Sessions give snapshot of university life

a news release from the Student Success Office

Incoming first-year students will have an opportunity to visit the University of Waterloo for a two-day, overnight session this and next month for a preview experience of campus life.

Now in its 17th year, the Student Life 101 program helps both students and parents with the transition to university before classes begin in September.

The first two-day session takes place on Thursday, July 12 and Friday, July 13, followed by nine other sessions every week until August 29, where a session just for international students is being offered. More than 1,500 students are expected to take part in the transition program.

“This overnight experience gives students a jump start on their first year at Waterloo as we provide them with the tools they need to be successful throughout their university career,” said Gabrielle Smith, coordinator, first-year experience: pre-arrival. “Students stay in a traditional-style residence community, are matched with an upper-year mentor, attend a lecture with a professor and begin creating their personalized success plans.”

The two-day session helps students become familiar with campus and their specific faculty buildings, meet professors and connect with other incoming students. They will also learn about the student services available to them in their first year including success coaching, student awards and financial aid, health services, career planning and co-operative education.

The orientation program, organized by Waterloo’s student success office, includes 18 experience leaders who are upper-year students serving as peer mentors.

This year a special session for international students is offered on Thursday, August 29 to Saturday, August 31. It will welcome all incoming international students and focus on their transition to Canada, cultural and social customs and academic expectations.

A separate one-day session for parents and supporting family members will offer a campus tour, presentations on what parents can expect in a student’s first year and the opportunity to ask staff questions about campus life and available services. “This one-day parent program will educate parents on how they can coach their student in their transition to university life,” says Smith. More than 1,000 parents are expected to participate.

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Remembering Brad Vogt and Stanislav Reinis

Brad Vogt, who was a fixture in Central Stores and on campus for almost 40 years, died on July 6. He worked as Lead Hand and Warehouse Co-ordinator, and, in the words of a colleague, knew "just about everyone on campus." Brad is survived by his son Daniel, parents Harold and Elaine, siblings Robert, Linda Shantz, Richie, and former wife Rose. In accordance with his wishes, no funeral service is being held.

Dr. Stanislav Reinis, Professor Emeritus in the Department of Psychology, died July 7. Reinis joined the university in July 1973, specializing in neurophisiology and neurochemistry. He is survived by his wife Milada, children Renata Kuss, Stan, and Teresa, and grandchildren.

According to his wishes, no funeral will be held, but the family is accepting donations to the University of Waterloo through the Erb & Good Family Funeral Home or 519-745-8445.

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