students

Fall Bursary Application: Aug. 24 – Oct. 5

Attention all new and returning Waterfront Campus students!

The Fall Bursaries are now open for application on your Algonquin College Student Information System (ACSIS) from Aug. 24 to October 5, 2020. You are encouraged to apply!

For more information please email bursaries@algonquincollege.com.

Students can apply for all in-year bursaries administered by Algonquin College by submitting one application!

The application cycle is open once per term (Fall, Winter, Spring). Only registered students for the current term can apply online through the ACSIS, Bursary Portal.

Go to acsis.algonquincollege.com
Sign in with your student number and password, or create a new login
Under the Financial Aid heading click on Bursary Portal.

Applying for a bursary does not guarantee acceptance, as the number of applicants can often surpass the bursary funds available. When this occurs, applicants are chosen based on the highest amount of financial need. Bursary applications received after the deadline will not be accepted.

Students awarded a bursary are required to have their Social Insurance Number (SIN) registered on the college system for income tax purposes. If you do not have your SIN registered with the college when you submit your application, an email notification will be sent to you with instructions.

Algonquin College Students’ Association Celebrates 50 years

The student voice always matters at post-secondary schools. Hearing what students have to say is what drives decision making and at Algonquin College the voice of its students has been effectively heard for the past five decades through its student leaders. This year the Algonquin Students’ Association is marking a very special milestone as it celebrates its 50th anniversary.

Founded in 1970, just three years after the Ontario college system was launched and Algonquin College got its start, the Association has lived up to its mission to create an environment that inspires a passion for student success. While the directors have changed over the years, the student leaders who have represented the student body have been true to the mission, continually aspiring to leave the College a bit better for the next group of students who come behind them.

At the Pembroke Campus, there is no greater example of the Students’ Association commitment to students than its bold move in 2008 to commit $4-million towards the building of a new Waterfront Campus along the shores of the Ottawa River. What made this extraordinary financial gift so significant was not only the amount of funding that was being put forward by the students but also the fact the commitment was being made before the College’s Board of Governors had officially approved the project for construction.

For many years the Students’ Association had heard from students at the former Pembroke Campus that they wanted recreational and sports facilities on campus, but with an aging building and no room for expansion, there was no opportunity to respond to this request. When momentum built to construct a new campus the Association jumped at the opportunity to throw its full support behind the project, making public its plans to help fund a gymnasium, fitness centre and student lounge that would create more social space for students.

There is no question the public declaration was highly influential in the ultimate decision made a few months later by the Board of Governors to approve the building of the new campus, with or without any government funding. The $36-million campus opened amidst much fanfare in the Fall of 2012. It was a proud moment for everyone involved, including the Students’ Association, but the S.A. wasn’t done yet.

In the winter of 2020, the Students’ Association again responded to student requests by installing a rock climbing wall in the gymnasium. With a significant out-of-town student population and some of the most unique outdoor adventure programs in the college system, the climbing wall is a perfect fit for the Pembroke Campus. It has been very well received and has created more opportunities for students to literally “hang out.”

Over the years the Students’ Association has expanded its facilities and services at all three Algonquin College campuses. The Association continues to invest in college infrastructure and services that go beyond the classrooms. Soon, the S.A. will open a new athletics facility at its Ottawa Campus, another example of its leadership in providing some of the top athletic facilities in the country.

The Students’ Association has had a great run for the past five decades. Given its track record, it’s certain that the next 50 years will produce more great moments for the organization and ultimately the students who choose to study at Algonquin College.

Posted by: Jamie Bramburger, Manager of Community and Student Affairs

Spring Bursary Now Open

Algonquin College, Borat meme bursary announcement 2020 SPRING BURSARY CYCLE: April 30, 2020 TO June 8, 2020

The Algonquin College 2020 Spring Bursaries will be open on ACSIS from April 30, 2020 to June 8, 2020. All spring semester students will be required to re-apply.

If you have any further bursary questions, send an email to bursaries@algonquincollege.com.

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Algonquin College’s Healthcare Students and Graduates on Frontline of Pandemic

We have learned very quickly how life can change in an instant as we live through the COVID-19 pandemic. Simple things like taking a walk in the park, enjoying a meal with friends, or socializing with colleagues at work have abruptly been put on hold as the world deals with an invisible enemy that has infected millions of people, killing thousands.

Ellie Lewis, 3-Year Bachelor of Science in Nursing student working in Northern Ontario hospital.

While most of us have settled into working from home, rarely leaving our houses, healthcare workers have been on the frontlines of the Coronavirus pandemic since it emerged in Canada in mid-March. These essential workers include Nurses, Personal Support Workers and Paramedics, all professionals who have been trained by community colleges and are now needed more than ever.

Here in Renfrew County, many of those frontline workers are Algonquin College graduates. These alumni are in hospitals, visiting patients in their homes, helping to assess potential cases of the virus and responding to emergency calls. Their days are long, their stress is real, and the sacrifices they are making during these unprecedented times have earned them the respect of all Canadians.

Personal Support Worker Graduates, Algonquin College, Pembroke Campus

L to R: Tanya Miller, Debbie Panke, and Haley Jones, Personal Support Worker graduates working at Marianhill, Pembroke.

Recently, the Ontario government introduced a “pandemic pay” increase for some of these workers, acknowledging how great a need the province has for these employees during this national crisis. The four dollar per hour bump in pay impacts more than 350,000 workers including Personal Support Workers and Nurses who work in long-term care centres, a sector that has been particularly hard hit with outbreaks of the COVID-19 virus.

There was already a shortage of Personal Support Workers in many parts of the country, including Renfrew County, before the pandemic struck. Now, that labour market shortage is more acute.

Similar to how the 9-11 attacks on the United States in 2001 brought attention to careers in policing and security, the pandemic has shone a light on health career careers. Pictures and videos of exhausted health care staff, their faces left with a rash from hours of wearing personal protective masks, have become symbols of the pandemic.

The sincere admiration expressed to these healthcare heroes has been palpable. For example, through the College’s social media platforms, we have shared the stories of many of our current students and alumni who are working through the pandemic. Many have had to separate themselves from their families, or have worked excessive overtime to fill shifts. The heartfelt comments that have flooded these posts are all one has to read to understand the personal connection these individuals have to our community as family, friends, neighbours and college faculty and staff commend them for their service.

Florence Nightingale, the most revered nurse in history, once said, “Nursing is an art. It requires an exclusive devotion, the finest of fine arts.” During the COVID-19 pandemic, that devotion has been on display 24 hours a day.

The College is proud of its healthcare students and graduates and all essential workers who have been at the centre of the pandemic. Written words aren’t enough to express our gratitude as we acknowledge their talent, their commitment and their professionalism during this troubling time in our history.

They’ve stepped up for us. We need to continue to step up for them, by adhering to the policies in place concerning physical distancing that have so effectively helped to flatten the spread of the virus. As healthcare workers tell us daily, the pandemic isn’t over. Stay home. Stay safe.

Posted by Jamie Bramburger, Manager of Community and Student Affairs at Algonquin College’s Pembroke Waterfront Campus.

Counselling Topic: COVID-19 Coping Resources

Well, here we are. Just over a month in. You’ve made it to the end of this semester. I know these past few weeks have been challenging for you all. You’ve been navigating online learning and balancing school/work/home life during this surreal time. I hope exams and final assignments went well. For those who are graduating, congratulations! I imagine it feels odd to finish in this way. I’m sure it’s hard not to say goodbye in person to friends and faculty. For those entering into the spring semester, I’m sure you’re anxious about how it will look. For those of you who were looking forward to/counting on summer jobs and are facing financial uncertainty, I feel for you. I also know there’s so much I don’t know and can’t see. You are welcome to read my open letter about being a mental health professional during this time.

This is just a reminder that I am still available for virtual counselling. I will be working over the summer, so any student (even those in limbo with graduation) can reach out to me. I am available Tuesdays-Thursdays and you can contact me by email (sevigns@algonquincollege.com)

To support you as much as I can right now, below are a few resources. More are available on the Pembroke Counselling Website.

Take care of yourselves!

1) RESOURCE LIST: A LARGE LIST OF RESOURCES FOR COPING WITH DIFFERENT ASPECTS OF COVID-19

2) BLOG POST: “IN A WORLD CALLED CATASTROPHE: COPING WITH COVID-19”

3) PSYCHOEDUCATION VIDEO: “IF YOU CAN HOLD ON, HOLD ON: STRESS MANAGEMENT”

Also available in written format.

Winter Parents’ & Families’ Newsletter

Welcome to our Parents’ & Families’ Newsletter

With spring around the corner, we are midway through the winter semester. We thought it a perfect time to provide an update on activities that have recently happened and provide some insight into upcoming events.

Our goal is to keep you informed. While we respect the privacy of our students, the information we will provide in this newsletter will give you a good sense of what is happening on campus throughout the year and will provide you with enough information to have engaging conversations with your student. Enjoy our 2020 parent newsletter winter edition.

Next Steps in the Admissions Process

February 1st was a big day for College applicants. Colleges across Ontario started to make offers of admission, including Algonquin College. There are several key dates for applicants and their families to be aware of leading up to the start of classes in September 2020. They are:

May 1st Confirmation Deadline: This is the deadline for applicants who have been made an offer of admission to confirm their intentions to enroll at the Pembroke Campus.
June 15th Tuition Deposit Deadline: This is the deadline to pay the non-refundable $500 tuition deposit for the fall term or to complete a fee deferral through the College’s Financial Aid office.
August 7th Documentation Deadline: This is the deadline for applicants to provide the college with any outstanding documentation such as transcripts for completed pre-requisites, health immunization records and police records checks, for applicable programs.
Algonquin Advantage Days Orientation: Orientation for all Pembroke Campus students on September 3 and 4. Full schedules will be emailed and mailed to applicants.

Learn more about additional next steps.

Meet our Campus Dean

Dr. Keltie Jones became the sixth Dean in the 53-year history of the Pembroke Campus when she arrived from the Agricultural College of Dalhousie University in Truro, Nova Scotia last August. Dr. Jones is a graduate of Stanford University in California and has held leadership roles in post-secondary education in both Canada and the United States. She enjoys getting to know our students and her popular “Ask the Dean” sessions are enjoyed by students as it helps keep the lines of communication open with our students.

Dr. Jones enjoys engaging with parents and families and attends many of our student events. She looks forward to meeting you on campus.

Student Housing Options

With approximately 50 percent of students attending the Pembroke Waterfront Campus from out of town, student housing is an important consideration for both the College and families. While the College does not have a student residence, there are four privately owned and operated student residences that have the capacity to house more than 200 Algonquin College students.

These residences all offer different housing experiences and are all within walking distance of the campus. They include Algonquin House, AMNA Student Housing, the Lake Street Residences, one of which is currently under construction but will be ready for the Fall 2020 term and Canoe Lofts, a new student housing complex that is also expected to open in September.

The College has a Housing List page which provides information to students and families on all accommodation options including its new Homestay Program. Homestay allows a student to live with a family in Pembroke and is primarily available to international students and newcomers to Canada who are looking for an enriched Canadian cultural experience while studying at college. The campus housing website will also provide detailed information on other housing options including rental units and room and board.

All decisions made by students and their families to enter into a lease agreement with a landlord are made independent of the college. Therefore, families are encouraged to do their due diligence when making decisions about housing.

Paws 4 Stress – Meet Winston!

Winston is our Pembroke Waterfront Campus Therapy Dog and member of our Dog Squad at Algonquin College. Winston is on campus every Wednesday this semester to help support our students and staff.

Getting Around Pembroke and Getting Back Home

As a smaller city, Pembroke is very walkable, however, it no longer has a public transit service. This can be problematic for students who do not have access to a vehicle. Therefore, students and families should take this into consideration when looking for housing options that are within walking distance of the campus.

Many students use bicycles to get to and from school. The College provides bike racks for students to lock up their bikes while they are in class. Other students carpool, but most walk to and from the college.

Out of town students have two bussing options if they are going home for weekends, statutory holidays or break weeks. Both Greyhound and Ontario Northland serve the city of Pembroke and travel to most medium and larger cities across the province. The bus stop is located at the Giant Tiger store in downtown Pembroke, a short walk from the College.

Positive Space

The Positive Space program is organized by volunteers who work to create awareness of 2SLGBTQ+ communities at Algonquin College. The Positive Space program hosts events, conduct educational initiatives and shares information with all members of the campus community. Learn More →

Pembroke Area Offers Lots of Fun Activities in the Winter Months

Winter can be long and the Pembroke Area has experienced record snowfalls this year. The best way to get through winter is to embrace it. If you are the parent of a student who is currently studying at the Pembroke Campus, here are a few fun activities that you might suggest to your student to help them enjoy the winter season.

Pembroke is home to a beautiful outdoor skating trail that is 1.5 kms long and curls through a forested area. The Laurentian Valley Skating Trail is only a 15-minute drive from the campus. If your student is interested in trying this free activity but doesn’t have transportation to get there, have them drop by student services where we can help arrange for carpooling.
The Pembroke Lumber Kings Junior A hockey team plays most Sunday afternoons or evenings through the middle of March. Free tickets are often available through student services in Room 131. The Pembroke Memorial Centre, where the Lumber Kings play, is located across the street from the Waterfront Campus.
If being outdoors is not for your student during the winter months, Festival Hall Centre for the Arts has plenty to offer with concerts, plays and engaging presentations all winter long.
If your student is interested in history, Garrison Petawawa has an excellent military museum and the Champlain Trail Museum in Pembroke is well respected for providing a view into the Ottawa Valley’s past.
The Waterfront Campus has a vibrant book club. Tell your student to drop by the Huckabone Library to get involved and start reading and discussing some of the best books on the market.

These are just a few ideas to help your student get through the winter months. Soon it will be spring!

City of Pembroke By-Laws

Like every municipality, the City of Pembroke has many by-laws that govern how the city operates. These by-laws provide important information that helps families and students understand how they apply to things like parking on city streets during the winter months, noise restrictions, fire department false alarms, and more. It’s a good website to bookmark on your computer. Learn More →

Employment Opportunities in Pembroke

Many of our students are looking for a part-time job while they study at our campus. Our Campus Employment Support Centre office is located in Student Services on the first floor of our campus and is well connected with local businesses that are looking for help.

Job postings are regularly updated and students can access free help with updating their resume and cover letter by dropping by to see our helpful staff.

Many of our programs offer opportunities for students to participate in paid co-op work placements. Students pay co-op administrative fees and must complete a series of learning activities and maintain a high academic standing to be eligible for co-op, but it’s worth it! Co-op provides an exceptional opportunity for students to gain relevant work experience within their field of study, opening up opportunities to get their foot in the door and launch their career. Learn more about the Co-op Experience.

We hope this newsletter has been helpful. Please keep in touch with us and offer us feedback on topics you would like us to cover in future newsletters.

Thank you for being part of your young adult’s post-secondary journey.

Class Representative & Wybourn Awards-Application Now Open

The Class Representative and Wybourn Awards application process are now open.

Once again, the Class Representative Award allows for three awards; one for each the Perth, Pembroke and Ottawa campuses. The Wybourn award is awarded to one student from any of the three campuses.

The Wybourn Award is awarded on an annual basis to a Student Leader who has made an outstanding contribution to the promotion and/or upholding of student rights at Algonquin College during the academic year. It consists of a $500 award and an award certificate. The Wybourn Award was created by Algonquin College’s Board of Governors in honour of Dr. Ed Wybourn, the first Dean of Student Affairs.
The Class Representative Award is awarded on an annual basis and is designed to acknowledge and reward a student who is deemed to be the most deserving Class Representative. An award is selected for each of the three Algonquin College campuses (Ottawa, Perth, and Pembroke). It consists of a $500 award and an award certificate.

The submission deadline for both of these awards is Tuesday, March 10^th, 2020, at 5:00 p.m.

All nominations are submitted online and the link to the page to obtain information, criteria and the online application form can be found here.

All award winners and a guest are invited to the Volunteer Appreciation Gala at the Woodroffe Campus. This is a lovely event acknowledging and thanking student volunteers. This year the Gala will be held on Tuesday, March 25, 2020.

HomeStay Helps International Students Feel at Home

Since 2004, Jennifer Austin and her family have hosted out of town college and high school students in their home. Now, she has become a champion for Algonquin College’s efforts to attract more international students to its Pembroke Waterfront Campus. Austin has signed on to host an international student for the Fall 2020 term because she says “Homestay is a meaningful experience that empowers students to succeed, and it helps you learn a new culture and meet a new friend for life.”

The College has partnered with Canadian Accommodation Services to establish a Homestay program in Pembroke that encourages families to open up their homes to international students. For Austin, it was an easy decision to participate in the program. Her family has hosted high school students from across Canada including the Northwest Territories and Nunavut, and from as far away as New Zealand, normally for six months to full year stays. In all, the Austin family has provided a home for 15 students over the years.

“The most rewarding part of being a host family is the bonds that are formed. Each student creates a different bond with our family. It could be something special like inside family jokes or cherished memories of time spent together,” says Austin.

In recent years, the Pembroke Campus has been gradually attracting more international students. These students have come to the campus from several countries including India, China, the United States, Morocco, Ukraine, and Africa. The students study in many programs and have come to Canada because of our country’s excellent reputation for providing high-quality post-secondary training and also its openness to welcoming people from around the world.

“Diversity enriches everyday life. These students have traveled around the world on an adventure, and we get to be part of it,” says Austin who is now collaborating with the College to find other families who are interested in taking part in the Homestay program. As a supporter of the work the College is doing to promote cultural diversity, Austin speaks passionately about why she has stepped up to help the Pembroke Campus and has offered some simple advice to other families who are considering hosting an international student.

“Host with open arms and an open heart. Show your student a new perspective, a new culture and be ready to learn something new yourself,” says Austin who is excited to recruit more families. More information on the Homestay program is available on the campus website, including the application form.

Posted by Jamie Bramburger, Manager of Community and Student Affairs

Nothing Better Than Algonquin College Students Showcasing Their Skills

The end of a school year is always special as there are more opportunities for students to showcase what they have learned in their program at Algonquin College’s Pembroke Waterfront Campus. In the past few days there has been a lot of talent on display and while we can’t highlight all of the great student activities that have been happening, here are a few examples of how students benefit from the practical learning experiences that the campus delivers.

Urban Forestry - Arboriculture, Tree Climbing Competition, Algonquin College, Pembroke The Urban Forestry-Arboriculture program is relatively new to the Pembroke Campus, but it is generating a lot of interest among employers in the arborist sector. To the program’s credit, it has reached out to these employers and invited them to observe the skills the students have at their annual tree climbing competition. Watching the students navigate high above the ground in large trees, performing tasks safely and with great confidence, is so much more of an indication of their abilities compared to handing in a resume and participating in an interview. The experience is powerful for both the student and the prospective employer, and very quickly you can see the connections that are made at this competition result in job opportunities for the soon-to-be graduates.

Students in the Carpentry and Renovations Techniques program have also been catching the attention of the community for their work in renovating an older building to accommodate a transition house for homeless people in Pembroke. The century-old home needs a lot of work and the students are essentially gutting it and re-building the inside of the home, by installing new interior walls, insulation, drywall and more. It is a wonderful culminating experience that has allowed the students to pull together all of the skills they have learned over the past several months in their shop classes.

Office Administration - Executive, Changemaker Award, Algonquin College, Pembroke

One more example we will share is our Office Administration-Executive students who recently won a Changemaker Award from the College’s Board of Governors for their work in bringing awareness to social issues in Renfrew County. Each year the students work on a community project that allows them to emphasize the organizational skills they have acquired through their studies. This year they have entitled their project, Raise A Flag, an initiative that shines a spotlight on mental health. It is both a community awareness effort as well as a fundraiser for the Robbie Dean Centre in Pembroke.

As our students look forward to becoming graduates and starting their careers, these demonstrations of what they have learned in their programs remind us of why having a college in our community is so important. It changes lives and helps us build stronger communities.

Posted by Jamie Bramburger, Acting Dean of the Pembroke Waterfront Campus

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