Getting to know in O-Week

Volume 7 Number 3 March 14 - April 10 2011

O-Week 2011 introduced commencing students to the diversity of scholastic and social activities that is the University of Melbourne By Nicola Chandra, Transition & Orientation

Orientation Week (O-Week) welcomed over 8000 undergraduate and graduate students to the 2011 academic year, introducing them to the diverse world that is The University of Melbourne, both scholastic and social.

Centrally co-ordinated by Transition & Orientation, the main highlight of the week was the Host Program at the Parkville and Southbank campuses, made possible by the generosity of over 400 student volunteers facilitating interaction and leading tours. This unique opportunity allowed students to make friends, explore the campus and discover the many services available to support and enhance their university experience.

“Being a Host was very rewarding,” says Arts Host Cristina Spizzica. “It felt really good knowing that I was able to give guidance and advice to a group of first year students during the overwhelming experience of beginning university.”

The Clubs & Societies Expo and Sports Expo were held in the latter half the week, allowing them to promote their activities, welcome new members and show first year students that there is more to university than academia.

First year Commerce student Jonathan Rose made the most of the Clubs Expo: “I found that clubs were a great way to meet people who share similar interests. There were so many to choose from!”

Orientation relies on the collaboration of staff and students across campus, including Student Services, Venues and Timetabling, Departments and Faculties, Student Centres, Marketing & Communications, Colleges, Property & Campus Services, Libraries, Sport and Student associations.