Volunteer to Build Connections with International Students While Physical Distancing
During the COVID-19 pandemic, travel restrictions, availability of flights, financial challenges and safety concerns have prevented several of U of G’s international students from returning home. Many of these students are isolated from their friends and loved ones. Let’s show them that their Gryphon Family is here for them!
The Staff/Faculty-LINK program will pair interested faculty and staff with international students who are feeling isolated in residence or off-campus in Guelph. The program requires volunteers to check in with their student at least once per week throughout the summer semester. Take part in video chats, send an email, make a phone call or do something social online like cooking together, playing a board game or participating in a book club. You both might learn something new through this experience!
The International Student Experience team will support volunteers with regular communication and resources to help participants get to know each other. You’ll be provided with activity suggestions, check-in prompts and other ideas to help you connect with your paired student.
Faculty and staff are encouraged to register for the program by April 30.
Learn more and register on GryphLife.
Learning and Development Offerings for May
Human Resources’ Learning and Development team has updated its events calendar with training opportunities available in May:
- Managing Me at Home – May 5 from 1 to 3 p.m.
- Tips for Leading Remote Teams: Being Together When Apart – May 29 from 1 to 2 p.m.
- Resilience Now! Introducing Proven Techniques to Counter Creeping Impatience, Stress and Overwhelming Feelings – Four-part series Wednesdays from May 20 to June 10 from 10 to 11 a.m.
- Leading Virtual Meetings to Promote Planning, Productivity and Personal Connections – May 14 and 15 from 10 to 11 a.m.
- Managing Your Mindset in Uncertain Times – May 21 from 10 to 11 a.m.
Also, check out Learning Snippets – a series of five free daily emails that offer short lessons to help you manage the unexpected stresses of working and living during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Learn more on the Learning and Development page of the Gryphon Family Portal.
Kudos to our Colleagues at Work
If you are now working remotely, we invite you to create a thank-you message for U of G employees who are still going to work at one of our campuses or research stations. We want all of our colleagues to know how much we appreciate the work they are doing, particularly at this challenging time.
Take a photo of yourself holding a sign with a THANK YOU message or create a short video and share on social media using the hashtags #UofG and #ColleagueKudos. Post your photo or video on social media the week of April 27 to give a special shout-out to our amazing employees who are doing such important work for our campus community. Let them know we are thinking of them and appreciate them.
The University’s COVID-19 website is your best source of information on U of G’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic.