Thompson Rivers University
PAE-8: Support Programs for Underrepresented Groups

TRU's International Student Advisors provide personal counseling for international students both before arrival in Canada and during their program. They also provide information and coordinate housing, orientation, and settlement services. TRU’s International Student Activities Program (ISAP) plans and co-ordinates a number of student activities for International and Canadian Students. TRU’s Aboriginal Services Team provides support with everything from day to day life, to funding applications and support accessing daycare and housing programs. They also act as liaisons to faculty and other networks on campus and work to recruit, retain, and help aboriginal students be successful at TRU. The Elder in the House Program at The Gathering Place on TRU’s Kamloops campus also provides mentoring, counsel and support. The Gathering Place also offers aboriginal students with the following: • On site computers • Kitchen and lounge area • Assistance in locating basic facilities such as: housing, daycare, transportation etc. • Assistance with writing papers, assignments and readings • Assistance applying for bursaries and scholarships • Assistance with band funding applications • Academic support options such as tutoring • Library outreach program • Various free seminars such as: life online, money matters and many more! • Elder in the House program Health and Wellness at the Gathering Place • Advocates for students on important issues such as discrimination and harassment. • On site counseling 3 days a week. Counseling available all week long in the Old Main building. • Social support system to enhance the sense of community. • Potlucks, social events and fun games are just some of the things to look forward to at the Gathering Place.” • This summer, the Aboriginal Education Centre working with the Faculty of Science, School of Nursing, and the School District #73 Aboriginal Education is offering workshops to Aboriginal High School Students in the Kamloops Region in order to promote careers in Science and Health Sciences within the community. Disability Services provides support to students with disabilities including: • “Disability Services provides access services to all eligible TRU students: students at the Kamloops and Williams Lake campuses and Open Learning students. The department assists in facilitating equal access to educational opportunities at Thompson Rivers University by reducing the physical, attitudinal and systemic barriers for students. • Disability Services facilitates and/or provides a variety of services and accommodations for eligible students with disabilities. These may include: exam accommodation, alternate format text material, sign language interpretation, access to adaptive technology, the facilitation of in-class note-taking, etc.” http://www.tru.ca/studentservices/aboriginal/acc.html http://www.tru.ca/studentservices/disabilities.html

The support programs for students, such as the Wellness Centre and the Gathering Place are also equipped to support Faculty and Staff. Furthermore, counselling services are available to all faculty, staff and students.

The support programs for students, such as the Wellness Centre and the Gathering Place are also equipped to support Faculty and Staff. Furthermore, counselling services are available to all faculty, staff and students.