Getting to know the U of M: A user's manual in many parts
Author
The U of M is a big and often-changing place; as such, there are a few things that everyone needs to be reminded of at the beginning of each year. How to get to campus and what to do once you’re here seem to top the list. If this only whets your appetite for campus information, however, you should be sure to check out a feature series in the Manitoban. Next week: the University of Manitoba
Students’ Union. But now, without further adieu, here is some of the stuff you oughta know.
Libraries
U of M’s libraries are significantly better than the City’s, in a few noticeable ways: firstly, they have books that are guaranteed to relate to your coursework. This is particularly noticeable if you are not an arts student. Secondly, the U of M stocks lots of unusual books, possibly related to past course content, or the whim of donors. And, unlike the city’s libraries, U of M libraries offers free (blazing-fast, come-and-hang-out-at-the-library-to-do-your-downloading, student-card-required) Internet. Internet, mind you, that you can’t access most anywhere else on campus. Yes, the reasons to go visit U of M libraries are many. But there are a few things you should know about them.
Which libraries to use
The Neil John Maclean Library on the Bannatyne campus is obviously the best of all U of M’s libraries, for a number of reasons. Firstly, it’s open till 11 p.m. Monday-Friday, even in the summer. Secondly, like everything on the Bannatyne campus, it’s newer and nicer than everything at Fort Garry. Finally, the students there are seriously studious — fastidious, even — and will motivate you to be really smart and become a doctor. Or at least finish that pesky last-minute essay.
The Elizabeth Dafoe Library, in the arts complex, is the next-best choice, again for the long hours (8:15 a.m. to 10:45 p.m., though they claim 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. — don’t get stuck trying to print an essay due at 8:30 a.m. there!), as well as the best selection of things to read for pleasure.
If you’re in a program like music or art, there is only one library that will stock books related to your coursework. But you don’t want to study in the rarely open faculty libraries, try a college library — they’re quiet, and often quite nice.
Library fines and borrowing
1. Fines for most books are 50 cents per day, up to $20. Fines on reserve items, however, are 50 cents per hour.
2. You can’t take out books if you have more than $5 in fines, or more than 10 overdue items; or if you haven’t paid your tuition after the final due-date.
3. You can borrow books on a friend’s card with a signed note from them. Except, if you do this because you have late fees, please turn the book on your friend’s account in and don’t have to write them a cheque for $50. It sucks, trust me.
Other notes on libraries
1. The Archives and Special Collections department (located in the Dafoe Library) has an amazing selection of historical documents and digitization projects. If there’s something you’re curious about, pop your head in and ask — they’ll find it for you!
2. Similarly, the library offers courses on reading microfilm and other advanced research techniques; check posters in Dafoe for updates. Or just grab a microfilm canister from the rows of shelves and try it out. If you can’t make it work, chances are a library staffer will come and assist you.
3. You can read newspapers and magazines online, for free, by going to www.umanitoba.ca/libraries and then: > E-library > Databases. For example, to read the Winnipeg Free Press archives online — no more Google cache for you! — follow this path:
E-library > Databases > Publication type > News media > Virtual News Library.
Getting to campus
If you don’t already have a parking pass, I heartily recommend that you take the bus to campus. Why? Because there is no free parking anywhere on campus before 4:30 p.m., and the parking that exists is expensive. After a few years, you’ll come up with in-a-pinch spots, but these are under no circumstances to be abused by publishing in the paper, so you’ll just have to figure them out.
Buses
Buses come to campus from all across the city, so it’s not hard to plan it out. Route 60 is the biggest and most-squished, but the 75, 78 and 36 bring in students direct from a large swath of the city, and the 61, 62, 70 and 72 (perfect for those who find out that “walking distance” is a little too far in minus-50-degree weather) help, too.
A bus pass costs $60 with tax, and is available at Answers in University Centre. If you save your receipts, you can claim 15 per cent back in your federal income taxes at the end of the year. Citizens have been known to take a single university class for the 20 per cent savings.
Bicycles
Easy: ride them, park them at racks located everywhere. Keep them locked with quality locks. Support the push for a bike lock-up on campus, and report thieves.
Parking
Student parking passes are sold out (they cost $455.80, if you’re wondering), but you can still apply to be on the waiting list for U lot at www.umanitoba.ca/parking. But, though 4,900 of the prime parking places at Fort Garry are occupied, there are still 1,300 pay-per-use spaces available for your convenience.
The most noteable is the SD, or “toonie” lot. The price increased this year from $2 per day to $2 per four hours, leading to its rechristening as the “double-toonie” lot. It’s still the cheapest way to go, save parking on the always-full gravel ditch of Markham Road.
The parkade, located between University Centre and St. John’s College, is full when you see a long lineup. Please don’t get into the long lineup. The parkade costs $1 per half hour for the first two hours, and $1 per hour after that, up to $12 per day.
Daily parking is available in K, T and U lots, for $2 every two hours, payable by cash or credit card. Make sure to return within half an hour of your ticket expiry, or you will get a ticket.
Meters are available on campus, particularly in the early morning and afternoon. There are many locations with few meters, so scope out the area you’d like to park in.
Park almost anywhere you’d like after 4:30 p.m., when most lots are free to the public.
Parking tickets
Parking tickets are usually $40, $20 if paid within the first 10 days. Pay tickets online at www.umanitoba.ca/parking and save yourself a hassle. On the other hand, it’s worth a shot to go to the Parking Office, located on Dafoe Road, if your ticket is even mildly contentious — you might get a break.
Carpooling
UMSU offers a carpooling service at Carpool.ca. Try it; it’s a cheap way to make new friends.
Shuttles
Free shuttles are available between the Fort Garry and Bannatyne campuses from 7:15 a.m. to 6:45 p.m.. Shuttle buses are also available from the SD “toonie” lot from 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.. The UMSU Bison Patrol also handles that area, and gives free rides between the Fort Garry campus and Smartpark.
Other things you should know about
ATMs are located in University Centre, near the tunnels to engineering.
Counselling The best place to go for class counselling is the dean’s office of the faculty you’re trying to get into, if that faculty is not arts or science. Avoid University 1 counselling if you can; it’s usually a waste of time. For arts and science students, or prospective ones, the best source of information is some combination of older friends, siblings, siblings’ older friends, the U1 Startbook, umanitoba.ca/calendar, and Ratemyprofessor.com. Seriously.
It’s worthwhile to ask classmates, especially as they’re in the same boat as you. Also try Peers in University Centre, a group of volunteer students who are there to help with anything (“there” being 150 University Centre).
The university operates the Psychological Service Centre for students and staff. Each fall they counsel students who are overwhelmed by coursework, depressed or really anything. Appointments can be made by calling 474-9222.
According to its website, the Student Counselling and Career Centre at 474 University Centre has stepped up its programming for Fall 2007. They now offer drop-in hours for personal, class and career counselling, as well as a mentor program and career resources. Their website is www.umanitoba.ca/student/counselling.
The Learning Assistance Centre offers student counselling of a studious nature, namely help with essays, and sessions on subjects as introductory as note-taking and as complex as word tense and punctuation. Visit www.umanitoba.ca/student/u1/lac for more details.
Computers
