YSGS COVID-19 Continuity Information

Key deadlines changes

The final date to clear outstanding graduation requirements for Spring Convocation (including submission of the MRP/thesis/dissertation) has been moved from May 8 to May 22 (at 12:00 p.m.). 

For W2020 only, graduate students may choose to drop one or more courses after viewing their final, official grades. Starting at 8 a.m. on May 14, 2020, students may send their requests directly to the Registrar’s Office. 

For students:

• April 9, 2020: Last date to drop a winter 2020 graduate course prior to final evaluation procedures and grading
• May 14 to 19, 2020: The W2020 COVID-19 Graded Course Drop Request Form will be available
• May 19, 2020 (noon): The final deadline for graduate students to submit their request to drop one or more winter 2020 graduate courses

For faculty and instructors: 

• The deadline for official grades submission has been extended to May 11, 2020 at 8:00 a.m.

Notes: 

• Dropped courses are not refundable, are final and cannot be reversed
• Dropped courses will not appear on the academic transcript
• Dropping a course may impact your eligibility to graduate
• The last day to add a course in the S/S 2020 term is May 15, 2020
• Graduate students can drop a course by April 9, 2020 (the date for all students) through self-service or wait until they see their final grades and request the drop between May 14 and 19, 2020 (noon) via the Registrar’s Office

This has been updated in the Graduate Academic Calendar’s Significant Dates.

Graduate supervision continuity

Graduate student research continues to the extent possible. Students should discuss any questions, concerns or potential alternative arrangements with their faculty supervisors.

Meetings with supervisors, supervisory committees and research-related examinations (e.g., defences, candidacy examinations, etc.) are expected to continue wherever possible. As indicated in the PDF fileYSGS guidelines on online meetings these must be moved online.

Online research-related examinations and supervisory committee meetings

YSGS recommends that PDF fileresearch-related examinations and supervisory committee meetings be moved online. This recommendation has been developed to respond to Ryerson University's shift to an essential services model on campus.

Planning to hold a defence/MRPs exam virtually in the next couple of weeks? Contact Carl Kumaradas at ckumarad@ryerson.ca to discuss PDF filehow to set it up appropriately using Zoom.

Ryerson Student Relief Fund

We recognize the financial hardship for students as it relates to the current COVID-19 situation. To support students' ability to cover immediate needs as a result of financial challenges, Ryerson University has established the Ryerson Student Relief Fund which is applicable to graduate students.

This funding is meant to assist students in the following ways: 

• Immediate financial assistance for those who lost employment as a result of COVID-19 and are failing to cover basic needs; 
• Program/equipment expenses incurred as a result of moving learning online; 
• Expenses as a result of early lease termination; 
• Other exceptional circumstances. 

To be considered for assistance, complete a simple application on AwardSpring, external link. Students do not need to complete the Financial Information Section or demonstrate financial need in order to be considered for this funding, but should indicate how COVID-19 has negatively impacted their finances and what basic needs they are unable to meet. Please visit Financial Assistance and Awards for more information. 

Graduate student access to labs

Information and support on access to research laboratories is available through the Office of the Vice-President, Research and Innovation (OVPRI)’s COVID-19 webpage. Faculty, research personnel and students are urged to check the OVPRI webpage regularly for information regarding access to research laboratories on- and off-campus. 

Please note that Ryerson is suspending all non-critical research activity that requires access to the Ryerson campus (or in Ryerson off-site buildings and facilities) after March 26, 2020, and until further notice.  Further information on what constitutes critical research activity is available on the OVPRI website. 

Graduate students require explicit permission from their faculty supervisors to access research labs. Faculty supervisors must consult the OVPRI website for information on obtaining continued access to their research labs for their graduate students and other research personnel. Note that if permission is obtained to access the labs, Ryerson Security will also need to be informed.

All graduate students should be in touch with their faculty supervisors to discuss a research continuity plan. Work-from-home arrangements for graduate students should be made wherever possible. Students should not be on campus unless absolutely necessary.

Taking care of yourself

The ThriveRU program helps develop or support existing skills associated with resilience, well-being and thriving in both an academic and personal context. Principles of positive psychology underpin all of the programs associated with ThriveRU. The Five-Factor Model of Resilience is focused on Mindfulness, Gratitude, Optimism, Self-Compassion, and Grit.

Resources through ThriveRU are designed to increase resilience, such as:

• PDF fileCultivate your Happiness Workbook
• Mindfulness meditation recordings, external link

Thriving in Action Online is also available for a comprehensive experience of resilience.

See COVID-19 updates and resources such as counselling supports, medical centre information and tips for staying in and staying well from Student Wellbeing Services.

The Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) has posted some strategies on psychological coping, external link with COVID-19. Ryerson Psychology Professor Martin Antony also offers strategies for coping with fear and anxiety during COVID-19.

Guided mindfulness exercises developed and recorded by Drs. Josephine Wong and Mandana Vahabi from the Daphne Cockwelll School of Nursing have been found to be effective in reducing stress and promoting resilience. 

Further information about the support and resources referenced above can be found here.

Graduate student counselling services are closed until further notice. Alternative counselling resources are available at ryerson.ca/counselling.

Learning support

Student Learning Support offers learning support through virtual appointments and workshops. The SLC can be reached by email or google hangouts at sls@ryerson.ca for assistance with booking and workshops.

Various departments across campus have moved programs and events online allowing students to join virtually. Check out the complete list of programs on ConnectRU.

Sign-up for learning support using the SLC's booking tool, external link or see appointment, tutoring and workshop options below.

Supported Learning Groups

Supported Learning Group (SLG) sessions are online from March 23 to April 9. To get the most out of study sessions, prepare by: 

• doing the readings
• checking out the lecture slides 
• understanding the course/unit objectives
• trying the practice problems 
• coming up with specific questions to address

Links to (Zoom) sessions are posted on the google docSLG Schedule, external link. SLGs continue to support:

• First Year Engineering courses: MTH240 and PCS125
• First Year Common Science courses: CHY113, MTH310, MTH231, PCS130
• Arts and Business Technology Management: SSH105 (A. Hunter, D. Hunter, and T. Land)

Library services

The Ryerson Library building is closed until further notice. Core academic and SRC support services are in the process of being moved online.

Reference and research help is available through virtual reference, email and through online appointments. Access to all online resources including ebooks, ejournals, databases, streaming services and more, remains available 24/7.

The Library has laptops and wifi hotspots available for loan, and can assist Ryerson students in need of one or both.

Additionally, Ryerson students with current Rogers or Fido phone plans can receive temporary unlimited data for the remainder of the term, allowing phones to be used as a hotspot. Registration for temporary unlimited data will be facilitated through the Library. Many thanks to Rogers for their generosity in supporting student academic success! 

To borrow a laptop, hotspot, or register for the unlimited data plan, students must have their student card ready for verification. Students can make requests by emailing the Library at access@ryerson.ca.

For the latest information about Library online services and resources at this time visit here.

SRC-related updates

OVPRI provides updates and links to information on SRC-related topics. Information relevant to graduate studies and graduate students includes:

• Access to research labs: Up-to-date information is available regarding access to on- and off-campus research labs.

• Travel: Information related to travel disruptions caused by COVID-19, including expense reimbursement, travel insurance, and statements from the Tri-Agency are available.

• Research ethics: Guidance on the implications of the COVID-19 situation is available with respect to study protocol amendments, use of equipment, and researcher safety.

Continuity of teaching and learning

Resources to support faculty to develop and/or adapt teaching and learning activities for alternative formats can be found on the Centre for Excellence in Learning and Teaching’s Continuity of Teaching website.  

Faculty may find the suggestions on google docRethinking Your Final Course Assessments, external link to be particularly useful. Faculty are also encouraged to consider the guidelines on google docAssisting Students with Limited Access to Technology, external link. Virtual Q&A sessions are also being offered by the Centre for Excellence in Teaching & Learning and Student Wellbeing to address questions from faculty and instructors.

Graduate students are encouraged to review the resources on Continuity of Learning.

Statement on admissions

All admissions processes within the Yeates School of Graduate Studies are continuing to operate. Further information on admissions requirements is available here. Any questions applicants have should be directed to grdadmit@ryerson.ca.

We will accept electronic transcripts issued directly from the institution. Applicants with a conditional offer can request their institution to send electronic transcripts, if that service is available, directly from their institution to grdadmit@ryerson.ca.

Ryerson Aboriginal Students Services

Ryerson Aboriginal Students Services (RASS) is available to First Nations, Inuit, Metis, Canadian Indigenous students (or those who identify by nation or community) via email or voicemail.

Information on academic support, writing support, admissions-related concerns, access to financial and food assistance and general support for Indigenous students can be found here.

YSGS events

All YSGS student engagement events until May 1 are cancelled. Unfortunately, this includes the Three-Minute Thesis (3MT) competition previously scheduled for March 24.

1. Key deadlines changes
2. Graduate supervision continuity 
3. Online research-related examinations and supervisory committee meetings
4. Graduate student access to labs
5. Ryerson Student Relief Fund
6. Taking care of yourself
7. Learning support
8. Library services
9. SRC-related updates
10. Continuity of teaching and learning
11. Statement of admissions
12. Ryerson Aboriginal Students Services
13. YSGS events