Hart
House gym has a rustic feel to it, and many
students prefer to go there because of the
"less intense" atmosphere. Hart House has
similar facilities to the ac, but on a smaller
scale. It tends to have longer hours than
the ac — primarily on weekends, when the
ac closes at 5:00 pm. Both the ac and Hart
House regularly host many cheap or free fitness classes and drop-in classes, providing
students with a fun way to incorporate physical activity into their schedule.
the varsity
Bernarda Gospic/THe VArsity
Clubs
Campuses and colleges have hundreds of
clubs, many of which allow students to
participate in sports and other physical
activities that are not widely available on
campus. Information about these clubs can
be found through online club directories or
through student representatives.
Other ways to stay active
Students can also stay active on campus
by walking or biking to classes, finding
running routes around campus, and using
the Bixi Bike service — which has several
parking locations on campus. Students
should also note whether their college has
its own gym, or if there is a similar facility
in their residence building.
Both Blues mens' and womens' soccer teams are consistently strong, both
lead by Blues veteran and head coach
Anthony Capotosto, who is entering his
seventh coaching season. He was named
Ontario University Athletics (oua) East
Women's Soccer Coach of the year in his first
season as head coach of the team. Blues players Mario Kovacevic and Dylan Bams played
on team Canada this past summer in Kazan,
Russia at the International University Sports
Federation
(fisu)
Universiade,
and
Kovacevic is coming back for his final year
as a Blue with hopes of leading the team to
a title. Last year, the mens' soccer team went
8-6-2, but lost 2-1 to Queen's University in
the oua quarter-finals. With Sarah Petrucci in net, last year's womens' soccer team
completed a very successful season with a
12-4-2 record. However, like the men's team,
the women were defeated 3-1 by Queen's in
overtime in the oua quarter-finals. This year,
the Blues will guarantee themselves a spot
in the Canadian Interuniversity Sport (cis)
championships because they will be hosted
at Varsity Stadium from November 7-10.
photo courtesy of the varsity blues
Mens' and Womens' Swimming
Lead by 2012-2013 Varsity Blues Male
Athlete of the Year Zack Chetrat, the
Varsity men's swimming team won both
the oua and cis championships this past
year. Head coach Byron MacDonald was
named the 2013 Fox 40 oua Male Coach
of the Year, after completing his 35th
season as the Varsity Blues swimming
head coach. He has been named the cis
mens' and womens' coach of the year a
combined 13 times. The women's team
is lead by Vanessa Treasure, a consistent
record-breaker in her events, primarily
at the intramural level. This past season,
the women's team also placed second in
the oua championship and third in the
cis championship in Calgary.
the varsity
Lead by Olympian Sarah Wells,
2012-2013 Varsity Blues Female Athlete
of the Year Alicia Brown, and 2012-2013
Varsity Blues Female Rookie of the Year
Khamica Bingham, the womens' track
and field team consistently dominates
in the oua and cis championships,
breaking records and taking home titles. The team's over-40-player roster is
lead by Carl Georgevski, a three-time
Olympic jumps coach. To fill the spots
of graduated athletes, the Blues have
recruited four new competitors: Alison
Fraser, Maggie Hanlon, Ellie Hirst, and
Victoria McIntyre.
Baseball
The men's baseball team has won the past
two oua championship titles with their
static roster, not having changed much
over the past two years. However, many of
their integral players graduated this past
June, giving an opportunity for younger
players to fill their roles. Head coach Jim
Sheppard is fairly new at his position, but
his impact on the team has been felt — as
seen by its success.
2013 student handbook
19
Campus Resources
U of T Health Services
Koffler Student Service Centre (214 College
St.), second floor.
U of T Health Services is a clinic which provides students with routine services ­— like a
family doctor ­— as well as treatment of illness
and injury, disability documentation, birth
control and sti care, disordered eating care,
pregnancy support, immunization, nutrition
counseling, and more. Appointments can be
made online or by phone. Drop-in appointments are also offered during regular hours.
Sexual and Gender
Diversity Office
Equity and Accessibility in the
Phys Ed. Department
Weekly Meditation and Yoga
Sussex Clubhouse, (21 Sussex Ave.), Suites
416 and 417
The Faculty of Kinesiology and Physical
Education, a faculty and that primary organizers in running all athletics at U of
T, strives to create a comfortable and welcoming environment for all those in the
faculty, and those who use its facilities.
All buildings used in the faculty as classroom and workout spaces are fully accessible. As members of the Positive Space
Committee, the Faculty strives towards
creating a positive space for people of all
races, sexualities, and genders, as well as
to augment the participation of individuals in the lgbttiqq2sa community.
Massage Mondays
Hart House offers free massages (yes,
you read that right) every Monday.
Move U of T
Your utsu membership fee provides you with
health and dental care through Green Shield
Canada. You may opt out of this plan and
receive a refund. You can learn more about
what the plan covers on the utsu website.
A program partnered with ParticipACTION, MoveU advocates healthy
living on campus through regular
study breaks. Twitter: @moveUofT
Campus Health Initiative
Counselling and
Psychological Services
A student-run organization that promotes healthy living through events,
workshops, and resources. Campus
Health Initiative (chi) is committed
to diversity, emphasizing that health
is different for everyone.
Twitter: @chi_uoft
Koffler Student Service Centre
Counselling and Psycological Services (caps)
offers counseling, therapy, and psychiatric
treatment, as well as assessment, referrals, and
various workshops for both full- and part-time
students at U of T. Appointments can be made
by phone or in person.
Peers Are Here
A drop-in support group made up of
students discussing the stresses they
experience as university students.
More information available on the
Health Services website.
Blue Space
Blue Space is a new initiative this year from
Health and Wellness at U of T. Blue space
posters and postcards can be seen around
campus, indicating a safe space for those
with mental health issues.
eHappy
U of T Engineering Happiness (eHappy) is a campus group which provides
workshops, seminars and events in
positive psychology to promote happiness through social responsibility.
Sexual Education Centre
Sussex Clubhouse (21 Sussex Ave.), room 612
Active Minds at U of T
The U of T Sexual Education Centre (sec) is
a volunteer-run student service which provides condoms and other safe sex supplies,
as well as workshops, counseling, and sexpositive events, free of charge to students.
sec offers resources on sexual orientation,
safer sex, sexually transmitted infections,
and consent, serving as a save space for discussing and exploring sex and sexuality.
A campus group which aims to
increase awareness about mental
health on campus and the stigma
associated with mental health issues
through education and dialogue.
the varsity
Equity and Accessibility
Health Clubs & Events
The Multi-Faith Centre (569 Spadina Ave.) offers various drop-in
yoga and meditation classes for
health and mindfulness. Schedules
are available on the Multi-Faith
Centre website.
utsu Health & Dental Plan
20 student handbook 2013
by Danielle Klein
The Sexual and Gender Diversity Office
(sgdo) provides services and supports for
LGBTTIQQ2S students, staff and faculty
on campus. The sgdo offers consultation,
education, workshops and events, as well as
individual counseling and support groups.
Students for Barrier Free Access
215 Huron St., Suite 924
by Danielle Klein
Multi-Faith Spaces
Sussex Clubhouse, Suites 416 and 417
There are various spaces around campus which accommodate different spiritual and faith-based practices, including
the Multi-Faith Centre (569 Spadina Ave.),
the Bahen Centre, Hart House, OISE, Sussex Clubhouse, and Victoria College. These
spaces offer rooms for quiet prayer and
worship, as well as community events and
interfaith dialogue.
Green Dot
The Positive Space campaign is a program
that strives to identify inclusive spaces for
lgbttiqq2sa members of the U of T community. Each campus has a committee that
identifies welcoming environments and
holds events. Positive Spaces can be identified around campus through stickers and
posters with the campaign logo on them.
A green dot is an action you take against
violence, whether it’s protecting a friend in a
high-risk situation, or not finishing a drink
that left your sight at a bar. Green Dot is an
initiative of U of T Health and Wellness. It
is a six-hour training program that provides
information about bystander intervention,
sexual violence, and community support resources. Training dates are available on all
three campuses on the Health and Wellness
website, and Green Dot certification can be
listed on your resume.
Koffler Student Services Centre, main floor
Student Equity Initiatives Team
First Nations House
The Family Care office provides support to
students, staff, and faculty with family care issues, offering resources and services to members of the university who are balancing family commitments with education or work. The
Family Care office is committed to inclusivity
and cultural sensitivity. The office offers different options for childcare, including an online
baby sitter listing and on-campus child care.
The Student Equity Initiatives Team
(seit) is a student group sponsored by the
Faculty of Kinesiology and Physical Education, which serves to foster an inclusive and
accessible environment for all students in
physical activity at the university. Through
the seit, students can propose initiatives
that support diversity and be granted funding from the faculty to actualize their ideas.
Borden Building North, 563 Spadina Ave.,
third floor
sba is a student-run, not-for-profit group
which advocates for the rights of students
with disabilities on campus through activist
initiatives, workshops, and social events. Such
events include free lunches, movie nights, lectures, pub nights and wheelchair basketball.
The sba Centre is open weekly and offers assistive technology, free local calling, peer mentoring, a study room, and a variety of courses
such as sign language and first aid.
Family Care Office
Positive Space
LGBTOUT
First Nations House provides services
and events for Aboriginal students on
campus, including academic and financial
support, workshops, and access to elders
and traditional teachers. The house also
serves as a culturally supportive social
space, decorated with indigenous artwork
and housing a library of Aboriginal texts.
Drop-In Centre: 73 St. George St., Sir Daniel
Wilson Residence archway
lgbtout offers resources and events for
lgbttiqq2sa students on campus. Events
include discussion groups, the all-ages party “Homo Hop,” educational workshops,
and pub nights. The lgbtout Drop-In Centre is a Positive Space run by volunteers who
can provide information about services for
members of the lgbttiqq2sa community.
the varsity
2013 student handbook
21
Campus Contacts
50 Things To Do During
Frosh Week
by Varsity Masthead
1. Get your TCard (if you haven’t already).
2. Realize you are just a number.
3. Wallow.
4. Then memorize your number; you’re going to need that shit for everything.
5. Get lost on campus.
6. Visit the oldest building at U of T.
7. Visit the newest building at U of T.
8. Lie down in the middle of King’s College Circle.
9. Instagram a picture of UC #UofTissobeautiful.
10. Tweet about how much fun you are having at frosh #yolo #ilovecollege.
11. Get lost in Robarts.
12. Realize that Robarts is a giant turkey.
13. Oh wait, it’s supposed to be a peacock?
Divisions
Faculty of Arts & Science
ask@artsci.utoronto.ca
416 978 3384
Bernarda Gospic/THe VArsity
Campus Media
14. Run through Queen’s Park at night.
15. Fall asleep in one of the quads.
16. Find out where the closest LCBO is.
17. Find out where the closest Beer Store is.
18. Memorize their hours.
19. Discover a new favorite sushi restaurant everyday.
20. Fall in love with Honest Ed’s (while you still can).
21. Have drunk street meat at least once a day.
22. Get nachos at Sneaky Dee’s.
23. Get sangria at Future bakery.
24. Be thirsty on Thursday.
25. Go to a frat party, leave immediately.
26. Win a game of beer pong.
27. Lose a game of beer pong.
28. Get too invested in your beer pong stats.
Check out The Varsity's
"instructional" video:
var.st/broadcast
THE VARSITY
thevarsity.ca
416 946 7600
CIUT FM 89.5fm (CAMPUS RADIO)
ciut.fm
416 978 0909
Hart House Review
harthousereview.com
The Newspaper
thenewspaper.ca
Editorial: 416 561 2756
29. Make all your best friends for life during frosh. Never speak to them again.
30. If you’re a commuter, make friends with someone who lives on residence so you have
a place to crash.
31. Lie about your hometown.
32. Flirt with a frosh leader.
33. Get shut down by a frosh leader.
Transportation
Bernarda Gospic/THe VArsity
34. Steal an engineer's hard hat.
35. Get chased by an angry herd of engineers trying to get it back from you.
36. Win eternal glory.
37. Ask an engineer if they dye EVERYTHING purple.
38. Diss someone from another college.
39. Be nice to someone from another college.
40. Stay up all night.
41. Sleep in 'till noon.
42. Stay hydrated.
44. Swear to yourself that you’re going to start working out once the week is over.
45. Be given tons of free condoms.
46. Take free condoms every time you get the chance.
47. Buy an insane amount of U of T paraphernalia.
48. Instagram yourself with all your new U of T #swag.
49. Read The Varsity's frosh issue and student handbook cover to cover.
50. Visit the all the lovely Varsity folk at The Varsity's table at the Clubs Fair.
the varsity
TTC
ttc.ca
416 393 4636
GO Transit
gotransit.com
1 888 GET ON GO
VIA Rail
viarail.ca
1 888 VIA RAIL
Image courtesy of Daft Punk
Victoria College
416 585 4508
Innis College
registrar.innis@utoronto.ca
416 978 2513
New College
newcollege.registrar@utoronto.ca
416 978 2460
St. Michael’s College
ask.smc@utoronto.ca
416 926 7117
Trinity College
registrar@trinity.utoronto.ca
416 978 2687
University College
uc.registrar@utoronto.ca
416 978 3170
Woodsworth College
wdwregistrar@utoronto.ca
416 978 4444
FACULTY OF LAW
law.utoronto.ca
416 978 0210
CAMPUS POLICE (ST. GEORGE)
campuspolice.utoronto.ca
Emergency: 416 978 2222
CAMPUS POLICE (mississauga)
utm.utoronto.ca/campus-police
Emergency: 905 569 4455
CAMPUS POLICE (scarborough)
utsc.utoronto.ca/police
Emergency: 416 287 7333
Counselling and
Psychological Services (CAPS)
caps.utoronto.ca
416 978 8070
Centre for Women and Trans
People
womenscentre.sa.utoronto.ca
416 978 8201
U of t LGBTQ Resources and
Programs
sgdo.utoronto.ca
416 946 5624
Multifaith Centre
multifaith.utoronto.ca
Facilities and space requests: 416 946 3120
Sexual Education Centre
sec.sa.utoronto.ca
416 946 3100
U of T First Nations House
fnh.utoronto.ca
416 978 8227
FACULTY OF MEDICINE
medicine.utoronto.ca
U of T Health Services (St.
George)
healthservices.utoronto.ca
416 978 8030
Diamond Taxi
416 366 6868
ROTMAN COMMERCE
rotmancommerce.utoronto.ca
416 978 3339
U of T Health Services
(Mississauga)
905 828 5255
Bikechain
bikechain.utoronto.ca
416 978 6849
ONTARIO INSTITUTE FOR STUDIES
IN EDUCATION (oise)
oise.utoronto.ca
U of T Health Services
(Scarborough)
416 287 7065
Co-op Cabs
416 504 2667
43. Unintentionally learn the lyrics of every pop song from this summer.
22 student handbook 2013
Faculty of Applied Science and
Engineering – First Year Office
firstyear@ecf.utoronto.ca
416 978 4625
Health and Support
the varsity
2013 student handbook
23
Th Com
e V e join
ar us at
sit
y
News
Zane Schwartz
news@thevarsity.ca
Design
Copy Editing
Shaquilla Singh
design@thevarsity.ca
Catherine Virelli
copy@thevarsity.ca
Arts & Culture
Photography
Illustration
Sofia Luu
Carolyn Levett
photo@thevarsity.ca
Nancy Ji
illustration@thevarsity.ca
Online
Video
Murad Hemmadi
online@thevarsity.ca
Jamieson Wang
video@thevarsity.ca
Comment
Alec Wilson
comment@thevarsity.ca
Features
Danielle Klein
features@thevarsity.ca
arts@thevarsity.ca
Science
Katrina Vogan
science@thevarsity.ca
Sports
Elizabeth Benn
sports@thevarsity.ca