https://galdsu.ca GALDSU Wed, 03 Aug 2022 16:31:57 +0000 https://galdsu.ca en https://galdsu.ca/About Wed, 27 Jul 2022 19:17:35 +0000 GALDSU https://galdsu.ca/About The Graduate Architecture, Landscape, and Design Student Union (GALDSU), also known as the Graduate Union, is a democratically-elected course union representing, individually and collectively, all students in the four graduate programmes at the John H. Daniels Faculty of Architecture, Landscape, and Design. Our purpose is to ensure the protection of graduate students’ rights and advocate for their needs. We represent students the following programs: Doctor of Philosophy in Architecture, Landscape, and Design, Master of Architecture, Master of Landscape Architecture, Master of Urban Design, Master of Visual Studies in Curatorial Studies, and Master of Visual Studies in Studio Art. You can find out more about your student representatives for the year in the Governance section.  https://galdsu.ca/Resources Wed, 27 Jul 2022 19:17:35 +0000 GALDSU https://galdsu.ca/Resources A consolidated set of links and quick start guides on how to access ammenities and resources available to students through the univeristy and graduate student union.  Systems at the university can often feel inaccessable or opaque - if there are any we can help to clarify, let us know! https://galdsu.ca/Health-Benefits Wed, 27 Jul 2022 23:41:44 +0000 GALDSU https://galdsu.ca/Health-Benefits If you are not registered with a local family doctor or nurse practitioner, you can register at the university’s Health & Wellness Centre for primary care services.  Serviced provided by the Health & Wellness Centre include:> Personal Health Visits (check-up) > Sexual and Reproductive Health Counselling and Education> Immunization Services > Disability Documentation > Mental Health Services When accessing services, students must also provide proof of valid health insurance coverage (ie. OHIP, other provincial health insurance plans, or the University Health insurance Plan (UHIP)) and bring their student card (TCard) when checking in for an appointment. The Health & Wellness Centre is located on the 2nd floor of Koffler Student Services Centre at 214 College Street. In addition to OHIP, provincial insurance coverage and UHIP, all students are automatically enrolled in the UTGSU’s Health and Dental insurance plans. Unless you opt out, you are covered from September 1st - August 31st. Policy Number (UTGSU): UTG[Student Number]-00 Provider: Greenshield If you are a TA you are eligible for additional coverage through CUPE 3902. We highly recommend you read the FAQ below*. Policy Number (CUPE 3902): UOT[Personnel Number]-00Provider: Greenshield (You can find your personnel number on your payslip or contact Alicia Bennett) > You are automatically enrolled once you have worked 30 hours of your contract. > Regardless of whether you work Fall or Winter semester, your coverage is for the entire academic year. (This means, you can back-claim expenses from the fall if you start working in the winter semester!) > Through this plan, there is also an additional Healthcare Spending Account for expenses not covered by the UTGSU or Top-Up Plan**. Links: UTGSU Health and Dental **HCSA Allowable Expenses Coverage Brochure 2021-22 Unit 1 Benefits *Unit 1 Health Benefits FAQ Maximum Claims 2021-22 “The University of Toronto Graduate Students’ Union (UTGSU) Supplementary Health and Dental Plan provides students with unique health benefits. The Plan was designed to provide many important services and cover expenses such as prescription drugs, health practitioners, medical equipment, travel health coverage, which are not covered by a basic health-care plan (i.e. OHIP) or the equivalent (such as UHIP for international students). Unfortunately, a large number of students do not have access to affordable extended insurance through employers. Student health plans are designed to provide this access and eliminate barriers to affordable health care.” “The University of Toronto Education Workers, CUPE Local 3902 is the Union that represents contract academic employees at the University of Toronto. Their membership includes Teaching Assistants, Student and Post Doctoral Course Instructors, TA Trainers, Accessibility Service Workers, Exam Invigilators, Lab Demonstrators, Writing Instructors, Sessional Lecturers and Postdoctoral Research Fellows.” https://galdsu.ca/Wellness-Resources Wed, 27 Jul 2022 23:44:06 +0000 GALDSU https://galdsu.ca/Wellness-Resources There are three on campus fitness centres, all less than a 15 minute walk from Daniels. Membership at Hart House is included in your incidential fees and access to Sports & Rec facilities (AC and Goldring) are included in your ancillary fees. Just show up with your Tcard or register online! > Hart House(the most beautiful)> Access to the Fitness Centre facilities > Group Fitness Classes (Pilates, Ballet Fit, Cardio Dance, Mindful Medetation…)> Volleyball and badminton> Swimming   Personal training, pilates reformer traning and fitness consultations are also available for a fee.  > The Athletic Centre(the closest and largest - 6 min walk!) AC is home to seven gymnasia, three pools, a strength and conditioning centre, indoor track, field house, dance studio, cardio machines, tennis and squash courts, steam rooms and more. Programming includes: > Group fitness workouts> Drop-in recreational sports > Intramural sports > Open Gym (+ Women’s Only hours)> Swimming > Goldring Centre (the newest) The Goldring Centre is a multi-story sport and exercise palace housing a field house, a strength and conditioning centre, fitness studio, sport medicine clinic, research and teaching laboratories, and more. > Hours and programming for AC and Goldring Centre here Cycling is a great way to get around the city and stay active. Bike Chain is a great on-campus resource for all things related to bikes - and located in the former architecture building! They have reasonably priced parts, can teach you how to fix your own bike, and run workshops for beginner cyclists. If you’re not sure whether cycling is right for you, you can borrow a bike for a week FOR FREE! Take care of yourself. Massage Therapy*, Chiropractor, Physio and Accupuncture are all partially covered by your health benefits. Ease your pains and remember to take some time away from the screen. *RMT requires a referral from your doctor. https://galdsu.ca/Mental-Health-Resources Thu, 28 Jul 2022 15:51:34 +0000 GALDSU https://galdsu.ca/Mental-Health-Resources GALDSU recognises that there are many pathways to accessing mental health support. The following links include on-and-off campus resources that have been organized to recognize a broad spectrum of mental health needs.  If you have come across other helpful resources you would like to share with other students, let us know! > Immediate Support Good 2 Talk - 1-866-925-5454 Student helpline offering professional counselling, information, and referrals for mental health, addictions and wellbeing. My SSP (Student Support Program) for U of T Students - 1-844-451-9700 Immediate or appointment-based counselling support is available in 35 languages and ongoing support in 146 languages. U of T Same-Day CounsellingSame-day counselling appointments are offered during regular Health & Wellness clinic hours. Book an appointment by calling 416-978-8030 (select option 5). > Individualized Support If you are interested in seeking individualized support through a Psychologist, Master of Social Work, Clinical Counsellor or Licensed Psychotherapist, your health benefits through UTGSU provide 100% coverage up to $500 (CUPE 3902 members are entiled to an additional $2,500 of coverage). Some resources for finding a cousellor: > UNH Guide to Finding Individual Therapy for Adults> CAMH - Finding a Therapist> OSIE Psychology Clinic> College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario (search: Toronto)> Ontario Society of Registered Psychotherapists> CAMH Ontario Structured Psychotherapy (OSP) Program > Self-Guided Support Bounce BackA free skill-building program managed by the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) designed to help manage low mood, mild to moderate depression and anxiety, stress or worry. This series of online videos will provide you with practical tips on managing your mood, sleeping better, building confidence, increasing activity, problem solving and healthy living. U of T Mental Health Tool Kit BuilderA collection of resources divided into categories, so you can choose how to get started. Listen to a podcast, read an article, or save links and info to re-visit later. NYT Guide on How to Medidate Journaling for Mental Health > Peer/Group Support Health & Wellness Peer Support ServicePeer Support is offered both in person at Robarts and through virtual drop in sessions. You can speak with a trained peer in the Master of Social Work program who will listen, support and connect you to further resources. U of T Multi-Faith CentreLocated across from 1 Spaina, the Multi-Faith Centre runs a variety of programs including a Grief Support Sharing Circle, Healing with Yoga, Mindfulness Meditation and Intro to Tai Chi. Health & Wellness Group TherapyU of T offers 6- and 8-week evidence-based, skills-building group therapies for anxiety and low or depressed mood. Contact Health & Wellness at 416-978-8030 and they will assess your needs and recommend appropriate therapy for you. https://galdsu.ca/Financial-Resources Thu, 28 Jul 2022 16:58:07 +0000 GALDSU https://galdsu.ca/Financial-Resources In addition to the awards available through the faculty, students are also eligble to apply for SGS, OGS and UTGSU funding.  > SGS + OGSThe Awards team at Daniels sends email notifications of deadlines and conducts workshops to help students prepare for School of Graduate Studies (SGS) and Ontario Graduate Scholarship (OGS) awards. The number of OGS awards available in a given year are influenced by the number of applications recieved in the previous year. (Apply even if you are in first year! It’s good practice and increases the chances of more awards being available when you are in second year!) > UTGSU As a union member, you are elegible to apply for funding from the UTGSU. Programs include a conference bursury, bursury for black graduate students and a community development fund.  It's hard to talk about salary, but you won’t know whether your wage is fair if you don't know what other people are making. > The Open Wage ProjectA crowd sourced spreadsheet with data from recent Canadian graduates. > Archinect Salary PollData specific to Canada, can be filtered and sorted by a variety of categories. > Canadian Landscape Architect Compensation & Benefits Study Compiled in 2019 by Portage Group for the Canadian Society of Landscape Architects There are a number of employment opportunities available through the faculty. Rates of pay and access to additional benefits vary based on the type of work. > TA Teaching Assistantships (TAs) are given opportunities to assist in teaching and course activities, including; lecturing, facilitate class discussions, organizing group work and student evaluation. First consideration is given to students with prior experience. Positions are posted three times a year (for Fall, Winter and Summer semesters) and you will be notified by email when postings are up. TAs are paid $47.64/hr (SGS II rate) with contract hours ranging from 30-120+. TAs are unionized positions represented by CUPE 3902, Unit 1. As a CUPE3902, Unit 1 member, you will have access to benefits, including a Top-up Health and Dental Plan.  > Work Study Twice a year (fall-winter and summer), the Work Study Program offers paid, on-campus positions that provide you with an opportunity to deepen your knowledge, strengthen your skills and explore how your academic studies translate to career possibilities. The Work Study program should have your learning at the centre of the experience.  Students are permitted to accept only one Work Study position per session. Work Study positions are covered under the collective agreement between U of T and the United Steelworkers Union as  the “Casual” Bargaining Unit. This agreement does not provide access to additional benefits. Work Study positions pay a minimum of $15.90 an hour. Students typically work 10 hours of work per week (15 hours a week maximum), to a maximum of 200 hours for the fall/winter program and 100 hours in the summer program.Please note: the Work Study Program is a program approved by the University of Toronto that is exempt from the Employment Standards Act, 2000 (ESA), 4% vacation pay is not paid on top of the wage. To participate in a Summer Work Study, students must be enrolled in at least 0.5 credits, if you are not enrolled in a course, the Registrar’s office will put you in a shell course. Graduate students do not pay fees for the summer semester.   There are also work opportunities through the workshop, facilities and the library, some which fall under the work study program and others which are contract with union benefits. https://galdsu.ca/TRC-Report Wed, 03 Aug 2022 16:31:57 +0000 GALDSU https://galdsu.ca/TRC-Report In January 2017, UofT’s President and Provost accepted the final report titled Answering the Call: Wecheehetowin from the Steering Committee for the University of Toronto Response to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada. The report explicitly lists 34 Long- and Short-Term Calls to Action for the university. The Union will announce initiatives before the Fall 2020 term with respect to these Calls to Action at Daniels. > Useful linksSupporting Aboriginal Graduate Enhancement, University of Toronto (SAGE) School of Graduate Studies Indigenous AwardsUniversity of Toronto Indigenous Gateway Canada by Treaty: Negotiating Histories https://galdsu.ca/Race-Design Thu, 28 Jul 2022 03:16:17 +0000 GALDSU https://galdsu.ca/Race-Design A non-exhaustive list of resources compiled by Exec Council 2020-21 to start the conversation, including some entourage collections and visuals that students can use in their work. > Introduction to Race, Design & Education“What Does It Mean to Decolonize Design?” by Ahmed Ansari Design Justice by Sasha Costanza-Chock Race and Space Syllabus by The Bartlett, ULC Faculty of the Built Environment The Black Experience in Graphic Design: 1968 and 2020 in PRINT Magazine Racial Equity Terms Glossary by Racial Equity Tools > Race + Architecture Race Space and Architecture Curriculum collaboration between the University of Johannesburg GSA, LSE Department of Sociology & the Royal College of Art “White Out, Architectures Enduring Resistance to Blackness” by B.D. Wortham-Galvin and Jackie McFarland The Race of Architecture By Tia Blassingame Architecture for Social Housing by For A Socialist Architecture Dark Matter University collaboration between BIPOC practitioners and educators > Landscape Architecture “Black Landscapes Matter” by Kofi Boone Designing for diversity and diversity in design with Kona Gray Edge Effects: Race & Ethnicity by the University of Wisconsin’s CHE Preserving History and Building Community a TED Talk by Walter Hood > Urban Design Urban Design Syllabus on Race and Justice by Brentin Mock A Letter to White Urbanists by Alicia John-Baptiste “The Bottom: The Emergence and Erasure of Black American Urban Landscapes” by Ujijji Davis > Visibility & Representation BLK IMG nappy Jugaad Render Kaleidoscope Nonscandinavia Escalalatina Ordinary Figures Elderly EntouragePeople Party > Expanded Reading Lists Design Related Reading Lists Anti-Racism Design Resources All Monuments Must Fall Decolonizing Design Reader Space/Race A Call to Explore The Architectural League Other lists NoPrisons.ca Defund the Police in Canada Institutional Racism, A Syllabus Scaffolded Anti-Racism Resources Resources for Accountability and Actions for Black Lives GALDSU’s Previous Working Document https://galdsu.ca/Initiatives Wed, 27 Jul 2022 19:17:36 +0000 GALDSU https://galdsu.ca/Initiatives In addition to advocating for student needs, GALDSU provides diverse athletic, cultural and social opportunities to its members by initiating, sponsoring, co-ordinating, and promoting a wide range of initiatives. If you have an idea for an event or initiative, get in touch with us or apply for the Student Initiative Fund! Ongoing and past initiatives include: > Yoga and Mindful Moment FridaysLunch-time yoga and mindfulness sessions > What’s NextAn alumnae speaker series looking at the various career paths available to them following graduation. You can see the recorded talks here. > Library Acquisitions Initiative The list of books related to race and design  available at the Eberhard Zeidler Library, purchased by GALDSU on behalf of students, can be found here. > Portrait SessionProfessional headshots > Portfolio Review Sessions1-on-1 reviews with faculty members to get feedback on your portfolio development > Looking Inward and OutwardA BIPOC toolkit series which aims to highlight and celebrate the differences of each individual of the community. > Pulse Checks A series of short surveys to check in with the student body on a variety of topics, from mental health to issues of equity & diversity. > Office Hours Standing weekly office hours with exec team members to discuss student issues or just say hello! https://galdsu.ca/The-Annual Thu, 28 Jul 2022 02:17:03 +0000 GALDSU https://galdsu.ca/The-Annual The Annual is a student-edited publication of selected work from the graduate programs in the faculty.