Who’s got the best Orientation week? Which events should you attend? And how the heck did they come up with this college system?
Read on, get out there, and then pick up The Varsity next week to see the best of Orientation week in pictures!
UTM
Theme: “Crack the Code”
In a nutshell: Not sure-website features a duck. The schedule includes a visit by a hypnotist (always good for a few laughs), a trip to Medieval Times (fun if you’re twelve or ripped), and a Wonderland excursion. The week is among the most organized, with bursaries available for deserving students who can’t afford the price tag and a snazzy website complete with discussion board.
UTSC
Theme: none
In a nutshell: UTSC’s frosh leaders have planned a hypnotist, a trip to Toronto Island, and an “Amazing Race” event, but the most outstanding feature is the swag available to be won. Among the items are an all-expenses paid trip to Montreal for New Year’s, a portable DVD player, a $250 student bursary, Motorola and Ericsson cellphones, Stratford tickets, three $200 certificates for the U of T bookstore, and more.
TRINITY
Theme: RevoluTrin
In a nutshell: “Change is what a revolution is all about, which is why we decided to call our frosh week RevoluTrin,” says the organizers’ website. The week is crammed with revolution-themed events and a V for Vendetta motif, beginning with ’60s Counter Culture Day and continuing with 1900s Paris Day and Scientific Revolution Day (which sounds considerably less intriguing than the others). The week is capped off by a trip to a camp a few hours north of Toronto where the young rebel upstarts will be let loose to stir up dissent beachside.
VICTORIA
Theme: “You are here. Vic”
In a nutshell: A “Wacky Tacky Boat Cruise” on Lake Ontario and a Video Games Showdown (which will be lots of fun for those with controllers in their hands; not so much for everyone else) are the standouts for Vic’s frosh week. A Casino Night and a Faculty Coffeehouse are planned for Wednesday night and a lecture from history professor / local funnyman Ken Bartlett on Thursday will make everyone want to declare history as their major.
WOODSWORTH
Theme: “The Breakout”
In a nutshell: Not sure-sounds like something to do with acne. But there are some interesting events planned, most notably “The Chase,” a college-wide survival game that aims to acquaint frosh with the people and places they need to know around Woodsworth. A paintball outing to Sgt. Splatter is slotted for Tuesday night and the college will take a boat cruise Friday. On Saturday, Woodworthians take a noble turn by participating in oUTreach 2006, a community service initiative with opportunities to clean up garbage, organize reading circles, and more.
INNIS
Theme: None
In a nutshell: Innis’s week storms out of the gates on Tuesday morning with an hour-long event called “AwkwardFest.” But things pick up after that with a trip to the Hart House Farm in the Calendon Hills where a reported “100-foot sub!” will be on offer (to be verified). A Blue Jays game is planned for Wednesday and an on-campus Amazing Race and Scavenger Hunt for that evening. Excursions to the Playdium and the climbing gym are in the mix, too.
U.C.
Theme: The Red and White Album
In a nutshell: UC frosh will take in a Jays game, venture to Toronto Island, get hypnotized, go on a scavenger hunt, and, on Friday, participate in something called Shinerama (see Letters).
Faculties and other events:
WHAT: Faculty of Applied Science & Engineering
ESTABLISHED: 1873 as the ‘School of Practical Science,’ 1906 as the ‘Faculty of Applied Science & Engineering’
TRIVIA: The Toike Oike (the U of T Engineering Society’s newspaper), the engineers’ yell, and the engineering cannon have all been around since before World War I.
“CAN’T MISS” ORIENTATION EVENT:
Skule’s “Blue and Gold Bed Races,” Thursday, Sept. 7, 5 – 7 p.m, King’s College Circ.
Why you should go: Pay homage to the geniuses who thought to unite a bed, wheels, and velocity. See the colleges try to beat the engineers at their own game.
WHAT: Faculty of Applied Science & Engineering
ESTABLISHED: 1873 as the ‘School of Practical Science,’ 1906 as the ‘Faculty of Applied Science & Engineering’
TRIVIA: The Toike Oike (the U of T Engineering Society’s newspaper), the engineers’ yell, and the engineering cannon have all been around since before World War I.
“CAN’T MISS” ORIENTATION EVENT:
Skule’s “Blue and Gold Bed Races,” Thursday, Sept. 7, 5 – 7 p.m, King’s College Circ.
Why you should go: Pay homage to the geniuses who thought to unite a bed, wheels, and velocity. See the colleges try to beat the engineers at their own game.
WHAT: Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy
ESTABLISHED: 1882 as Ontario College of Pharmacy, affiliated with U of T in 1892, and became the Faculty of Pharmacy in 1953..
TRIVIA: In 19th century Toronto, pharmaceutical education primarily involved manual training and apprenticeships. Today the B.Sc. program is a four-year, second-entry undergraduate degree.
TRIVIA (II): The new Leslie Dan Pharmacy Building (on the corner of College St. and University Ave.) was designed by famous British architect Norman Foster.
“CAN’T MISS” ORIENTATION EVENT:
SAC Undertow After-Party, Hart House, Friday, Sept. 8, 9 p.m. – 1 a.m., featuring Tokyo Police Club and Magneta Lane
Why you should go: Seeing these two on-the-rise indie bands before they explode will score you some hipster cred and enable you to brag in a few years’ time that you were a fan before there was even a bandwagon.
WHAT: Faculty of Music
ESTABLISHED: U of T took over the Toronto Conservatory of Music in 1919. The Faculty of Music formed in 1956. In 1990 the Conservatory became independent of U of T.
NOTABLE ALUMNI: Glenn Gould studied piano at the Conservatory.
RANDOM FACT: All U of T students can access the Naxos Music Library, an enormous online collection of classical music, for free via the Faculty of Music’s website.
WHAT: Faculty of Law
ESTABLISHED: 1887
NOTABLE ALUMNI: Paul Martin (’64), Bill Graham (’64), Bob Rae (’77), David Miller (’84). So if you want to be a politician-or meet a future politician…
TRIVIA: Until 1958 the Law Society of Upper Canada wouldn’t recognize U of T as a degree-granting institution, and wouldn’t let U of T law grads be admitted to the Ontario Bar.
