Over the next few days, Queen's is welcoming approximately 4,500 new first-year undergraduate students to campus and introducing them to university life. Orientation week includes dozens of activities that allow students to get to know Queen’s and each other. 

In advance of orientation week, student leaders undergo intensive training to ensure they are equipped to prepare students for their new living and learning environment, and to introduce them to the spirit that makes Queen's unique.

“Orientation week provides us with a great opportunity to welcome new students and introduce them to life on campus in a way that is fun, educational, and safe,” says Arig al Shaibah, Assistant Dean of Student Affairs. “All of our student organizers and leaders receive training so that they are equipped to handle a variety of situations in areas such as accessibility, mental health, inclusivity, and safety.”

Orientation week begins with university-wide orientation days, which start on Sunday, Sept. 6, after students living on-campus have a chance to get settled in their residence rooms. Both on-campus residents and first-year students not in residences (FYNIRS) will have opportunities to get to know each other and learn about important resources and support services on campus. Faculty orientation days begin on Wednesday, Sept. 9, with activities for all first-year students, including incoming exchange, transfer and Bader International Study Centre students. 

Orientation week highlights include the principal’s welcome event, keynote speakers, a carnival, a social action theatre performance, the Shinerama charity drive, several dances, a sidewalk sale, and a mystery concert. 

In addition, the Queen’s University International Centre is hosting the ATLAS program for new international students throughout the month of September. ATLAS – or Acculturation and Transition to Life and Academic Success – includes a reception and games night, and is designed to support students adjust to life and studies at Queen’s.

The School of Graduate Studies is holding orientation activities starting with a welcome and resource fair for new graduate and professional students on Tuesday, Sept. 8. 

Orientation events conclude on Sunday, Sept. 13, and classes begin the following day. 

For more information on orientation week at Queen's, visit www.queensu.ca/studentexperience/fall-orientation for university orientation activities and www.queensu.ca/orientation/ for faculty orientation activities.