New Student Orientation

Hello Everyone!

I hope that classes are going well, and everybody is adjusted to the lifestyle of University living!  Due to the successes of NSO, many departments across campus are interested in helping make that enthusiasm and spirit last throughout the year.  One of the biggest events that we try to get students involved in is Relay for Life in March.  We’d like to take your spirit from Shinerama, and spread that to help stop cancer!  So, we here in Student Services are looking to either put in teams for each of our 10 NSO teams, or one large NSO group (whichever one you would prefer!).

Here is some of the information regarding Relay for Life from the Dean of Science, Christian LaCroix:

We will also be having some future events for NSO soon!  I hope to see everyone come out and see their NSO friends again !

Its the end to another amazing week of Orientation, and what a week it was!

For the first time in three years, we were able to experience Beach Blast!  Epic sand sculptures were constructed, most notably those from Teams White, Pink, Yellow, Evergreen, Purple and Red!  However, the overall winners were (in first place) Team Pink; and in second place, Team White!

Our first day’s events of the Kick-off, Playfair and the Toga Party featuring Two Hours Traffic and DJ Konflikt were a blast for all who attended!  We have some excellent pictures to share at the banquet this evening!

Our wonderful hypnotist, Damian, returned for another year of rip-roaring entertainment, showing some of our attendees’ more wild sides.

Justin Trudeau made a huge impact on the students, impressing them with the encouragement to GET INVOLVED.  He talked not just of getting involved in politics, but in your community and in your passions.  It was excellent advice for all students!

We had another incredible speaker join us last night, Drew Dudley!  He touched the hearts and inspired many of our students with a theme of live now, and have no regrets!  Some encouraging words were spread, as well as excellent stories involving squirrels, eagles and rave party cars!

To end this incredible week, we will be having a semi-formal to formal banquet to welcome each and everyone of you to our University.  I hope you have all considered what your legacies will be here, and what you will offer to this world.  It has been an excellent experience working with all the leaders, and participating in the activities for the students!  I hope to see everyone out tonight at our Back to School Bash with Mariana’s Trench immediately following our banquet!

Thanks to all of our sponsors for providing us with such a wonderful week:

Subway, Dairy Queen, CD Tours, Pizza Delight, Moonsnail, Charlottetown’s Jazz and Blues’ Festival, the Confederation Centre, the Alumni Society, UPEI Bookstore, and UPEI’s Student Union!

We could not have done this without you!

NSO 2010- What will your legacy be?

Hey everyone!

Due to the impending weather notifications for Saturday, we have decided to cancel the events for Saturday, September 4!

However, do not fret!  We have re-scheduled the events.  You can check them out on the website (www.upei.ca/studentservices/nso).  Residence move in will still be taking place on SATURDAY September 4.  I will be floating around with a couple of leaders to answer any questions and help make your move in smoother.

There will be another move in taking place on SUNDAY September 5.  Our NSO registration times will be during then as well, and we will be helping move in those who still need to.

Feel free to give me a call or send me a message via facebook or email.

See everyone on Sunday, and don’t let the bully Earl get you down!

Its that time again!  I hope everyone has strapped on their sandals, tied up their togas, and coiffed their hair, because our Greek Party is about to begin!  We’re finalizing the last touches to what is proving to be an AWESOME week.  I can’t wait to meet each and everyone of you, and I know my leaders can’t either.  We’re all excitedly preparing for this Saturday!!!

For those of you who are international, don’t forget to participate in the International Student Orientation starting tomorrow.  Its an excellent way to gain important information about living, studying and working in Canada.  We will provide you with all sorts of ways to get involved as both a student and as a resident of Canada.  We’ll even be enjoying some typical cuisine of the area and participating in some Canadian cultural activities as well!!!

Here are some final answers to a few questions that I’ve been getting:

1) I missed the cut-off deadline for NSO.  Can I still participate?

Answer–> Yes you can!  However, we cannot guarantee that you will receive an orientation kit.  You will still be able to join in all of the fun events and you’ll still have a chance to win some of our sweet prizes towards the end of the week!

2) When are we assigned our teams?

Answer–> When you come to get your registration materials, we will assign you your team.  You will be getting a bandanna that is color-coded.  Depending on what color you get, that will be the team your on.  So, say you got a pink bandanna; that means you’re on Team Pink-Aphrodite’s Cupids!  Only our leaders have been assigned teams at this point, and you can see that in one of the posts below!

3) Can we wear togas?

Answer–> As long as you wear your NSO t-shirt underneath, feel free to flaunt your toga all week long!  The t-shirts, however, are your access to the NSO events.  So if you’re not wearing them, then you won’t be able to get in.  The only two exceptions to this rule are: the Toga party @ the Wave on Saturday night and Subway’s Beach Blast on Sunday.  For those, you need to have your bandanna in order to get access!

4) Where do I go and what time do I need to be here for NSO?

Answer–> NSO starts THIS SATURDAY, September 4.  Residence students will be able to pick up their NSO goodies when they get their residence materials.  You can find all of these in the Wanda Wyatt Dining Hall.  We’ll be starting at 9:00 am.  For students that are not in residence, you can begin picking up your NSO materials in the W.A. Murphy Student Centre at 2:00 pm.  Our official kick-off will be at 4:00 pm.  So take the time to meet your team and all of your leaders!  We’ll be going over spirit chants, introductions and plans on how to win as either Most Spirited Team or overall Top Team!

Okay, thats it guys!  We’re down to the final days, so I hope everyone is getting prepared.  This will be the BEST WEEK EVER!  Its time for you to decide:

What Will Your Legacy Be?

Hello Everyone!

So as we come down to the last two weeks prior to NSO, there is a lot of work to be done! While we worry about your welcoming committee, there are a few things you guys should make sure to do before you arrive to UPEI:

• If you’re living in residence, check out some of the things they recommend you bring: http://www.upei.ca/residence/move-information
• If you haven’t seen our campus yet, book a tour: http://www.upei.ca/studentservices/campustour or check out our online campus tour!
• Find your booklists, and start prepping for classes!  You can start checking your campus login to find out what books you may need.
• Find out where your classes are being held.  Check your campus login or the timetables to discover the locations of your classes.
• Purchase your parking permit!
• Opt out of the Health Plan, if you or your parents are already covering you!
• And most importantly, don’t forget to register for NSO if you haven’t already!

Our website has been updated, so you can find out even more information about NSO on there!  Check it out at www.upei.ca/studentservices/nso!  We’re going to be having Two Hours Traffic come join us this year for our Toga Party, along with some awesome local DJs!!!  See you all very soon!!!

Here is a list of those registered for NSO; find yourself through your student id!

116429               115319                    115313                     114497               116491               115832                    114308                    115720                     115645               114147                   115699                     115946                     115887              114671                   114274                     115334                    116045              116660                   114538                     114315                      115000             115325                   115400                     114906                    115935              115555                   115619                      116505                      115991              115130                   114674                      116333                     115193              114916                   116359                      116393                     114126              116990                  114962                      115595                      115859             115186                   114699                      116494                     115855             116375                  115689                      104553                      114238             114912                   115278                     113918                     115148             115142                   116210                     115421                         115083            113921                   115264                     115690                      115299            115465                   114741                      115307                     115193            103122                   115124                     116462                        115773           115949                   115558                      113945                           115318            114698                   115416                      115183

115804            113776                 114627                    115481                         115263            115860                  104971                    115856                        117080            116399                 117398                     115884                       115455             115281                  112133                     112406                      115957             113642                 115314                     115866                       114947             115147                 115818                     107759                      102429             105647                115781                    115349                        117714             115982                 116128                     116058                       114627              116463                 109053                   115298                        116512              114315                 115070                   116550                        115849              115635                 114935                    115300                       116226              115963                 115674                   114534                         116984              116132                 114669                   110942                          116395              116306                115574                    114991                          115885              116256                117242                    116368                          115739             115784                115934                    115580                         115835              115738               115272                    115759                          116001             114699                115326                     114253                         115312              112863                114707                   116481                           115624             115987                114796                    115303                          115975             116123                114964                    116383                            116409             115572                116313                    113909                         115847             114536                116865                    114481                          115399              116238               115156                     115919                          114309             115943                114184                     117076                       114801              116439               116309                    115753                          115150              116647               115924                     115952                        115862             115625                115205                    116388                          116039             115722               115722                     115744                        115283             116140                114903                    115043                        115692             115213                116004                     116977                        115793             116404                115691                    115827                         115286             115181                 114235                    116160                          115579             115178                104620                   116334                          109053            116660                115749                    116143                         116889             115755                116378                    114236                          115609             116466                115087                    116457                        115823             116715                 115570                    107347                         115216             115863                 117280                    116436                           115330             115273                115897                    116474                         116560            115725                 116338                     108968                        117279            104306                115364                    116576                         114917             115799                116121                      116424                          116667             115951                 115960                    114648                         113908             116373                116408                    116852                         117362             115794                115668                     115678                        114795             116253                116041                     116102                        115850             116050               115956                     115120                         115140             116645                116003                     116106                        114899             116720                116431                     115828                        116234             115208                117336                     116465                        115118              116631                115895                     114469                         115411              114899                116018                     114571                        115190              115802               115071                     110540                       116157             116401                116564                   116504                                 116239             116076               114737                   116422                          115931              105467              115969                    117601                           116472             115424               115675                    116414                          115979             117302               115024                   114146                           109552             116049              116051                    224693                          114439              115664              114886                    114349                           116245             117335              115203                    115410                           116738             115640              117202                    116741                          116606             115212              117752                    115761                            113632             117595              116715                     115779                          116887             115772             115811                      113091                           111404             115123              112093                     115207                          115611              116434              114881                     115809                           115292             115058             109125                     113642                           95683               116471             114876                     116180                           114802             114513             114737                     113748                           115503             115983            116306                      111110                            97802               116804            115929                      115384                           117328             116506            115670                      106760                          115923             115874             115686                     115768                            115787             116845            115661                      115790                           116332              115572           114878                      115891                            115771             115009            114534                     116394                            117465             115782            115953                      116637                           116415              117676           116954                     94091                             116376            115884              115493                    116086                            117679            117329             116340                    115864                            114631             114903             115477                    114648                            111542             115717             114644                    115671                             114349             116557            116038                    115504                             109771            115367            115774                    116389                             116894             116125            113520                    116235                             116855            115332             116510                    116919                             86906               117188            115977                    115259                            116413             116391             115967                    115127                             112559            116232             115965                     116532                            116449             115996             115683                   115757                             116458             116396            116366                    114525                              115792            114812             110756                   115767                             117279            116460            114449                    116657                             109040           114368             116934                   115230                              115774            115178             115967                   110528                                117711             116816             115404                   113198                              116450             116153             115399                   115399                              116399             116359             114998                   111542                              115487             114329             116881                  115898            115152                      114912              115143             115489                     115366                     117759           116151              116148                  116164                  116456                      116418             107936                115434                    115679                              116461             116126                  91023                      116138                   116004            114631                  116252                    117985                        118567             100372       115967                    115490                            116847            116854                  116559     107601                                 115434             116869                  115560                  116487                                 114236             115976                   116364                 115825                          115475            112696                 67390                    116550          115676             113519                  115885                  116990                115676                  115116                116550                67390               115825                   116990                 115676               112696                113519              115953                        116413             111110              116331                  108157                    114274               115878                116210              115308                 115667              115868               116139                     111494              115474                116460                  114079             115270                     115763                     118464                 116499                 115409                    117362                           118216                114717                         115799                         “3902                 114980               117366                    115890                        117029                 115896                115559                 115876                       115959                         115136                 116518                      98389                 115243                  111061               115919                    115207                            114935                         116381              116942                115530                              115892                 115603                       115804             116420                      116447                    115300                     116434                  115212               114329                      116156                   115303                      109632                     115462                    115418             116567                     115156                       116754                   116397               116816                          115790                  116508                103884                   115958                   117327                      115471                        116042                       116086                      116040                  115243

I will be refreshing this and updating this everyday.  So if your number does not appear right away, check back tomorrow!

Thanks everyone!

Good Morning everyone!

I hope that everyone has had a wonderful weekend! 

Over the past week or so, I’ve gotten a few questions that I thought I should address (since this is the easiest way to let you all know . . . well, that and jumpstart!).  Anyway, here are some frequently asked questions (and their answers!):

1) I submitted my NSO registration form, but there hasn’t been anything confirming that I am registered.  How can I tell?

– Unfortunately, we have been having technical difficulties regarding this.  Last year, you would have received an email confirming you have been registered.  This year, they were unable to do this.  So, instead, I am going to post the student numbers of those who have registered either later today or early tomorrow. 

2) The captains and leaders of the teams have been posted, but none of the first years.  How do I know which team I am on?

– During the first day of NSO, there is a registration period from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm.  Residence students permitted at 9:00 am and non-residence students permitted at 2:00 pm.  During that time (prior to the kick-off), you will get a t-shirt, a bandanna, and a bag of goodies.  The bandanna will be coloured according to teams.  So if you have a pink bandanna, you’ll be on team pink!  Easy peasy!

3) What do we receive with our registration packages?

– As mentioned above, you will receive a coloured bandanna, a t-shirt, and a bag of goodies.  This bag will include coupons, pamphlets, a brochure regarding NSO, and samples of food, hair products, etc.  Essentially, it is a cornucopia of awesome essentials for a University student!

4) Where do I go for Registration on September 4?

– From 9:00 am until 2:00 pm, we will have a registration station set up in the Wanda Wyatt Dining Hall along with Residence’s stations.  From 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm, we will have another station set up in the W.A. Murphy Student Centre, right outside the courtyard (or MacMillan Hall).  Students can go to either on their first day.

5) If I’m assigned a team and I want to switch, is that possible?

– We usually don’t like students switching, as that throws off numbers between teams.  However, if you can convince someone to trade their bandannas, we won’t object.

I hope that answers some of your questions!  Please post either on here or jumpstart (moodle.upei.ca- then go to jumpstart) anymore questions you might have!  Up next, the student id numbers of those who have registered!

Hello to all my nymphs and naiads, gods and goddesses, demi-gods and demi-goddesses!  Today is the day that I will be sharing with you those lucky inhabitants of UPEI’s MT. Olympus (or, in other words, your LEADERS!).  The teams are as follows:

Team White- The Thunderbolts of Zeus

Captains- Whitney Kelly-Clarke and Lukas Hennessey

• Justin Pater
• Anum Nazir
• Lindsay Gallie
• Laura Watts
• Meredith Downe
• Bethany McKay
• Stephanie Bowtle
• Amanda MacKinnon
• Rebecca D’Eon

Team Purple- Athena’s Champions

Captain- Lindsay Elson

• Patrick Callbeck
• Samantha Yeo
• Stephanie Ridgeway
• Donnie Conover
• Gayan Tennekone
• Angela MacDonald
• Amanda O’Donnell
• Stephen Chandler
• Christine MacLauchlan

Team Royal Blue- the Merpeople of Poseidon

Captain- Stephanie Carragher

• Melanie Murray
• Ben Hayman
• Garrett Curley
• Stephen Dunbar
• Maggie Musclow
• Landon Graham
• Josh Coles

Team Lime Green- The Victors of Nike

Captains: Luke Rowledge and Mitzi Mitchell

• Laura Wood
• Katie Murray
• Kyle MacNeill
• Alex MacDonald
• MaryEllen MacLean
• Megan Johnson
• Rachel Earl
• Victoria Nickerson

Team Light Blue- Hermes’ Harbingers

Captains- Josh Gallaway and Stephanie Lane

• Cole Milton
• Hesam Fatahi
• Kathryn Harrison
• Danielle MacDonald
• Candace Nicholson
• Sam Rayner

Team Forest Green- the Hunters of Artemis

Captains: Jeff MacDougald and Christa Masson

• Ben Holmes
• Melissa Trowsdale
• Amy Bullerwell
• Emily McKenna
• Tommy Ogden
• Carina Chan
• Megan Gallant

Team Pink- Aphrodite’s Cupids

Captains: Jonathan Millington and Leanne Doiron

• Josh Beaton
• Kira Quinsey
• Felicity MacMillan
• Jillian Birt
• Vimal Ramaka
• Brittany Moore
• Joline Boudreau

Team Orange- Hades’ Minions

Captain: Becca Bellefontaine

• Robbie Saada
• Matt Janes
• Colin Whitlock
• Ellen O’Connor
• Rachel Lynn Wonnacott
• Elissa Blacquiere
• Frankie MacLeod

Team Red- the Titan Warriors

Captains: Danielle MacDonald and Jason Hogan

• Bethany Fitzpatrick
• Jessica Mutch
• Dave MacLean
• Jeanetta McGinley
• Callen Cudmore
• Justin Shaw
• Robyn Christensen

Team Yellow- the Suns of Apollo

Captains: Nicole Lane and Jordan Rowledge

• Andrew Murray
• Alyssa Gass
• Emily Bree-ann Milligan
• Sean MacKay
• Nathan Christensen
• Taher Dowidari
• Charlotte Coulson

I will be posting pictures of your captains and leaders soon!

Hey everyone!

So, it’s the start of another week and the best news is: the air conditioning in my office is working!!!  So, when you come to visit student services, you will no longer be sweating, suffocating and sucking for air through the humidity. It’s now cool, refreshing and enjoyable to work again, thus making my life and your NSO more productive.  Yay maintenance!

But enough about me, how was everyone’s weekend?  I imagine most included long trips to the beach or on boats (lucky ducks, I tell you!) or perhaps swimming in some pools, eating some delicious barbeques, enjoying some cool beverages (iced tea, guys! or coffee . . . mmm) in your backyards?  Well, I hope so.  I know I was walking around, getting my skin all lobster red and earning myself some more badges of the sun (aka. freckles).  Its always good to take a break by walking and soaking up the sun.

Well, back to the important stuff: NSO!  Today is one of my favorite days on this job.  I got to put all the leaders into groups.  I’m not releasing the groups yet, but that will be happening this Sunday.  So by this time next week, you firsties are going to be able to see your leaders in all their glory.  Also by this time next week, I will have some pictures of your leaders for you to pair with the teams.  Hopefully, you’ll be able to recognize some of them by the time you get here.  I know that they’re all excited to meet you!

I also took some time today to begin finalizing contracts for the band (still a secret ;D ) and for the Carnivale.  Some big things are heading your way, and I’m having a very hard time keeping this secret to myself! 

Friday, I also went around with one of our leaders delivering some of the last of our sponsorship packages.  The goodies about to be rolling in will hopefully be numerous.  We already have some travel deals secured from CD Tours!  The whole lot of prizes will be given away throughout NSO week, with the best prizes saved for last.  During NSO 2009, some lucky students and leaders got to take home some iPods and other cool prizes.  This year, we’re hoping to get bigger, better and more to hand out!  I hope everyone is getting as pumped as I am.  With every little bit that I accomplish, the better and better NSO is shaping up to be this year.

On a final note, I also met with some people on Friday to begin the organization for an event in October.  So this year’s NSO will DEFINITELY have events going throughout the year (and they’re going to be just as crazy and sweet as the ones during the week)!  So be sure that if you enjoyed yourself during NSO week, you make it out to the events during the year!

So, to stop you all from losing sunlight and being paler than myself (hard to imagine, but still possible), I’m going to end this post.  Go out and enjoy the sunshine, if even just for 5 min!  Talk to you all later this week!  Ta ta for now!

Hey Everyone!

So I FINALLY have the official schedule nailed down.  Here it is:

SATURDAY, September 4 

9:00am-3:00pm: NSO Registration for Residence @ the Wanda Wyatt Cafeteria

Residence Students can both move in and gather their NSO goodies at the same time!  Leaders will be roaming about, helping with move in as well as providing entertainment until the official Kick Off. 

2:00-4:00pm: NSO Registration for Everyone @ the W.A. Murphy Student Centre

Students that are not in residence will be able to receive their goodies as well as begin meeting their Leaders and other first years.

 4:00-6:00pm: Kick Off with Drew Dudley @ MacMillan Hall

Welcome to your Orientation Week!  We’ll be kicking this year’s NSO off in style with a light show, videos and a few words from Drew Dudley, our Key Note Speaker! 

6:00-8:00pm: Playfair

Nervous, excited, amazed?  It doesn’t matter!  Playfair will give you a chance to meet all sorts of new people in a fun and easy manner. 

10:00pm-1:30am: Toga Party @ the Wave

Be prepared to have your sandals knocked off!  The Toga Party at the Wave is going to include a mind-blowing array of DJs and a band.  Start off the week right with this super fun party! 

SUNDAY, September 5 

9:00-11:00am: Grecian Breakfast @ the Wanda Wyatt Cafeteria

    Breakfast is the most important meal of the day, so let’s do it the Grecian way! 

11:00am-4:00pm: Poseidon’s Beach Blast sponsored by Subway*

Experience true fun under the sun at one of Prince Edward Island’s beautiful beaches!  Even Poseidon wouldn’t want to miss this event! 

7:00-11:00pm: The Dionysia @ MacMillan Hall

Only Dionysia knows how to have a helter-skelter array of festive events!  We’ll be covering everything from Greek theatre to Herculean tasks!  Prizes are to be won, and fun is to be had under this god of amusement! 

MONDAY, September 6 

8:00-9:00am: Olympian Breakfast @ the Wanda Wyatt Cafeteria

    A day of learning can only be started with feast fit for gods and goddesses!

 9:00-10:30am: Campus Tours

    Get to know the ins and outs of UPEI’s campus as your leaders show you around. 

10:30am-12:30pm: Socrates’ Session

A time when questions are answered and ideas deciphered; this is when you can meet with Professors and leaders alike to learn more about your department and faculty. 

12:30-2:30pm: Barbeque

Feast on lunch time delights while participating in various Olympian Games.  A period of relaxation, good food, and athletic endeavors will satisfy any god or goddess at this meal. 

3:00-5:00pm: Hermes’ Relay Race

The gods are truly challenging you!  I hope you remembered everything you learned in the morning, because you’re about to be put to the test. 

5:00-6:00pm: Guinness World Record Breaking*

What is a better way to get your legacy known than by breaking a world record (and not just any record, a Guinness World Record)?!  Leave your imprint on PEI and the world by attempting a feat so GARGANTUAN, so ASTOUNDING, so INCREDIBLE that it has to be put in a book! 

7:00-9:00pm: Damien the Hypnotist @ MacMillan Hall

Like one of those beings that Odysseus met on his travels, Damien is sure to astound, amaze, and entertain in his mind controlling ability!  

TUESDAY, September 7

 7:00-9:00am: Breakfast in the PIT

Sponsored by the Webster Centre, fill your stomachs on delicious goodies before the adventurous day ahead! 

9:00am-5:00pm: SHINERAMA

What are we going to do?!  Fight Cystic Fibrosis!  How are we going to do it?! Raise Money!  How much money?! A WHOLE LOTTA MONEY! 

8:00-11:00pm: The Carnival of Athena @ Residence Fields

Be prepared for games bigger than the titans, prizes that will astonish even the luckiest of you, and a festival truly greater than Athena herself! 

WEDNESDAY, September 8 

9:00-11:00pm: Blanket Drive-In @ Residence Fields

Its time to relax and unwind after the first day of classes; so pull up your blankets, and get ready for some truly cinematic productions. 

THURSDAY, September 9

 6:00-9:00pm: Formal Welcome Feast @ the Wanda Wyatt Cafeteria

The epic finalé of your Odysseus-like journey can only be celebrated with a grand Welcome feast, with such impressive characters as the President of UPEI himself, the Student Union executives, and the wonderful faculty and staff of this school.  So Welcome to UPEI!  What will your legacy be?

*Events subject to change

-Some locations subject to change due to weather