Loyalist Welcomes New and Returning Students
By: Marilyn Warren, Communications, Loyalist College
Loyalist College is a busy, active campus on a year-round basis but there is definitely heightened excitement when new and returning students arrive for the fall semester. First-year students are eager to take this initial step into college life. Upper-year students now have their employment goals within reach and are focused on completing their studies and starting their careers. This week, Loyalist welcomed over 3,000 students. Those living on campus in the residence facilities have moved into their new homes — and all students have been encouraged to participate in the on-going orientation activities.
In addition to the original residence facilities, Loyalist welcomed upper-year students into the first phase of the new on-campus residence townhouse complex — a project of Campus Development Corporation in partnership with the college. When the remaining units are completed there will be a total of 580 on-campus rooms.
Steve Routcliffe, a third-year Architecture student from Brighton, is living with three of his classmates in one of the new units. “These townhouses are amazing. With all of the window lighting they have a home-like atmosphere that I think we are really going to enjoy. The four of us are very keen on doing well and finishing our program. Now we are only five minutes from our classes. The location is also perfect for when we work evenings in our course. Our home is just a few steps away.”
The orientation activities included an academic school and program-specific orientation, a drop-in session for mature students, rock climbing and a BBQ luncheon at which college president Maureen Piercy welcomed the students to the campus for the fall semester. The student government filled the week with social events giving students the opportunity to meet others and become familiar with their surroundings — a day at Sandbanks, a Much Club Night, an evening with hypnotist Tony Lee and pub night featuring Juno award-nominated Canadian band Faber Drive.
“I’m really excited to be here. This week is giving me the opportunity to get some of the unknowns out of the way,” said Megan Voss, a first-year Photojournalism student from Edmonton. “This is my first time in Ontario — the orientation activities are making my transition easier. It was a very big decision for me to move to Belleville. This is the only Photojournalism program of its kind in Canada and there is nothing else that I’d rather do. I’m looking forward to being in this program and learning everything I can about photojournalism.”
As classes continue to get underway, events such as Kardinal Offishall, Talk Sex with Sue Johanson, Yuk Yuk’s Comedy and a country video dance party are included in the September lineup of student government activities.