MFASTUDENTHANDBOOK

RevisedJune2017

UBCCREATIVEWRITING

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TableofContents

TableofContents.....................................................................................................................2CreativeWritingOnlineForum..........................................................................................5IntroductiontotheProgram...............................................................................................6MFAProgramCompletionRequirements.......................................................................8ProgramDuration............................................................................................................................8CourseRequirements....................................................................................................................10CourseDescriptions.......................................................................................................................13ContinuingStudentProgressReports.....................................................................................14

CombinedPrograms.............................................................................................................15MasterofFineArtsinCreativeWritingandTheatre..........................................................15MasterofFineArtsinFilmProductionandCreativeWriting.........................................16

FacultyStaffContactInformationandRoles................................................................17GeneralInformation......................................................................................................................17MailingAddress..............................................................................................................................................17Website...............................................................................................................................................................17

FacultyandStaff..............................................................................................................................17ActingProgramChair..................................................................................................................................17GraduateChair................................................................................................................................................17MasterofFineArtsinCreativeWritingandTheatre.......................................................................18MasterofFineArtsinFilmProductionandCreativeWriting......................................................18GraduateStudentSupport..........................................................................................................................18ProgramAdministrator...............................................................................................................................18ProgramCoordinator/EducationalStrategist.................................................................................18UndergraduateAdvisor...............................................................................................................................19FinancialClerk................................................................................................................................................19SSHRCChairs...................................................................................................................................................19AwardsChair...................................................................................................................................................19EquityOfficers.................................................................................................................................................19CreativeWritingMinorProgramChair................................................................................................19

AcademicYear:Dates&Deadlines..................................................................................20TermDatesforWinterSession2017/18................................................................................20TermDatesforSummerSession2018....................................................................................20CourseDrop/WithdrawalDates..............................................................................................20

TuitionFees.............................................................................................................................21OncampusMFAStudentTuitionFees.....................................................................................212017/18OncampusFees............................................................................................................................22

OptionalResidencyMFAStudentTuitionFees.....................................................................23

InternationalStudentResources.....................................................................................24GuidetoWorkshopEtiquette............................................................................................25FortheWriter..................................................................................................................................25

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FortheWorkshopParticipants..................................................................................................25RespectfulEnvironment....................................................................................................................28

Thesis.........................................................................................................................................29Overview............................................................................................................................................29GenreLengthandFormat............................................................................................................29ThesisCommitteeSelection........................................................................................................30RightsandObligationsoftheStudent......................................................................................32RightsandObligationsoftheSupervisor...............................................................................32SampleSchedules...........................................................................................................................................33

ObligationsofCommitteeMembers.........................................................................................34SubmissiontoFacultyofGraduate&PostdoctoralStudies.............................................35RollingGraduation........................................................................................................................................35

LeavesofAbsence..................................................................................................................36Procedure..........................................................................................................................................37AwardsandFellowshipsforStudentswithOn-LeaveStatus...........................................37ParentalLeave....................................................................................................................................38LeaveforHealthReasons.............................................................................................................38ProfessionalLeave.............................................................................................................................38PersonalLeave....................................................................................................................................39AvailabilityofUBCFacilitiesandResources.........................................................................39

GraduateStudentEmploymentOpportunities............................................................41TeachingAssistantPositions......................................................................................................41TAFAQ................................................................................................................................................................41

WorkLearnPositions....................................................................................................................44PRISMinternational.....................................................................................................................................45BraveNewPlayRites–ProducersandStageManager..................................................................45NewShoots-Coordinator&StudentInstructors................................................................................46WordWrestlers...............................................................................................................................................46

GraduateStudentScholarshipandAwardOpportunities.......................................47GraduateEntranceScholarships...............................................................................................47GraduateSupportInitiativeScholarships..............................................................................47InternationalTuitionAwards.....................................................................................................47CGS-Master’sSSHRCAward.........................................................................................................48AffiliatedFellowships....................................................................................................................48AboriginalAwards..........................................................................................................................49AboriginalGraduateFellowship..............................................................................................................49AboriginalGraduateFellowshipBridgeFunding:.............................................................................49

StudentLoansandBursaries......................................................................................................49OtherGraduateAwards................................................................................................................50CreativeWritingEndowedAwards...........................................................................................50TheHarperCollinsUBCPrizeinFiction..................................................................................50BritishColumbiaArtsCouncil–ScholarshipAwardsProgram......................................50GraduateFunding:Conferences.................................................................................................50

LiteraryandCommunityEngagement............................................................................51UBCServices............................................................................................................................52Housing..............................................................................................................................................52

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MedicalandWellness....................................................................................................................52StudentHealthService.................................................................................................................................53CounselingServices.......................................................................................................................................53AccessandDiversity......................................................................................................................................53WellnessCentre...............................................................................................................................................53

StudentswithDisabilities............................................................................................................54

UBCCreativeWritingAcademicRegulations...............................................................55AcademicGrievance.......................................................................................................................55SexualHarassmentandDiscriminationGrievance.............................................................55

AcademicDiscipline.............................................................................................................56Offences..............................................................................................................................................56Penalties............................................................................................................................................57Procedures........................................................................................................................................57Appeals...............................................................................................................................................57

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CreativeWritingOnlineForumThisonlineforumishostedandmanagedbytheCreativeWritingProgramandactsastheinformationhubforallMFAstudentsinboththeoncampusandOptionalResidency(online)streamsoftheProgram.ItismandatorythatallMFAstudents(bothoncampusandonlineOptionalResidency)registerfortheForuminadvanceofstartingclasses.Announcementsandinformationabouttheprogram,includingthesisdetails,awards,events,publishing,productionandmore,areprovidedhere.Studentscanalsoarrangetohaveinformationforwardeddirectlytotheiremailinboxoncethey’vesignedup.TheForumGuideisavailablefordownloadonthePolicies&Handbookspage:http://creativewriting.ubc.ca/current-students/policies-handbooks/Tosignup,studentsvisittheforumathttp://forum.creativewriting.ubc.ca/

HowtoSignUpfortheCreativeWritingForumClickthe“CreateAccount”linkonthemainpage.Youshouldthenfillinallofthefieldsontheregistrationpage. YOUMUSTUSEYOURFULLNAMEASYOURUSERNAME.Pleaseincludecapitalizationandthespacebetweenfirstandlastname(forexample,‘AliceMunro’).Asyoumovefromfieldtofieldyouwillbealertedtoanyproblemswiththeinformationyouhaveentered.PleasedonotusethesamepasswordyouusewithyouremailaccountorUBCCampus-wideLogin–thisisextremelyinsecure. TheRegistrationQuestionansweris“UBC”.Whenyouhavefilledintheform,click‘CreateAccount’.Wewillmanuallyapproveeachregistration.Onceyouhaveregisteredyouwon’tbeabletousetheforumsuntilyouhavebeenapproved.Thisusuallytakeslessthanadayunlessyouareregisteringonaweekendorholiday.SubscribingtoindividualtopicsIfyoudon’tvisittheForumregularly,youcangetemailnotificationsofnewmaterial.Werecommendsubscribingtothefollowingforums:Announcements;Scholarships;SummerResidency.Thenchoosetheotherareaswhichinterestyouthemost.PleasesignupfortheForumassoonasyouhavebeenadmittedtoUBC.ContactAndrewGrayatangray@mail.ubc.caifyouhaveproblemsorquestions.

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IntroductiontotheProgramCanadianpoetEarleBirneylaunchedthefirstCreativeWritingclassatUBCin1946;fromthatbeginning,CreativeWritingestablisheditselfasanindependentdepartmentin1965andthenbecamepartoftheDepartmentofTheatre,Film,andCreativeWritingin1995.In2008,theCreativeWritingProgrambecameanindependentinterdisciplinaryunit.ItisnowoneofNorthAmerica’slargest,mosttechnologicallyadvancedandmostdiversecreativewritingprograms.TheCreativeWritingMFAProgramoffersbothanoncampusandanonline(OptionalResidency)courseofstudyinwhichapprenticewritersareofferedinstructionbyfacultyworkinginavarietyofliteraryanddramaticforms.StudentsintheoncampusstreamoftheProgramtypicallycompletetheirdegreeswithinatwo-yearframework;studentsintheonlinestreammaytakesomewhatlongertocompletetheirdegrees.TheProgramleadstoaresearch-basedMasterofFineArtsdegreeinCreativeWriting.StudentsacceptedtotheProgramhavealreadydemonstratedahighlevelofabilityandthepromiseofbecomingprofessionalwritersofmerit.AtthecoreoftheMFAprogramistheworkshop.Ourpedagogicalmodeisthesmall-groupworkshopwherestudentworkprovidestheprimarycontentfortheclass.Wedonotprivilegeanyparticularwritingstyle.Ourfacultyare,atalllevels,writerswhoseworkshavebeenpublishedandproducedaroundtheworld;theyhavebeennominatedfororwonnearlyeveryprizeinCanadaaswellasnumerousinternationalawards.OuralumnihavemadeasignificantcontributiontotheliteratureofCanadaandbeyond.Eachyear,dozenspublishandproduce,andmanyalumniappearonawardshortlists.Atthecoreofourprogramisthebeliefthatastudentwriterisbestservedbyworkinginavarietyofforms.Tothisendwecurrentlyoffercoursesinelevengenres:fiction,creativenonfiction,poetry,screenplayandtelevision,stageplay,podcasting,writingforchildrenandyoungadults,graphicforms,lyricwriting,literarytranslation,andwritingfornewmedia.MFAstudentsarerequiredtotakeworkshopsinatleastthreeofthesegenres.Whilestudentstypicallyfocusontheirthesisgenre,thecross-trainingcomponentoftheProgramprovidesstudentswithafullerunderstandingoftheircapacitiesaswriters.Experienceinanumberofgenresalsoenhancesopportunitiesforteachingandforcareersinpublishingandproduction,andotherliterarymediaandcommunications.

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TheCreativeWritingProgramoffersflexiblelearningplansandworksactivelytosupportgraduatestudentcareerpreparation,viabothitscourseworkshopandthesissupervisoryofferings.TheProgramsupportsstudentsfinanciallybyassistingtheminapplyingformajorgrants(CGS-Master’sSSHRC,AffiliatedandAboriginalGraduateFellowshipsAwards),aswellasprovidingdirectfundingthroughGraduateEntranceScholarships,GraduateSupportInitiativeScholarships,andavarietyofinternallyallocatedawards.TheProgramalsocurrentlyprovidesstudentemploymentopportunitiesthroughTeachingAssistantpositionsforourlarge-lectureundergraduatecourses,througheditorshipsatPRISMinternationalliterarymagazine,andthrougharangeofWorkLearnpositions,includingBraveNewPlayRitesexperience,instructorpositionsatourVancouverhighschoolmentorshipprogramNewShoots,aswellasotherprograms.Theseopportunitiesareallavailableforstudentsinboththeoncampusandonline(OptionalResidency)streamsoftheMFA,providingtheyareabletoworkoncampus.TheCreativeWritingProgramissupportedbytheFacultyofGraduateandPostdoctoralStudies,whichistheacademichomeofallUBCgraduatestudents,offeringsupportregardingadmissions,awards,leaves,financialinformation,conferencefundingandacademicsupport.Visittheirwebsiteatwww.grad.ubc.ca

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MFAProgramCompletionRequirementsTheUBCCreativeWritingProgramMFAiscomprisedoftwocomponents–creativewritingworkshopandelectivecourses,andthesis.(SeetheThesissectionofthisHandbookfordetailedinformationonthethesisprocess.)CreativeWritinggraduatestudentsmusttakeatotalof36creditsinordertocompletetheirMFAdegree.Thethesisportionofthedegreecomprises6ofthese36credits;theremaining30creditsaremadeupofworkshopandelectivecoursesasdescribedbelow.IMPORTANTNOTE:Studentsarenotpermittedtoexceedthe36creditsintotalofCreativeWritingcoursesrequiredforcompletionoftheirMFAdegree.Beforebeginningclasses,studentsarerequiredtocompletetheon-lineNewStudentProgramCompletionFormtoacknowledgetheyhaveunderstoodtheprogramcompletionrequirements.

ProgramDurationOncampusstream:Oncampusstudentsgenerallystudyfulltime,completingtheirMFAdegrees,includingthesis,intwoyears,graduatingeitherintheSpringorFallfollowingtheirsecondyearofstudy.Oncampusstudentsmustregisterwhentheybegintheirstudies.Theymustremaincontinuouslyregistereduntilthedegreeiscompleted.FailuretoregisterfortwoconsecutivetermsmayresultinthestudentbeingrequiredtowithdrawfromtheProgram.Theexceptionisthoseperiodsoftimeforwhichthestudentmayrequestaleaveofabsence:allleavesmustbeapprovedbytheGraduateChairandtheFacultyofGraduateandPostdoctoralStudies.Notethatleavesapplyonlytooncampusstudents.SeetheLeavesofAbsencesectioninthisHandbookforfurtherdetails.BeyondthetwoyearsofresidenceintheProgram,oncampusstudentspaythecontinuingregistrationfeeuntiltheyhavecompletedtheirprogram(courseworkplusthesis).OptionalResidencystream:OptionalResidencystudentshavetheoptionofstudyingparttimeand,evenwhilemaintainingfull-timestatus(minimumof12credits),maytakefewerthan18creditsperyearandthusmayrequiremorethanthestandardtwo-yearcourseofstudytocompletetheirdegree.OptionalResidencystudentspayfeesonaper-creditbasis:nofeesarechargedwhenOptionalResidencystudentsarenotregisteredincourses.

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ForbothoncampusandOptionalResidencystudents,ifadegreeisnotawardedwithinamaximumperiodoffiveyearsfrominitialregistration,thestudent’seligibilityforthedegreewillbeterminatedandthestudentwillberequiredtowithdrawfromtheProgramunlessanextensionisgrantedbytheFacultyofGraduateandPost-DoctoralStudies.TheprogressofallstudentsinbothstreamsworkingtowardtheMFAdegreeisreviewedregularlybytheGraduateChair.Astudentmayberequiredtowithdrawifprogresshasnotbeensatisfactoryasshownbycoursework,progressonthethesis,orotherrequirementsoftheCreativeWritingProgram.

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CourseRequirementsTheMFAprogramofstudyiscomprisedoftwocomponents,courseworkandthesis.Atotalof36creditsarerequiredinordertocompletethedegree,6creditsofthesisand30creditsofcoursework.

IMPORTANTNOTE:Studentsarenotpermittedtoexceedthe36creditsintotalofCreativeWritingcoursesrequiredforcompletionoftheirMFAdegree.

Aminimumof24ofthese30creditsofcourseworkmustbeCreativeWritingworkshopsforwhichstudentsareregisteredatthe500level.CreativeWritingMFAstudentsarerequiredtotakeworkshopcoursesinatleastthreeofthegenresoffered.Screenandtelevisionareconsideredasinglegenredespitehavingseparatecoursenumbers.Shortfictionandthenovelarealsoconsideredasinglegenre.

IMPORTANTNOTE:Amaximumof12creditsinanygivengenremaybecountedforcredittowardstheMFAdegree.Ifstudentsexceed12creditsinagenre,theexcesscreditswillnotcounttowardstheirdegree.

Studentsthushavearemaining6creditswhichtheymayusetotakeadditional500levelworkshopcourses,ormayuseaccordingtothefollowingoptions:

• 3-creditgradElective(non-workshop)coursesCRWR530(PreparationforaCareerinWriting)and/orCRWR550(TeachingCreativeWriting)

• maximum6creditsundergraduatelevelinCreativeWritingcourses

numbered300to499,pendingapprovalfromtheGraduateChairindicatingthatthecoursesaredirectlyanddemonstrablyrelatedtothestudent’sprogramofstudy

• maximum6creditsincoursesnumbered300andupoutsideoftheCreative

WritingProgram,pendingapprovalfromtheGraduateChairindicatingthatthecoursesaredirectlyanddemonstrablyrelatedtothestudent’sprogramofstudy

NOTE:Coursesnumbered100to299andcoursestakenthroughContinuingStudiesarenotcountedtowardstherequirementsofthedegree.

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Afullcourseloadisconsideredtobe18creditsperacademicyear.Studentswhowishtotakethemaximumof24creditsinanacademicyearmaydosoonlywithpermissionoftheGraduateChair.Ifpermissionhasnotbeengiventoenrollin6extracredits,theProgrammayunilaterallyde-registerthestudentfromtheexcesscredits.

Note:Oncampusstudentswillnotethattheirtranscriptsindicatethattheyhavebeenregisteredforathesiscoursefromtheirprogramstartdate.Thisregistrationisforadministrativepurposesonlyanddoesnotcounttowardsthe24-creditmaximumtotal.

Foroncampusstudents,takingfewerthan18creditsofwritingworkshopsinfirstyearwillnegativelyimpactastudent’srankingwithrespecttoyear-endCreativeWritingProgramawardsandGraduateSupportInitiative(GSI)awards.Inevaluatingrankfortheseawards,writingworkshopcreditsaregivenagreaterGPAweightthanelectivecoursecredits.SeetheGraduateStudentScholarshipsandAwardssectioninthisHandbookfordetailsonstudentfundingavailable.Studentsmustenrolinaminimumof12creditsofcourses(6creditsperterm)inthefall/wintersessioninordertobeeligibletoreceiveyear-endCreativeWritingProgramawardsandGraduateSupportInitiative(GSI)awards.Occasionally,advancedundergraduatestudentsmayparticipateingraduatelevelworkshops.Additionally,graduatestudentsattimesmayberegisteredatthegraduatelevelinworkshopcoursesofferedonlyattheundergraduatelevel.Thesecoursescounttowardsthe24creditsrequiredof500levelworkshop.

NOTE:Whenworkshopcoursesareover-subscribed,first-yearMFAstudentshavepriorityincourseselectionovercontinuingMFAstudents.FortheJulyresidencycourses,apolicyhasbeeninstitutedin2017thatstudentsgraduatingintheFallwhorequireafinalthreecreditstograduatehavepriorityinregistration.

Individualfacultymemberssetregulardeadlinesandpagequotasforworkshopcourses.Regularattendanceandactiveparticipationinworkshopcoursesisexpectedandstudentsareencouragedtoconsultregularlywithinstructors.Unexplainedabsencesfromthreeclassespertermiscauseforfailure.Twolateclassesequalonemissedworkshop.Thispolicyincludeslateorinadequateparticipationinanonlineworkshop.SeetheGuidetoWorkshopEtiquettesectioninthisHandbookfordetailsonworkshopprotocol.

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NOTE:Studentsarenotpermittedtotakeacompletedprojectfromonecourseandsimplyconvertittoadifferentgenreforanothercourse(forinstance,convertinganovellatoascreenplay).

CreativeWritingProgramgraduatestudentsareresponsibleforselectingandcompletingthenecessarycourse/genrerequirementstograduate.StudentsmayconsultwiththeGraduateChairshouldtheyhaveanyfurtherquestionsregardingtheserequirements.

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CourseDescriptionsCompletecoursedescriptionsforCRWRgraduatecoursesareupdatedannuallyandarelistedontheCreativeWritingProgramwebsite:Oncampushttp://creativewriting.ubc.ca/prospective-students/graduate/mfa-courses/OptionalResidencyhttp://creativewriting.ubc.ca/prospective-students/graduate/online-mfa-courses/Graduatecoursesarenumberedatthe500level.Coursesofferedincludeamixof3credits(oneterm)and6credits(twoterms).StudentscanaccesscurrentCRWRcourseschedulesontheUBCwebsiteviathefollowinglink:https://courses.students.ubc.ca/cs/main?pname=subjarea&tname=subjareas&req=1&dept=CRWRStudentscanaccessinformationonallcoursesofferedbytheCRWRProgramontheUBCwebsiteviathefollowinglink:http://www.calendar.ubc.ca/vancouver/courses.cfm?code=CRWRNote:TheProgramdoesnotapproveDirectedStudycourses(CRWR590)exceptunderextraordinarycircumstances.Examplesofprojectsthatwillnotbeapprovedfordirectedstudyinclude:novels,directedreadingcourses,thesispreparation,andprojectsthatthestudentisnotreadyorwillingtosharewithpeers.Studentsarenotpermittedtopursuedirectedstudymerelyinordertofocusontheirownworkandavoidtheworkshop.TheGraduateChaircontactsandconferswiththefacultytodeterminethemerit/feasibilityofanyproposedDirectedStudy.ContacttheGraduateChairformoreinformation.

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ContinuingStudentProgressReportsAttheendofeachacademicyear,continuingstudentscompleteanannualContinuingStudentProgressReport.http://creativewriting.ubc.ca/current-students/forms/continuing-student-progress-report/Itisimportantforstudentstoevaluatetheirprogresstowardsdegreecompletionannually,andtoconsiderwhattheyplantoaccomplishduringtheirtimeatUBC,aswellasforthemtofamiliarizethemselveswithprogramregulationsandrequirements.Thisisanopportunityforstudentstoidentifyanyproblemstheymaybehavingastheynavigatetowardstheirdegree,andtorequestassistanceinresolvinganydifficulties.Additionally,theCreativeWritingProgramneedstogatherinformationtohelpplantobettermeettheneedsofstudents.StudentsmustcompletetheirreportbyJune1steachyear.Formsarecompletedandsubmittedonlineattheabovelink.

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CombinedPrograms

MasterofFineArtsinCreativeWritingandTheatreTheCreativeWritingandTheatreProgramsofferaprogramofoncampusstudywhichleadstoaMasterofFineArtsinCreativeWritingandTheatre.BoththeCreativeWritingandTheatreProgramsevaluatecandidates’applications,andapprovalisrequiredfrombothprograms.Studentsarerequiredtocompletethirty-six(36)creditsofcourseworkinCreativeWritingandTheatre.Therequiredcoursesare:CreativeWriting507(6credits),Theatre562(3creditseminar,offeredbiannually)andCreativeWriting599(6credits).CRWR599istheThesisrequirement,whichisafull-lengthstageplay(oritsequivalent)thatmustbeapprovedandacceptedbybothprograms.MasterofFineArtsinCreativeWritingandTheatrestudentsmaycompletetherestoftheircoursesrequirementseitherwithCreativeWritinggraduatewritingworkshops,orTheatregraduate(orequivalent)courseswiththeapprovaloftheirCreativeWritingandTheatresupervisors.MasterofFineArtsinCreativeWritingandTheatrestudentshavetwosupervisors,BryanWadefromCreativeWriting,andafacultymemberfromTheatre,whoareinvolvedwiththeimplementationoftheiroverallprogramandarealsothethesissupervisorsfortheirfull-lengthstageplay.Therecommendedtimeframeforstudentstocompletetheircourserequirements,alongwiththeirthesis,istwoyears.StudentswhoareapplyingfortheCreativeWritingandTheatreProgramshouldcompletetheCreativeWritingMFAapplicationprocesstosubmitonefull-lengthplayand/orthreeone-actplays.CreativeWritingandTheatreapplicantsmustalsobeacceptedbytheTheatrePrograminadditiontotheapprovalofTheFacultyofGraduateandPostdoctoralStudies.StudentswhoapplytotheMFACreativeWritingandTheatreProgramcannotalsoapplytotheoncampusorOptionalResidencyMFAinCreativeWritingPrograms.

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MasterofFineArtsinFilmProductionandCreativeWritingTheFilmProgramandtheCreativeWritingProgramofferaMasterofFineArtsdegreeinFilmProductionandCreativeWriting.TheProgramisatwo-yearcourseofresidentstudyandrequires,asaprerequisite,anundergraduatedegreeinfilmproductionortheequivalentinexperience,aportfolioofcompletedfilmsasprimarycreator(director,writerorproducer),andaportfolioofscreenwriting.ApplicantsapplyfirsttotheFilmProgramtobeacceptedintotheMFAinFilmProductionandCreativeWritingProgram.TheFilmProgramwillthenarrangefortheapplicationandmaterialstobesenttotheCreativeWritingProgramforconsideration.SharonMcGowanistheCreativeWritingsupervisorforFilmProductionandCreativeWritingtheses.Forapplicationrequirements,pleaseseetheFilmProgramwebsite:http://theatrefilm.ubc.ca/graduate-studies/film-production/mfa-filmcreative-writingandhttp://www.calendar.ubc.ca/vancouver/index.cfm?tree=12,204,828,1142

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FacultyStaffContactInformationandRoles

GeneralInformationTheUBCCreativeWritingProgramfacultyandadministrativeofficesandthegraduateclassroomsarelocatedonthe4thand1stfloorsofBuchananBuildingBlockEontheVancouvercampus.PRISMmagazineandTAofficesarelocatedinBrockHallAnnex.

MailingAddressUBCCreativeWritingProgramBuchananE-462,1866MainMallVancouver,B.C.V6T1Z1

Websitecreativewriting.ubc.ca

FacultyandStaff

ActingProgramChairLindaSvendsen,Professorlinda.svendsen@ubc.caOffice:Buch.E470Phone:(604)822-3058

GraduateChairAndrewGrayEmail:angray@mail.ubc.caOffice:Buch.E462ContacttheGraduateChairwithquestionsabout:

- academicissues(courseselection,degreerequirements,leaves,etc.)- thesis- summerresidency

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MasterofFineArtsinCreativeWritingandTheatreBryanWade,AssociateProfessorbwade@mail.ubc.caOffice:Buch,E471OfficePhone:(604)822-2042

MasterofFineArtsinFilmProductionandCreativeWritingSharonMcGowan,AssociateProfessorsharon.mcgowan@ubc.caOffice:Buch,E461

GraduateStudentSupportAlexandraTsardidisEmail:crwr.grad@ubc.caBuchananE462Phone:(604)822-0699Fax:(604)822-3616ContactGraduateStudentSupportwithquestionsabout:- thesissubmission- graduationapplication&requirements- thesisregistration- awardstranscripts&GPAcalculations

ProgramAdministratorTaniaChenEmail:tania.chen@ubc.caBuchananE465(604)822-3024ContacttheProgramAdministratorwithquestionsabout:- CreativeWritingProgramWorkLearnpositions- accessingemployeeportal(studentsemployedbyUBC)- keysandaccesstoBuchananEorBrockAnnex- questionsabouttheadministrationoftheCreativeWritingProgram

ProgramCoordinator/EducationalStrategistAndrewGrayEmail:angray@mail.ubc.caContacttheProgramCoordinatorwithquestionsabout:- accessto/helpwiththeonlineCreativeWritingForum- technicalissues

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UndergraduateAdvisorTBABuchE472Phone:604-827-2331Email:crwr.undergrad@ubc.caContacttheUndergraduateAdvisorwithquestionsabout:- TeachingAssistantpositionapplicationprocess- undergraduatestudentorcoursematters.

FinancialClerkChristineTuBuchananE462Phone:6048226161Email:crwr.finance@ubc.ca.Payroll,expensereimbursement.

SSHRCChairsMaureenMedved,AssociateProfessorEmail:maureen.medved@ubc.caKeithMaillard,ProfessorEmail:keith.maillard@ubc.caContacttheSSHRCChairsregardingapplicationsforthemajorfundingviatheSocialSciencesandHumanitiesResearchCouncil(Canadianstudents)andAffiliatedScholarships(foreignstudents).

AwardsChairJohnVigna,InstructorEmail:John.Vigna@ubc.caOffice:BuchananE469ContacttheAwardsChairregardingawardsandfundingopportunities.

EquityOfficersSharonMcGowan,AssociateProfessorEmail:sharon.mcgowan@ubc.caKeithMaillard,ProfessorEmail:maillard@mail.ubc.caContacttheEquityOfficersregardingRespectfulEnvironmentissues.

CreativeWritingMinorProgramChairNancyLeeEmail:nancy.lee@ubc.caContacttheMinorProgramChairregardingteachingpositionsfortheseundergraduatecoursesandWorkLearnTATrainingCoordinator/sforsummer2017and2017-2018.

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AcademicYear:Dates&DeadlinesAcademicYear:SeptemberisthesoleentrancedatefortheMFACreativeWritingProgramstudents.MostcoursesareconductedfromSeptemberthroughApril,withtheexceptionoftheannualOptionalResidencysummerresidency,whichisopentoallMFAstudents,andoccasionalsummeron-linecourseofferings.Studentscontinueworkontheirthesisduringthesummers.

TermDatesforWinterSession2017/18 Term1

(September–December,2017)

Term2

(January–April,2018)

Start Tuesday,September5 Wednesday,January3

MidtermBreak n/a February19-23

Finish Friday,December1 Friday,April6

TeachingDays 61 60

ExamsStart Tuesday,December5 Tuesday,April10

ExamsFinish Wednesday,December20 Wednesday,April25

TermDatesforSummerSession2018 Term1

(May–June,2018)

Term2

(July–August,2018)

Start Monday,May14 Tuesday,July3

Finish Thursday,June21 Friday,August10

TeachingDays 28 28

ExamsStart Monday,June25 Tuesday,August14

ExamsFinish Friday,June29 Saturday,August18

TheOptionalResidencyannualsummerresidencyisnormallyheldthesecondweekofJuly.

CourseDrop/WithdrawalDateshttp://www.calendar.ubc.ca/vancouver/index.cfm?tree=3,45,99,0

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TuitionFeesTheFacultyofGraduateandPostdoctoralStudiesoffersdetailsregardingcurrenttuitionfees,specifyingratesforfull-time,part-timepermanentresident,domesticandinternationalstudents,aswellasratesforOptionalResidencystudents,whichdifferfromoncampusstudentsandarelistedunderSpecializedMaster’sDegreePrograms.https://www.grad.ubc.ca/prospective-students/tuition-fees-cost-living/graduate-tuition-fees

OncampusMFAStudentTuitionFeesForoncampusMFAstudents,tuitionfeesarepaidinthreeinstallments:September,January,andMay.ThreeinstallmentsarebilledregardlessofwhetherstudentsareattendingclassesbetweenMayandSeptember(alloncampusMFAstudentswillberegisteredforCRWR599,thesis,duringthistime).Everystudentenrolledinamaster’sprogramisrequiredtomaintaincontinuousregistrationbypayingtuitioninstallmentsplusauthorizedstudentfees.Failuretopayfeeswillresultinafinancialholdandaninterestpenalty.

AlloncampusgraduatestudentsareautomaticallyassessedfeesaccordingtoScheduleA.Oncetwoyearsofstudyhavebeentaken(6feeinstallments),studentswhoarestillenrolledareassessedtheContinuingFeeuntiltheygraduate.

StudentswhohavepaidmorethantheminimuminstallmentsforthedegreewillhavetheirtuitionfeesproratedtotheendofthemonthinwhichtheFacultyofGraduateandPostdoctoralStudiesconfirmsthatalldegreerequirementshavebeencompleted.ThisincludesthesubmissionoftheirthesistotheFacultyofGraduateandPostdoctoralStudies’office.

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2017/18OncampusFees

Program Instalments per year

Minimum # of instalments

Domestic (per instalment)

International (per instalment)

Full-time (Schedule A)

3 3 $1,600.60 $2,811.98

Part-time (Schedule B)

3 9 $914.78 $1,616.89

On-leave fee1 3 N/A $116.00 $342.87

Continuing fee2 3 N/A $731.26 $2,811.98

Extension fee3 3 N/A $1,027.07 $2,811.98 1 All master’s programs (both standard and specialized) have a fee assessed for each term in which on-leave status is taken. 2 If a degree program is not completed by a set number of instalments or a minimum program fee, the assessments will then switch to a Continuing fee. The Schedule A Continuing fee is assessed after instalment 6. The Schedule B Continuing fee is assessed after instalment 9. 3 If a master’s degree (both standard and specialized) is not awarded within a period of five years from the initial registration, a student may be granted an extension with permission from the Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies, but will be charged additional fees.

Note:Theabovefiguresdonotincludeanyadditionalstudentfees;theserangefromapproximately$600to$800peryearforoncampusstudents.

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OptionalResidencyMFAStudentTuitionFeesForOptionalResidencyMFAstudents,tuitionfeesarepaidintwoinstallments:SeptemberandJanuary.StudentstakingasummerresidencycoursepaytuitioninJuly.Feesareonlyassessedwhenstudentsareregisteredincourses.

Note:Thosestudentstakingtheoccasionallyofferedon-linesummercoursesalsopayinMay.

StudentsenrolledintheOptionalResidencyMFAProgrampayfeesonaper-creditbasis.Feesareonlyassessedwhenstudentsregisterincoursesforthesummerorfall/winterterms.Becauseofthis,full-timeorpart-timestatusisassessedbyUBCdependingonthenumberofcreditstakenduringtheacademicyear.Studentsareconsideredtobefull-timefortax,scholarshipandloanpurposesiftheyareenrolledin12ormorecreditsduringthefall/winterterm(SeptemberthroughApril),6creditsperterm,and6creditsinthesummerterm.MasterofFineArtsinCreativeWriting(DistanceEducation)

Year of program entry Domestic tuition per credit International tuition per credit

2016S or later $591.82 $995.51

2015W or earlier $591.82 $976.27

OptionalResidencystudentsdoinadditiontotuitionpaystudentfees,howeverthesefeeshavebeenreducedtoreflectthefactthatonlinestudentsusefew,ifany,oncampusresources.ForOptionalResidencystudents,oncepaymenthasbeenmadefor6creditsofthesis,studentsaremovedintoanon-feesectionofthesisuntiltheygraduate.

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InternationalStudentResourcesVisa:StudentsshouldcontactthenearestCanadianConsulateandprovidethemwiththeconfirmationofapprovalletterfromUBCFacultyofGraduateandPostdoctoralStudiesinordertosecureastudentvisa.InternationalStudentGuide:UBCInternationalStudentServicesprovidesacomprehensiveguide,whichincludes:

• OverviewofdocumentationrequiredtostudyinCanada• Passport• StudyPermit• Taxes• SocialInsuranceNumber(SIN)• Overviewofstudenthealthinsuranceincludingprovincialanduniversity

services(AMS/GSSHealthandDentalPlan)• OverviewofworkinginCanada• Oncampuswork• Off-Campusworkpermit• Co-opWorkPermit• Post-Graduationworkpermit• Workpermitforspouse/partner

http://students.ubc.ca/internationalInternationalStudentDevelopmentislocatedatInternationalHouseontheVancouverCampusandoffersalounge,meetingspaces,astudycornerandself-accesscomputers.Itisalsopossibletomeetwithanadvisor.https://students.ubc.ca/about-student-services/international-student-development

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GuidetoWorkshopEtiquetteSomeofthemostchallengingandrewardingworkshopsoccurwhenpassionsareengagedandideasclash.However,bothonlineandoncampusworkshopdiscussionscanprovetrickyterraintonavigate.Withthisinmind,herearesomeprotocolstokeepinmindduringallwritingworkshops:

FortheWriter

• Theworkshopmustbehelpfultothesubmittingwriter.Tothisend,it’softenusefulifthewritercantellusabitabouttheirpiecewhentheysubmitit:howlongthey’vebeenworkingonit,whatthey’vebeentryingtodo,whatthey’vestruggledwith,andwhataspectstheymostwouldlikefeedbackon.Thisshouldbebrief.

• Youcanbringyourworktoworkshopwithoneoftwomindsets:

1.Iwanttoprove/findouthowgoodIam,or2.Iwanttoknowhowtomaketheworkbetter.Thefirstmindsetwillmakeyoumiserable;thesecondcanmaketheworkshopavaluableexperienceforyou.

• Arushedandmuddledfirstdraftwillgarnerequallymuddledfeedback.

Trytogiveyourselftimetodoarewritebeforeyousubmit.Ifyou’reable,fixwhatyouknowiswrongwiththepiece.Thatway,wewon’twasteyourtimetellingyouthingsyoualreadyknow.

FortheWorkshopParticipantsThecentralruleofworkshopisthis:ifthewriterleavesdiscouragedordissuadedfromworkingontheirpieceagain(orperhapswritingfictionagain!),theworkshophasFAILED.Theworkshop’ssingulargoalistoempowerthewritertocontinueforwardwiththeirpiece.Ourbesteffortswillgivethewriterprobingquestionstoconsiderastheyplantheirnextdraft.

• Bekind.Studentssometimesbristleatthis,becauseitsoundsabitlike“benice”andtheyfearitmeanstheywon’tbeabletobehonest.Ofcourseyoucanbehonest.Theproblemisthat“honestandunkind”mayseemtheeasierroute.We’reaskingyoutoworkharder:behonestandkind.(Foronlinecourses:ouronlinevoicestendasoundabitmoretersethanourin-personvoices,sokindnessisveryimportanthere.)

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• Pleasedonotuseprofanelanguage.It’sneverallrighttoreferto

somethingas“bullshit”,forexample,eveninjest.Thisiscommonsenseandcommoncourtesy.Chooselanguagethatarticulatesyourideas,notyouremotions.

• Beginwithsomethingpositive.Endwithsomethingpositive.

• Asmuchasyoucan,refertoconcreteexamplesinthetext.General,

abstractcommentslike,“Iloveyourwriting!”“Iwassoconfused.”“Youwritebeautifulsentences.”“Icouldn’tunderstandthemother.”aretoovaguetobeofusetothewriter.Wheneverpossible,citeanexamplefromthetext.Ifyou’reconfused,honeinonwhereinthetextyoufirstbecameconfused–whatwasthesentence?Thatwillbeusefultothewriter.Agreatfeedbackapproachistosupportacriticismwithanexampleofwherethewriterdidgetitright.Forinstance:ifcharacterBseemsunderdeveloped,youmightusethewriter’sartfulrenderingofcharacterAasanexampleofwhatyou’dliketoseemoreofincharacterB.

• Giveasmuchtimeandattentiontotheworkasyou’dliketoreceiveon

yourown,andrememberyou’rebeinggradedinpartonyourparticipation.

• WorkshopisNOTavenueformattersoftasteoropinion.Ifthesubmittedpieceisaboutbasketballandyouhatebasketball,keepthattoyourself.Ifthecontentchallengesyourmoralsandbeliefs,trytostepbackandviewthepiecefromacraftperspective.Thequestionbeforeusisalways:howcanwehelpthiswritermoveclosertotheirintentwithinthispieceofwriting.Contentisnotarbitrary,sopleasedon’tdismissitasifitis.Thewriterhasworkedhardandmadechoices,choicesthatarenoteasilyundoneorre-imagined.Thekeyhereistorespectwhatthewriterhasdonesofar.

• Donotconflatediscussionsofcraftwithdiscussionsofpolitics.Thiscan

beparticularlychallengingduringdiscussionsofrace,identity,andappropriationofvoice.TheMFAprogramisanopportunityforstudentstotakerisksandtrynewmodesofstory-tellinginasafeenvironment.Whilewemightwanttobringlargerethicalconsiderationstotheconversation,ultimatelyit’snotourjobtotellawriterwhatshemayormaynotwrite.Wecanonlyhelpsupplythewriterwithinformationregardinghowsomereadersmightrespond.Youcanbedescriptive(“ifyouwritex,you’llprobablygetyreaction”)butyoushouldn’tbeprescriptive(“youshouldn’twriteaboutxatall”).

• Trytoavoiddeclarativestatements.Instead,consideraskingquestions

thatwillhelpthewriterthinkmoredeeplyabouttheirwork.Forexample,ifapiececontainsscenesofviolencethatyoufinddisturbing,insteadofsaying,

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“Thisstoryistooviolent!”youmightask:whatroledoyouseeviolenceplayinginthispiece?Howdoyouwantthereadertofeelaboutthelevelofviolenceinthispiece?(Avoidpassive-aggressivequestionslike,Don’tyouthinkthispieceiswaytooviolent?)Remember:workshopisanexplorationthatdoesnotrequireyoutopassjudgment.

• Workshopputsusallinavulnerableposition.Iftheworkisgoingtobe

emotionallyaffecting(andwehopeitis!),thenweruntheriskofbeingemotionallyaffectedbybothwritingitandreadingit.Theworkshopshouldbeasafeplaceforeveryone.Trytodistanceyourpersonalfeelings,andfocusontheworkshop’stask:discussingtheexecutionofcraftinthisspecificwork.

• Somedisagreementswillnotgetresolved.Yourjob,asparticipantina

workshop,isnottoconverteveryoneelsetoyourwayofthinking,orrhetoricallydestroypeoplewhodisagreewithyou.Expressyourself;refineyourownideasandothers’throughthoughtfuldisagreement;andknowwhentocallitaday.“We’regoingtohavetoagreetodisagreeaboutthat”isasimpleandelegantwaytowithdrawfromaconversationthathasbeguntospinitswheels.

• Unlessspecificallytoldotherwisebytheinstructor,thestudentwhose

workisbeingcritiquedmustkeepoutoftheinitialphaseoftheconversation.Attendtowhatothersaresaying(orposting),byallmeans,buttrynottojumpinandexplainthingsoraskquestionsuntilwe’veallhadachancetocritiqueforawhile.Itcanbeextremelyhelpfultotheauthortoseehowveryconfusedwemightbe,tofullyappreciatewhatmightnotbeworkinginthestory.Ifthewriterjumpsintoosoontoclearthingsup(“no,no,she’spregnant!”),theymaynotfullyappreciatetheextentofourconfusion.Similarly,defensivecommentsjustifyingparticularchoicesinyourstorymightshutdownaconversationthatcouldbeusefultoyouifyougaveittime.Aftertheinitialroundofdiscussion,pleasefeelfreetoweighin,particularlyifyouwantyourcolleaguestoclarifytheircomments,ortodrawattentiontoaspectsofthestoryyouwerehopingtoseediscussed.

• Conflictsarebestresolvedthroughopencommunication.Ifyouhavean

issuewiththeconductofafellowworkshopmemberorwithaworkshopprocess,pleasegetintouchwithyourinstructorimmediately,orwiththeEquityOfficerifyouareconcernedaboutyourinstructor.Openpro-activecommunicationleadstopromptandequitablesolutions,preventingthenegativeimpactofisolationorharassmentinanyform.

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RespectfulEnvironment

UBChasclearguidelinesonRespectfulEnvironment:TheUniversityofBritishColumbiaenvisionsaclimateinwhichstudents,facultyandstaffareprovidedwiththebestpossibleconditionsforlearning,researchingandworking,includinganenvironmentthatisdedicatedtoexcellence,equityandmutualrespect.TheUniversityofBritishColumbiastrivestorealizethisvisionbyestablishingemploymentandeducationalpracticesthatrespectthedignityofindividualsandmakeitpossibleforeveryonetolive,work,andstudyinapositiveandsupportiveenvironment,freefromharmfulbehaviourssuchasbullyingandharassment.StatementofPrinciple:Thebestpossibleenvironmentforworking,learningandlivingisoneinwhichrespect,civility,diversity,opportunityandinclusionarevalued.EveryoneattheUniversityofBritishColumbiaisexpectedtoconductthemselvesinamannerthatupholdstheseprinciplesinallcommunicationsandinteractionswithfellowUBCcommunitymembersandthepublicinallUniversity-relatedsettings.ThefullstatementonRespectfulEnvironmentmaybeaccessedatthefollowinglink:http://www.hr.ubc.ca/respectful-environment/files/UBC-Statement-on-Respectful-Environment-2014.pdf

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Thesis

OverviewTheculminationofastudent’sworkduringtheMFAprogramisthecreationofthethesis.AsnotedintheMFAProgramCompletionRequirementssectionofthisHandbook,studentswhointendtograduateinthespringorfallfollowingtheirsecondyearofstudybeginplanningforthesisinthespringoftheirfirstyearofstudy.Whilestudentscannotbeguaranteedtheirfirstchoiceofthesissupervisor,theywillbeabletoworkintheirpreferredgenre.Thesissupervisorsareallocatedaccordingtotheiravailability;studentsdonotapproachfacultytorequestthemasthesissupervisors.SeetheThesisCommitteeSelectionsectionbelowfordetailsonhowandwhencommitteesareassembledforstudents.

GenreLengthandFormatWhilethethesisisasubstantiveworkinthestudent’schosengenre,itisconsideredaprojectthatcanbecompletedintheequivalentofsixcoursecreditsworthofwork.Studentsnormallytake8to14monthstocompletetheirtheses.Itisimperativeforstudentstoconsultwiththeirthesissupervisorregardingexpectationsfortheirspecificprojects,howevertheapproximatelengthsforthevariousgenresareasfollows:

• 45,000wordsforaworkofproseintendedforanadultaudience;maximum90,000words

• 40pagesforpoetry;maximum60pages(5,000to7,000words)• 90scriptpagesforscreenplay;maximum120pages• 60-maximum120pages,dependentuponwhether1houror1/2hour

episodes(consistingofapilotandsecondepisode)aswellasa10to20pagesseriesbible,fortelevision

• 80scriptpagesforstageplay;maximum100pages• 120pagesor30,000wordsforaworkofproseintendedforchildrenor

teens;maximum75,000words

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Thefollowingspecificguidelinespertaintostudentsdoingathesisinthegraphicformsgenre:Print

• Abstract• Fullscript(formattedtext),includingconcisedescriptionsofactionor

compositionofframeswhereneededforcomprehension• Thumbnailsfor20%ofthework• Samplefinishedartwork/inks,includingletteringandcolour(ifapplicable),

for5%ofthework• Listofsources(ifapplicable)

Web

• Abstract• Fulldraftschematicorwireframe,incorporatingthumbnailsfor20%ofthe

workSamplefinishedartwork/inks,includingletteringandcolour(ifapplicable),for5%ofthework

• Finishednavigationforthesampleartwork,preparedtospecificationssetinconsultationwiththesissupervisor

• Listofsources(ifapplicable)

ThesisCommitteeSelectionTheMFAthesiscommitteeconsistsoftwocommitteemembers:onesupervisorandoneadditionalfacultymember.Tenuredortenure-trackfacultyareavailableasthesissupervisorsorcommitteemembers.12-MonthLecturersareavailableprimarilyascommitteemembersexceptinexceptionalcircumstancesorwiththepermissionoftheChair.AllavailablesupervisorswillbeidentifiedduringtheThesisSelectionprocess.ForstudentsintheMasterofFineArtsinCreativeWritingandTheatreProgram,Prof.BryanWadeactsastheCreativeWritingthesissupervisor.ForstudentsintheMasterofFineArtsinFilmProductionandCreativeWritingProgram,Prof.SharonMcGowanactsastheCreativeWritingthesissupervisor.Itisonlywhenthethesisiscompleteandreadyforreviewthatthecommitteememberbecomesinvolvedwiththeproject.Thesupervisororganizesathesismeetingwherethetwofacultymembersdiscussthethesiswiththestudent.ForOptionalResidencystudents,thismaytaketheformofateleconferencemeeting.

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Note:Inexceptionalcircumstancesinwhichthethesisrequiresspecialexpertise,astudentmayrequestacommitteememberfromanotherdepartmentintheUniversity.

InMarchoftheirfirstyearofstudy,oroftheyearinwhichstudentsplantobeginworkonthesis,studentscompleteanonlineThesisProposalForm,availableontheCreativeWritingProgramwebsite.Eachproposalindicatestheproposedthesisstartdate,anticipatedgraduationdate,andthesisgenreaswellasabriefprojectdescription(e.g.“acollectionofpoemsfocussingonclimatechange,”“aspeculativefictionYoungAdultnovel,”“athree-actstageplaysetinpre-ConfederationUpperCanada”).Studentsalsoindicatetheirfirstchoiceofthesissupervisorandthenamesofatleasttwoadditionalfacultymemberswhomtheywouldlikeastheirthesiscommitteemember.Sincesupervisorsandcommitteememberscanbeinhighdemand,itishighlyrecommendedthatstudentsindicatemorethantwochoicesinthissection.Whilestudentrequestsforsupervisorsaretakenintoconsideration,thesissupervisorworkloadmustbedistributedequitablyamongfacultymembers,andstudentsarenotguaranteedtheirfirstchoices.Studentswho,aftercompletingtheThesisProposalForm,delaytheirthesisstartdatebeyondSeptemberwillneedtoreapplythefollowingMarch.Forthepurposesofformingthesiscommittees,thereisnodistinctionbetweenoncampusandOptionalResidencystudents;studentsmaybeassignedtofacultyfromeitherstreamoftheProgram.Studentsoftenworkproductivelywithfacultywithwhomtheyhavenotyettakenacourse.Oncethesissupervisorandcommitteestructurehavebeenassigned,studentsareinformedbytheGraduateChairregardingtheircommitteemake-upandtheGraduateStudentSupportstaffregistersstudentsforthesiswiththeselectedsupervisor.Asnotedabove,thethesisprojectshouldbecompletedwithinapproximately8to14months.Thecompositionofthesiscommitteescanbeguaranteedonlyforone6-creditperiod.Studentswhofindthattheyneedtotakelongerthanthisperiodtocompletetheirtheseswillinmostcasesretaintheirsupervisors,buttheiradditionalcommitteememberissubjecttochangetoensureanongoingequitabledistributionofthesiscommitteeworkamongstfaculty.Asnotedabove,committeemembersarenotinvolvedinthesiscompositionuntiltheprojectiscomplete.ThecommitteememberreceivesadvancenoticefromthethesissupervisorofstudentgraduationdeadlinesandreceivesacopyofthestudentthesisapproximatelysixweeksinadvanceofthedaterequiredtosubmitthethesistotheFacultyofGraduateandPostdoctoralStudies.Thethesissupervisorschedulesthethesisconferencetosuitallparties,organizingremoteattendancewherenecessary.

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RightsandObligationsoftheStudentStudentssubmittheirThesisProposalFormnolaterthanMarch1tobeginthesisworkinMayorSeptember.Oncethethesissupervisorhasbeenassigned,thestudentandthesupervisorworktogethertodrawupasubmissionschedule,confirmingwhenthestudenthopestograduate,thenumberofcompletedraftsorindividualhand-insthesupervisorexpectstosee,submissiondeadlines,whenthestudentshouldexpectfeedback,etc.Bothstudentandthesissupervisorshouldhavecopiesofthisdocument;onlinestudentsshouldpostthemontheirthesisthreadforfuturereference.Studentsturntheirworkinontime.Ifastudentsubmitslateorisexperiencingdifficultieswiththeirwork,theycommunicatethistotheirsupervisorassoonaspossible,andadjustmentstotheschedulearemadeaccordingly.Exceptinexceptionalcircumstances,studentsdonotswitchtheirthesisprojectoncethethesisprocesshasbegun.ItistheresponsibilityofthestudenttokeeptheGraduateStudentSupportstaffuptodateonproposedandconfirmedgraduationdates.Iftherelationshipbetweenthestudentandthesupervisorisnolongerfunctional,thestudenthastherighttoswitchtoanotherthesissupervisor,withtheassistanceoftheGraduateChair.Supervisorsalsohavetherighttorequestthatthestudentbeassignedtoanotherfacultymembershouldtherelationshipnolongerbefunctional.Studentsshoulddeviseaprojectthatcanbefeasiblybecompletedintheequivalentofsixcoursecreditsworthofwork.Westronglyencouragestudentstodeveloptheirthesisoutofaprojectbeguninaworkshop,withtheunderstandingthatthethesisprocesswillinvolvesubstantialadditionalwork.However,studentsarenotpermittedtotakeacompletedprojectfromoneclassandsimplyconvertittoadifferentgenrefortheirthesis(forinstance,convertinganovellatoascreenplay).

RightsandObligationsoftheSupervisorThesupervisorinformsthestudentinatimelymannerofthedatefortheirfirstthesismeeting,andwillatthatinitialmeetingdrawupaschedule,incollaborationwiththestudent,outliningtheirexpectationsfromeachother.Exceptinextraordinarycircumstances,thesupervisorwillreadthestudent’scompletemanuscriptatleasttwice,aswellas(inthecaseofscreenandTVwriting)theprecedingtreatmentoroutlinedocumentatleastonce,and(inthecaseofpoetry)individualhand-insatleastsixtimes,andwillreturnfeedbackinatimelymanner,suchthatthestudentwillhavetimetoincorporatethatfeedbackintotheirrevisions.

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Supervisorandstudentmayconsultmoreorlessfrequentlyasagreedupon.Somefacultyprefertomeetonamonthlybasis;othersbasedonstudentproductivity.Theagreed-uponscheduleissetforthinwritingattheinitialthesismeeting.

SampleSchedulesPleasenotethateachfacultymemberandeachstudentmayagreeuponadifferentprocess.Thesesampleschedulesaremerelythat–samples.Yoursupervisorandyourprojectmayrequireadifferentprocessandtimelineforhand-insandrevision.Sampleschedule:SeptembertoApril(8months)

• studenthasclosetoacompleteroughdraftinhandinSeptember.• 1stthesissupervisorfeedback:October1• 2nddraft:December15• 2ndthesissupervisorfeedback:January15• 3rddrafttothesiscommitteemember:March1• thesiscommitteemeetingMarch21• submissiontoFacultyofGraduateandPostdoctoralStudies:April,forMay

graduationSampleschedule:MaytoApril(11months)

• studenthasworkinpreliminaryforminMay• studentandsupervisorconsultasneededwhilefirstdraftiscompleted• 1stthesissupervisorfeedbackonfull1stdraft:October1• 2nddraft:December1• 2ndthesissupervisorfeedback:January1• 3rddrafttothesiscommitteemember:March1• thesiscommitteemeetingMarch21• submissiontoFacultyofGraduateandPostdoctoralStudies:April,forMay

GraduationSampleSchedule:SeptembertoAugust(11months)

• studenthas4shortstories,anoutlineand2chapters,ora1hourseriesconceptinSeptember

• studentandsupervisorconsultasneededwhilethefirstdraftiswritten• 1stthesissupervisorfeedbackon1stdraft:Feb1• 2nddraft:March1• 2ndthesissupervisorfeedback:April1• 3rddrafttothesiscommitteemember:July1• thesiscommitteemeetingJuly15• submissiontoFacultyofGraduateandPostdoctoralStudies:endofAugust

forNovembergraduation

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Nomatterhowthethesishand-inandfeedbackscheduleisstructured,bothstudentandsupervisorcommittothesameamountofprojecthours.Studentsandsupervisorsmustagreeonathesisprojectwhichcanreasonablybeaccomplishedwithintheexpectedtimeframe,asthereareconstraintsbothonstudentandsupervisorcommitments.Studentandthesissupervisorcanretrofittheirschedulesassuitsthemboth.Forexample,screenwritingstudentsmay,withtheapprovalofthethesissupervisor,commencetheprocesswithacompletedtreatmentdocumentasopposedtoadraftoftheentirescript.Televisionstudentsmaystartwitharoughdraftofthebibledocumentanddetailedsynopsesofthepilotandsecondepisodes.Thesupervisor’sjobisneithertoskimnortocopyedit.Withprose,screen,andstageprojects,thestudentcanexpectbroadcommentsonstructure,character,andprosestyle,and(generallyonthesecondread)amorefine-grainedlookattheworkscenebyscene,withsomecommentsonthetextitself.Itisnotthethesissupervisor’sresponsibilitytocorrectgrammar,punctuation,orproblematicstylistictics.Theinstructorpointstheseoutonceortwice,andexpectsthestudenttotakeontheburdenofcorrectingtherest.Withpoetrytheses,thestudentcanexpectdetailedfeedbackoninitialandreviseddraftsofpoemsaswellasanoverviewofthestructureofthemanuscript.Ifasupervisorknowstheyarefallingbehindontheirobligationstothestudent,theywillcommunicateearlyandoftenwiththestudent.Thesupervisorshouldtakenomorethanonemonthtorespondtoafullmanuscript.

ObligationsofCommitteeMembersCommitteemembersdonotcommentonthethesisuntiltheprojectiscompleted.TheyplaySenatetothesupervisor’sParliament:committeemembersprovideasobersecondlookatthemanuscript,corroboratethestudent’sreadinesstograduate,consultwiththesupervisoronagrade,andprovidebriefcomments.Committeemembersarenotrequiredtoprovideatextedit.ThestudenthasnoobligationtorevisebasedoncommitteemembercommentspriortosubmittingthethesistotheFacultyofGraduateandPostdoctoralStudies.Studentssubmittheirthesestotheircommitteemembersixweeksinadvanceofthegraduationdeadlineinordertoprovideampletimeforreview.

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SubmissiontoFacultyofGraduate&PostdoctoralStudiesTobeeligibleforconvocation,studentsmustformallysubmitoneapprovedcopyoftheirthesistotheFacultyofGraduateandPostdoctoralStudies.ThesesmaybepresentedtoFacultyofGraduateandPostdoctoralStudiesatanytimeduringtheyear.

ImportantNote:Inordertomaintainfunding,studentswhoareCGS-MastersSSHRCholdersmustconsulttheGraduateChairbeforedeterminingtheirgraduationdate.

Therearedeadlinesconsistentwiththetwoperiods,MayandNovember,whengraduationceremoniesareheld.StudentsmustensurethattheycheckdeadlinedatesontheFacultyofGraduateandPostdoctoralStudieswebsite:https://www.grad.ubc.ca/prospective-students/resources-links/deadlinesStudentsmustformattheirthesisaccordingtotheFacultyofGraduateandPostdoctoralStudiesrequirements.Asrequirementsareveryspecificandchangefrequently,studentsarestronglyencouragedtoconsulttheThesissectionoftheCreativeWritingForum:http://forum.creativewriting.ubc.ca/index.php?/forum/24-thesis/forspecificdirections,andtheFacultyofGraduateandPostdoctoralStudieswebsite.

RollingGraduationInadditiontothetwograduationceremonydates(MayandNovember),graduatestudentsareabletohavetheirdegreesconferredonanyoneoffourdates(February,May,SeptemberorNovember)inagivenyear.Uponconferral,thenotationthatthedegreehasbeenawardedwillappearonthetranscript.However,CongregationceremoniesandofficialdegreeparchmentsareavailableinMayandNovemberonly.Thereisnoimpactontuitionfees,asastudent’sobligationtopayfeesendsassoonashis/herprogramisclosed.Formoredetails,seeGraduationontheGraduate&PostgraduateStudieswebsite:https://www.grad.ubc.ca/faculty-staff/policies-procedures/graduation

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LeavesofAbsenceOncampusstudentswhofinditnecessarytointerrupttheirMFAprogramshouldconsultwiththeGraduateChairregardingapossibleleaveofabsence.Whileonaleaveofabsence,graduatestudentsmustpayanon-leavefee.Studentsonleaveareassessedtheon-leaveregistrationfeewhichfor2017/18is$116.00pertermfordomesticstudentsand$342.87pertermforinternationalstudents.Agraduatestudentwhofindsitnecessaryforparental,health,personal,professional,oracademicreasons,asoutlinedbelow,tointerrupthisorherstudiesmayapplyforaleaveofabsence.ResponsibilityforapprovingaleaveofabsencerestswiththeDeanoftheFacultyofGraduateandPostdoctoralStudies.

ImportantNote:StudentsintheOptionalResidencystreamoftheProgrampayonacourse/credit-fee(non-installment)andthereforearenoteligibleforleavesofabsence.OptionalResidencystudentsrequiringatermoffmaysimplynotregisterforanycourses;howeverthetimeoffdoescounttowardstheirfive-yearmaximumdegreecompletionlimit.

ForthefulltextonUniversitypolicyfollowthelinkat:https://www.grad.ubc.ca/faculty-staff/policies-procedures/leave-statusStudentsmustrequestaleaveofabsencebeforethedateonwhichtheleavewillstart.Retroactiveleaveswillonlybeapprovedinhighlyexceptionalcases.AleaveofabsencewillnormallybeginonthefirstdayofSeptember,January,orMay.Leavesofabsencewillbegrantedforperiodsoffour,eight,ortwelvemonths.Thetotaldurationofallleavesofabsencegrantedinagraduateprogramisnormallylimitedto12monthsforamaster’sstudent.Whileonaleaveofabsence,graduatestudentsareexpectedtonotundertakeanyacademicorresearchworkrelatedtotheprogramforwhichtheyhavetakenaleaveofabsence,includingworkonthesis.AccesstotheUniversity’sfacilitiesandresourceswhileonaleaveofabsencewillbelimitedasnotedintheAvailabilityofUBCFacilitiesandResourceschartbelow.Graduatestudentsmustinformtheirprogramoftheirintenttoreturnfromaleaveofabsencepriortorecommencingtheirstudies.

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Timespentonleaveofabsenceisnotcountedaspartoftheallowedtimetocompleteadegree.Studentsmustprovideappropriatedocumentationfortheirrequestedleave.Requestsmustbeaccompaniedbyamemofromthestudentstatinghis/herreasonsforrequestingaleaveofabsence.

Procedure§ Studentdiscussesleaveofabsencewithsupervisorandsupervisorycommittee.§ Programdownloadsandcompletesthe“RequestforLeaveofAbsence”form

fromFacultyofGraduateandPostdoctoralStudieswebsite,andattachesrequireddocumentation.

§ Supervisorandgraduateprogramchairsigntheformindicatingtheirapproval.§ ProgramsendstheformtotheFacultyofGraduateandPostdoctoralStudies.ThereisadditionalimportantinformationonthedifferenttypesofleaveintheCalendarandinthefullSenatepolicy.Studentsshouldreadthemtoensurethattheyunderstandthetermsandimplicationsoftakingaleaveofabsence.AwardsandFellowshipsforStudentswithOn-LeaveStatusStudentswhoholdawardswillreceivethefullamountoftheawardforwhichtheyareeligible.Inmostcases,however,studentscannotreceiveawardswhiletheyareonaleaveofabsence.Studentswillreceivethebalanceoftheirawardswhentheyreturntofull-timeregistrationstatus(aminimumof12credits,6perterm,overtheWintersession).SeeAwardHolder’sGuide:LeavefromProgram.StudentswhoholdexternalfellowshipsthatallowpaidleavesofabsenceshouldcontactthefundingagencyandTheFacultyofGraduateandPostdoctoralStudiestorequestapaidleaveofabsencewellinadvanceoftheleavestartdate.Studentsshouldrefertotherelevantfundingagency’swebsiteforfurtherinformation.

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ParentalLeaveAgraduatestudentwhoisbearingachildorwhohasprimaryresponsibilityforthecareofaninfantoryoungchildiseligibleforparentalleave.Appropriatesupportingdocumentationmayberequired.Parentalleaveisnormallylimitedto12monthsperchildbirthoradoption(includingmultiples).SeealsoGraduateStudentParentalAccommodationPolicy.Wherepossible,astudentenrolledincourseworkshouldcoordinatehisorherleaveofabsencetocoincidewiththefirstdayofSeptember,January,orMay.

LeaveforHealthReasonsAgraduatestudentwhoencountersahealthproblemthatsignificantlyinterfereswiththeabilitytopursuehisorhercourseofstudyiseligibleforaleaveforhealthreasons.Requestsforaleaveforhealthreasonsmustbeaccompaniedbyappropriatesupportingdocumentationfromtheclinicianprovidingprimarycareforthehealthproblem.Aleaveforhealthreasonsisnormallylimitedto12months.Priortobeingallowedtoreturntohisorherstudies,astudentreturningtostudyafteraleaveforhealthreasonsmayberequiredtoproducespecificdocumentationfromhisorherclinicianconfirmingthatheorshehasrecoveredsufficientlytoreturnfromleaveandresumehisorhercourseofstudy.ProfessionalLeaveAgraduatestudentwhowishestosuspendhisorhercourseofstudyinordertotakearelevantworkorprofessionaldevelopmentexperiencemaybeeligibleforprofessionalleave.Appropriatesupportingdocumentationmayberequired.Professionalleaveisnormallylimitedto12months.

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PersonalLeaveAgraduatestudentwhoencounterspersonalcircumstancesthatsignificantlyinterferewiththeabilitytopursuehisorhercourseofstudymaybeeligibleforpersonalleave.Personalleaveisnormallylimitedto12months.

AvailabilityofUBCFacilitiesandResourcesSomeUBCresourcesmaybeavailabletostudentsonleave,whileothersmayonlybeavailableundercertaincircumstances,ormaynotbeavailableatall.Seethelistbelowfordetails.Relevantnon-UBCfacilitiesorresourcesRESOURCE AVAILABILITY

AMSHealthandDentalPlan

AssessedinSeptember;canarrangecoveragewithAMS/GSSprovider

GraduateStudentSociety Membershipcontinueswhileonleave

iMED Notapplicablesinceleavesarenotgrantedinfirstterm

MSP Responsibleforowncoverage

StudentLegalFundSociety

SLFSfeeassessedinSept;ifnotpaid,thennotamember

UPass/CompassCard Notavailable:onlyregisteredstudentsareeligible

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UBCfacilitiesorresourcesRESOURCE AVAILABILITY

AcademicEnglishSupport Availableatunit’sdiscretion

AccessandDiversity Availableatunit’sdiscretion

AthleticsandRecreation Notavailable:however,can“opt-in”forstudentaccessbypayingtheA&Rfeeorcanusepublicaccessforfacilitiesandprograms

BuildingAccess Available,butmayberestrictedbydepartments

CentreforCommunityEngagedLearning Availableatunit’sdiscretion

CentreforStudentInvolvementandCareers Availableatunit’sdiscretion

ChildCareServices Available

CounsellingServices Availableatunit’sdiscretion

CWL Available

Email Available

FirstNationsHouseofLearning Available

GoGlobal:StudentMobilityPrograms Availableatunit’sdiscretion

Housing(includinggraduatecolleges) Usuallynotavailable:onlystudentsonmedicalorparentalleavecanremaininhousing.Specialcasesforstudentsonothertypesofleavemaybeconsidered.

InternationalHouse Availableatunit’sdiscretion

InternationalStudentDevelopment Availableatunit’sdiscretion

Library Available

Ombudsperson Available

Parking Willqualifyforgeneralstudentparkingbutnotgradstudentparking(i.e.,notallparkades)

StudentHealthServices Availableatunit’sdiscretion

UBCcard Available,butanewcardcannotbeissuedunlessenrolledinaUBCcreditcourse

WomenonCampus Availableatunit’sdiscretion

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GraduateStudentEmploymentOpportunities

TeachingAssistantPositionsCreativeWritingoffersmorethan50partialgraduateTeachingAssistantpositionsformostofourlarge-formatlectureundergraduateclasses.StudentsmayalsoapplyforTeachingAssistantpositionswithintheDepartmentofTheatreandFilm,amongotherdepartments.

TAFAQ

WhatisaTAposition?

EachtermtheUBCCreativeWritingProgramemploysTeachingAssistantstohelpwiththemarkingandadministrativeworkloadofitslarge-formatlectureclasses.Thenumberofpositionsavailableeachtermdependsonthenumberofundergraduatelecturecoursesofferedandthenumberofstudentsregisteredineachclass.

AreTApositionsatypeofscholarshiporbursaryforgraduatestudents?

No.TApositionsarejobs,andassuch,demandalevelofresponsibilityandaccountability,aswellasacapacitytomanagearigorousworkload.Inaddition,TAsmustbeabletocommunicatewithandprovidefeedbacktoundergraduatestudentsinakind,respectfulandprofessionalmanner.

WhataretypicalTAduties?

TypicalTAdutiesinclude:markingassignmentsandquizzes,answeringstudentqueriesduringofficehoursandviaemail,aswellashelpingwithclassroomlogistics,includingdistributinghandouts,runningmedia,monitoringquizzes,andansweringstudentquestions.

WillbeingaTAgivemeteachingexperience?

TAswillgainexperienceworkingwithstudents,markingassignmentsandworkinginapost-secondaryacademicenvironment.Dependingonthecoursedesignandthesupervisinginstructor,TAsmayhavetheopportunitytoprepareandpresentalectureduringtheterm.

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IwanttoTAforaparticularcourse.Isthatpossible?

Whilewetakestudentpreferencesintoconsideration,decisionsofwhereTAsareassignedaremadebasedontheoverallpoolofapplications,applicantexperienceandtheneedsoftheinstructors.MostnewTAscanexpecttobeginwithCRWR200,asurveycourseofcreativewritingforms.

HowdoesaTApositionworkwithmyacademicschedule?

TAsareresponsibleforensuringthatthereisn’taconflictbetweenthegraduateworkshopstheyareregisteredinasastudentandthelecturecoursethey’vebeenassignedtoasaTA.TAsareexpectedtobeavailableforallsessionsofthelecturecoursetheyareassignedto.Usually,classesrequiringTAsrunonTuesdaysandThursdays,whilemostgraduateclassesareonMondays,Wednesdays,andFridays.

HowlongdoesaTApositionlast?

EachTApostisassignedforoneterm:SeptembertoDecember,JanuarytoApril,orMaytoJune.NewTAswillusuallybeassignedoneworkingtermperacademicyear.SeniorTAsmaybeassignedtwoworkingtermsperacademicyear.

HowmuchdoesaTApositionpay?

ThemajorityofTApositionsofferedinCreativeWritingarepart-timepositionswherestudentscanexpecttoearnanhourlywageof$30.15/hour(or$31.34/hourforstudentswhohavecompletedapreviousmaster’sdegreealready).ATApositionisusuallyaround96hours,butcanvary.

DoIhavetobeoncampustobeaTA?

Yes.TAsareexpectedtoattendtheclasstheyareTAing,aswellasquiz-markingsessions,officehours,andoncampustraining.Wedonotcurrentlyhavetheresourcesortechnologytosupportoff-campusTAsalthoughtheremaybesomeclassesthatdon’trequireasmuchoncampuspresence.

AreTApositionsopentoOptionalResidencyMFAstudents?

Yes!TApositionsareopentoMFAstudentsinbothstreamsoftheprogram,aslongasthestudentisabletoattendallsessionsoftheirassignedclassasrequiredbytheinstructor,quiz-markingandoncampustraininginperson.

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HowdoIfindoutaboutavailableTApositionsfortheupcomingterm?

TheTAhiringnoticefortheupcomingacademicyearisemailedtoallincomingandexistinggraduatestudentsatthebeginningofApril.Inaddition,wenotifystudentsviaourwebsiteandonouronlineforum.ThehiringnoticecontainsallnecessaryinformationpertainingtoapplyingforaTAposition.

WhattypeofexperienceshouldIhighlightinmyapplication?

Teachingexperienceortrainingisanasset.Studentsshouldbesuretomentionanytutoring,mentoringorleadershipexperiencethey’vehad.Volunteerexperiencewillbeconsideredalongsideworkexperience.

WhatcanIdotobetterprepareforsecuringapositionasaTeachingAssistant?

• Takeaninstructionalskills/teachingworkshop.(SeeUBC’sCentreforTeachingLearning&Technologyfordetails.)

• FamiliarizeyourselfwithpresentationsoftwaresuchasPrezi.• Readbooksoncraftinyourpreferredgenre.• Dosomereflectivethinkingonyourownwritingeducation,what

you’velearned,whatyouwishedyouhadlearned,whatyouwouldmostliketoteach.

Moreinformation:http://creativewriting.ubc.ca/current-students/ta-application/ta-faq/

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WorkLearnPositionsCanadianstudentsmaybeeligibleforWorkLearnemploymentoncampusinavarietyofjobstoamaximumof10hoursperweekandearnbetween$3,000and$6,000fortheWinterSession(SeptembertoApril).WorkLearnisopentoallUBCstudents.PositionsvarybutareoftenavailablefortheLocutionreadingseries,webandsocialmedialiaisonandotherpositions.TherearemanyWorkLearnpositionsavailableacrosscampus;students(includinginternationalstudents)shouldrefertothewebsite:http://students.ubc.ca/career/campus-experiences/work-learnWorkLearnpositionsintheCreativeWritingProgramaredependentuponthebudgetaryprioritiesoftheunitandchangefromyeartoyear.Thesamepositionsarenotnecessarilyofferedeveryyear.Eligibility:WorkLearnpositionswiththeCreativeWritingprogramareopentobothundergraduateandgraduatestudents.Amonggraduatestudents,thoseinthefirstandsecondyearoftheirstudyareprioritizedforWorkLearnpositions,andstudentsholdthesepositionsforoneyearonly,exceptinexceptionalcircumstances.WithaviewtothepromotionofanequitabledistributionofstudentsupportintheProgram,unlesstherearenootherapplicants,applicationswillnotbeacceptedfromgraduatestudentswho:

• havecompletedtheircourseworkandareonlyworkingonthesis.• havebeenhiredforsignificantlymoreTA-shipsorworklearnpositionsthan

theotherapplicants.• havereceivedorareexpectedtoreceivesignificantlymorefundingthanthe

otherapplicants.• havepreviouslyheldthesameworklearnposition.

Studentswhoarebeyondsecondyear,orwhohavepreviouslyheldthesameWorkLearnpositionwillbeconsideredonlyintheeventthattherearenootherviableapplicants.

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PRISMinternationalPRISMinternationalisWesternCanada’soldestliterarymagazine,andispublishedoutofUBC’sCreativeWritingProgram.ProspectivePRISMeditorsapplyforthepositionsandarehiredduringtheFallsemester(forpositionsstartingMay,2018,forexample,theselectionprocesstakesplaceinFall2017).Prospectiveeditorsmust,ataminimum,joinoneofPRISM’seditorialboardsatthebeginningoftheschoolyear.Furtherinvolvementwiththeproduction,distribution,andpromotionofPRISMisalsostronglyencouraged.ExamplesofsuchinvolvementincludevolunteeringatPRISMevents(WordontheStreet,issuelaunches,mail-out,etc.),andcontributingonlinecontentforPRISM’swebsite(reviews,interviews,etc.).Editorialpositionsarenormallyheldforoneyearonly.RegardlessofemploymentprospectswithPRISM,involvementwiththemagazineisanextremelyvaluableexperience.Studentscangainwritingcredits,insightintotheinnerworkingsofaliterarymagazine(inthefieldsofproduction,editing,orpromotions),andhavetheirnameinthemastheadofthemagazine.FormoreinformationaboutPRISM,pleasevisitthewebsite(http://prismmagazine.ca/)orcontactoneoftheeditors,atprose@prismmagazine.caorpoetry@prismmagazine.ca.Forjobapplications,contactPRISMFacultyAdvisor,SharonMcGowan.

BraveNewPlayRites–ProducersandStageManagerBraveNewPlayRitesisanannualnewplayfestivalproducedbyUBCCreativeWritingthatshowcasesshortscriptswrittenbyBFAandMFAplaywritingstudents.TheFestivalfeaturesbothfullproductions(approx.10plays)andastagedreadingseries(15+plays).Forthepastthreeseasons,BraveNewPlayRiteshasbeenmountedoff-campusatStudio1398onGranvilleIslandinMarch.BraveNewPlayRiteshirestwotofourWorkLearnpositionseachyear:oneProduceranduptothreeAssociateProducers,subjecttoannualbudget.ProducersrunallaspectsofthefestivalinconsultationwiththeFacultyAdvisor(s)–i.e.,manageproductionbudget;coordinateandfacilitatecasting;selectandsupervisedirectors,designersandtechnicians;overseefestivaldesign,stagemanagementandtechnicalrequirements;providedramaturgicalsupportforthestagedreadingseries;coordinatepublicity,websiteandsocialmediapresence;andcoordinateboxofficeandfront-of-house.Previoustheatreorotherproductionexperienceisassetbutnotrequired.PleasecontactBryanWadeforfurtherinformation:bwade@mail.ubc.cahttp://bravenew.ca/

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NewShoots-Coordinator&StudentInstructorsNewShootsisaprograminwhichMFAsgainteachingexperiencebyinstructingjuniorandseniorhighschoolstudentsinCreativeWriting.OneMFAstudentwillbehiredthroughtheWorkLearnprogramtocoordinateNewShootsand10-15studentswillbehiredasInstructors/Mentors.StudentInstructors/Mentorsarepaidanominalhonorarium,fundedbyboththeVancouverSchoolBoardandtheCreativeWritingProgram.Studentsinvolvedintheprogramarematchedwiththeschools;eacharementoredbythehighschoolteachers.ApublicreadingandannualpublicationoftheNewShootsanthologyofselectedstudentworkoccursinJune.PleasecontactEmilyPohl-Weary,AssistantProfessor,forfurtherinformation:e.pohl-weary@ubc.ca

WordWrestlersWordWrestlersisacreativewritingsummercampforchildrenages8–12.WordWrestlercoachesarehiredfromtheUBCCreativeWritingMFAandBFAprogramstoleadworkshops,listentoandhelpshapestoryideas,andbolstercreativityandconfidenceinourwrestlers.MFAstudentsinterestedinthesepositionsmayapplyearlyspring2018forWork/LearnpostingontheCreativeWritingForum.Thisisagreatopportunityforgradstudentswhoareenergizedandinspiredbyyoungwriters,andwhowanttosupplementtheirowneducationwithteachingexperience.ContactSherydaWarrener,Lecturer,forfurtherinformation:sheryda@mail.ubc.ca

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GraduateStudentScholarshipandAwardOpportunitiesAllfull-timeMFAstudentsintheCreativeWritingProgramareeligibleforavarietyofscholarships,awardsandbursaries.Full-timestatusisdeterminedbyUBCforfundingpurposesas12creditsofcoursework(6creditsperterm)inthefall/winterterm.MostinternalscholarshipsarebasedonstudentGPAinCreativeWritingcourses.Studentsmustenrolinaminimumof12creditsofcourses(6creditsperterm)inthefall/wintersessioninordertobeeligibletoreceiveyear-endCreativeWritingProgramawardsandGraduateSupportInitiative(GSI)awards.Notethatforoncampusstudents,takinglessthan18creditsofwritingworkshopsinfirstyearwillnegativelyimpactastudent’srankingwithrespecttoyear-endCreativeWritingProgramawardsandGraduateSupportInitiativeawards.WritingworkshopcreditsaregivenagreaterGPAweightthanelectivecoursecredits.

GraduateEntranceScholarshipsSelectincomingfull-timeMFAstudents,domesticandinternational,areeligibleforthesescholarshipsatthediscretionoftheCreativeWritingProgram.ThesescholarshipsarefundedbytheGraduateSupportInitiative(GSI)andareapplieddirectlytostudenttuition.Studentsarenotrequiredtoapply.Thesescholarshipsrangefrom$500-$2000.

GraduateSupportInitiativeScholarshipsSelectfull-timestudentsenteringthesecondyearoftheMFA,domesticandinternational,areeligibleforthesescholarshipsatthediscretionoftheCreativeWritingProgram.ThesescholarshipsarefundedbytheGraduateSupportInitiative(GSI)andareapplieddirectlytostudenttuition.Studentsarenotrequiredtoapply.Studentswhoareenrolledin18creditsduringfirstyearhaveanadvantageinadjudication.Thesescholarshipsrangefrom$500-$2000.

InternationalTuitionAwardsFornon-Canadianoncampusstudents:studentsareautomaticallyconsideredfor$3,200.00CDNinawardsforthefirstandsecondyearsoffull-timestudy.Pleaseseethewebsiteforimportantdetails.https://www.grad.ubc.ca/awards/international-tuition-awardOptionalResidencystudentsarenoteligibleforInternationalTuitionAwards.

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CGS-Master’sSSHRCAwardTheCGS-Master’sSSHRC(SocialSciencesandHumanitiesResearchCouncil)awardsaretheprimarysourceofmajorfundingforCanadianMFAstudentsintheirfirstyeartosupporttheirsecondyearofstudy.Awardsare$17,500(CDN).UBC,asalargeresearchinstitution,isallottedapproximately86Master’sSSHRCsintheSocialSciencesandHumanities.TheCreativeWritingProgramhashadagoodrecordofreceivingawardseachyear.AllcurrentfirstyearMFAswithaminimumfirstclassstanding(usually80%,A-,orhigher)ineachofthelasttwoyearsoffull-timestudyarestronglyencouragedtoapply.HoldersofSSHRCAwardsarealsoencouragedtoapplyfortravelsupplementfunds(affiliatedwithaninternationalUniversity)ofupto$6,000fortravelrelatedtotheirresearch.TheSSHRCCommitteecoordinatesstudentapplications.Priortoarrivaloncampus,studentsshouldensurethatoriginalcertifiedtranscriptsforalluniversitylevelstudies(evenforanon-creditcourseatasmallcollege)aresubmittedtotheGraduateStudentSupportstaff.Itisalsohelpfulforstudentstothinkaboutapotentialresearchthesisprojectintheirgenreofchoice.TwoacademicrefereesfromwithintheCreativeWritingProgramorfromthestudent’sundergraduateprogramwillbenecessary,aswellasaCanadianCommonCVadaptedfortheSSHRCcompetition.AnorientationmeetingregardingtheSSHRCprocesstakesplaceinSeptembereachyear.Faculty/administrativementorsforwillbeannouncedthen,aswellasstudentmentorsfromamongtheranksofthepreviousyear’ssuccessfulcandidates.

AffiliatedFellowshipsInternationalstudentsareeligibleforAffiliatedFellowships.TheFacultyofGraduate+Post-doctoralStudiesoffersapproximately50AffiliatedFellowshipseachyeartomeritoriousstudentsforfull-timestudyand/orresearchleadingtoagraduatedegree.Awardsaremadeonthebasisofacademicexcellenceandparallel,toagreatextent,thecriteriaoftheCGS-Master’sSSHRCAward;withthedifferencethatapplicantsforAffiliatedScholarshipsmustbepursuingafirstgraduatedegree.Opentocurrentandprospectivefull-timeUBCgraduatestudentsregardlessofcitizenshiporvisastatus.Averages$16,000(CDN).Pleaseseethelinkfordetails:https://www.grad.ubc.ca/awards/affiliated-fellowshipsInternationalstudentsarenoteligibletoapplyforSSHRCAwards.

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AboriginalAwards

AboriginalGraduateFellowshipUBCoffersmulti-yearfellowshipstoMaster’sAboriginalstudents.Awardwinnersareselectedonthebasisofacademicmeritthroughanannualcompetition,administeredbytheFacultyofGraduateandPostdoctoralStudiesinconsultationwiththeFirstNationsHouseofLearning.Approximatelyadozennewfellowshipsareofferedeachyearintheamountof$16,175CDNplustuitionforMaster’sstudents.Pleasecheckthewebsiteforimportantdetails:https://www.grad.ubc.ca/awards/aboriginal-graduate-fellowships

AboriginalGraduateFellowshipBridgeFunding:TheFacultyofGraduateandPostdoctoralStudieswillmatchfundsprovidedbygraduateprogramstosupportMaster’sstudentsregisteredatUBC-Vancouver.ThisfundingisintendedtosupportstudentsuntiltheycanapplyforthenextregularAboriginalGraduateFellowshipcompetition.Awardwinnersareselectedonthebasisofacademicmerit.AllAboriginalstudentsareeligibletoapplybutpriorityisgiventoAboriginalgraduatestudentswhosetraditionalterritoryfalls,atleastinpart,withinCanada.ThisincludesCanadianFirstNations,MétisorInuitstudentsandmayincludeAboriginalstudentsfromAlaskaandthenorthernstatesoftheUSA.Pleasecheckthewebsiteforotherimportantdetails:https://www.grad.ubc.ca/awards/aboriginal-graduate-fellowship-bridge-funding

StudentLoansandBursariesCanadianstudentloansaregovernment-fundedrepayablefinancialassistance.Eligibilityisdeterminedbyastandardmeanstest.Studentsarerequiredtoapplyforstudentloansthroughtheirprovinceofresidence.SeetheUBCStudentServiceswebsitehttps://students.ubc.ca/enrolment/finances/student-loansforfurtherinformation.Non-Canadianstudentsshouldinquireintheircountryofresidenceregardingstudentloans.UBCalsooffersbursariestostudentswhohavestudentloans.GeneralbursariesareavailabletoallUBCstudentsaswellasafewdesignatedspecificallyforCreativeWritingstudents.SeetheUBCStudentServiceswebsite:https://students.ubc.ca/enrolment/finances/awards-scholarships-bursariesPleasenotethatoncampusMFAsarealsoeligibleforbursariesandloanstocoverthesummertermastheyareenrolledoverthesummer.

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OtherGraduateAwardsTheAwardsChairfrequentlypostsnoticesofscholarships,fellowships,andcompetitionsontheCreativeWritingForum.TheFacultyofGraduateandPostdoctoralStudieswebsitealsoliststhese:https://www.grad.ubc.ca/scholarships-awards-funding

CreativeWritingEndowedAwardsCreativeWritingoffersapproximately22dedicatedawards,scholarshipsandprizesrangingfromapproximately$100-$2500.Theseareawardedannuallytobothundergraduatesandgraduatesattheendoftheirfirstyearofstudy.Allawardsarebasedonmerit,whichiscalculatedbasedonstudentGPAs.Pleasenotethatallfirst-yearMFAscontinuingintosecondyearareautomaticallyconsideredfortheseawardsanddonothavetoapply.Awardsareannouncedinlatesummerorearlyfall.

TheHarperCollinsUBCPrizeinFictionThisprizeisawardedtoagraduateofourprogramwhoseworkoffiction(novelorshortstorycollections)isrepresentedbytheCookeAgencyandpublished(withasignificantadvance)byHarperCollinsCanada.Applicationdetailsareprovidedonourwebsite.http://creativewriting.ubc.ca/current-students/hc-ubc-prize/

BritishColumbiaArtsCouncil–ScholarshipAwardsProgramUpto$6,000forfull-timestudentsenteringfirstorsecondyearoftheMFA.Applicantsshoulddemonstrateafirst-classstandinginliterarycourses.PreferencewillbegiventoapplicantswhohaveresidedinBritishColumbiaforatleastoneyearpriortoapplication.Artistsestablishedasprofessionalintheirfieldarenoteligibleforassistance.DeadlineeachyearinApril.Requireslettersofappraisal.https://www.bcartscouncil.ca/guidelines/artists/youth/scholarship_awards.html

GraduateFunding:ConferencesTheG&PSGraduateStudentTravelFundoffersreimbursementupto$500maximumpergraduatestudentperdegreeprogram.TheTravelFundprovidessupportforagraduatestudentwhopresentsapaperorposteratanofficialconferenceorsymposium(studentworkshopsareineligible).Pleaseseethewebsiteforfurtherdetails.https://www.grad.ubc.ca/awards/graduate-student-travel-fund

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LiteraryandCommunityEngagementTheCreativeWritingProgramsponsorsLocution,anMFAReadingserieslocatedattheCottageBistro(MainStreet)throughouttheacademicyear.TheBFAReadingseries,OutWrite,whichalsofeaturesguestartists,takesplaceattheCottageBistrothroughouttheacademicyear.TheCreativeWritingProgramisofteninvolvedinorganizingeventswiththeVancouverWritersFestival,Word(Vancouver),theAssociationofWritersandWritingPrograms(AWP)ConferenceandtheCanadianCreativeWritersandWritingPrograms(CCWWP)Conference.TheGraduateReadings,inNovemberandMay,featureMFAstudentsreadingfromtheirthesiswithanintroductionbytheirsupervisor,andBFAgraduatesintroducedbytheirinstructors.Pastwriters-in-residence,visitingwriters,andagentshaveElisabethdeMariaffi,GeorgeMurray,MaureenHynes,KenBabstock,SarahDunant,EdenRobinson,Jeff&AnnVandermeer,agentSamHiyateofTheRightsGroupandAnnaArcherofLucasTalent.AnneMcDermid,Dr.RitaCharon,AndrewWreggitt,andMaggieNelson.AmyStuartandNitaPronovost,editorialdirector,Simon&SchustervisitJuly2017.KatherenaVermetteistheCliffWriterinResidenceconfirmedforSpring2018.ChecktheCreativeWritingForumandtheUBCMFAFacebookGroupforongoingeventannouncements.http://forum.creativewriting.ubc.ca/https://www.facebook.com/groups/249668011813602/

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UBCServicesNote:unlessotherwisenoted,itisassumedthatthefollowingservicesareforstudentsattendingtheoncampusMFAProgram.

HousingTheFacultyofGraduateandPostdoctoralStudies(FG&PS)offerstwograduateresidentialcolleges:GreenCollege:https://www.greencollege.ubc.caSt.John’sCollege:http://stjohns.ubc.caBothcollegesprovideastimulatingacademicandculturalenvironmentforgraduatestudents,post-doctoralfellowsandvisitingscholars.GreenCollegeisa5-minutewalktoBuchananEandSt.John’sCollegeis15minutesaway.Bothcollegesofferscholarshipfunding;applyforresidenceassoonaspossibleasspaceislimitedandcompetitive.StudentHousing&ConferencesDepartmentwww.housing.ubc.ca(604)822-2811(singlestudent)or(604)822-4411(familyhousing)ForanoverviewofcampusandVancouverhousing:https://www.grad.ubc.ca/campus-community/life-vancouver-canada/accommodation-housing

MedicalandWellnessPleasereviewtheinformationprovidedattheFacultyofGraduateandPostdoctoralStudies:https://www.grad.ubc.ca/campus-community/life-vancouver-canada/insuranceHealthandDentalPlanInformationfordomesticandinternationalstudents:http://gss.ubc.ca/main/services/health-dental/http://students.ubc.ca/livewell/health-insuranceNote:OptionalResidencystudentsnotlivinginBCarenoteligibleforUBChealthinsurance.

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StudentHealthServiceM334-2211WesbrookMallMainFloorUBCHospital/KoernerPavilion(604)822-7011SHSisaprimarycareclinicofferingallservicesprovidedbyafamilydoctor.Theyalsoofferwell-womancare,includingcontraception,immunizations,sportsmedicineandreferralstopsychiatry,dermatology,medicalcareforeatingdisordersandplasticsurgery.SHSisfreeforstudentswithhealthinsurance.Mostservicesarecoveredbyprovincialhealthinsurance.

CounselingServices1040BrockHall-1874EastMall(acrossthestreetfromBuchananBlockE)andLowerMallResearchStation,2259LowerMallRoom358(604)822-3811http://students.ubc.ca/livewell/services/counselling-servicesCounselingservicesoffersindividualandgroupprogramsforregisteredUBCstudents.Individualcounselingisfree.Initialappointmentscanbemadebyvisitingtheoffice.Counselingservicesmayreferstudentstoaninternalserviceelsewhereoncampus,ortoservicesinthecommunity.Groupcounselingincludesanxietymanagement,moodmanagement,self-managementandmeditation.Counselingservicesprovideimmediateappointmentsforstudentsincrisis.

AccessandDiversity1203BrockHall,1874EastMallhttp://students.ubc.ca/about/accessAccessandDiversityprovidesdisability-relatedaccommodationsforstudents,facultyandstaffwithdisabilities,producesalternateformatmaterialsforpeoplewithprintdisabilitiesandprovidesstudyandsocialspacesforstudentswithdisabilities.AccessandDiversityalsohasanEquityAmbassadorprogram,workingtoraiseUBCstudents’awarenessofequity,diversityandinclusivityandworkstoaddressissuesofraceandethnicityandsexualorientationandgenderidentity,e.g.,thePositiveSpaceinitiative.MFAstudentswithrelevantissuesareurgedtoregisterwithAccessandDiversityforassistanceandaccommodation.

WellnessCentreIrvingK.BarberLearningCentre1961EastMallRoom183(604)822-8450http://students.ubc.ca/livewell/services/wellness-centreThewellnesscentreisrunbystudentvolunteersandoffersavarietyofservicestopromotementalandphysicalhealth.Theseincludeworkshopsandevents,peersupportregardinghealthandwell-beingandsafersexproductsofferedatcost.

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StudentswithDisabilitiesStudentswithdisabilitiesareencouragedtoapplytoCreativeWritingiftheyhavetheskillsandabilitiestosuccessfullymeetthecorerequirementsoftheprogram.Theseincludewordprocessingandinternetskills,aswellastheabilitytoparticipateinworkshops,whetherinoncampusoron-lineclassrooms.Studentsmustalsobeabletoprovidewrittenfeedbackontheirpeers’workinatimelymanner.Beawarethaton-lineclassesusuallyoperatewithina27-hourwindow,withstudentsexpectedtopostcommentsandresponsesseveraltimesduringthatperiod.StudentswhohavequestionsaboutassistivetechnologiesshouldcontactUBCAccessandDiversity:http://students.ubc.ca/about/accessAdmittedstudentswithdisabilitieswillbeaccommodatedinaccordancewithUBC’spolicyonAcademicAccommodationforStudentswithDisabilities:http://universitycounsel.ubc.ca/policies/policy73.pdf.Asstatedinthepolicy,theprovisionofacademicaccommodationsdoesnoteliminatetheneedforevaluationortheneedtomeetessentiallearningoutcomes.Studentsseekingacademicaccommodationduetoadisabilitymust:

• ContactaDisabilityAdvisorwithAccessandDiversityifrequestingdisability-relatedaccommodations,

• ProvidethenecessarydocumentationtoAccessandDiversity(theUniversity

doesnotprovideorassumethecostofdiagnosticservices),and

• Bringtherequestforacademicaccommodationorforchangesinaccommodationneedstotheattentionoftheappropriatepersonnelinordertoallowforarrangementsofaccommodations.Thiscontactshouldbemadewellinadvanceofthestartoftheprogram,atleast3monthsbefore,andideallyimmediatelyuponacceptanceintotheprogram.

AdvisorsfromAccessandDiversitymayconferwithstudentseitherinpersonorviaphone,e-mail,orSkype.Pleasecontacttheoffice,ratherthananyoneindividual.

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UBCCreativeWritingAcademicRegulations

AcademicGrievance

TheProgramhopesthateachinstructorandeachstudentinacoursewillworktogetherharmoniously,buthasasetofproceduresaimedatresolvinganydifficulty,shoulditarise,whileprotectingandbeingfairtobothstudentsandinstructors.

Forformalresolutionprocedures,seeUBCPolicy,whichappliestoallprogramsanddepartmentsattheuniversity.AcopyofthisPolicyisavailableintheProgramoffice.

TheProgram’sEquityrepresentativefacultycanhelpstudentsdecidewhethertheywishtoseekaninformalorformalresolutionofagrievance.

SexualHarassmentandDiscriminationGrievanceUBChasaresponsibilitytomaintainarespectfulenvironmentwhereitsmemberscanstudy,work,andlivefreefromsexualmisconduct.UBC’sSexualAssaultandOtherSexualMisconductpolicyarticulatesUBC’sdutyandcommitmenttosupportmembersoftheUBCcommunitywhoareimpactedbysexualmisconduct,toprovideacentralsiteforinformationregardingtheresourcesandoptionsavailabletothoseaffectedbysexualmisconduct,tocreateandmakeavailableprogramsandresourcestoeducateitscommunityonthepreventionofsexualmisconduct,andtoprovideaprocesstorespondtoandtoinvestigateallegationsofsexualmisconduct.http://universitycounsel.ubc.ca/policies/policy131.pdfStudentswhofeeltheyarebeingharassedordiscriminatedagainstshouldcontacttheCreativeWritingProgram’sEquityrepresentatives,SharonMcGowan:Sharon.McGowan@ubc.caandKeithMaillard:maillard@mail.ubc.ca.

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AcademicDiscipline

ThePresidentoftheUniversityhastherightundertheUniversityAct(Section58)totakewhateverdisciplinaryactionisdeemedtobewarrantedbyastudent’smisconduct.ThespecificprovisionsastoOffences,PenaltiesandProcedureswhicharesetoutonthefollowingpagesshouldnotbeconstruedaslimitingthegeneralauthorityofthePresidentundertheUniversityAct.

Offences

Misconductsubjecttopenaltyincludes,butisnotlimitedto,thefollowingoffences:

1.Plagiarism.Plagiarismisaformofacademicmisconductinwhichanindividualsubmitsorpresentstheworkofanotherpersonastheirown.Scholarshipquiteproperlyrestsuponexaminingandreferringtothethoughtsandwritingofothers.However,whenexcerptsareusedinparagraphsoressays,theauthormustbeacknowledgedthroughfootnotesorotheracceptedpractices.

Substantialplagiarismexistswhenthereisnorecognitiongiventotheauthorforphrases,sentences,andideasoftheauthorincorporatedinanessay.

Completeplagiarismexistswhenanentireessayiscopiedfromanauthor,orcomposedbyanotherperson,andpresentedasoriginalwork.(Studentsindoubtastowhatconstitutesacaseofplagiarismshouldconsulttheirinstructor.)

2.Submittingthesameessay,presentation,orassignmentforcreditinmorethanonecourse,unlesspriorapprovalhasbeenobtained.

3.Cheatingonanexaminationorfalsifyingmaterialsubjecttoacademicevaluation.

4.Impersonatingacandidateatanexaminationoravailingoneselfoftheresultsofsuchimpersonation.

5.Submittingfalserecordsorinformation,inwritingororally,orfailingtoproviderelevantorrequestedinformation,atthetimeofadmissionorreadmissiontotheUniversity.

6.Falsifyingorsubmittingfalsedocuments,transcriptsorotheracademiccredentials.

7.Disruptinginstructionalactivities,includingmakingitdifficulttoproceedwithscheduledlectures,seminars,etc.,andwithexaminationsandtests.

8.Damaging,removing,ormakingunauthorizeduseofUniversityproperty,orthepersonapropertyoffaculty,staff,orstudents;andassaultingindividuals,including

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conductwhichleadstothephysicaloremotionalinjuryoffaculty,staff,orstudents,orwhichthreatensthephysicaloremotionalwell-beingoffaculty,staff,orstudents.

9.Failingtocomplywithanypenaltyimposedformisconduct.

PenaltiesThepenaltiesthatmaybeimposed,singlyorincombination,foranyofthelistedoffencesmayinclude,butarenotlimitedto,thefollowing:1.Afailinggradeormarkofzerointhecourse,examination,orassignmentinwhichtheacademicmisconductoccurred.2.SuspensionfromtheUniversityforaspecifiedperiodoftime,orindefinitely.3.Reprimand,withletterplacedinstudent’sfile.4.Restitutioninthecaseofdamageto,orremovalorunauthorizeduseof,property.5.Anotationonthestudent’spermanentrecordofthepenaltyimposed.

Warning:1.Thepenaltyforsubstantialorcompleteplagiarism,orforcheating,issuspensionfromtheUniversity.2.Thelayingofchargesunderfederalorprovinciallegislation,orthecommencementofcivilproceedings,doesnotprecludedisciplinarymeasuresbeingtakenbytheUniversity.

Procedures

Section58oftheUniversityActgivesthePresidentoftheUniversitythepowertosuspendstudentsandtodealsummarilywithanymatterofstudentdisciplinethroughthePresident’sAdvisoryCommitteeonStudentDiscipline.AnallegedinstanceofstudentmisconductdeemedseriousenoughforactionbythePresidentshallbereferredtothisCommittee.Afteraninvestigationandahearingatwhichthestudentisinvitedtoappear,theCommitteereportstothePresident.ThestudentthenhastheopportunitytomeetwiththePresident,ifheorshewishes,beforethePresidentarrivesatadecision.

Astudentsuspectedorapprehendedinthecommitmentofanoffenceshallbenotifiedwithinareasonableperiodoftimeofintentiontoreporttheallegedoffencetothedepartmenthead,dean,orotherappropriateperson,beforetheallegedoffenceisreportedtothePresident.

Appeals

AstudenthastherighttoappealagainstthedecisionofthePresidenttotheSenateCommitteeonStudentAppealsonAcademicDiscipline.