Don’t worry ’bout a thing.
“Out of sight, out of mind,” they say.
In other words, when you’re not directly faced with something, it’s easy to forget it exists. Have you ever gotten a text while you were busy, told yourself you’d reply to it in a minute, and then proceeded to forget about it for three days? Yeah, that sort of thing.
Lucky for you, this saying could not be less true when it comes to IGNITE’s commitment to Humber and Guelph-Humber students. Our top priority is making your life easier—that doesn’t change while you’re self-isolating.
Here are five services you can take advantage of from the comfort of home:
1. Medical and dental insurance
IGNITE’s flexible health and dental insurance plan is included with every full-time student’s mandatory ancillary fees. It covers 80 per cent of prescription drugs to a yearly maximum of $2,000, 100 per cent of basic dental services, 80 per cent of paramedical fees and select vision care procedures.
Your insurance is available throughout the summer too, whether or not you’re on campus. Simple as that.
You can easily view details of your insurance plan, file a claim, book a medical visit or upgrade your plan online. If you have questions about the insurance program–don’t fret, we can help.
2. Dispute Resolution Clinic (DRC)
Let’s be real: elevated stress levels combined with stay-at-home orders have taken a toll on a lot of us. It’s no surprise if the hardship and uncertainty brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic has caused tension in your relationships.
IGNITE’s Dispute Resolution Clinic (DRC) is a free, confidential service guiding students to effectively handle conflict in their everyday lives. It is currently accepting appointments via Zoom every Tuesday and Thursday from 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
To schedule a session, simply select your campus and choose a time that works best for you.
Conflict can’t survive communication.
3. Financial relief
Being a student is financially straining at the best of times. Widespread layoffs and business closures don’t make it any easier. That’s why IGNITE has committed $250,000 to Humber’s Support our Students (SOS) Fund.
Students registered in a full-time post-secondary program for the Summer 2020 semester who demonstrate financial need brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic are eligible to receive aid for their housing, education costs and other bills — no questions asked.
To apply for the SOS Fund, log in to your MyHumber account and search for “COVID-19 Bursary” under the “Student Awards and Financial Aid” link.
4. Career advising
As summer interns are laid off and recent graduates attempt to kick-start their careers amid a pandemic, young people across the country are anxious about employment.
Rest assured, your school is here for you. Humber and UofGH are both offering free virtual career advising services in an attempt to help get students hired. On top of that, the federal government recently announced a $9 billion aid package that will subsidize over 70,000 student job placements in 2020 and 2021.
Here’s how to get your hands on some career counselling:
Humber students
Virtually all of Humber’s career services are available online. These include advising appointments, resumé and cover letter reviews and mock job interviews.
Advising appointments can be booked by contacting your faculty‘s Career & Student Success Advisor via the booking link in their profile or their email address.
Resumé reviews and mock interviews can be arranged through WC Online. Select the schedule for either the North or Lakeshore Peer resumé/LinkedIn/Interview sessions and choose your time slot.
Humber also offers an array of independent career exploration tools, allowing you to explore various industries and find the career that’s right for you.
University of Guelph-Humber students
The University of Guelph Humber’s website hosts an extensive career services platform, outfitted with job search strategies, resumé tips and a regularly-updated list of businesses currently hiring.
To speak with a career advisor, send an email to your program’s Career Services Co-ordinator. If you aren’t sure which co-ordinator corresponds to your field of study, contact career@guelphhumber.ca.
5. Personal counselling
Increased feelings of loneliness and stress are commonplace lately.
While IGNITE’s Dispute Resolution Clinic (DRC) helps students manage conflict, Humber and UofGH’s Student Wellness and Accessibility Centre (SWAC) offers personal counselling services to students in need of support.
Essentially, the DRC is for when you and your roommate can’t make it through the day without arguing. The SWAC is for when you feel like you can’t make it through the day, period.
Humber and UofGH’s counsellors are conducting appointments via Zoom. To book yours, contact counselling@humber.ca. Sessions are student-focused, free, and confidential—no matter what.
Immediate counselling tools can be found through Therapy Assist Online or via the Good2Talk Helpline. If you or someone you love is in crisis, please call 911.
You’re not alone.
Students always have been and always will be IGNITE’s top priority. As soon as it’s safe, we’ll be back to offering all our resources in person. But, for now, we’re committed to serving you virtually as much as we can.
We’re standing together, but six feet apart.
Put your money where your mind is by checking out your new IGNITE fees.
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