Support Staff & Community Resources

Support Staff at King's:

Emily Pictou-Roberts (she/her)

Indigenous Support and Outreach Coordinator

Read Emily's bio here

email: isaac.wright@ukings.ca

Book Appt: calendly.com/studentsupportadvisor

Isaac Wright (he/they)

Student Support Advisor

Hey, I'm Isaac (he/they), the social worker at King's. You'll probably see me in the quad with my dog, Ollie, or walking around campus in search of coffee. I'm available to meet with any King's student to talk about resources on and off campus, managing mental health concerns, or any other non-academic area you need support with. My perspective is student-centered and mygoal is always to find supports that will feel the most supportive,affirming and helpful for you.

Some common things I talk to students about are time management, navigating life with mental illness, finding a therapist, housing and food security, and queer/trans identity. Even if you're not sure what type of support you might want to access in order to feel your best, I would love to talk with you to figure out what might be helpful. Hope to see you in the fall!

email: jordan.roberts@ukings.ca

phone: 902 229-6123

(confidential voicemail and text options.)

Calls and messages responded to Monday - Friday 9-5.

Be in touch via text, email, or phone to book an in person or virtual appointment.

Jordan Roberts (she/her)

Sexual Health and Safety Officer

Welcome to the King’s community! My name is Jordan Roberts (she/her) and I am the Sexual Health and Safety Officer (SHSO). I am excited to hear about how King’s can make your student and campus experience one that allows every part of who you are to be recognized, celebrated, and given the space and the supports to flourish.

There are lots of different things that people reach out to me about including

Resources and support on topics like consent, safer sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, healthy relationships, and boundaries.
Bystander intervention and harm reduction.
Support to individuals who have experienced sexualized violence or are supporting others with this experience.
Information on counselling and campus and community supports.
Safer sex education and supplies.
Birth control and reproductive care.
Gender affirming care and name-changes.
Information on STI testing.
Resources and training for societies, residence, and groups.
Lending library of books and zines,
Free affirming posters and pronoun pins.
Information and navigation of the King’s Sexualized Violence Policy including filing reports.
Support and resources for people who cause harm and are seeking ways to engage in growth and accountability.

King’s has a broad definition of sexualized violence. It means any sexual act or act targeting a person’s sexuality, gender identity, or gender expression, whether the act is physical, psychological, or social in nature. Sexualized violence includes such actions as: sexual assault, sexual harassment, cyber harassment, and sexual exploitation. Acts of sexualized violence can also be acts of colonial violence, sexism, racism, classism, ableism, homophobia, transphobia, religious bias or other forms of discrimination. You can find the policy in full, and resources and supports available at King’s, at https://ukings.ca/campus-community/student-services/campus-

safety/sexualized-violence/ Reaching out, especially the first time, can be hard. You don’t need to know everything you want to share or say. You can start with a simple “Hi” and we can go from there. Please feel free to connect over the Summer if you want to chat as part of your preparation and transition to campus life. Confidentiality is really important to me and conversations with me don’t go anywhere unless the person talking to me wants further action. I’m looking forward to meeting new students who are bringing their brilliance, creativity, talents, and care to King’s. Let me know how I can be there for you as we welcome Fall 2024 together.

Jordan wanted to highlight the Consent and Resect Module available for all students via Brightspace!

Consent and Respect at King’s is designed to give students the skills to benefit from, and contribute to, a living and learning community where we can all thrive. This Brightspace module offers a “Sexualized Violence 101” as well as discussion of consent and safer partying. There is also information about King’s resources, services, supports, and policies. The module takes about an hour to go through and can be done anytime and at your own pace.

The Accessibility Officer can be reached at: michelle.mahoney@ukings.ca or drop by my office in the link across from the KSU.

Michelle Mahoney (she/her)

Accessibility Officer

Hello! I am Michelle Mahoney (she/her), the Accessibility Officer here at King’s! My job is to provide support, guidance and advocacy to students, faculty, staff, and visitors as the university strives to improve the accommodations process and its outcomes and works to integrate accessibility into all aspects of life at King’s.

As the Accessibility Officer, my role includes working closely with Tim Clarke, the Associate Director of FYP and all those who support you through navigating the accommodations and academic advising processes available to you through Dalhousie and the broader community. In addition, I work alongside the King’s Equity Officer, Sexual Health and Safety Officer and Student Support Advisor t0 ensure well rounded student-centric solutions are created for each of you who need it. I will also guide and support the implementation of the King’s Accessibility Plan in accordance with the Accessibility Act, with an emphasis on continuous improvement.

Resources at Dalhousie:

Accessibility Center

The Student Accessibility Centre is Dalhousie's centre of expertise for access, inclusion and accommodation matters for Dalhousie and King’s students. Our team of advisors works collaboratively with students, faculty, and others to reduce barriers in your living and learning campus environments – as well as your co-op, internship, and fieldwork placements.

We support students in several ways including:

identifying classroom, exam and other accommodations to reduce barriers to your learning
advocating on behalf of, and alongside to support you throughout your academic program
assisting you in accessing disability-related funding
connecting you with on- and off-campus resources to enhance your success by recommending technologies to support your learning

Have You Requested Accommodations?

Did you use adaptations or accommodations in high school (or your previous school)? Have an IEP? You can make a request to accommodate a learning difference, another disability (e.g. mental health) or any other characteristic protected under Nova Scotia Human Rights legislation. If you haven’t done so already, now is the time to request academic accommodations for the fall. Submit a Request for Accommodations form along with your supporting documentation or learning assessment.

ABLE@Dal is an orientation program specifically designed for Dalhousie and King’s students who are receiving academic accommodation due to a disability. All students requesting academic accommodations who are entering their first year are to attend. Check back here regularly for updates. We can’t wait to meet you!

Black Student Advising Center

We are excited that you chose to study and explore at the University of Kings College. Our names are Matthew Thomas and Guyleigh Johnson, are are the new advisors at the Black Student Advising Center. Our goal is to encourage you along this journey, to help you navigate this experience, provide and find supports/resources that fit your needs, as well as build and connect community . The Black Student Advising Centre (BSAC plays a key role in supporting students, faculty, and community members of African descent at Dalhousie, by facilitating inclusive spaces that reflect our student population. the Centre promotes students' academic success and retention through advocacy, advising, and enrichment of students' experiences through cultural events, networking, and leadership opportunities. The Centre continues to preserce the rich history of the 52 land-based African Nova Scotian Communities through collaborative programs and events within the community. Referrals to other supportive services are important to our students to ensure holistic wellness and success.

Why visit?

Other services and programs offered through the Centre include:

Peer tutoring/mentoring program
Onsite writing support, math and chemistry tutors, PLANS (support for students who are in the Health Professions)
Cultural and educational events
Monthly newsletter

With over 32 years of presence at Dalhousie, the Black Student Advising Centre is ften reffered to by students as their "home away from home". The Centre is a place where students come to study, relax, build community, build relationships with peers and professionals, and access academic support. The Centre has a cozy lounge with a kitchenette space, two computer labs, a study room, a shared backyard. We are located at 1321 Edward Street, 2nd floor. Visiting the Centre fives you the opportunity to recieve assistance with potential challenges that you may face in the ipcoming ywar and to celebrate the many successes you will achieve. The Cente is open 9 am- 4 pm daily Monday-Friday. We also do some extended evening shifts during the term from 4-8 pm Monday to Thursday. You can always contact Advisors at any time during office hours.

We are looking forward to meeting you soon.

Sincerely, Matthew and Guyleigh

Contact:

www.dal.ca/bsac

Twitter: dalBSAC

Instagram: dalBSAC

International Student Center

Q: Are there tailored supports for me as an international student?

The International Student Centre on Dalhousie campus is where King’s and Dal students can receive help with visas and any other questions they may have. Check them out!

Q: Do I need to attend the separate international student orientation?

The Dalhousie International Student Centre will host welcome sessions for international students from August 27-August 29, 2024. More information can be found here

Q: Do I have access to health coverage as an international student?

All international students studying in Canada must have health insurance coverage. All full- time students will automatically be opted in to two health plans in September. All King’s international students are covered under the Dalhousie Student Union International Health Plan, which is a health plan for international students who don’t have Medical Services Insurance coverage (Provincial Health Insurance). It covers general doctor visits, overnight stays at the hospital, etc. All King’s International Students are also covered under the King’s Students’ Union Extended Health and Dental plan which covers prescription drugs, optometry, physiotherapy, psychological services, emergency transportation, dental costs, and more. The two plans work together to make sure you can do everything from going to the doctor to getting your eyes checked. It may sound complicated so we will review all of this with students in the fall. If you have pressing questions please send an email to coordinator@ksu.ca

Accessing other resources

As a King’s student, you have access to a plethora of services at Dalhousie University, from health clinics and counselling services to writing workshops and career planning. Visit http://studentservices.dal.ca or http://www.dal.ca/thrive, or talk to your don, the Dean, the Registrar’s Office, the Chaplain, or our social worker. You can also talk to our Sexual Health and Safety Officer. They can all help you access many different services both on and off campus.

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