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Laurier welcomes first-year students with Waterloo campus Orientation Week activities
Sept. 1, 2022
For Immediate Release
WATERLOO – Wilfrid Laurier University’s Orientation Week is set to kick off at the Waterloo campus with a Golden Hawks football game Sept. 3 and continue with a week full of activities until Sept. 10.
Orientation Week, organized by the Wilfrid Laurier University Students’ Union, is an opportunity for students to learn their way around campus, meet new people and become involved in student life.
“We have been looking forward to welcoming our students to our campuses with an in-person, face-to-face greeting for a long time now,” said Ivan Joseph, vice-president of Student Affairs. “There is nothing like feeling the energy and enthusiasm that ripples across our community during Orientation Week. Thank you to all the student leaders, volunteers, faculty and staff who go out of their way to showcase the Laurier community spirit and demonstrate what is so Golden about the Laurier student experience.”
Orientation highlights include: the Sept. 3 football game when Laurier hosts the Western University Mustangs with a 7 p.m. kick-off at University Stadium; Shine Day when students have fun while raising funds for Shinerama in support of Cystic Fibrosis Canada (founded at Laurier in 1961); the O-Carnival on the Northdale campus; and a burning room demonstration by fire fighters to promote fire safety.
Throughout the week, students will learn about safety and support services at Laurier, resources to help them balance their physical and mental health, and tips and advice for academic success. They will also learn about why the safety of our community is our highest priority. The entire Laurier community is expected to behave in a safe and respectful way, and that means being welcoming, inclusive and safe.
A list of media photo opportunities is below.
Orientation Week includes a range of events (see full schedule):
On Saturday, Sept. 3, students will start their Golden Hawk experience with the Battle of the Purples – Laurier vs. Western – in what is the only home game under the lights for Laurier’s men’s football this season. Tickets can be purchased online.
On Monday, Sept. 5, consent culture educator and activist Farrah Khan will talk about consent and sexual education in her presentation at 1:30 p.m. in the Athletic Centre’s main gym. Among her many accomplishments raising awareness about the intersections of gender-based violence and equity, Khan addressed world leaders in 2018 as part of her appointment to the Gender Equality Advisory Council for the G7 Summit.
Opening ceremonies take place at the Athletic Complex’s main gym at 7 p.m. and again at 9 p.m. In between, students can enjoy the award-winning mentalist Wayne Hoffman’s mind-bending comedy show.
On Tuesday, Sept. 6 in the Northdale campus parking lot, firefighters will light and put out a fire in a model bedroom to demonstrate how quickly a fire can spread and explain the importance of fire alarms and evacuation plans. A kitchen fire demonstration will show students how to extinguish a grease fire.
On Wednesday, Sept. 7, students will experience the O-Carnival which will feature activities such as inflatable obstacle courses, jousts and rock climbing. This event will be at Sunview Open Space.
Building up to Saturday, Sept. 10, Laurier will hold barbecues on campus at The Quad every day from Sept. 3 to 9 to raise money for Shinerama and Cystic Fibrosis Canada. On the last day of O-Week, Shinerama will feature games, a bottle drive and car wash.
“My advice to students is don’t be afraid to put yourself out there and take the opportunity to engage with your fellow Golden Hawks,” said Shane Symington, president and CEO of the Students’ Union. “I hope students lose themselves in the moments where they’re at Headphone Disco or the Welcome Back concert and find themselves as they get their first taste of a community that will embrace them, and truly make them feel like they belong. We hope they make this experience their own.”
“We’re excited to have a full complement of students engaging in Orientation Week activities this year,” said Adam Lawrence, Laurier’s dean of students. “Many thanks to the O-Week organizers, and a warm welcome to Laurier’s newcomers.”
Laurier’s Brantford campus will also host Orientation Week activities for first-year students.
Laurier’s graduate students and international students will enjoy additional orientation programming. Graduate Student Orientation Day is Tuesday, Sept. 6, highlighted by keynote speaker Jennifer Moss, who will talk about maintaining health and well-being during the pandemic. In addition to O-Week 2022, international students are due for a warm welcome at the Waterloo campus President’s Welcome Brunch on Wednesday, Sept. 7.
Photo opportunities for media on the Waterloo campus
Move-in Day
Laurier Residence students will move into residence buildings 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. on both Saturday, Sept. 3 and Sunday, Sept. 4.
Opening Ceremonies
On Monday, Sept. 5, university administration and Students’ Union President Shane Symington offer a warm welcome (7 p.m. and 9 p.m., Athletic Complex’s main gym) with award-winning mentalist Wayne Hoffman’s mind-blowing comedy act (7:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m.). Please connect with our media contacts to attend.
Room Burn Demonstration
Waterloo Fire Rescue firefighters will educate students about fire safety by showing how quickly a room can become engulfed in flames. Students will also see a grease fire demonstration and learn fire safety tips. Two demonstrations will take place Tuesday, Sept. 6, the first at 5:30 p.m. and the second at 6:30 p.m. at the Northdale location.
Carnival
The O-Carnival features inflatable obstacle courses, jousts and rock climbing. Popcorn, snow cones and cotton candy will be served, and memories of the event will be captured in the photo booth. This event will be at Sunview Open Space (behind Waterloo College Hall, enter off Seagram St. across from the stadium) on Wednesday, Sept. 7 from 5 p.m. to 11 p.m.
Welcome Back Concert
After students finish their first day of classes, they can join Dynamic DJ duo Loud Luxury at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 8 at University Stadium Field. Please connect with our media contacts to attend.
Stunt Magician
Magician and comedian Wes Barker from the Netflix show Big Trick Energy will appear at Lazaridis Hall 1001 at 9 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 9. Please connect with our media contacts to attend.
Shine Day
Students continue their support of Cystic Fibrosis Canada with a car wash, games and barbecue on Saturday, Sept. 10 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The event will take place at Parking lot 1 beside Bricker Residence.
Other Key Links
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Media Contacts:
Lori Chalmers Morrison, Director: Integrated Communications
External Relations, Wilfrid Laurier University