Our undergraduate academic advisor is here to provide you support and assistance if you are completing or considering a major or minor in gender, race, sexuality and social justice (GRSJ).
An academic advisor can:
- Give you general information about the programs (GRSJ & CSIS), courses, and degree requirements
- Help you understand and complete degree requirements, how to apply, and preparing you for graduation
- Provide you with information about transfer credits and exceptions
- Give you advice about courses and electives
- Support you with any issues or concerns
- Refer you to appropriate resources such as Arts Advising and Centre for Accessibility
Frequently Asked Questions
General
Q: Where can I find out more about specific courses I want to take?
A: You can look at our Course Descriptions page for details about courses. We update these regularly when info for the courses is provided by instructors.
Q: Are different sections of courses the same?
A: This will depend on the instructor and the course. For courses where different sections are are taught by the same instructor, it will usually be the same or similar content. Exceptions will be sections of GRSJ 224 in different semesters where Term 1 will always be different to Term 2 regardless of instructor.
Q: How do I declare a major/minor?
A: GRSJ and CSIS are self-declare majors and minors. As long as you have completed 27 credits either at UBC or through transfer credits, you can declare your major on Workday. Follow the instructions here: https://workday.students.ubc.ca/degree-planning/
Q: Who can help with course and degree planning?
A: The GRSJ Undergraduate Advisor can help for both GRSJ and CSIS. You can contact the advisor through this website either using the form or by sending an email directly. The current advisor is Dr. Kim Snowden.
Q: Does GRSJ have a Place and Power course?
A: Not yet, but we have some planned for coming years.
Q: I have taken GRSJ-related courses at another institution but they are either not showing up in my major or have transferred as general credits. What can I do?
A: Talk to the GRSJ advisor who can help assess and then edit your Workday APR. It’s helpful if you have a syllabus for this process.
Registration
Q: I registered in a course and want to switch to a different section. Can I do this?
A: Yes - if there are seats available, if there is no WL, and if you are eligible for that section you can do this yourself on Workday. We recommend using the Saved Schedule function first to test eligibility. If the course is full or you are not eligible, you can’t switch sections.
Q: Can I register for one section of a course and then attend the lectures of a different section?
A: No. Different sections may have different instructors and content or may work at a different pace or classrooms may be full.
Full Courses or Restricted Courses
Q: I am a GRSJ major and the course I need to graduate is full. What can I do?
A: Talk to the GRSJ Advisor about your options. We will make sure you are able to graduate.
Q: I am a GRSJ major in 3rd year but still have 2nd-year standing and the course I need is restricted to 3rd years. What can I do?
A: Email the GRSJ Undergraduate Advisor or GRSJ Programs Assistant - we will either add you to the course or WL depending on space and overall eligibility.
Q: Can I email a course instructor to be added to a full course or full waitlist?
A: We prefer that you email the GRSJ Undergraduate Advisor or GRSJ Programs Assistant as Instructors cannot add students to classes or waitlists. We will only consider your request if you are a GRSJ or CSIS student who may have priority in the course such as needing a required course to graduate.
Q: I am in a program such as LASO or IDST and the course I need is full or restricted to GRSJ majors. Can I be added?
A: We cannot prioritize or guarantee seats for students taking GRSJ courses towards their degrees in other programs. You will need to consult with your own program advisor for alternative options and course planning.
Q: I want to register for a course that is restricted to GRSJ majors but I am not a major. What can I do?
A: You can’t join a class or WL that is restricted if you don’t meet eligibility requirements but we can add you to the WL if there is space. Please see the course notes on Workday for info or email GRSJ Undergraduate Advisor or GRSJ Programs Assistant directly.
Waitlists
Q: My preferred course does not have a Waitlist. Can I email the prof to be added to the course?
A: Larger courses that tend to have lots of movement may not have a waitlist. If this applies to your course, we can’t add you to a full course. You will have to check on registration to find an open seat.
Q: Are waitlists automatic or manual?
A: It depends on the course. Courses that are restricted, have prerequisites, or limited seat capacity have manual waitlists. The rest are automatic.
Q: I am on the WL for a course and have been offered a seat in the class - how long do I have to decide?
A: If the WL is automatic - you will have 24 hours to either accept, decline, or skip. For a manual WL - you will be added to the class and notified. It will be up to you to drop the class if you don’t want to take it.
Q: Are there limits to how many times I can skip or ignore an open seat notification?
A: Workday doesn’t currently have limits but consistent skipping or ignoring may affect your placement on the WL as we prioritize students who are able to take up seats. Once term begins, GRSJ may remove the WL altogether so that open seats are first-come, first-served to avoid students skipping/ignoring and holding up the WL.
Q: I am on the WL and there are open seats in the course but the WL isn’t moving. Why is this?
A: With automatic WLs in Workday, students have 24 hours to decide if they want an open seat. If multiple students are choosing to ignore their offers, this can hold up seats from moving to the next students. We are working on solutions for this and keeping a check on WLs that might get held up. You can always email us to find out about your placement and the likelihood of getting a seat.
Q: I am on a WL and no longer want to take the course. Do I need to drop it?
A: Yes. Please drop the WL if you don’t want to take it or decline the offer if you get a notification..