The pace around The University of Western Ontario quickens this weekend as thousands of first-year students move into residences, signaling the start of a new academic year.
The Labour Day weekend will be marked with vehicles hauling bedding; suitcases and wide-eyed students around the university as students move in to residences and off-campus housing. Expect traffic delays on Western Road and Windermere Road Sept. Sunday and Monday. More information on what to bring and move-in instructions are available here.
The University Students’ Council introduces first-year students to campus by putting on one of the biggest orientation programs in the country, O-Week. This year tagged “The Real World Western,” the week-long, alcohol-free program promises a hypnotist, charity events, carnival, dance party, midway, concerts (including a performance by Down with Webster, featuring The Midway State on Sept. 11) and more.
To give a taste of the ‘real’ Western, more than 800 undergraduate student volunteers will lend a helping hand to frosh. These upper-year students bring a familiar face and high energy to the O-Week program designed to give new students a sampling of the year to come.
Students are encouraged to get involved in the university and London community, including participating in two O-Week fundraising activities – Shinerama and the Terry Fox Campaign.
Shinerama is Canada’s largest post-secondary fundraiser.Western’s campaign will be held on Sept. 11 and volunteers will be canvassing the city to raise funds. Keeping with the fundraising spirit, Western offers the largest Terry Fox Run organized by a postsecondary institution in Canada on Sept. 19. The run times are 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. on Concrete Beach.
Show your purple pride at the Mustang football game at TD Waterhouse Stadium against McMaster University on Sept. 11.
A complete list of O-Week activities can be found here.
With Labour Day falling later in the month this year, students get to enjoy a week of orientation before classes begin on Sept. 13.
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 https://bookstore.uwo.ca/.
If you have questions about financial aid services, applying for part-time jobs or writing exams and essays, drop by the Western Student Services Building. Some of the student-focused services in the building include: Undergraduate Recruitment and Admissions; Office of the Registrar; Student Financial Services; Career Services@Western; the Teaching Support Centre; Indigenous Services and International Student Services, among others.
London police have increased patrols the areas around the university and Fanshawe College, as well as Richmond Row, as part of the Project LEARN (Liquor Enforcement and Reduction of Noise) program to reduce misconduct. The added police presence will run through September and early October.
It doesn’t take long for a small fire to turn into a blaze, as will be demonstrated by Western Fire Safety on Tuesday during a live burn of a mock student bedroom. The demonstration will be held on University College Hill, near Talbot College at noon and 4 p.m.
Make the most of your time outside the classroom. Check the events calendar regularly for upcoming lectures, conferences and special events.
Welcome back to an exciting new academic year!