Fall 2007 - University College - University of Toronto

C A M P U S L I F E T O D A YUC OrientationEach September over 4,000 newand returning students flock ontothe UC campus. Although manyfirst year students are eager to begin newchapters in their lives, the first few weekscan be a daunting experience. Adjustingto the new situation isn’t always easy forfamilies of students, either.That is where Orientation Activitiesprovide support to make the transitioneasier both inside and outside of the classroom.Beginning as early as June 9, newUC students can attend Welcome Sessionsand Course Selection workshops for helpand information on choosing and registeringfor courses, creating a timetable,getting financial aid, living in residence oroff-campus accommodations and more.Of course, Orientation activities are notjust focused on getting students adjustedto academic life, but on helping the newincoming class of students meet new peopleand find out all about the student lifeactivities UC has to offer.In August, the UC Lit will be hostingthe 3 rd annual “My Definition” leadershipconference weekend for incomingcommuter students. The conferenceintroduces students to extra-curricularleadership positions and aims to haveincoming students get a head start onwhat types of experiences and involvementsthey would like to define theirundergraduate career.The UC Lit will also be hosting a welcomeback day for upper year students inSeptember called “UC All Day, All Night”.This event was created last year in responseto results from the 05-06 Lit Survey whichfound that a number of upper year studentswere less supported and less engaged intheir UC experience than they were in firstyear when they were offered more programsand opportunities. Upper year studentsare treated to a BBQ in the Quad, andencouraged to visit information booths onavailable support services and involvementopportunities during the day. Followingthat is a karaoke pub in the JCR and busesto a Toronto nightclub.And of course, there are the traditionalOrientation Week activities that kickoff on Labour Day weekend. This year’sOrientation Co-Chairs, Jaime Auron andMorgan Wheaton, have been workinghard with their team of 24 Frosh WeekExecutives to plan meals and events forthe six busiest days of the year. Thetheme this year is Picture Perfect, somethingthat Jaime and Morgan “hope willemphasize the memorable moments offrosh week”. They envision “a week thatembodies spirit, friendly competition,and above all, fun!”There are over 150 student leaders forthe week, ready to welcome students atevents like a Scavenger Hunt and CampusTour to get to know U of T and Toronto,and Coffee with the Profs and mini-Lectures to help prepare students for theirnew academic environment. Other eventsinclude a Hypnotist Show, Sex with Sue,with guest speaker Sue Johanson, UCIdol and a Coffee House in the JCR. Theweek wraps up with the UTSU (formerlySAC) Festival and Parade on Friday andShinerama Fundraiser for Cystic Fibrosison Saturday. Coordinator of Student Life,Renu Kanga Fonseca says “OrientationWeek is full of events to help students getprepared to start a new academic experience,learn about campus, meet newpeople and make friends. There’s no otherexperience like it!”Students can sign up for Orientationweek at http://uclit.ca. For more informationon summer orientation programsfor UC students visit www.utoronto.ca/uc/newstudents. We are always lookingfor volunteers and alumni to share theirexperiences with the incoming students.If you are interested, contact the UCAlumni Office at 416-978-2968.F A L L 2 0 0 7 W W W . U C . U T O R O N T O . C A 1 1