Dear Residents,
I would like to welcome you to residence at the University of Lethbridge! If it's your first semester here, or your last, or any number in between, you are now an integral part of our warm and welcoming residence community.
Your time living on residence is best spent when you make the most of it, and the Organization of Residence Students is here to help with that! It is our mission to provide each and every resident with the opportunity to be part of the ultimate residence experience. This means providing you with a fun, productive, and inclusive environment that you will want to be a part of. So, join us in helping to build the community that we strive for.
Your Residence Assistants will be putting on fun events that you ask for throughout your time here. I strongly encourage you to take advantage of these events and initiatives as well as get to know the awesome individuals who are putting them on! The Vice President of each facility will be putting on events that bring your entire facility together, encouraging friendships beyond just your floors/sections. As for myself, I have the pleasure of bringing the residence community as a whole together through residence-wide events and initiatives. I plan on creating one massive community for all, no matter what year or facility you are in. Do not hesitate at any point in your time on residence to get to know all of us. We have these jobs and hold these positions because we want you to have the best experience possible! You will also be provided with ORS programming through various committees, each with its own unique focus; Residence Wars, Social Programming, Health and Wellness, and Inclusion & Advocacy are some of my favourites. I hope you're able to attend the amazing events they'll be coordinating-- Spring Formal, Pride Week, Tug of War, Dog Walking, and so much more. Also, keep an eye out for information regarding ORS intramural sports teams as they are a great way to meet new people with similar interests. I'll be the first to tell you, dodgeball can get wild! Living in residence has its benefits towards your academic experience as well, we'll have many sessions and workshops on how to be successful in your post-secondary education. We want to provide the tools and skills to make you as successful as possible here at the University of Lethbridge.
The next bit is all up to you, your roommate(s), and your floormates. Your experience here in residence will be exactly what you make of it - the more you put in, the more you'll get out of it. And I encourage you to try and get out the most! I know exactly how nervous and anxious you may be, coming into this brand-new environment away from home, but I urge you to take a leap of faith and step out of your comfort zone because it will be an amazing experience! My biggest regret as a first-year resident was not being more involved with the opportunities provided to me, don’t make that same mistake! This transition is tough but there are so many resources and smiling RAs to help you, whatever it may be. Attend events, spruce up your wardrobe with your section's Residence Wars colours, keep your door open, and get to know your neighbours and your section!
Let’s make this year one to remember! Come say hi, I would love to get to know each and every one of you!
Tianna Read
President, Organization of Residence Students (ORS)
2022/2023