Queen's set to welcome first-year students

More than 4,900 incoming undergraduate students are about to join the Queen’s community in Kingston, as the university prepares to welcome them over Labour Day weekend.

Students are arriving on campus from ten provinces and one territory in Canada, 25 US states and 66 additional countries around the world. Most will be moving into 17 residence buildings at Queen’s.

Students have been moving into residence since mid-August, beginning with student leaders for training and preparation activities. Some first-year students are arriving in late August as part of a pilot to welcome international students arriving to Canada. Approximately 550 students will move into residence on Friday, Sept. 1, and approximately 3,950 will move in on Saturday, Sept. 2.

There are both university and faculty orientation events planned starting Saturday evening to help all incoming students make connections and adjust to life and learning at Queen’s before classes begin on Tuesday, Sept. 5. There are evening orientation events through the week, and faculty events continue through the Sept 9-10 weekend. International students are also taking part in Welcome Week events hosted by the Queen's University International Centre (QUIC) Aug. 28-Sept. 1.

“Move-in and the start of the academic year is an exciting time for new students, their families and supporters, and the entire Queen’s community,” says Vice-Provost and Dean of Student Affairs Ann Tierney. “We look forward to welcoming our first-year students and launching them on their Queen’s journey with programming and resources to support their transition and build community together.”

Housing and Ancillary Services has been working with the Kingston Police Service, the City of Kingston, and third-party traffic management specialists to prepare a smooth move-in process for all. As part of the Saturday schedule, more than half of the students will first stop at Richardson Stadium, where they will wait until there is space in front of their building for quick unloading. As first-year students and their families pull up to their buildings, Queen’s staff and student volunteers will be on hand to help them quickly unload their cars, have them park, and then return to assist moving their belongings into their rooms.

Students will have opportunities to start building community after move-in wraps up by taking part in University Orientation starting with Welcome Home Night, which brings new students together to socialize over activities like crafts, sports, and movies. Sunday morning kicks off with a welcome event in Richardson Stadium for all first-year students.

To help ensure all students in residence are aware of their responsibilities to contribute to a safe and inclusive environment, they have all signed the Residence Contract. As part of the university’s commitment to creating a safe and inclusive living and learning environment, all first-year students must also complete It Takes All of Us, an online learning program about sexual violence, sexual consent, bystander intervention, and supporting survivors.

Building Community Together

Throughout the first few weeks of the fall term, Queen’s will also be running a social media campaign around the theme Building Community Together. The campaign is designed to welcome students to campus while also promoting responsible behaviour, the university’s safety and harm reduction supports, as well as its sexual violence prevention and response services. Students will see these messages on Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook, and they will also be shared on the Queen’s social media channels.

A smooth and safe move-in

To help ensure the efficiency of the move-in process, several streets near residences will have traffic flow changes, parking restrictions/and or be closed. Unauthorized vehicles may be towed.

Learn more about traffic changes, parking restrictions, and street closures on the move-in weekend parking and traffic impacts webpage.

Note: This story originally appeared in the Queen's Gazette.