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As new students continue to arrive in Kingston and on campus this week, and with Residence Move-In day on Saturday, Sept. 3, Queen’s is marking a return to in-person orientation activities for the first time since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The university has been working closely with student groups to create a wide range of fun, informative and responsible welcome events, that began with the Queen’s University International Centre’s Welcome Week (Aug. 29-Sept. 2), and the School of Graduate Studies and Post-doctoral Fellows’ Graduate Resource Fair (Sept 1).

The majority of first-year orientation events are scheduled for the weekends of Sept. 3-5 and Sept. 9-11. Each event is an opportunity to build friendships with peers and connections with upper-year students, some that last a lifetime.

“We are very excited to welcome the Class of 2026 to Queen’s and Kingston but also to be back in person,” says Meg Ferriman, Director, Student Life in Student Affairs. “Orientation is a great opportunity to connect our incoming students with the Queen’s and Kingston communities, and to highlight the services and supports available and the student experience that Queen’s is well known for.”

Following Residence Move-In, first-year students – including first-years living off-campus – will take part in a series of events as part of University Orientation, welcoming them into the Queen’s community while also providing the tools and resources to help promote their success at university.

Later at Welcome Home Night, new arrivals can take part in tricolour crafts, snacks, sports, and watch a movie. There will also be opportunities to meet upper-year leaders and get a campus tour.

On Sunday, Sept. 4 the Tricolour Parade and Welcome, a new event, will see students parade to Richardson Stadium. Once there, they will hear from student leaders and Principal Patrick Deane, enjoy a picnic lunch, and learn such Queen’s standards as the Oil Thigh and how to cheer ‘Cha Gheill!’.

On Monday, Sept. 5, Labour Day, Faculty Orientation begins, with students participating in faculty and program events – Arts and Science, Smith School of Business, Education, Engineering and Applied Science, Health Sciences, along with the School of Computing, School of Nursing, School of Kinesiology, as well as New, Exchange, Worldly, and Transfer Students (NEWTS). Further details, including schedules, are available online.

Classes then begin on Tuesday, Sept. 6.

On Tuesday and Wednesday, there are campus walks starting at 5:30 p.m., and the Yellow House, Queen’s University International Centre (QUIC), and Four Directions Indigenous Student Centre, will host Meet and Mingles for equity-deserving students.

On Thursday, Sept. 8, all students are invited to the Tricolour Open House, starting at 5 p.m. in the ARC. This event is a chance for new and returning students to learn about the wide selection of clubs and campus resources.

Faculty Orientation continues on Sept. 9-11 with featured events including a special concert hosted by the Alma Mater Society (AMS) on Friday night and the Arts and Science Undergraduate Society (ASUS) Sidewalk Sale on Saturday. This well-attended event introduces students to local businesses and on-campus units and will support the Kingston chapter of the Canadian Cancer Society.

Queen’s is committed to supporting students as they integrate into the Kingston community as well, promoting good citizenship, safety, respect and responsibility. Other messages being shared include information on alcohol harm reduction and sexual violence prevention and response.

Queen’s students contribute to the local community through volunteering with organizations and helping the Kingston economy.  A recent report by Deloitte shows that students spend approximately $237 million in Kingston every year while another $1 million is raised annually by students, staff, and faculty to support local causes.

Before arriving at Queen’s, first-year students were able to get an early start through First-Year Foundation, an online, self-directed program to help prepare them for new academic expectations, introduce services and resources supporting academic success, outline important dates and deadlines, navigate administrative processes including financial accounts, and introduce them to onQ – Queen’s dedicated online learning management system. As well, more than 2,000 first-year students and guests attended Summer Orientation to Academics and Resources on campus in July.

For more information visit the Student Experience Office website.