McGill First Aid Service (MFAS)
Hot, trained and lifesaving-savvy, this student club provides free emergency first aid services to students or random friend-of-a-friend-of-a-friends who need a helping hand. There’s about sixty of these bombshells walking among us and they’ve all got the rubber-stamp of Red Cross Emergency First Responder. They hang at all the big campus events: 4Floors, sporting events, charity walks, Frosh, and other special guest appearances. If you’re livin’ the life in rez, MFAS will be waiting for your call every night. But don’t take them for granted, these people mean business. If you need them, they’ll take care of you and make sure you get where and what you need. But don’t cry wolf; no one likes a tease. They also offer first aid training courses so ordinary people like you and me can be just like them!
The Shag Shop | Brown building, suite 3300
Monday-Friday: 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Shagging may or may not be part of your McGill experience. But if it is, The Shag Shop is the combination sexual health resource and boutique, conveniently located right on campus, with not-to-be-found-anywhere-else low prices. They’ve got safe sex products like condoms and lubricant, as well as toys, books, pregnancy tests, alternative menstrual products, non hormonal contraceptives, massage oils and so much more. This is also the place where you can find the deets on sexual health issues, and there’s even an online question service called Ask Dr. T. Asking for consent, clarification and safety on all your shag-alicious adventures is always super sexy! ;)
Nightline | (514) 398-6246
Every night during the school year:
6 p.m. to 3 a.m.
This student-run service is waiting for your call! Their volunteers are trained to provide a “Three Pillar Service” – information, chat and crisis – for all McGill students. They’ll be fielding calls on any and every subject – from late night directions to feelings about things going on in your life. They are confidential, anonymous and here to listen or provide crisis and referral services.
Sexual Assault Centre Of McGill Students’ Society | Shatner building, basement B-27
(514) 398-8500
The Sexual Assault Centre of the McGill Students’ Society (SACOMSS) is run by volunteers who are dedicated and trained to support survivors of sexual assault and their allies. They offer different services including direct support, advocacy, and outreach. All of their services are free, open to the public, and confidential. For direct support over the phone, call hours run weekdays 12 p.m. – 12 a.m. and weekends 6 p.m. – 12 a.m. For walk-in services, the centre has office hours from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. on weekdays.
Union for Gender Empowerment | Shatner building, rm 413
This volunteer collective offers tons of services: events, workshops, an alternative lending library, a co-op and a zine “distro” (distribution centre). They’ve got a resource binder to help you find information on other services like abortion services, counselling, and queer and trans friendly health services. They’ve got an office and lounge space where they invite people of all genders to come spend some time, eat lunch or have a cup of tea.
Career and Planning Services (CaPS) | Brown building, suite 4100
Searching for your dream job or just a job full stop? Visit CaPS to look for full-time or part-time jobs and internships. They’ve got workshops and one on one advising that will help you feel confident and in control when you’re looking for a J-O-B. Also check out their job posting service – like Craigslist but better – and their ENORMOUS Career Resource Centre.
Counselling Service | Brown building, suite 4200 These peeps provide confidential counselling to students, free of charge. They can assist and support you with whatever issues you may encounter during your time here: psychological, academic, vocational or life-skills. Their services comprise of brief intervention, supportive counselling (individual and couple), ongoing therapy, vocational testing, and different groups and workshops. You can drop in to their office anytime.
First Peoples’ House | 3505 Peel
This is a house for all indigenous students, including Métis, the Inuit & Native (both “status” & “non-status”), Maori and Aborigines. The House strives to create a community space and to give a voice to Aboriginal students on McGill’s campus. This is a happening place with lots going on. Check out their Annual Pow Wow, held on lower field the third week of September. The Pow Wow is a day of celebration of Aboriginal culture with events such as music, dancing, arts and crafts, information kiosks, and Lacrosse demonstrations.
First Year Office | Brown building, suite 2100 This welcoming place is meant for anyone and everyone who is new at McGill. So if you are a new undergrad, grad, transfer, or visiting student, this service is for you! They’re here to help you orient yourself on the disorienting campus of McGill – all that construction has things looking different from day to day. If you need a service, these people can help direct you to where you’ll find it.
International Student Services (ISS) | Brown building, suite 3215 If you are from a land far, far away (19 per cent of us are!), welcome to McGill, Montreal, Quebec and Canada! This is a service specifically for international students who are coming to a new country, school, and home. ISS offers a whole bevy of different services to help international students make the transition to this new locale. They can help with issues such as language support, health insurance, and paperwork to study in Canada.
Scholarships and Student Aid Office | Brown building, suite 3200 This office exists to help students find and manage the money they need to attend university. Education is a pricey endeavour and this office does its utmost to promote accessibility, support, and to encourage scholarships for students. They can offer you assistance for awards based on merit or need, and help you figure out options such as government aid or part-time work with the University’s work study program. They’re also available for assistance with borrowing from banks, dealing with financial emergencies, or managing your money.
Tutorial Service | Brown building, suite 4200 It’s complicated. A popular Facebook status, but also applicable to so many things here at McGill. This is not supposed to be Survivor, where you sink or swim. If you need some help, these people are available, willing and eager to give you that second explanation or extra assistance that you’re looking for. No tropical animals or backstabbing alliances included – though you may be wishing for that tropical climate come January.
Health Services and Dental Clinic | Brown building, suite 3300 Need the doc to give you a once-over? Too many sweet treats got your choppers weak? This clinic will help you get what you need to get you back on your A-game. Quick tips: if you want a walk-in, no skipping the line – you’ve got to get there early. Like, 7a.m. early. However, if you want to get an appointment, you’ll be able to skip the line VIP style to book your slot.
Mental Health Services | Brown building, suite 5500 These people are professionals with an excellent reputation on campus. They’re the bomb – they assist students in getting the support and resources they need! Head into Health Services (and, yeah, you get to skip that drop-in line) to make an appointment.
Office for Students with Disabilities | Brown building, suite 3100 These folks are those of the ah-mazing persuasion. They work with you to provide academic accommodations and services within the campus environment so that your time here can be comfy, cozy, and all-around awesome.
Walksafe | (514) 398-2498 (or flag them down)
Sunday-Thursday: 8 p.m. to midnight Friday-Saturday: 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. These fashion plates walk around in snazzy red blazers patrolling a perimeter from Peel to Sherbrooke to St. Laurent to Pins. You can give them a call, or go and ask them (nicely!) to walk you home. You’ll always get an escort of two student volunteers, at least one of whom will be female. So, if you want some company on your walk home, give them a call.
DriveSafe | (514) 398-8040
(or flag them down) Friday-Saturday: 11 p.m. to 3 a.m.
This service is run by student volunteer drivers. Their patrol consists of a fleet of vans that can drive you home to or from anywhere on the island of Montreal for free. They don’t do joy rides (though maybe they’d be down to take song requests?!) so don’t rely on them as a quasi-taxi service. However, for those nights where you’re in a jam and need a ride, these are the people who can come through for you.