Post on 29-Jun-2020
MFA STUDENT HANDBOOK 2020-21 UBCCreativeWriting(PointGreyCampus)islocatedonthetraditional,ancestral,uncededterritoryoftheMusqueampeople.
RevisedApril2020
2
TableofContents
TableofContents........................................................................................................2
Communication...........................................................................................................5YourStudentServicesCentre(SSC)account.........................................................................5TheCreativeWritingForum.................................................................................................5
MFAProgramCompletionRequirements....................................................................7Workshops...........................................................................................................................7Electives...............................................................................................................................8CourseLoad.........................................................................................................................8HowtoRegisterforCourses.................................................................................................9
Registrationstepbystep........................................................................................................9Droppingacourse..................................................................................................................9
Attendance&Participation................................................................................................10ProgramGradingStandards...............................................................................................10UniversityGradingPolicy...................................................................................................12ProgramDuration..............................................................................................................13CourseDescriptions............................................................................................................14StudentProgressReports...................................................................................................14
CombinedPrograms..................................................................................................15MasterofFineArtsinCreativeWritingandTheatre...........................................................15MasterofFineArtsinFilmProductionandCreativeWriting..............................................15
Faculty&StaffContactInformation..........................................................................16GeneralInformation...........................................................................................................16
MailingAddress....................................................................................................................16Website.................................................................................................................................16Faculty&StaffList................................................................................................................16GraduateStudentSupport....................................................................................................16GraduateChair.....................................................................................................................16
AcademicYear:Dates&Deadlines............................................................................17TermDatesforWinterSession2020/21.............................................................................17TermDatesforSummerSession2021................................................................................17CourseDrop/WithdrawalDates........................................................................................17
TuitionFees...............................................................................................................18On-campusMFAStudentTuitionFees................................................................................18
2020/21On-campusFees.....................................................................................................19OptionalResidencyMFAStudentTuitionFees...................................................................20
InternationalStudentResources...............................................................................21
GuidetoWorkshopCitizenship.................................................................................22FortheWriter....................................................................................................................22FortheWorkshopParticipants...........................................................................................22RespectfulEnvironment.....................................................................................................25
3
ThesisOverview........................................................................................................26GenreLengthandFormat...................................................................................................26ThesisCommitteeSelection.............................................................................................28RightsandObligationsoftheStudent................................................................................29RightsandObligationsoftheSupervisor............................................................................30SampleSchedules...............................................................................................................31ObligationsofSecondReaders...........................................................................................32NEW:RubricforThesisCompletion:WhenisMyThesis“Done”?WhoDecides?................33THESISREADINESSRUBRIC.................................................................................................34ThesisSubmission&Formatting.........................................................................................35WhoCanAccessMyThesisAfterSubmission?....................................................................35PublicationDelay...............................................................................................................35
LeavesofAbsence.....................................................................................................36
GraduateStudentEmploymentOpportunities...........................................................37TeachingAssistantPositions...............................................................................................37
TAFAQ..................................................................................................................................37WorkLearnPositions.........................................................................................................37
PRISMinternational..............................................................................................................38BraveNewPlayRites–ProducersandStageManager........................................................38StageWrites–Coordinator..................................................................................................39NewShoots-Coordinator&StudentInstructors...................................................................39CWSAChair...........................................................................................................................40
GraduateStudentScholarshipandAwardOpportunities...........................................41GraduateEntranceScholarships.........................................................................................41GraduateSupportInitiativeScholarships............................................................................41InternationalTuitionAwards..............................................................................................41CGS-Master’sSSHRCAward................................................................................................42AffiliatedFellowships.........................................................................................................42IndigenousStudentAwards................................................................................................43
AboriginalGraduateFellowship...........................................................................................43AboriginalGraduateFellowshipBridgeFunding:.................................................................43
StudentLoansandBursaries..............................................................................................43OtherGraduateAwards.....................................................................................................44CreativeWritingEndowedAwards.....................................................................................44TheHarperCollinsUBCPrizeinFiction................................................................................44BritishColumbiaArtsCouncil–ScholarshipAwardsProgram.............................................44GraduateFunding:Conferences.........................................................................................44
LiteraryandCommunityEngagement........................................................................45
UBCServices..............................................................................................................46StudentswithDisabilities...................................................................................................46Housing..............................................................................................................................46MedicalandWellness........................................................................................................47
CounselingServices...............................................................................................................47CentreforAccessibility..........................................................................................................48WellnessCentre....................................................................................................................48
4
SexualViolencePrevention&Response...............................................................................48
UBCCreativeWritingAcademicRegulations..............................................................49AcademicGrievance...........................................................................................................49SexualHarassmentandDiscrimination...............................................................................49Resources...........................................................................................................................49
AcademicDiscipline...................................................................................................50Offences.............................................................................................................................50Penalties............................................................................................................................51Procedures.........................................................................................................................51Appeals..............................................................................................................................51
5
CommunicationAsyouwillbereceivingemailmessagesfromUBCperiodically,westronglyrecommendthatyouaddtheUBCemailservertoyourapprovedlistofsendersinanymailfilteringsoftwareyouuseorwhichisemployedbyyouremailprovider.
YourStudentServicesCentre(SSC)accountYouareresponsibleforkeepingtrackofyourownfees,paymentdeadlines,etc.YoucantrackthesedetailsviayourStudentServicesCentreAccount(https://ssc.adm.ubc.ca/sscportal/).Thissiteisalsowhereyoucanupdateanypersonalinformation(address,phonenumber,etc).Pleasemakesurethatifanyofyourpersonalinformationchanges(especiallyyouremailaddress),youupdateyouraccountassoonaspossible.Failuretodosomaymeanthatyouwillnotreceiveimportantemailssenttoclasslists.Ifyouchangeyouremailaddresswhileyouareastudent,pleaseupdatetheCRWRprogramofficeaswellasyourstudentrecordwithUBC,aswemaintainamailinglisttocommunicatewithstudents.Pleasedonotunsubscribefromourmailinglist:itwillonlybeusedforimportantnotifications.
TheCreativeWritingForumThisonlineforumishostedandmanagedbytheCreativeWritingProgramandactsastheinformationhubforallMFAstudentsinboththeon-campusandOptionalResidency(online)streamsoftheProgram.ItismandatorythatallMFAstudents(bothon-campusandonlineOptionalResidency)registerfortheForuminadvanceofstartingclasses.Announcementsandinformationabouttheprogram,includingthesisdetails,awards,events,publishing,productionandmore,areprovidedhere.Studentscanalsoarrangetohaveinformationforwardeddirectlytotheiremailinboxoncethey’vesignedup.TheForumGuideisavailablefordownloadonourforms&documentssite:https://crwr.air.arts.ubc.ca/wp-content/uploads/sites/61/2019/04/UBC-CRWR-Forum-Guide.pdfTosignup,studentsvisittheforumathttp://forum.creativewriting.ubc.ca/
6
HowtoSignUpfortheCreativeWritingForumClickthe“CreateAccount”linkonthemainpage.Youshouldthenfillinallofthefieldsontheregistrationpage. YOUMUSTUSEYOURFULLNAMEASYOURUSERNAME.Pleaseincludecapitalizationandthespacebetweenfirstandlastname(forexample,‘AliceMunro’).Asyoumovefromfieldtofieldyouwillbealertedtoanyproblemswiththeinformationyouhaveentered.PleasedonotusethesamepasswordyouusewithyouremailaccountorUBCCampus-wideLogin–thisisextremelyinsecure. TheRegistrationQuestionansweris“UBC”.Whenyouhavefilledintheform,click‘CreateAccount’.Wewillmanuallyapproveeachregistration.Onceyouhaveregisteredyouwon’tbeabletousetheforumsuntilyouhavebeenapproved.Thisusuallytakeslessthanadayunlessyouareregisteringonaweekendorholiday.SubscribingtoindividualtopicsIfyoudon’tvisittheForumregularly,youcangetemailnotificationsofnewmaterial.Werecommendsubscribingtothefollowingforums:Announcements;Scholarships;SummerResidency.Thenchoosetheotherareaswhichinterestyouthemost.PleasesignupfortheForumassoonasyouhavebeenadmittedtoUBC.ContactAndrewGrayatangray@mail.ubc.caifyouhaveproblemsorquestions.
7
MFAProgramCompletionRequirements
TheMFAprogramofstudyiscomprisedofcourseworkandthesis.Atotalof36creditsarerequiredinordertocompletethedegree:30creditsofcourseworkand6creditsofthesis.
IMPORTANTNOTE:Studentsarenotpermittedtoexceedthe36creditsintotalofCreativeWritingcoursesrequiredforcompletionoftheirMFAdegree.
WorkshopsAminimumof24creditsofcourseworkmustbeCreativeWritingworkshopsforwhichstudentsareregisteredatthe500level.CreativeWritingMFAstudentsarerequiredtotakeatleastthreecreditsofworkshopcoursesinatleastthreeofthegenresweoffer.Screenandtelevisionareconsideredasinglegenredespitehavingseparatecoursenumbers.Shortfictionandthenovelarealsoconsideredasinglegenre.Oncampusstudentsmaytakenomorethan6creditsofcourseworkonlineandviceversa,spacepermitting,andwiththepermissionoftheGraduateChair.Inthecaseof
6Credits.CanbeCRWRworkshops,orchoosefromelectivelist.
24Credits.Minimum3creditsin3genres.Maximum12
creditspergenre.
6Credits
36credits
Electives
CRWRWorkshops
Thesis
MFA
MFARequirements
8
highdemand,exceptinexceptionalcircumstances,priorityisgiventostudentsregisteringwithintheirownstream.
IMPORTANTNOTE:Amaximumof12creditsinanygivengenremaybecountedforcredittowardstheMFAdegree.Ifstudentsexceed12creditsinagenre,theexcesscreditswillnotcounttowardstheirdegree.
ElectivesStudentshave6creditswhichtheymayusetotakeadditional500levelCRWRworkshopcourses,ormayuseaccordingtothefollowingoptions:
• 3-creditgradElective(non-workshop)coursesCRWR530(PreparationforaCareerinWriting)and/orCRWR550(TeachingCreativeWriting)
• maximum6creditsundergraduatelevelinCreativeWritingcoursesnumbered
300to499,pendingapprovalfromtheGraduateChairindicatingthatthecoursesaredirectlyanddemonstrablyrelatedtothestudent’sprogramofstudy
• maximum6creditsincoursesnumbered300andupoutsideoftheCreative
WritingProgram,pendingapprovalfromtheGraduateChairindicatingthatthecoursesaredirectlyanddemonstrablyrelatedtothestudent’sprogramofstudy
NOTE:Coursesnumbered100to299andcoursestakenthroughContinuingStudiesarenotcountedtowardstherequirementsofthedegree.
CourseLoadAfullcourseloadis18creditsperacademicyear.Studentswhowishtotakemorethan18creditsmaydosoonlywithpermissionoftheGraduateChair.Ifpermissionhasnotbeengiventoenrollin6extracredits,theProgrammayunilaterallyde-registerthestudentfromtheexcesscredits.
Note:On-campusstudentswillnotethattheirtranscriptsindicatethattheyhavebeenregisteredforathesiscoursefromtheirprogramstartdate.Intheirfirstyear,thisregistrationisforadministrativepurposesonly.
Studentsmustenrollinaminimumof12creditsofcourses(6creditsperterm)inthefall/wintersessioninordertobeeligibletoreceiveyear-endCreativeWritingProgramawardsandGraduateSupportInitiative(GSI)awards.Occasionally,acoursemaybecross-listedandavailabletobothundergraduateandgraduatestudents.
9
HowtoRegisterforCoursesStudentsself-registerinUBCcoursesthroughtheStudentServiceCentre.Westronglyencourageearlyregistrationbecausecoursescanfillupquickly.YoucanviewthedateandtimethatcourseregistrationwillopenfortheupcomingtermthroughtheStudentServiceCentre.YouwillalsobenotifiedbyemailbyUBCandthroughtheSSCwhenregistrationisopenforaparticularsession.Registrationstepbystep
• Tologin,youmustobtainacampus-widelogin(CWL)(seeinstructions).• Tobrowsecourseofferings,logintoyourstudentaccountandchoose“Course
Schedule.”Followdirectionsfromthere.CreativeWritingcoursesarealllistedasCRWR.Graduatecoursesareallatthe500-level.
• WestronglyrecommendwatchingvideoregistrationtutorialsontheSSC.• WewillalsotrytohaveexpandedcoursedescriptionsontheCRWRwebsite
beforeregistrationeachyear:https://creativewriting.ubc.ca/courses/?level=5• Note:OptionalResidencyCoursesallhavesectionnumberswhichbeginwithD
anddonothaveacoursetimeanddateassignedontheSSC.SoCRWR501V001ison-campusandCRWR501VD01isonline.
• Coursesaremarkedwith“restricted”seatingbecauseonlyCRWRstudentsareeligibletoregisterforthem.Itdoesnotmeanthatyouarerestrictedfromtakingthem.However,asnotedabove,oncampusstudentscannotregisterinonlinecourseswithoutpermissionfromtheGraduateAdvisorandarerestrictedtoamaximumof6creditsonlineduringtheirdegree.
• Becausecoursesoftenfillquickly(somealmostimmediately),westronglyrecommendstudentsdothefollowingbeforeregistrationday:createaWorklistinSSC,withthecoursesyouwanttoregisterin.Makealistofalternatecoursesincasetheonesyouwantfillup.Beonyourcomputerthemomentregistrationopens.
• Ifyoudon’tgetacourse,pleasekeepcheckingback.Weoftenfindcourseswillfillinitially,butstudentsmayswitchanddropcoursesrightintothefirstweekofclasses.
DroppingacourseIMPORTANT:Ifyouwishtodropacourse,youmustformallywithdrawfromthecourseinyouraccountontheSSC.ForOptionalResidencystudents,sinceyoupaypercredit,itisimportanttorememberthatUBChasdropdeadlineswhichaffectwhetheryougetafeerefundornot.Seehttps://students.ubc.ca/enrolment/finances/tuition-fees/tuition-refund-datesfordetails.
10
Attendance&ParticipationRegularattendanceandactiveparticipationinworkshopcoursesareexpectedandstudentsareencouragedtoconsultregularlywithinstructors.Individualfacultymemberssetregulardeadlinesandpagequotasforworkshopcourses.Unexplainedabsencesfromthreeclassespertermarecauseforfailure.Twolateclassesequalonemissedworkshop.Thispolicyincludeslateorinadequateparticipationinanonlineworkshop.SeetheGuidetoWorkshopCitizenshipsectioninthisHandbookfordetailsonworkshopprotocol.
NOTE:Studentsarenotpermittedtotakeacompletedprojectfromonecourseandsimplyconvertittoadifferentgenreforanothercourse(forinstance,convertinganovellatoascreenplay).
CreativeWritingProgramgraduatestudentsareresponsibleforselectingandcompletingthenecessarycourse/genrerequirementstograduate.StudentsmayconsultwiththeGraduateChairshouldtheyhaveanyfurtherquestionsregardingtheserequirements.
ProgramGradingStandardsGradeaverageattheMFAlevelis90%.ThisistoensureconsistencyingradingfrominstructortoinstructoraswellaswithintheFacultyofArts.Thisappliestothesisgradesalso.Forreference,hereareourGradingGuidelines,usedatboththeBFAandMFAlevels:A+95-100%TrulyExceptional:Agraderarelyawarded.Unusuallyhighachievementdemonstratingexceptionalcreativity,completemasteryofthematerial(craft)andclarityofexpression.Professionalcalibrework.Commentsintheworkshopareperceptive,precise,profound.Studentdemonstratesanextraordinarycommitmenttotheworkshopthroughregularattendance,participationandconstructivecommunication.PotentialSSHRCcandidate.Dean’sHonoursList.A+90-94%Exceptional:Thewritingiswell-crafted,grammaticallyflawless.Theuseoflanguageispleasingandvigorous.Demonstratesahighdegreeofcreativethought,craftandskill.Athoroughknowledgeofconceptsand/ortechniquesofcraftandexceptionalskillintheirapplication.Thestudentisperceptiveandhasasuperiorabilitytoorganizeanddeliveroriginal,incisivecommentsintheworkshop.Studentdemonstratesahighlevelofcommitmenttotheworkshopthroughregularattendance,participationandconstructivecommunication.Veryclosetoprofessionalcalibrework.PotentialSSHRCcandidate.Dean’sHonoursList.
11
A85-89%Excellent:Consistentlyexcellentworkdemonstratingahighdegreeofcreativity,andclarityofexpression.Aterrificcapacityfororiginal,creativework.Excellentabilitytomakesoundcriticalevaluationsofmaterialdiscussedintheworkshop.Studentdemonstratesanexcellentcommitmenttotheworkshopthroughregularattendance,participationandconstructivecommunication.Dean’sHonoursList.A-80-84%VeryGood:Aboveaverageskillnotedinmanyaspectsofthework,whichdemonstratescreativityandclarityofexpression.Theuseoflanguageisgenerallycorrect.Theremaybeaneedforfurthereditinginthepresentationofthework(i.e.style,voice,characterization,etc.)orinthelanguage(i.e.diction,grammar,usage,spelling,punctuation).Butthewritingisengaging.Demonstratesaverygoodgraspofthesubjectmatter/genre,andaverygoodabilitytodeliversound,on-point,usefulcommentsintheworkshop.Studentdemonstratesaverygoodcommitmenttotheworkshopthroughregularattendance,participationandconstructivecommunication.B+76-79%Good:Workdemonstratesdiligenceandeffortabovebasicrequirements.Theremaybeaneedforfurthereditinginthepresentationofthework(i.e.style,voice,pointofview,etc.)orinthelanguage(i.e.diction,grammar,usage,spelling,punctuation,etc.).Providesbareminimumwrittenandverbalfeedbackonpeerwork.Struggleswithattendance.MinimumforGradSchoolapplication.B72-75%ReasonablyGood:Meetsthebasiccourserequirements.Thestudenthascompletedworkwithsubstantialcontentandwithoutanyseriouserrorsintoneornarration.Problemswithcreativeshapinganddeliverymayoccur,andtheremaybeafurtherneedforlearningthemechanicsoflanguageuse.Struggleswithattendanceand/orparticipatingintheworkshopandischallengedtoprovideanyhelpfulcomments.B-68-71%Satisfactory:Minimallyacceptableworkmeetingtheminimumofexpectationsanddemonstratinglimitedperformance.Manuscriptswithrepeatederrorsingrammar,usageorpunctuation.Proficiencyandcreativeaspectsoftheworkmaybeoccasionallydemonstrated,butthestudentdoesnotdemonstrateanunderstandingofthechallenges(i.e.style,voice,etc.)involvedinwritinginthegenre.Struggleswithattendance.Rarelyspeaksorifdoes,isnotonpointorclear.C+64-67%MinimallySatisfactory:Workwhichcastsdoubtastothestudent’sabilityorreadinesstomeetcourserequirements.Thewritingshowsconstraineduseoflanguage(eitherinthecreativeshapinganddeliveryofcontentorinrepeatederrorsingrammar,punctuation,dictionandusage),andthetreatmentofthematerialhasnotresultedinsufficientdepth.Struggleswithattendance.Doesnotparticipateintheworkshop.
12
C60-63%Marginal:Thewritingisdifficulttoreadbecauseofinappropriatedeliveryorrepeatedgrammaticalerrorsorboth;furthermore,theideamaynotbeappropriatefortheform.Thewritingsuffersfrommanyproblemsofstyleandgrammar;thewritingmaynotbeidiomaticallyacceptable.Struggleswithattendance.Doesnotparticipateintheworkshop.F0-59Failure:Failuretomeetcourserequirements.
UniversityGradingPolicyhttps://www.grad.ubc.ca/current-students/managing-your-program/satisfactory-progress-masters-studentsFormaster'sstudentsregisteredintheFacultyofGraduateStudies,Fail(F)forindividualcoursesisdefinedasbelow60%:
GradingScale
PERCENTAGE(%)
LETTERGRADE
90-100 A+
85-89 A
80-84 A-
76-79 B+
72-75 B
68-71 B-
64-67 C+
60-63 C
0-59 F(Fail)However,only6creditsofpassstanding(60-67%)maybecountedtowardamaster'sprogram.Forallothercourses,aminimumof68%mustbeobtained.Somegraduateprogramsmayrequireahigherpassinggradeforspecificcourses.
13
ProgramDurationOn-campusstream:On-campusstudentsgenerallystudyfulltime,completingtheirMFAdegrees,includingthesis,intwoyears,graduatingeitherintheSpringorFallfollowingtheirsecondyearofstudy.On-campusstudentsmustregisterforcoursesstartingintheWintersession(September-April)oftheyearwhentheybegintheirstudies.Theymustremaincontinuouslyregistereduntilthedegreeiscompleted.FailuretoregisterfortwoconsecutivetermsmayresultinthestudentbeingrequiredtowithdrawfromtheProgram.Theexceptionisthoseperiodsoftimeforwhichthestudentmayrequestaleaveofabsence:allleavesmustbeapprovedbytheGraduateChairandtheFacultyofGraduateandPostdoctoralStudies.Notethatleavesapplyonlytoon-campusstudents.SeetheLeavesofAbsencesectioninthisHandbookforfurtherdetails.BeyondthetwoyearsofresidenceintheProgram,on-campusstudentspaythecontinuingregistrationfeeuntiltheyhavecompletedtheirprogram(courseworkplusthesis).OptionalResidencystream:OptionalResidencystudentshaveastartdateofJuly1,allowingthemtotakethesummerresidencyintheirfirstyear.OptionalResidencystudentsmustregisterincoursesinJulyand/orSeptemberoftheirfirstyear.IftheydonotregisterforacourseineithertheSummersession(July-August)ortheWintersession(September-April)oftheirfirstyear,theywillbeconsideredtohaveturneddowntheiradmissiontoUBC.OptionalResidencystudentshavetheoptionofstudyingparttimeand,evenwhilemaintainingfull-timestatus(minimumof12credits),maytakefewerthan18creditsperyearandthusmayrequiremorethanthestandardtwo-yearcourseofstudytocompletetheirdegree.OptionalResidencystudentspayfeesonaper-creditbasis:nofeesarechargedwhenOptionalResidencystudentsarenotregisteredincourses.Forbothon-campusandOptionalResidencystudents,ifadegreeisnotawardedwithinamaximumperiodoffiveyearsfrominitialregistration,thestudent’seligibilityforthedegreewillbeterminatedandthestudentwillberequiredtowithdrawfromtheProgramunlessanextensionisgrantedbytheFacultyofGraduateandPost-DoctoralStudies.TheprogressofallstudentsinbothstreamsworkingtowardtheMFAdegreeisreviewedregularlybytheGraduateChair.Astudentmayberequiredtowithdrawifprogresshasnotbeensatisfactoryasshownbycoursework,progressonthethesis,orotherrequirementsoftheCreativeWritingProgram.
14
CourseDescriptionsCoursedescriptionsforCRWRgraduatecoursesareupdatedannuallyandarelistedontheCreativeWritingProgramwebsite:https://creativewriting.ubc.ca/courses/?level=5
StudentProgressReportsBeforebeginningclasses,studentsarerequiredtocompletetheon-lineNewStudentProgramCompletionFormtoacknowledgetheyhaveunderstoodtheprogramcompletionrequirements.Attheendofeachacademicyear,continuingstudentscompleteanannualContinuingStudentProgressReport.Itisimportantforstudentstoevaluatetheirprogresstowardsdegreecompletionannually,andtoconsiderwhattheyplantoaccomplishduringtheirtimeatUBC,aswellasforthemtofamiliarizethemselveswithprogramregulationsandrequirements.Thisisanopportunityforstudentstoidentifyanyproblemstheymaybehavingastheynavigatetowardstheirdegree,andtorequestassistanceinresolvinganydifficulties.Additionally,theCreativeWritingProgramneedstogatherinformationtohelpplantobettermeettheneedsofstudents.StudentsmustcompletetheirreportbyJune1steachyear.Formsarecompletedandsubmittedonlineattheabovelink.
15
CombinedPrograms
MasterofFineArtsinCreativeWritingandTheatreTheCreativeWritingandTheatreProgramsofferaprogramofon-campusstudywhichleadstoaMasterofFineArtsinCreativeWritingandTheatre.BoththeCreativeWritingandTheatreProgramsevaluatecandidates’applications,andapprovalisrequiredfrombothprograms.Studentsarerequiredtocompletethirty-six(36)creditsofcourseworkinCreativeWritingandTheatre.Therequiredcoursesare:CreativeWriting507(6credits),Theatre562(3creditseminar,offeredbiannually)andCreativeWriting599(6credits).CRWR599istheThesisrequirement,whichisafull-lengthstageplay(oritsequivalent)thatmustbeapprovedandacceptedbybothprograms.MasterofFineArtsinCreativeWritingandTheatrestudentsmaycompletetherestoftheircoursesrequirementseitherwithCreativeWritinggraduatewritingworkshops,orTheatregraduate(orequivalent)courseswiththeapprovaloftheirCreativeWritingandTheatresupervisors.MasterofFineArtsinCreativeWritingandTheatrestudentshavetwosupervisors,BryanWadefromCreativeWriting,andafacultymemberfromTheatre,whoareinvolvedwiththeimplementationoftheiroverallprogramandarealsothethesissupervisorsfortheirfull-lengthstageplay.Therecommendedtimeframeforstudentstocompletetheircourserequirements,alongwiththeirthesis,istwoyears.
MasterofFineArtsinFilmProductionandCreativeWritingTheFilmProgramandtheCreativeWritingProgramofferaMasterofFineArtsdegreeinFilmProductionandCreativeWriting.TheProgramisatwo-yearcourseofresidentstudyandrequires,asaprerequisite,anundergraduatedegreeinfilmproductionortheequivalentinexperience,aportfolioofcompletedfilmsasprimarycreator(director,writerorproducer),andaportfolioofscreenwriting.SharonMcGowanistheCreativeWritingsupervisorforFilmProductionandCreativeWritingtheses.
16
Faculty&StaffContactInformation
GeneralInformationTheUBCCreativeWritingProgramfacultyandadministrativeoffices,theTAoffice,andthegraduateclassroomarelocatedonthe4thand1stfloorsofBuchananBuildingBlockEontheVancouvercampus.ThePRISMmagazineofficeislocatedinMaryBollardHall.
MailingAddressUBCCreativeWritingProgramBuchananE-462,1866MainMallVancouver,B.C.V6T1Z1
Websitecreativewriting.ubc.ca
Faculty&StaffListcreativewriting.ubc.ca/people
GraduateStudentSupportAlexandraTsardidisEmail:crwr.grad@ubc.caBuchananE462Phone:(604)822-0699Fax:(604)822-3616ContactGraduateStudentSupportwithquestionsabout:
- thesissubmission- graduationapplication&requirements- thesisregistration- awardstranscripts&GPAcalculations
GraduateChairAnnabelLyonEmail:crwr.gradchair@ubc.caContacttheGraduateChairwithquestionsabout:
- programcompletionandthesis- graduateadvising- electivecoursepermissions
17
AcademicYear:Dates&DeadlinesAcademicYear:SeptemberisthesoleentrancedatefortheOnCampusMFACreativeWritingProgram,aswellasJointFilm/Theatreprogram.JulyisthesoleentrancedatefortheOptionalResidencyMFAProgram,(thoughOptionalResidencystudentsmayelectwhethertoattendsummerresidencyinJulyorbegincourseworkinSeptemberoftheirfirstyear).MostcoursesareconductedfromSeptemberthroughApril,withtheexceptionoftheoptionalsummerresidency,whichisopentoallOptional-ResidencyMFAstudents,andOnCampusMFAstudentsin2ndyearandbeyond,andoccasionalsummeron-linecourseofferings.Studentscontinueworkontheirthesisduringthesummers.
TermDatesforWinterSession2020/21 Term1
(September–December,2020)
Term2
(January–April,2021)
Start Tuesday,September8 Monday,January4
MidtermBreak n/a February15-18
Finish Thursday,December3 Thursday,April8
TeachingDays 61 62
TermDatesforSummerSession2021 Term1
(May–June,2021)
Term2
(July–August,2021)
Start Monday,May10 Monday,July5
Finish Thursday,June17 Thursday,August12
TeachingDays 28 28
TheOptionalResidencyannualsummerresidencyisnormallyheldfortendaysinthesecondweekofJuly(Summer–Term2).
CourseDrop/WithdrawalDateshttp://www.calendar.ubc.ca/vancouver/index.cfm?page=deadlines
18
TuitionFeesTheFacultyofGraduateandPostdoctoralStudiesoffersdetailsregardingcurrenttuitionfees,specifyingratesforfull-time,part-timepermanentresident,domesticandinternationalstudents,aswellasratesforOptionalResidencystudents,whichdifferfromon-campusstudentsandarelistedunderSpecializedMaster’sDegreePrograms.https://www.grad.ubc.ca/prospective-students/tuition-fees-cost-living/graduate-tuition-fees
On-campusMFAStudentTuitionFeesForon-campusMFAstudents,tuitionfeesarepaidinthreeinstallments:September,January,andMay.ThreeinstallmentsarebilledregardlessofwhetherstudentsareattendingclassesbetweenMayandSeptember(allon-campusMFAstudentswillberegisteredforCRWR599,thesis,duringthistime).Everystudentenrolledinamaster’sprogramisrequiredtomaintaincontinuousregistrationbypayingtuitioninstallmentsplusauthorizedstudentfees.Failuretopayfeeswillresultinafinancialholdandaninterestpenalty.
Allon-campusgraduatestudentsareautomaticallyassessedfeesaccordingtoScheduleA.Oncetwoyearsofstudyhavebeentaken(6feeinstallments),studentswhoarestillenrolledareassessedtheContinuingFeeuntiltheygraduate.
StudentswhohavepaidmorethantheminimuminstallmentsforthedegreewillhavetheirtuitionfeesproratedtotheendofthemonthinwhichtheFacultyofGraduateandPostdoctoralStudiesconfirmsthatalldegreerequirementshavebeencompleted.ThisincludesthesubmissionoftheirthesistotheFacultyofGraduateandPostdoctoralStudies’office.
19
2020/21On-campusFees
Program Instalments per year
Minimum # of instalments
Domestic (per instalment)
International (per instalment)
Full-time (Schedule A) 3 3 $1,698.56 $2,984.09
Part-time (Schedule B) 3 9 $970.77 $1,715.85
Continuing fee1 3 N/A $776.01 $2,984.09
Extension fee2 3 N/A $1,089.93 $2,984.09 1 If a degree program is not completed by a set number of instalments or a minimum program fee, the assessments will then switch to a Continuing fee. The Schedule A Continuing fee is assessed after instalment 6. The Schedule B Continuing fee is assessed after instalment 9. 2 If a master's degree (both standard and specialized) is not awarded within a period of five years from the initial registration, a student may be granted an extension with permission from the Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies, but will be charged additional fees.
Note:Theabovefiguresdonotincludeanyadditionalstudentfees;theserangefromapproximately$600to$800peryearforon-campusstudents.
20
OptionalResidencyMFAStudentTuitionFeesForOptionalResidencyMFAstudents,tuitionfeesarepaidintwoinstallments:SeptemberandJanuary.StudentstakingasummerresidencycoursepaytuitioninJuly.Feesareonlyassessedwhenstudentsareregisteredincourses.
Note:Thosestudentstakinganyofferedon-linesummercoursesalsopayinMay.
StudentsenrolledintheOptionalResidencyMFAProgrampayfeesonaper-creditbasis.Feesareonlyassessedwhenstudentsregisterincoursesforthesummerorfall/winterterms.Becauseofthis,full-timeorpart-timestatusisassessedbyUBCdependingonthenumberofcreditstakenduringtheacademicyear.Studentsareconsideredtobefull-timefortax,scholarshipandloanpurposesiftheyareenrolledin12ormorecreditsduringthefall/winterterm(SeptemberthroughApril),6creditsperterm,and6creditsinthesummerterm.Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing (Distance Education)
Program entry year Domestic tuition per credit International tuition per credit
2020S or 2020W $628.04 $1,109.04
2019S or 2019W $628.04 $1,098.38
2018W or earlier $628.04 $1,087.82
OptionalResidencystudentsdopaystudentfees,howeverthesefeeshavebeenreducedtoreflectthefactthatonlinestudentsusefew,ifany,on-campusresources.ForOptionalResidencystudents,oncepaymenthasbeenmadefor6creditsofthesis,studentsaremovedintoanon-feesectionofthesisuntiltheygraduate.
21
InternationalStudentResourcesVisa:StudentsshouldcontactthenearestCanadianConsulateandprovidethemwiththeconfirmationofapprovalletterfromUBCFacultyofGraduateandPostdoctoralStudiesinordertosecureastudentvisa.InternationalStudentGuide:UBCInternationalStudentServicesprovidesacomprehensiveguide,whichincludes:
• OverviewofdocumentationrequiredtostudyinCanada• Passport• StudyPermit• Taxes• SocialInsuranceNumber(SIN)• Overviewofstudenthealthinsuranceincludingprovincialanduniversityservices
(AMS/GSSHealthandDentalPlan)• OverviewofworkinginCanada• On-campuswork• Off-Campusworkpermit• Co-opWorkPermit• Post-Graduationworkpermit• Workpermitforspouse/partner
http://students.ubc.ca/internationalInternationalStudentDevelopmentislocatedattheUBCLifeCentreontheVancouverCampusandoffersaccesstoadvisorsinperson.https://students.ubc.ca/about-student-services/international-student-development
22
GuidetoWorkshopCitizenshipWorkshopclassesareattheheartoftheMFAexperience,andtheCreativeWritingProgramseekstocreateaworkshopclimateinwhichthebestpossiblelearningaboutwritingcanoccur.Eachinstructorwillofferguidelinesonhowtheworkshopwillproceed.Herearesomegeneralprotocolstokeepinmind:
FortheWriter
• Theworkshopshouldbehelpfultothesubmittingwriter.Tothisend,it’softenusefulifthewritercancomewithquestions.Bepreparedtotellusabitaboutyourpiecewhenyousubmitit:howlongyou’vebeenworkingonit,whatyou’retryingtodo,whatyou’vestruggledwith,andwhataspectsyoumostwouldlikefeedbackon.
• Opennesstofeedbackandawillingnesstolistenareimportantcomponents
ofthecreativeprocess.
• Arushedandmuddledfirstdraftmaygarnerequallymuddledfeedback.Trytogiveyourselftimetodoarewritebeforeyousubmit.Amorepolisheddraftcanenabletheworkshopdiscussiontomoresophisticated,andmoreproductive.
FortheWorkshopParticipantsTheworkshop’sgoalistoempowerthewritertocontinueforwardwiththeirpiece.Ifthewriterleavesdiscouragedordissuadedfromworkingontheirpieceagain,theworkshophasfailed.Ourbesteffortswillgivethewriterprobingquestionstoconsiderastheyplantheirnextdraft.
• Respecteachother’spronouns.Pleaseintroduceyourselftoyourclassmateswithyourpreferredpronounsatthebeginningoftermtohelpcontributetoaninclusivelearningenvironment.
• Respectwhereyoucomefromandwhereyouare.Don’tignoreland
acknowledgements.Thinkaboutwhattheymean,whywesharethem,andhowtheyrelatetoourworkaswriters,artists,andscholars.
• Bekind.Studentssometimesbristleatthis,becauseitsoundsabitlike“benice”andtheyfearitmeanstheywon’tbeabletobehonest.Ofcourseyoucanbehonest.We’reaskingyoutoworkharder:behonestandkind.(Foronline
23
courses:ouronlinevoicestendasoundabitmoretersethanourin-personvoices,sokindnessisveryimportanthere.)
• Pleasedonotuseprofanelanguage.It’sneverallrighttorefertosomethingas“bullshit”,forexample,eveninjest.Chooselanguagethatarticulatesyourideas,notyouremotions.
• Beginwithsomethingpositive.Endwithsomethingpositive.
• Asmuchasyoucan,refertoconcreteexamplesinthetext.General,abstract
commentslike,“Iloveyourwriting!”“Iwassoconfused.”“Youwritebeautifulsentences.”“Icouldn’tunderstandthemother.”aretoovaguetobeofusetothewriter.Wheneverpossible,citeanexamplefromthetext.Ifyou’reconfused,honeinonwhereinthetextyoufirstbecameconfused–whatwasthesentence?Thatwillbeusefultothewriter.Agreatfeedbackapproachistosupportacriticismwithanexampleofwherethewriterdidgetitright.Forinstance:ifcharacterBseemsunderdeveloped,youmightusethewriter’sartfulrenderingofcharacterAasanexampleofwhatyou’dliketoseemoreofincharacterB.
• Giveasmuchtimeandattentiontotheworkasyou’dliketoreceiveonyour
own,andrememberyou’rebeinggradedinpartonyourparticipation.
• Workshopisnotavenueformattersoftasteorpersonalrelatability.Ifthesubmittedpieceisaboutbasketballandyouhatebasketball,keepthattoyourself.Ifthecontentchallengesyourmoralsandbeliefs,trytostepbackandviewthepiecefromacraftperspective.Thequestionbeforeusisalways:howcanwehelpthiswritermoveclosertotheirintentwithinthispieceofwriting.Contentisnotarbitrary,sopleasedon’tdismissitasifitis.Thewriterhasworkedhardandmadechoices,choicesthatarenoteasilyundoneorre-imagined.Thekeyhereistorespectwhatthewriterhasdonesofar.
• Handlepoliticaltopicswithcareandconsideration.Discussionssurrounding
race,identity,andappropriationofvoicecanbechallenging.TheMFAprogramisaplacewherediversevoicesandmodesofstorytellingarewelcomeandencouraged.Discussionsofpoliticsshouldremaingroundedinthespecificworkathand,andshouldbehandledinawaythatishelpfulandconstructivetothewriter.Someresourcesforthinkingaboutwhat’shelpfulandconstructivecanbefoundhere:http://www.pleiadesmag.com/pure-craft-is-a-lie-part-1/andhere:https://www.nytimes.com/2017/04/26/books/review/viet-thanh-nguyen-writers-workshops.html.
24
• Trytoavoiddeclarativestatements.Instead,consideraskingquestionsthatwillhelpthewriterthinkmoredeeplyabouttheirwork.Forexample,ifapiececontainsscenesofviolencethatyoufinddisturbing,insteadofsaying,“Thisstoryistooviolent!”youmightask:whatroledoyouseeviolenceplayinginthispiece?Howdoyouwantthereadertofeelaboutthelevelofviolenceinthispiece?(Avoidpassive-aggressivequestionslike,Don’tyouthinkthispieceiswaytooviolent?)Remember:workshopisanexplorationthatdoesnotrequireyoutopassjudgment.
• Workshopputsusallinavulnerableposition.Iftheworkisgoingtobe
emotionallyaffecting(andwehopeitis!),thenweruntheriskofbeingemotionallyaffectedbybothwritingitandreadingit.Theworkshopshouldbeasafeplaceforeveryone.Trytodistanceyourpersonalfeelings,andfocusontheworkshop’stask:discussingtheexecutionofcraftinthisspecificwork.
• Somedisagreementswillnotgetresolved.Yourjob,asparticipantina
workshop,isnottoconverteveryoneelsetoyourwayofthinking,orrhetoricallydestroypeoplewhodisagreewithyou.Expressyourself;refineyourownideasandothers’throughthoughtfuldisagreement;andknowwhentocallitaday.“We’regoingtohavetoagreetodisagreeaboutthat”isasimpleandelegantwaytowithdrawfromaconversationthathasbeguntospinitswheels.
• Conflictsarebestresolvedthroughcommunication.Ifyouhaveanissuewith
theconductofafellowworkshopmemberorwithaworkshopprocess,pleasegetintouchwithyourinstructorimmediately,orwiththeEquityRepresentative.Openpro-activecommunicationleadstopromptandequitablesolutions,preventingthenegativeimpactofisolationorharassmentinanyform.
25
RespectfulEnvironment
UBChasclearguidelinesonRespectfulEnvironment:TheUniversityofBritishColumbiaenvisionsaclimateinwhichstudents,facultyandstaffareprovidedwiththebestpossibleconditionsforlearning,researchingandworking,includinganenvironmentthatisdedicatedtoexcellence,equityandmutualrespect.TheUniversityofBritishColumbiastrivestorealizethisvisionbyestablishingemploymentandeducationalpracticesthatrespectthedignityofindividualsandmakeitpossibleforeveryonetolive,work,andstudyinapositiveandsupportiveenvironment,freefromharmfulbehaviourssuchasbullyingandharassment.StatementofPrinciple:Thebestpossibleenvironmentforworking,learningandlivingisoneinwhichrespect,civility,diversity,opportunityandinclusionarevalued.EveryoneattheUniversityofBritishColumbiaisexpectedtoconductthemselvesinamannerthatupholdstheseprinciplesinallcommunicationsandinteractionswithfellowUBCcommunitymembersandthepublicinallUniversity-relatedsettings.ThefullstatementonRespectfulEnvironmentmaybeaccessedatthefollowinglink:http://www.hr.ubc.ca/respectful-environment/files/UBC-Statement-on-Respectful-Environment-2014.pdfTheUBCCreativeWritingProgramseekstofosterawelcomespaceforallmembersofourcommunity.Weaskeveryonetoberespectfulofotherpeople’sideas,creativity,spaces,andlearning.Together,wecancreateanenvironmentwheremanyvoicescanbeheardandmanystoriescanbetold.Asanadditionalresource,werecommendthatallcommunitymembersconsulttheUBCIndigenousPeople’sLanguageGuide:http://assets.brand.ubc.ca/downloads/ubc_indigenous_peoples_language_guide.pdf
26
ThesisOverviewTheculminationofastudent’sworkduringtheMFAprogramisthecreationofthethesis.AsnotedintheMFAProgramCompletionRequirementssectionofthisHandbook,studentswhointendtograduateinMayorNovemberfollowingtheirsecondyearofstudybeginplanningforthesisinthespringoftheirfirstyearofstudy.Studentsareeligibletobeginworkwiththeirthesiscommitteeoncethey’vecompleted12-15creditsofcoursework.Oncampusstudentsareregisteredinthesisthroughouttheirdegree,andasfull-timestudentsareexpectedtobeginthesisinMayoftheirfirstyearorSeptemberoftheirsecondyear.OptionalResidencystudentsareeligibletobeingthesisoncethey’vecompleted12-15creditsofcoursework.Theypayforthefirst6creditsofthesis,andafterthatareenrolledinanon-fee-payingsectionofthesisuntilcompletion.Ofthose12-15credits,studentsmustcompleteatleast6creditsofcourseworkinthegenreinwhichtheyintendtowritetheirthesispriortobeginningtheirworkwiththeiradvisor.Requestsforexceptionstothispolicymustbeaccompaniedbyastrongrationale,suchaspriorpublicationsorproductionsinthatgenre.PILOTFORJULYANDSEPTEMBER2020ADMISSIONSWhenstudentsentertheprogram,theywillbeassignedtotheGraduateChairastheirprotem(temporary)thesisadvisor,inaccordancewithGradStudiespolicy.GradstudentscanconsultwiththeGradChaironanygrad-orthesis-relatedquestions.Oncestudentsarereadytoformallybeginthethesisprocess,theywillsubmitThesisProposalFormstochooseastartdateofeitherMayorSeptemberandtorequestadvisorswhowillworkwiththemformallyonthesis.Whilestudentscannotbeguaranteedtheirfirstchoiceofthesissupervisor,theywillbeabletoworkintheirpreferredgenre.Thesissupervisorsareallocatedaccordingtotheiravailability;studentsdonotapproachfacultytorequestthemasthesissupervisors.SeetheThesisCommitteeSelectionsectionbelowfordetailsonhowandwhencommitteesareassembledforstudents.
GenreLengthandFormatWhilethethesisisasubstantiveworkinthestudent’schosengenre,itisconsideredaprojectthatcanbecompletedintheequivalentofsixcoursecreditsworthofwork.
27
Studentsnormallytake8to11monthstocompletetheirtheses.Itisimperativeforstudentstoconsultwiththeirthesissupervisorregardingexpectationsfortheirspecificprojects,howevertheapproximatelengthsforthevariousgenresareasfollows:Fiction:25,000to75,000words.Iftheprojectexceedsthislength,thesupervisorwillonlyguaranteefeedbackonthefirst75,000words.Anoutlineisstronglyrecommended.CreativeNon-Fiction:
• Lyricessay:upto25,000words• Essaycollection:upto50,000words• Memoir:40-75,000words• Literaryjournalism:40-75,000words
Youngadult,middle-gradeorearlychapterbooks:25,000-50,000words Poetry:40to60pages,whichisabout5,000to7,000wordsScreenplay:90to120scriptpages.Formalmeetingswilltakeplaceateachstage(map,beatsheet,outline,1stdraft,2nddraft,polish/finaldraft)inaccordancewithindustrystandards,approximatelyeverysixweeks.Television:upto60to120pagespilotepisodeandsecondepisodeorspecscript(willvarydependingonepisodelength)PLUS10to20pagesforseriesbibleWebSeries:60pp.or2.5hoursSTUDENTSINALLSCREENGENRESshouldbuyDavidTrottier’sScreenwriter’sBibleforformatting,aswellasfamiliarizethemselveswithscreenwritingsoftware.Stage:80-120pages(i.e.afulleveningoftheatre)instandardstageplayformatLyric:Foracollectionofpopularsongs(pop,folk,rock,blues,etc.)withanapproximatelengthof3-5minutespersong,studentsshouldsubmitafull-lengthalbum’sworthofmaterial,meaning12-15songs.Studentsshouldsubmitbothlyricsandaudiorecordingsoftheircompletedworks.Therecordingsdonotneedtobeprofessionalstudioqualitybutwillofferclearinsightsintothingslikegenre,style,rhythm,melody,phrasing,andothermusicalinformation.Studentswillalsosubmit“linernotes”inwhichtheydiscussconcepts,process,craft,andthisshouldbearound1,000to2,000words.Libretto:Forlibrettosubmissions,studentsshouldsubmitascriptof50to120pages.Audiorecordingsarenotrequired,althoughincludingarecordingofonesongcouldbeusefulinhelpingtoconveyasenseofthelyricalandmusicalstyle.Again,thisaudiomaterialdoesnotneedtoberecordedinaprofessionalstudio.Ifstudentswouldliketo
28
pursueothertypeslyricprojectsnotnotedabove,pleaseconsultwiththesupervisorinadvanceforconsideration.GraphicForms:Print
• Abstract• Fullscript(formattedtext),includingconcisedescriptionsofactionor
compositionofframeswhereneededforcomprehension• Thumbnailsfor20%ofthework• Samplefinishedartwork/inks,includingletteringandcolour(ifapplicable),for
5%ofthework• Listofsources(ifapplicable)
Web• Abstract• Fulldraftschematicorwireframe,incorporatingthumbnailsfor20%ofthework
Samplefinishedartwork/inks,includingletteringandcolour(ifapplicable),for5%ofthework
• Finishednavigationforthesampleartwork,preparedtospecificationssetinconsultationwiththesissupervisor
• Listofsources(ifapplicable)HybridForms:tobedeterminedinconsultationwiththesupervisorandGradChair.NewMedia:tobedeterminedinconsultationwiththesupervisorandGradChair.
ThesisCommitteeSelection TheMFAthesiscommitteeconsistsofasupervisorandasecondreader.Tenuredandtenure-trackfaculty(Professors,AssociateProfessors,andAssistantProfessors)and12MonthLecturersareavailableasboththesissupervisorsandsecondreaders.AdjunctsarenotavailabletositonthesiscommitteesexceptinexceptionalcircumstancesandwiththepermissionoftheChair.AvailablesupervisorswillbeidentifiedduringtheThesisSelectionprocess.ForstudentsintheMasterofArtsinChildren’sLiterature(MACL)Program,Prof.EmilyPohl-Weary,AlisonAcheson,orMaggiedeVrieswillactastheCreativeWritingthesissupervisor.ForstudentsintheMasterofFineArtsinCreativeWritingandTheatreProgram,Prof.BryanWadeactsastheCreativeWritingthesissupervisor. ForstudentsintheMasterofFineArtsinFilmProductionandCreativeWritingProgram,Prof.SharonMcGowanactsastheCreativeWritingthesissupervisor.
29
Thesisstudentswillmeetwiththeirentirethesiscommitteeattheoutsetofthethesisprocessandaminimumofonceannuallythereafteruntilthethesisiscomplete.However,thesecondreaderisnotexpectedtoreadthethesisuntilitiscompletedandreadytosubmittoGradStudies.Thepurposeofthisannualmeetingistokeepthe2ndreaderupdatedonthestudent’sprogressandtoadviseonpossibleavenuesofresearchandreading.Afterthesecondreaderhasreadthecompletedthesis,thesupervisororganizesathesismeetingwherethetwofacultymembersdiscussthethesiswiththestudent.ForOptionalResidencystudents,thismaytaketheformofateleconferencemeeting.
Note:Inexceptionalcircumstancesinwhichthethesisrequiresspecialexpertise,astudentmayrequestacommitteememberfromanotherdepartmentintheUniversity.InJanuaryoftheirfirstyearofstudy,oroftheyearinwhichstudentsplantobeginworkonthesis,studentscompleteanonlineThesisProposalForm,availableontheCreativeWritingProgramwebsite.Studentswillindicatethreechoicesforthesissupervisor.Whilestudentrequestsforsupervisorsaretakenintoconsideration,thesissupervisorworkloadmustbedistributedequitablyamongfacultymembers,andchoicesarenotguaranteed.Studentsoftenworkproductivelywithfacultywithwhomtheyhavenotyettakenacourse.Studentswho,aftercompletingtheThesisProposalForm,delaytheirthesisstartdatebeyondSeptemberwillneedtoreapplythefollowingJanuary.Oncethesissupervisorandcommitteestructurehavebeenassigned,studentsareinformedbytheGraduateChairregardingtheircommitteemake-upandtheGraduateStudentSupportstaffregistersstudentsforthesiswiththeselectedsupervisor.Asnotedabove,thethesisprojectshouldbecompletedwithin8to11months.Thecompositionofthesiscommitteescanbeguaranteedonlyforone6-creditperiod.Studentswhofindthattheyneedtotakelongerthanthisperiodtocompletetheirtheseswillinmostcasesretaintheirsupervisors,buttheirsecondreaderissubjecttochangetoensureanongoingequitabledistributionofthesiscommitteeworkamongstfaculty.
RightsandObligationsoftheStudentStudentssubmittheirThesisProposalFormnolaterthanMarch1tobeginthesisworkinMayorSeptember.Oncethethesissupervisorhasbeenassigned,GradStudiesrequiresthatthestudentandthesupervisorworktogethertodrawupasubmissionschedule,confirmingwhenthestudenthopestograduate,thenumberofcompletedraftsorindividualhand-insthesupervisorexpectstosee,submissiondeadlines,when
30
thestudentshouldexpectfeedback,etc.Bothstudentandthesissupervisorshouldhavecopiesofthisdocument.YoucanfindatemplateversionofthisdocumentontheGradStudieswebsite,here:https://www.grad.ubc.ca/current-students/supervision-advising.Studentsshoulddeviseaprojectthatcanfeasiblybecompletedintheequivalentofsixcoursecreditsworthofwork.Westronglyencouragestudentstodeveloptheirthesisoutofaprojectbeguninaworkshop,withtheunderstandingthatthethesisprocesswillinvolvesubstantialadditionalwork.However,studentsarenotpermittedtotakeacompletedprojectfromoneclassandsimplyconvertittoadifferentgenrefortheirthesis(forinstance,convertinganovellatoascreenplay).StudentswillcompleteannualreportseveryDecemberchartingtheirprogressontheirthesiswork.Thesissupervisorsmustsignoffonthesereports.Studentswhodonotsubmitthesisworktotheirsupervisorsinaccordancewiththeirmutuallyagreedschedulemaybereassigned.Iftherelationshipbetweenthestudentandthesupervisorisnolongerfunctional,orifthestudentfailstomakeprogressonthethesis,thestudentmayeitheraskorbeaskedtoswitchtoanotherthesissupervisor,withtheassistanceoftheGraduateChair.
Studentswillturntheirworkinontime.Ifastudentsubmitslateorisexperiencingdifficultieswiththeirwork,theycommunicatethistotheirsupervisorassoonaspossible,andadjustmentstotheschedulearemadeaccordingly.Exceptinexceptionalcircumstances,studentsdonotswitchtheirthesisprojectoncethethesisprocesshasbegun.ItistheresponsibilityofthestudenttokeeptheGraduateStudentSupportstaffuptodateonproposedandconfirmedgraduationdates.
RightsandObligationsoftheSupervisorThesupervisorinformsthestudentinatimelymannerofthedatefortheirfirstthesismeeting,andwillatthatinitialmeetingdrawupaschedule,incollaborationwiththestudent,outliningexpectationsanddeadlines.Exceptinextraordinarycircumstances,thesupervisorwillreadthestudent’scompletemanuscripttwice,aswellas(inthecaseofscreenandTVwriting)theprecedingtreatmentoroutlinedocument,andwillreturnfeedbackinatimelymanner,suchthatthestudentwillhavetimetoincorporatethatfeedbackintotheirrevisions.Forproseforms,thefirstreadwillbeforholistic/structural(macro)feedback,thesecondreadforsubstantivecommentsrelatedtostyleandlineedits(micro).Supervisorsmayread
31
thethesisonelasttimeinpreparationforthefinalmeetingofthethesiscommittee,butwillnotprovideathirdroundofcomments.Supervisorandstudentwillconsultaccordingtogenreguidelineslistedabove.Monthlyemailcheck-insarerecommended,butsupervisorshavefinaldiscretiononthefrequencyofmeetings.Theagreed-uponscheduleissetforthinwritingattheinitialthesismeeting.ThethesissupervisornotifiesthesecondreaderregardingstudentgraduationdeadlinesandsendsacopyofthestudentthesisapproximatelysixweeksinadvanceofthedaterequiredtosubmitthethesistotheFacultyofGraduateandPostdoctoralStudies.Thethesissupervisorschedulesthethesiscommitteemeetingtosuitallparties,organizingremoteattendancewherenecessary.
SampleSchedulesPleasenotethateachfacultymemberandeachstudentmayagreeuponadifferentprocess.Thesesampleschedulesaremerelythat–samples.Yoursupervisorandyourprojectmayrequireadifferentprocessandtimelineforhand-insandrevision.Sampleschedule:SeptembertoApril(8months)
• studenthasclosetoacompleteroughdraftinhandinSeptember.• 1stthesissupervisorfeedback:October1• 2nddraft:December15• 2ndthesissupervisorfeedback:January15• 3rddrafttothesiscommitteemember:March1• thesiscommitteemeetingMarch21• submissiontoFacultyofGraduateandPostdoctoralStudies:April,forMay
graduationSampleschedule:MaytoApril(11months)
• studenthasworkinpreliminaryforminMay• studentandsupervisorconsultasneededwhilefirstdraftiscompleted• 1stthesissupervisorfeedbackonfull1stdraft:October1• 2nddraft:December1• 2ndthesissupervisorfeedback:January1• 3rddrafttothesiscommitteemember:March1• thesiscommitteemeetingMarch21• submissiontoFacultyofGraduateandPostdoctoralStudies:April,forMay
Graduation
32
SampleSchedule:SeptembertoAugust(11months)• studenthas4shortstories,anoutlineand2chapters,ora1hourseriesconcept
inSeptember• studentandsupervisorconsultasneededwhilethefirstdraftiswritten• 1stthesissupervisorfeedbackon1stdraft:Feb1• 2nddraft:March1• 2ndthesissupervisorfeedback:April1• 3rddrafttothesiscommitteemember:July1• thesiscommitteemeetingJuly15• submissiontoFacultyofGraduateandPostdoctoralStudies:endofAugustfor
NovembergraduationStudentsandsupervisorsmustagreeonathesisprojectwhichcanreasonablybeaccomplishedwithintheexpectedtimeframe. Thesupervisor’sjobisnottocopyedit.Thestudentcanexpectbroadcommentsonstructure,character,andotheraspectsofcraftandgenerallyonthesecondread,amorefine-grainedlookatthework.Itisnotthethesissupervisor’sresponsibilitytocorrecttypos,grammar,punctuation,orproblematicstylistictics.Theinstructorpointstheseoutonceortwice,andexpectsthestudenttotakeontheburdenofcorrectingtherest.Thesupervisorshouldtakenomorethanonemonthtorespondtoafullmanuscript.
ObligationsofSecondReadersSecondreadersdonotreviewthethesisuntiltheprojectiscompleted.Theyprovideahelpfulsecondlookatthemanuscriptandarenotrequiredtoprovideatextedit;rather,theymayprovidesomehigh-levelnotes.ThestudenthasnoobligationtorevisebasedonsecondreadercommentspriortosubmittingthethesistotheFacultyofGraduateandPostdoctoralStudies.Thesisstudentswillmeetattheoutsetofthethesisprocessandaminimumofonceannuallythereafterwiththeirentirethesiscommitteeuntilthethesisiscomplete.However,thesecondreaderisnotexpectedtoreadthethesisuntilitiscompletedandreadytosubmittoGradStudies.Thepurposeofthisannualmeetingistokeepthe2ndreaderupdatedonthestudent’sprogressandtoadviseonpossibleavenuesofresearchandreading.Afterthesecondreaderhasreadthecompletedthesis,thesupervisororganizesathesismeetingwherethetwofacultymembersdiscussthethesiswiththestudent.ForOptionalResidencystudents,thismaytaketheformofateleconferencemeeting.
33
NEW:RubricforThesisCompletion:WhenisMyThesis“Done”?WhoDecides?UBCCreativeWriting’sreputationrestsonthehighstandardsitexpectsofbothitsfacultyandstudents.Thosestandardsincludeoriginality,excellence,familiaritywithanddemonstrationofindustryandacademicstandards,rigor,professionalethics,andconsistency.TheCRWRprogramwillnotapprovethesesthatdonotmeetthesestandards.Pleaseusethetablebelowtotrackyourthesisprogress.BeadvisedthatneitheryoursupervisornortheprogramwillnotsignoffonyourthesisuntileachelementisComplete/ReadytoSubmit.Intheeventofadisagreementbetweenstudentandsupervisor/committee,theGradChairand/ortheProgramChairwillmediate.TheCRWRprogramhasthefinalsayonwhetherathesisisreadytosubmittoGradStudiesandwhetherastudenthaswrittenathesisworthyofgraduation.Thesescannotberushedtocompletionforanyofthefollowingreasons:
• Financialdifficulty• Writer’sblockorlossofinterestintheproject• Anopportunity(suchasanewjob)requiringthestudenttofinishtheirprogram
fasterthananticipatedIfyouarefacingfinancialhardship,healthstruggles,oranyothersignificantissues,theUniversityhasmanyhelpfulresources.Pleasespeakwithyourthesisadvisor,theGradChair,ortheProgramChairformoreinformation.Theseswillnotbeadvancedtothefinalcommitteeiftheyareunformatted,ungrammatical,unedited,and/orunrevised.NB:It’simportanttounderstandthedistinctionbetweenathesisandapublishableorproduciblework.Wefullyexpectthatyouwillcontinuetoworkonyourthesisaftergraduationinthehopesoftakingittopublication.Thesissupervisorswilllikelyrefertoeditorialstandardsfromindustry,buttheywillnotedityourworkintheconventionalsense.Theirjobistoteachyoutoedityourownwork,inpreparationforentryintotheprofession.Norwillyourthesissupervisorbeexpectedtoactasyouragent,connectingyoutopublishersorproducersorotherwise“gettingyourworkpublished”foryou.Onlyyou,asthewriter,canaccomplishthatgoalbywritingtheverybestworkyoucan.
34
THESISREADINESSRUBRIC
NotYet InProgress Complete/Ready
toSubmitAbstract TableofContents Title Formattedtoindustrystandards(whererelevant,ex.screenforms)
Projecthasaclearnarrativetrajectory,whethercompleteorpartial.
Projectiscoherentnarrativelyandstylistically(ie.neithersketchy,rambling,sloppy,nordisjointed)
Projectshowsevidenceofappropriateresearch
Projectshowsstylisticpolish
Projectincludesthekeyelementsofthegenreasagreed-uponbythestudentandsupervisor(LIST)
Projectshowsimprovementthroughrevision
35
ThesisSubmission&FormattingAsforinstructionsonelectronicthesissubmission,allthesedetailscanbefoundontheCRWRFORUMundertheThesisthread:ThesisPreparationGuide:2019+.Pleaseensureyoucarefullyviewtheentirevideotoavoidmissingpertinentdetails.Pleasenotethatyoucansubmityourthesisassoonasitiscomplete;youdoNOThavetowaituntilthedeadline.TheFacultyofGraduateandPostdoctoralStudiesishappytopre-reviewformattingofyourthesisbeforefinalsubmissiontoensurethatyou'reontherighttrack.Pleaseseelinkforinstructions:https://www.grad.ubc.ca/current-students/dissertation-thesis-preparation/pre-reviews
WhoCanAccessMyThesisAfterSubmission?UBCLibraryhasdevelopedasystemthatwillallowstudentsinMFAandMMusdegreeprogramstosubmittheirtheseselectronicallytoaspecialsecureaccesscollectionincIRcle:“ElectronicThesesandDissertationsinCreativeArts,2017+(CWLACCESS)”.ThiscollectionhasbeenspecificallycreatedsothatMFAandMMustheseswillbepermanentlywithheldfromgeneralpublicaccess.OnlyindividualswhohaveaCampus-WideLogin(CWL)canaccessthiscollection.StudentsinMFAandMMusdegreeprogramswillbeabletochooseeithertosubmittothisspecialcollectionortosubmittotheregular(public)collectionofelectronicthesesanddissertations.Wedonotrecommendyousubmittothepubliccollection,asyourthesiswillbeavailabletothegeneralpublic.Submissionswillbereviewedasusual,andstudentswillbenotifiediftheirsubmissionrequirescorrectionbeforeitcanbeapproved.PublicationDelayIfyouwanttorequestadelayinpublicationofyourthesis,youmustdothisbeforeyousubmitelectronically.SeeHowtoRequestaDelayinPublication(https://www.grad.ubc.ca/currentstudents/final-dissertation-thesis-submission/how-request-publication-delay)forinstructions.Youmustprovideastrongrationaleforyourrequest.Pleasebeadvisedthat,ifapproved,adelayinpublicationlastsoneyear,withthepossibilityofafurtherone-yearrenewalatthestudent’srequest.ItisNOTanindefinitebanonpublication.Studentsshouldtaketheaccessibilityoftheirsubmittedthesesintoaccountwhendecidingontheprojecttheywishtoundertake.
36
LeavesofAbsenceOn-campusstudentswhofinditnecessarytointerrupttheirMFAprogramshouldconsultwiththeGraduateChairregardingapossibleleaveofabsence.ImportantNote:StudentsintheOptionalResidencystreamoftheProgrampayonacourse/credit-fee(non-installment)andthereforearenoteligibleforleavesofabsence.OptionalResidencystudentsrequiringatermoffmaysimplynotregisterforanycourses;howeverthetimeoffdoescounttowardstheirfive-yearmaximumdegreecompletionlimit.NotealsothatOptionalResidencystudentsmustregisterforcoursesintheirfirstyearofstudyorrisklosingstudentstatus.Inacasewherealeavewouldberequiredatthestartofaprogram,studentsmaydeferacceptanceforoneyear.ForthefulltextonUniversitypolicyfollowthelinkat:https://www.grad.ubc.ca/faculty-staff/policies-procedures/leave-status
37
GraduateStudentEmploymentOpportunities
TeachingAssistantPositionsCreativeWritingoffersnumerouspartialgraduateTeachingAssistantpositionsformostofourlarge-formatlectureundergraduateclasses.
TAFAQFormoreinformation,pleaseseeourstudent-facingwebsiteat:https://crwr.air.arts.ubc.ca/teaching-assistants/ta-faq/
WorkLearnPositionsStudentsmaybeeligibleforWorkLearnemploymenton-campusinavarietyofjobstoamaximumof10hoursperweekandearnbetween$3,000and$6,000fortheWinterSession(SeptembertoApril).WorkLearnisopentoallUBCstudents.PositionsvarybutareoftenavailablefortheLocutionreadingseries,webandsocialmedialiaisonandotherpositions.TherearemanyWorkLearnpositionsavailableacrosscampus;students(includinginternationalstudents)shouldrefertothewebsite:http://students.ubc.ca/career/campus-experiences/work-learnWorkLearnpositionsintheCreativeWritingProgramaredependentuponthebudgetaryprioritiesoftheunitandchangefromyeartoyear.Thesamepositionsarenotnecessarilyofferedeveryyear.Eligibility:WorkLearnpositionswiththeCreativeWritingprogramareopentobothundergraduateandgraduatestudents.Amonggraduatestudents,thoseinthefirstandsecondyearoftheirstudyareprioritizedforWorkLearnpositions,andstudentsholdthesepositionsforoneyearonly,exceptinexceptionalcircumstances.WithaviewtothepromotionofanequitabledistributionofstudentsupportintheProgram,unlesstherearenootherapplicants,applicationswillnotbeacceptedfromgraduatestudentswho:
• havecompletedtheircourseworkandareonlyworkingonthesis.• havebeenhiredforsignificantlymoreTA-shipsorworklearnpositionsthanthe
otherapplicants.
38
• havereceivedorareexpectedtoreceivesignificantlymorefundingthantheotherapplicants.
• havepreviouslyheldthesameworklearnposition.Studentswhoarebeyondsecondyear,orwhohavepreviouslyheldthesameWorkLearnpositionwillbeconsideredonlyintheeventthattherearenootherviableapplicants.
PRISMinternationalPRISMinternationalisWesternCanada’soldestliterarymagazine,andispublishedoutofUBC’sCreativeWritingProgram.ProspectivePRISMeditorsapplyforthepositionsandarehiredduringtheFallsemester(forpositionsstartingMay,2020,forexample,theselectionprocesstakesplaceinFall2019).Prospectiveeditorsmust,ataminimum,joinoneofPRISM’seditorialboardsatthebeginningoftheschoolyear.Furtherinvolvementwiththeproduction,distribution,andpromotionofPRISMisalsostronglyencouraged.ExamplesofsuchinvolvementincludevolunteeringatPRISMevents(WordontheStreet,issuelaunches,mail-out,etc.),andcontributingonlinecontentforPRISM’swebsite(reviews,interviews,etc.).Editorialpositionsarenormallyheldforoneyearonly.FormoreinformationaboutPRISM,pleasevisitthewebsite(http://prismmagazine.ca/)orcontactoneoftheeditors,atprose@prismmagazine.caorpoetry@prismmagazine.ca.Forjobapplications,contactPRISMFacultyAdvisor,SharonMcGowanatsharon.mcgowan@ubc.ca
BraveNewPlayRites–ProducersandStageManagerBraveNewPlayRitesisanannualnewplayfestivalproducedbyUBCCreativeWritingthatshowcasesshortscriptswrittenbyBFAandMFAplaywritingstudents.TheFestivalfeaturesbothfullproductions(approx.10plays)andastagedreadingseries(15+plays).Inrecentyears,BraveNewPlayRiteshasrunoff-campusatStudio1398onGranvilleIslandinMarch.BraveNewPlayRiteshirestwotofourWorkLearnpositionseachyear:oneProduceranduptothreeAssociateProducers,subjecttoannualbudget.ProducersrunallaspectsofthefestivalinconsultationwiththeFacultyAdvisor(s)–i.e.,manageproductionbudget;coordinateandfacilitatecasting;selectandsupervisedirectors,designersandtechnicians;overseefestivaldesign,stagemanagementandtechnicalrequirements;providedramaturgicalsupportforthestagedreadingseries;coordinatepublicity,
39
websiteandsocialmediapresence;andcoordinateboxofficeandfront-of-house.Previoustheatreorotherproductionexperienceisassetbutnotrequired.PleasecontactBryanWadeforfurtherinformation:bwade@mail.ubc.cahttp://bravenew.ca/
StageWrites–CoordinatorStagesWritesisareadingseriesdedicatedtopromotingtheworkofstudentplaywrightsintheoncampusBFAandMFACreativeWritingProgram(aswellastheonlineMFAResidencyProgram).TheReadingSeriesfeaturesreadingsofsceneswrittenbythestudentswhichwillbepresentedwithactors,aswellasaHeadlineGuestReader(forexample,analumniwhoisaprofessionalplaywrightoraprofessionalplaywrightfromVancouveroracrossthecountry).TheCreativeWritingStageWrites(CWSW)CoordinatorwillberesponsibleforprogrammingtheReadingSeries,thegoalbeingtomaintainabalancebetweenundergraduateandgraduatestudentsforeachevent.TheCWSWCoordinatorwillalsoberesponsibleforbookingthevenues,coordinatingwithactorsforthereadingevent,makingcopiesofthestudents’scripts,aswellasbookingandfacilitatingtheinvolvementofaHeadlineGuestReader.PleasecontactBryanWadeforfurtherinformation:bwade@mail.ubc.ca.
NewShoots-Coordinator&StudentInstructorsNewShootsisaprograminwhichMFAsgainteachingexperiencebyinstructingjuniorandseniorhighschoolstudentsinCreativeWriting.OneMFAstudentwillbehiredthroughtheWorkLearnprogramtocoordinateNewShootsand10-15studentswillbehiredasInstructors/Mentors.StudentInstructors/Mentorsarepaidanominalhonorarium,fundedbyboththeVancouverSchoolBoardandtheCreativeWritingProgram.Studentsinvolvedintheprogramarematchedwiththeschools;eacharementoredbythehighschoolteachers.ApublicreadingandannualpublicationoftheNewShootsanthologyofselectedstudentworkoccursinJune.PleasecontactEmilyPohl-Weary,AssistantProfessor,forfurtherinformation:e.pohl-weary@ubc.ca
40
CWSAChairTheCreativeWritingStudentAssociation(CWSA)isanumbrellaorganizationwhichservestorepresenttheneedsandconcernsofCreativeWritingBFAandMFAstudentstoCreativeWritingfacultyandstaffandtotheUniversity.TheCWSAChairprovidesadvocacyandrepresentationonbehalfofthesestudentsandenhancestheirexperienceintheCreativeWritingprogramthroughtheplanningofcommunity-orientedevents.ThespecificdutiesoftheCWSAChairareasfollows:toserveasliaisontofacultyanduniversitystaff;toattendfacultymeetingsandsharerelevantinformationwithotherstudents;toorganizeandchairCWSAmeetings;toorganizestudentandprogrameventssuchasmonthlystudentreadings;tomanagevolunteers;andtorespondtoqueriesfromprospectivestudents.Formoreinformation,contactAlixOhlin:alix.ohlin@ubc.ca.
41
GraduateStudentScholarshipandAwardOpportunitiesFull-timeMFAstudentsintheCreativeWritingProgramareeligibleforavarietyofscholarships,awardsandbursaries.Full-timestatusisdeterminedbyUBCforfundingpurposesas12creditsofcoursework(6creditsperterm)inthefall/winterterm.MostinternalscholarshipsarebasedonstudentGPAinCreativeWritingcourses.Studentsmustenrollinaminimumof12creditsofcourses(6creditsperterm)inthefall/wintersessioninordertobeeligibletoreceiveyear-endCreativeWritingProgramawardsandGraduateSupportInitiative(GSI)awards.
GraduateEntranceScholarshipsIncomingfull-timeMFAstudents,domesticandinternational,areeligibleforthesescholarships.Thesescholarships,alsoknownastheFacultyofArtsGraduateAward,arefundedbytheGraduateSupportInitiative(GSI)andareapplieddirectlytostudenttuitioninthefall/winterterm.Studentsarenotrequiredtoapply.Thesescholarshipsrangefrom$500-$2500.
GraduateSupportInitiativeScholarshipsFull-timestudentsenteringthesecondyearoftheMFA,domesticandinternational,maybeeligibleforthesescholarships.ThesescholarshipsarefundedbytheGraduateSupportInitiative(GSI)andareapplieddirectlytostudenttuition.Studentsarenotrequiredtoapply.Thesescholarshipsrangefrom$500-$2000.
InternationalTuitionAwardsFornon-Canadianon-campusstudents:studentsareautomaticallyconsideredfor$3,200.00CDNinawardsforthefirstandsecondyearsoffull-timestudy.Pleaseseethewebsiteforimportantdetails.https://www.grad.ubc.ca/awards/international-tuition-awardOptionalResidencystudentsarenoteligibleforInternationalTuitionAwards.
42
CGS-Master’sSSHRCAwardTheCGS-Master’sSSHRC(SocialSciencesandHumanitiesResearchCouncil)awardsaretheprimarysourceofmajorfundingforCanadianMFAstudentsintheirfirstyeartosupporttheirsecondyearofstudy.Awardsare$17,500(CDN).UBC,asalargeresearchinstitution,isallottedapproximately86Master’sSSHRCsintheSocialSciencesandHumanities.TheCreativeWritingProgramhashadagoodrecordofreceivingawardseachyear.AllcurrentfirstyearMFAswithaminimumfirstclassstanding(usually80%,A-,orhigher)ineachofthelasttwoyearsoffull-timestudyarestronglyencouragedtoapply.HoldersofSSHRCAwardsarealsoencouragedtoapplyfortravelsupplementfunds(affiliatedwithaninternationalUniversity)ofupto$6,000fortravelrelatedtotheirresearch.TheSSHRCCommitteecoordinatesstudentapplications.Itishelpfulforstudentstothinkaboutapotentialresearchthesisprojectintheirgenreofchoice.TwoacademicrefereesfromwithintheCreativeWritingProgramorfromthestudent’sundergraduateprogramwillbenecessary,aswellasaCanadianCommonCVadaptedfortheSSHRCcompetition.AnorientationmeetingregardingtheSSHRCprocesstakesplaceinSeptembereachyear.Faculty/administrativementorsforwillbeannouncedthen,aswellasstudentmentorsfromamongtheranksofthepreviousyear’ssuccessfulcandidates.
AffiliatedFellowshipsInternationalstudentsareeligibleforAffiliatedFellowships.TheFacultyofGraduate+Post-doctoralStudiesoffersapproximately50AffiliatedFellowshipseachyeartomeritoriousstudentsforfull-timestudyand/orresearchleadingtoagraduatedegree.Awardsaremadeonthebasisofacademicexcellenceandparallel,toagreatextent,thecriteriaoftheCGS-Master’sSSHRCAward;withthedifferencethatapplicantsforAffiliatedScholarshipsmustbepursuingafirstgraduatedegree.Opentocurrentandprospectivefull-timeUBCgraduatestudentsregardlessofcitizenshiporvisastatus.Averages$16,000(CDN).Pleaseseethelinkfordetails:https://www.grad.ubc.ca/awards/affiliated-fellowshipsInternationalstudentsarenoteligibletoapplyforSSHRCAwards.
43
IndigenousStudentAwards
AboriginalGraduateFellowshipUBCoffersmulti-yearfellowshipstoMaster’sAboriginalstudents.Awardwinnersareselectedonthebasisofacademicmeritthroughanannualcompetition,administeredbytheFacultyofGraduateandPostdoctoralStudiesinconsultationwiththeFirstNationsHouseofLearning.Approximatelyadozennewfellowshipsareofferedeachyearintheamountof$16,175CDNplustuitionforMaster’sstudents.Pleasecheckthewebsiteforimportantdetails:https://www.grad.ubc.ca/awards/aboriginal-graduate-fellowships
AboriginalGraduateFellowshipBridgeFunding:TheFacultyofGraduateandPostdoctoralStudieswillmatchfundsprovidedbygraduateprogramstosupportMaster’sstudentsregisteredatUBC-Vancouver.ThisfundingisintendedtosupportstudentsuntiltheycanapplyforthenextregularAboriginalGraduateFellowshipcompetition.Awardwinnersareselectedonthebasisofacademicmerit.AllAboriginalstudentsareeligibletoapplybutpriorityisgiventoAboriginalgraduatestudentswhosetraditionalterritoryfalls,atleastinpart,withinCanada.ThisincludesCanadianFirstNations,MétisorInuitstudentsandmayincludeAboriginalstudentsfromAlaskaandthenorthernstatesoftheUSA.Pleasecheckthewebsiteforotherimportantdetails:https://www.grad.ubc.ca/awards/aboriginal-graduate-fellowship-bridge-funding
StudentLoansandBursariesCanadianstudentloansaregovernment-fundedrepayablefinancialassistance.Eligibilityisdeterminedbyastandardmeanstest.Studentsarerequiredtoapplyforstudentloansthroughtheirprovinceofresidence.SeetheUBCStudentServiceswebsitehttps://students.ubc.ca/enrolment/finances/student-loansforfurtherinformation.Non-Canadianstudentsshouldinquireintheircountryofresidenceregardingstudentloans.UBCalsooffersbursariestostudentswhohavestudentloans.GeneralbursariesareavailabletoallUBCstudentsaswellasafewdesignatedspecificallyforCreativeWritingstudents.SeetheUBCStudentServiceswebsite:https://students.ubc.ca/enrolment/finances/awards-scholarships-bursariesPleasenotethaton-campusMFAsarealsoeligibleforbursariesandloanstocoverthesummertermastheyareenrolledoverthesummer.
44
OtherGraduateAwardsTheAwardsChairfrequentlypostsnoticesofscholarships,fellowships,andcompetitionsontheCreativeWritingForum.TheFacultyofGraduateandPostdoctoralStudieswebsitealsoliststhese:https://www.grad.ubc.ca/scholarships-awards-funding
CreativeWritingEndowedAwardsCreativeWritingoffersapproximately22dedicatedawards,scholarshipsandprizesrangingfromapproximately$100-$2500.Theseareawardedannuallytobothundergraduatesandgraduatesattheendoftheirfirstyearofstudy.Allawardsarebasedonmerit,whichiscalculatedbasedonstudentGPAs.Pleasenotethatallfirst-yearMFAscontinuingintosecondyearareautomaticallyconsideredfortheseawardsanddonothavetoapply.Awardsareannouncedinlatesummerorearlyfall.
TheHarperCollinsUBCPrizeinFictionThisbiennialprizeisawardedtoastudentorgraduateofourprogram.Thewinner’sworkoffiction(novelorshortstorycollections)isrepresentedbytheCookeAgencyandpublished(withanadvance)byHarperCollinsCanada.Applicationdetailsareprovidedonourwebsite.https://creativewriting.ubc.ca/about/prize-for-best-new-fiction/
BritishColumbiaArtsCouncil–ScholarshipAwardsProgramUpto$6,000forfull-timestudentsenteringfirstorsecondyearoftheMFA.Applicantsshoulddemonstrateafirst-classstandinginliterarycourses.PreferencewillbegiventoapplicantswhohaveresidedinBritishColumbiaforatleastoneyearpriortoapplication.Artistsestablishedasprofessionalintheirfieldarenoteligibleforassistance.DeadlineeachyearinApril.Requireslettersofappraisal.http://www.bcartscouncil.ca/guidelines/artists/youth/scholarship_awards.html
GraduateFunding:ConferencesTheG&PSGraduateStudentTravelFundoffersreimbursementupto$500maximumpergraduatestudentperdegreeprogram.TheTravelFundprovidessupportforagraduatestudentwhopresentsapaperorposteratanofficialconferenceorsymposium(studentworkshopsareineligible).Pleaseseethewebsiteforfurtherdetails.https://www.grad.ubc.ca/awards/graduate-student-travel-fund
45
LiteraryandCommunityEngagementTheCreativeWritingProgramsponsorsLocution,anMFAReadingserieswhichtakesplacethroughouttheacademicyear.TheBFAReadingseries,OutWrite,whichalsofeaturesguestartists,takesplacethroughouttheacademicyear.TheCreativeWritingProgramisofteninvolvedinorganizingeventswiththeVancouverWritersFestival,Word(Vancouver),theAssociationofWritersandWritingPrograms(AWP)ConferenceandtheCanadianCreativeWritersandWritingPrograms(CCWWP)Conference.TheGraduateReadings,inNovemberandMay,featureMFAstudentsreadingfromtheirthesiswithanintroductionbytheirsupervisor,andBFAgraduatesintroducedbytheirinstructors.ChecktheCreativeWritingForumandtheUBCMFAFacebookGroupforongoingeventannouncements.http://forum.creativewriting.ubc.ca/https://www.facebook.com/groups/249668011813602/
46
UBCServices
StudentswithDisabilitiesAdmittedstudentswithdisabilitiesfromeithertheOptionalResidencyorOnCampusstreamswillbeaccommodatedinaccordancewithUBC’spolicyonAcademicAccommodationforStudentswithDisabilities:http://universitycounsel.ubc.ca/policies/policy73.pdf.Asstatedinthepolicy,theprovisionofacademicaccommodationsdoesnoteliminatetheneedforevaluationortheneedtomeetessentiallearningoutcomes.Studentsseekingacademicaccommodationduetoadisabilitymust:
• ContactaDisabilityAdvisorwiththeCentreforAccessibilityifrequestingdisability-relatedaccommodations,
• ProvidethenecessarydocumentationtotheCentreforAccessibility(theUniversitydoesnotprovideorassumethecostofdiagnosticservices),and
• Bringtherequestforacademicaccommodationorforchangesinaccommodationneedstotheattentionoftheappropriatepersonnelinordertoallowforarrangementsofaccommodations.Thiscontactshouldbemadewellinadvanceofthestartoftheprogram,atleast3monthsbefore,andideallyimmediatelyuponacceptanceintotheprogram.
StudentswhohavequestionsaboutassistivetechnologiesshouldcontactUBCCentreforAccessibility:https://students.ubc.ca/about-student-services/centre-for-accessibility.AdvisorsfromtheCentreforAccessibilitymayconferwithstudentseitherinpersonorviaphone,e-mail,orSkype.Pleasecontacttheoffice,ratherthananyoneindividual.
HousingTheFacultyofGraduateandPostdoctoralStudies(FG&PS)offerstwograduateresidentialcolleges:GreenCollege:https://www.greencollege.ubc.caSt.John’sCollege:http://stjohns.ubc.caBothcollegesprovideastimulatingacademicandculturalenvironmentforgraduatestudents,post-doctoralfellowsandvisitingscholars.GreenCollegeisa5-minutewalktoBuchananEandSt.John’sCollegeis15minutesaway.Bothcollegesofferscholarshipfunding;applyforresidenceassoonaspossibleasspaceislimitedandcompetitive.StudentHousing&ConferencesDepartmentwww.housing.ubc.ca(604)822-2811(singlestudent)or(604)822-4411(familyhousing)
47
ForanoverviewofcampusandVancouverhousing:https://www.grad.ubc.ca/campus-community/life-vancouver-canada/accommodation-housingNote:unlessotherwisenoted,itisassumedthatthefollowingservicesareforstudentsattendingtheon-campusMFAProgram.
MedicalandWellnessPleasereviewtheinformationprovidedattheFacultyofGraduateandPostdoctoralStudies:https://www.grad.ubc.ca/campus-community/life-vancouver-canada/insuranceHealthandDentalPlanInformationfordomesticandinternationalstudents:http://gss.ubc.ca/main/services/health-dental/http://students.ubc.ca/livewell/health-insuranceNote:OptionalResidencystudentsnotlivinginBCmaybeeligibleforUBChealth&DentalinsuranceaslongastheyarelivinginCanada.SincethisisnotautomaticallyaddedtoOptionalResidencystudentfees,studentswouldhavetooptin.Registrationinformationishere:http://studentcare.caStudentHealthServiceM334-2211WesbrookMallMainFloorUBCHospital/KoernerPavilion(604)822-7011SHSisaprimarycareclinicofferingallservicesprovidedbyafamilydoctor.Theyalsoofferwell-womancare,includingcontraception,immunizations,sportsmedicineandreferralstopsychiatry,dermatology,medicalcareforeatingdisordersandplasticsurgery.SHSisfreeforstudentswithhealthinsurance.Mostservicesarecoveredbyprovincialhealthinsurance.
CounselingServices1040BrockHall-1874EastMall(acrossthestreetfromBuchananBlockE)andLowerMallResearchStation,2259LowerMallRoom358(604)822-3811http://students.ubc.ca/livewell/services/counselling-servicesCounselingservicesoffersindividualandgroupprogramsforregisteredUBCstudents.Individualcounselingisfree.Initialappointmentscanbemadebyvisitingtheoffice.Counselingservicesmayreferstudentstoaninternalserviceelsewhereoncampus,ortoservicesinthecommunity.Groupcounselingincludesanxietymanagement,mood
48
management,self-managementandmeditation.Counselingservicesprovideimmediateappointmentsforstudentsincrisis.Online/phone/video-basedcounsellingisalsoavailable24/7via‘EmpowerMe’.ThisisaccessibletoOptionalResidencystudents:http://www.studentcare.ca/rte/en/UniversityofBritishColumbiaAMSGSS_EmpowerMe_EmpowerMe
CentreforAccessibility1203BrockHall,1874EastMallhttp://students.ubc.ca/about/accessDoyouhaveanongoingmedicalconditionordisabilitythatimpactsyouraccesstocampusactivities?Didyoureceiveacademicorotherdisability-relatedaccommodationsatanothereducationalinstitution?TheCentreforAccessiblityfacilitatesdisability-relatedaccommodationsandprogramminginitiativesdesignedtoremovebarriersforstudentswithdisabilitiesandongoingmedicalconditions.
WellnessCentreIrvingK.BarberLearningCentre1961EastMallRoom183(604)822-8450http://students.ubc.ca/livewell/services/wellness-centreThewellnesscentreisrunbystudentvolunteersandoffersavarietyofservicestopromotementalandphysicalhealth.Theseincludeworkshopsandevents,peersupportregardinghealthandwell-beingandsafersexproductsofferedatcost.
SexualViolencePrevention&Responsehttps://svpro.ubc.ca/6363AgronomyRoad,ROOM4061Vancouver,BCCanadaV6T1T2(604)822-1588Thisofficeisasafeplaceforfaculty,staffandstudentswhohaveexperiencedsexualassaultregardlessofidentity,expressionororientation,regardlessofwhenorwhereittookplace.
49
UBCCreativeWritingAcademicRegulations
AcademicGrievance
TheProgramhopesthateachinstructorandeachstudentinacoursewillworktogetherharmoniously,buthasasetofproceduresaimedatresolvinganydifficulty,shoulditarise,whileprotectingandbeingfairtobothstudentsandinstructors.
Campus-widepoliciesandregulationscanbefoundhere:http://www.calendar.ubc.ca/vancouver/index.cfm?tree=3,0,0,0
TheProgram’sEquityrepresentativefacultycanhelpprovidestudentswithinformationaboutacademicpoliciesandprotocolswithintheProgramandUBC.
SexualHarassmentandDiscriminationUBChasaresponsibilitytomaintainarespectfulenvironmentwhereitsmemberscanstudy,work,andlivefreefromsexualmisconduct.UBC’sSexualAssaultandOtherSexualMisconductpolicyarticulatesUBC’sdutyandcommitmenttosupportmembersoftheUBCcommunitywhoareimpactedbysexualmisconduct,toprovideacentralsiteforinformationregardingtheresourcesandoptionsavailabletothoseaffectedbysexualmisconduct,tocreateandmakeavailableprogramsandresourcestoeducateitscommunityonthepreventionofsexualmisconduct,andtoprovideaprocesstorespondtoandtoinvestigateallegationsofsexualmisconduct.http://universitycounsel.ubc.ca/policies/policy131.pdf
ResourcesStudentswhohaveconcernsaboutEquity,RespectfulEnvironment,orHarassmentandDiscriminationareencouragedtocontacttheProgramChair,theEquityandInclusionOffice(https://equity.ubc.ca/),theOfficeoftheVice-President,Students(https://vpstudents.ubc.ca/),ortheOfficeoftheOmbudspersonforStudents(https://ombudsoffice.ubc.ca/).TheUBCSexualViolencePreventionandResponseOffice(https://svpro.ubc.ca/)isasafeandconfidentialspaceforallmembersoftheUBCcommunity.TheCreativeWritingProgram’sEquityrepresentativescanassiststudentswithinformationaboutproceduresandresources.PleasecontactSharonMcGowan:Sharon.McGowan@ubc.caandKeithMaillard:maillard@mail.ubc.ca.
50
AcademicDiscipline
ThePresidentoftheUniversityhastherightundertheUniversityAct(Section58)totakewhateverdisciplinaryactionisdeemedtobewarrantedbyastudent’smisconduct.ThespecificprovisionsastoOffences,PenaltiesandProcedureswhicharesetoutonthefollowingpagesshouldnotbeconstruedaslimitingthegeneralauthorityofthePresidentundertheUniversityAct.
Offences
Misconductsubjecttopenaltyincludes,butisnotlimitedto,thefollowingoffences:
1.Plagiarism.Plagiarismisaformofacademicmisconductinwhichanindividualsubmitsorpresentstheworkofanotherpersonastheirown.Scholarshipquiteproperlyrestsuponexaminingandreferringtothethoughtsandwritingofothers.However,whenexcerptsareusedinparagraphsoressays,theauthormustbeacknowledgedthroughfootnotesorotheracceptedpractices.
Substantialplagiarismexistswhenthereisnorecognitiongiventotheauthorforphrases,sentences,andideasoftheauthorincorporatedinanessay.
Completeplagiarismexistswhenanentireessayiscopiedfromanauthor,orcomposedbyanotherperson,andpresentedasoriginalwork.(Studentsindoubtastowhatconstitutesacaseofplagiarismshouldconsulttheirinstructor.)
2.Submittingthesameessay,presentation,orassignmentforcreditinmorethanonecourse,unlesspriorapprovalhasbeenobtained.
3.Cheatingonanexaminationorfalsifyingmaterialsubjecttoacademicevaluation.
4.Impersonatingacandidateatanexaminationoravailingoneselfoftheresultsofsuchimpersonation.
5.Submittingfalserecordsorinformation,inwritingororally,orfailingtoproviderelevantorrequestedinformation,atthetimeofadmissionorreadmissiontotheUniversity.
6.Falsifyingorsubmittingfalsedocuments,transcriptsorotheracademiccredentials.
7.Disruptinginstructionalactivities,includingmakingitdifficulttoproceedwithscheduledlectures,seminars,etc.,andwithexaminationsandtests.
8.Damaging,removing,ormakingunauthorizeduseofUniversityproperty,orthepersonapropertyoffaculty,staff,orstudents;andassaultingindividuals,including
51
conductwhichleadstothephysicaloremotionalinjuryoffaculty,staff,orstudents,orwhichthreatensthephysicaloremotionalwell-beingoffaculty,staff,orstudents.
9.Failingtocomplywithanypenaltyimposedformisconduct.
PenaltiesThepenaltiesthatmaybeimposed,singlyorincombination,foranyofthelistedoffencesmayinclude,butarenotlimitedto,thefollowing:1.Afailinggradeormarkofzerointhecourse,examination,orassignmentinwhichtheacademicmisconductoccurred.2.SuspensionfromtheUniversityforaspecifiedperiodoftime,orindefinitely.3.Reprimand,withletterplacedinstudent’sfile.4.Restitutioninthecaseofdamageto,orremovalorunauthorizeduseof,property.5.Anotationonthestudent’spermanentrecordofthepenaltyimposed.
Warning:1.Thepenaltyforsubstantialorcompleteplagiarism,orforcheating,issuspensionfromtheUniversity.2.Thelayingofchargesunderfederalorprovinciallegislation,orthecommencementofcivilproceedings,doesnotprecludedisciplinarymeasuresbeingtakenbytheUniversity.
Procedures
Section58oftheUniversityActgivesthePresidentoftheUniversitythepowertosuspendstudentsandtodealsummarilywithanymatterofstudentdisciplinethroughthePresident’sAdvisoryCommitteeonStudentDiscipline.AnallegedinstanceofstudentmisconductdeemedseriousenoughforactionbythePresidentshallbereferredtothisCommittee.Afteraninvestigationandahearingatwhichthestudentisinvitedtoappear,theCommitteereportstothePresident.ThestudentthenhastheopportunitytomeetwiththePresident,iftheywish,beforethePresidentarrivesatadecision.
Astudentsuspectedorapprehendedinthecommitmentofanoffenceshallbenotifiedwithinareasonableperiodoftimeofintentiontoreporttheallegedoffencetothedepartmenthead,dean,orotherappropriateperson,beforetheallegedoffenceisreportedtothePresident.
Appeals
AstudenthastherighttoappealagainstthedecisionofthePresidenttotheSenateCommitteeonStudentAppealsonAcademicDiscipline.