Fall term classes begin on Sept. 9, and with the official start of the new academic year at York University, there’s plenty for new and returning students to do, think about and remember.
The Orientation 2020 website, which features a countdown to the Orientation Day Welcome Ceremony, outlines a variety of virtual events for students to attend, and includes an Orientation Resource Guide listing academic and financial supports as well as information about getting involved on campus and accessing student services.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, all orientation events will take place online. All orientation leaders take part in mandatory training to support the incoming class.
Virtual Orientation 2020
Social Orientation Week runs from Sept. 5 to Sept. 13 and includes a variety of events, during which time students will get a chance to meet other first year students as well as upper year students in their respective colleges and faculties, and participate in workshops, ice breaker activities, dance parties, karaoke, mystery rooms and other exciting activities.
Additionally, consent culture workshops will be offered by each college through York’s Centre for Sexual Violence Response, Support & Education. Workshops will include a collaboration with Vanier College Productions about sex and consent focusing on the university experience during the global COVID-19 pandemic titled Consent Talks, active bystander training and a collaboration with the Building Safer Spaces Toolkit created to support the student community in organizing online events. Details on these workshops and how to attend them can be found on the Centre’s website.
For more information about the various orientation programs as well as how to register, students can visit the college or faculty Instagram links below.
Students can use the College Finder tool to determine which Orientation Week affiliated with their academic program to sign up for.
Orientation Day
One of the most highly anticipated events of the week is York Orientation Day, a full day of activities on Sept. 8 where incoming students will have an opportunity to get introduced to their professors, fellow students and university resources, and get a glimpse into what their first year at York will be like.
Academic Orientation will be hosted by colleges and held from 9 to 11 a.m., followed by the 2020 York Orientation Day Welcome Ceremony, from 11 to 11:30 a.m., which will welcome the incoming undergraduate class with messages from Rhonda L. Lenton, President and Vice-Chancellor, and Lucy Fromowitz, Vice-Provost Students. The ceremony will also feature a performance from the WIBI A Capella student group, and a hype video from the York Lions athletes.
A Virtual Service Fair will take place from 1 to 4 p.m., giving incoming and returning students the chance to connect with various student and support services using the EasyVirtualFair platform.
International Student Orientation
As the designated support office for international students, York International offers crucial services and programs tailored to address the unique needs of international students. The York International team held a series of virtual orientation events designed specifically for international students between Aug. 24 and 28 via Zoom. More information can be found on the International Student Virtual Orientation website.
Orientation for Mature and Transfer Students
All newly admitted mature and transfer students are encouraged to take part in the Mature Student First-Year Experience (FYE). The program consists of a series of online stand-alone workshops aimed at supporting mature and transfer students’ transition to York. Students may participate in as few or as many sessions as they would like via Moodle, an interactive learning platform used throughout York to deliver course content online. It is available 24-7 and lets students set their own pace for learning.
Orientation for Students in Residence
Living in residence is an incredible opportunity. Housing & Conference Services and Residence Life teams are excited to welcome students to the safe and exciting residence community at York University’s Keele Campus, and are available to assist with the transition into campus life. Important information pertaining to the residence experience, the comprehensive strategy to welcome students to residence for Fall 2020 and resources to help students succeed can be found on the Move-In Information website.