Orientation Week Begins Aug. 31: Live in 3D
August 28, 2013 - News Release
About 4,800 first-year students will learn what it means to be part of the University of Guelph family during Orientation Week, Aug. 31 to Sept. 7.
The theme is “Live in 3D: Dream, Discover, Do.” Many events are planned to introduce new students to opportunities available on campus and in the community, including the U of G President’s Welcome, a series of special lectures and what is expected to be a world-record event to fight hunger in west Africa.
“The idea behind the theme is that the University of Guelph is a school where you can achieve the things you hope to accomplish in university and lay the groundwork for reaching your bigger dreams,” said Dave Mossman, Co-ordinator of Orientation Programs.
Barry Townshend, Manager of the Centre for New Students, said that with 130 stakeholders who help plan and run the week, everyone is excited about the arrival of new students.
“We’ve worked together to create meaningful learning experiences and fun events that will inspire students to work hard and dream big,” he said.
“The program offers something for everyone, from large high-energy events to more intimate discussion groups. This is a great opportunity to learn about what the university has to offer, make new friends, explore the city and take their first steps as new Gryphons.”
Orientation Week begins Aug. 31 with residence move-in day. Gordon Street will be closed between Stone Road and College Avenue from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. to accommodate the move-in. New students will get a lot of help from other members of the University community; campus and city police, along with volunteers, will assist with directing traffic.
At 11:30 a.m., 1:30 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. President Alastair Summerlee will offer students and families an official welcome to the U of G community. He will be joined in Rozanski Hall by Associate Vice-President (Student Affairs) Brenda Whiteside and representatives from the Central Student Association and the Centre for New Students.
Later that night, students will have an introduction to their residence or off campus community groups and their first dinner at Guelph. This will be followed by the high-energy Playfair icebreaker and a residence hall or community game.
The range of programming being offered is broad. Sunday, for example, includes a campus tour and the Central Student Association lunch. Students will then participate in Rally for Change, where they travel across the city doing cheers and raising money for the Canadian Cancer Society. Last year, $8,600 was raised.
“We’re hoping to beat that number with this year’s incoming class,” said Mossman. “We want the community to keep an eye out for our cheerful students and donate if possible.”
The annual Canadian Interuniversity Sport Labour Day football game takes place on Monday, with the Gryphons hosting the University of Windsor Lancers at 1 p.m.
On Tuesday, students will attend the first meetings of their academic programs, where they will learn about their field of study. That will be followed by a pep rally and the OV (Orientation Volunteers) Boogie, which begins at 6 p.m. at Alumni Stadium.
“We would love for the Guelph community to attend,” said Mossman. “They can watch the Pep Rally in the new bleachers, opposite from the first-year students. Students, staff, family members and community members will all be able to sit in this area.”
Wednesday’s highlight will be the President’s Welcome and luncheon for first-year students. An official induction ceremony will be held in the Gryphon Field House at noon to help inspire students as they embark on their undergraduate experiences. The ceremony includes bagpipes, an academic procession, and an address by both the president and chancellor, with alumni attending to welcome new students. That evening, the Interhall dance party takes place.
Thursday is the first day of classes, and Friday includes classes and a hypnotist show.
Saturday, students will be invited to participate in the Sept. 7 World Record Challenge — Emergency Food Packing Event at the field house. The challenge event will last two hours this year, with a goal of packaging 685,000 emergency relief meals to send to Mauritania.
“This week is offered by the campus and community to welcome students to the U of G family and show that we want to help them achieve their dreams,” Townshend said. “None of it would be possible without the assistance of more than 700 returning students who act as Orientation Volunteers. They answer questions, help run events and make sure everything goes smoothly. The Guelph community also makes our new students feel welcome, and we’re grateful to them for their support as our students become city residents.”
For more information and a complete list of Orientation Week events, visit startonline.ca/oweek2013.
The Centre for New Students will also be tweeting throughout the week at uog_oweek.
Contact:
Barry Townshend
Manager, Centre for New Students
519-824-4120, Ext. 52498
barry.townshend@uoguelph.ca
For media questions, contact Communications and Public Affairs: Lori Bona Hunt, 519-824-4120, Ext. 53338, or lhunt@uoguelph.ca; or Kevin Gonsalves, Ext. 56982, or kgonsalves@uoguelph.ca.
