Fall Orientation

Wondering what Orientation Week will be like? Take a look at some of our events and activities from Orientation 2021!

Greetings from Dr. Jean-Paul Boudreau, President and Vice-Chancellor

Bienvenue — Pjila’si — Welcome to Mount Allison! Mount A is a community-minded place where we learn from and look out for one another. The past year-and-a-half have been challenging for all of us, but we are looking forward to returning to more on campus, in person classes, events, and activities — and that all starts with Orientation!

These next few months will be memorable for you as you graduate and look ahead to life at Mount Allison. Orientation will give you lots of opportunities to get to know the campus and the people who make up our community — even before you set foot on campus. I'm very excited about what your Orientation Chairs and Committee are planning for you this year — in a time when we are looking forward to being back together in person. They are planning an amazing program of activities to help you settle in to university life and I hope you will take the time to check them out.

Orientation will help make your transition to Mount A that much easier. Whether you are joining us on campus or at a distance in the fall, we look forward to having you with us. I can’t wait to meet you in person or digitally. Have a safe and enjoyable Orientation and a fantastic first year at Mount A!

Jean-Paul Boudreau
President & Vice-Chancellor

P.S. I invite you to follow and share your ideas with me on Twitter @Boudreau_Ideas

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).

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.

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. Their 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. 2?

The Orientation Check-In Fair at the Wallace McCain Student Centre will also be open on Saturday, Sept. 3 from 11 a.m.-5 p.m.

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

For the latest information on Mount Allison's vaccination requirements, mask-wearing, physical distancing, and cleaning and sanitizing, visit campus updates.

Important note: many events during Orientation may require you to wear a mask. Please come prepared and have a mask with you.

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).

It's led by three outstanding student Orientation Chairs:

• Alix Corwin (University Orientation Chair)
• Lestyn Lobo (International Orientation Chair)
• Kate MacLean (Meighen Centre Orientation Chair)

Supporting Alix, Lestyn, and Kate 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.  The arrival/residence move-in date for these students is August 29. Meighen Centre Pre-Orientation participants will move in on August 30. All remaining new students are invited to arrive/move in on Friday, September 2. 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 2 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.