Wednesday

House passes $9B aid package after emergency student benefit boosted | CTV News

House passes $9B aid package after emergency student benefit boosted | CTV News: As it had been proposed initially on April 22, eligible postsecondary students and recent graduates who have seen their education and job prospects hampered by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic will receive $1,250 a month from May to August. For those who have a disability, or are taking care of someone else, that amount increases to $1,750 monthly.

Friday

U of T launches COVID-19 Emergency Student Bursary Fund

U of T launches COVID-19 Emergency Student Bursary Fund -

University of Toronto has launched the COVID-19 Emergency Student Bursary Fund. Open to graduate and undergraduate students from all three campuses, this emergency relief will provide support for students with urgent needs, supporting requirements for food, shelter, emergency travel, and internet access in order to complete their coursework.

 Since mid-March, U of T has distributed more than $1.2 million in emergency funding to more than 1,000 students. Leaders, faculty, and staff at every faculty, college, school, department, and campus have stepped up to ensure students get the help they need—whether that be the logistics of adjusting to online studies, support for health and well-being, or the urgent financial pressures many face. While measures to bring the pandemic under control remain in place, the need among our students will continue to grow. Many have seen their summer jobs put on hold, and others have unexpected costs as their families experience economic hardship. These young U of T students—who have such promise and potential—need your support.

Please consider giving to the COVID-19 Emergency Student Bursary Fund today to ensure our students have the support they need to continue their studies through these uncertain times.



[This is the announcement asking for donations.  It does not contain information on how to apply]

Thursday

Portal for COVID resources UofT, Undergrad & Grad

https://www.viceprovoststudents.utoronto.ca/covid-19/

Check the University of Toronto’s coronavirus updates and frequently asked questions (FAQs) for updates relevant to the whole U of T community.
This page contains information for U of T students regarding the University’s responses and actions related to the coronavirus (COVID-19). Please continue to check your U of T email, since you may be receiving emails directly from your divisions, residences, and Deans of Students.
Graduate Students, please also visit the School of Graduate Studies webpage for specific updates.

Emergency Undergrad Grant - March - April

Emergency Undergraduate Grant Application (2020 March – April)

The Emergency Undergraduate Grant is intended to assist current U of T undergraduate domestic and international students impacted by COVID-19 and who need immediate short-term financial relief because of unexpected expenses. This grant is open to both part-time and full-time students.
Each request for emergency aid is considered on its own merits and based on need associated with an educational program and unexpected critical costs for March and April incurred by students as a direct result of COVID-19.  Expenses that may be considered include living costs, travel home, moving costs, and other extraordinary and reasonable needs.
The grant is not able to cover expenses that are unrelated to COVID-19 and existing debt obligations or non-essential expenses. Examples of ineligible expenses are outstanding tuition fees to U of T; request for summer tuition fees for courses taken elsewhere; support for partner or family expenses; expenses for MCAT preparatory course; mortgage or maintenance fees for secondary residence and other discretionary expenses (e.g., missed car payment, gym membership).

Submit grant application by email 

  • Complete all sections of the Emergency Undergraduate Grant Application
  • Submit the completed form through your Faculty/ Division/ College Registrar’s Office with the Subject Line “2020 Winter Emergency Undergraduate Grant Application”. Use your U of T email address to submit the form. Do not use non U of T email accounts (such as Hotmail/Gmail etc)
  • Your Faculty/ Division/ College will review the application and will forward the completed form with their recommendation to Enrolment Services.

Resources for COVID lockdown

Many of us are still completing online exams and submitting papers, checkout the attached tips from Academic Success. Also see below information for a grant for a Grad Research Fellowship, a paid Wellness Internship and engaging online sessions to take a break, centre yourself and reduce anxiety.  

Take Home and Online Exam Tips
Graduate Research Fellowship - deadline: Thurs April 30
Wellness Events and Assessment Paid Internship - deadline Sun April 26
5 Ways to Wellbeing
Gratitude reduces stress?!   Improves one’s sleep?!
Workout Circuit – Stay fit in your own room
Mindfulness Meditation Sessions
Student Info & Support re Covid 19

Take Home & Online Exams Tips– Academic Success
Review the attachment from Academic Success for tips about take home and online exams.

Research Fellowship  -  $4,000    Deadline: Thursday April 30
The Multi-Faith Centre is accepting applications from University of Toronto graduate students for a $4,000 research fellowship that will be awarded for the 2020-2021 academic year. DEADLINE: April 30, 2020
The Research Fellow will contribute to scholarship at the Multi-Faith
 Centre by advancing research on the role of religion and spirituality
 in student or young adult development within the broader framework of how religion and spirituality are understood in society. 

For complete details and application process please go to: https://www.facebook.com/events/834851767018612/

Wellness Events and Assessment Paid Internship - 2020-2021 academic year - Deadline: Sun April 26
This position requires an outgoing individual who enjoys event planning, building community and improving programming through thoughtful assessment.  The position is 10 hours per week and involves assisting with registration, communication, room booking, scheduling, greeting and connecting with students.  Candidates should have a sound knowledge of different approaches to well-being. Please apply at: https://cln.utoronto.ca/home.htm  CLN job #163281

5 Ways to Wellbeing
12 noon 1:15 pm April 22nd, online
Explore five simple, evidence-based actions to promote positive mental health and wellbeing while practicing physical distancing and managing new stressors related to COVID-19. This interactive session introduces a cluster of activities that promote resiliency and reduce stress.
Sponsored by U of T Health Promotions

Gratitude reduces stress?!   Improves one’s sleep?!
2 – 3:30 pm Wed, Apr 22, online
This interactive online workshop will focus on some practices that help students to channel their gratitude during challenging times and reduce stress.

Over the past decade, psychology researchers have noted the great social, psychological, and physical health benefits that come from giving thanks. The simple act of writing down the things for which we are grateful has been shown to provide benefits including better sleep, fewer symptoms of illness, increased happiness and reduced anxiety. No expertise required.

The initial interactive online workshop will be led by poet and registered psychotherapist Ronna Bloom. In the weeks that follow participants can regroup online to share highlights from their gratitude journals and encourage and support each other in their writing and in their efforts to cope and thrive during these challenging times.
Sponsored by Hart House and the U of T Multi-Faith Centre

Workout Circuit!  Stay fit in your own room!
11 am – 12 noon, Tues April 21
Stay fit & stay healthy. All fitness levels welcome! Sponsored by Hillel, the Jewish student association.
Join on Zoom Here: https://hillel.zoom.us/j/3341502230  All welcome!
  
Mindfulness Meditation Sessions
Mindful Moments with Liam O'Leary 
12:10 pm - 1 pm, Monday April 20
Gather online to practice mindfulness meditation, suitable for beginners and long-term practitioners.  
Liam is the Graduate Programming Coordinator for the School of Graduate Studies.  He is a certified coach, a graduate of the MEd program in Adult Education at OISE.  Liam takes a solution-focused approach to supporting individuals in their personal, academic and professional growth. 

Wake Up Toronto
7-8:30pm Monday April 13
Wake Up Toronto facilitators have studied and trained with Nobel Peace Prize nominee and Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh in the tradition of Engaged Mindfulness. This session explores how mindfulness can be applied to daily life.
OISE Mindful Moments with Rosa Mina Munjee
12:10 – 1 pm, Thurs April 16
Practice secular mindful meditation to reduce anxiety and increase concentration. Suitable for beginnings and long-time practitioners.


For information and questions regarding student support re Covid 19 please go to:

Wednesday

SUMMER COURSES 2020

Yes, however to help limit the spread of COVID-19, courses that start in May (F and Y summer courses) will be delivered remotely. If you've registered for a course that can't be accommodated online, you'll be contacted directly. A decision about the delivery mode for S courses will be made by June 13. In order to make that easier, we have created a central directory where you can find information on the summer session classes from all Faculties and divisions
here is the list for summer courses by faculty, as of March 31

EMERGENCY FOOD BOXES

EMERGENCY FOOD BOXES ARE STILL AVAILABLE!
UTERN is continuing to facilitate the distribution of fresh, locally grown produce to students facing food insecurity in light of the COVID-19 pandemic.
If you are struggling to access or afford fresh and nutritious food, please complete the below google form by Friday at 12:00pm for a produce delivery the following week.
Because this project is made possible by our student levy, produce boxes are only available to UofT students and are limited to one box per person. Please apply ASAP.

Peace, Richard
Richard Chambers, M.Div., M.Th.
Director, Multi-Faith Centre for Spiritual Study and Practice, University of Toronto