U of T is gearing up to celebrate the entry of double cohort frosh as part of Orientation Week. Students can expect a jam-packed schedule of events in their introduction to U of T.
Orientation week includes boat cruises, rock and hip-hop concerts, movies, parties and trips to the Hart House farm.
A number of colleges are taking frosh on off-campus trips. St. Michael’s orientation features a trip to Canada’s Wonderland and Medieval Times. Orientation week also includes Cruise parties and overnight trips to Hart House farm.
University College and Scarborough are bringing back the hypnotist show featuring Casey St. Jones. In addition to the old favourites, colleges are introducing new events to freshen up orientation.
St. Michael’s College is holding a new event specifically for comuters. “Same World, Different Planet” will bring together commuters for a day of food and games.
UTM is holding a concert on the last day of orientation, where I Mother Earth and Candida from Canadian Idol are playing.
“We’ve never left the downtown campus after the SAC parade before, and this is Erindale’s first outdoor concert ever” said Katherine Kormos, services coordinator for the Erindale College Student Union.
On the downtown campus, SAC is throwing a Woodstock-like rock concert on the Friday afternoon, featuring UC student band The Daybreak among others. Later that night, SAC is also putting on an R&B and Hip-Hop concert featuring Canadian artists In Essence. A wrestling event at Varsity Arena on Friday goes for a retro feel, with Screech from Saved by the Bell (Dustin Diamond) starring alongside “Hacksaw” Jim Duggan and Jim “The Anvil” Niedhart, among others.
As well as the concerts, SAC is hosting the annual clubs carnival, where more than 150 clubs are expected. SAC Day on Friday includes the university-wide SAC parade across the downtown area and a toonie lunch and dinner. SAC is expecting more than 8,000 frosh and frosh leaders.
This year SAC is not only hosting Friday’s events, but also trying to facilitate for colleges across campus. SAC is providing safety, security, and transportation at the Engineering frosh night at Fort York, where 4,000 people are expected. SAC is also planning to provide assistance at an interdivisional college party on Wednesday.
“We’re trying to be more proactive,” said Dylan Rae, the SAC orientation coordinator. “We want to make SAC a resource for the colleges”.
In addition to the fun and games, colleges are providing academic events to ease the transition into university. Events include meeting with professors, tours of the U of T campus and survival skills sessions.
University College is holding an alternative orientation for students who are looking for a low-key affair. The orientation is catered towards those seeking a shorter, cheaper, and resource-based introduction to the university.
On the Scarborough campus, orientation week includes a talent show and a 24-hour interactive play put on by the Drama Society.
Orientation at UTM features a 3.5 km charity run-walk. Scarborough is also hosting Shinerama, where students shine shoes and other objects for charity.
Frosh week started yesterday and will continue throughout the week until Sept. 6.
