September 1-6, 2023

Starting Mount Allison in September? Welcome to Fall Orientation 2023!

We strive for Orientation to be a fun, welcoming, and inclusive experience for all new students. There's something for everyone!

You'll also receive information directly from the Mount Allison Students' Union (MASU) on the schedule of events and what to expect.

Questions? Email orientation@mta.ca or connect with us on social media!

First things first: register

Register for University Orientation with your MtA username and password.

The sooner you register, the sooner we can put you in your Orientation group and the sooner you can start connecting with other new students and Orientation leaders.

Explore the schedule

There's something for everyone!

Full schedule of events

Events are subject to change.

Updated Thursday, Aug. 31

FRIDAY, SEPT. 1 (WELCOME DAY)

Time Event Location
9:00 a.m.-
3:00 p.m.
Move-in to residence Campus wide
11:30 a.m.-
1:30 p.m.
Lunch
For students and their families
Jennings Hall
1:30 p.m.-
3:00 p.m.
Parent & Supporter orientation Convocation Hall
4:00 p.m.-
5:00 p.m.
Pilei Nipi
Ceremony marking the beginning of your time at Mount Allison
Convocation Hall
5:00 p.m.-
7:00 p.m.
Dinner Jennings Hall
5:00 p.m.-
6:00 p.m.
Off-campus social Outside Chapel
7:30 p.m.-
8:30 p.m.
Carpe Diem
Show off your house spirit with your housemates
Gym, Athletic Centre
9:00 p.m.-
10:00 p.m.
Residence meetings
Get to know your house team, and do's and don't's
All residences

 

SATURDAY, SEPT. 2

Time Event Location
7:30 a.m.-
9:30 a.m.
Breakfast Jennings Hall
9:00 a.m.-
10:00 a.m.
Orientation 101 Convocation Hall
10:00 a.m.-
10:30 a.m.
Meet your O-Groups Designated meeting locations
11:30 a.m.-
1:00 p.m.
Tantramar Corn Boil Bill Johnstone Memorial Park
12:00 p.m.-
3:00 p.m.
Fun! Fun! Fun!
Lawn games and music
Lansdowne Field
3:30 p.m.-
5:00 p.m.
Residence activities All residences
3:30 p.m.-
5:00 p.m.
Off-campus social Chapel, Manning Room
5:00 p.m.-
7:00 p.m.
First-Year Banquet
Semi-formal attire encouraged
Jennings Hall
9:00 p.m.-
12:00 a.m.
Headphone Disco Gracie's Café, WMSC
9:00 p.m.-
12:00 a.m.
Paint Night Tweedie Hall, WMSC

 

SUNDAY, SEPT. 3

Time Event Location
7:30 a.m.-
9:30 a.m.
Breakfast Jennings Hall
8:00 a.m.-
9:00 a.m.
Wellness Run Town of Sackville
9:00 a.m.-
10:00 a.m.
Wellness Walk Waterfowl Park
10:00 a.m.-
11:00 a.m.
Yoga Dance Studio, WMSC
11:00 a.m.-
12:00 p.m.
Bazum
Dance-filled workout in the pool
Pool, Athletic Centre
11:30 a.m.-
1:30 p.m.
Lunch Jennings Hall
1:30 p.m.-
2:30 p.m.
Sexual violence prevention training Convocation Hall
3:30 p.m.-
5:00 p.m.
Residence activity All residences
3:30 p.m.-
5:00 p.m.
Off-campus social Manning Room, Chapel
5:00 p.m.-
7:30 p.m.
Karaoke BBQ Academic Quad/ Alumni Field
9:00 p.m.-
11:00 p.m.
MtA-lympics
Join your O-group for games
Alumni Field
9:00 p.m.-
11:00 p.m.
Coffee House
Live music
Gracie's Café, WMSC

 

MONDAY, SEPT. 4

Time Event Location
8:00 a.m.-
11:15 a.m.
Breakfast Jennings Hall
9:00 a.m.-
10:00 a.m.
Equity, diversity, and inclusion training Convocation Hall
10:00 a.m.-
12:00 p.m.
MtA-mazing Race
Meet your O-group for a scavenger hunt
Campus wide
11:15 a.m.-
1:30 p.m.
Lunch Jennings Hall
1:30 p.m.-
3:00 p.m.
'What I Wish I Knew' panel Dunn 113
1:30 p.m.-
3:00 p.m.
Library tours Library
5:00 p.m.-
8:00 p.m.
Dinner Jennings Hall
7:00 p.m.-
8:30 p.m.
Comedy show
With Ola Dada
Convocation Hall

 

TUESDAY, SEPT. 5 (Learning Day)

Time Event Location
8:00 a.m.-
10:00 a.m.
Breakfast Jennings Hall
9:00 a.m.-
10:00 a.m.
Welcome to Learning Day Convocation Hall
1:45 p.m.-
3:45 p.m.
Arts & Science academic sessions Follow your groups following welcome
1:30 p.m.-
3:30 p.m.
Science Trek Academic buildings
4:00 p.m.-
5:00 p.m.
AcMen tours: where are my classes?
Follow your residence AcMen for a tour of academic buildings
Academic buildings
5:00 p.m.-
8:00 p.m.
Dinner Jennings Dining Hall
7:30 p.m.-
9:00 p.m.
Board game night Gracie's, WMSC
7:30 p.m.-
9:00 p.m.
Movie night Motyer-Fancy Theatre

 

WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 6 (First day of classes)

Time Event Location
11:30 a.m.-
1:30 p.m.
Wellness check-in #1
With Orientation leaders
Jennings Hall
4:00 p.m.-
6:00 p.m.
Wellness check-in #2
Navigating wellness session with wellness team
Tweedie Hall, WMSC

 

THURSDAY, SEPT. 7

Time Event Location
7:00 p.m.-
8:00 p.m.
Venus Envy 'Sex Ed You Never Got In High School' Convocation Hall
8:30 p.m.-
9:00 p.m.
Bingo with Venus Envy Gracie's Cafe, WMSC

 

FRIDAY, SEPT. 8

Time Event Location
8:00 p.m.-
10:00 p.m.
Mega Lip Sync Battle
Sign up to perform with QR code around campus
Convocation Hall

 

MORE EVENTS!

What is Orientation like?

Wondering what Orientation Week will be like? Take a look at some of our events and activities from Orientation 2022.

 

 


Early Orientation

Aug. 29-31, 2023

Mount Allison runs the following two pre-orientation programs in advance of University Orientation. Get a head start on your time at Mount A!

International Orientation

Open to all new international students and Canadians who live abroad.

Meighen Centre Orientation

Open to students with disabilities registered with the Meighen Centre.


Karaoke BBQ at Alumni Field

University Orientation for all new students

Sept. 1-6, 2023

Welcome to MtA from our Orientation Chairs

Message from 2023 Orientation Chair, Elaine Treash

Hello Future Mounties!

Welcome to Mount Allison! On behalf of the entire Orientation Team, we are thrilled that you will be joining us in the fall. My name is Elaine Treash, and I am the 2023 University Orientation Chair.

Now you might be wondering what Orientation Week (aka O-Week) actually is. O-Week is action-packed with a wide variety of activities and events that are designed to help ease the transition into university life.

You will be introduced to upper-year students, staff, faculty and everyone who makes Mount Allison such an amazing university. You will also be introduced to the many resources that MtA has to offer.

You’ll quickly learn what MtA life is like, both socially and academically. Finally, you’ll get to know the beautiful campus and the charming town of Sackville.

Throughout O-Week, you will build new connections, form friendships, and gain a better understanding of what life is like at Mount Allison and in Sackville. Everyone has a place at Mount Allison, and it is my hope that you feel like you’ve found your new home here with the MtA family.

I’m SO excited to welcome you all to campus this fall! I cannot wait to meet you all and I know that the entire Orientation Team is excited to meet you too! We have some super fun activities planned for you to enjoy.

Orientation is such an exciting week, but it can also be intimidating at the same time. While this transition can be overwhelming, it’s important that you know that we are here to support you. We cannot wait to see all your smiling faces on campus in the fall!

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to reach out to me at orientation@mta.ca and be sure to follow us on Instagram @mta.orientation for more news and updates about O-Week!

See you in September!

Meet your orientation groups and o-group leaders

Orientation groups (O-groups)

As a way of scaling down Orientation and making things more personal, we will be assigning all new students to Orientation groups.

Each Orientation group will consist of 10-12 new students and 1-2 Orientation leaders.

Groups will be formed around things that you have in common. This is why we ask questions on the registration form about your intended academic program and where you'll be living (e.g. on-campus, off-campus, commuting).

Orientation leaders and volunteers are always easy to spot!

Your group will be your go-to place for information about Orientation. The idea is that Orientation groups will live on into the fall term and be a place where you continue to hang out and connect with each other.

The questions that you have at the beginning will be different than the questions you have one week and one month in. Your Orientation group is a good place to go for questions, answers, and support.

Arrival information — Sept. 1, 2023

The first day of University Orientation is busy with hundreds of new students navigating campus, going through the Check-In Fair, and moving into residence.

Please refer to the following set of instructions to help you get through it all as smoothly as possible!

ARRIVING ON CAMPUS

To help with traffic flow, please enter Sackville via EXIT 504 on the Trans-Canada Highway.

For more directions:

For residence students

  • Once you arrive on campus, you can go directly to your assigned residence. There will be traffic guides to help give you directions, or see our campus map (pdf).
  • Once you arrive at your residence, residence leaders and orientation volunteers will assist with your arrival and the move-in process
  • To keep things moving, please move your vehicle to a nearby parking lot immediately after unloading
  • Next, go to the Check-In Fair at the Wallace McCain Student Centre where you can pick up your student ID card, Orientation Welcome Pack, etc.
  • For more details, visit moving into residence

For off-campus/commuting students

  • Make your way directly to the Wallace McCain Student Centre for the Orientation Check-In Fair (8 a.m.-8 p.m.). This is where you will pick up your welcome pack, student ID card, etc.

Can't make it on Sept. 1?

The Orientation Check-In Fair at the Wallace McCain Student Centre will also be open on Saturday, Sept. 2 from 11 a.m.-5 p.m.

You can also get your Student ID anytime at the Bookstore.

Orientation FAQ

ORIENTATION BASICS

What is Orientation?
Orientation is an introduction to life at Mount Allison. Whether you're coming from down the street, across Canada, or around the world, the adjustment to university life can be exciting and daunting at the same time. New people, new surroundings, new expectations, new ways of doing things. Orientation is where it all comes together. Orientation gives you a chance to connect with other new students through a variety of fun, interactive, and informative sessions and activities. Our amazing team of 100+ Orientation volunteers have all been where you are. They know what it's like to leave home and come to University. They know what it's like to get through those first few days, weeks, and months. They've learned the ins and outs, the good and the bad, the "to do" and "not to do" of getting through first year and beyond. They want to help make your Orientation and first year experience the best it can be.

What is an Orientation Group?
As a way of scaling down Orientation and making things more personal, we will be assigning all new students to Orientation groups. Each Orientation group will consist of 10-12 new students and 1-2 Orientation leaders. Groups will be formed around things that you have in common. This is why we ask questions on the registration form about your intended academic program and where you'll be living (e.g. on-campus, off-campus, commuting). Our plan is to bring you together virtually this summer so that you have a chance to meet up in advance of Orientation. Your group will be your go-to place for information about Orientation. The idea is that Orientation groups will live on into the fall term and be a place where you continue to hang out and connect with each other. The questions that you have at the beginning will be different than the questions you have one week and one month in. Your Orientation group is a good place to go for questions, answers, and support.

Who organizes University Orientation?
University Orientation is a collaborative effort between Mount Allison's Student Life Office and the Mount Allison Students' Union (MASU). Supporting our Orientation Chairs are a large team of hugely enthusiastic student volunteers who come together to make Orientation a success. The Student Life Office and the MASU provide year-to-year continuity and logistical support. It's a huge team effort that takes the summer to pull together.

Is it necessary to register for Orientation? 
It's not necessary, but it helps us a lot. It tells us who's planning to participate, whether you're here in Sackville or joining us from home. It gives us the info we need to put you into Orientation groups and to make sure we're ordering the right number of right-sized t-shirts. Please note that you'll need to use your Mount Allison email when accessing the registration form. If you run into any email issues along the way, contact the Computing Services Help Desk (Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m.-4:00 p.m.) at helpdesk@mta.ca.

Is there a deadline to register?
No, but the sooner you register the greater chance you'll get the t-shirt size you requested! If you're not sure of your travel plans or whether you'll be doing the fall term online or in-person, don't worry. You can always fill out the form now and email us later (orientation@mta.ca) to make changes to your info.

Is there a cost for participating in Orientation? 
Orientation is included in your student fees. Mount Allison and the Students' Union collect a variety of fees that benefit students differently. The library fee, the student newspaper fee, the fitness centre fee are all part of a family of fees that help to support student services on campus. Orientation is the same. Your Orientation fee goes towards organizing events, printing materials, buying supplies, and putting together a really awesome swag bag full of lots of Mount Allison and MASU goodies (including that Orientation t-shirt!). Everything is done to be as cost-conscious as possible. All of our planning is done with you in mind. Our focus is on making sure that everything flows back to give you the best possible Orientation experience, whether you're joining us in September, coming in January, or meeting up with us online. 

What is Shinerama?
Shinerama is the largest university and college fundraiser in the country, involving over sixty schools, raising money and awareness for cystic fibrosis research. The Mount Allison Students’ Union (MASU) has been committed to finding a cure since its first Shinerama campaign in 1970, winning Best Overall Campaign four times (most recently in 2017 and 2018). Over the years, Mount Allison students have helped to raise over half a million dollars for cystic fibrosis research.

Have a question that was not listed? Email us at orientation@mta.ca.

 

LIVING IN RESIDENCE

When should I arrive?
Students will be moving into residence in stages. The first group to move in will be students who are participating in International Orientation. For any residence-related questions, please contact housing@mta.ca

What are residence welcome activities?
Each on-campus residence organizes a series of events to welcome new residents and build house spirit. These events are intended to be fun and inclusive. They’re also completely optional. There is no obligation to participate if you feel uncomfortable doing so. Welcome activities will begin on Friday, September 1 and continue throughout the Orientation period. Be sure to check your Mount Allison email over the summer for welcome messages from your residence leaders. Connect with other residents of your house through your Orientation group and the house social media pages.  

What is the Books-on-Beds service?
Arrange for your books to be delivered to your on-campus residence room before the start of each new term. Simply place your book order using the MTA bookstore’s online service. For more information, visit the Books on Beds homepage.

What are residence dues?
Each year, the student-elected executives in residence plan house activities for the students living in their particular residence. In short, it’s their budget for the year. The "Residence Dues" charge is placed on students’ Mount Allison accounts in an effort to make the payment and collection process easier for all concerned. The funds will be transferred to the house executives for student-led programming over the course of the year. Please note that only students in residence are charged Residence Dues. Furthermore, it’s the same flat charge for all residences.

Visit moving into residence for more information.

MASU

Orientation is a collaborative effort between Mount Allison's Student Life Office and the Mount Allison Students' Union (MASU).

Town of Sackville

As a MtA student, you're now part of the community of Sackville. Explore everything the town has to offer!


MtA Shinerama Campaign 

Each year, the MASU holds a Shinerama Campaign to raise funds and awareness for Cystic Fibrosis. The Shinerama campaign takes place throughout the summer leading up to our largest fundraising event called Shine Day.

Over 500 student volunteers will be spread out across Sackville, Amherst, and Greater Moncton to collect donations.

Have questions? Email us at shinerama@mta.ca.


After Orientation

What's next? Our staff and faculty are here to help support you during your first year as a new student.

New students