Downloadable - Academic Calendar - University of Western Ontario

TERMAlumniAncillary FeesBursaryConvocationCurriculumVitae (CV)FroshGraduateIntent toRegisterInternshipITSLAMPUniversity-SpeakA Guide for Parents and StudentsUniversity is an exciting time for Students and their Parents, but it can also be a sometimes dauntingexperience. The sheer size of the campus and the number of people working and studying here may makethe school seem like its own town and, like any town, it has its own character,rituals, and even language. This guide is intended to help you familiarizeyourself with some of the terminology, the “University-Speak,” that you mayencounter at Western. Understanding some of the jargon and expressionsused around you is one of the best steps to feeling “at home.”The 2011-2012 First Year Classconsists of 5150 students,the largest in the historyof Western!DEFINITIONIronically, the first word in our Guide describes what youwill be once you have finished University. Alumni is plural;Alumnus is singular and refers to a former student of aspecific school, College, or University.Ancillary Fees are supplementary costs that are in additionto a principle fee (i.e. an Ancillary Fee may be required forspecial access to recreational facilities).A Bursary is a non-repayable grant usually awarded tostudents based on financial need.Convocation means a group of people gathered for aceremony (i.e. Graduation).From Latin meaning “course of life.” Like a résumé, aCV or “vita” is a summary of your skills, experience, andeducation. It is quite detailed and is often longer than2 pages. CVs are the documents required to apply forGraduate School, scientific research, and academicpositions.Frosh is a gender-less short-form for “Freshmen” and refersto new or first-year students.A Graduate is a student who has earned a degree.Graduate School refers to a division of the University whichoffers courses leading to degrees more advanced than theBachelor’s Degree (i.e. Master’s Degree, PhD Degree).First-year students must complete their Intent toRegister by March 31 in their first year of studies. Thisdocument indicates their intention to return to Western inSeptember for a second year and declares their intendedarea of study.Internships are offered in different programs at differentstages of a student’s academic career. If you participate in oneof these programs, you are an Intern. An Intern is a personwho works as an apprentice or trainee in an occupation orprofession to gain practical experience. An Internship is anofficial or formal program that provides practical experience forbeginners in an occupation or profession.ITS (Information Technology Services) is the front-linesupport for all aspects of computing services at Western.(www.uwo.ca/its)LAMP (Leadership and Mentor Program) is designed tohelp first-year students learn leadership skills and, bypairing them with upper-year students, will expose themto a supportive learning community. LAMP is intended toguide new students through their first year of University life.TERMO-WeekPost-DegreePostgraduateSERTSophsTermTranscriptUndergraduateVarsity TeamsWork StudyDEFINITIONO-Week is Orientation Week—that week at the beginningof the school year designed to ease transition into life atWestern. A variety of programs are scheduled to encouragenew students to meet other students, familiarize themselveswith the campus, and become comfortable with their new“home.” “Shinerama” (a cystic fibrosis fundraiser) and the“Terry Fox Run” (part of the “Marathon of Hope” event insupport of cancer research) are two of the O-Week programs.Post-Degree refers to that time after a Degree (i.e.Bachelor’s Degree) has been earned. Post-DegreeDiploma Programs occur after the first Degree and areoften designed to complement an Undergraduate Degree.A Postgraduate is a Student who has obtained a degreefrom a University and is pursuing studies for a moreadvanced qualification. A Postgraduate Program is aprogram available to students who have graduated andearned a first Degree (i.e. Bachelor’s Degree).SERT (Student Emergency Response Team) is a teamof Western students brought together by their shared desireto help other people (i.e. in case of emergency and first-aidsituations).Sophs or Sophomores are upper-year studentsTerm refers to a set duration of time during which classestake place. For example, in the Fall Term, “First Term”Courses run from September until December; in the WinterTerm, “Second Term” Courses run from January untilApril. Specific dates for each Term can be found in theStudent Guide or on the Registrar’s Website (www.registrar.uwo.ca/index.cfm)A Transcript is a copy of a student’s academic recordthat indicates dates, courses, grades, etc. certified by theRegistrar with an embossed seal.An Undergraduate is a University student who has notearned a first or Undergraduate Degree (i.e. Bachelor’sDegree). Undergraduate Studies refer to those studiesthat occur prior to earning/finishing a first/UndergraduateDegree.Varsity Teams are the principal athletic teams thatrepresent Western and compete against the principal athleticteams from other Universities.Work Study is a part-time employment program whichallows students to work on campus in flexible environmentsthrough Fall and Winter terms. To qualify for Work Study,students must be Canadian citizens, have a 60% (or more)course loads, and demonstrate financial need.University-Speak articleSTUDENT GUIDE 2011-201263