The Office of Student and Academic Services
In the Faculty of Environmental and Urban Change, the Office of Student and Academic Services (OSAS) provides all EUC students with supportive services and resources to reach their utmost success.
OSAS works closely with other campus associates and colleagues to establish and maintain a welcoming and enthusiastic experience for our students as they progress through their program at York University.
Here, you will find the various support services, initiatives and in-house programs that are available to you to help you succeed while at York.
Advising for Undergraduate Students
As part of the academic advising community, we hope to help you find a sense of purpose so that you can excel academically. Furthermore we hope that you will feel connected to York and to the Faculty of Environmental and Urban Change. We encourage you to participate in our inclusive learning community which includes clubs and peer mentoring activities. Our academic advising team provides a safe and confidential environment for all York EUC students.
Undergraduate Peer Mentors
The Peer Mentor program helps undergraduate students get used to university life and to our program, so you can become connected to the larger community of York University. Peer Mentors have excellent leadership, are academically successful and are a positive influence on students by providing support, advice and encouragement. Some Peer Mentors provide writing and stats tutoring during selected times in the term.
What do they do?
Our well-trained Peer Mentors are available to guide and help you over the course of your program. Their office is a welcoming place where you can meet other students in your program. Our Peer Mentors provide the friendly support you need to help you navigate university life. The Faculty of Environmental Studies Peer Mentors are available Monday to Friday in HNES 125.
Peer Mentors will also…
- Attend first- and second-year classes to inform students about the various support services available.
- Invite you to the annual De-Stress Day: Full of fun, creative crafts, music, movies and popcorn and a way to relax before exams.
- Offer instructional support for some of our courses, particularly first-year courses. If you need help to understand some of the most difficult concepts in a course, you should first contact your professor and your own TA, but you may also get help from a Peer Mentor who is designated as an instructional support mentor. For the 2020-2021 Academic Year, a Peer Mentor will be available to offer instructional support for ENVS 1500 and ENVS 2009 and GEOG 1000.
- Offer writing support. You should first talk to your professor or TA for any writing issues, but you may also get help from a Peer Mentor. For the 2020-21 Academic Year, a Peer Mentor will be available to offer academic writing support for ENVS 1000 and GEOG 1000.
Meet Your Peer Mentors for 2020/2021
Brittany Bodo
Year: 2
Area of concentration: Environmental Management
High school attended: Sherwood Secondary School
Future plans: To become a meteorologist or work for the government
Favourite part of the BES program: My favourite part is how connected everyone is. They are so welcoming, and I have created so many friendships in this program. Everyone is super friendly and very easy to talk to!
Madison Downer Bartholomew
Year: 2
Area of concentration: Environmental Management
High school attended: Guelph Collegiate Vocational Institute
Future plans: After my undergrad, I plan to do a master’s related to marine and coastal management.
Favourite part of the BES program: My favourite part of the program is the variety in what we learn. I never feel bored because I get to learn about many interesting topics, like ecology and history, without having to limit myself to just one.
Summer Solmes
Year: 2
Area of concentration: Environmental Management
High school attended: Loretto Abbey Catholic Secondary School
Future plans: Ride the tide of interests I hold and ultimately work toward doctoring the Earth in any and every way possible!
Favourite part of the BES program: The “to infinity and beyond” aspect in every element of the program. The diversity and versatility of the BES program allows students to experience a variety of subjects in developing an attainable future goal. It always goes the extra mile to help you succeed, through career workshops, experiential education, the Las Nubes trip, work/study positions and more. The sky is the limit with a program like BES.
Mayte Berdejo-Williams
Year: 2
Area of concentration: Environmental Management
High school attended: St. Edmund Campion Secondary School
Future plans: Travel the world to work on different conservation sites.
Favourite part of the BES program: During first year, you are able to have a majority of your classes with people from the program, which is a great way to stay connected or get connected to each other and form solid friendships.
Naval Khalid
Year: 2
Area of concentration: Environmental Management
High school attended: Craig Kielburger Secondary School
Future plans: I’m interested in learning about the fundamentals of policy making and being responsible for checking an organization’s air quality, pollution, clean water, etc. With the knowledge of policy making, I want to make sure organizations are compliant with environmental regulations and policies, and perhaps even create policies that help reduce air pollution and create a clean environment.
Favourite part of the BES program: The BES program is welcoming and allows students to explore their own interests while keeping the environment their main focus. In high school, I was not fully set on studying the environment. Fortunately, this program is open and has allowed me to explore all my interests. Also, the peer mentors and advisors in this
program are very close and supportive. The amount of support I receive academically and personally has helped me prosper as a student.
Sarah Costa
Year: 3
Area of concentration: Environmental Management
High school attended: Bishop Marrocco/Thomas Merton CSS, Toronto, Ont.
Future plans: I’m particularly interested in resource management and conservation. I would love to do both fieldwork and research in the future. I’m also interested in GIS and looking forward to exploring it further as I finish my degree.
Favourite part of the BES program: I love the interdisciplinary nature of the BES program. We deal with complex issues that require interdisciplinary solutions. There is a lot of flexibility within the program to find what you’re passionate about and what speaks to you.
Tanishka Mehta
Year: 3
Area of concentration: Urban and Regional Environments
High school attended: Al Diyafah High School, Dubai, UAE
Future plans: I want to be an urban planner. I am interested in learning about the development of sustainable cities.
Favourite part of the BES program: I love that the faculty is closely knit. Since I am an international student, it is like having a home away from home. The faculty and staff are very warm and welcoming.
Anjola Oyelade
Year: 2
Area of concentration: Environmental Management
High school attended: Norte Dame Catholic High School
Future plans: Government worker
Favourite part of the BES program: The social and environmental aspects make me feel like with that knowledge I can change something.
Ayysha Khan
Year: 2
Program: Environmental Studies
Area of concentration: Environmental Management
High school attended: Emery Collegiate Institute
Favourite part of the EUC program: My favourite part of the program is that it provides a lot of opportunities for learning and widening individual skill sets in preparation for future career paths.
Thomas
Year: 4
Area of concentration: Urban and Regional Environments
High school attended: Bishop Smith Catholic High School
Favourite part of the EUC program: My favourite part of the program is that EUC is a close community of students and academics who are all working toward the collective goal of creating a more equitable and sustainable planet.
Mariam Alam
Year: 2
Area of concentration: Environmental management
High school attended: The Segi College
Future plans: Renewable energy manager, environmental policy analyst or conservationist
Favourite part of the EUC program: My favourite part is the amazing faculty.
Ritwik Dev
Year: 4
Area of concentration: Environmental Management
High school attended: Calcutta International School, Kolkata, India
Future plans: I hope to begin my career in the field of environmental consulting, specializing in implementing renewable energy projects and built environment/construction industry through public-private partnerships, and eventually evolve my career toward international development around the world. I am also keeping my options open to pursue post-graduate education in the field of environmental applied science and management.
Favourite part of the BES/EUC program: I appreciate the EUC faculty’s dedication toward providing experiential learning opportunities. My favourite part was a two-day workshop and construction of ground-mounted, seasonally adjustable racking for a solar PV array through a course I took called Business and Sustainability. This provided me with a real-world skill, outside classroom experience in the field of renewable energy, which I am interested in.
Marissa Di Taranto
Year: 4
Area of concentration: Environmental Management and CAP certificate
High school attended: St. Theresa of Lisieux
Favourite part of the BES program: I love how small-knit the community is.
Alyssa Marchese
Year: 4
Program: Environmental Studies
Area of concentration: Environmental Management
High school attended: St. Theresa of Lisieux
Future plans: Lawyer, politician or professor
Favourite part of the BES/EUC program: I love the community that BES was and that EUC will be within the larger York community. With incredible staff, faculty and students, we are truly a family!
Jacky Duong
Year: 3
Program: Geography (BA)
High school attended: Dr. Norman Bethune CI, Scarborough, Ont.
Favourite part of the Geography program: Geography is such a broad and interdisciplinary field, I enjoy the diverse range of courses and opportunities offered at York. My favourite part is how friendly and supportive peers, staff and faculty contribute to a welcoming environment. Moreover, I especially like the available space this faculty provides for their students
Sarika Ganguli
Year: 3
Program: Environmental Studies
Area of concentration: Environmental Management
High school attended: Our Lady of Mount Carmel Secondary School
Future plans: To work on eliminating illegal poaching of marine life and creating a marine life rehabilitation centre for animals impacted by anthropogenic causes.
Favourite part of the BES/EUC program: The close-knit family that is created within the BES programs and the amazing opportunities you are able to get because of how much everyone cares.
Emma Bramante
Program: Environmental Studies
Area of Concentration: Environmental Management
High school attended: Holy Cross Catholic Academy
Future plans: To work on improving urban areas as sustainable cities equipped with renewable energy systems, improved infrastructure, decrease traffic congestion and overall improvements for urban carbon footprints
Favorite part of EUC: EUC is incredibly well rounded. The program is very diverse and prepares you for a multitude of interests and future careers. Our eco-campus offers a once in a lifetime opportunity to learn in breathtaking Costa Rica which is one of the many examples of experiential education offered by EUC to help you grow and succeed as a person and member of society!
Patricia MacDonald (Trish)
Program: Environmental Politics, Justice and the Arts
Year 3
Future Plans: My long term goals for the future are to teach globally and modernize education curriculums and consult with governments and businesses to adapt more sustainable operations.
Favorite part of EUC: My favorite part of EUC is the community involvement. I love being a part of something grater than
Undergraduate Peer Mentors' Online Office Hours
| Weekday | Time | Peer Mentor | Zoom Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monday | 9:30am to 10:30am | Jacky | Click here to meet Passcode: 529800 |
| Monday | 10:30am to 11:30am | Brittany & Summer | Click here to meet Passcode: n/a |
| Monday | 12Noon to 1:00pm | Sarika | Click here to meet Passcode: n/a |
| Monday | 2:30pm to 3:30pm | Trish | Click here to meet Passcode: 527717 |
| Tuesday | 10:30am to 11:30am | Alyssa | Click here to meet Passcode: 112928 |
| Tuesday | 11:30am to 12:30pm | Marissa | Click here to meet Passcode: n/a |
| Wednesday | 9:00am to 10:00am | Mayte | Click here to meet Passcode: 019535 |
| Wednesday | 10:00am to 11:00am | Ritwik | Click here to meet Passcode: 359840 |
| Wednesday | 12Noon to 1:00pm | Naval | Click here to meet Passcode: n/a |
| Wednesday | 1:30pm to 2:30pm | Ayysha | Click here to meet Passcode: 440824 |
| Wednesday | 2:30pm to 3:30pm | Anjie | Click here to meet Passcode: 527717 |
| Thursday | 9:00am to 10:00am | Sarah & Tanishka | Click here to meet Passcode: n/a |
| Thursday | 11:00am to 12Noon | Madison | Click here to meet Passcode: 357285 |
| Friday | 9:00am to 10:00am | Emma | Click here to meet Passcode: 304158 |
Advising for Graduate Students in Geography
A Geography MA or MSc supervisory committee will consist of a minimum of two members from the Faculty of Graduate Studies, at least one of whom must be from the Geography program, and who serves as the principal supervisor. On entering the program you have been assigned a supervisor – your second committee member is usually chosen in consultation with your supervisor during your first semester.. Masters students’ supervisory committees have two members whether they pursue the thesis option or the MRP option. Courses are selected by candidates with the help of their advisors.
A Geography PhD supervisory committee will consist of a minimum of three members from the Faculty of Graduate Studies, at least two of whom must be members of the Geography graduate program. Upon entering the program you have been assigned a principal supervisor. You will normally choose your other committee members in consultation with your supervisor. Courses are selected by candidates with the help of their advisors.
Buddy System for Graduate Studies in Geography
"Buddy System" in Graduate Program in Geography - A number of graduate students have volunteered to act as “buddies” for members of the incoming cohort. They will be able to offer you advice, help you navigate various bureaucratic waters, and will introduce you to other people in the program. The buddy program is being organized by the Geography Graduate Student Association (GeoGSA). A member of GeoGSA will be in touch with you concerning your buddy assignment.
Student Success Resources
York University and the Faculty of Environmental and Urban Change offer many resources to help you succeed in your studies and feel like you are connected to our community.
Student Accessibility Services provides educational support to students with documented disabilities in accordance with the Ontario Human Rights Code and York Senate Policy on Academic Accommodation for Students with Disabilities. Find more information here.
Student Counselling and Development aims to help York students realize, develop and fulfill their personal potential in order to maximally benefit from their university experience and manage the challenges of university life. Students come to us for a wide range of concerns, such as depression, anxiety, abuse, stress, self-esteem, relationship issues, eating and body image, as well as issues related to sexuality. Get more information on Student Counselling here.
Library Accessibility Services information is available here.
The Learning Commons provides library research support, writing instruction, learning skills and careers services support all under one roof: the Scott Library. Our services will support you as you develop the many skills, tactics and strategies required for success in university and beyond. For more information, visit The Learning Commons.
The Writing Centre is an essential resource in your development of critical thinking, reading and writing: You will find that if you seek assistance early on when writing assignments, you will learn more about your own ability to write well and receive guidance during the process. Students in our BES program should take the time to visit the Writing Centre, since we do place a heavy emphasis placed on academic writing in our program.
Geography Reading Groups are opportunities for graduate students with common interests to get together for discussion. If you would like to form a reading group, just post a message to the grad student listserv and find some like-minded co-conspirators. If you would like to be a part of the Critical Geography Reading Group’s (CGRG) monthly events, you may contact Prof. Raju Das (rajudas@yorku.ca).
Computing Resources & Services
We provide a wide range of computing services exclusive to members of the EUC students. Services for the overall York community are provided by University Information Technology (UIT).