Graduate Studies: Incoming Students

 

The following information has been assembled to assist you with settling into the university and the department. Please let us know if there is anything further we can do to help make your adjustment easier.

Study Permits

All new employees who are neither (1) a permanent resident of Canada, nor (2) a Canadian citizen, are required to provide a valid study permit upon their arrival to UWO. No UWO paperwork can be completed until a copy of this document has been submitted to the Departmental Administrator. This document is instrumental in activating your employee identification number. The document is forwarded by the Departmental Administrator to the School of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies and the Office of Employee Relations.

Social Insurance Number

All new employees who are neither (1) a permanent resident of Canada, nor (2) a Canadian citizen, must apply for a Social Insurance Number. You are required to apply for this document in person. Service Canada is located at 457 Richmond Street, P.O. Box 5711, London, Ontario N6A 4S7 (1-800-206-7218). You can complete your application form at the Service Canada office when you arrive. No appointment is necessary. You must have your passport and valid student authorization available as supporting documents (no photocopies). There is no fee. Report your Social Insurance Number immediately to the Department Administrator.

Pension

Graduate Students may participate in the Pension Plan for Administrative Staff provided they meet the eligibility requirements for part-time administrative staff.

  • You have earned at least 21 percent of the Canada Pension Plan earnings ceiling ($8,043 for 2001) in each of the two previous calendar years.
  • You have been employed for at least 24 continuous months.

Student Photo ID Card

Please go to Room 190, Stevenson-Lawson Building to obtain your photo identification card. You will require your UWO Student Number (please check with the Department Administrator). This card is required for most university services (including keys, parking, library services, etc.).

Keys

All keys must be requested on a Building Access Form through your Departmental Administrator. The Keys Office is in Room 133, Services Building, located on the south side of Lambton Drive, near the Huron Drive intersection. Your UWO Student ID card is required.

Parking

The Parking Office is located in Room 15, Services Building, telephone number 661-3973. Parking applications are available on their website.

Telephones

Telephones are generally not available to graduate students. However, if your office should have a telephone, it will be set up with your name attached to it and you will be listed in the on-line Western Directory.

Monthly billing statements will be distributed for long distance charges and other phone charges. These charges may be reimbursed to the Department Administrator by cash or personal cheque.

● Setting Up the OCTEL Voice Messaging System:

  • Initial voice mail password is the 5 digit extension number of your telephone number. The voice mail system will prompt you to change this password during the tutorial on your initial logon.

● Logging Onto the System:

  • Dial the internal system number 83000, or press Message Key, enter your personal password. Please select menu options to record a greeting, record your name, change your password, or listen to your messages. Written instructions are also available on Page IX of the UWO Directory or online.

Computer Accounts

Two computer accounts are automatically set up for new students.

SSC Network Account

Your SSC Network Account provides access to the computer network in the Faculty of Social Science. The username is the same as your ITS E-mail Account (see below) and your password will be your UWO Student ID number. This computer account is managed by the Social Science Network and Data Services (SSNDS). Primary support is provided by the Help Desk in SSC Room 1012. Assistance may also be obtained via the Online Consultant. If you are having difficulties with your account call 519 661-2111 ext. 82152.

ITS E-mail Account

E-mail accounts are managed by Information Technology Services (ITS). Confirmation of your username and password will be sent to you c/o your home department. If you are having difficulties with your account call 519 661-3800 or send a message to helpdesk@uwo.ca.

Account Management

There are a number of tools available for managing these two computer accounts including changing passwords, recovering lost files and activating your account. Be sure to activate your ITS E-mail Account!

Dial-in and Remote Access

Information about dial-in services is available in the Help Note Internet Dial-in Services. Note that while ITS's dial-in service is low speed, graduate students are eligible for a monthly quota of 40 hours connect time at no charge.

For faster service see the document UWO and Bell Sympatico's High Speed Edition.
If you wish to access SSC Network software and services from a remote location please see the Help Note Remote Access Service.

Health Services

The University of Western Ontario provides a full service diagnostic and therapeutic facility at the Student Health Services in the UCC available to all registered part-time and full-time graduate students.

International Student Advising

Students from other countries who are recent arrivals on campus are advised to contact the ISO. Counsellors can help international students with immigration concerns, housing and financial matters and personal/cultural adjustment issues. The International Student Office is located in the University Community Centre, Room 210.

Telephone: 519 661-3031

Accommodation

Apartments and Townhouses

The Glenmore Single Students Apartment Complex and Platt's Lane Estates, Inc. (Family Housing) provide affordable apartments and townhouses for students (and their families) attending Western. They are owned and operated by the University of Western Ontario and are situated on campus.

The Glenmore Apartment Complex (Bayfield, Beaver, Ausable and Lambton Halls) is located at Western Road and Windermere Road. Questions about these apartments can be directed to either of the following offices:

  • Rental Office - Bayfield Hall
  • Room 105, 291 Windermere Rd.
  • London, Ontario, Canada N6G 2J9
  • Telephone: (519) 661-3250
  • Rental Office - Lambton Hall
  • Room 129, 1421 Western Rd.
  • London, Ontario, Canada N6G 4W4
  • Telephone: (519) 661-3963

Platt's Lane Estates, Inc. is at Platt's Lane and Western Road, and contains apartments and townhouses for students with families. Contact the following office for information and application forms:

  • The Manager
  • Platts Lane Estates Inc.
  • 536 Platts Lane
  • London, Ontario, Canada N6G 3A8
  • Telephone: (519) 679-4561

Off-Campus Housing

Western provides a self-service viewing area in Lambton Hall to enable students to search for accommodation. This facility keeps extensive lists of available off-campus housing in the city of London and is open 7 days a week from 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. It is also equipped with telephones that can be used free of charge.

  • Student Housing Service
  • The University of Western Ontario
  • Lambton Hall, 1421 Western Road
  • London, Ontario, Canada N6G 4W4
  • Telephone: (519) 661-3550
  • Fax: (519) 661-3687

Society of Graduate Students

All students paying tuition fees and ancillary fees are members of the Society of Graduate Students (SOGS) and are automatically charged a membership fee at registration as part of the ancillary fee. SOGS is located in Room 260, UCC.

Telephone: 519 661-3394