While 2020 is a year like no other, OCAD U is excited and ready to welcome its students to a new academic year.
The OCAD U virtual orientation offers new students a variety of activities, workshops and socials that will showcase the many resources available to assist, inform and build community.
“We look forward to welcoming our new students during this virtual orientation and are eager for them to meet and communicate with other members of our community,” said Ana Serrano, President and Vice-Chancellor, OCAD University. “Yes, this year will be unlike any other year, but we want to reassure our students that not only have we designed the best possible learning experience for them but we will work hard to support them in as many ways as we can throughout 2020.”
This year’s fall semester of dynamic remote learning will be accessible, inclusive and flexible, serving students wherever they’re located.
A special virtual welcome event will take place on Tuesday, September 8 at 10 a.m. and again, at 2 p.m. EST. Students are invited to sign up to participate.
Speakers include:
- David General, Oneida/Mohawk Artist from Six Nations, and Indigenous Mentor/Advisor, OCAD U Indigenous Student Centre
- Ana Serrano, OCAD U President & Vice-Chancellor
- Caroline Langill, OCAD U Vice-President, Academic & Provost
- Kais Padamshi, Director, Operations, OCAD Student Union
To help ease into a new school year, the university is offering a series of workshops and seminars, described in detail on the OCAD U website.
Activities include: a workshop on remote learning; stART: summer transition program for students with disabilities; an introduction to the Student Wellness Centre; an Indigenous student celebration and a variety of workshops for international students.
To help students get to know their peers, the unique, annual face2face self-portrait program is now virtual. New/first year students are asked to provide a self-portrait to introduce themselves to the community. So far, there has been an extraordinary response to the program, compared to previous years. Face2face 2020 is supported by Above Ground Art Supplies. The final deadline for students to submit a self-portrait, for a chance to win a $125 gift card or a gift bag, is Monday, August 31, 2020.
As well, the Student Mentor Program helps create a positive experience for new and first-year undergraduate students. Participation in the program is up this year with more than double the number of mentee sign-ups since mid-summer. Students interested in participating can sign up on the OCAD U website.
Stay tuned for further updates!
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