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Things to know this week - 19 June 2023: Summer on campus

Posted on 19 June 2023

Welcome to your taught postgraduate student news summary of key things happening this week.

UoY community update

Cost of living support: Off Campus Rent Grant
For postgraduates returning next academic year, we know one of the biggest challenges students are facing is rising rent costs in the city. In recognition of this, we will offer an Off Campus Rent Grant next academic year. Eligible students returning in September will be able to apply for a one off payment of at least £100. We’ll provide full details on our cost of living support page at the start of Semester 1.

Check-In: Introducing the new student welfare and wellbeing support tool
Also coming next academic year, we’re introducing a new student digital wellbeing tool called Check-In. It’s a way for you to ‘check-in’ to your teaching sessions so you can keep an eye on your engagement. It’s also an extra layer of support, as it allows us to identify more quickly if it looks like you might need some extra help. We’re working on implementing the system over the summer and will welcome your feedback as we start using it in Semester 1. Watch Student Expert Panel member Rowan introduce what the new Check-In system is all about.

1. Summer on campus

From next week, catering venues and shops on campus will follow revised summer opening hours so you’ll need to check to see when your favourite spot is open. 

You can still access the usual academic support. The Library is open 8am until midnight with 24/7 hubs in Vanbrugh College and the Ron Cooke Hub. The Academic Skills Community continues with its programme of workshops and one-to-one appointments to help you work on all things related to academic reading, writing and statistics. 

Check the MyUoY app for student events continuing over the summer. Look out for the Graduate Students’ Association (GSA) summer brochure - coming soon!

2. Pop-up Postgraduate Cafe this week

There’s an opportunity to come along to our Postgraduate Cafe on Wednesday (21 June) to learn more about doing a PhD, whilst enjoying some coffee and cake. Current postgraduate researchers will be on hand to chat about researching at York and answer your questions between 4pm and 6pm in the Library's Harry Fairhurst Building (LFA/204-5). Did we mention the coffee and cake are on us?

3. Could you help to support sports clubs at York?

This week is the first ever York Sport Union Challenge Week fundraiser. Sports are an important part of university life for many students, providing a strong community and having a positive impact on physical and mental wellbeing. Ten clubs will take on fundraising challenges throughout the week, with the first £1,000 donated to each club matched pound for pound. Could you be an ambassador and help spread the word?

4. Enabling Duo two-factor authentication on more University services

Over the coming weeks we will be rolling out Duo two-factor authentication to Office 365, which includes services such as OneDrive, Teams, Word, Excel, Powerpoint and OneNote. We have also recently introduced Duo two-factor authentication to the MyUoY app. You may be asked for Duo two-factor authentication in the same way as when you use Duo on other University systems. It ensures that even if someone has your password, they won't be able to access your account.

5. York Refugee Week

Check out York Refugee Week events, including the Uganda50 Exhibition and panel discussion, relaying the stories of those who escaped Idi Amin’s regime 50 years ago, when all Asians were expelled from Uganda, forcing over 60,000 people to flee for their lives. There is also a football tournament, arts and crafts, a pub quiz, a pop-up refugee restaurant, a celebration of Ukrainian music and culture and more.

Offers, competitions and paid opportunities

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Student news

Things to know this week is produced and distributed by the University's Internal Communications Team. Please email any feedback to university-internal-comms@york.ac.uk.