Orientation is an opportunity for students new to TRU to meet other students, meet faculty, to learn more about campus resources and more.
Orientation 2016 was a tremendous success, attracting more than the 1,300 students organizers had anticipated. About 1,500 were eligible to attend.
Geared towards students new to TRU, Orientation had students navigating their way around campus through games, activities and tours while also learning what resources are available to them.
They met faculty and students in their areas of study, had the opportunity to attend a pep rally, eat a free BBQ lunch, wear wacky props for a photo booth, play life-sized foosball and hang out in the grassy areas. The day was for those fresh out of high school, transferring from another institution, from another country or here to complete a post-graduate degree.
“We felt that it was a positive day for the students and a fun way to start off their studies at TRU,” said Orientation Coordinator, Julie Taylor.
New this year was the flipping of the official proceedings. Rather than starting the day in a big and possibly overwhelming way, the day started small and worked towards big.
Everyone met in the Campus Commons and was placed into small groups according to their areas of study. From there, the groups gradually grew and met at the Tournament Capital Centre for a pep rally, official welcome and mini-Convocation. After the TCC, it was time to unwind with the BBQ and activities outside the International Building.
The success of Orientation can also be attributed to the meaningful contact made in the summer.
“Starting at the end of July and every Tuesday, all students registered in courses for the fall received an email from us regarding things they needed to know leading up to the school year,” said Taylor. “We kept the emails light and incorporated videos into each one, which really engaged the students.”
