Family & Supporters
Congratulations and welcome to the family! Your student is on their newest journey as a Lakehead University Thunderwolf. We recognize this is a big step -- for both of you -- and we are here to provide you with the support you may need. The resources on this page are meant to help you navigate through the changes you will experience in your role as family/supporter of your new university student.
The Student Success Centre (SSC) is excited to have you join our Thunderwolves community. Here at the SSC, and across Lakehead University, we are committed to providing students with the tools and guidance they require in order to be successful.
Please explore our resources through the tabs above!
Starting off university on the right foot is not just important for students, it's important for family and supporters, too! Orientation is a great way to kick off a student's first year at Lakehead. It’s as easy as 1-2-3!
1. Orientation webpage
Here you will find all the students needs to start their transition to the University. From Orientation Campus Tours, to the main Events that the University offer from the beginning up until the first two weeks of school. Also, they can find there a section of the Frequent Asked Questions asked students and their supporters before arrival, during the first week and after the school starts. And finally, they will have access to Online Orientation via www.mycourselink.com that has all the details prior their arrival.
Help them get started by visiting our orientation website.
2. Fast Pass
Let our team of Lakehead experts help your student get ahead in their University preparations by checking some important items off of their “to-do” list. Click here for details about registering for Fast Pass.
3. First Six Weeks
Participating in programming taking place during the first six weeks of the term is essential to help students get comfortable with their new surroundings, meet new people, and learn the essentials of university life. As a supporter, you can also inquire about available services for your student in order to support them through their transition to university. Students will receive communication over the summer about events taking place in the first six weeks of the term.
To know about the events click here
Our Digital Toolkit for Family & Supporters of new Thunderwolves is designed to help you support your student. The Digital Toolkit includes resources, tips, and tricks on a variety of topics related to your student's transition to university and how you can support them:
Student Accessibility Services Support for Your Student
What To Expect From a First Year Student
Ways To Help a First Year Student
We have compiled answers to the questions most often asked by Family and Supporters of new students in the days leading up to the start of their #LakeheadAdventure!
| My student has applied and we are waiting to hear back. Where can we track their application status? |
| You have made a great choice in applying to Lakehead University! Your student’s application is just the beginning of your adventure with Lakehead. You can read more about the next steps here. |
| My student just got accepted to Lakehead University. What do we do next? |
Congratulations! We understand that you’ve got questions – many of which you may not even know where to start or whom to ask. That’s okay. First, your student has to accept their offer in order to secure their seat. The departments across Student Affairs are a core support network that are all dedicated to providing a student-centred experience so we can help guide your student throughout their university career. We cover the areas of Academic Support, Health and Wellness, Finances and Budgeting, Career Support, and Student Life. Beyond Student Affairs, there are many other additional support and services in place. Visit our Student Referral Guide to see how other departments can support you too. Thunder Bay Student Referral Guide |
| What can my student do to prepare for University? |
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| My student needs advice on their program/courses. How can they get in touch with an advisor? |
First, ensure your student has familiarized themselves with the Academic Calendar. The online Academic Calendar is a comprehensive guide that contains information such as Undergraduate and Graduate programs and courses, important dates including the Academic Schedule of Dates, admission requirements and links to fees. Following that, your student may need to meet with their Faculty Advisor or a Student Central Professional. Find contact information on a Faculty Advisor or a Student Central Professional here. |
| I want to be sure my student lives somewhere safe. What are our options? |
Living in residence is an incredible life experience and offers all students convenience, safety, academic and emotional support, and a fun and friendly community! With a full team of Residence Life staff, your student will always have someone that is looking out for them. Admission to Residence is guaranteed to all high school students provided they are admitted to Lakehead University by June 1, 2020. For more information on applying to and living in Residence, please visit their website. Additionally, Security Services offers a 24/7/365 Safe Walk and a K.I.T. program. Safe Walk: Students can contact Security and an Officer will be dispatched to their location and escort them anywhere on campus. K.I.T: K.I.T stands for Keep In Touch. If a student is working after hours or on weekends in a lab or office, they can let Security know and patrol staff will check in on them. They can also arrange with the Security Communications Desk to call them at a predetermined time. |
| I'm concerned about my student learning online. Will my student be supported? |
While the mode of delivery may be different than what your student was expecting, the education being provided will be the same. Students can expect to receive a quality learning experience and the ability to achieve the learning outcomes associated with their program. Likewise, students will have access to the same student support services normally provided when on campus. We've put together many detailed resources available through Online Orientation to your student in advance of the term. You can also visit lakeheadu.ca/onlinelearning. |
| Where can my student pick up their student I.D. card? |
| All students are required to have a Lakehead University student I.D. card once they are registered for classes. This card acts as their meal plans, their bus pass (if eligible), their printing card, and identification for their exams. In Thunder Bay, students can get the I.D. from the Chancellor Paterson Library. In Orillia, students can visit the campus Bookstore. |
| Does my student have health/dental benefits through Lakehead University? |
Yes, students have access to health and dental benefits. Domestic students: All full-time undergraduate students registered in 3.75 full credit courses are automatically enrolled in the Lakehead University Student Union (LUSU) health plan. Students should visit the LUSU website for detailed information regarding opt-out periods for those with alternate coverage as well as opt-in periods for part-time, graduate, and January-start students. |
| When can we plan to bring our students home for the school breaks/holidays? |
| Once the exam timetable is finalized, you can make travel arrangements for your student. It is important to keep exam contingency dates in mind should a scheduled exam during the exam period need to be postponed. Additionally, Fall and Winter study breaks are often a busy time of year due to midterm exams and your student will likely have a busy schedule despite a break in classes. Please keep this in mind while planning any activities/vacations during study breaks. |
| Where do I find out about payment deadlines? |
| You can find out more about deadlines and fees for domestic students here. You can find out more about deadlines and fees for International students here. |
| My student is looking for financial assistance. Does Lakehead University help with this? |
| While scholarships recognize academic achievement, awards are based on a combination of criteria, including academic merit and financial need. Bursaries, on the other hand, are based solely on financial need. The Ontario Student Assistance Program (commonly referred to as OSAP) is a supplemental government assistance funding program. You will automatically be considered for grants as well as loans. While the loan portion does require a student to pay back the money provided to them, grants do not - it is free money a student can use to offset expenses related to their education. Students can find out more and apply for financial assistance through their myAwards portal on myInfo. Connect with Student Central here if you have additional questions about financial aid for your student. |
| What kinds of school supplies/technology will my student need? |
Your student will need a reliable computer, required textbooks, and basic stationary. Many students prefer to bring a laptop to class to take notes. Some students will require additional supplies or software for their specific program of study (i.e. a lab coat). This information will be provided on the course syllabus. It is extremely important that students are in possession of the required textbooks for their course. Students can search the Lakehead University Bookstore website in order to find the textbooks they need. Students can also find used books advertised on bulletin boards and online. It is important to take note of the volume number/publishing year when ordering from outside of the Bookstore to ensure your book will have the same content. |
| Where can my student eat on campus? |
| Students have access to a variety of food options on campus. Getting a meal plan can save your student time and money and ultimately make eating one less thing they’ll need to worry about. If your student is living in Residence during their first year, they will automatically be enrolled into a meal plan. Many parents/supporters will load dollar amounts on to their student’s I.D. card as students are able to utilize it like a debit card to pay for additional food items on campus. Please visit our website for additional information. |
| Does Lakehead University have any formal student policies/rules? |
| Yes. The Student Code of Conduct includes both the Academic Integrity and Non-Academic Codes which reflect the expectation that students will conduct themselves in a manner consistent with University policies, protocols, procedures and regulations as well as in compliance with all federal, provincial and municipal laws. |
| My student has a disability/medical condition. What type of supports and services are available to them? Who do they contact to set up academic accommodations? |
For students with disabilities/medical conditions and their supporters, the experience can be both exciting and frustrating. Often, questions arise such as:
Read the Planning for University: Transition Preparation for Students With Disabilities/Medical Conditions for more information. |
Lakehead University offers a wide range of on-campus support services to help your student. At the start of the term, many students are unaware of the amount of change they're about to face and as a result, are unprepared and can quickly get overwhelmed. Some students are reluctant to access these resources or wait until too far into the term to ask for help. By being aware of how Lakehead University can support students, you can encourage your student to ask for help early on.
| Your student is looking for support with... | Connect them to... |
| Student Success Centre |
| Tutoring & Writing Support, Academic Skills Development, & Academic Integrity | Academic Support Zone |
| Academic advising, course registration, financial aid | Student Central |
| Academic accommodations | Student Accessibility Services |
| Health and dental plan, bus pass, food bank | Lakehead University Student Union (LUSU) |
| International students looking for housing assistance, immigration, health plan, finances, English Language Centre | Lakehead International |
| Paying fees, tax receipts, Graduate Student Funding | Accounts Receivable |
| Student I.D., study rooms, printing, borrowing | Library |
| Activate and load meal plan card | Aramark (Thunder Bay) Dana Hospitality (Orillia) |
| Medical and counselling services | Student Health and Wellness |
| Resume review, on-campus work, career development, Co-operative Education | Career Services & Co-op |
| Indigenous cultural services and events | Indigenous Student Services Centre |
| Housing and meal plan | Residence |
| Lost and found, parking, Mobile Safety App | Security |
| Athletic and recreational programming | |
| Email, computer labs, printing, software | TSC Helpdesk |
| Harassment, discrimination, sexual and gender-based violence | Human Rights & Equity |
| Graduate student seeking financial support, student support | Faculty of Graduate Studies |
