As the start of the 2024 Fall Semester beckons, University of Lethbridge campuses in both Calgary and Lethbridge are readying for the annual influx of students.
In preparation for the beginning of classes on Wednesday, Sept. 4, residences will spring to life this weekend with residence move-in beginning Sunday and a host of activities welcoming students back to campus.
“We’ve been busy getting everything ready and expect to see about 950 students and their families arriving to help them move into their home-away-from home,” says Laura Correal, associate director of Housing Services. “The residence experience for some is their first time living away, and it’s important we are there to provide the supports they need to feel comfortable in their new surroundings and to be ready to thrive as they begin this new chapter of their lives.”
Correal says residence life is an integral part of student success and retention, something the University works hard to achieve.
“Our residence assistants are exceptional in showcasing how supportive our residence community can be as we start the semester, and that’s key to helping students find where and how they fit in this new world,” adds Correal. “At the end of the day, we want to see students find success academically and socially, and that starts with supporting them from the day they move in.”
On Tuesday, Sept. 3, New Student Orientation (NSO) kicks in with a full day of activities coordinated to help new students get their academic journey started on the right foot. Again, the focus is helping students find a comfort level as soon as possible to set them up for success in their first year.
“The first few weeks can really set the tone for our students, and we want them to hit the ground running with confidence and all the information they need to find success,” says Kathleen Massey, vice-provost (students). “We’ve invited all the new undergraduates to complete the StartSmart Quiz, a new initiative, to set them up for success. Starting university is a big shift for new students, navigating a post-secondary campus, new demands for their time, many living on their own for the first time, there’s a lot that is thrown at them. Through NSO and StartSmart, we’re trying to help them be ready for that transition and let them know they have our support in achieving their goals.”
Media are invited to attend campus and speak with the various event organizers who are there to assist new, returning and graduate students as they prepare to kick off the new semester. See below for a schedule of events and activities.
Residence Move-in
Sunday, Sept. 1
• First move-in times begin at 8:30 a.m. and will continue throughout the day in a prescheduled format to ease traffic through the buildings
• Housing Services hosts New Resident Orientation & Welcome Home sessions at 4:30 p.m. (Coulee View & Parkway houses) and 6 p.m. (University Hall residences) in PE250.
Contacts:
Laura Correal, 587-370-3183, laura.correal@uleth.ca
Nick Whiffen, 416-931-8183, nick.whiffen@uleth.ca
Tuesday, Sept. 3
• ULSU Pre-event Kickoff, 8:30 to 9 a.m. (1st Choice Savings Centre gym)
• Welcome address with President and Vice-Chancellor Dr. Digvir Jayas, 9 to 9:30 a.m.
• Campus tours, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. (tours leave every 20 minutes from Anderson Hall)
• Introductory sessions with various campus units, 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
• Indigenous Student Welcome, 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. (Iikaisskini Gathering Space, W650)
• StartSmart@ULethbridge Student Quiz, 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. (PE250)
• Lunch and Booth Fair, 12 to 1 p.m. (University Hall Atrium)
• Faculty meet-and-greet sessions, 1 to 3 p.m. (throughout campus)
• Outdoor Rec Room, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. (The Grove)
• International Student Meet & Greet, 1 to 2:45 p.m. (International Centre, SU060)
• International Student Orientation Essentials, 3 to 5 p.m. (PE250)
Contacts:
Natasha Reners, natasha.reners@uleth.ca
Kari Sackney, kari.sackney@uleth.ca
Kathleen Massey, kathleen.massey@uleth.ca
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Contact:
Trevor Kenney, Manager of Public Affairs
403-329-2710
403-360-7639 (cell)
@ULethbridge
Our University’s Blackfoot name is Iniskim, meaning Sacred Buffalo Stone. The University is located in traditional Blackfoot Confederacy territory. We honour the Blackfoot people and their traditional ways of knowing in caring for this land, as well as all Indigenous Peoples who have helped shape and continue to strengthen our University community.
