U of G Welcomes 4,500 New Students During Orientation Week
August 28, 2008 - News Release
The University of Guelph will be welcoming more than 4,500 new students to campus Aug. 30 to Sept. 5 for this year's Orientation Week.
Some 300 events are planned, including a huge pep rally, a Guinness World Record challenge and the President's Welcome and Luncheon.
The theme of this year's Orientation Week is "Navigate '08."
"This theme was chosen because it embodies the idea that students are capable of starting their university careers in the right direction," said Allison Law, co-ordinator of orientation and transition programs. "This year's Orientation Week is focused on showing students that they have the ability and the support of the entire University community to ‘navigate’ their way through the choices they will face during their time at Guelph."
Orientation begins Aug. 30 with student move-in day. About 4,000 students will be moving into residence with help from almost 1,000 representatives of the University.
Gordon Street will be closed between Stone Road and College Avenue from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. to accommodate the move in. The Guelph community should also anticipate increased traffic on Stone Road and College Avenue as students will be making their way to the various residences on campus.
Once students are moved in, they can participate in "An Epic First Night" that runs from 7 p.m. to midnight and includes hall challenges, entertainment and movies.
The pep rally is scheduled for Aug. 31 at 5 p.m. at Alumni Stadium and includes the "OV Boogie," a time-honoured U of G tradition.
Students will be put to the test Sept. 1 with a challenge to set the Guinness World Record for the largest dance class. Participants will be learning Zumba, a form of dance aerobics that is inspired by Latin dance. This event is scheduled for 3 p.m. in the Athletics Centre.
The band Alexisonfire will perform in the Athletics Centre Sept. 2 at 8 p.m.
The President's Welcome and Luncheon is Sept. 3 at 11 a.m. in the Gryphon Dome. Chancellor Pamela Wallin, president Alastair Summerlee, alumni, students and staff will provide insights into the keys to achieving success at university. A free lunch will follow.
After lunch, students are invited to a Resource Fair outside the dome, which will showcase the variety of clubs, programs and services offered at the University and within the Guelph community. There will also be taste testing, trivia and prizes.
The semester officially begins Sept. 4 for all students.
Orientation Week wraps up Sept. 5 with the OVie Awards to recognize various achievements and celebrate the hard work of more than 600 Orientation volunteers, event planners and the Orientation team.
For more information and a complete list of Orientation Week events, visit the Centre for New Students website at www.studentlife.uoguelph.ca/cns.
Contact
Allison Law
Co-ordinator of orientation and transition programs.
519-824-4120, Ext. 52994
apunnett@uoguelph.ca
For media questions, contact Communications and Public Affairs: Lori Bona Hunt, 519-824-4120, Ext. 53338/l.hunt@exec.uoguelph.ca, or Deirdre Healey, Ext. 56982/d.healey@exec.uoguelph.ca.
