WATERLOO, Ont. (Wednesday, Aug. 31, 2011) - Several thousand new students at the University of Waterloo will launch their academic careers next week with more than 100 events, including an inaugural invocation ceremony, designed to help them make a successful transition from high school to university.

Orientation week, involving 22 upper-year student orientation committee members and 1,200 student orientation leaders, helps the newcomers - first-year students and transferring students - to settle in at Waterloo. Students begin to move into residence on Sunday, Sept. 4, at 8:30 a.m., and on Monday. They will be greeted by student, faculty and staff volunteers, who will also lend a hand with the move-in.

The six-day program, which begins Monday, Sept. 5, offers a wealth of academic information and social events for about 6,000 new students.

"Orientation week marks the beginning of the student experience for our new students, who will be introduced to an innovative series of academic and social events to help them adjust to a new environment and new expectations," said Cora Dupuis, Waterloo's student life co-ordinator, first-year experience and orientation co-chair. "It's also an opportunity for the university and its Federation of Students to showcase services designed for students."

Most activities are aimed at students in specific faculties or departments and residences or colleges, while several target all new students. Students are encouraged to attend one of several showings of Single and Sexy, a play that raises issues ranging from sex to social responsibility. There is also programming tied to the needs of students living off campus.

Orientation activities begin Monday afternoon with games that allow students to meet and mingle with their residence or off-campus roommates. Students will gather on the village green, from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., to participate in team-building activities, complete with a welcome from university president Feridun Hamdullahpur.

During the week, student can participate in a real-time mobile scavenger hunt, called GooseChase. The Web portal hunt, developed by Goose Chase Adventures Inc., was the winning entry at Waterloo's VeloCity's end-of-term exhibition last July.

Tuesday is largely an academic day. Students will meet their deans and other members of their faculties and departments. The day ends with movies and live performers at various locations across campus, beginning at 7 p.m.

Wednesday and Thursday offer a mix of planned events and free time. Students can finalize schedules, buy textbooks, and set up computer accounts. As well, students in engineering, architecture, software engineering and math will write their English Language Proficiency Examination.

Thursday's big event is Monte Carlo Night, starting at 8 p.m. in the Student Life Centre. The semi-formal wear event features mock casino gambling tables, a mocktail bar, a magician, caricaturists, acrobats and game shows.

On Friday, the new students can attend Waterloo's first invocation ceremony - Cornerstones of the University Experience - in the physical activities complex at 9 a.m. They will meet alumni and hear from motivational speaker Andy Thibodeau. They will also hear talks by Kieng Iv, 2011 arts valedictorian, and Matt Colphon, president of the Federation of Students. Alumni will share their experiences with the students, give advice and hand out exclusive first-year pins.

Students can head to a pre-game carnival on Saturday and watch the football team play at the Warriors' new field. Evening events include a bonfire, video games, an evening of improvisational comedy and a toga dance party.

Waterloo's off-campus dons will offer a special orientation program for students who want to learn more about living in Waterloo Region.

Meanwhile, architecture students will have their own orientation programming at the school of architecture in Cambridge. They will also travel to the Waterloo campus for many faculty of engineering events during the day and the cross-campus events at night.

Information on all orientations events can be found at www.orientation.uwaterloo.ca.

About Waterloo

The University of Waterloo, located at the heart of Canada's Technology Triangle, is one of Canada's leading comprehensive universities. Waterloo is home to 30,000 full- and part-time undergraduate and graduate students who are dedicated to making the future better and brighter. Waterloo, known for the largest post- secondary co-operative education program in the world, supports enterprising partnerships in learning, research and discovery. For more information about Waterloo, visit www.uwaterloo.ca.

Contacts:

Cora Dupuis, student life co-ordinator, first-year experience, 519-888-4567 ext. 35643, 519-497-6804 or cedupuis@uwaterloo.ca

Pam Charbonneau, director, student experience, 519-888-4567 ext. 32771, 519-404-6926 or pkcharbo@uwaterloo.ca

John Morris, Waterloo media relations, 519-888-4435, 519-841-9911 or john.morris@uwaterloo.ca

Waterloo news release no. 46

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