Supports and resources

The University of Toronto is an environment where faculty, staff, student, and librarians are supported. The University of Toronto’s community is remarkably diverse. Hailing from 170 countries, and representing many faith traditions, political persuasions, and ethnic groups, our community of faculty, librarians, students, and staff is more than 100,000 strong. We have a further 660,000 alumni, and innumerable stakeholders in the city-region and around the world. When crisis strikes locally, it can impact everyone on our three campuses. Given our global reach, any national and global events will have ripple effects that touch our community.

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When the University is made aware of these events, our priority is to reach out to all students, faculty, staff, and librarians we know to be in the affected region as well as international students originating from the country/countries to offer resources and support.

The University of Toronto is an environment where faculty, staff, student, and librarians can feel safe and supported.

Student supports

Personal support services

 

Responding to the impact of world events

For requests for academic consideration or to seek financial aid, students are encouraged to contact their Registrar’s Office. Graduate students are also encouraged to contact their departments.

For personal support, contact one of the tri-campus Health & Wellness/Health and Counselling Centres (U of T St. George, U of T Mississauga, U of T Scarborough) or contact U of T Telus Health Student Support for 24/7 access to counselling support via telephone or chat from anywhere in the world.

International students in need of immigration advising, assistance with health insurance, or other forms of support are encouraged to contact tri-campus International Student Services (U of T St. George, U of T Mississauga, U of T Scarborough).

Students interested in planning events in response to world events are encouraged to contact their campus Student Engagement staff for event planning support (U of T St. George, U of T Mississauga, U of T Scarborough).

Students with concerns related to personal safety are encouraged to contact the Community Safety Office.

In case of emergency, please contact Campus Safety (U of T St. George/U of T Scarborough 416-978-2222; U of T Mississauga 905-569-4333) or dial 911.

Students on University activity outside of Canada, please contact Student Safety Abroad.

 

Academic support services and/or considerations

 

Assistance for U of T community members travelling

The federal government, through Global Affairs Canada, provides emergency consular assistance to Canadian citizens abroad. Members of our community who are travelling in crisis-affected areas can:

U of T students, faculty and staff travelling for University purposes who have registered can also receive emergency support through International SOS.

 

Indigenous student services

First Nations House provides a space on the St. George campus to learn about Indigenous knowledges and traditional teachings, attend events, socialize, seek guidance from Traditional Teachers and access financial and academic supports. All undergraduate and graduate students, faculty, and staff may access First Nations House.

The U of T Mississauga Indigenous Centre provides service delivery, programming, and support to Indigenous faculty, students, staff, and librarians. Indigenous students can book a one-on-one session with the Indigenous Student Support Specialist.

Indigenous House at U of T Scarborough will bring together our community of Indigenous and Non-Indigenous lifelong learners, by supporting and celebrating diverse Indigenous Ways of Knowing locally and from across Turtle Island.

 

Multi-faith resources

The Multi-Faith Centre on the St. George campus offers an inclusive space where students can engage in community and explore diverse cultural and spiritual perspectives.

The Multi-Faith Centre maintains a partnership with the Campus Chaplains Association and offers a directory of campus chaplains to help students and chaplains connect. All undergraduate and graduate students, faculty and staff may access chaplaincy services.

In addition to the Multi-Faith Centre, there are several spaces available across the three campuses for prayer and spiritual practice.

 

Equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) in a global context

U of T Global Crisis Supports

Geopolitical and humanitarian crises around the world can impact the lives of U of T students and community members. To support and sustain the principles of inclusion and belonging during times of global unrest, the Institutional Equity Office (IEO) provides engagement and education opportunities and available resources from across U of T.

 

Academic support

Divisional/Faculty, College and Campus Registrar’s Offices

The Registrar’s Office in a student’s division/faculty or college in the Faculty of Arts & Science is the primary resource for advising regarding academics or financial aid. Graduate students are also encouraged to contact their departments.

 

Academic skills development

Each of the campuses offers services and resources to support students in developing their academic skills to achieve their learning goals, including one-on-one advising, workshops, study hubs, peer mentoring, and more.

Accessibility Services provides services and academic accommodations to students who have an on-going (permanent) or temporary learning, physical, sensory, chronic health or mental health disability or medical condition. Services and programs cater to the individual, providing supports that are tailored to meet the student’s individual needs.

 

Personal support

The Health and Wellness/Health and Counselling Centres on each of our campuses offer a range of services to support students’ physical and mental health, including, personal health visits, one-on-one mental health counselling, group counselling, workshops, immunizations, and more.

 

U of T Telus Health Student Support

U of T Telus Health Student Support provides students with real-time and/or appointment-based confidential, 24-hour support for any school, health, or general life concern at no cost. Students can call or chat with a counsellor directly from their phone whenever, wherever they are.

Ongoing support is available over the phone in 146 languages. Immediate support is available over the phone in 35 languages and over chat in simplified Chinese, English, French and Spanish. A web option is also available at Telus Health Student Support.

Access U of T Telus Health Student Support by calling 1-844-451-9700. Outside of North America, call 001-416-380-6578.

 

International Student Services

The International Student Services teams on our three campuses are available to provide immigration advising, answer questions related to health insurance, and connect international students with the information, services and programs needed to support their transition to the university and achieve their goals.

Faculty & Librarian supports

The Employee and Family Assistance Program offers confidential short–term counselling, coaching, information, and support for all types of issues relating to mental health, health management, and achieving greater personal and workplace well-being.

Vice-Provost Faculty & Academic Life serves as a resource for chairs, deans, directors, and administrative staff working with faculty in responding to questions and queries distinct to faculty and their role at the University supports divisions in understanding and implementing policies and guidelines relating to faculty.

Assistance for U of T community members travelling

The federal government, through Global Affairs Canada, provides emergency consular assistance to Canadian citizens abroad. Members of our community who are travelling in crisis-affected areas can:

U of T students, faculty and staff travelling for University purposes who have registered can also receive emergency support through International SOS.

Staff supports

The Employee and Family Assistance Program offers confidential short–term counselling, coaching, information, and support for all types of issues relating to mental health, health management, and achieving greater personal and workplace well-being.

Assistance for U of T community members travelling

The federal government, through Global Affairs Canada, provides emergency consular assistance to Canadian citizens abroad. Members of our community who are travelling in crisis-affected areas can:

U of T students, faculty and staff travelling for University purposes who have registered can also receive emergency support through International SOS.

Safety programs

Students, staff, faculty and librarians are reminded of the various safety programs offered at the University, including:

 

Sexual Violence Prevention & Support Centre

If you or someone you know has been affected by sexual violence or sexual harassment, the University's Sexual Violence Prevention & Support Centre can help you understand, access and navigate supports such as counselling, medical services, academic or workplace accommodations, financial aid and legal aid. This includes helping you understand your reporting options. 
Hours: Mon-Fri from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Telephone: 416-978-2266
Email: svpscentre@utoronto.ca

 

Community Safety Office

The Community Safety Office offers short-term support and assistance to U of T community members who have experienced personal safety concerns. They can work with you to develop a personal safety plan to address your on-campus safety concerns and explore a variety of other support resources that may be appropriate in the community and on-campus.
Hours: Mon-Fri from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Telephone: 416-978-1485
Email: community.safety@utoronto.ca

 

TravelSafer

This is a 24/7 service available to the U of T community and is available to and from all U of T buildings or abutting TTC stations. This service can be arranged by calling 416-978-SAFE (7233) or by using the U of T Campus Safety App to arrange an escort. 

 

Virtual TravelSafer and Mobile Bluelight 

These features are available through the U of T Campus Safety App and can be used to trigger a distress beacon, in the event of an emergency, to send your location to a Campus Safety dispatcher and summon help.

 

Sign up to receive text alerts

The University of Toronto recently upgraded UTAlert, a rapid notification system that is used to spread important campus information such as snow closures, building evacuations and safety messages. As part of the upgrade, all community members (even those who have previously provided their information) are asked to visit UTAlert and enter their cellphone numbers. This will allow you to receive critical updates by text. You can also download UTAlert's Alertable App (available for iPhone and Android) and receive additional safety tools and push notifications. Learn more about U of T's alert system.