STUDENT LIFE AT UBC
Grad Life in the Department of English
Student Groups
The English Graduate Caucus is the department’s student governing body. The Caucus was created to provide a unified student voice within the English department and to plan and implement activities to enhance grad student collegiality. All English grads are automatically voting members of the Caucus and are strongly encouraged to attend Caucus meetings, to propose new Caucus ventures, and to vote on the proposals of others. Every September the Caucus holds an election for Caucus positions and for a number of student representative positions on English department committees, including the Graduate, Appointments (which hires new faculty), Policy and Planning, and Curriculum Development Committees. We strongly encourage all English graduate students to get involved and to run for these positions. Look for details as they appear on the English Graduate Caucus webpage (http://www.english.ubc.ca/PROJECTS/grcaucus/) and on the student listserv .
In addition to the English Graduate Caucus, there are a number of student groups within the English department such as NISSC (Nineteenth-Century Interdisciplinary Studies Students’ Collective) and the English Graduate Study Group (for those working on exams, qualifying papers and theses).
Get Connected
Student and faculty websites and email notifications are important resources for keeping informed about what is going on at UBC and in the English department. Make sure that you have access to the following services. If you encounter any problems getting yourself set up with these services, feel free to contact the Graduate Secretary (English.Graduate.Program[at]ubc.ca), or the Graduate Student Caucus (gradcaucus[at]gmail.com).
1) Your "interchange.ubc.ca" email account and your Campus Wide Login (CWL)
All UBC students are provided with a free email account. You can set your account up at: http:my.ubc.ca. On this page you will also find instructions for setting up your Campus Wide Login (CWL) which is required to access a variety of UBC web services, including access to the free wireless network.
2) The Graduate Secretary’s broadcast list:
engl-graddept[at]interchange.ubc.ca
The department has a broadcast list for English grad students to keep you informed about department activities, program information, the academic community, conferences, job postings, and much more. All English grad students are automatically added to this list. If you do not receive messages from this list, or if you would like to change the email address that these messages are sent to, contact the graduate secretary.
3) Graduate Student Listserv: english-grads[at]interchange.ubc.ca
In addition to the department broadcast list, there is a student listserv which allows English grad students to post messages to each other. This listserv is also the place where many student-run activities (colloquia, meetings, social events) are advertised so be sure to get signed up. To subscribe to this listserv, send an email:
To: majordomo@interchange.ubc.ca Subject: [leave blank] Body of message: subscribe english-grads |
4) Websites
Watch for announcements on the English department webpage http://www.english.ubc.ca and the English Graduate Caucus webpage http://www.english.ubc.ca/PROJECTS/grcaucus/.
Work Space and Resources
The English department has a number of amenities for grad students. On the sixth floor of Buchanan Tower there is a grad computer lab which is always available for use (you can get the access code from the Graduate Secretary), a student lounge equipped with a microwave and fridge, and the grad Reading Room featuring a substantial collection of books and periodicals and a quiet reading space. Each graduate student will be given a mail folder in the department office, and can request a copy account number for the department’s copy machines. Teaching assistants are provided with office space, a mailbox in the English office, and a photocopy quota. If you have questions about these resources, or your access to them, contact the Graduate Secretary or a member of the English Graduate Caucus (gradcaucus[at]gmail.com).
Reading Room
The English Department Reading Room is on the sixth floor of the Buchanan Tower. In the Winter session it is open from 8:30 AM-4:30p.m., Monday to Friday and in the Summer session from 10:00 AM-4:00 PM. However, these hours are flexible and are often extended to accommodate students' needs. The Reading Room has a small but excellent library that is augmented each year with a book-purchasing program that is determined by the Graduate students. The library consists of approximately 15,000 volumes, including a selection of reference works, an extensive collection of primary and secondary texts, and a number of periodicals and journals. The Reading Room is a pleasant and communal space. It faces south-west towards the Fraser River and includes a beautiful view of the West-Campus, the ocean and Vancouver Island. It provides a warm and quiet environment for reading and study.
Mentorship Program
A number of faculty members serve as mentors for grad students (both incoming and continuing students). Mentors are not intended to supplant either the Graduate Committee or MA and PhD advisors, who oversee students’ progress in their programs, or supervisors of qualifying committees or supervisory committees. Rather, they are available for informal consultation and advice. More specific information about the mentoring program will be distributed in September.
Block of Time
In the 2005 – 2006 department timetable, there are two hours in which no graduate seminars have been scheduled:
Term 1 - Wednesdays 3 – 5p.m.
Term 2 – Fridays 3 – 5p.m.
This block of time has been set aside for scheduling the departmental events which support graduate students in their studies and foster collegial exchange.
In this two-hour slot the Graduate Committee and the Graduate Caucus will schedule:
- Graduate Committee Meetings
- Welcome & information sessions for new students
- Caucus meetings
- Professional development seminars
In addition, the Graduate Program will also schedule sessions designed to develop discussion of research and teaching. Accordingly, in each term, four sessions will be scheduled for the presentation of research.
Twice during their studies, PhD students who have advanced to candidacy will present—briefly and informally—their current research.
Sessions will provide ample time for questions and discussion.
Two workshops will be scheduled in each term for exploration of teaching issues—practices and philosophies—especially as they relate to the role of TAs.
All graduate students attend all research and teaching sessions.
Graduate Student Development Seminars
Each year, the Graduate Committee organizes a series of professional and academic development seminars. Recent topics have included the preparation of fellowship applications, how to get a tenure track job, getting published, and working outside the academy.
The Graduate Committee meets regularly between September and April. The members of the Graduate Committee coordinate admissions and awards, and approve Directed Reading proposals, as well as PhD and MA thesis prospectuses, and Qualifying Topics and bibliographies.
With three student members elected by the Graduate Caucus, the Graduate Committee also plans each year’s seminar offerings, and coordinates offerings such as grant writing workshops, orientation, and TA workshops. Student members bring to the Committee the advice of the Graduate Caucus.
Dossier Service
The Department of English provides a dossier service for students seeking employment. Students are responsible for the contents of their dossier and for updating the file yearly. The Graduate Office also offers advice on the preparation of dossiers. Students should give the Graduate Office a minimum of two weeks notice when requesting dossier materials be sent out. Current fees for this services are $5.00 for each dossier under 20 pages. Each page over 20 pages will be charged at a rate of 10¢ per page, with additional mailing charges based on the weight of the package. Fees are payable to UBC and are to be submitted to the Graduate Office. There is no fee for this service for currently registered students in good standing.
Grad Life in the UBC Community
The Graduate Student Society (GSS) is active on behalf of all grad students at UBC. Monthly meetings on GSS business are held on the third Thursday of every month. The GSS runs numerous events and publications including:
- The Graduate – a monthly newspaper.
- Gradnooners (academic and professional development seminars often with free pizza), summer soccer and softball leagues, monthly art series, Friday barbeques, and intramural sports.
- Handbook for Graduate Students – published and distributed in September, the Handbook and Calendar are invaluable resources for orientating and informing students about grad studies, activities, and resources on campus and in the city (including housing and transportation).
- http://www.gss.ubc.ca – visit the GSS website for a full description of all resources and current events.
- Socialize - The GSS operates the Graduate Student Centre, found at Thea Koerner House http://www.gss.ubc.ca/thea/ , which houses Koerner’s Pub, Thea’s Lounge, and the Penthouse, among other rooms, for grad student events.
- Get Connected -: The GSS broadcasts a weekly newsletter called the GSS Notes that publicizes both GSS and non-GSS events. To subscribe, go to the "Newsletter" section of the GSS website http://www.gss.ubc.ca/ and follow the instructions.
Intramural Sports
There are many opportunities to get involved in intramural sports teams at UBC. For a list of activities checkout the Legacy Games website (http://www.legacygames.ubc.ca).
Getting to Know Vancouver
Living in Vancouver
Living costs in Vancouver are high. All students, including those with fellowships and teaching assistantships, should ensure that they have sufficient supplemental funds to see them through their studies. The current estimate (2004-2005) of annual fees and maintenance expenses is approximately $22,000-$25,000 Canadian funds. http://www.tourismvancouver.com/docs/visit/index.html
Nature:
Pacific Spirit Park is the 736-hectare, mature coastal rainforest, that surrounds the UBC campus. The park contains over 35 km of trails for hiking, biking, and walking. A short drive from campus you will find the north shore mountains which provide opportunities for hiking, skiing, snow-shoeing, and world famous "north shore" mountain biking.
Stanley Park In 1886 Vancouver's first City Council made a momentous decision by petitioning the Federal Government to lease 400 hectares (1,000 acres) of a largely logged peninsula for park and recreation purposes. The system now includes over 192 parks (1278.41 hectares) but its heart remains in the cool, lush, evergreen oasis of Stanley Park named for Lord Stanley, Governor General of Canada in 1888 when the park was officially opened.
Beaches: http://www.bcpassport.com/map/map.html Spanish Banks, Locarno, Jericho, and the clothing-optional Wreck Beach are all within walking distance of campus. Enthusiasts can enjoy walking or running along the beach, swimming, beach volleyball, windsurfing, paddling, sailing, and kayaking. You can access the scenic Vancouver Seaside Bicycle Trail from Spanish Banks beach. The trail winds through False Creek and around Stanley Park.
Gardens: http://www.bcpassport.com/map/map.html
Downtown & Shopping Areas: http://www.bcpassport.com/map/map.html
Mountains: Cypress http://www.cypressmountain.com/index_new.html , Grouse http://www.grousemountain.com/ and Seymour http://www.mountseymour.com/ mountains are all close to campus and available for night skiing. Whistler http://www.mywhistler.com/ and Blackcomb http://www.whistlerblackcomb.com/ mountains, about a 2 hour drive north of Vancouver, are open for day skiing. The Alma Mater Society (the undergraduate student society) operates the UBC Lodge at Whistler and a shuttle bus for students. For more details consult their website ( http://www.ams.ubc.ca).
Arts and Entertainment: Vancouver is a city full of nightlife http://www.vancouver-nightlife.com/, theatre http://communicopia.net/app/services/calendar1/index.cfm?library=theatre or http://www.city.vancouver.bc.ca/theatres/frame_menu.html , dance http://www.bcpassport.com/indoor/dance.html , music , galleries http://www.vancouver.worldweb.com/Galleries/ , and many great restaurants http://www.vancouverrestaurantguide.net/ . The weekly listings in The Georgia Straight, a free newspaper contain the most comprehensive inventory of events around the city. Also review the events calendar on line at: http://www.discovervancouver.com/eventcalendar.asp