Rainbow & Takatāpui Communities

A big welcome to our Rainbow and Takatāpui Communities. We’re stoked you chose UC and we want your time here to be the best it can be.

To help you settle in, here are some things to know and people to meet.

Rainbow Room

The Rainbow Room is designed to be a safe, supportive space that meets the needs of our Rainbow Ākonga | Students.

It is a shared-use, community space for our Rainbow communities.

The Rainbow Room is located in James Logie 107. This can be found via the building entrance marked “James Logie Level 1 (Teaching Rooms)".
Logie Building

QCanterbury

This student-led social club provides friendly, fun, and safe social spaces for rainbow and gender-diverse people. Keep an eye out for fun events throughout the year.

“Starting University as a rainbow or gender diverse student isn’t easy for anyone no matter the services available. We want incoming or newly ‘out’ students to know we’re all with you along the way, we’ve been through it, and are here to help us all thrive at UC. ”

– QCanterbury

Gender-neutral toilets

If you’re looking for a restroom on campus, head to:

  • Haere-roa (26 in total, with at least 10 accessible during the day)
  • Rehua on levels 2 and 7 (11 total)
  • Elsie Locke on levels 3 and 6 (3 total)
  • Puaka-James Hight on level 3 (2 total)
  • UC RecCentre (2 total)
  • The Postgrad Living Room Space (3 total)
  • Pasifika Students’ House 45 Creyke Road (1 total)
  • Dovedale campus in Kotuku (3 total)

UC Health Centre

The team welcomes rainbow and gender diverse students. The whole Health Centre Team have had training in Rainbow Awareness. The Nurse Team and several of our GPs are experienced with providing gender affirming healthcare.

We work closely with UC’s Rainbow Advisor and providers such as Qtopia.

They look forward to working alongside you!

Find them on Facebook or on UC’s website.

Preferred names

It’s important to us that our staff get your name, pronouns and gender right. You can change these details whenever you need to through myUC and order a new Canterbury Card.

Check out the website for a step by step guide.

Pronoun use

At UC, it’s common for people (especially staff) to include their pronouns in their email signatures. Using someone’s correct personal pronouns is a way to respect them.

If you need support in regards to pronouns, please contact UC’s Rainbow Advisor.

Tip: Safe, supportive staff will often wear rainbow lanyards around UC.

Key people

Here are some helpful contacts for your time here at UC!

  • Rainbow Student Support

    UC's friendly team of Rainbow Advisors are here to support you throughout your time with us. Whether you need help with a specific issue, feel like you're falling behind, or need a supportive person to talk to, we can help with a wide range of challenges.

    Check out Rainbow support options, studen clubs, events, and spaces.

    UC Rainbow
    Undercroft, Puaka-James Hight (Central Library)
    rainbow@canterbury.ac.nz
    Or book via the website
     

  • Student Care

    Friendly student advisors who offer free and confidential support and advice on a heap of issues.

    Visit their webpage

    Student Care
    Undercroft, Puaka-James Hight (Central Library)
    studentcare@canterbury.ac.nz
    +64 3 369 3388
     

  • QCanterbury Exec

    The Team is here for a chat, social support or to help you in seeking advocacy.

    Find out more

    Q Canterbury
    Join the club
     

  • UCSA Advocacy and Welfare

    Our independent, free service offering advice and support on Uni issues and welfare.

    UCSA Advocacy and Welfare
    Level 2, Haere-roa
    help@ucsa.org.nz
    +64 3 369 0555
     

  • UCSA Equity and Wellbeing Advisory Group

    A group of students providing feedback to UCSA on any issues surrounding equity and diversity.


    Māngai Taurite me te Oranga | Equity and Wellbeing Representative
    studentwellbeing@ucsa.org.nz
     

  • Te Akatoki Māori Students’ Association

    Te Akatoki supports Takatāpui students through holistic services, a welcoming physical space at their Whare Ākonga (129 Ilam Road) and advocacy across all spaces with an equity and diversity lens.

    Find out more

    Te Akatoki Māori Students’ Association
    Te Whare Ākonga o Te Akatoki, 129 Ilam Road
    te-akatoki@canterbury.ac.nz
     

Suggestion Box

The Suggestion Box is an great way to let the UCSA know about any initiatives or changes you want to see us implement, whether it’s about UCSA policy, our services, or a wider UC issue you’re passionate about.

UCSA Executive