Back to School Series

Starting Sunday, August 31, 2,000 Trent newcomers will be enthusiastically welcomed for Introductory Seminar Week (ISW), a series of events and activities designed to help new students adjust to the Trent environment and university life.

ISW 2014 runs from Sunday, August 31 to Friday, September 5 and is intended to help new students connect with each other, their interdisciplinary college communities, Trent University as a whole, and with the City of Peterborough. Helping to make ISW 2014 an outstanding experience for new students, almost 200 senior students, faculty and staff dedicate their time and work together to coordinate and run the various dynamic events.

“The planning of Introductory Seminar Week includes student leaders from different groups and student associations. As well, many faculty, staff and different Peterborough community members play an integral part in the planning of our ISW activities,” says Sako Khederlarian, orientation coordinator at Trent. “By the time the students arrive, we have over 100 different events that are sure to appeal to all our new students.”

Highlights of campus-wide ISW activities are listed below. Exciting photo opportunities are included.

TIP Camp

Friday, August 29 to Sunday, August 31, Camp Timberlane, Haliburton

150 new international students from around the world will join 20 upper year international and Canadian Trent students at Trent International Program (TIP) Camp 2014. This long-standing and unique three-day event provides an inclusive community welcome – the hallmark of the Trent experience – for all new international students.

Move-In Day

Sunday, August 31, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

ISW staff from all colleges will be on hand to assist over 1,000 new students and their families with registration and moving into residence. Teamwork, energy, and music will all be on display for this exciting part of ISW.

Off Campus Orientation

Sunday August 31, 3:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., Trent Athletics Centre

This event is an opportunity for all students who are living off-campus in their first year to meet their peers before the start of the year. This session will highlight events running throughout ISW which will enhance the experience of off-campus students. Other sessions include Bystander Intervention training, and features a free BBQ for all new students!

ISW Opening Ceremony

Monday, September 1, 1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m., Justin Chiu Stadium

The opening ceremony includes a colourful march of students from their respective colleges to Justin Chiu Stadium, led by a bag piper. University representatives will also participate in the procession, including college heads, academic advisors, University president Dr. Leo Groarke, Peterborough mayor Daryl Bennett, director of colleges Barry Townshend, Professor Carolyn Kay and other faculty members. University officials will each deliver short words of welcome upon arrival of the procession in the stadium. With over 1,500 students expected to participate, the opening ceremony is one of the largest events during ISW.

Sexual Assault Prevention

Sunday, August 31 & Monday, September 1 at each college

Every incoming student will take part in a sexual assault prevention session led by Trent Wellness and the Office of Student Affairs. This is a very important session for all new students to set expectations for the year. At Trent, the safety of all students is a key aspect of all our programming. This session sets expectations as well as reinforces proper initiatives the University is taking when approaching issues of sexual assault prevention.

Take the University Challenge

Tuesday, September 2, 2013, 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m., various locations on campus

This is an important morning for all new Trent students as they learn many different academic skills through these specially-designed sessions and workshops in order to give them a strong head start on their first classes.

Trent Carousel *NEW*

Tuesday September 2 and Wednesday September 3, 9:00 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.

Hundreds of students will be separated into different groups for this event running on separate days depending on the college (Tuesday for Otonabee and Gzowski College, and Wednesday for Champlain and Lady Eaton College). Each group, with two student leaders, will take part in activities that not only gives them better insight into the services and supports provided at Trent, but will also build the relationship with their peers. Sessions include: Information Technology, Wellness, Human Rights & Equity, Sustainable Trent, Trent International Program, First Peoples House of Learning, and many more.

Trent Think Tank *NEW*

Tuesday, September 2 and Wednesday, September 3, 1:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.

Based on student votes, each college has selected a summer text as their choice for Trent Think Tank. This programs connects all students through common texts and offers new students a chance to experience a seminar before classes begin. Students will choose one of the following texts/films and then discuss it in a faculty-led seminar in September: Blackfish; Oryx and Crake; Chimimanda Adichie’s TEDtalk: The Danger of a Single Story; Persepolis; or The Orenda.

Varsity Lacrosse Game & BBQ

Wednesday September 3, 4:30 pm – 6:30 pm, Justin Chiu Stadium

The Trent Excalibur Men’s Lacrosse team is proud to host the first home game for all new students. This event is popular with new students as the bleachers are packed with proud and loud students supporting our own Trent team.

Trent World Day

Thursday, September 4, 12:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m., Bata Library Podium

Organized by Trent students and the Trent International Program, this event focuses on the many nationalities on campus. Activities are intended to both celebrate international diversity, and to educate the Trent community about the range of cultures represented among our students.

The Great Race

Friday, September 5, 2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m., Justin Chiu Stadium

The Great Race starts off with the annual cheering competition. Each college is assigned the task of creating a new cheer for their college and Trent University. Following the cheering competition, join us for one of Trent’s time honoured traditions – the Great Race. This giant relay race, which ends at Justin Chiu Stadium, always brings out the college spirit in everyone.

College-Specific Activities

Ongoing throughout the week at various locations

Trent colleges are an integral part of the student experience, and the University is continuing to expand the events, programs and supports that help new students feel closely connected to their college community. Each undergraduate college is putting on a wide-range of formal and informal events in order to welcome both their off-campus and residence students, and integrate them into their home college.

International & Indigenous Activities

Ongoing throughout the week at various locations

The First Peoples House of Learning is involved in aspects of orientation, offering many Indigenous-focussed learning and social events open for all new students. In addition, Trent World Week features internationally-oriented events throughout orientation programming all week. Other events during the week include the Muslim Student Association’s orientation, Active Minds, as well as the Trent Queer Collective.

» Complete list of ISW 2014 events

Posted on Friday, August 29, 2014.