CONCORDIA SUPPORT SERVICES

FutureBound is the Student Success Centre’s skill development program for undergraduate students. The workshops help you develop the skills you need to successfully transition from university into the workplace. Explore the following core skill modules:

• Communications & digital capabilities 
• Leadership & collaboration 
• Innovation & entrepreneurship 
• Career development 
• Growth & balance

You can receive a certificate if you attend 4 workshops in a single skill module, but this is not mandatory. Select any workshop that suits your needs to benefit from a supportive environment where you can experiment and get feedback. You’ll also connect with peers from different disciplines across the university to build and expand your network. 

Udemy service provides access to a collection of more than 4,000 online courses available to students, faculty and staff providing an opportunity to refresh their professional skills and build on their digital capabilities.

The on-demand learning resources offer a vast selection of non-academic courses ranging from IT operations, web development, leadership and management, marketing and project management and operations.

Concordia community members will benefit from Udemy's high-quality professional course content, access to online courses anytime, anywhere and curated learning resources that can be combined to build customized learning paths.

The Black Perspectives Office resources, supports, connects, and advocates for Black communities, perspectives, initiatives, and scholarship at Concordia University.

The work of the BPO is informed by the generations of Black student and community activism in Montreal and at Concordia that has laid the foundation for work that addresses and challenges anti-Black systemic racism. It is this activism that has made it possible for the pilot initiative to become its own office and we look forward to creating an office that best represents, services and is informed by the amazing Black perspectives and activism which made it possible for us to grow.

The main activities of the BPO fall into five categories:

• Funding and mentorship
• Supporting & creating resources
• Campus & local programming
• Advocacy
• Networking

Send an email to the BPO.

The Otsenhákta Student Centre is an on-campus resource for First Nations, Métis and Inuit students to help them succeed and achieve their highest academic potential. Students can benefit from:

• Dedicated Support Staff
• Dedicated Study Space
• Computer Access & Printing
• Peer mentorship
• Counselling and coaching
• Peer tutoring
• Academic, Cultural and Community based Workshops
• Access to traditional medicines (not available during COVID)

Get in touch to schedule a one-on-one meeting to help you prepare you for your internship, and for on-going support throughout the internship experience and beyond.

The Access Centre for Students with Disabilities (ACSD) provides Concordia students with disabilities who are registered with their services with the accommodations and support services needed to reduce barriers to academic performance and participation. While the ACSD does not provide services specifically for students on an internship, they have prepared these best practises to help you make a decision about whether or not to share details about your disability with the host organization for your internship. Sharing this information is called disclosure.

You may choose to disclose a disability with your supervisor at the host organization if you need a workplace accommodation to reduce the barriers that may prevent you from completing your internship requirements. For example: 

• Installing a computer software or tool on your computer (i.e., an adaptive technology, like a screen reader) 
• Requesting an ergonomic chair or mouse 
• Requesting a flexible work schedule 
• Requesting documents that are in an accessible format

It is entirely your decision to disclose a disability and request a workplace accommodation. Making the decision to disclose may depend on your unique needs and the hiring process. For example: 

• Disclosing a mobility need is important before an interview so that you can physically meet with the interviewer. They may make arrangements or let you know that the internship site is not accessible. 
• Disclosing to ask for a software or tool need could be done after the interview if you are offered the position. 
• The organization’s hiring policies or culture may also indicate that they are actively searching to hire individuals with disabilities as part of their commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion. 

You are not obligated to disclose, and interviewers and supervisors should not pressure you or ask probing questions to attempt to get this information from you. For example: 

• Why is there a gap in your education history?
• Why were you a part-time student?
• Other than work and family, what may have contributed to your academic performance/gaps?
• Have you used any student services at Concordia?

These are common interview questions, but you should avoid mentioning your disability in your answer if you’re not ready to disclose. Through consultation, the ACSD can provide advice and help you make the decision that is right for you.

You can email them at acsdinfo@concordia.ca

SARC provides Concordia students, staff and faculty who have been impacted by any form of sexual violence with confidential support. The Centre provides crisis intervention, short and long-term counseling, and a peer support drop-in for active listening. You can talk to someone through a virtual drop-in session, or make an appointment for counseling at SARC if you are concerned about inappropriate behaviour from someone at work, have questions about your options if you have been sexually harassed or assaulted, or even if you aren’t sure how to name what happened. Sexual violence can take many forms, for example: 

• Unwanted contact of a sexual nature 
• Receiving unwanted photos/videos/memes of a sexual nature 
• Unwanted comments, looks, jokes of a sexual nature 
• Unwanted flirting, someone repeatedly asking you out, asking questions about your sex life or any other personal/invasive questions of a sexual nature 

An experience of sexual violence may have a lasting impact on our lives. To make the situation easier to deal with, SARC can also:  

• Arrange academic accommodations to minimize the impact on academic standing
• Provide ongoing, long-term counselling (there is no waitlist or session limit) 
• Refer students to external community resources or therapists in private practice (if needed) and accompaniment to on and off campus resources

You can email SARC at sarc@concordia.ca

The ORR offers impartial and confidential consultations to students, faculty and staff with concerns or questions about someone’s inappropriate behavior. You can make an appointment to talk about a situation of harassment, discrimination, physical violence or threats as well as other behavioral concerns. The office can intervene directly if the behavior is within the Concordia community or help you to navigate through the situation with the internship host organization and provide guidance in accessing other University resources.

Problematic behavior can be subtle, pervasive and difficult to recognize or describe, but these examples can make it easier to spot, particularly if they are repetitive:

• Being excluded from meetings and conversations that you should take part in 
• Being isolated from your colleague(s) 
• Not receiving information that is needed to carry out your tasks 
• Gestures or comments indicating that your contributions are not valued 
• Not receiving responses to emails and/or phone calls 
• Not receiving the same or comparable resources as your peers 
• Observing and witnessing problematic conduct towards a peer (especially if it wasn't addressed or handled to re-establish a safe environment for everyone) 

Each situation is unique. Through consultation, the ORR will listen, provide a strategy for addressing your complaint and coordinate a system of support for you.

You can email the office at rights@concordia.ca

The MFSC is a home on campus for all those who wish to celebrate the human spirit in the widest sense of the word; we are open to all students whether spiritual, secular or religious. Our approach is pluralistic, accepting & energizing, & we encourage students to live with integrity & authenticity.  The MFSC can provide support services on these topics: 

• Discussing requests for religious accommodations:
  • Days off for holy days
  • Dietary restrictions and laws
  • Daily spiritual practices (such as prayer, devotion)
  • Dress and clothing
• Handling conversations about religion:
  • Countering stereotypes or dealing with flippant comments about religion or diversity within religions.
  • Exploration of religion & queerness.
  • Advice on how to lead respectful conversations.

The MSFC is glad to talk to students about anything else if you think it’s the right office for you.

The office can be reached at mfsc@concordia.ca

CUSP provides family-friendly events and services for students who are studying while raising a family. CUSP provides a space to socialize with other parents including a lounge with computer access, a kitchen, and a nursery. Student-parents can benefit from:  

• Help with finances & budgeting 
• English and French conversation 
• Tutoring for your children on specific topics 
• Family friendly activities like cooking workshops and holiday parties 
• Resources for childcare 
• Discounts for Le Gym 
• CUSP can also help you manage your budget so that you can focus on your studies. 

Get in touch with CUSP at cusp@concordia.ca

Finding the right support depends on your specific situation, needs and goals. Learn about the different options available to you on your ongoing mental health and wellness journey.

Counselling and Psychological Services can help you manage a variety of mental health concerns such as stress, anxiety and depression. Our team of licensed psychologists provides short-term psychotherapy, as well as workshops, events and outreach to promote mental health and well-being at Concordia.

The Département d’études françaises offers you all the necessary resources to help you succeed in French!