Orientation FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions:

What is Orientation? 

Orientation is a two day event where all new students are invited to learn about what their experience at the University of Manitoba will hold for them. Orientation opportunities include meeting classmates, a campus tour, student success and academic sessions, and special events with various on campus services and departments who are here to help you at the U!

When is Orientation?

 Orientation 2013 is Tuesday, September 3rd and Wednesday, September 4th. 

Who organizes Orientation?

Orientation is planned by University of Manitoba staff and students who are passionate about the importance of a new student's orientation experience. Months of planning goes into this two day event to make sure that you have the best experience possible!

Do I need to come to Orientation?

 Yes! All first year students should attend Orientation. The information presented during Orientation is critical to your success in your academic career, and the two day event will help you become more comfortable with your new surroundings.  

Do I attend both days of Orientation?

 Yes! Orientation has lots to offer such as student success sessions (including a faculty or program orientation), campus tours, FREE lunch both days, and events like the Kickoff BBQ, the All About U Expo, and a pep rally at the BRAND NEW Investors Group Field! Trust us, you'll want to be here! 

 

How do I register for Orientation? 

You are automatically registered for Orientation when you register for your courses.

Can I bring my friends and/or family to Orientation? 

With the exception of the Pep Rally (information below), friends and/or family who are not new University of Manitoba students (including U1, Direct Entry and/or Mature/Transfer Students) are not invited to Orientation. We have designed these two days to be information specific to new students that fit under one of the above categories. Also, while we love that you want to share this experience with friends and family, Orientation is an opportunity for you to meet new people, and get to know your classmates and/or college/faculty colleagues. You can fill your friends and family in about all the Orientation action when the day is done! If your friends and/or family want to stay in the loop, we suggest they sign up for the Friends and Family Newsletter!

What will I do during Orientation? 

You will be receiving your specific Orientation schedule mid-August, which will tell you exactly what to expect from your Orientation experience. Your personalized Orientation schedule will include:

What is the Orientation Group Session? 

The Orientation Group Session will be first thing in the morning on both days of Orientation. These sessions are led by trained Orientation Leaders who are there to guide you through the two day event, share important information about the University of Manitoba, share their own personal experiences, and answer any questions you may have.
In your session you will also meet 30-50 other students who will be in your group for the next two days. What's cool is that you and your group members all share a common factor, whether that be your faculty, a college association, or a class you share! This is just one of the ways we are building community during Orientation!

What are the Academic and Student Success Sessions?

 The Academic and Student Success Sessions are different sessions located all around campus to provide you with important information you need to know for your academic career. Topics include how to manage stress, how to stay in good academic standing, and how you can get involved on campus.

How will I know where to go for these sessions? 

Your homeroom location will be provided on your personalized schedule (to be sent out mid-August). We suggest that you come to campus early, or use the online interactive map to locate your homeroom once you have received your schedule. For Academic and Student Success Sessions, your Orientation Leaders will help guide you during the two day Orientation. If  you want to be eager and look up the locations yourself, session room locations will be provided on your personalized schedule, but it is expected that you travel to and from each session with your group.

What does the Campus Tour cover?

 The campus tour will show you buildings specific to your faculty or program, the tunnel system, common places to eat, study, and hang out on campus, and important offices and services that will be beneficial to you during your time at the University of Manitoba.

I received a campus tour at Head Start and/or a Summer Tour. Do I need to take a tour at Orientation?

We're so glad that you took advantage of these early opportunities to familiarize yourself with the campus. However, we have taken this into consideration when planning our Orientation Tours, therefore, it is strongly recommended that you attend another tour. Keep in mind that some time may have passed since your last tour, and a refresher of where everything is on campus and what is available may not be a bad idea. Also, your Orientation Leader may have some new information that you haven't heard before, such as a top secret study spot or the best place to get coffee on campus!

I attended Head Start. Do I need to attend Orientation?

It's awesome to hear that you attended Head Start! During the event, you were presented with information about what you can do to prepare for the Fall 2013 term, and what to expect from your university experience in general. However, fall is here, which means there a lot of information you need to know now that you're registered for classes! Attending Orientation will serve as a refresher of some of the information you may have forgotten laying dockside at the cabin, travelling the world, or having fun with friends this summer! You will also learn new information that is important to your academic career now that you're starting classes, and be able to take a campus tour if you have not already had one. You may even see some familiar faces from Head Start to reconnect with!

What is the Kickoff BBQ? 

The Kickoff BBQ is a lunch event on Day 1. Students will be provided a FREE barbeque lunch, and have the opportunity to interact with student groups on campus. There will be a DJ, and various games and activities happening for you to get in a fun, energetic mood before heading over to our Pep Rally at the BRAND NEW Investors Group Field!

What is the Pep Rally?

 The Pep Rally will be hosted at the Investors Group Field, home of the University of Manitoba Bison Football team and the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, and will be your official welcome into the University of Manitoba community. Students will participate in this energetic event ,and have a chance to go head to head with some of the University of Manitoba's finest Bison athletes in various challenges.  All University of Manitoba students, staff, and alumni are invited to attend. The first 6,000 NEW students through the door will receive a FREE t-shirt!

What is the All About U Expo? 

The All About U Expo is an event on Day 2 which allows new students to interact with the various on campus departments, offices, services, faculties and groups they have been hearing about the last two days. The Expo is exactly what it sounds like; It's all about YOU! Explore the Curry Place Pedway and learn what each booth has to offer. There's loads of free giveaways and information to pick-up, and all of the booths there want to make sure that your experience at the University of Manitoba is a positive one. A list of all participating booths will be made available online mid-August, so be sure to check back!

I am a Mature/Transfer Student and cannot attend the daytime Orientation on September 3rd and 4th. Is there another option?

Yes! There is a Mature Student Orientation on September 4th from 6-9 p.m. All new students who are registered as a mature/transfer student, and who are unable to attend the 2-day Orientation have the option of coming to the evening session. Mature/Transfer Orientation will cover specific topics that apply directly to your student status, and will provide you with the necessary information to help you with your time at the University of Manitoba. To register for this evening, please visit http://www.umanitoba.ca/orientation/matureandtransfer.html
*Note: Some of the aspects covered in the two day Orientation will not be covered during in the evening session, simply due to time constraints. We understand that there are situations which may prevent you from participating in the two day Orientation, but we ask if you cannot attend Orientation on September 3rd and 4th that you register for our evening session on September 4th. For more information or clarification on this matter, please email orientation@umanitoba.ca *

What/Where is the Curry Place Pedway? 

The Curry Place Pedway is a walkway that extends from University Centre, heading west all the way to the Frank Kennedy/Extended Education Complex. The Curry Place Pedway is the hub of activity and excitement during Orientation. Here you can enjoy the Kickoff BBQ, the All About U Expo, and much more that Orientation has to offer!

When will I hear more about Orientation? 

We email out more detailed information mid-August outlining your Orientation Group room location (where you will go to check in on the morning of September 3rd), and a checklist of what to bring. You can also stay in the loop by checking out our website periodically. Orientation is shaping up to be an awesome two days, so make sure you know what's happening so you don't miss any of the action!

I am a Returning Student and I have received an invitation email for Orientation. Do I have to go?

 

If you are a returning student to the U of M, then your attendance is not required or expected. Please disregard the email as there was a slight mix up with Student Data when we were creating the mailing list. Thank you for your understanding!

Have a question or concern  that isn't answered by our list? Send in your question to orientation@umanitoba.ca, and we will do our best to provide you with the information you are looking for!