Orientation starts the year off right

by Joy Poliquin

Orientation staff Harrison Ayre (foreground), Amanda Lisman and Devon Arnold invite students to join them for the BC Transit Scavenger Hunt, part of the 2004-05 orientation program.

While the first official day of classes fell on Sept. 8 this year, the campus has been buzzing for weeks as volunteers and organizers prepared for this year's New Student Orientation program.

More than 100 volunteers, 900 first-year students, 600 parents, and 150 graduate students gathered on campus in early September to usher in the 2004-05 academic year.

"This is such a busy time," says Maryanne Trofimuk, the acting student affairs co-ordinator who has been working on orientation with a team of six co-ordinators for the past six months. "There are activities going on every day and there's something for everyone. We're the first point of contact for students from across the country and beyond, so welcoming them right is our priority."

The orientation staff introduced a variety of new initiatives this year, including the "UVic Student Passport." A joint initiative of the UVic Students' Society and local businesses, the coupon booklet has been distributed to 15,000 students, offering them great deals on products and services on campus and in the community.

This year also included the resurrected BC Transit Scavenger Hunt, which helps familiarize students with the Victoria bus system, and the upcoming Family Orientation Day on Sept. 28. Students are invited to bring their family along to meet other families, check out some university and community resources, enjoy some children's entertainment, and nibble on light snacks.

Orientation fun continues until Sept. 15, with the Fiesta Siesta outdoor craft market Sept. 9–10 in front of the McPherson Library. Students can also check out the Ask-Me-Centre information booth in the University Centre lobby until Sept. 15, where volunteers can answer any campus life-related questions.

"It's the volunteers who really keep this program going, " says Devin Arnold, student affairs assistant who volunteered with orientation for four years before joining the team full-time. "They really make this month of welcome memorable."

Volunteers can register year-round to help out by calling Alexis at 472-4552 or visiting the orientation Web site at: orientation.uvic.ca/volunteers/.