Orientation at SJU has something for everyone! Please take note of the events that are relevant for you, and whether an event requires registration.
If you do not live in our residences, register for Fall Orientation events at SJU here. Registering and checking in at an event will allow you to receive a wristband that gives you exclusive access to SJU Orientation. To receive a designated meal ticket to eat in the Community Centre Servery, check-in is required at each event.
To keep up to date on these events and future ones, follow our student leaders on Instagram: @SJUlead
Disclaimer: event times and locations may change due to weather conditions or other unforeseen circumstances. To stay up to date, please follow @SJUlead on Instagram.
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 2ND
Residence Floor Meeting
4:00 – 4:30
Location: Your Residence Pod
Who Can Attend:
- First-Year and Upper-Year Residence Students
This is a mandatory floor meeting where you will meet your floor mates, the residence life don on your floor, and learn about living at SJU!
Residence Roundup (Mandatory Residence Meeting)
4:30 – 5:30
Location: Vanstone (1004) in Academic Centre (SJ2/Atrium)
Who Can Attend:
- First-Year and Upper-Year Residence Students
The information you need to know to live at SJU is going to be explained here. This cannot be missed and is mandatory for anyone living in residence.
Welcome BBQ
5:30P.M. – 7:00P.M.
Location: SJU Courtyard (if raining: Community Centre)
Who Can Attend:
-
First-Year and Upper-Year Residence Students
-
First-Year off-campus Co-Registered Students
All residence students and first-year co-registered students are welcome to join us for a shared outdoor meal to kick-off Orientation at SJU! If you are a First-Year Co-Registered Student living off campus, please register ahead and check-in at the Student Help Desk in the SJU Courtyard at 5:30pm to receive your meal ticket. See Meals tab for more details.
SJU Welcome & Dance Tradition
7:30P.M. – 8:30P.M.
Location: Academic Centre (SJ2)
Who Can Attend:
-
First-Year and Upper-Year Residence Students
-
First-Year off-campus Co-Registered Students
Want to learn why so many people call SJU their home? Come listen to our student leader introductions, become oriented to the history of the four Houses, and learn the 2023 cohort SJU dance tradition!
Warrior Welcome
9:00P.M. - 10:00P.M.
Location: UW Main Campus - Physical Activities Complex (PAC)
Who Can Attend:
- First Year Residence Students
- First-Year Off-Campus Co-Registered Students
Dive headfirst into the pulsating energy of the University of Waterloo as you get your first official welcome at the epic Warrior Welcome! Embrace the keys to success as you're introduced to campus life and endless opportunities. Get inspired by the magnetic Lenore Johnson and hear from a representative at your Waterloo Undergraduate Student Association #GoBlackGoGold.
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 3RD
Breakfast and SJU Caf Orientation
8:30A.M. – 10:00A.M.
Locations: The Community Centre - If you do not live in residence, please register ahead and check-in at the Community Centre at 9:00am. See Meals tab for more details. .
Who Can Attend:
-
First-Year and Upper-Year Residence Students
-
First-Year off-campus Co-Registered Students
Welcome to your first official meal in the Community Centre! Here, you will learn about all the tips and tricks about the Servery and what Dana Hospitality has to offer.
House Time
10:30A.M. – 12:00P.M.
Locations: Your don will bring you down to your House meeting spot! If you do not live in residence, please check-in at the Community Centre at 10:30 AM.
Who Can Attend:
-
First-Year and Upper-Year Residence Students
-
First-Year off-campus Co-Registered Students
Come and meet your House-mates, learn your House cheer, and play some fun games! You’ll find out what House you’re part of on day-1 of Orientation! But, here’s a sneak peak:
Leon House (green)
Spetz House (red)
Taylor House (yellow)
Zinger House (blue)
But it doesn’t stop here! Throughout the school year, the Houses organize events and battle one another in a variety of contests. But the rivalries are all in fun. So, activate your competitive spirit and help vanquish your arch frenemies! Who knew SJU could feel like Harry Potter?
Click here to learn all about the House System at SJU.
Building Inclusive Communities: Exploring EDI with TREE
12:30P.M. – 2:30P.M.
Locations: Community Centre (Caf). If you do not live in the residences, please check-in at the Community Centre at 12:30pm.
Who Can Attend:
-
First-Year and Upper-Year Residence Students
-
First-Year off-campus Co-Registered Students
Over lunch you are invited to participate in an equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) workshop facilitated by The Ripple Effect Education (TREE). EDI work, reflection and skills helps us live in community with one another. At this workshop you will discover key terms and foster self-awareness for just communities to support your time living at SJU and beyond!
First Year Co-Registered students who do not live in residence will need to register for this event to be provided with a meal ticket.
Carnival Adventure!
6:15P.M. – 10:00P.M.
Location: Ryan-Siegfried Parking Lot (between Sweeney and RS)
Who Can Attend:
-
First-Year and Upper-Year Residence Students
-
First-Year off-campus Co-Registered Students
Step right up to Jerome’s Carnival Adventure, where an enchanting evening of excitement awaits! Get ready for an unforgettable experience filled with thrilling activities that will leave you beaming with joy. Pose for a photo with our mascot, Jerome, and capture the memories forever. Gather your friends for some friendly competition with the chance to win fantastic prizes. What’s a carnival without indulging in some fluffy cotton candy and refreshing lemonade? As you embrace the evening, take the opportunity to connect with your peers and engage with the fantastic student leaders of SJU. Come on down to the RS Parking Lot to see the magic unfold!
Chill Vibez Night
6:15P.M. – 10:00P.M.
Location: Ryan and Siegfried Hall Residence Living Room and Gym
Who Can Attend:
-
First-Year and Upper-Year Residence Students
-
First-Year off-campus Co-Registered Students
Come vibe with us and enjoy some fun board games, a rotating selection of sports, chill music, colouring pages, and a make-your-own sundae station. Get ready for some chill vibez with your peers and SJU student leaders!
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 4TH
Meditation & Campus Ministry Connect
4:00P.M. - 5:30P.M.
Locations: Notre Dame Chapel (SJ1)
Who Can Attend:
- First-Year and Upper-Year Residence Students
- First-Year and Upper-Year off-campus Co-Registered Students
Try out a meditation session, enter into an ancient practice with modern applications that might help you deal with stress, anxiety, and create greater acceptance, balance and mindfulness. You don't have to be religious or spiritual or practicing in any way. You only need to bring an open mind and a willing or inquisitive heart. Why not try something new and join us for an introductory session!
Block Party
10:00P.M. – 12:00A.M.
Location: Ryan and Siegfried Hall Residence
Who Can Attend:
-
First-Year and Upper-Year Residence Students
-
First-Year off-campus Co-Registered Students
We are excited to welcome the whole block for a Block Party like no other. We’re looking at you St. Jerome’s, Conrad Grebel, Renison, and United! Join us at St. Jerome’s campus for a live DJ’d event with food, games, activities, and tons of fun. It's time to get the whole block together - we’ll see you there!
First Year Co-Registered students who do not live in residence will need to register for this event to receive a bracelet for enterence.
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 5TH
Scavenger Hunt
10:00A.M - 11:00A.M.
Location: SJU Courtyard
Who Can Attend:
-
First-Year and Upper-Year Residence Students
-
First-Year Co-Registered Students
Welcome to a new community and campus! Compete in a series of activities around SJ to learn more about what the campus has to offer and the important resources you’ll need to succeed. Did we mention there’s big giveaways and prizes?
*Note: You may have academic programming on UW main campus at this time. Like other orientation programming, this event is optional.
Dean’s Brunch
11:15A.M - 12:45P.M.
Location: Academic Centre (SJ2/Atrium)
Who Can Attend:
-
First-Year Co-Registered Students
Enjoy a buffet brunch while meeting some peers, faculty, and staff that will be supporting you throughout your academic journey at SJ!
First Year Co-Registered students who do not live in residence will need to register for this event to be provided with a meal ticket.
Orientation and Investiture Ceremony
5:30P.M. – 8:00P.M.
Location: Residence Gym | Academic Centre (SJ2/Atrium)
Who Can Attend:
-
First-Year Residence Students
-
First-Year Off-Campus Co-Registered Students*
-
*Registration is required - see Meals tab for more details.
You’re invited to the Orientation and Investiture Ceremony! We are all coming together to welcome you into the SJU community. Put on your best semi-formal wear and join us in the Residence Gym at 5:30 p.m. for appetizers and photos with your floor mates! This event should not be missed!
Community Dinner
5:30P.M. - 7:00P.M.
Location: Community Centre
Who Can Attend:
- Upper-Year Residence Students
- Upper-Year Co-Registered Students*
Welcome back to SJU! We welcome you to the first SJU Community Dinner of the year! Join us for a semi-formal evening in the Community Centre with good food, good moods, and mingling with our student leaders, staff, and faculty!
*Upper-Year Co-Registered students who do not live in residence will need to register for this event to be provided with a meal ticket.
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 8TH
Student Leadership & Services Fair
12:00P.M. – 3:00P.M.
Location: SJU Courtyard (if raining: Ryan and Siegfried Hall Residence)
Who Can Attend:
-
All are welcome!
Come learn about the many student involvement opportunities SJU offers and how they serve you! Also, take a peek at the variety of services SJU offers, including our Library, Campus Ministry, Service Learning, and The Funcken Café.
Yard Games with your Student Affairs Staff
12:00P.M. – 3:00P.M.
Location: SJU Courtyard (if raining: Ryan and Siegfried Hall Residence)
Who Can Attend:
-
All are welcome!
Let the games begin! Join your Student Affairs team in some friendly, competitive yard games. You’ll find something for everyone in this afternoon of fun and community connection. Plus, you’ll find that the Student Affairs team is a fun bunch of people who are eager to support you through your journey!
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 10TH
Service Learning: Bake for “A Better Tent City” and Garden with “Tiny Home Takeout”
1:00P.M. – 3:00P.M.
Location: RS Buttery and Garden across from campus. Meet in front of the Ryan and Siegfried Hall (RS) Residence Building.
Who Can Attend:
- All are welcome!
*Click here to register.
Join us for a day of community service learning with the A Better Tent City and Tiny Home Takeout!
Bake for "A Better Tent City": Come to the Buttery to bake muffins which will be delivered to the folks living in "A Better Tent City." ABTC is a community-based approach to the housing crisis, providing tiny homes to 50 people who have experienced chronic homelessness in Waterloo Region. It is a small, self-organized community of people built on respect for one another and for their shared home.
Garden with "Tiny Home Takeout": Get your hands dirty in the Tiny Home Takeout Garden, just across the street from campus. THT is a community food project which serves a free, quality meal every Tuesday to Saturday evening for the downtown Kitchener community. They believe that everyone has the right to good food, cooked with care and served with dignity, regardless of economic standing.
Sunday Mass
7:00P.M. - 8:30P.M.
Location: Notre Dame Chapel (SJ1)
Who Can Attend:
- All are welcome!
Join us in the Notre Dame Chapel for the first Sunday Mass of the fall term! All are welcome.
