New NipU students lined up this morning waiting to see their new digs for the year. It wasn’t hard to feel the excitement at Nipissing University this morning as approximately 700 students began their move-in and orientation process.
New NipU students lined up this morning waiting to see their new digs for the year.
It wasn’t hard to feel the excitement at Nipissing University this morning as approximately 700 students began their move-in and orientation process.
“This is my favourite day; it’s exciting to see new faces,” Candice Carrier, Residence Don said. Resident Dons are senior students who are paid by the school to get primarily first year students out into the community. Dons also carry emergency cell phones and respond quickly to ensure students stay safe and comfort.
“Each Don is responsible for 32 students. It’s an open-door policy; we visit them once a week and provide the home-sick with a shoulder to cry on or to listen to any concerns a student might have,” Carrier said.
Agnes Plourde, from Kapuskasing, is new to NipU this year and she is taking a new program called Physical and Health Education. Her mother, Suzanne, said sending her daughter off to University is a double-edged sword.
“I have four daughters and Agnes is the second to begin University… In one sense you’re very proud of them, but in another it’s heavy on the heart because they are moving through a new phase of their life and they’re also further from home,” Suzanne Plourde said.
Agnes said her sister Emma is already attending Nipissing, so she can’t wait to get involved with new people in the school, as well as other activities and opportunities.
“Emma is a Founders House Don, so before I attended I came to visit a few times and loved the atmosphere on campus. I think it was my first or second time visiting that I decided to attend Nipissing University; it has one of the best residencies around,” Agnes Plourde said.
Essentially there are three groups within the school that help new-comers integrate more easily into University life through creativity, social planning and other one-on-one assistance.
“We have about 100 or more Frosh leaders who volunteer to help students move-in to their dorms. We also have mentors who help students on more of a one-on-one basis; if someone is having a social, financial or personal issue mentors are there to listen and offer solutions,” Shelley Rolland, Director of Residence & Conference Services said.
She said there is a volunteer resident council elected each spring to help plan activities and offer support throughout the transition process.
“Such incredible volunteer and community involvement sets students up for a great year. The participation and community spirit surrounding the move-in and orientation process goes far beyond one day. It gets students excited and motivated about their future; many of the volunteers feel the experience is very rewarding,” Rolland said.
Christine Prenzel, President of residence council for Governors House said she loves the candy-grams, bake sales and other events like the relay for life because it brings the community together and gets everyone thinking creatively.
“It’s a lot of fun working with new people and listening to all of the great ideas they have. In a small town it doesn’t take long to meet everyone, so it’s a real opportunity for students, new and old, to make new friends or get their ideas out there,” Prenzel said.
Saturday (after move-in), Sunday and Monday residence will have all kinds of activities to participate in from the old meet and greet to Sunday’s Mardi Gras party and Monday’s resident carnival and boat cruise Nipissing University students are going to have a blast.
