Orientation activities at the University of Waterloo get underway next week with events that include undergraduate, graduate and international students, parents and community members.
A new community event called World of Waterloo, hosted by the Student Success Office and the Federation of Students on September 3, will allow students to explore Uptown Waterloo and track their activities in provided passports. They'll learn fire and personal safety tips from representatives of the fire department and law enforcement, and meet local councillors and merchants while attending a business fair.
That same day, students and community members will have input in a collaborative public art project at Waterloo Public Square. A joint initiative between the City of Waterloo and Button Factory Arts, it involves adorning trees with tags on which participants will write the reasons they choose to call Waterloo home. The completed project will be on display at Button Factory Arts, Waterloo's city hall and the University following the event.
UWaterloo will welcome more than 8,200 new students this fall. Orientation introduces new undergraduate and graduate students to academic, social and community life at Waterloo. It all starts with the first-year students moving into residence on Sunday, August 30 and Monday, September 1. Members of senior administration, deans, faculty and orientation leaders will help students move into their new homes on campus.
“Beginning university is a major life change for both the new students and their families, and we have events and supports in place to help ensure that the transition goes as smoothly as possible," said Jessica Bondy, manager of new student transition at Waterloo. “Orientation provides a wonderful opportunity for new students to connect with the campus and for all levels of the campus community to welcome them.”
Taking place on the move-in days is Family Send-Off, a casual reception on both Sunday and Monday afternoon. Faculty and staff will welcome all students and their families to the Waterloo community. On the same days, parents can attend the parent orientation sessions planned specifically for them.
There is additional programming for off-campus, graduate, international, transfer, and exchange and study abroad students, as well as those at our nearby satellite campuses in Cambridge and Stratford. There will be welcome events for new faculty members, too. Black and Gold Day takes place on September 6 with a Waterloo Warriors football game against McMaster University.
Orientation is a partnership between the Federation of Students, the Graduate Student Association, College Pathways, Waterloo International, the Student Success Office, all six Faculties and the Affiliated and Federated Institutions of Waterloo.
For more information on Orientation and a list of events, please visit https://uwaterloo.ca/orientation/.
