To Do Before Orientation Day
 | Get your Western ID card Your Western ONECard is obtained from the Office of the Registrar. The card functions as an identification card for exams and bus pass; is your library card; your meal plan card; and can be used for building door access and vending machine purchases. It is also required to access Campus Recreation and to pick up a parking permit or keys. You can upload a photo via your Student Center account starting August 1 (Fall term graduate students). Information about photo requirements, and how to obtain your card can be found here. |
| Pay your tuition fees Tuition fees are paid at the beginning of each term, and the amount owing will appear in your Western Student Center account prior to the fee payment due date, which for the current term will be September 8, 2026. Current fee schedules are posted on the Registrar’s website. Information about the fee payment methods accepted can be found here. If you have applied for OSAP and are waiting for your funding in order to pay your tuition, please note that the Office of the Registrar will deduct tuition owing to Western from your OSAP funding automatically, any funds remaining will be direct deposited to your bank account. We do not manage financial aid within FIMS, so please direct all questions regarding financial aid to the Office of the Registrar. |
| Make sure you have a valid study permit Western’s International Student Services can assist you with information about applying for, or renewing a Study Visa, and help you adjust to your new life in Canada and at Western. Their office is located in the International and Graduate Affairs Building (IGAB). |
| Set up your Western (UWO) Email account Your Western email address is the primary method through which the university and program administrators will be communicating with you once you are an active student. Ensure that you check this email frequently. Check it everyday for class updates and group work. |
| Look for your FIMS Login and Password Some websites you’ll be using are only available to FIMS Graduate students. Watch for your FIMS login details to be sent to your Western (UWO) email account. Once you have your FIMS login and password, try signing into the FIMS Graduate Intranet. If you run into trouble logging in, you can request help from fims-fcs@uwo.ca. |
| Review your Program information on the FIMS Intranet Once you have your FIMS login and password, you can access the FIMS Graduate Intranet. From the homepage, select Programs in the main menu and choose the appropriate program section. Here you will find links to all of the program information you need to succeed in the program. |
| Read the Student Code of Conduct All Western students are expected to conduct themselves in a respectful manner. Please view the Western Code of conduct here. |
| Find FIMS on campus The Faculty of Information and Media Studies (FIMS) is located in the FIMS and Nursing Building (FNB), which is located at the corner of Huron Drive and Lambton Drive (please refer to the the parking map in the link below). The Graduate Student Services office (2020) and the Dean’s Office (2050) are located on the second floor of the building. If you are taking the bus to campus, information about the London Transit Commission can be found here. There are several bus routes which come to Western’s campus: #2, #6, #13, #27, #31, #33, #34, #94, #102, #106, and #127. The main bus stops on campus are located at Alumni Hall, in front of the Natural Science Building, and by Delaware Hall. If you plan on driving to campus, you can purchase an annual, or a term-by-term parking permit online via parking services. A map of the parking lots on campus and their different rates and permits can be found here. The closest student parking to our building is Huron Flats (next to the football stadium). |
| Make sure your personal information is up to date Information on making changes to personal information such as your name and address can be found here. **For students receiving income via Western Payroll, the address must also be updated by following the instructions at MyHumanResources. |
| Familiarize yourself with FIMS and other campus acronyms You will notice when you arrive on campus that there are many acronyms for programs, buildings and other facilities that are referenced regularly. Get familiar with some key ones. FIMS – Faculty of Information & Media Studies MLIS – Master of Library & Information Science MMJC – Master of Media in Journalism & Communication MS – Media Studies (Master’s and Doctoral) HIS – Health Information Science (Master’s and Doctoral) GSS – Graduate Student Services (Located in Rm 2020) SGPS – School of Graduate & Postdoctoral Studies (The equivalent of the Registrar’s Office but specifically for graduate students) SOGS – Society of Graduate Students (Student government for graduate students) FNB – FIMS & Nursing Building IGAB – International & Graduate Affairs Building (SGPS and the International and Exchange Student Centre are located there) WSS – Western Student Services Building (Home of the Registrar’s Office) WL – D.B. Weldon Library (Weldon Library is the largest library within the Western Libraries system) UCC – University Community Centre (Retail and food services) |