All times indicated below are in Eastern Standard Time (UTC−05:00)
Know Your Services: Funding and Work Q&A
Tuesday September 1, 2020 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM
This session is designed to answer any questions you may have after having watched the orientation videos for this stream.
If you have not already watched the videos, please head over to https://www.queensu.ca/sgs/current-students/orientation.
To attend this session please register at the link below.
Know Your Services: Looking After Yourself and Your Loved Ones Q&A
Wednesday September 2, 2020 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM
This session is designed to answer any questions you may have after having watched the orientation videos for this stream.
If you have not already watched the videos, please head over to https://www.queensu.ca/sgs/current-students/orientation.
To attend this session please register at the link below.
Know Your Services: Thriving as a Student Q&A
Thursday September 3, 2020 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM
This session is designed to answer any questions you may have after having watched the orientation videos for this stream.
If you have not already watched the videos, please head over to https://www.queensu.ca/sgs/current-students/orientation.
To attend this session please register at the link below.
What’s in a place? Discussing Land Acknowledgement with the SGPS Indigenous Graduate Liaison
September 7, 2020 11 AM - 12 PM
Join Paige Van Tassel and fellow anishinaabekwe, Taylor Tye, on September 7th at 11 am for a one-hour Zoom webinar as they explore what it means to acknowledge, respect, and engage with the land and place that Queen’s University occupies.
Send in questions using the registration form linked below or attend the webinar for a Q and A session.
Physical Distancing Physical Activity at Queen'sSeptember 9, 2020 4 PM - 5:15 PM
Register to learn the ins and outs of how you can be physically active on campus and virtually this semester.
Then, get ready to stand up and get moving, as we will be hosting a live all-abilities, low impact physically active session!
Speed Meeting & Grad Club Trivia
September 10, 2020 7:30 PM - 11 PM
The SGPS presents its Orientation Speed Meet and Trivia night. Join us on Zoom at 7:30 PM to meet the community and make some friends before we head over to CFRC 101.9 FM’s social media for a virtual Trivia Night hosted by CFRC 101.9 and the Grad Club at 9:00 PM!
Museum MashupSeptember 11, 2020 10:30 AM - 12 PM
During Museum Mashup, we will here from a variety of curators in the Kingston area about some of their favourite archived items and why they are passionate about the museums they work in.
We will also hear about other museums, galleries, and historic sites in the area from our friends at the Kingston Association of Museum, Art Galleries, and Historic Sites.
Finally, we will introduce an exciting series of museum-related events that we will be hosting this academic year, during which you can share some of your archived items with us and learn more about different locations in the area!
Couch Disco: 2007 Called, It Wants Akon Back
September 12, 2020 8 PM - 10 PM
SGPS presents Couch Disco: 2007 Called, It Wants Akon Back, featuring 2 hours of bops from the late 2000s.
Tune in on September 12th at 8:00 PM at CFRC 101.9 FM, cfrc.ca, and at https://sgps.click/discord.
Show off your couch moves on Discord for a chance to win a $25 gift card to Marble Slab Creamery!
Scavenger Hunt Grad School in the Time of CoronaSeptember 13, 2020 9 AM - 11:59 PM
On Sunday, September 13, join new and continuing Queen’s graduate students from across the world for a virtual scavenger hunt!
Your phone and an internet connection is all you need to share your favorite quarantine memes, discover the Queen’s campus and enter for a chance to win one of three $25.00 gift cards!
More details to come!
If you wish to opt-out of optional student fees (otherwise known as optional ancillary fees) there are two separate processes you must complete.
Students can opt-out of optional fees, online through SOLUS, between Tuesday September 8, 2020 – Wednesday September 30, 2020.
The opt-out process can only be completed once per year and late opt-outs are not accepted.
Students are encouraged to learn about the fees so they are able to make informed decisions about their choices since once confirmed, selections are final.
Click here to learn more about Optional Student Fees (otherwise known as Optional Ancillary Fees).
If you have any questions about the SOLUS optional fee opt-out, please contact solus@queensu.ca
If you are already covered under another plan (not including basic provincial health care or UHIP), you may opt out of the SGPS Health and Dental Plan and receive a credit to your SOLUS account.
You can only opt out of the Health and Dental Plan upon showing proof of other equivalent health and dental coverage.
You can opt-out at StudentCare.ca between Tuesday September 8, 2020 – Wednesday September 30, 2020. Late opt-outs will not be accepted.
The entire opt-put process occurs online through StudentCare. Any issues with the opt-out process should be reported to StudentCare directly.
If you lose your equivalent coverage after opting out of the SGPS Health and Dental Plan due to unforeseen circumstances, you may re-enrol in the Plan within 30 days of losing your other coverage by contacting healthdental@sgps.ca. You will have to provide proof of the loss of coverage.
Please note, students who opt out absolve the SGPS, the insurance company(s), Queen’s University, StudentCare, and any other involved party of all liability whatsoever for any loss suffered by the student. Students (or their parents in the case of minors) are responsible for familiarizing themselves with the contents of this website before they opt out.
Not sure if you should opt-out? Check out this primer from StudentCare to learn about what you might be missing out on.
Both opt-out processes occur independently of the SGPS. If you have any questions or concerns regarding…
- the SOLUS optional fee opt-out, please contact solus@queensu.ca
- the StudentCare Health and Dental Plan opt-out, please contact StudentCare.
If you are registered as a full-time, on-campus student for the Fall 2020 semester you are automatically assessed Health and Dental for yourself in September.
You do not need to opt yourself in.
If you still do not see an SGPS Health and Dental Plan charge on your SOLUS account after September 1, 2020 please contact healthdental@sgps.ca in order to receive information about how you can opt yourself into the SGPS Health and Dental plan.
Please note, you must contact healthdental@sgps.ca before the end of enrolment period to be added to the plan. The enrolment period ends Wednesday, September 30, 2020. Late opt-ins will not be accepted.
Self-enrolment costs $610.00 plus the SGPS Society Fee, which is an additional $70.00.
Please note, if you are enrolling yourself into the SGPS Health and Dental plan you must also have active primary coverage. This can be OHIP (or another province’s equivalent) or UHIP. You cannot access the SGPS Health and Dental plan if you do not have have active primary coverage.
To learn more about what is covered under the SGPS Health and Dental plan, check out StudentCare.ca
You can enrol your partner and/or your children online at StudentCare.ca between Tuesday September 8, 2020 – Wednesday September 30, 2020. Late opt-ins will not be accepted.
The entire enrolment process occurs online through StudentCare. Any issues with the enrolment process should be reported to StudentCare directly.
Enrolling your partner/spouse or one child will cost $610.00.
Enrolling your family (spouse + unlimited number of children) will cost $1,220.00.
The costs associated with adding dependants to the plan cannot be added to your SOLUS account. You will be expected to pay online at the StudentCare website at the time of enrolment.
Please note, if you are enrolling your dependants into the SGPS Health and Dental plan they must also have active primary coverage. This can be OHIP (or another province’s equivalent) or UHIP. Your dependants cannot access the SGPS Health and Dental plan if they do not have have active primary coverage.
To learn more about what is covered under the SGPS Health and Dental plan, check out StudentCare.ca
If you are already covered under another plan (not including basic provincial health care or UHIP), you may opt out of the SGPS Health and Dental Plan and receive a credit to your SOLUS account.
You can only opt out of the Health and Dental Plan upon showing proof of other equivalent health and dental coverage.
You can opt-out at StudentCare.ca between Tuesday September 8, 2020 – Wednesday September 30, 2020. Late opt-outs will not be accepted.
The entire opt-put process occurs online through StudentCare. Any issues with the opt-out process should be reported to StudentCare directly.
If you lose your equivalent coverage after opting out of the SGPS Health and Dental Plan due to unforeseen circumstances, you may re-enrol in the Plan within 30 days of losing your other coverage by contacting healthdental@sgps.ca. You will have to provide proof of the loss of coverage.
Please note, students who opt out absolve the SGPS, the insurance company(s), Queen’s University, StudentCare, and any other involved party of all liability whatsoever for any loss suffered by the student. Students (or their parents in the case of minors) are responsible for familiarizing themselves with the contents of this website before they opt out.
Not sure if you should opt-out? Check out this primer from StudentCare to learn about what you might be missing out on.
As per the Queen’s UHIP website:
If your studies are not in Ontario for this period, your enrolment in UHIP may not be mandatory.
To inquire, email uhip@queensu.ca (include your student number and a brief explanation of your circumstances).
If you will be located outside of Ontario during the Fall 2020 term and you will not have UHIP, OHIP, or another province’s primary coverage equivalent, you may opt out of the SGPS Health and Dental Plan and receive a credit to your SOLUS account.
Please note, if you are located outside of Canada the SGPS Health and Dental Plan may not provide any coverage to you. You cannot use the coverage in your home country and due to various travel advisories you may not be able use your coverage elsewhere internationally. For more information, please check out this link.
You can only opt out of the Health and Dental Plan upon providing proof that you will not be present in Ontario during the Fall 2020 term.
This website will be updated in the coming weeks with information about what proof will be required.
You can opt-out at StudentCare.ca between Tuesday September 8, 2020 – Wednesday September 30, 2020. Late opt-outs will not be accepted.
The entire opt-put process occurs online through StudentCare. Any issues with the opt-out process should be reported to StudentCare directly.
Please note, students who opt out absolve the SGPS, the insurance company(s), Queen’s University, StudentCare, and any other involved party of all liability whatsoever for any loss suffered by the student. Students (or their parents in the case of minors) are responsible for familiarizing themselves with the contents of this website before they opt out.
Questions about the SGPS Health and Dental Plan?
As students prepare for their return to campus it is likely that many are looking to public transport to navigate Kingston.
As you know, the Bus-It contract was suspended for this year given the reduced capacities, lack of Queen’s specific route provisions, and that transit is currently free to all.
We are still actively working with the AMS and the City of Kingston to ensure students who need access, have access.
The SGPS is committed to ensuring financial supports to students to keep the cost affordable.
As of this moment discussions on what the pass will look like (digital, additional stickers, separate card) are occurring as many issues with distribution arise when considering public health guidelines.
Until we communicate otherwise, you can ride the bus for free. When the situation changes, we will communicate any changes to you via the SGPS newsletter and our social media accounts (@QueensSGPS on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram).
I have questions about…
| Accessibility | Queen’s Accessibility Hub https://www.queensu.ca/accessibility/ Queen’s Student Accessibility Services (QSAS) |
| Becoming a Teaching Assistant/Research Assistant | Your Department You can find the appropriate contact for your department at the link below https://www.queensu.ca/sgs/contact-us/program-contacts |
| Financial Assistance | Student Awards https://www.queensu.ca/studentawards/ awards@queensu.ca |
| Funding Packages | Your Department You can find the appropriate contact for your department at the link below https://www.queensu.ca/sgs/contact-us/program-contacts |
| Getting Involved | Queen’s Clubs Office https://myams.org/home/clubs/ SGPS VP Community vp.community@sgps.ca |
| Library Access | Queen’s University Library https://library.queensu.ca/help-services/covid-19-updates-library-services-operations |
| Living in Kingston/Housing | SGS Habitat You can find information about living in Kingston at the link below. https://www.queensu.ca/sgs/sgs-habitat/moving-and-living-kingston Queen’s Community Housing Accommodations Listing Service (ALS) |
| Office/Study Space | Your Department You can find the appropriate contact for your department at the link below https://www.queensu.ca/sgs/contact-us/program-contacts |
| Orientation Activities | SGPS Events https://sgps.ca/eventscalendar/ School of Graduate Studies (SGS) Events Your Department |
| Primary Health Coverage for International Students | UHIP https://quic.queensu.ca/uhip/ uhip@queensu.ca |
| Purchasing Textbooks and Course Materials | Campus Bookstore https://www.campusbookstore.com/welcome |
| Resources for BIPOC Students | Queen’s Coalition against Racial and Ethnic Discrimination https://qcredcoordinator.wordpress.com/about/ Queen’s Black Academic Society Four Directions Indigenous Student Centre Queen’s Asian Students’ Association Queen’s Equity Services |
| Seeing a Doctor or a Counsellor | Queen’s Student Wellness Services https://www.queensu.ca/studentwellness/ |
| Setting up my Queen’s NetID/Accessing OnQ | Queen’s Information Technology Services (ITS) https://www.queensu.ca/its/getting-started/student |
| Students with Children | Queen’s University International Centre (QUIC) FAQ https://quic.queensu.ca/living-in-kingston/students-with-children/ Queen’s Division of Student Affairs Resource Page |
| Study Permit, Work Permits and Visa | Queen’s University International Centre (QUIC) https://quic.queensu.ca/arrival/permits-and-visas/ |
| Supplemental Health and Dental Coverage | StudentCare http://www.studentcare.ca/View.aspx?locale=en&uid=IHaveAPlan_SGPS_Home healthdental@sgps.ca |
| Tuition and Fees | Office of the University Registrar http://www.queensu.ca/registrar/home solus@queensu.caInformation regarding Ancillary Fees can be found at https://sgps.ca/sgps-activity-fees/ Questions about ancillary fees? Contact director@sgps.ca |
In response to operational changes at the university due to the ongoing global pandemic, the university has implemented initiatives and process changes to help smooth out tuition and fee payments, awards disbursement and registration processes for students. To learn more about these changes, check out the link below.
Click here to access Office of the University Registrar’s Dates & Deadlines site
With the majority of Queen’s teaching and learning resources being moved online for Fall 2020, it is imperative that you make sure you are set-up with your Queen’s NetID. Queen’s ITS has put together a “getting started” guide for new students to help you get set up.
Click here to access ITS’ New Student IT Guide
The move to online learning means it is more important than ever to make sure that you know how to access everything you need for your classes remotely. Queen’s ITS has put together a page to help you prepare to teach and learn remotely.
Click here to access ITS’ “Preparing to Teach and Learn Remotely” Page
Check out the School of Graduate Studies’ 20-21 Orientation page for live webinars, online modules, and pre-recorded videos all devoted to ensuring you have access to the information you need for a smooth transition to the new academic year.
Click here to access the SGS 20-21 Orientation Page
The School of Graduate Studies understands that uncertainties around the Fall term have generated many questions from our community – students, fellows, staff, and faculty. In an effort to address your questions and concerns, the SGS has compiled a website answering Frequently Asked Questions.
Click here to access the SGS Fall 2020 FAQs
Check out the Queen’s University International Centre (QUIC) 20-21 Orientation page for live webinars and prerecorded videos, geared specifically to assist international students transition into the new academic year.
Click here to access QUIC’s 20-21 Orientation Page
COVID-19 has changed a lot of things for 2020 – 2021 academic year, especially for international students. QUIC has pulled together a resource page to assist international students in finding the information they need to answer any questions they may have.
