Aug. 26, 2019
For Immediate Release

Waterloo – Wilfrid Laurier University will welcome approximately 4,500 first-year students to its Waterloo campus with a series of Orientation Week events taking place Sept. 1 to 7.

Orientation Week, organized by the Wilfrid Laurier University Students’ Union, is an opportunity for students to learn their way around campus, meet new people and become involved in student life.

“Student leaders, volunteers, staff and faculty have been preparing in earnest all summer to make sure incoming first-year students have the best possible start to their university careers,” said David McMurray, vice-president of Student Affairs. “We want students to start their first semester feeling prepared and knowing that they are supported both academically and personally. We are thrilled to welcome our newest Golden Hawks to the Laurier family and hope they have an unforgettable first week and an extraordinary learning journey throughout their time here.”

Events throughout the week include Shine Day, when students will be out in the community raising funds for Cystic Fibrosis Canada, a carnival on the Northdale campus and a room-burn demonstration by firefighters to promote fire safety. Throughout the week, students will also learn about safety and support services at Laurier, resources to help them balance their physical and mental health, and tips and advice for academic success. A list of Orientation Week photo opportunities for media is below.

“Student life defines the privilege of being a Golden Hawk,” said Zemar Hakim, president and CEO of the Wilfrid Laurier University Students’ Union. “There are countless opportunities for students to enhance their own experiences and the experiences of others.”

Orientation Week will begin with opening ceremonies the evenings of Sept. 1 and 2 with performances by magician and comedian Wes Barker, who has appeared on America’s Got Talent, Penn & Teller: Fool Us, MTV and the Comedy Network.

On Tuesday, Sept. 3, firefighters will ignite and suppress a fire in a model bedroom to show how quickly a fire can spread and demonstrate the importance of smoke alarms and having an evacuation plan. A kitchen fire demonstration will show students how to properly extinguish a grease fire. The burn demonstrations take place in the parking lot at Laurier’s Northdale location.

On Wednesday, Sept. 4, students can ride a ferris wheel, skate on the roller rink and listen to live music during a carnival at the Northdale location. A concert on Thursday, Sept. 5 at the Athletic Complex will feature Canadian hip-hop recording artist Jazz Cartier.

Mike Domitrz, author and co-founder of The Center for Respect (formerly The Date Safe Project), will present Can I Kiss You?, an interactive presentation tackling dating, intimacy, consent and sexual assault, on Wednesday, Sept. 4 from 10 to 11 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Actor, producer and host Jeremie Saunders will speak to students about cystic fibrosis on Tuesday, Sept. 3 in advance of the Shinerama Shine Day fundraiser on Saturday, Sept. 7. On Shine Day, students will wash cars and host barbecues throughout Kitchener, Waterloo, Cambridge and Brantford to raise funds for Cystic Fibrosis Canada. The Shinerama fundraising total will be announced during Orientation Week closing ceremonies the evening of Sept. 7.

Visit the Students’ Union website for a full list of the week’s activities.

Laurier’s Brantford campus will also host Orientation Week activities for first-year students.

For international students, International Orientation will take place Aug. 30 to Sept. 2. Graduate Student Orientation will take place Tuesday, Sept. 3 on the Waterloo campus.

Photo opportunities on the Waterloo campus

Opening ceremonies

With performances by Wes Barker (America’s Got Talent, Penn & Teller: Fool Us, MTV, the Comedy Network).

• Sunday, Sept. 1 from 8 to 10 p.m. and Monday, Sept. 2 from 7 to 9 p.m. in the Athletic Complex

Room burn demonstration

Waterloo Fire Rescue firefighters will educate students about fire safety by showing how quickly a room can become engulfed in flames. Students will also see a grease fire demonstration and learn fire safety tips.

• Tuesday, Sept. 3 from 5:30 to 6 p.m. and 6:30 to 7 p.m. at the Northdale location

Carnival

Featuring classic carnival rides, a roller rink, busker performances and live music.

• Wednesday, Sept. 4 from 5 to 11 p.m. at the Northdale location

Cheer off

Teams compete for the best cheer.

• Friday, Sept. 6 from 6 to 7:30 p.m. in the Athletic Complex

Shine Day

Students will wash cars and barbecue in support of Cystic Fibrosis Canada.

• Saturday, Sept. 7 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at various locations in Kitchener, Waterloo, Cambridge and Brantford

Closing ceremonies

Followed by a football game.

• Saturday, Sept. 7 from 7 to 10 p.m. at University Stadium

Learn more

• Orientation Week events welcome first-year students to Laurier’s Brantford campus