Orientation Winter 2022.png)
Welcome! On this page you will find information related to grad orientation at Queen’s. As we are still uncertain how many of you can get to Kingston or indeed Canada right now, the School of Graduate Studies programming (in conjunction with campus partners), will be virtual. We want to get information to you early, so you can start your graduate journey and have a smooth transition to the new academic year! Please speak to your program graduate assistant for details on program specific orientations,
UPDATE: Winter 2022 Virtual Welcome & Orientation Information Session will be held on January 6th 9:30 AM (ET).
Please register for the event at: https://queensu.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_d5c3fCLsS2fFwDY
The Zoom Link will be sent to all those who compete the registration closer event date.
International Students
Queen's University International Centre (QUIC) will be hosting webinars, live sessions with advisors and videos to help you arrive in Canada. These start in November 2021. Go to the QUIC website to keep in the loop.
Principles, Policies and/or Protocols You Need To Be Aware Of
It is really important that each member of the Queen's community understands various policies and procedures. This is a list of those most pertinent to you as a grad student (although not exhaustive).
Principles, Policies and/or Protocols - Personal & Academic
| Policy Name | Description | Link to Full Policy |
|---|---|---|
|
Student code of Conduct |
Queen’s University has a Student Code of Conduct to describe the standard of behaviour to which its students will be held. | Full Policy |
| Harassment & Discrimination | Queen's University recognizes that all members of the University Community have the right to be free from harassment and discrimination. This includes sexual harassment, harassment based on gender, race, ethnicity, religion, creed and sexual orientation or analogous grounds | Full Policy |
| Sexual Violence Prevention and Response | Queen's University is committed to maintaining a positive learning, living and working environment in which Sexual Violence will not be tolerated. This Policy reflects the University's commitment to addressing Sexual Violence |
and |
| Principles of Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Indigeneity (EDII) |
A statement from Dr. Fahim Quadir, Vice-Provost and Dean of Graduate Studies As we approach the 2021-22 academic year and reflect on the social, cultural, and political divisions and public health crisis that have marked our world and brought into sharp focus the imperfections of our global community, I would like to emphasize the School of Graduate Studies’ commitment to equity, diversity, inclusion, and Indigenization. As an equalizer, Queen’s university is making a concerted effort to create a just, equitable, and sustainable society. Our goal is to rely on the transformative power of liberal graduate education, such as that which you will receive at Queen’s, to foster a deep sense of belonging to a common humanity, where everyone is treated as equal in human rights and dignity. |
and |
| Academic Accommodations for Students with a Disability | University administration, faculty, staff and other students are expected to support, to the point of undue hardship, all reasonable individualized and appropriate accommodation plans that preserve the program’s academic standards and adhere to the principles of academic integrity. |
and |
| Short Term Academic Considerations | This protocol is developed in response to the Queen’s Senate Policy on Academic Consideration for Students in Extenuating Circumstances (approved April 2017) and is intended to outline the general procedure for graduate students to request short term academic consideration when/if required. |
and |
| Academic Integrity | Academic Integrity is a commitment to behave in accordance with the fundamental values of honesty, trust, fairness, respect, responsibility along with the courage to act on these values in all academic circumstances. | |
| Research Integrity | Research Integrity represents a commitment to strive honestly, openly and fairly for the best research practices and to report suspected instances of misconduct. Research integrity as a concept applies to all university research – the research integrity policies apply to all research except course based research which is covered by the relevant academic integrity policy. | Definition & Resources |
| Research Ethics | Research Ethics concerns the principles and practices that balance the protection of research participants with the legitimate goals of the research enterprise. |
and |
| Indigenous Research Ethics | Building ethical relationships and research partnerships with Indigenous communities takes time. Researchers who wish to engage in research with Indigenous peoples are encouraged to learn about the research priorities of specific communities, and design research collaboratively from the start rather than invite the community members to participate in a project that has already been shaped. |
and CORE Module 9: Research Involving First Nations, Inuit & Metis Peoples of Canada |
| Intellectual Property | Intellectual property is defined as any result of intellectual or artistic activity that can be owned by a person. Specifically, this includes inventions, publications, computer software, works of art, industrial and artistic designs, as well as other creations that can be protected under patent, copyright, or trademark laws. | Full Policy |
| Graduate Supervision | Guide to Graduate Supervision Handbook. Guidelines to foster productive working relationships between supervisors and graduate students. | Handbook & Resources |
| Maternity Leave | Graduate students who wish to take a maternity and/or parental leave from their program of study may register as inactive without prejudice to their academic standing | Guidelines |
Self Help Guides and Checklists
Transitioning to a new school, degree or program has its challenges! Use these Self-Help Guides and Checklists to ensure you don't forget an important step to starting.
Self Help Guides - How To... & Did You Know... Series
A complete handbook from the 2021 Welcome and Resource Fair held September 2nd, 2021 is available to review and learn about the various resources available at Queen's and the Kingston community. This virtual event comprised of virtual booths in 4 categories: Academic Support, Student Support, Volunteer and Employment Opportunities, and City of Kingston Resources. The handbook is broken up into 4 sections respectively with the booths for each category.
Please note that information may have changed since the event was held in September and to visit the website for each booth for the most up-to-date information.
Self Serve Modules
At a time and pace of your choosing, these modules are for you to be aware of your responsibilities as a graduate student and a member of the Queen’s community. Each module takes between 30-45 mins to complete. It is strongly recommended that you complete these modules prior to arriving or at the latest by the end of your first term.
Self Serve Modules - Human Rights & Equity, Academic and Wellness
| Topics & Links | Description of Modules | Host |
|---|---|---|
| Academic Integrity | Understanding What is Academic Integrity | SASS |
| This course will help you understand the foundations of basic anti-oppression, diversity and inclusion concepts. | HREO | |
|
Call it Out (30 mins) |
The course provides a historical overview of racism and racial discrimination, explains what "race," "racism" and "racial discrimination" mean, and offers approaches to combatting racial discrimination. | HREO |
| Human Rights 101 (30 mins) | This course provides a basic understanding of rights and responsibilities under the Ontario Human Rights Code. | HREO |
| It Takes All of Us (45 mins) | This program was developed by KnowledgeOne and the Queen’s Sexual Violence and Prevention Response Office. Completing this program demonstrates a commitment to creating a safe and inclusive living and learning environment for everyone at Queen’s University. | HREO |
| Achieving Safety and Respect in the Workplace (30 mins) | This course was designed by the Human Rights and Equity Office to serve as a primer for staff and faculty on the Human Rights and Occupational Health & Safety obligations at Queen’s University. | HREO |
| Your Health & Wellness | In this module, students will be introduced to the importance of health and wellness and the various non-academic supports (eg Student Wellness Services, Health Promotion, Athletics & Recreation, Faith and Spiritual Life) | Currently in development by the Student Affairs, Student Experience Office |
| Navigating SOLUS | Tutorial videos and step by step instructions will teach you how to navigate SOLUS including managing your finances and academics. | DSA, SEO, OUR |
|
Your Queen's Community (coming soon) |
This module was designed by Student Experience Office & QUIC with modifications by the School of Graduate Studies to fit the graduate student community. You will learn to:
|
SEO, QUIC, SGS |
See the Human Rights & Equity Office website for a full listing of all HREO Educational courses
Informational Videos
This video series looks at preparations as well as providing insight into creating your grad community so that you enjoy your grad experience.
Videos - Funding, Wellness and Setting Yourself Up for Success
| Topics & Links | Description of video | Host |
|---|---|---|
| Funding | Thanks goes to the SGPS for the production of these funding videos. | |
|
Linda Schmalz from the Registrar' Office at Queen's University explains how graduate students can pay their fees. She unpacks how to navigate Solus, how to understand your fee statement and how to pay your fees using options such as the preauthorized payment plan (PPL), paying online, and submitting sponsorship letters. |
SGPS | |
|
Colette Steer (School of Graduate Studies) explains what a funding package is, who gets them and how they are disbursed. She also notes some options for complementary funding. |
SGPS | |
|
Sandra McFadden discusses the Financial Aid Programs available through the Student Awards Office at Queen's University. She gives information on student assistant resources, the Queen's General Bursary, and the Queen's Work Study Program |
SGPS | |
|
Learn what Mitacs is and how students can benefit from and apply for one of their three main funding programs: Accelerate, Elevate and Globallink |
SGPS | |
| Student Wellness | This grouping currently in development | |
| Access to Healthy Food | Jessica Bertrand and Kim Gascoigne (Hospitality Services) talk about meal plans, food locations and food resources on campus as well as how to navigate food safely on campus as well as resources for those with special dietary needs. |
Hospitality Services |
| Keeping Fit & Social Time | How to maximise your access to the ARC and programming | Athletics & Recreation |
| Creating your Graduate Community | It is said that graduate studies can be lonely, but there are ways to create your grad community and help bring others along | SGS |
| Helping You & Your Graduate Journey | This grouping currently in development | |
| Queen's is full of acronyms. Use this video to get acquainted with just a few of them! | SGS | |
| What is the SGS Professional Development Framework | How to make the most of professional development opportunities available to you from the SGS and partners. | SGS |
| Your Individual Development Plan (IDP) | What is it and how can it benefit you? |
SGS |
| How QUIC can help you! | A suite of videos from QUIC for international students specifically are being developed now. Topics to be included such as - Getting to know QUIC services, Banking in Canada, Housing, Writing supports, Health Insurance, Career supports, Student Academic Success Services, English as an Additional Language Writing Support. |
QUIC
|
| Your Student Government - The SGPS | The Society of Graduate & Professional Students (SGPS) is your student Government. Meet the Team and hear what they can do for you and how to get involved | SGPS |