The University of Waterloo will welcome about 9,000 new students for Fall Orientation 2015
The University of Waterloo will welcome about 9,000 new students for Fall Orientation 2015 with events that include new undergraduate, graduate and international students, parents and community members.
Programming starts tomorrow with a new three-day program for undergraduate international students in their first year. Orientation for all students takes place between September 6 and 12. Members of senior administration, deans, faculty and orientation leaders will help students move into their new homes on campus on the Sunday and Monday of the Labour Day weekend.
“Orientation activities are a major component of our student transition program, designed to help our newest students to connect to the campus and introduce them to academic, social and community life here,” said Chris Read, associate provost, students at Waterloo. “This is a change for families, too. So we hold parent orientation and a family send-off to help them learn about life at Waterloo and celebrate this milestone in their lives.”
Orientation events include conference-style sessions for graduate students, and in addition to campus-wide events, there is faculty-specific programming for first-year undergraduate students. For example, this year, the new dean of mathematics will induct all first-year math students in his first Pink Tie Ceremony. It is a fun and symbolic welcoming to the Faculty.
Single and Sexy is an edgy and educational production that addresses the situations that students are likely to face when they live on their own for the first time. The community is invited to attend Black and Gold Day, an opportunity to show Waterloo pride at a women’s rugby game.
“Starting studies at Waterloo is an exciting time for all students, but we know it’s important that all groups receive tailored programming that will support their success beyond their first week,” said Heather Westmorland, associate director, student transition and learning services in the Student Success Office at Waterloo.
The Federation of Students and the Student Success Office partner with the Faculties, housing and residence, the Graduate Student Association, College Pathways, Waterloo International and the federated university and affiliated colleges to organize Orientation. The event also involves more than 1,000 student volunteers.
“The Federation of Students is proud to have a key role in Fall Orientation, and our student volunteers have been preparing exciting activities and events for months,” said Chris Lolas, president of Feds. “I look forward to welcoming first-year students and sharing information about the diverse opportunities available for them through Feds.”
Further information about each orientation schedule is available on the Fall Orientation 2015 website.
