Fall Orientation

Wondering what Orientation Week will be like? Take a look at some of our events and activities from Orientation 2022.

Message from 2023 Orientation Chair, Elaine Treash

Hello Future Mounties!

Welcome to Mount Allison! On behalf of the entire Orientation Team, we are thrilled that you will be joining us in the fall. My name is Elaine Treash, and I am the 2023 University Orientation Chair.

Now you might be wondering what Orientation Week (aka O-Week) actually is. O-Week is action-packed with a wide variety of activities and events that are designed to help ease the transition into university life.

You will be introduced to upper-year students, staff, faculty and everyone who makes Mount Allison such an amazing university. You will also be introduced to the many resources that MtA has to offer.

You’ll quickly learn what MtA life is like, both socially and academically. Finally, you’ll get to know the beautiful campus and the charming town of Sackville.

Throughout O-Week, you will build new connections, form friendships, and gain a better understanding of what life is like at Mount Allison and in Sackville. Everyone has a place at Mount Allison, and it is my hope that you feel like you’ve found your new home here with the MtA family.

I’m SO excited to welcome you all to campus this fall! I cannot wait to meet you all and I know that the entire Orientation Team is excited to meet you too! We have some super fun activities planned for you to enjoy.

Orientation is such an exciting week, but it can also be intimidating at the same time. While this transition can be overwhelming, it’s important that you know that we are here to support you. We cannot wait to see all your smiling faces on campus in the fall!

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to reach out to me at orientation@mta.ca and be sure to follow us on Instagram @mta.orientation for more news and updates about O-Week!

See you in September!

Orientation groups (O-groups)

As a way of scaling down Orientation and making things more personal, we will be assigning all new students to Orientation groups.

Each Orientation group will consist of 10-12 new students and 1-2 Orientation leaders.

Groups will be formed around things that you have in common. This is why we ask questions on the registration form about your intended academic program and where you'll be living (e.g. on-campus, off-campus, commuting).

Your group will be your go-to place for information about Orientation. The idea is that Orientation groups will live on into the fall term and be a place where you continue to hang out and connect with each other.

The questions that you have at the beginning will be different than the questions you have one week and one month in. Your Orientation group is a good place to go for questions, answers, and support.

The first day of University Orientation is busy with hundreds of new students navigating campus, going through the Check-In Fair, and moving into residence.

Please refer to the following set of instructions to help you get through it all as smoothly as possible!

ARRIVING ON CAMPUS

To help with traffic flow, please enter Sackville via EXIT 504 on the Trans-Canada Highway.

For more directions:

• Getting here
• Interactive campus map
• Print campus map (pdf)

For residence students

• Once you arrive on campus, you can go directly to your assigned residence. There will be traffic guides to help give you directions, or see our campus map (pdf).
• Once you arrive at your residence, residence leaders and orientation volunteers will assist with your arrival and the move-in process
• To keep things moving, please move your vehicle to a nearby parking lot immediately after unloading
• Next, go to the Check-In Fair at the Wallace McCain Student Centre where you can pick up your student ID card, Orientation Welcome Pack, etc.
• For more details, visit moving into residence

For off-campus/commuting students

• Make your way directly to the Wallace McCain Student Centre for the Orientation Check-In Fair (8 a.m.-8 p.m.). This is where you will pick up your welcome pack, student ID card, etc.

Can't make it on Sept. 1?

The Orientation Check-In Fair at the Wallace McCain Student Centre will also be open on Saturday, Sept. 2 from 11 a.m.-5 p.m.

You can also get your Student ID anytime at the Bookstore.

ORIENTATION BASICS

What is Orientation?
Orientation is an introduction to life at Mount Allison. Whether you're coming from down the street, across Canada, or around the world, the adjustment to university life can be exciting and daunting at the same time. New people, new surroundings, new expectations, new ways of doing things. Orientation is where it all comes together. Orientation gives you a chance to connect with other new students through a variety of fun, interactive, and informative sessions and activities. Our amazing team of 100+ Orientation volunteers have all been where you are. They know what it's like to leave home and come to University. They know what it's like to get through those first few days, weeks, and months. They've learned the ins and outs, the good and the bad, the "to do" and "not to do" of getting through first year and beyond. They want to help make your Orientation and first year experience the best it can be.

What is an Orientation Group?
As a way of scaling down Orientation and making things more personal, we will be assigning all new students to Orientation groups. Each Orientation group will consist of 10-12 new students and 1-2 Orientation leaders. Groups will be formed around things that you have in common. This is why we ask questions on the registration form about your intended academic program and where you'll be living (e.g. on-campus, off-campus, commuting). Our plan is to bring you together virtually this summer so that you have a chance to meet up in advance of Orientation. Your group will be your go-to place for information about Orientation. The idea is that Orientation groups will live on into the fall term and be a place where you continue to hang out and connect with each other. The questions that you have at the beginning will be different than the questions you have one week and one month in. Your Orientation group is a good place to go for questions, answers, and support.

Who organizes University Orientation?
University Orientation is a collaborative effort between Mount Allison's Student Life Office and the Mount Allison Students' Union (MASU). Supporting our Orientation Chairs are a large team of hugely enthusiastic student volunteers who come together to make Orientation a success. The Student Life Office and the MASU provide year-to-year continuity and logistical support. It's a huge team effort that takes the summer to pull together.

Is it necessary to register for Orientation? 
It's not necessary, but it helps us a lot. It tells us who's planning to participate, whether you're here in Sackville or joining us from home. It gives us the info we need to put you into Orientation groups and to make sure we're ordering the right number of right-sized t-shirts. Please note that you'll need to use your Mount Allison email when accessing the registration form. If you run into any email issues along the way, contact the Computing Services Help Desk (Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m.-4:00 p.m.) at helpdesk@mta.ca.

Is there a deadline to register?
No, but the sooner you register the greater chance you'll get the t-shirt size you requested! If you're not sure of your travel plans or whether you'll be doing the fall term online or in-person, don't worry. You can always fill out the form now and email us later (orientation@mta.ca) to make changes to your info.

Is there a cost for participating in Orientation? 
Orientation is included in your student fees. Mount Allison and the Students' Union collect a variety of fees that benefit students differently. The library fee, the student newspaper fee, the fitness centre fee are all part of a family of fees that help to support student services on campus. Orientation is the same. Your Orientation fee goes towards organizing events, printing materials, buying supplies, and putting together a really awesome swag bag full of lots of Mount Allison and MASU goodies (including that Orientation t-shirt!). Everything is done to be as cost-conscious as possible. All of our planning is done with you in mind. Our focus is on making sure that everything flows back to give you the best possible Orientation experience, whether you're joining us in September, coming in January, or meeting up with us online. 

What is Shinerama?
Shinerama is the largest university and college fundraiser in the country, involving over sixty schools, raising money and awareness for cystic fibrosis research. The Mount Allison Students’ Union (MASU) has been committed to finding a cure since its first Shinerama campaign in 1970, winning Best Overall Campaign four times (most recently in 2017 and 2018). Over the years, Mount Allison students have helped to raise over half a million dollars for cystic fibrosis research.

Have a question that was not listed? Email us at orientation@mta.ca.

LIVING IN RESIDENCE

When should I arrive?
Students will be moving into residence in stages. The first group to move in will be students who are participating in International Orientation. For any residence-related questions, please contact housing@mta.ca. 

What are residence welcome activities?
Each on-campus residence organizes a series of events to welcome new residents and build house spirit. These events are intended to be fun and inclusive. They’re also completely optional. There is no obligation to participate if you feel uncomfortable doing so. Welcome activities will begin on Friday, September 1 and continue throughout the Orientation period. Be sure to check your Mount Allison email over the summer for welcome messages from your residence leaders. Connect with other residents of your house through your Orientation group and the house social media pages.  

What is the Books-on-Beds service?
Arrange for your books to be delivered to your on-campus residence room before the start of each new term. Simply place your book order using the MTA bookstore’s online service. For more information, visit the Books on Beds homepage.

What are residence dues?
Each year, the student-elected executives in residence plan house activities for the students living in their particular residence. In short, it’s their budget for the year. The "Residence Dues" charge is placed on students’ Mount Allison accounts in an effort to make the payment and collection process easier for all concerned. The funds will be transferred to the house executives for student-led programming over the course of the year. Please note that only students in residence are charged Residence Dues. Furthermore, it’s the same flat charge for all residences.

Visit moving into residence for more information.