Reconnect. Network. Benefit. Welcome to Seneca Alumni

Our goal is to keep you connected to the College. We do this by providing you with opportunities to:

1. advance in your career through networking
2. stay in touch with classmates and colleagues
3. share your expertise with students
4. benefit from the rewards of membership through exclusive discounts and offers

You are the main characters in Seneca’s success story and part of an ever-expanding group of award-winning leaders shaping the future of our province and our country.

We are constantly looking to you to help us improve the services we provide. Please take some time to visit our Web pages. Read the magazine. Explore our photo galleries. Consider joining the Alumni Executive Board. See how you can help to change the lives of current students for the better.

We want to hear from you. Write to us. Check our Facebook page. Update your contact information. We need your input and participation to continue Seneca’s tradition of success.

This is your alumni association. Welcome back to Seneca.

Leadership Awards

The Student Services Department coordinates Leadership awards which are given to students to recognize outstanding contributions to student life, leadership roles, and excellence in academics.

Apply for Awards as of January 4 to Feb 1, 2010 through Siris.

A104 - APC/ACC Leadership Awards

The Seneca Student Federation Council annually presents awards of $500.00 to students who meet the following criteria:

• Demonstration of a unique or outstanding contribution towards college life
• Exceptional academic, personal and college achievements=Strong character and integrity
• A minimum GPA (Grade Point Average) of 2.5 cumulative
• Candidates must apply for this award and provide a letter of reference from a Student Council member, faculty or staff of Seneca College

A133-Sheppard Campus SFC Academics Award

This award of $500.00 is open to any student that meets the following criteria:

• Currently enrolled in the second or third year of a full-time program.
• Applicants must demonstrate leadership, initiative and dedication to academics.
• Applications must be supported by a letter of recommendation from a Seneca staff member.
• A minimum GPA of 3.5 cumulative.
• Candidates must apply for this award and provide a letter of reference from a Student Council member, faculty or staff of Seneca.

A137-Student Life Achievement Scholarships

Financial awards will be presented in the spring semester to students who meet the following criteria:

• Demonstrated outstanding leadership in student government, campus clubs, the college newspaper, radio station, or special events of a cultural or artistic nature
• Students with outstanding contributions to their community are also eligible
• A letter of recommendation from a Seneca staff member who has observed the leadership activity is required and must be forwarded to the Student Services department
• A minimum GPA of 2.5 cumulative
• Candidates must apply for this award and provide a letter of reference from a Student Council member, faculty or staff of Seneca College

The Seneca Student Federation Incorporated will annually present a cash award of $500 to a student who demonstrates outstanding leadership in the enhancement of student life at Seneca College. This award was created to recognize and honour Wayne Norrison, Seneca Vice-President, International and Business Development, for his many years of outstanding leadership and support for the SSF Inc. Any Seneca student (excluding SSF Inc. council members) may apply for this award to recognize leadership related to student life at Seneca by submitting an application to Student Services. The applicants must have achieved high academic standing throughout the semester. A letter of recommendation from a Seneca staff member who has observed the leadership activity is required and must be forwarded to Student Services.

A145 -ACL and Associates Ltd. Leadership Award

ACL and Associates LTD, the student Health, Dental and Extended Health Plan insurance broker, will annually present an award of $1000 to a student who has shown outstanding leadership. This award will be presented to a student who has managed to maintain a 2.5 GPA while making significant contributions to the Seneca Community or their community.

A150-The Vicki Milligan Carter Leadership Award

The Vicki Milligan Carter Leadership Award was created by the SSF Inc. to honour a long time employee of Seneca College on the date of her retirement. A former faculty member, Departmental Chair, Director of Student Services and voting member on the SSF Inc. Board of Directors, Vicki’s zest to improve student life, assist anyone in need and to make Seneca a better place spoke volumes of her commitment to everything Seneca. This award is open to any Seneca student with a minimum 2.5 GPA who has shown academic achievement, leadership, commitment to people and a zest for all things Seneca. An application form and a letter of reference must be submitted.

B206 -The King SAC Award

Prior to the incorporation of the Seneca Student Federation in 1999, the King Student Administrative Council established an award to assist students in second and third years of their program and assist graduating students. Students must submit an application for this award. Visit the Student Services office at King Campus, in the Main Lobby, for more information.

The Barb Morell Humanitarian Bursary

ACL and Associates commit to a $500.00 Annual Bursary to the student who best exemplifies a 'true humanitarian' in all aspects of school and personal life. Students must meet the following criteria:

• Minimum 2.5 G.P.A. cumulative
• Full - Time Daytime Student
• Candidates must apply for this award and provide a reference name and number

Apply online at: www.barbmorel.org/applyonline

Apply for the Following Awards by completing an Application/Nomination form.

A103-Alumni Student Government Leadership Award

• This award of $500.00 is open for Student Government Leaders who meet the following criteria:
• Served two (2) or more semesters on any one of the local student government councils
• Demonstrated outstanding leadership in the enhancement of the quality of student life at Seneca College.
• Effectively represented the College/student government in a relationship or activity with an external organization or group
• A demonstrated financial need
• A minimum 3.0 GPA cumulative Candidates must apply for this award and provide a letter of reference from a Student Council member, faculty or staff of Seneca College

You can submit a copy of the application form along with the staff reference form

A119 – WT Newnham Leadership Award

A trophy and an award of $500.00 will be presented to a student who meets the following criteria:

• outstanding leadership in the enhancement of the quality of student life at Seneca College
• Contribution to the development of leadership ability in other students
• Personal integrity and good character
• A minimum GPA of 2.5 cumulative

Students are nominated by Seneca staff and must have demonstrated his/her ability to function as a leader of student leaders.

Nomination Form

A121-Stephen E. Quinlan Award

A trophy and an award of $500.00 will be presented to a student who meets the following criteria:

• academic achievement (minimum cumulative GPA 3.0).
• significant contribution to assisting other students in a voluntary capacity.
• contribution to assisting others in the community beyond Seneca College.
• demonstration of strong personal integrity, sound character and tenacity.

Students are nominated by Seneca staff and must have demonstrated an ability to function as a leader of student leaders.

Nomination Form

C204 and C205 - Laura Flanagan Memorial Awards

(CPA,CPD,CPAC Program Awards, CNS,CTY,CTYC Prgram Awards and Degree Program Awards) Established by the Computer Studies Student Council as a tribute to Laura Flanagan; Chair, School of Computer Studies, dedicated teacher and friend to all that knew her at Seneca. Two awards of up to $1,000 each are open to any Computer Studies student currently enrolled in a full time, daytime program in the CNS, CTY or CTYC program and the CPA, CPD or CPAC program with a minimum G.P.A. of 2.5 cumulative. Applicants must demonstrate a unique or outstanding contribution towards College Life/Student Life or Community Work in a volunteer capacity. Candidates must apply for this Award and provide a letter of reference from a Staff or Faculty member who is related to the Computer Studies program of Seneca College to the Student Services office.

Application Form, Staff Reference Form.

* Please note that international students do not currently qualify for some awards.

Click here to learn about hiring International students

Citizenship & Immigration Canada (CIC) encourages all international students to apply on-line for the Off-Campus Work Permit .  This new procedure should speed up applications and minimize lost or missing documents.

 Website: www.cic.gc.ca/english/e-services/index.asp

 First, you must apply for an Electronic Passport or e-pass.   This will allow only you to enter your e-file on-line. Keep your ID and password in a safe place.

When you apply on-line you should have these documents available:

 1)  Your Seneca student nine digit number.  000 -111-222

2)  Your passport picture page and stamps of entry

3)  Your CLIENT I.D. NUMBER  (This number is found on your STUDY PERMIT.  It is an 8-digit number.  You can find it BELOW your Country of Citizenship).

 Once your e-pass is complete, you are required to apply for an EVN (Eligibility Verification Number from Seneca).  Check your e-pass for messages at the bottom every few days. You will be notified by e-mail in your e-pass account that your EVN has been approved by the DIR at Seneca. The DIR has 14 days to respond to your request for an EVN.

Students must have:

·         Been a student in a full time program for six of the past 12 months;

·         Paid their fees in full for the CURRENT /next semester;

·         A GPA of 2.5+ /4.00;

·         NO Failing grades, and,

·         NO Academic Violations for cheating or plagiarism on your transcript.

First semester students and EKI students are not eligible to apply for this permit.

  The EVN tells CIC that you have fulfilled these obligations.  If you are denied an off-campus work permit, you will receive an e-mail with an explanation as to why you were denied. (GPA too low; unsatisfactory progress; didn’t meet the six month waiting period; violation of Academic Policy and so on.)

 When you receive your EVN, continue with the second part of the application for your Work Permit. “Copy” your EVN from your E-mail.  You will be presented with three options.  Select the option to apply for your Off-campus Work Permit.

 To complete this portion of the application, you will need to have the following document scanned as an individual file in .pdf format in order to upload it to the system.  You can save this file to your computer or onto a USB device that can store the file until you are ready to upload it from any computer.

File to scan in .pdf format.

1)       Your passport “picture page”

 You may now pay online. There are two ways to pay:

  A)         with a valid credit card

OR

  B)         at the bank with the payment form (IMM 5041). 

You must scan and attach this file to your online application. 

 The off-campus work permit costs CAN $150.00

You should receive your off-campus work permit in the mail, usually within 7-21 business days.

 If you require any further information regarding the off-campus work permit, please call Immigration or visit CIC (Citizenship & Immigration) at the address below.

CIC

55 St. Clair East

St. Claire/ Yonge St.

Tel: 1-888-242-2100

In order to get an Off Campus Work Permit, the student must:

• have been a student in a full time program for six of the last 12 months. 
  
• have a Grade Point Average of at least 2.5 with NO failing grades
• have paid your fees in full
• not have any Academic Violations on your transcript

In order get your current Study Permit renewed online, start this process  two months before the expiry date printed on your Study Permit.  Click on:  http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/information/applications/extend-student.asp

Co-op Work Placement is a full, 16-week semester during which academically deserving students gain practical experience in the workplace and, at the same time, are paid by the employer. Co-operative study opportunities are particularly beneficial to international students as an introduction to the Canadian workplace.

	Co-op opportunities are normally offered in the 2nd and/or 3rd year of your undergraduate academic programs or after the 2nd or 3rd semester of our post-graduate programs
	Co-op Work Terms are offered to our best and brightest students. It is an earned opportunity based on academics, and in-class performance
	Co-operative education students are expected to use their own initiative in partnership with the advisors to obtain meaningful employment.

It is important to note that, while every effort is made to place all students, Co-op work placements cannot be guaranteed. In such cases, students still may obtain the traditional certificate or diploma.

A nominal, additional administration fee is assessed for Co-op work placement programs.

For all the details on HOW TO WORK IN CANADA after graduation from Seneca, click on the LINK BELOW and be connected to the CIC website

http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/study/work-postgrad-who.asp

Seneca's Career Services helps graduating students prepare for their successful future. They help in identifying skills, preparing resumes and polishing interview skills. They also offer:

•Free workshops
•Resume writing and Interview skills
•JobLink - an online job posting site for employers hiring Seneca graduates
• Job search skills
• On-campus job fairs throughout the year

Most services are provided without cost.

Career Services Centres are located at most Seneca campuses. They provide job postings online and through job boards and binders. Resource materials such as books, magazines and videos are available for viewing free of charge. Fax and photocopier services are provided at a nominal fee.

Click here for Career Services

Bargaining Overview

Under the new Colleges Collective Bargaining Act (CCBA), 2008 bargaining between the College Compensation and Appointments Council (the Council) and the Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU) would begin 90 days prior to the end of a collective agreement.

With the full-time academic staff’s (full-time teachers, Counsellors, Librarians and partial load teachers) collective agreement expiring on August 31, 2009, bargaining began in June of 2009.  Both sides met throughout the summer in an effort to reach a new agreement, but unfortunately, both sides could not find enough common ground on the major issues of a new agreement (e.g. financial and workload).  After a mandated month long recess during September, by the Ministry of Labour appointed conciliator, both sides went back to the table in October with the hope of reaching a new deal.

After a few more bargaining days in October and November, talks finally came to a head and both sides have pulled away from the bargaining table.  On Thursday, November 12, 2009, the Council, representing the colleges, decided to utilize a new clause within the CCBA to implement a new terms and conditions.

On December 1^st, 2009, both OPSEU and the Council met with the Ontario Labour Relations Board (OLRB) to seek a date for OPSEU to hold a strike vote.  A date of January 13, 2010 was given for the province-wide academic strike vote.

In a last ditch effort before the holidays, both sides went back to the bargaining table on December 14^th and 15^th, but again, weren’t able to reach a new agreement.

History: a look back at academic bargaining

Over the last 43 years, Ontario college full-time academic staff have only gone out on strike three (3) times.

1984 –         Academic staff were legislated back to work including binding arbitration after 23 days

1989 –         Parties agreed to binding mediation/arbitration after 20 days

2006 –        Parties agreed to binding mediation after 18 days