It's one of the things I love best about my job. Every year at this time, the University literally comes alive with a kind of energy and excitement I've not seen in any other setting. Friends catch up after a summer apart. Newcomers explore the campus and find their way around. Line-ups are back at the coffee shops and restaurants, and the walkways seem crowded from morning till night with people rushing from one class to another. Our lives will now move at this pace until the end of the semester, although I'm proud to say we're one of the only universities in Canada that has built a much-needed break week into our autumn schedule (this year it's the week of October 25th).

But for all its positive aspects, this can also be a time of great stress. Our lives can get complicated because so many things are happening all at once: getting used to university, adjusting to courses, trying to make new friends and living in a new environment. Don't be surprised if all this takes a toll on you emotionally. Sometimes the changes and the challenges can be overwhelming.

That's what happened to me when I was a student here. When I was in undergrad, I went through a very rough period when I sort of “crashed” emotionally. I wasn't sure what was wrong, but I knew something was. I was living at home but didn't really think it was something I could share with my parents. At the time, the University didn't offer counselling services to students. I resorted to the phone book to find an Ottawa psychologist. He was very kind and helped me through the crisis. If that lifeline hadn't been there, I'm not sure how I would have coped.

I guess what I learned from all of that is the importance of asking for help when we feel we need it. Sometimes we just need to speak with a friend, but often (as in my case) it's important to get outside help. If you're in residence, don't hesitate to contact a counsellor. If you are living on your own or at home, there are many services on campus that you can turn to. I have listed some contact names and numbers at the bottom of this post.

Above all, don't feel that you are alone. The University is not just an institution: it is also a community, and we are all here for each other.

Food!

The quality of campus food has been a long-standing issue. Achieving the right selection and diversity, making sure it's nutritious as well as tasty, confronting the “blahs” when students get tired of the same places and the same menus for months at a time—all while keeping the prices as low as possible: this is not easy.

But we are determined to get it right. And over the past year, a team of dedicated people—including many students– has worked hard to improve things, and the results are now showing.

Over the summer, we invested $5 million to entirely renovate the kitchen at UCU. Four new food concepts are being launched this fall– Flavour of India, Nuevo Latino, Curries of the World and Thai. These stations will alternate between UCU and S.I.T.E. The food services team has also reviewed all of our menus to offer great quality of food at competitive pricing. Recent student surveys demonstrate that 82% are supportive of the 4 new food concepts.

I invite you to try the new dishes at the various kitchens that are serving at the University Centre and around campus. I had lunch yesterday at the UCU and the sushi was great. There were also Lebanese, Thai and pasta offerings.

We have also opened a 24-hour Rez Café at 90 U to provide food and convenience items around the clock.

We will rely on your feedback so let us know what you think. Speaking as a regular customer, I really do believe that the food services team has improved things dramatically this year and on behalf of everyone, I thank them sincerely for their efforts.

The greening of the lawn in front of Tabaret Hall means the session—along with all the pressures and challenges that come with it—is drawing to an end! As this final busy period begins, I extend my best wishes to all students for success in their studies, exams and term papers.

Since most of you will soon be leaving the campus for the summer, I’m going to take a break from my blog for a few months. But I’ll get back to regular posting again in September. I hope you have found the blog useful. I have certainly enjoyed hosting it, and have found the many useful and thoughtful exchanges very rewarding. I look forward to continuing our dialogue in the fall and to reading about your ideas and perspectives.

Canada's University Solid and Strong

But for the photograph of Tabaret Hall, I would not have recognized the University of Ottawa from the erroneous portrait contained in Sunday's front page story in the Ottawa Citizen.

Given uncertain economic times, all Canadian universities face challenges in maintaining excellence in teaching and research while balancing budgets. This is all the more so since governments, the most important sources of funding for universities, face deficits and pressure to control or reduce spending. Some Canadian universities have had to lay off staff, close programs, levy special fees and reopen collective agreements.

Fortunately, the University of Ottawa has not had to do any such thing. And contrary to Sunday's Citizen report, we remain in a very strong financial position as a result of a history of fiscal prudence.

Read more.

During my recent visits to campus residences, students also shared their views on campus food services and restaurants. Below are the answers to their questions.

Improving food quality

We’re working with Food Services to improve value for quality when it comes to food services, as well as the overall quality of the products available.

In addition, since last fall, the University Centre’s Jazzy restaurant has expanded its services by offering breakfasts, lunch-time meals, dinners and weekend brunches at affordable prices.

Business hours

To meet the needs of students whose classes end after campus food outlets close down for the day, we’ve launched a pilot project that will see the outlet at 90 University remain open 24/7 until the end of the current session.

Menu variety

Menus are on a three-week cycle during the year to provide the University community with varied meal selections. More improvements are slated over the coming weeks, including some at the pasta counter.

Food Services online

Consult this site for regular updates on business hours and menus.