Beginning Sept. 2 and running until Sept. 10, first-year students will have a myriad of wonderful opportunities to learn about and participate in university life at York U.
New students are led by their orientation leaders in a cheer spirit competition during last year’s social orientation
Orientation Week features an array of social and academic orientation events designed to engage students beginning their university careers. Activities take place at both the Keele and Glendon campuses, and will help first-year students get acquainted with the places and faces of York U.
“Orientation serves to complement our robust transition programming that took place during the summer. We work with more than 60 campus partners and train over 1,200 orientation leaders to help welcome our incoming class to help ensure their start is a successful one” said Ross McMillan, director of Student Engagement & First Year Experience for Student Community & Leadership Development.
It all begins Sept. 2, when first-year students staying in residence will move in to their dorm rooms and participate, with their parents, in orientation activities for residence life.
On Sept. 6, thousands of first year students from Glendon, Keele and those who commute to campus, will attend York Orientation Day, when they will have the opportunity to meet other students, as well as their peer mentors and professors. Students will have an opportunity to explore the campus and attend the annual Welcome Ceremony.
Students from a number of colleges enjoy a meet and greet event
Other events are organized by the college councils of Bethune, Calumet, Founders, Glendon, McLaughlin, New, Stong, Vanier and Winters, as well as Lassonde and Schulich. The week offers first-year students an opportunity to participate in pan-university activities, in addition to events specific to each college.
Some of the events include special breakfasts, academic workshops, carnivals, trips to Wasaga Beach and Canada’s Wonderland, the Lions YU game and a boat cruise.
Events and activities are led by trained orientation leaders who work hard during the week to instill a sense of pride and excitement in those new to the Keele and Glendon campuses.
Orientation events are dry, meaning there is no alcohol, with an emphasis on safe and inclusive fun. There is a special emphasis on consent education with activities and education developed in partnership with the Sexual Violence Response Office. Both residents (who kick off the week on Sept. 2 with move-in day) and commuters are invited to participate in Orientation Week activities, and commuter students can make arrangements to stay on campus for the week in specially designated commuter rooms.
For more on orientation events, visit orientation.yorku.ca and follow the hastags #weareyu and #WelcomeYU.