Advisory — University ready to welcome students for Fall 2023

Friday, September 1, 2023

University of Lethbridge campuses in both Lethbridge and Calgary will once again be teeming with activity over the next few days as students prepare for the start of the Fall 2023 Semester on Wednesday, Sept. 6.

Among the many activities taking place over the next few days is residence move-in, where 960 students will take up housing on the ULethbridge campus, including a record 100 international students. A host of welcome activities specific to residence students will commence Sunday as families begin to arrive on campus and students begin to populate the various residence facilities.

“It’s exciting to be at nearly full capacity with 960 students in residence including a record 100 international students,” says Laura Correal, associate director of Housing Services. “The residence experience plays such a big role in student success and student retention and the introductory activities our residence assistants have planned for students are designed to really make them feel welcome on campus and to start creating that supportive residence community that can have such a positive influence on their academic careers at ULethbridge.”

On Tuesday, Sept. 5, New Student Orientation takes over with a full day of activities scheduled to help new students get their academic journey started on the right foot. The first few days on campus are extremely important for students as they learn to navigate the new world of post-secondary studies and ULethbridge staff and returning students play a key role in helping new students find their way.

“New Student Orientation really sets the stage for our beginning students, and we spend a lot of time making sure we are meeting the needs of each incoming class,” says Kathleen Massey, vice-provost (students). “There is so much thrown at them the first few weeks they are on campus, socially and academically, and we want to help them with that transition to post-secondary life so that they can feel confident from the outset. We want all our students to achieve success and to know we are here to support them in reaching their goals — and that starts from day one.”

ULethbridge has launched StartSmart@ULethbridge, a three-year, proactive student retention initiative to help new undergraduate students achieve their academic goals and increase first-year student retention. All new undergraduate students have been invited to complete a university readiness self-assessment called the StartSmart Quiz. While voluntary, it is an opportunity for new students to reflect on their readiness for university. The self-assessment gives feedback on seven skills that research shows contribute to university success.

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 activities and contacts.

Residence Move-in

Sunday, Sept. 3

• 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

• 960 total students and counting will occupy residence with a record 100 international students

• International Student Resident presentation to specifically support international students will be Wednesday, September 6^th at 3:00 PM in E690.

• Housing Services hosts a New Resident Orientation & Welcome BBQ at 4:30 (PE250) and 6 p.m. (Science Commons 8002, BMO Auditorium) for the various houses

Contact:

Laura Correal, 587-370-3183, laura.correal@uleth.ca

Nick Whiffen, 416-931-8183, nick.whiffen@uleth.ca

New Student Orientation

Tuesday, Sept. 5

• Pronghorn Athletics Pep Rally, 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.

• Keynote Speaker — Kacie Bosch (Faculty of Education student, Pronghorns women’s basketball alumna and coach), 9:30 to 9:45 a.m.

• Campus tours, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. (tours leave every 20 minutes)

• Calm Café, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. (PE255)

• 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)