STUDENT SERVICES

Director’s office

The Director of Student Services supervises the Student Services area and provides assistance with special problems students may have. Students should come to the director’s office to resolve problems involving academic standing in general, grades, the learning environment, or unexpected difficulties with successful completion of courses.

Director

Cheryl Dahl, BA (Calgary), MA (SFU)

604-854-4515; email dahl@ufv.ca;
fax: 604-855-7614

Assistant

Catherine Nelson

604-864-4677; email nelsonc@ufv.ca

Reception

Student Services assistants provide general information about the university college, register students for orientations and workshops, help students use the Career Resource Centre, maintain the housing bulletin board, and provide a lost and found service. Assistants book appointments for Counselling, and Educational Advising.

Student Services assistants

Abbotsford, 604-854-4528

Pat Bullock, Dipl. Soc. Services (UCFV)

Elaine Newman, Dipl. Gen. Studies (UCFV)

Wendy Stoltz

Chilliwack, 604-795-2808

Julie Williams

Mission, 604-820-6000

Educational advising

Educational advisors are available to help current and potential students explore post-secondary options both at UCFV and elsewhere. Advisors assist students in developing individual education plans by explaining career and program requirements, institutional processes, and course transfer. Through confidential individual appointments, advisors provide assistance in refining goals and objectives, understanding available choices, and assessing the consequences of alternative actions.

Students may book full educational planning appointments or have quick questions answered during short drop-in sessions.

Educational advisors also offer free one- and two-hour information workshops on various topics.

Workshops

For new students:

• Introduction to UCFV

These two-hour sessions are for new students who have not attended a post-secondary institution. In these sessions you will learn about UCFV courses and programs, how and when to apply and register, how to schedule courses, and where to find resources. You will understand the ins and outs of the UCFV system and how to give yourself the advantage as a student.

• Timetabling Workshops

    These two-hour sessions are for new students who need help in learning how to organize and develop their timetables.

For continuing students:

• Building Arts Degrees
• Becoming a Teacher
• Course Scheduling for the Undecided
• Pre-Professional Course Planning
• Chiropractic, Dentistry, Medicine, Pharmacy, Veterinary, Dental Hygiene, Physical & Occupational Therapy
• First-time Online Learner

External Liaison information sessions

Educational advisors organize information sessions and forums for continuing students. Representatives from admissions departments and selected faculties from B.C. universities, university colleges, colleges, institutes, and professional schools visit UCFV to provide information for students planning to transfer.

Check the Educational Advising website for workshops and information sessions at www.ufv.ca/stuserv/advising.htm

To book an appointment, check the drop-in schedule, or sign up for a workshop, please contact Student Services reception. Note: for services at the Mission campus, please contact the Abbotsford number.

Abbotsford, 604-854-4528

Chilliwack, 604-795-2808

Educational Advisors

Barbara Salingré, BA (UCFV), ID (VCC), Department Head

Eddie Campbell, BA (SFU)

Caitlin Davis, BA (UBC)

Darren Francis, BA (SFU)

Bobby Jaswal, BA (SFU)

Mandy Klepic, BA (SFU), Prof. Teaching Cert. (SFU)

Sybille Stegmueller, Dip. General Studies (UCFV)

Linda Toews, BA (UCFV)

Counselling

The counsellors at UCFV are professionally trained to provide a variety of counselling services.

Career counselling

Career counselling is available to help you choose a satisfying career suited to your individual strengths, interests, values and personality type. This service is offered on an individual appointment basis, in a group workshop format, and occasionally as a credit course.

Crisis counselling

Crisis counselling is available to get students back on track after experiencing a sudden, traumatic event.

Personal counselling

Times of change and stress may result in anxiety, depression, or feelings of helplessness. Personal counselling may often help to understand and resolve problems that interfere with daily living and creative academic work. Personal counselling is available for students on an individual appointment or sometimes on a group basis.

Student success counselling

Student success counselling is available to help students to become effective, independent learners. This service is available in individual and workshop format. See “workshops and courses” below.

Workshops and courses

• Career and Life Planning Workshops
• Career Planning Orientations
• Career Planning 101
• Student Success Workshops including:
• How to Study, Learn, Remember, and Stay Motivated
• Notetaking and Notemaking
• Reading Skills
• Study Skills Overview
• Stress Management
• Time Management
• Public Speaking with Confidence
• Motivation
• See additional Academic Support courses listed in Academic Support Services.

Call Student Services Reception to register for these workshops or to book individual appointments.

Counsellors

Elli Tamarin, BA (SFU), MEd (UBC), Department Head

Dave Birkett, BA, MA (UBC)

Eileen Burkholder, BEd (UBC), MEd (UVic)

Mark Hoffmann, BSc (Stanford), Diploma CS (Regent), MA (UBC)

Services for Aboriginal students

Students of aboriginal ancestry, including status, non-status, and Metis, are an integral part of the UCFV student body. All UCFV student services are available and, in addition, aboriginal students can get services and support through the Aboriginal Resource Centre. For more information about cultural support, workshops, and referral, liaison, and advocacy services offered through the centre, please see the Aboriginal Access Services section.

ABORIGINAL ACCESS SERVICES

S’olh Shxwlèlí (”Our Place”)
Aboriginal Resource Centre

(Officially opened November 8, 2000)

Welcome to traditional Stó:lÇ territory where the St\:lÇ have lived for thousands of years. St\:lÇ is Halq’emeylem meaning “River” and refers to the life-blood of the original people of the Fraser Valley. Today, within these traditional lands exist 24 bands. The aboriginal students from these and other territories are an important part of the UCFV student population.

The Aboriginal Resource Centre provides a doorway for aboriginal students pursuing post-secondary education. It also provides direct support services to aboriginal students (academic, financial, cultural, and transition). The ARC has information about funding sources, as well as Aboriginal programs and courses at UCFV and other institutions. At the centre, Aboriginal students can find a place to study or relax between classes, a small kitchen, access to computers, and a TV and VCR. Students will always find a friendly and supportive staff.

The Aboriginal Access coordinator works from the Centre, as do the ARC coordinator, student monitors, and student volunteers. The centre is open from Monday to Thursday from 10 am–4 pm, and Fridays, 10 am–2 pm, and is located at the Chilliwack campus in room D136.

Cultural activities are open to all students and include circle meetings, Elders gatherings, Stó:lÇ-oriented workshops, and other events both on and off campus.

Aboriginal Access Coordinator

• manages Aboriginal Access Services
• advocates for students with other UCFV departments
• makes referrals within UCFV and to community agencies and other institutions
• consults on curriculum development initiatives
• acts as liaison with Stó:lÇ Nation, post-secondary education authorities, Metis societies, and other First Nations organizations
• coordinates requests for specific aboriginal services and programs
• offers workshops on many subjects: cultural awareness, empowerment, goal-setting, money-management, assertiveness, anger management, and family and community relations.

Aboriginal Access Coordinator

Shirley Hardman, BA (Alberta), MEd (SFU)
604-702-2615; email Shirley.Hardman@ufv.ca

Aboriginal Resource Centre Coordinator

Sandy Tait, Academic diploma, Theatre Arts diploma (UCFV), Foundation Film Program certificate (Vancouver Film School)
604-795-2835; email Sandy.Tait@ufv.ca

Career Resource Centres

Located on the Abbotsford and Chilliwack campuses in the Student Services areas, the centres provide:

• career planning, job search, and labour market information
• information about UCFV programs
• calendars and information for post-secondary institutions and professional associations in British Columbia and across Canada. Some international information is available.

The Career Resource Centres also have internet access to search for career and education information.

* Online career resource information can be found at www.ufv.ca/stuserv/crc

Student Financial Aid Services

Student Financial Aid Services provides information and assistance in a supportive manner to UCFV students needing financial help. Despite careful budgeting, hard work, and planning, many students still have difficulty saving enough to complete their studies. Those needing help in financing their education are encouraged to contact Student Financial Aid Services for appropriate funding programs.

British Columbia Student Assistance Program (BCSAP)

BCSAP is a need-based program that is available to assist students with educational costs at the post-secondary level. BCSAP supplements funds available to students through work, savings/assets, and family resources/income.

Funds awarded through this program may be disbursed through a combination of Canada Student Loan, B.C. Student Loan, B.C. Grant, Canada Study Grant for Students with Dependents, and Canada Millennium Foundation Bursary.

Apply online at www.bcsap.bc.ca

Grants (non-repayable)

Provincial and/or federal grants may be available to students enrolled in part-time post-secondary studies (Canada Study Grant for High Need Part-time Students), or College and Career Prep, ESL, Adult Special Education studies (Adult Basic Education Assistance Program). Grant funding is for direct educational costs: tuition, books, supplies, and in some cases, transportation. Living costs are not funded.

Emergency assistance

In situations involving unforeseen financial interruption or emergency, some students may be able to receive emergency assistance. Contact Student Financial Aid Services for appropriate applications.

Bursaries and scholarships

There are many opportunities to apply for bursaries or scholarships through UCFV. The Student Financial Planning Handbook or website (www.ufv.ca/fineaid/) outlines these opportunities and is available to students at no cost through Student Financial Aid Services. Bursaries are based on financial need and will be posted when available, usually at the end of September and the end of January. Scholarships are based on academic standing and will be advertised in April of each year. Applications and deadlines are available at Student Financial Aid Services.

Coordinator

Violet Chappell, BSc (Alberta)

Staff

Carol Ambridge, Financial Aid assistant

Sandy Bishop, Financial Aid clerk

Lisa Leclair, Financial Aid Awards clerk

Janet Robinson, Financial Aid assistant

Contact numbers:

Student Events

The Student Events department is committed to building campus community through the enhancement of the intellectual, cultural, and social lives of the students who attend UCFV. Student Events seeks to promote the mental and physical well-being of UCFV students by offering responsive and diverse programming, events, campaigns, and promotions.

The Events department provides First-Year Experience and Orientation programs for students, support for Intramurals, Student Associations and clubs on campus, opportunities for fundraising, and access to speakers, entertainers, and information on a variety of issues and campaigns.Student Events also coordinates the Volunteer UCFV program, the Student Food Bank, and the Angel Tree program.

For information and event schedules go to: www.ufv.ca/stuserv/events/index.html

Manager

Michelle Demers, BA (SFU)

Staff

Dawn Braun, Assistant; BSc (TWU)

Phone 604-504-7441, local 4255 in Abbotsford,
or 604-792-0025, local 2509 in Chilliwack.

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