The Off Campus Fellows Program (OCF) is a service designed to help integrate first year students living off campus to the McGill and Montreal communities. OCF hosts an assortment of social events that facilitate interaction between first year students and establishes a meaningful network for those not living in McGill Residences. OCF is a valuable resource providing support specifically oriented towards first year students living off campus, a resource that currently has no other analogue at McGill, nor under SSMU Clubs and Services.
This past year, OCF has organized
a variety of events, including but not limited to Off Campus Fest, an
alternative to RezFest with over 450 participants, question and answer periods,
visits to McGill sporting events, apartment crawls, picnics, potlucks, a coffee
house, pub crawls, music festival visits, and performance art showcases. These
events focused on accessibility with regards to location, price, and targeted
demographic, and were done with little to no operating budget.
OCF directly engages with
over 3000 first year students while using minimal McGill resources. The program
currently operates out of McGill Residence Life, which is under Student Housing
and Hospitality Services, but has not been renewed for another year and there
have been no measures taken to guarantee the placement of the program under an
alternative, relevant supervising department at the University.
We, the Off-Campus Fellows
and other supporters of OCF, write this letter with the hope that the
University will take action to ensure the continuation of this program.
Considering that McGill University does not currently have any other program
that explicitly services first year off campus students, the implications of
losing this program are substantial. Without action to ensure that
responsibility for the OCF Program is moved from Residence Life to another
department, OCF and the services it provides to half of the first year student
population will no longer exist. Furthermore, the removal of this program could
place an unnecessary burden on other student services such as First Year
Council, McGill International Students Network, McGill Mental Health, academic
advising offices, etc.
We, the undersigned, firmly believe that the OCF program has made a significant contribution to the McGill community and has enhanced the lives of students living off campus. We wholeheartedly support any and all efforts made to promote the existence of this program next year and in all future years, and feel that this program is an integral part of the well-being of many students in their first year at McGill University.
Updates
April 1, 2014
I spent the entire morning staring at my inbox waiting for any sign of a reply from the administration but their silence is just getting louder by the minute. It is so frustrating because I keep thinking about how many first years are going to feel completely lost without this program if we do not get some answers soon. I have been drafting follow up emails that probably sound way too intense but at this point I feel like I have to be the squeaky wheel or else they will just sweep the whole thing under a rug.
April 1, 2014
I was just staring at the screen and honestly it is overwhelming to see so many people who actually care about keeping this program alive because this really started as just a scattered thought in my head. It feels like things are finally shifting into gear and I am feeling pretty hopeful that the administration is going to have to listen to us now since this momentum is honestly quite wild for something that started with zero budget.
Reached 100 supporters
April 1, 2014
36 Comments
OFC program is probably x10 times more useful than all of the other housing program united: other kids live together, it's fun to organize activity, but their social well-being is not at risk. International Kids coming and living independently because McGill housing is way to expensive on the other hand DO need that little social push.
As a Rez Life facilitator I understand how important it is for first years to have support in their transition to McGill, and getting rid of this program is a real detriment to next year's student body. The Off Campus Fellows have been incredible this year, and such an amazing resource needs to be maintained.
As a former off-campus student, I would just like to voice that without the OC program, I would not have been successful in making the contacts and being integrated into the University system as thoroughly and as well informed as I was. I am hopeful that this blatant attack on the social well being of student living outside of the residence system is ameliorated. Thank You.
This program really helped me integrate into the Montreal community! Coming from a small town to a huge city was stressful and they really were there for me <3 OCF <3
As a current Off Campus Fellow I know this program has positively effected many students at McGill this year. Furthermore, as a student who lived off campus in his first year I know how difficult it can be to adapt to a new school and city. This program has helped many students make friends and establish a social life that is essential for surviving university.
Every student deserves the to connect with the McGill community. Students who live in Rez are constantly immersed in all that the university has to offer them. For those first year students who live off-campus it can be much harder to find a place in the vibrant student life here at McGill. The Off Campus Fellows program serves those who may need a helping hand to discover all the fantastic possibilities this school can open for them outside of the classroom.
Co-running the Off Campus Fellow Program in 2012-2013 was such an amazing opportunity for me. I got to see how important the program was for first year students and the support it provides cannot be understated. I hope that McGIll administration recognizes the value of the program and ensures it for the years to come!
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The Off Campus Fellows Program (OCF) is a service designed to help integrate first year students living off campus to the McGill and Montreal communities. OCF hosts an assortment of social events that facilitate interaction between first year students and establishes a meaningful network for those not living in McGill Residences. OCF is a valuable resource providing support specifically oriented towards first year students living off campus, a resource that currently has no other analogue at McGill, nor under SSMU Clubs and Services.
This past year, OCF has organized
a variety of events, including but not limited to Off Campus Fest, an
alternative to RezFest with over 450 participants, question and answer periods,
visits to McGill sporting events, apartment crawls, picnics, potlucks, a coffee
house, pub crawls, music festival visits, and performance art showcases. These
events focused on accessibility with regards to location, price, and targeted
demographic, and were done with little to no operating budget.
OCF directly engages with
over 3000 first year students while using minimal McGill resources. The program
currently operates out of McGill Residence Life, which is under Student Housing
and Hospitality Services, but has not been renewed for another year and there
have been no measures taken to guarantee the placement of the program under an
alternative, relevant supervising department at the University.
We, the Off-Campus Fellows
and other supporters of OCF, write this letter with the hope that the
University will take action to ensure the continuation of this program.
Considering that McGill University does not currently have any other program
that explicitly services first year off campus students, the implications of
losing this program are substantial. Without action to ensure that
responsibility for the OCF Program is moved from Residence Life to another
department, OCF and the services it provides to half of the first year student
population will no longer exist. Furthermore, the removal of this program could
place an unnecessary burden on other student services such as First Year
Council, McGill International Students Network, McGill Mental Health, academic
advising offices, etc.
We, the undersigned, firmly believe that the OCF program has made a significant contribution to the McGill community and has enhanced the lives of students living off campus. We wholeheartedly support any and all efforts made to promote the existence of this program next year and in all future years, and feel that this program is an integral part of the well-being of many students in their first year at McGill University.
Updates
April 1, 2014
I spent the entire morning staring at my inbox waiting for any sign of a reply from the administration but their silence is just getting louder by the minute. It is so frustrating because I keep thinking about how many first years are going to feel completely lost without this program if we do not get some answers soon. I have been drafting follow up emails that probably sound way too intense but at this point I feel like I have to be the squeaky wheel or else they will just sweep the whole thing under a rug.
April 1, 2014
I was just staring at the screen and honestly it is overwhelming to see so many people who actually care about keeping this program alive because this really started as just a scattered thought in my head. It feels like things are finally shifting into gear and I am feeling pretty hopeful that the administration is going to have to listen to us now since this momentum is honestly quite wild for something that started with zero budget.
Reached 100 supporters
April 1, 2014
36 Comments
There are social support systems in place for students fortunate enough to be able to live on campus--namely the Rez fellows. Off campus students should not be considered "second class" and so should have he same rights/ support. If funding is the problem, a nominal fee of $1-$2.00 would cover the costs of this very cost effective yet worthwhile program.
OFC program is probably x10 times more useful than all of the other housing program united: other kids live together, it's fun to organize activity, but their social well-being is not at risk. International Kids coming and living independently because McGill housing is way to expensive on the other hand DO need that little social push.
As a Rez Life facilitator I understand how important it is for first years to have support in their transition to McGill, and getting rid of this program is a real detriment to next year's student body. The Off Campus Fellows have been incredible this year, and such an amazing resource needs to be maintained.
As a former off-campus student, I would just like to voice that without the OC program, I would not have been successful in making the contacts and being integrated into the University system as thoroughly and as well informed as I was. I am hopeful that this blatant attack on the social well being of student living outside of the residence system is ameliorated. Thank You.
This program really helped me integrate into the Montreal community! Coming from a small town to a huge city was stressful and they really were there for me <3 OCF <3
As a current Off Campus Fellow I know this program has positively effected many students at McGill this year. Furthermore, as a student who lived off campus in his first year I know how difficult it can be to adapt to a new school and city. This program has helped many students make friends and establish a social life that is essential for surviving university.
Every student deserves the to connect with the McGill community. Students who live in Rez are constantly immersed in all that the university has to offer them. For those first year students who live off-campus it can be much harder to find a place in the vibrant student life here at McGill. The Off Campus Fellows program serves those who may need a helping hand to discover all the fantastic possibilities this school can open for them outside of the classroom.
Co-running the Off Campus Fellow Program in 2012-2013 was such an amazing opportunity for me. I got to see how important the program was for first year students and the support it provides cannot be understated. I hope that McGIll administration recognizes the value of the program and ensures it for the years to come!
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There are social support systems in place for students fortunate enough to be able to live on campus--namely the Rez fellows. Off campus students should not be considered "second class" and so should have he same rights/ support. If funding is the problem, a nominal fee of $1-$2.00 would cover the costs of this very cost effective yet worthwhile program.