York Day highlights life outside the classroom

The capstone event of York’s social orientation week, Aug. 24 to Sept. 1, just happens to feature free food, entertainment, prizes and information galore. The York Day Information Fair brings together 300 student clubs, student governments and University services in one venue so that students can peruse the range of experiences available at York.

This year, York Day takes place on Tuesday, Sept. 2, from 9am to 3pm in the Tait McKenzie Field House Gyms and surrounding area.

“The purpose of York Day is to provide students with the opportunity for one-on-one contact with student clubs, services, student governments and University support services,” said Brian Poser, until recently the manager of student success and retention, Centre for Student Community & Leadership Development. “It tells students the University is more than just about being in the classroom.”

Poser likens York Day to a trade show where students can browse through a diverse array of offerings and choose to get involved in clubs that perhaps they didn’t know existed at York. In addition, counselling, writing and transportation services will all be represented.

What’s interesting about York Day is it tends to draw new students that didn’t attend any of the other orientation activities, said Poser. “The overlap is quite small.”

To keep the energy up and the fun happening, York Day usually brings in entertainment for the students. This year, Unity, a campus club with a mandate to reduce violence, is expected to perform its dramatization of a dance-off between rival groups. Unity tries to teach others how to resolve conflicts without the use of violence.

A free lunch is also provided, and is great for new students to get to know each other. Students will also have the chance to win prizes, including gift certificates from the York University Bookstore.

For more information, visit the Centre for Student Community & Leadership Development Web site.