Ingenuity has some exciting news to share. Starting in 2024 Ingenuity will be running three cohorts of our Ascend Accelerator program and it's now open to Orillia campus students!

We're looking for:

• Individuals or teams looking to start a new business or are currently operating a business
• Lakehead students or recent graduates
• Individuals with a willingness to start and grow their business

We encourage applications from all programs and all stages of business development. Ingenuity will accept four business ideas per cohort.

The Ascend program not only supplies the $5000 in funding but it also comes with mentor support, knowledge based workshops and access to a large entrepreneurial network. 

Please visit ingenuity.lakeheadu.ca for full program details. The application can be found here.

The deadline to apply is December 29. 

November is Financial Literacy Month and Lakehead University is excited to host our Financial Literacy "Take Over" event at Student Central to help empower you with the skills and knowledge you need in order to become financially literate.

Connect with financial experts from Royal Bank of Canada (RBC), Assante Capital Management Ltd., and Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) in a casual and relaxed atmosphere in Simcoe Hall and enter for a chance to win Lakehead swag and gift cards from the Bookstore and Amazon.

Visit our table in Simcoe Hall between 12:30 and 4 pm on the following dates to get all of your financial questions answered:

• Wednesday, Nov. 22 - Royal Bank of Canada (RBC)
• Thursday, Nov. 23 - Assante Capital Management Ltd.
• Tuesday, Nov. 28 - Canada Revenue Agency (CRA)
• Wednesday, Nov. 29 - Canada Revenue Agency (CRA)

Contact Student Central for more information in-person at our Student Central front desk inside the main doors of Simcoe Hall, by email at studentcentral@lakeheadu.ca, or by phone at 705-330-4010 ext. 8500.

As the snow starts to fall and temperatures dip below freezing, we’d like to share a few tips to help keep you safe this season:

1. Walk on the plowed sidewalks. Don’t cut across the green space or over snow banks as you could potentially fall and be injured. The field between Rotary Place and the University isn’t monitored and should you get into trouble the Security team will not know.
2. Make sure your vehicle is free of snow and ice before you leave home or the University parking lot. Clean off all windows, defrost your windows, and clean your head and tail lights.
3. As the snow covers the parking lot the parking lines may be harder to judge. Please be respectful of other drivers’ parking spots.
4. It’s a good idea to keep a winter survival kit in your vehicle should you become stranded. Here are some recommended items:
   1. ice scraper/snow brush
   2. shovel
   3. sand or traction aid (kitty litter works well)
   4. booster cables
   5. first aid kit
   6. extra clothing
   7. blanket
   8. non-perishable energy foods – for example: chocolate or granola bars, bottled water
   9. candle and a small tin can
   10. matches
5. Check weather and travel conditions before heading out. Don’t take chances if the weather is bad.  Reports on winter road conditions are available at www.mto.gov.on.ca/english/traveller/conditions/index.shtml
6. Take advantage of our 24/7 Safe Walk program. Drop by the Security office and one of our guards will happily walk you to your vehicle, to the Residence building, or to the bus stop.

Remember, prevention is ALWAYS better than recovery.

If you have any security or parking-related questions please don't hesitate to drop by the Security Services offices by Student Central. 

As the snow starts to fall and the temperatures dip below freezing, Lakehead does its best to monitor weather conditions and the latest forecasts. In the rare instance we cancel classes or examinations due to weather conditions we will notify students, faculty and staff via:

• Lakehead Orillia’s social media (Instagram, Facebook and X (formerly Twitter)
• the Lakehead website
• the Mobile Safety App (download it on the App Store and Google Play)
• your Lakehead email account

We will also notify regional media – radio, television, and newspaper. To stay informed, please check the above sources often.

Naturopathic Medicine can help you maintain good mental health! No matter what your area of postsecondary study, the pressure of end-of-term due dates and exams can cause significant anxiety for students of all ages. The most recent statistics indicate that about 25% of students experience significant anxiety and/or depression that specifically relates to school.

Naturopathic medicine can help to address anxiety, stress and any related concerns such as sleep problems and set you up for success at any time of the school year.

A Naturopathic treatment plan for anxiety may include advice about:

• Nutrition: Many people benefit from reducing caffeine and refined sugar, as well as getting support to keep their blood sugar balanced. Making sure protein and calorie intake are adequate for the individual is also critical for helping to manage anxiety.
• Movement: Research has shown that regularly engaging in any kind of physical exercise reduces anxiety. This can be as simple as taking a short walk or stretch break when you feel anxious thoughts creeping in.
• Sleep: Lack of restorative sleep can contribute to anxiety in a big way! A naturopathic doctor (ND) can help you optimize your sleep routine by discussing sleep hygiene methods and ways to optimize the various signals (like melatonin and GABA) that induce sleep.

Supplements: Your ND can help determine a safe and effective supplement prescription for you that is compatible with any prescription medications you may be taking. These recommendations vary based on the individual circumstances that trigger your anxiety and stress.

Regardless of what you’re struggling with, naturopathic medicine can help support your mood and reduce anxiety so that you can feel more prepared to tackle the end-of-semester stresses with greater confidence and ease.

Thunder Bay

If you’re curious about how naturopathic medicine can help you, please call us at 807-683-7287 or go online to book a free 10-minute consultation at tbaynaturopathic.ca.

Many extended healthcare insurance plans cover the fees for naturopathic treatments. Appointments are available on Mondays on campus at Student Health and Wellness.

Orillia

Students can request an appointment with the Naturopath on mySuccess. Appointments are covered through your student health and wellness fee. Appointments are available on Wednesdays at the Wellness Centre or virtually.

As of October 31, all individuals in Ontario are eligible to receive the XBB vaccine if it has been 168 days since their last COVID-19 vaccination dose or confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection. To find a pharmacy near you offering COVID-19 vaccines, visit https://www.ontario.ca/vaccine-locations/.

To learn more about the COVID-19 vaccine, please visit the Ministry of Health’s COVID-19 website. If you have questions about the XBB vaccine or have concerns about getting it, please discuss it with your primary healthcare provider.

Student Health and Wellness is celebrating #NoStigmaNovember, stopping the stigma of struggling with mental health and normalizing seeking help when needed is a whole campus initiative and we encouraging all members of the Lakehead community to take action to support their own mental health and to create a campus culture that supports one another and encourages those to get help when needed.

Students can take part by:

• Attending Stop The Stigma events throughout the month
• Taking part in the Stronger as a Pack workshop
• Sharing their own experience with mental health and taking action to support their well-being as part of the Stop the Stigma Student Story Campaign
• Submitting words of encouragement to be shared with students

Lakehead faculty and staff can take part by:

• Support your wellbeing by practicing self-care. Faculty/staff well-being is integral to overall campus health as well as the capacity to engage others in well-being practices. There are many actions you can take to make your mental health a priority and resources are available to you as a Lakehead staff or faculty member.
• Attending the Stop the Stigma workshop
• Promote mental health resources in your spaces, meetings, websites, email signatures, etc.
• Submitting words of encouragement to be shared with students
• Encourage students to use the WellU Key to learn more about areas of wellbeing that may be affecting them and resources for support

Download the Stop the Stigma toolkit for resources and strategies that Lakehead faculty and staff can adopt and practice in their own spaces.

Cold and flu season is upon us and one of the best ways to prevent getting sick is getting your annual flu shot! Student Health and Wellness is running vaccine clinics for Lakehead students, faculty and staff.

Flu vaccine clinics:

• Heritage Place: Wednesday, Nov. 1, 12 to 2:30 pm
• Wellness Centre: Monday, Nov. 6, 12 to 2:30 pm

Book an appointment through this link, or contact Student Health and Wellness at orluwell@lakeheadu.ca or 705-330-4010 ext 2116. Drop-ins are also available. To learn more about this year’s flu shot visit the Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit website.

In addition to getting the flu shot, people can adopt some simple practices (that might sound very familiar) to keep themselves and others healthy:

• Covering coughs and sneezing
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth
• Wash your hands often
• Stay home if you are feeling unwell
• Practice other healthy habits:
  • Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
  • Get plenty of sleep.
  • Eat well, with lots of vegetables and fruits.
  • Drink lots of fluids.
  • Exercise regularly.
  • Manage your stress.

Non-Lakehead community members with or without health cards can get a flu shot at a local pharmacy.

Are you interested in creating a more sustainable university?

The Office of Sustainability is looking for students from Thunder Bay (1 graduate, 1 undergraduate) and Orillia (1 undergraduate) to act as a representative to the Lakehead University Sustainability Stewardship Council (LUSSC). The term is for the 2023/2024 academic year and the LUSSC meets quarterly. Terms are renewable.

This is an open call for interest from all students to fulfill the role as a student representative to the LUSSC for the 2023/2024 Fall, Winter, and Spring/Summer terms. Self-nominations are welcome.

Please email your interest to serve by including a maximum 250 word statement describing your interest in sustainability and participation on the LUSSC to Aynsley Klassen, Sustainability Coordinator, at adklasse@lakeheadu.ca by October 27th.

Details: Sustainability is a diverse, global movement in society, economics, environment, and in higher education. At Lakehead University, sustainability is considered in a pluralistic and inclusive way, encompassing human and ecological health, social justice and equity, Indigenous rights, secure livelihoods, workplace well-being, and leadership for vibrant and strong communities. Lakehead University aspires to make sustainability a shared priority in all sectors of university life.

The LUSSC provides a forum for students, faculty, administration, and community members to create Lakehead University’s unique sustainability profile by examining key sustainability issues and implementing the 2019-2024 Sustainability Plan impacting all sectors of the University at its Thunder Bay and Orillia campuses.

Please note that the Dining Hall will close at 5:30 pm on Friday, Oct. 20, for the residence fall semi-formal. Residence students are reminded to register by 12 pm on October 20.