Welcome to UBC! You are now not only part of the university but its student representative body known as the Alma Mater Society (AMS).
The AMS is a student-run, non-profit organization offering services and facilities for students at UBC. It’s here to improve the academic, personal, and social lives of more than 50,000 undergrad and grad students on our campus—and that includes you!
From places to grab a coffee or a snack to tutoring and other support services, to great events and opportunities, there's a lot that the AMS offers to enrich your UBC experience.
AMS Services
Here are the key AMS services that you can use during your time at UBC:
AMS Tutoring
Don’t fret over your assignments alone. AMS Tutoring connects you to UBC students who are both friendly and outstanding in their subjects of expertise. While they won’t do your homework for you, they will make sure you have the skills and support you need to tackle your work confidently.
Speakeasy
A hidden gem located in the Nest, Speakeasy provides free, confidential, one-on-one peer support for anyone facing a wide variety of challenges. No problem is too big or too small for them!
Safewalk
You don’t have to walk alone. If you ever feel unsafe getting across campus, Safewalk can accompany you to your destination—on foot or via car. They’re available between 8:00 pm and 2:00 am.
AMS Food Bank
The AMS Food Bank is an emergency food relief service for UBC students in need. They offer various non-perishable foods, personal hygiene supplies, and information about additional resources on and off campus. You can also donate food to replenish their stock at any time!
AMS Sexual Assault Support Centre (SASC)
SASC is committed to the education, support, and empowerment of people of all genders who are survivors of sexualized violence as well as their friends and family.
The Nest
In addition to offering the above services, the AMS also runs the Nest, a space by and for students, which replaced its predecessor (known as the SUB or Student Union Building) in 2015.
The Nest is a student-centered hub of activity for clubs as well as the campus newspaper and radio station. It’s also home to several food and drink outlets operated by the AMS, including Pie R Squared Pizza and The Gallery Patio & Lounge.
Events and opportunities
The AMS also hosts great events and activities year-round where you can meet other students and learn about tons of different opportunities.
If you’re a new student, you’ll want to check out AMS Firstweek—nearly two weeks of fun events that'll introduce you to fellow students and to campus life. The Welcome Back BBQ, Pool Party, and Residence Revamp are some of the activities you can look forward to. Make sure you buy your tickets to individual events or purchase the Firstweek Kit for free entry to all events and other goodies.
