Friday Message January 8, 2021

Happy New Year Students!

I hope you all took time to refresh, find joy, and treasure what is important to you over the holiday break.

Despite the challenges of learning during a pandemic, you have done well. Reviewing the grades and completion rates, I can see that you were committed, self-disciplined, and adaptable in your learning. Were there tough spots? Absolutely! Did we all learn more about what works well and what doesn’t so much? Yes we did. Were there times you couldn’t drag yourself out of bed or motivate yourself to work on your assignments? I am sure.

But you prevailed and succeeded! Even when you didn’t get the grade you wanted, or you failed an assignment, you learned valuable lessons about what doesn’t work and what you need to change.

From the evidence, I believe you are learning study skills, more disciplined habits of mind, and strategies of resilience. And what a gift that is – not just for your academic studies, but for life.

So here we all go. COVID is still here and we need to be safe. The vaccine is rolling out. And we have more opportunities for learning. This time, though, we have a term behind us and we have gathered to support and encourage each other, share our tips for success, and make ways to build community.

I will keep sending a Friday message with updates, important dates, and information. Keep sending suggestions, funny and inspiring images, and questions.

Together, let’s make this our term to THRIVE.

Transit Tickets for Sale on Campus

As you know, for fall 2020 and winter 2021, we are not charging you the UPASS, Athletics and Wellness, and Students’ Association fees, for a total of $600 for full-load students. However, some of you voiced that you would appreciate access to transit tickets. So, we worked quickly with the City of Calgary this week and have secured students discount tickets. Starting Monday, books of transit tickets will be available for sale at the StMU Bookstore, M-F, 9am-3pm.

Campus Services

Library
According to the current AHS COVID regulations, the Library must remain closed for customer service. You can get curbside pick-up of library materials, though. See the StMU Library website for details.

Bookstore
Open for in-person shopping M-F, 9am-3pm and curbside pick-up. Check out the StMU Bookstore on the web for details.

Study Spaces
Study spaces are available for students with adjacent in-person and remote classes. Plenty available:

• C104 – 10 seats
• C106 – 10 seats
• C107 – 10 study carrels
• C111 – 11 study carrels
• C116 – 20 seats
• C125 – 10 seats

Important Dates

Add-Drop Jan. 18
Tuition due Jan. 20
Spring/Summer Timetable release Jan. 22

Student Town Hall

75 students attended the term’s first Student Town Hall on Wednesday night. Student Council Executive and members of the Education Student Association presented their plans for events, students support, and answered student questions. The University provided updates on COVID protocols, program planning, and answered questions.

And there were draws for free swag!!

What a lively discussion!! It was fantastic to see so many of you on-line and to feel your excitement for the new term.

Monthly Town Halls will continue throughout the term, the first Monday of every month from 7-8pm via Teams. Invitations will be sent to all StMU student emails. Join us to hear the latest news, hang out with your peers, and share your interests and concerns with the student leaders.

The first event planned by your SLC provides information and support for student mental wellness.

StMU SLC Presents: An Information Evening on Mental Health with Jessi Beyer

Join us on Friday, January 15th from 7-8pm for a virtual mental health presentation and Q&A with Jessi Beyer, an award-nominated speaker, mental health advocate, and #1 best-selling author. The event will focus on those struggling with their mental health, as well as provide information to support those who are struggling. There will also be a giveaway during the event that you do not want to miss!

This is a free event, and more information will be sent out to students and faculty very soon, so look out for an Eventbrite invitation which will provide you with a link to the event once you have RSVPed. If you have any questions or concerns in the meantime, feel free to reach out to the SLC’s VP Events, Julianna Driscoll (julianna.driscoll@stmu.ca), or the SLC’s social media pages: Instagram (@stmuslc) or Facebook (St. Mary’s University Student Association SLC).

Study Abroad During a Pandemic? Exchange Students Online

For those students who are looking to take part in the “semester abroad/international exchange” opportunity, check your email for a message from Dr. Pablo Ortiz, Director of Student Affairs. This opportunity will allow students to take one or more courses as “exchange students online” enrolled at universities in Peru, Uruguay and Mexico, all this through our partnership with Universidad Panamericana in Mexico. My suggestion, as this is a pilot project, is that you select only one course to take as part of this program along with your other St. Mary’s courses (e.g. 4 courses at StMU and 1 course international exchange course). The “exchange” course credits will transfer to your StMU transcript upon completion. You will need to make your selection right away as the Registrar need to approve the course you will be selecting at the universities abroad.

Calgary CARES – Internship and Volunteer Opportunity

6cr Internship this winter

Interested in volunteering? Please follow the link to the Volunteer Interest Form: https://forms.gle/4yqxNJ3ocYQPquKo7

Student Internship for more information contact: Pablo.Ortiz@stmu.ca

Class Start Monday Jan. 11, 2021

As you know, we delayed the start of winter term until Monday so that you could have more time to gather yourself between terms, in the midst of what has definitely been an unusual and challenging year.

There have been some changes to the in-person class schedule. The following are the classes that will be held in person or partly in-person and partly remote.

The COVID Taskforce, Facilities, Security, and Maintenance, continue to monitor and adhere to all AHS COVID protocols and to ensure a safe place to study and work. There have been zero cases of on-campus transmission and we aim to keep it that way. We care deeply about your safety and the safety of your family and friends.

We will be enforcing the regulations to ensure that it remains safe to take classes and labs on campus.

Albertans are legally required to:

• isolate for 10 days if you tested positive or have any core symptoms that are not related to a pre-existing illness or health condition
• quarantine for 14 days if you are a close contact of someone with COVID-19, or if you travelled outside Canada
• If you have symptoms, take the online assessment to arrange testing

Picture: Reddit Corona Protection
Stay safe. Wear your mask. Stay away from people not in your household. And make a solid start to your term!

Until next Friday

Tara Hyland-Russell
Vice-President Academic