The Russian military invasion of Ukraine is extremely concerning to our University of Saskatchewan community.
News about these shocking events and their potential implications for world peace will be troubling for all of us, and particularly for our many Ukrainian and Russian university members.
USask stands with the Ukrainian community and has established a working group to determine how to support members of the campus community and beyond. The group will continue to monitor the situation, assess next steps, and determine appropriate resources to support those affected including students, faculty and staff, as well as incoming students and staff. This site will be updated as more supports are identified, so please continue to check back regularly.
USask news and statements
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Support our students in need
You can help those directly affected by the conflict with a donation to the Students at Risk Donations Fund, which was established to support students facing challenges to enter or remain at USask due to international conflict. Make a donation today.
Wellness Resources
There are a wide range of supports available to members of the USask community, and you are encouraged to connect with the wellness resources listed below that are available for students, faculty and staff.
Student Affairs and Outreach
Our team of social workers can provide immediate support:
Phone: 306-966-5757
Email: student.outreach@usask.ca
Student Wellness Centre
Offers a range of supports including physical and mental health care. Call to make an appointment:
Phone: 306-966-5768.
International Student and Study Abroad Centre (ISSAC)
Offers a wide range of supports for international students. You can speak with a member of the ISSAC team:
Phone: 306-966-4925
Email: international.students@usask.ca.
Students in Residence
For students living in residence, you can reach out to:
The Counsellor in Residence: intake@usask.ca
or your student life coordinator at residence@usask.ca
USask Faith Leaders
Are available to provide one-on-one spiritual counsel.
Employee and Family Assistance Program
LifeWorks, USask’s Employee and Family Assistance Program (EFAP) provider, offers a wide range of services including free and confidential counselling, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
MindBeacon
Offers virtual mental health support that fits your life.
For eligible employees, your benefit plan covers mental health supports including clinical counsellors, marriage and family therapist, psychologist, psychotherapist and social workers.
International Student Resources
International students with questions about their immigration status or how to remain in Canada may contact the International Student and Study Abroad Centre directly. If there are students, who need to take a break from their studies due to circumstances in their home country, ISSAC can advise students on how to obtain an authorized leave for immigration purposes.
If you are an international student and are unsure where to seek help, contact international.students@usask.ca or call ISSAC at 306-966-4925.
Faculty may consider hosting a displaced research trainee. The College of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies (CGPS) can facilitate applications to programs or as visiting research students and postdoctoral scholars. Contact CGPS by emailing Marc.Usunier@usask.ca regarding graduate students and Chelsea.smith@usask.ca regarding postdoctoral fellows.
Immigration Measures for People Affected by the Russian invasion of Ukraine: The Government of Canada has introduced of a special temporary resident pathway for Ukrainian nationals and their family members to access a 3-year open study or work permit in Canada. Read more on these measures here.
Additional Resources
The Government of Saskatchewan is working with the Ukrainian Canadian Congress of Saskatchewan (UCC) to provide a central point of contact and coordination to help anyone arriving to the province from Ukraine to connect with the information, services and supports they need. If you are looking for ways to help those who may be arriving from Ukraine visit the Gov’t of Sask and UCC webpage.
The Tri-agencies announced a new Special Response Fund for Trainees (Ukraine). This temporary fund will allow all active and eligible grant-holders across the three agencies to apply for a supplement that will provide one-year relief and assistance to trainees (i.e., individuals eligible for master’s, doctoral or postdoctoral support) whose research in Ukraine has been interrupted by the invasion. Further details of the Fund will be released in the coming weeks, with information made available on the respective agency websites.
Scholars interested in learning more about Visiting Professor Appointments should contact vpfaculty.relations@usask.ca.
The Prairie Centre for the Study of Ukrainian Heritage (PCUH) is an academic unit of St. Thomas More College, a Catholic liberal arts college federated with USask. Click here for events, lectures and more information.
More than 100 students, faculty and staff gathered around the Lesya Ukrainka statue beside the Murray Building to take part in the Stand With Ukraine rally. Click here for a closer look, including photos and remarks made during the rally.
A list of news sources and associated websites as compiled by Angie Gerrard, Political Studies Librarian, with assistance from Dr. Martin Gaal.
USask Unites
As is always the case in Saskatchewan, we come together to support one another during difficult times. Here are some of the USask-led initiatives and examples of how members of our community stepped up during these challenging times.
If you have an event you would like profiled here, please send an email to: communications@usask.ca.
USask to support Saskatoon’s Ukrainian sister city
The tragedy unfolding in Ukraine has touched hearts around the world and the people of Saskatoon have a unique connection. In 1991, Saskatoon and Chernivtsi became “sister cities” because our two communities share much in common, including cultural ties. A month ago, Chernivtsi had a population of 260,000. Since then, the city has swelled by an estimated 150,000 people in urgent need of food, shelter and medical care. Tragically, the number of displaced individuals coming to Chernivtsi continues to climb as residents and volunteers work 24/7 to provide respite and relief.