arts | Freddy for Frosh pg 13
news | Rememberingafriendpg3 opinion| this is your paper pg 7 sports| freshman fifteen pg 21
Volume 145 · Issue 1 • September 7, 2011
www.thebruns.ca
brunswickan canada’s oldest official student publication.
Welcome back
Hundreds of first year students gather at Blast Off 2011, representing their houses and celebrating the beginning of their university careers. Sandy Chase / The Brunswickan Alanah Duffy News Reporter On Saturday, University of New Brunswick frosh arrived ready to rumble in the jungle for the next week. Holding signs that read “Honk If U Love UNB,” student volunteers greeted incoming University of New Brunswick students at all entrances to the campus. Amid the flurry of honking horns and cheers, frosh found their way to the quad, where student volunteers bustled around in colourful T-shirts, helping new students and their parents. Red-shirted volunteers adorned with animal-print headbands to match the week’s theme ran around the campus as if they were jungle animals themselves. Loud, upbeat music flooded from each residence, turning the quad into a mini rock concert. The Student Union Building was abuzz with activity as new students picked up their Orientation Week packages. “The Saturday that k icks off
Orientation Week is always my favourite day of the year,” said Sara Rothman, Student Development Coordinator. “I’m so excited to see all the first-years on campus together for the first time.” One of the most important things about Orientation Week, Rothman said, is to feel comfortable on a new campus. She encouraged all first-years not to be afraid to ask questions. “Everyone here was new at one point and we’ve all had questions, so don’t hesitate to ask someone,” she said. “The faculty and staff and everyone here at UNB want you to succeed.” Rothman said more than 700 new students are moving into residences on the UNB campus. Events are planned for each residence to help housemates get to know each other. Ian Bragdon, a first-year biology major from Woodstock, is excited to get to meet new people in Bridges House. “I really just want to get to know everyone in my residence and go to lots of events that will be happen-
ing,” he said. Aside from residence events, the Orientation Week Committee has organized a number of events to introduce new students to the campus and new people. Events like Blast-Off, Cross Campus Challenge and Casino night are designed to get students in the spirit and have them meet new people. The week ends this Saturday with Shinerama, an event where students raise money for cystic fibrosis. “It’s really exciting to get to see all the frosh experience UNB for the first time,” said Brad Gibson, Orientation Week Chair. “During my own Orientation Week, I went to all of the events and met a new person every day. I’m still friends with a lot of them.” He added that the memories and experiences that students have during Orientation Week will stay with them forever. “I would really encourage students to participate in everything the can,” Gibson said. “It’s a good opportunity to get out there and meet new, lifelong friends.”
Jordan Doiron, an incoming civil engineering student from Hunter River, PEI, thinks that Orientation Week is an opportunity to meet more people. “I already know a lot of people who are coming to UNB, but I want to meet as many new people as I can and have a good time,” he said. Orientation Week also gives new students a taste of independence.
For a lot of first-years, moving into UNB residences are the first time that they’ve been away from home. Reid MacAulay, a first-year student from Miramichi, is excited to get the events of Orientation Week underway. “I want to meet new people and go to a few of the events,” she said. “But I’m mostly excited to be living away from home for the first time.”
Students at Blast Off, getting psyched for the school year. Sandy Chase / The Brunswickan