Orientation Week at SJU has something for everyone! Please take note of the events that are relevant for you, and whether an event requires registration.
To keep up to date on these events and future ones, follow our student leaders on Instagram: @SJUlead
Disclaimer: event times and locations may change due to weather conditions or other unforeseen circumstances. To stay up-to-date, please follow @SJUlead on Instagram.
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 3RD
Welcome BBQ
5:00PM – 6:30PM
Location: SJU Courtyard (if raining: Community Centre)
Who Can Attend:
- First-Year and Upper-Year Residence Students
- First-Year off-campus Co-Registered Students
All residence students and first-year co-registered students are welcome to join us for a shared outdoor meal to kick-off Orientation Week at SJU! If you are a First-Year Co-Registered Student living off campus, please check-in at Main Entry in Sweeney Hall at 4:30 PM for your meal ticket.
SJU Welcome & Dance Tradition
8:30PM – 10:30PM
Location: Academic Centre (SJ2)
Who Can Attend:
- First-Year and Upper-Year Residence Students
- First-Year off-campus Co-Registered Students
Want to learn why so many people call SJU their home? Come listen to our student leader introductions, become oriented to the history of the four Houses, and learn the 2022 cohort SJU dance tradition!
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 4TH
House Time
10:30AM – 12:00PM
Locations: Your don will bring you down to your House meeting spot! If you do not live in the residence building, please check-in at the Community Centre at 10:30 AM.
Who Can Attend:
- First-Year and Upper-Year Residence Students
- First-Year off-campus Co-Registered Students
Come and meet your House-mates, learn your House cheer, and play some fun games! You’ll find out what House you’re part of on day-1 of Orientation Week! But, here’s a sneak peak:
Leon House (green)
Spetz House (red)
Taylor House (yellow)
Zinger House (blue)
But it doesn’t stop here! Throughout the school year, the Houses organize events and battle one another in a variety of contests. But the rivalries are all in fun. So activate your competitive spirit and help vanquish your arch frenemies! Who knew SJU could feel like Harry Potter?
Click here to learn all about the House System at SJU.
Bystander Intervention Training
2:00PM – 4:00PM
Location: STC 1012
Who Can Attend:
- First-Year and Upper-Year Residence Students
- First-Year off-campus Co-Registered Students
Part of living in a community is learning to watch out for one another. This workshop will equip you with simple and practical skills to recognize when you, a friend, or even a stranger might be in trouble (specifically in cases of sexual harassment or abuse) and act to keep yourself and others out of harm’s way. We know this can be a tough topic, but we also know that feeling prepared can make a big difference when we encounter tough situations in real life. Let’s be the kind of community that does the work to make our campus a safer space. This session is facilitated by the Sexual Violence Prevention and Response Office at UW.
Let the Good Times ROLL!*
6:15PM – 10:00PM
Location: Academic Centre (SJ2)
Who Can Attend:
- First-Year and Upper-Year Residence Students
- First-Year off-campus Co-Registered Students
Take part in an SJU tradition and join us on an off-campus bus trip to the Wellesley Arena for roller skating! Whether you're a pro or it's your first time on skates… come and ROLL into Orientation Week! Roller skates will be provided, but helmets and padding will not be provided. Check-in at the SJ2 Atrium starts at 6:15pm, and buses will depart at 6:30pm … let the good times ROLL!
*Limited spots are available. Registration is required. Your don or off-campus leader will provide you more information. Unable to join? We got you covered – you’re invited to Chill Vibez Night!
Chill Vibez Night
6:15PM – 10:00PM
Location: Ryan and Siegfried Hall Residence Living Room and Gym
Who Can Attend:
- First-Year and Upper-Year Residence Students
- First-Year off-campus Co-Registered Students
Come vibe with us and enjoy some fun board games, a rotating selection of sports, chill music, colouring pages, and a make-your-own sundae station. Get ready for some chill vibez with your peers and SJU student leaders!
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 5TH
Block Party
10:00PM – 12:00AM
Location: Ryan and Siegfried Hall Residence
Who Can Attend:
- First-Year and Upper-Year Residence Students
- First-Year off-campus Co-Registered Students
Come one, come all! We are excited to welcome the whole block for a Block Party like no other. We’re looking at you St. Jerome’s, Conrad Grebel, Renison, and St. Paul’s! Join us at St. Jerome’s campus for a live DJ’d event with food, games, sports and tons of fun. It's time to get the whole block together - we’ll see you there!
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 6TH
Upper-Year Residence and Co-Registered Students Welcome
2:00PM – 3:00PM
Location: SJU Courtyard (if raining: Sweeney Hall Lounge)
Who Can Attend:
- Upper-Year Residence Students
- Upper-Year Co-Registered Students
Welcome (back) to SJU upper-year students! Our Student Affairs team is excited to host you an exclusive event where we can come together as a community to celebrate your ongoing academic journey. Plus, you may see some new faces on our team. Whether you are new to SJU or have been around for awhile, we can’t wait to see you!
Community Dinner and Floor Pictures
4:30PM – 7:00PM
Location: Academic Centre (SJ2)
Who Can Attend:
- First-Year and Upper-Year Residence Students
- First-Year off-campus Co-Registered Students
You’re invited to the first SJU Community Dinner of the year! We’re all going to come together as a community to welcome you (back) to SJU! Mingle with our student leaders, staff, and faculty. At the same time, get ready to have your photo taken with your floor mates!
Fostering an Inclusive Campus at SJU!
Tuesday, September 6th / 7:30PM – 8:45PM
Location: STC 1012
Who Can Attend:
- First-Year and Upper-Year Residence Students
- First-Year off-campus Co-Registered Students
In this workshop, students with all entry points will gain knowledge on key terms and issues related to equity, diversity, and inclusion. This event will be hosted and facilitated by The Ripple Effect Education (TREE).
TREE’s mission is to give students the tools they need for healthy relationships and just communities. This workshop will be the initial drop in a life-long ripple effect of self-awareness, healthy conflict transformation, and justice.
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 9TH
Student Leadership & Services Fair
12:00PM – 3:00PM
Location: SJU Courtyard (if raining: Ryan and Siegfried Hall Residence)
Who Can Attend:
- All are welcomed
Come learn about the 100+ student leadership opportunities SJU offers and how they serve you! Also, take a peak at the variety of services SJU offers, including our Library, Campus Ministry, Service Learning, and The Funcken Café.
Yard Games with your Student Affairs Staff
12:00PM – 3:00PM
Location: J.R Finn Green (if raining: Ryan and Siegfried Hall Residence)
Who Can Attend:
- All are welcomed
Let the games begin! Join your Student Affairs team in some friendly, competitive yard games. You’ll find something for everyone in this afternoon of fun and community connection. Plus, you’ll find that the Student Affairs team is a fun bunch of people who are eager to support you through your journey!
Encounter•KW Indigenous Gardening*
Saturday, September 10th / 9:00AM – 2:00PM
*Click here to register.
Join us for a community service learning day with the White Owl Native Ancestry Association at the Wisahkotewinowak (Wisahk-tew-win-o-wak) Indigenous Garden. Located on the north campus of UW, the garden represents "an urban Indigenous garden collective building Land-based relationships across the Grand River Territory."
