The UNB Student’s Representative Council (SRC) is getting set to launch their first major event of the academic year: O Week. With plenty of events for first years, the SRC hopes to make this is the perfect way to get acquainted with UNB Saint John’s campus and to get involved with student life.
Super Tuesday
After residence move-in on September 2, the week’s main events begin Tuesday, September 5 with Super Tuesday.
“Orientation kick-off starts in the gym,” SRC President Kenya Plut explains. “We introduce ourselves, Anthony [Enman, Student Recruitment Liaison Officer] talks, and we give out prizes.”
Following the kick-off at 9:30am, students are split off into their faculties at 10:30am. Students in the Arts faculty will be in the Hazen Hall Lecture Theatre, the Business faculty will be in Oland Hall 104, and SASE will be in the Ganong Hall Lecture Theatre. Plut also notes that there is a mature student orientation at 12pm in Oland Hall 104.
At 12:30pm, free lunch will be provided in the Baird Dining Hall. “I believe this year there will be a poutine bar,” Plut adds enthusiastically.
Following lunch, students will be invited to participate in the Amazing Race. This event is done annually with the purpose of giving students the opportunity to explore campus and find out where buildings, offices, and rooms are located. There is also a cash prize of $1000 for the winning team.
“I’d definitely participate,” Plut says. “It introduces students to campus and let’s students know where things are.”
One of the new activities the SRC is putting together this year takes place at 3pm where students will be invited to the Canada Games Stadium to pose for a Canada 150 and a UNB student group photo.
Taken using a drone, students, faculty, and anyone willing to participate will gather together to form both the Canada 150 logo and the UNB logo from an aerial view.
Family orientation will occur at 6:30pm in the HWK Commons. This event is to allow students along with their parents to see the many opportunities UNB Saint John has to offer.
Wednesday
Wednesday is the annual Shinerama Day for UNB Saint John students. Students will be gathering uptown in the Market Square Atrium at 11am in order to go out and collect money for cystic fibrosis.
Later in the day, new students are invited to a Drive-In Movie Night in the quad. This will begin with activities at 5:30 and will continue into the late evening. The movie that will be played will be announced at a later date.
“I hope people come to this one,” Plut says excitedly. “At 5:30 there will be washer toss and other fun games to play in the quad.”
Thursday
There are a couple of events to help new students through the first day of classes. At 4pm, there will be Athletics Day in the gym.
“There’s FanFIt going on in the gym. It’s run by a former Olympian out of Halifax and he comes to do exercise challenges,” Plut explains. “You get a free t-shirt if you go.”
At 7pm, there will be a family-friendly hypnotist show uptown at UNB’s Grand Hall performed by Jason Cyrus.
Friday
Freshmen are invited to join Casino Night in the Baird Dining Hall at 7pm where many prizes are available to be won. These will likely be followed by fireworks at 9:30.
Saturday
There will be a beach day at Tucker Park Beach where students will be able to meet this year’s SRC. At this beach day, there will also be a free BBQ. This event starts at noon.
Friday, September 15
The grand finale of O Week comes the Friday after most of the events. First Class Bash will take place in the quad starting at 10pm where the theme will be a Glow Party. Attendees are encouraged to wear white while glowsticks will be given out upon their arrival.
For more information on O Week events, checkout UNB’s website along with the SRC’s website. A full schedule is available here.
