Piles of paper and school supplies, lineups at the campus bookstore, and bright-eyed students wearing even brighter coloured T-shirts parading across University Hill are signs the new academic year is underway.
Each year, the University Students’ Council (USC) at The University of Western Ontario pulls off one of the biggest orientation programs in the country. The week-long, alcohol-free events are like speed-dating for universities. You get to know your residence roommates, your faculty and a few local charities, as well as attend a concert, a carnival and midway, and various other activities.
Thousands of first-year students gather on University College Hill for activities and events held during Orientation Week.
Residence move-in dates are Sept. 6-8. Western’s first-year students will be greeted by the fresh faces of upper-year students, called ‘Sophs,’ helping to make the move-in process smoother for students and parents.
Approximately 800 Sophs volunteer to help those new to the university and London to get acquainted with their new home. Residence move-in instructions and information about what to bring are available on the website at residenceatwestern.ca/index.cfm.
Expect increased traffic on Western Road and Windermere Road on Sept. 6-7 as a result of the move-in.
“This is a trmendously busy and exciting time at Western,” says Susan Grindrod, Associate Vice-President of Housing and Ancillary Services. “Our main goal is to help new students get settled and feel welcome as quickly as possible.”
Orientation Week, otherwise known as O-Week, runs Sept. 6-13. This year’s theme is Generation W: Your Western, Your Legacy.
Earlier this year, the USC made a commitment to provide a more accessible O-Week, including improved communications surrounding event accommodation and making venues accessible, as well as providing information about services for students with disabilities.
First year students are encouraged to make a change by participating in two O-Week fundraising activities – Shinerama and the Terry Fox Campaign. Shinerama is celebrating its 45th anniversary and is Canada’s largest post-secondary fundraiser. Western’s campaign will be held on Sept. 12 and volunteers will be canvassing the city, as well as attending the Mustang football game at TD Waterhouse Stadium to raise funds.
The Terry Fox Run will follow on Sept. 13 and organizers hope to surpass last year’s record-breaking figure of more than $80,000. Registration will be held on Concrete Beach in front of the University Community Centre (UCC) and run times are at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Participants are encouraged to show up a half hour early for registration. Western offers the largest post-secondary run in the country.
More information on Western’s fundraising campaigns is posted at oweek.ca/change. Amidst all of the fun, don’t forget classes start on Thursday, Sept. 10.
London police have increased patrols the areas around the university and Fanshawe College, as well as Richmond Row, as part of the Project L.E.A.R.N. program to reduce misconduct. The added police presence will run until Oct. 3.
Western Fire Safety will demonstrate the importance of fire safety during a live burn of a mock student bedroom on University College Hill, near Talbot College, at noon and 4 p.m.
The Book Store at Western has extended its hours to accommodate the rush of students buying textbooks. To view the hours or to look up the course textbook lists visit bookstore.uwo.ca/index.html.
This is a year of firsts for others on campus as well. Western President Amit Chakma is two months into his five-year term at the helm of the university. Andrew Hrymak is the new Dean of Engineering and Kevin Wamsley is serving a one-year term as Acting Dean of Health Sciences while Dean Jim Weese takes a study leave.
Helen Connell is serving as Acting Vice-President, External, while a replacement is sought for the position left vacant by Ted Garrard and Thérèse Quigley joins Western as Director of Sports and Recreation Services.
The new Student Services Building is open for business. The $21-million, four-storey facility is set between the UCC and the Weldon Library. It offers one-stop shopping for services provided under the profile of the Office of the Vice-Provost (Academic Programs and Students) [Registrar], John Doerksen.
Some of the student-focused services in the building include: Undergraduate Recruitment and Admissions; Student Financial Services; Career Services@Western; the Teaching Support Centre; Indigenous Services and International Student Services, among others. A complete floor plan of the building is available at wss.uwo.ca/floorplans.cfm.
A complete list of O-Week activities can be found at oweek.ca.
Welcome back to an exciting new academic year!
