“At the start of the school year, there’s always tremendous excitement, in part because we’re always welcoming a crop of new students who have never been here before,” said University of Manitoba president Michael Benarroch.

To read the full story, please visit Global Winnipeg. 

At Welcome Day student leaders, academic advisors and support staff will fill you in on what you need to know.  We will help you get familiar with your new space, highlighting valuable resources and must-visit spots on campus.

Student attendees will be assigned a Homeroom to start their day. We’ll send you the location, but you’ll also see lots of signs on campus as well as Meeters and Greeters to help point you in the right direction. Prior to lunch, UM community members will come together for the Welcome Ceremony and formally welcome you to the herd! Following the ceremony, you’re invited to join us for a free barbecue lunch  on the pedway. See the full schedule for more details.

We’re excited to announce that Brody Jackson, Morning Show personality from QX104 will be joining us at the Welcome Ceremony! You may also recognize his voice from his work at the Jets games as the Game Host.

Here are even more reasons why you should join us for Welcome Day:

• To gain confidence: Going somewhere new is overwhelming, but being introduced to these spaces and exploring them beforehand will do wonders. Learning about supports and services can also be intimidating, so we’ll show you how to get connected.
• Meet experienced students and future classmates. Hearing from students about university life will give you insight on some things you can expect. It’s also a good opportunity to meet future classmates as your Homeroom will have students registered in the same courses or program as you.
• Leaders can answer questions. It’s hard to know what information you’re missing until you get to campus and see it for yourself. Welcome Day will give you a chance to settle in and ask questions you may have.
• Hear advice from special guests and UM VIPs. These guests will share firsthand experiences and give you their best tips and advice. Helping you set yourself up for success and paving a better path for future students is the Bison spirit!

We’re excited to meet new faces and help you make the best of your first year! This is an exciting time for you and for the whole UM community, so we want to make sure you feel like you belong. Don’t miss this chance to see what lies ahead of you.

Be sure to confirm your attendance on Welcome Day by completing a short online form. Check your @myumanitoba.ca email address regularly for all important details: when to arrive and where to go, along with a QR code to use at check-in. Visit UM Commons for everything related to the first year experience.

“We really want students to feel like they belong here, that this isn’t just where they go to class, but that this is their campus now and they are an important part of what goes on here,” said Ali Wood-Warren, First Year Centre Coordinator.

If you’re a new student, here are the top five reasons you should register to attend New Student Orientation:

1. Get the information you need to succeed academically

New Student Orientation offers lots of information to help you get your bearings. From faculty sessions to learning about what it means to be a student at the U of M and all the opportunities available to you, all the important topics are covered. And if you have more questions, see reason #2!

2. Connect with faculty and fellow students

If you have questions about university life, this is a great time to ask them. Faculty and current students will be on hand to provide answers and tips. It’s also an opportunity to meet other new students who are sharing the same experience.

3. Get familiar with campus

The U of M’s Fort Garry campus is big and can be overwhelming. At New Student Orientation you’ll visit some of the spaces on campus. You’ll have the chance to explore your new home away from home.

4. Learn how to access services, supports and opportunities

As part of the day, you’ll visit the All About U Expo to learn about opportunities to get involved in Community Service-Learning programs, mentoring programs, student volunteering programs and many others.

5. New Student Orientation is fun

It’s one of the most exciting times of year on campus! You’ll have a chance to hear great speakers, take part in games and activities and check out everything that our campus has to offer. Don’t miss this chance to see all that’s ahead of you at the U of M.

“We are really excited to welcome all our new students to the University of Manitoba community,” said Wood-Warren. “It is such an exciting time of year and the energy on campus is incredible. Attending Orientation is the best way for students to start their academic careers on the right foot, have some fun and make some new friends.”

Note: Some faculties and departments have their own independent orientation events on Sept. 4, these include Family Social Sciences, Interdisciplinary Health Program, School of Art, Asper School of Business, Faculty of Science and Faculty of Engineering. For additional information on faculty orientations, please contact your faculty directly.

Register for New Student Orientation

If you haven’t registered for New Student Orientation, be sure to check the New Student Orientation web page for more information and how to register. Registration closes Aug. 27.

Items to complete before Orientation

There are also a number of things that you can do before attending Orientation to get ready for the year ahead. You can activate your U of M email account, get your U of M photo I.D. card and pay your tuition (due by Oct. 3, 2018) all before classes begin. You can also attend a University Prep workshop offered by the Academic Learning Centre. If you’re uncertain of what to do now, visit the Student Guide or New Student Orientation web page for details.

New this year, a series of online orientation videos will also be available to watch covering subjects like student experience, academic responsibilities, and important policy information.

For more information visit umanitoba.ca/orientation. Information about events specifically for students at Bannatyne campus, in the Faculty of Graduate Studies, and more can be found on our website.

Be sure to join the conversation on our student social media channels: @umstudent, @um_student and facebook.com/UM.Student. You can also use our hashtags, #umorientation and #umanitoba2022.

Be sure to check out our Facebook Live event on Aug. 16 at 10 a.m.