GLO: Introduction to Grad Studies

Presented by:Christopher Stephens – Student Life AssociateSarah Towle - Student Engagement CoordinatorCampus Life & Engagement November 30, 2020

Today’s PresentersCampus Life & Engagement (CL&E):

We are:v A proud member of Student Servicesv Here to help all new students

transition into life @ McGillv Always available to answer your

questions

firstyear@mcgill.cawww.mcgill.ca/firstyear

Christopher StephensStudent Life Associate

---MA Information Studies

Sarah TowleStudent Engagement & Support Associate

---MA Family Medicine and Biomedical

Ethics

Land AcknowledgementMcGill University is situated on the traditional territory of the Kanien’kehà:ka, a place which has long served as a site of meeting and exchange amongst nations. We recognize and respect the Kanien’kehà:ka as the traditional custodians of the lands and waters on which McGill University is situated.

Learn more @ First People’s House: www.mcgill.ca/fph

15th Annual McGill Pow Wow ©Joshua De Costa

Today’s TopicsvAcademic Policies & InformationvGraduate Resources & ServicesvHealth & WellnessvGraduate FinancesvGraduate Community

vTo give you practice using the Zoom platform

Academics

Arts Building

Course Load & Degree Time

Course Load *

Degree Time Limit *

• 4-5 courses (12-15 credits) per semester

• 45-48 credits total

• 3 years, full-time• 5 years, part-time

• Program Specific

• 7 years, or;• 6 years, if entering

directly from an MA

*Requirements vary by Faculty/Program (sometimes greatly). You will need to refer to your department and program for specific details. *International students must be enrolled in full-time studies

Masters Programs Ph.D. Programs

McGill Username(s), EmailYour McGill username:

firstname.lastname@mail.mcgill.cavCampus Wireless, VPN, Email, Minerva, myCourses, uPrint…

Your McGill Email address = your long username, accessible through Microsoft Office 365 app & web client

Minerva & myCoursesMinervav student recordsv course registrationv financial informationv Academic Integrity Tutorial

myCoursesv Syllabus & course readingsv assignments submissionv online quizzesv discussion boardsv It Takes All of Us

Mandatory TutorialsAcademic Integrity TutorialvMandatory – Complete by the end of your first termvAccessed through Minerva -> Student Menu

It Takes All of Usv Building a safer campusv Building an awareness of sexual violencev Accessed through myCoursesv Takes approximately 40 minutes to complete

Complete the Academic Integrity Tutorial and It Takes All of Us by the end of your

first semester

Gradlife Online OrientationGradLife Orientation (GLO) on MyCoursesvMessage from the Dean of Graduate and Postdoctoral StudiesvWelcome from your Graduate Orientation TeamvMaster Checklist:

vLists the important dates & deadlines

Course RegistrationCourse RegistrationAccessed through Minerva -> Student Menu -> Registration Menu

Registration DatesvDecember 1st – Registration opens at 9:00 AMvJanuary 4th – Register for at least one class by this date to avoid the late registration feevJanuary19th – add/drop deadline (late registration fee applies if you have not already

registered for at least one class).

Course RegistrationWinter TermvBegin by registering for the registration confirmation course REGN RCGR for Winter

2021 (CRN 265)vYou must register continuously for every term during your program, unless you request a

leave of absencevGraduate registration and information

Your Contacts: GPCs & GPDsGraduate Program Coordinator (GPC):Contact them regarding: vProgram requirements and regulationsvFellowshipsvRegistration

Graduate Program Director (GPD):Manages the graduate program as a whole. Contact them regarding:vMediating your relationship with your supervisor

Find your specific GPC and/or GPD here

Grad Regulationsv E-calendarvAccess the grad policies and regulations at McGill

v Dean of studentsvStudent rights and responsibilitiesvCode of conduct and disciplinary procedures vHandbook on Student Rights and Responsibilities

v Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies Contacts

Graduate SupervisionSupervision is for:v All Ph.D. Studentsv Masters Students in a thesis program

Being matched with a supervisor:v Often occurs during your application process…v…But the process and timing varies by program, so check your program’s website and contact

you Graduate Program Coordinator for specifics

Supervision – 1st MeetingAt your first meeting, discuss the expectations you have of one another. These expectations are then written down in a “Letter of Understanding.”

Common topics included are:v Frequency of supervisory meetingsv Feedback expectationsv Expectations of written workv Student fundingv Research responsibilitiesv Authorship policies

For more information, go to the GPS Supervision website

Supervision TipsSome tips for working well with your supervisor:v Clearly communicate your expectations

vDocument them on the “Letter of Understanding”v Understand and follow McGill’s supervision policiesv Learn how to “manage” your supervisorv For more check out Grad Supervision resources here

Graduate Supervision

Escalate if necessary

Addressing conflicts with your supervisor:

Hierarchy of Help

Attempt to understand the conflict

Is it Personal? Cultural?

Speak to your supervisorCould they be unaware?

Graduate Resources

Old Chancellor Day Building

GPSGraduate & Postdoctoral Studies (GPS)

Leadership for graduate teaching, supervision, and research for over 400 graduate programsv Funding opportunitiesv Thesis guidelines – preparation and submissionv Supervision regulations and best practicesv Individual development tools & resources

v Set personalized goals vTrack your progress

TLS & SKILLSETSTeaching & Learning Services (TLS) & SKILLSETS

v Learning remotely v Leading projectsv Improving communicationv Collaborating well with others v Managing your time v Developing business skillsv Teaching and being a TA

CaPSCareer and Planning Service (CaPS)

vMentoring programs vProfessional networkingvCareer prospects vInterview and CV advice vJob listings through myFuturevGraduate Advisor

GraphosGraphos

v Improve your scholarly communicationv Media-specific workshops v Tutorial service & writing groupsv More information here

OSDOffice for Students with Disabilities (OSD)

v Accessibility consultationsv Access technologiesv Note-taking supportv Peer support & writing groupsv Learning resources

ISSInternational Student Services (ISS)

vInternational student support & resourcesvBuddy ProgramvInformation on immigration, work permits…vPre-arrival webinars

LibraryMcGill Library

vAccess to Library CollectionsvPartnership with HathiTrust Digital LibraryvInterlibrary LoansvOnline Library Access vCriterion on Demand/KanopyvContact Your Liaison Librarian

Health & Wellness

Brown Student Services Building

Health InsuranceHealth Insurance

vCanadian Students: Post-Graduate Students’ Society Health & Dental Insurance (optional – students beginning in Winter 2021 will need to opt-in)

vInternational Students: McGill International Health Insurance (mandatory) & Post-Graduate Students’ Society dental insurance (optional)

vFor more tools from Post-Graduate Students’ Society click here.

Wellness HubWellness Hubv Appointments with Doctors and Nursesv Graduate Local Wellness Advisor: Devon Simpsonv PhD Support Groupv Virtual Wellness Programming

Additional OfficesvOffice for Sexual Violence Response, Support and Education (OSVRSE)

Key Student Run Services:vSexual Assault Centre of the McGill Students’ Society (SACOMSS)vQueer McGillvStudent Networks (offered through SSMU)vLegal Information Clinic at McGill (LICM)

Click here for more student-run services.

Athleticsv Recreation Facilities on the Downtown and Mac Campusesv Access to pool and courts through graduate feesv Ability to purchase memberships to classes, weight rooms, pods, etc. v Find them online at: https://mcgillathletics.ca/

Atthistime,AthleticsFacilitiesareclosed.

MORSLMcGill Office of Religious and Spiritual Life (MORSL)

v Meditation and yoga sessions onlinev Peer Faith advisorsv Resource for accessing spiritual-based events online

Finances

Macdonald Campus

Internal Graduate FundingInternal Funding

vDistributed by McGill as part of your funding packagevmay include assistantshipsvPersonalized

For more information, contact your department or Graduate Program Director

External Graduate FundingExternal Funding

vGrants/awards/fellowships administered by government bodies or other external agencies

vOptions for both Canadian and International studentsvApplication deadlines are generally in or around OctobervYou are responsible for applying for external funding (but your department can

help!)vFor more information, contact your department or GPS funding page

Scholarships & Student AidMcGill Scholarships & Student Aid Office

v Information and help with government aid documentationv Need-based financial support programsv Bursaries, emergency loansv Funding for specific groups/eventsv Work Study Programv Frugal Scholar Program

Graduate Community

Thomson House

Importance of ConnectionsSocial connections and engagement in the student community are linked to:

v Improved academic and career outcomesv Development of practical skillsv Higher self-esteem, confidence and sense of fulfillment v Higher degree completion ratev Greater professional socialization

Entering Class Facebook Groupv Over 1200 new grads are already members! v Building a McGill Graduate community v Meet new friends and future research collaboratorsv Access to information, social events, a special mapping project, and so much more! v Best tool to connect with other incoming McGill grads! Join here.

For other social media accounts to follow click here.

Involvement OpportunitiesMcGill offers a wide range of involvement opportunities, such as:

vStudent associations & clubsvPeer writing groupsvMentoring programs

vCL&E’s Student Life Ambassadors vISS’ International Student Buddies

vEngage McGillvACCE Team

vStudents Helping Students

Downtown Campus: PGSSPost-Graduate Students’ Society (PGSS)

v Represents all of McGill’s graduate studentsv Lots of eventsv Numerous servicesv Committeesv Thomson Housev Also find PGSS on Facebook

Mac Campus: MCGSSMac Campus Graduate Students’ Society

vRepresents graduate students at Mac CampusvServices and events for Mac students in addition to those offered by PGSSvAlso find MCGSS on Facebook

PGSAsPost Graduate Student Associations (PGSAs)

vDepartment-level student associationsvRepresent their students with both the department and PGSSvSocial and academic events, mentoring programs, and more…

Diversity & InclusionMaking Connections

vFirst Peoples’ HousevLGBTQ+ Resources vFrancophone studentsvSocieties for Racialized Populationsv1st Up: First Generation Student Support

Information relating to diverse student populations available at: https://www.mcgill.ca/firstyear/graduate-postdoctoral/mcgill-essentials/diversity-inclusion

Wrapping Up

Redpath Museum

Grad OrientationOrientation takes place in January and is encouraged for all Graduate students!

More details will be coming in December! For now, sign up for more upcoming Pre-Arrival Webinars, check the PGSS Events Page and join the Grad Entering Class Facebook page!

Where to Get Advice & AnswersThere are a lot of avenues for getting answers to the questions you may have. Here are some we suggest:

v Your Graduate Program Coordinatorv For questions about program-specific details. Contact list here.

v Student Life Ambassadorsv Sign-up to be matched with a returning student in your program who can help answer your questions

v International Student Buddiesv Sign-up to be matched with a fellow international student

v Graduate Entering Class Facebook Groupv A great place to communicate with other incoming students and post your questions. Monitored by McGill staff, who can answer your

questions. Join here. v Campus Life & Engagement

v Feel free to contact us at any time!

“Know Your (Student and Legal) Rights” Dec 2

“Fostering Inclusive Spaces” Dec 9

“Pathways and Plans” Dec 14

Make sure to check out our upcoming webinars:

THANK YOU!

We are here to answer your questions!

Q&A