Spark Guidebook: Welcome Week 2018

M S U S PA R K 2 0 1 8

- WELCOME WEEK -

Guidebook

- INTRODUCTION TO -

Welcome Week I T ’ S W E L C O M E W E E K - G E T E X C I T E D ! Welcome Week is great for so, so many reasons. It is a week where you get to make connections with the people of McMaster, this includes staff, faculty, student leaders, and fellow Marauders. All these people are a great place to ask for support and advice. This week is crafted to help you transition into university life - this includes both academic and campus environments (whether you live on campus, commute, or are an offcampus student). This week includes a range of activities catered to the diverse group of students McMaster is home to - so don’t fret, there will be lots of activities that are right for you.

G E T E XC I T E D F O R T H E W E E K A H E A D O F YO U A N D M O S T I M P O R TA N T LY - W E L C O M E H O M E , M A R A U D E R S !

MARY KEYES

LES PRINCE

HEDDEN

E D WA R D S

BRANDON

B AT E S

WOODSTOCK

WA L L I N G F O R D

WHIDDEN

M O U LT O N

M C K AY

M AT T H E W S

- RESIDENCE REP SUITS -

- WELCOME WEEK REP SUIT R O P, O C O P

OFF-CAMPUS

Legend WHO ARE THOSE SMILING PEOPLE I N C O LO U R F U L J U M P S U I T S ?

- FA C U LT Y R E P S U I T S -

ENGINEERING

NURSING

KINESIOLOGY

ARTS + SCIENCE

SOCIAL SCIENCE

H E A LT H S C I E N C E

SHINERAMA HUMANITIES

BUSINESS

MAROONS SCIENCE

They are Welcome Week representatives (aka upper-year students who have volunteered to support and welcome you to McMaster).

They’re here to help you (yes, you)! If you have a question, are lost, or just need someone to talk to - feel free to walk up to any of the smiling people in colourful jumpsuits.

- WE ARE FROM MAC -

McMaster Cheer One! W E Two! A Three! I Four!

ARE FROM MAC!

LITTLE BIT LOUDER!

S T I L L C A N ’ T H E A R YO U !

MORE, MORE, MORE!

Welcome Week - ADVICE -

Self-Care is

Try a New

Ask Rep Leaders

It’s so important to make time for yourself. Take breaks when you need them. This applies to Welcome Week and every other week! Use sunscreen and stay hydrated! It’s hot! If you feel homesick, call your family and friends back home.

You don’t have to go to every single event! Go to as many or as little as you would like. Try not to concern yourself too much with what everyone else is doing and be confident that you’ll eventually find your own way.

Talk to your reps and upper year students! If you are unsure of something or have a question feel free to approach a smiling face in a colourful jumpsuit! They are here to help and support YOU! They’re friendly and would love to talk to you about anything.

Challenge

Try New Food

- I M P O R TA N T -

- EVENT -

- BY CHOICE -

- P L AC E S O N C A M P U S -

Welcome Week is a great opportunity to step out of your comfort zone and try new things! But if you don’t want to do an activity, that’s 100% your choice to make.

Try out some or all of the restaurants and food hubs on campus so you can pick out your favourite go-to’s once classes start.

Sleep is

- ESSENTIAL Welcome Week is packed with lots of events, but it’s important to get a healthy amount of sleep.

Welcome Week

- I S O N LY O N E W E E K Don’t feel pressured to be used to everything already, there’s plenty of time. Take time to explore campus, find your classes and meet new people.

- FOR ADVICE -

MAKING

Friends

Welcome Week is a great place to meet new people and feel the welcoming community that McMaster is known for. With all the new faces you meet, this is a great opportunity to build new friendships. (PS - it’s okay to ask the same person what their name is multiple times, it happens to all of us).

Remember, that Welcome Week is a week - so don’t worry if you haven’t met your best friend.

You just started at McMaster and have the rest of your undergraduate experience to make lots of friends - don’t be hard on yourself.

Also remember, it’s completely 100% normal to feel overwhelmed! There are many events that happen during Welcome Week and with all the new faces, you might be feeling overwhelmed if you need to talk to someone, please go for it!

Not sure who to talk to? The smiling faces in the colourful jumpsuits are a great place to start!

McMaster Outdoor Orientation - STUDENT EXPERIENCE -

The McMaster Outdoor Orientation Student Experience (MOOSE) program is a unique Welcome Week experience. This program is a four day, and three-night trip to Camp Arowhon and Algonquin Provincial Park. This is a great experience to have, especially if the outdoor scene is something you enjoy. You have the opportunity to build friendships with other first years as well as be introduced to student leaders in your faculty. MOOSE participants will have a unique outdoor experience with peers both within their faculty and from other faculties. Additionally, they will receive mentorship from our upper-year MOOSE leaders. MOOSE is a trip of a lifetime!

MOOSE

Registration Steps

Registration

This year, MOOSE will offer space for 60 students on a first come first serve basis! Registration is on OSCARplus.

Activate your OSCARplus account with your MacID username and password.

Questions about MOOSE, contact: moose@mcmaster.ca.

1

Visit https://oscarplusmcmaster.ca/home.html (OscarPlus)

2

Select ‘Student/Alumni Login’ - login with your MacID and password

3

On the left table, please select ‘Events’, then ‘Special Events’ Select ‘Register’ for MacAbroad

4 MOOSE-eXchange 2018 or MOOSE2018, based on your status at the University

5 Complete registration as required.

Get excited to experience the Great

6 Canadian Outdoors!

MOOSE

Mission

The mission of the McMaster Outdoor Education Student Experience (MOOSE) is to provide incoming students with a mentored, outdoor experience for transitioning into university life while providing them with the tools necessary to build strong relationships and develop self-efficacy. The MOOSE program is offered to 2 primary demographics; incoming first year students and incoming exchange students.

What to Pack - FOR MOOSE -

- Rain Gear - Bug Spray - Pillowcase

- Sunscreen - Warm Clothing - Positive Attitude

PA R T I E S +

Staying Safe • Be safe with your choices and remember to take care of yourself and those around you • If you’re off-campus and need to get back to campus consider calling SWHAT (Student Walk Home Attendant Team) at 905-525-9140 ext. 27500. This service can come to you and walk you home (whether home be on or off-campus).

• If you’re on campus and you or someone around you is not feeling well, consider calling EFRT (Emergency First Response Team)

YO U C A N C O N TA C T E F R T : •

By dialing “88” from any campus phone

•

Directly calling a McMaster Security Dispatcher at 905-5224135 on any cellphone

•

Contacting Security Services through the red emergency poles located around campus

•

Using the McMaster University Security Service and Transportation (MUSST) app, which is available to download on your smartphone

•

Visiting the EFRT office located in the McMaster University Student Centre room 103, to the right of the Compass

- ALL THINGS -

Faculty Faculty Fest - T U E S D AY

AUGUST 28TH

This is a mini festival to learn about different opportunities within your faculty society. There will also be an integrated academic portion.

Faculty Fusion - W E D N E S D AY

AUGUST 29TH

Faculty Fusion has been a tradition at McMaster for years.

This event brings together students from all faculties and celebrates the union of all McMaster University students. At this event you get to show off your faculty and McMaster pride in a cheer-off - it’s an experience like no other.

Faculty Day - W E D N E S D AY

AUGUST 29TH

Faculty Day is a great day to meet first-year students and upper-year students in your faculty. For on-campus students, you will be picked up by Faculty Reps at your residence. For off-campus students, you will be picked up in the MUSC Atrium.

Faculty Night - T H U R S D AY

AUGUST 30TH

Faculty Night is another great way to meet other students in your program. It’s the biggest faculty event of the week and is a night of fun activities. These activities are dependent on your faculty, but your faculty reps would be happy to answer any questions you might have on the night.

You might be stressed about starting your university journey, but we’re here to help!

Spark is a service run by the McMaster Students Union that is designed to support first-year students in their transition to university. Spark offers a weekly mentorship program, events and workshops throughout the year, and publications like this guidebook to help McMaster students thrive during their first year at university. Shine a little brighter and register for Spark today!