Welcome back to campus! We hope you had a restful break over the holidays. Now that school is back in session, we wanted to share a few different ways to make the most of your SAMRU membership and ensure that the new semester is your best yet. 

Important Dates in the Winter semester:
January 4th, 2023: New Student Orientation
January 5th, 2023: First day of Winter semester classes
January 13th, 2023: Full fees for the Winter semester due, last day to add/drop classes and receive a tuition refund
January 27th, 2023: Deadline to opt-in, opt-out, or add a family member to your Student Health Benefits
February 15, 2023: Winter fall examination schedule released
February 20-24, 2023: Winter reading break
March 8, 2023: Grades Policy: 25% formal evaluation feedback
March 17th, 2023: Last day to withdraw with a “W” grade
April 5th, 2023: Last day of Winter classes. 50% formal evaluation feedback
April 11-21st, 2023: Winter final examination period

Things to know at SAMRU:

Connect with us on social media to stay in the loop – new and returning students should connect (or reconnect) with SAMRU on social media to be the first to know about upcoming events. Find us on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter under the handle @SAMRUBuzz. We’re also on Discord! We can help you get your bearings, make connections with your peers, clubs, and other departments around the university, and hopefully help you start the year off smoothly.

Apply for SAMRU Awards scholarships – Did you know that SAMRU gives away over $40,000 in scholarships and awards each year? It’s true! At the annual SAMRU Awards, or Sammies, we are proud to recognize student applicants who have contributed to their campus community in an outstanding way that inspires and enhances the lives of their fellow Mount Royal students and/or achieved academic excellence. Learn more here, and make sure to apply before the end of February deadline!

Run for office – Think about running for a full-time position on SAMRU’s Representation Executive Council (REC)! Applications are open until mid-February, with successful candidates starting their roles in May. As an employee of the Student Governing Board, your job is to represent the interests of MRU students to Mount Royal and various levels of government — so successful applicants get to attend internal meetings and do some public speaking. But don’t worry – ample training and support are provided. Past REC members describe this professional development opportunity as positive and enriching – learn more about the work of a REC member here and get started on your application today by downloading the application package on our Student Elections page!

Health Plan opt-out – Provided by Gallivan, your student health and dental plan offers all-around coverage and benefits for most students. However, students with a comparable health and/or dental coverage plan under another insurance provider may opt out online before the deadline.

Join or start a SAMRU club – Joining a club is a great way to meet new people who share your passions and interests! Clubs can be academic, social, representational, or cultural, and they meet throughout the year to plan events, fundraisers, or just to hang out! Check out the Clubs Directory to see what clubs already exist, or learn how to start your own!

Check out some ongoing programming at SAMRU Centres – On top of providing support services to our members, SAMRU’s Centres also host various fun events throughout the semester. Attending our ongoing programming is a great way to build a community of support and make new friends! Head down to Wellness Wind-Down or Crafternoon at the Pride Centre, or pay a visit to Drum, Dine and Discuss in the Cultural Inclusion Centre – check out SAMRU Events for a full list of programming!

Hungry on campus? – Wyckham House provides various meal options no matter what you’re craving! Our food court features a number of great vendors, while our on-campus bar and restaurant, West Gate Social, features Open seating is available to guests in the Food Court and West Gate Social (outside food allowed), so grab a seat and dig in! Find dining options in Wyckham House here – but please note the hours of operation vary by food court tenant- and learn more about West Gate Social here!

Take in some performances at Live Music Thursday – Most Thursdays from 4-6 PM, you can swing by West Gate Social and attend a free performance at Live Music Thursday. We’re proud to host a wide variety of student musicians on the WGS main stage – from acoustic singer-songwriter sets to full band performances; each Live Music Thursday is unique! Be sure to follow us on our socials as we announce each performer in advance!

Grab free breakfast at the Peer Support Centre and a snack from the Care Cupboards – If you’re ever in need, SAMRU offers barrier-free food support to our members. The Peer Support Centre (room Z210) provides a free, nutritious breakfast every weekday to students who need it, starting at 8:45 AM until supplies last.
Also, in the Peer Support Centre, students can access the Food & Hygiene Cupboard as often as needed. Our volunteers are happy to help fill out Food Bank referrals for students needing longer-term support.

New this year, SAMRU has implemented five satellite food and hygiene pantries across campus – commonly known as Care Cupboards. Our Care Cupboards feature refrigerated and non-perishable food storage, essential hygiene products, and a microwave at each location. The Care Cupboards are re-stocked twice a week, and students accessing them are encouraged to take what they need, but to keep in mind that the Peer Support Centre is equipped with more comprehensive services.

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Thanks for tuning in! Wherever your interests and passions lie, you can find meaningful opportunities to connect, get involved, and succeed here at SAMRU. We wish you the best of luck in the new semester, and hopefully, you’re feeling inspired to check out what your Student’s Association has to offer!