Welcome to iSchool!

Three masked students sitting outside, on a hill. A young woman of colour smiles and holds up a tablet with a drawing of scribbles to her peers; two young Asian men who each hold styli. The one beside her holds his stylus close to her tablet, as if he is going to draw.

As an iSchool with an Arts perspective, we are known for our exceptional student experience and applied learning outcomes.

Our community works hard to make UBC iSchool a vibrant, multi-disciplinary and collaborative hub for learning, and our faculty and staff are here to help navigate and support you every step of the way.

We encourage you to take time to fully engage with the community and familiarize yourself with the tools and resources available to help you make the most of your time as a UBC iSchool graduate student.


Orientation Schedule for September 2024

Last updated: September 10, 2024

Tuesday, September 3 – iSchool Orientation

Time Session Place
9:15 - 9:30 amCoffee breakAMS Nest, Room 2306/2309
9:30 - 10:30 amiSchool Orientation for new students AMS Nest, Room 2306/2309
10:30 - 10:45 amCoffee breakAMS Nest, Room 2306/2309
11:00 - 12:00 pmMeet your advisor iSchool
12:00 pm - 1:30 pmPhD OrientationSlocan Room
12:00 pm - 1:00 pmLASSA LunchiSchool Lounge

TBA – Tech Orientation 

All incoming students are required to attend the appropriate orientation session, led by the iSchool faculty members and the Peer Technology Advisors.

The session will cover the program requirements and possible pathways for your degree program, and the various technology tools and resources available to iSchool students. DUAL students should attend both program orientations.

Details on the orientation will be announced soon.

Thursday, September 26 – iSchool Graduate Advisor Orientation

All incoming iSchool students are required to attend an iSchool Graduate Advisor Orientation, led by the Graduate Advisor Dr. Eric Meyers and Educational Services Manager Dr. Kevin Day.

During this session, the advising team will go over various UBC policies and resources regarding items such as leaves of absence, concessions, student wellness, exemptions, transfer credits, completion letters, among others..

Date and time: Thursday, September 26, 12:30pm to 1:30pm

Location: Online via Zoom (Zoom link)

Wednesday, September 25 – Library Resource Orientation 

Date and time: Wednesday, September 25, 12pm to 1pm

Location: Online via Zoom (Zoom link)

  • Meeting ID: 615 7885 8811
  • Passcode: 209710

All incoming iSchool students are recommended to attend one of the UBC Library Resources Orientations, led by Allan Cho.

Even if you are an UBC graduate, there are resources and tips that are specific to iSchool students that will save you time and effort in your courses. If you are interested in working as a Student Librarian next year, this will also be very useful to include on your resume.


Important Dates

Term 1 Start/End Dates:

  • Tuesday, September 3, 2024 – Friday, December 6, 2024

Term 1 Course Drop/Withdrawal Dates:

  • Drop without a W standing: September 16, 2024
  • Drop with a W standing: September 17 – October 25, 2024

Term 2 Start/End Dates:

  • Monday, January 6, 2025 – Tuesday, April 8, 2025

Term 2 Course Drop/Withdrawal Dates:

  • Drop without a W standing: January 17, 2025
  • Drop with a W standing: January 18 – March 7, 2025

First Nations Curriculum Concentration Information Session: TBA

Please visit the UBC Student Services website for more details.

Please visit the Graduate Studies website for UBC-wide orientation events.


To Do’s Before Orientation Day…

A planner, coffee cup and tray of paperclips splayed on a table. There is one corner of a paper with tiny printed calendar months.

  1. Set up your UBC Campus Wide Login (CWL)
  2. Update your contact information in Workday Student
    • Emergency Contact Info
  3. Make sure you are registered for courses
    • Students planning to take courses part-time: please contact Dr. Eric Meyers (ischool.gradadvisor@ubc.ca) before the start of your degree;
    • Students who are experiencing issues with registration should contact the iSchool Program Assistant, Katrina Zhang (ischool.program@ubc.ca).
  4. Apply for your UBC Student Card online and pick it up at the Bookstore*

iSchool Student Fees

The School of Information Student Fees cover all program costs associated with lab costs (equipment, licenses, etc.); and course costs (photocopying, special materials, etc.). All first year students at the beginning of their program are assessed a one-time iSchool Fee as follows:

  • MLIS/MAS/PhD fees are $216.00
  • MASLIS (Dual) fees are $365.00
  • MACL fees are $108.00

The one-time iSchool fee is included in the tuition and fee charges on Workday Student.

In addition, students must pay a one-time LASSA fee of $20.00. Students can pay for their LASSA fees using the online form available at the UBC iSchool uStore. Accepted payment types are credit card (VISA and MasterCard) and Interac Online. The deadline to pay for the LASSA fee is Friday, September 6.


Getting Answers at the iSchool

Start with the iSchool Website: https://ischool.ubc.ca. The newly updated iSchool website has virtually everything you need to know about requirements for your program. If you can’t find the answer please feel free to contact our office staff.

iSchool Office Staff

Debra Locke (ischool.info@ubc.ca)

Consult with the Information Assistant for all:

  • General inquiries. They will be able to direct you to the appropriate person to have your questions answered
  • Information on lockers, keycards, mailboxes, booking rooms, checking out equipment (laptops, cameras, etc.).

Katrina Zhang (ischool.program@ubc.ca)

Consult with the Program Assistant for information regarding your program:

  • Course registration issues
  • Issues surrounding your record (e.g., missing grades, etc.)
  • Closing your program and applying for graduation.

Dr. Kevin Day (ischool.edsm@ubc.ca)

Consult with the Educational Services Manager regarding:

  • Hands-on learning options, such as Practicum (LIBR 595), Internship (ARST 595), Professional Experience (ARST/LIBR 596); and related professional development advising
  • Complex student services issues

iSchool Co-op Manager: Jane Devine Mejia (jane.devine@ubc.ca)

Consult with Jane regarding: Co-op application deadlines, requirements, etc.


Faculty Advisors

You were notified of your faculty advisor via email prior to the start of the semester; please check this email to see who your assigned faculty advisor is. Consult with your advisor regarding:

  • Choice and sequence of courses in your degree program;
  • Thesis or Directed Study options. A faculty advisor can help you decide how these options can fit into your program.

Graduate Advisor: Dr. Eric Meyers (ischool.gradadvisor@ubc.ca)

Consult the Graduate Advisor regarding:

  • Dr. Meyers’ signature on various documents in the course of your time at the iSchool:
    • Loans or other legal documents that require proof of your status as a student;
    • Requests for course exemptions or pre-requisite exemptions;
    • Thesis or Directed Study options: A Graduate Advisor approval via signature is required to enroll in these options.
  • One-on-one meetings with Dr. Meyers, if you have any confidential matters that you would like to discuss or have the School be aware of (mental health issues, personal matters, etc.).

 


iSchool Peer Technology Advisor

A young Asian woman smiles at her laptop in a cafe, where she sits alone at a table with a mug, earphones and a laptop bag. The large glass window reflects the outside of the cafe: trees, a building, lights.

The iSchool has individualized assistance available for students. The Peer Technology Advisor holds open virtual consultation hours during the term – hours are to be announced.

The Peer Technology Advisors can help students with many topics, including software guidance, debugging code, and providing general IT troubleshooting. Students are encouraged to take advantage of the support available. Peer Technology Advisors are also available via Piazza.

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