From A to Z, IGNITE has your back.
We have a confession to make: the start of a new semester is our favourite time of year.
For one, we aren’t drowning in exams and assignments (yet). But, more importantly, a new semester means a new wave of Humber and Guelph-Humber students to welcome into the IGNITE family!
If you’re just beginning your journey at Humber or UofGH, you might be like, “Hold on – who is IGNITE, why am I part of their family and how do they know I just started school?”
To that, we say, “Hi! We’re IGNITE: your student union here to make your campus life the best it can be.”
That’s a broad definition, but it’s impossible to sum up everything we do in a few sentences. So, instead, we’ll take you through it one by one – or, rather, letter by letter.
Here are the ABC’s of IGNITE – your ultimate alphabetical guide to enriching your student experience:
A is for advocacy
Consider IGNITE your voice in the face of your school’s administration, the provincial government, and stakeholders. We implement policies and programs that make your life easier both on- and off-campus.
B is for your IGNITE Board of Directors
When it comes to serving students, students know best.
IGNITE’s Board of Directors (BoD) is made up entirely of your peers who call all the shots to make your student life easier. This could be you! The 2021 IGNITE Elections are just getting started.
C is for clubs
You’re a student by day – but what are you when you go home? A gamer? An outdoor enthusiast? A weirdo who doesn’t fit in and doesn’t want to fit in?
No matter what your special interests are, IGNITE has a club that will help you find your people.
D is for your IGNITE Dispute Resolution Clinic
Being a student is hard enough – you don’t need personal conflicts making it harder. IGNITE’s Dispute Resolution Clinic (DRC) provides a free and confidential space to work through your toughest disagreements with the help of experienced mediators.
If you’re studying from home, you can visit the DRC virtually every Tuesday and Thursday.
E is for IGNITE events
We put exciting experiences together – some focused on career success, some on health and wellness, and some on good old-fashioned fun.
Check our website regularly to see what events are coming up next!
F is for financial aid
Affording school should be the least of your worries. IGNITE’s Financial Relief Program and student bursaries help you make ends meet so you can focus on your future.
F is also for Frosh and Frost. Yup, that’s right – we’re behind the two coolest concerts of the year.
G is for the University of Guelph-Humber
IGNITE is proud to serve nearly 30,000 students across three campuses. If you’re a student at the University of Guelph-Humber, we got you.
H is for Humber
From nursing to law, from North to Lakeshore – students at Humber College have IGNITE on their side.
I is for Instagram (and IGNITE!)
Follow us @shareignite to stay up-to-date with all things student life (and for some fire memes, if we do say so ourselves).
IG not your thing? Lucky for you, we have Twitter and Facebook too!
J is for jobs at IGNITE
Constructing your career is no small task! IGNITE employs Humber and UofGH students so you can gain valuable experience – and lighten your program’s load on your wallet.
K is for kilometres
As in, we’re kilometres ahead when it comes to serving our students.
L is for leadership
Leadership is at the heart of IGNITE’s role on campus.
We lead you to a more fun and fulfilled student life. You and your peers lead us to implement the programs that’ll help you the most.
M is for menstrual products
Periods happen. IGNITE offers free Emergency Menstrual Products on all campuses for when the red shows up out of the blue.
N is for news
Want tips for giving a great virtual presentation? How about recipes to recreate your favourite restaurant meals?
For all the information essential to students, head over to IGNITE’s blog.
O is for opportunities
Of every variety. IGNITE brings in leaders from your industry to create career opportunities, hosts events that give you volunteer and employment opportunities and puts together conferences to provide networking opportunities.
We provide the stage – all you have to do is shine.
P is for plan
As in: your flexible health and dental insurance plan.
IGNITE helps cover the cost of everything from contact lenses to chiropractors so you can feel your best.
Q is for quizzes
Look, we aren’t proud of it – but we all procrastinate sometimes. When you need a distraction from the work you’re ignoring, try finding out what popular video game you are or which Netflix movie you should watch this weekend.
R is for IGNITE Real Talks
Nobody knows how to succeed better than – well, successful people. Every year, IGNITE invites your real-life role models – like Serge Ibaka, Justin Kan and Tyler Oakley – to join us at Real Talks: a student-focused interview event where they teach you the tricks of their trade.
S is for your IGNITE student engagement coordinators
IGNITE bridges the gap between you and your school’s administration. But, who bridges the gap between you and IGNITE? Enter: your Student Engagement Coordinators.
Your SECs are here to answer all your questions about IGNITE’s services and to address any concerns that come up along your student journey. You can contact them via their emails!
Alternatively, let your SECs teach you how to adult in Ignition Point: IGNITE’s newest series.
T is for the IGNITE Tax Clinic
As if cooking for yourself, securing employment and figuring out how the heck to fold a fitted sheet wasn’t enough, adulthood also means you need to start doing your taxes. Unfortunately, IGNITE can’t put your bedding away (we wish), but we can do your taxes for free at our annual Tax Clinic.
Also, we’d recommend just crumpling the fitted sheet. Who’s gonna know?
U is for unconditional
All are welcome at IGNITE.
We approach student-related issues from an intersectional perspective and co-operate with Humber and UofGH’s focused student advocacy groups – like the Black Academic Success and Engagement (BASE) program, the LGBTQ+ Resource Centre and Indigenous Education and Engagement – so we can serve you better.
V is for virtual
Unconditional means unconditional – IGNITE’s commitment to you doesn’t stop when classes move online.
In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, we’ve pivoted to offer nearly all of our services virtually.
W is for wellness
It’s not just about health. Wellness encompasses all aspects of your life: physical, mental, emotional and spiritual.
IGNITE prioritizes your wellness by providing resources like wellness-oriented workshops and free food at our Soupbar.
X is for the IGNITE xylophone orchestra
Just kidding. But, come on – what did you expect us to put for X?
Y is for YOU
You are at the centre of everything we do. All of IGNITE’s programs are designed to make your life better – end of story.
Z is for ZZZ’s
Sometimes you gotta catch some extra ZZZ’s between classes. We get it. That’s why both the Lakeshore and the North/UofGH campuses are equipped with their very own sleep lounge.
If you’re studying from home right now, never fear – you can still have an elite nap in your remote study space.
Now that you know your ABC’s, use them to write your own history by participating in IGNITE’s annual elections!
IGNITE ensures our Board of Directors are the students you trust most by allowing you to elect its members every year. The 2021 voting week is Monday, March 1 to Friday, March 5 – so mark your calendars and be sure to check the IGNITE website regularly for information on this year’s candidates and how to submit your vote.
Interested in student advocacy? Nominations for the 2021-2022 Board of Directors open Monday, Feb. 1! On that day, you can download your nomination package right here on the IGNITE website and submit your name for consideration to serve your fellow students.
Whether you’re looking to govern or to have your voice heard, IGNITE’s got you – guaranteed.
M is for menstrual products – here’s how to pick the right one for you.
Follow IGNITE on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter for all things student life.
