October 2008 issue
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Student Column
September Events Designed to Welcome First Years
Editor’s Note: Jocelyn Westwood, a third-year engineering physics student, is the PEGG student columnist in engineering at the University of Alberta, this year. She plans to seek a master’s degree when she graduates but so far hasn’t chosen a field.
In addition to helping PEGG readers keep up to date, Jocelyn is involved in the Engineering Physics Club as the Geer Week coordinator and is an APEGGA student member. She also sprints and hurdles for the U of A Track and Field Team.
BY JOCELYN WESTWOOD
U of A Student Columnist (Engineering)
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September marked the end of summer and the start of classes for engineering students at the University of Alberta. For returning students, resuming classes was simply part of a familiar routine, but for first-year students it was the beginning of a new and exciting university career.
Starting university, and especially engineering, can be rather intimidating, so September was full of events dedicated to making the transition smoother for first-years.
Orientation 2008, a students’ union event, welcomed all new students to the University of Alberta. Students were grouped by faculty and introduced to campus by an older student from their faculty. This meant that first-year engineering students were able to meet each other before classes even began.
First-years also attended faculty-specific sessions designed to introduce them to the particulars of the Faculty of Engineering. Lastly, first-years were exposed for the first time to engineering culture. This included learning various cheers, such as the Engineer’s Song, and participating in the annual charge across Hawrelak Park before the President’s Address.
The Engineering Students’ Society also held GEER 101 to help first-year students feel welcome on campus and meet other engineering students. Organized by second-year engineering students Joe Zhou and Carolyn Truong, an APEGGA student member, GEER 101 took place during the second and third week of classes.
GEER 101 events included a pancake breakfast, a design competition, a pool tournament and a barbeque, all free of charge for first-years.
Lastly, the Engineering Handbook is an agenda specifically for students in the Faculty of Engineering. It helps first-years and older students alike organize and plan their academic year. Handbook coordinators Amanda Schneck and Robbie Hames, APEGGA student members, filled it with helpful information about subjects such as the co-op program, student groups, and general facts about the University of Alberta.
All of these events definitely contributed to making first-year students feel welcome to engineering at the U of A — just in time for mid-terms!
Geering Up
The Engineering Students’ Society has put a lot of work into welcoming first-years, but there is still much to be done. A large portion of this work will be done by the ESS executive committee.
This year’s ESS president is Daryl Tran and vice-president, finance and operations, is Dustin Stewart. Sonja Roes is VP, student services, and Claire Smith is VP, external relations.
Many events are planned for the coming academic year. Country Crusades and Geer Week will promote engineering spirit. National Engineering and Geosciences Week and the University of Alberta Engineering Competition will highlight the faculty’s strong technical capabilities. The Engineering Hair Dye, Head Shave and Pi Throw promise to raise significant funds for charity.
Watch this space for more on these events as the year moves along.
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