What is a collegium?!

ATTENTION ALL UPCOMING FIRST YEAR COMMUTER STUDENTS!

UBC is now offering something called UBC Collegium , which UBC likes to call the “home away from home” for commuter students!

This is entirely new and it’s opening this September but it is limited to 250 memberships and you do have to sign up. HOWEVER, it is dedicated to commuter students and they give preference for first years, and let me tell you that it sounds like a pretty damn good idea.

In first year, I was a part of a program called CSP which stands for the Coordianted Science Program. Being a part of this program meant that there was a room dedicated to the CSP students where they could study in peace with (usually) a guarantee of a seat and table. This was so useful it was a little crazy how grateful I was I had this room (and how sad I am that I don’t have it anymore!)

Coming to UBC there are some MAJOR changes. It’s all fun learning about them and getting used to it though! As the year goes on, you’re going to want to use breaks between your classes or some time after all your classes are finished, to just sit down to do your readings or to study and review the lecture you just had. That can get a little difficult as a commuter student when you don’t have certain tables or rooms set aside specifically for you. You’ll also want somewhere to just relax, maybe some place to heat up your food.

So I wanna talk about the Collegium! I took this list of “Resources Offered” from the site, which is linked at the beginning of this post and I’ll link again here.

What resources will be available?

  • comfortable lounge chairs, cluster-seating, and a river-rock fireplace
  • bright, open space and floor to ceiling windows inviting natural light
  • state-of-the-art kitchen facilities (oven, two refrigerators, small appliances, dishes, and cutlery)
  • places to store meals
  • an honour-system snack bar (priced at cost and includes Fair-Trade Coffee)
  • a social area with board games, cards, and a large-screen TV
  • complimentary and secure wireless internet
  • several electrical outlets to charge wireless devices
  • a study area with desks, lamps, and shelves
  • a print centre

DOESN’T THAT SOUND AWESOME?

ANOTHER AWESOME THING: This collegium is in the new Panderosa Commons building! BRAND NEW. Like new that all of my first year, all I could see of this building was construction.

It’s basically a lounge area for commuters and only people with memberships can come in, which means it won’t ever be TOO crowded.

I just wanted to let everyone know because you DO need to apply! So send your applications in and cross your fingers!

Upper year students: although the memberships are intended for first years, there COULD be space, so sign up anyway! Each member gets guests passes so if you’re desperate to check it out… make friends with a first year commuter?

As a commuter student, I just wanted to testify that even though I haven’t had the chance to use the room, it is a wonderful idea and I hope I get the chance to use it!

…WAHHH I REALLY WANT TO BE ABLE TO USE THIS!

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  2. I actually think that the Collegium is the most frustrating thing ever. First, I don’t understand why it’s limited to first year students when it’s been funded by student fees from the whole student population (tuition have only been rising since I’ve been a student here). Second, the new SUB isn’t even built yet, so why shouldn’t all students have a new space and new facilities to use? Third, during the initial planning stages, I thought that having the collegium would allow commuter students to stay overnight if they had to, but having it open at certain hours just makes it another regular UBC building with its limits. You might as well just go to Irving where you may have to *gasp* learn to mingle with other students and learn what to do when you don’t get a seat. Another UBC infrastructure that didn’t translate well from theory to practice. UBC Collegium, the daycare for first year students.

    • You make a good argument, however, I do think it’s great idea especially for first years. I don’t know about everyone else, but I had a super rough time trying to adjust. It was difficult trying to find a routine or trying to find my little niche in first year. It was helpful that I was in CSP (Coordinated Science Program) but if I wasn’t I just knew I would be completely scrambled and all over the place. I haven’t experienced the collegium before but I think it’s a wonderful idea. Many students become really good friends with their roommates or people who live on the same res floor or house as they do, but commuters don’t get that privilege and I know I felt a little alone in first year because of that. Maybe this is like a little push in making more friends and easing the transition. And I feel that because it is something that’s happening, it’s best to just accept it and make the most out of it, and hope for the best. Hopefully it will end up being valuable to our first year students.

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