Preparations are underway to welcome over 3,000 new students for the official kick-off of the new academic year at Trent University with Orientation Week 2016.
Starting on Sunday, September 5 and running through to Saturday, September 10, Orientation Week is designed to help new students living on and off campus adjust to the Trent environment and university life.
Events throughout the week offer incoming students an opportunity to connect with the university and its services, meet faculty and staff from their department of study, prepare for classes with academic workshops and seminars, and enhance their university experience through fun and interactive activities to help them develop life-long friendships.
The 3,000 new students comprise one of the largest groups to enter Trent University since the “double cohort” in 2003 — when the last students graduating from Grade 13 combined with the first graduating from Grade 12 to create the largest group of students to finish high school at the same time in Ontario’s history.
“With so many new students joining us on campus, we’re more excited than ever for this year’s Orientation Week,” explains Sako Khederlarian, orientation coordinator at Trent University. “We’ve planned a mixture of diverse programming to meet the needs and interests of students from a variety of backgrounds. We want to be sure that students are coming away from orientation armed with the confidence and supports they need to make the most of their Trent experience.”
Helping to make Orientation Week an outstanding experience for new students, over 160 senior students, faculty and staff are dedicating their time to coordinate and run the various dynamic events.
Here are some highlights of campus-wide orientation events:
Move-In Day
Sunday, September 4, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Orientation Week staff from all colleges and staff from housing services at Trent will be on hand to assist new students and their families with registration and their move into residence.
For the first time in over eight years, first-year students will also be welcomed to Catharine Parr Traill College in downtown Peterborough.
Draw the Line: Sexual Assault Prevention
Monday, September 5, 1:30 – 5:30 p.m. (Wenjack Theatre)
Every incoming student will be required to take part in a sexual assault prevention session led by Trent Wellness and the Office of Student Affairs.
This mandatory session for all new students is part of a new Ontario initiative called Draw the Line. At Trent, the safety of all students is a key aspect of all programming. This session sets expectations as well as reinforces proper initiatives the University is taking when approaching issues of sexual assault prevention.
Take the University Challenge
Tuesday, September 6 and Wednesday, September 7, 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. (various locations on campus)
This is an important morning for all new Trent students as they take part in an academic boot-camp to prepare them for their first semester at University.
Students will learn about work load and expectations and will be offered tips and tricks for time management, writing lab reports and essays, study skills and more.
Excalibur Varsity Rugby Game and BBQ
Wednesday, September 7, 5:30 p.m. – 8 p.m. (Justin Chiu Stadium)
The Trent Excalibur men’s rugby team faces off against Brock University in this year’s Orientation Week varsity game.
The event will see bleachers full of proud students supporting Trent varsity in green and white.
Flavours of Peterborough Food Festival
Thursday, September 8, 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. (LEC South Field)
The Colleges at Trent have organized an exciting new offering for Orientation Week, which will see 12 of Peterborough’s most popular food providers showcasing their best dishes. All dishes will cost either $3, $5, or $10.
The event will also include a yoga session, caricatures, and music.
The Great Race
Friday, September 9, 2 – 4 p.m. (Justin Chiu Stadium)
The Great Race, a time-honoured tradition at Trent, is run by the TCSA, and starts off with the annual cheering competition. Each college is assigned the task of creating a new cheer for their college and Trent University.
This giant relay race, which takes place at Justin Chiu Stadium, always brings out the college spirit in everyone.
Champlain College 50th Anniversary – High Table Dinner
Friday, September 9, 5 – 8 p.m. (Champlain College Great Hall)
Champlain College will kick-off their year-long 50th anniversary celebrations during orientation week with the Champlain College High Table Dinner which include gowning, dinner, speeches and a special visit from founding president, T.H.B. Symons.
For schedules of all Orientation Week events, visit trentu.ca.
