Trent University Gears Up for 2008/09 Academic Year

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Approximately 1,500 Trent Newcomers Begin Introductory Seminar Week (ISW) September 1

Thursday, August 28, 2008, Peterborough

On Monday, September 1 more than 1,500 new students will arrive at Trent University to begin Introductory Seminar Week (ISW), a series of orientation activities that acclimatizes new students to the Trent environment.

ISW runs from Monday, September 1 to Saturday, September 6 (with training for volunteers starting August 27) and is designed to help students new to Trent adjust to their exciting and new surroundings. Trent University’s ISW is different than most Introductory or Frosh Weeks as it focuses on engaging new students with events that mix the academic and social sides of university and aims to build connections within the college system communities, Trent University as a whole and, of course, with the City of Peterborough. The goal of Trent’s ISW team is to help make the transition to university a smooth and positive experience for everyone.

With the help of close to 200 student volunteers making the week possible, ISW 2008 is looking to be the most energized and creative introduction to Trent yet. “This year’s volunteer staff is a great representation of Trent University across the board: they embody the diversity of interests, skills and backgrounds that can be found at Trent year-round,” said Scott Dempsey, ISW Coordinator. “With this amazing support system in place plus the addition of some great programming and new initiatives, new students are bound to feel at home and engaged in ways they never thought possible.”

New initiatives for Trent University’s 2008 Introductory Seminar Week include a three-part rotational program, which runs September 2 and 3 from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. The first portion of this new program is a meeting with the senior tutor who will talk with new students about academic life at Trent. The second portion is Trent Reads, a seminar on Three Day Road, an award-winning novel written by Joseph Boyden. Students were given the book during New Student Orientation over the summer and asked to prepare for the Trent Reads seminars, which will be led by faculty members from a variety of programs and departments. As follow up to Trent Reads, author Joseph Boyden will visit Trent University on September 19 to discuss his new book. The new ISW rotational program concludes with The In-Sessions, a play based on real Trent students’ experiences. The interactive play will provide first-year students with an intimate look at what university life is all about.

Additional ISW events are listed below. Please note the exciting photo opportunities in these highlights of ISW at Trent:

• Registration and Move-In Day PHOTO OPPORTUNITY!
  Monday, September 1, 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
  ISW staff from all Colleges will be out in full swing to assist new students and their families with the exciting tasks of registering and moving into residence. Music, posters and teamwork will all be on display.
  
  
• Opening Ceremonies PHOTO OPPORTUNITY!
  Tuesday, September 2, 8:00 p.m., Bata Library Podium
  Run by the Trent Central Student Association (TCSA), Opening Ceremonies is the official kick-off to ISW. With a live band and music sponsored by the Trasheteria plus welcoming speeches from some of Trent’s VIPs, IntroFest is always a big hit with students.
  
  
• Clubs and Groups Day PHOTO OPPORTUNITY!
  Wednesday, September 3, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Bata Podium
  Clubs and Groups Day, hosted by the TCSA, is the first chance student groups have to recruit new members and show the community what Trent has to offer in the realm of extracurriculars. From the Anne Shirley Theatre Company to the Tracking and Earth Skills Club, there’s something here for everyone. The TCSA is expecting this year’s Clubs and Groups Day to be the biggest to date.
  
  
• Trent World Day and Lacrosse Game PHOTO OPPORTUNITY!
  Thursday, September 4, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., Bata Podium and Athletics Complex
  Trent World Day aims to bring a greater understanding and consciousness of the diversity represented at Trent. Check out the new passport system where students can win prizes for visiting the booths. Trent World Day comes to an end with the fantastic Cultural Show highlighting different customs and cultural icons from around the world (3:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.). All students are also invited to attend a Varsity Lacrosse game, which begins at 5 p.m.
  
  
• Closing Ceremonies – The Great Race PHOTO OPPORTUNITY!
  Friday, September 5, 3 p.m., Athletic Stadium
  The Great Race begins with the Annual Cheering Competition. Each College is assigned the task of creating a new cheer for Shinerama, their College and Trent University. Following the Cheering Competition, join us for one of Trent’s time honoured traditions – the Great Race. This giant relay race, which ends at the Athletics Field, always brings out the college spirit in everyone.
  
  
• Shinerama PHOTO OPPORTUNITY!
  Saturday, September 6, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., various locations in Peterborough
  Shinerama is back and this year Trent students are aiming to raise more than ever for Cystic Fibrosis by shining shoes, playing music, and washing cars around Peterborough. Shinerama is the largest fundraiser for Cystic Fibrosis research in Canada. Opening ceremonies will be held at Traill College starting at 8:30 a.m. The Shinerama Cup will be awarded at the kick-off as well as the ISW Cup that is awarded to the college with the best ISW Participation Rate (per capita).
  
  
• Traill Carnival PHOTO OPPORTUNITY!
  Saturday, September 6, 2 p.m. to 5 p.m., Catharine Parr Traill College
  Students can dunk ISW staff, grab a sno-cone, and mingle with the rest of the Trent Colleges. For some great College vs. College action, Traill Carnival is the place to be.

In addition to the University-wide events listed above, each College will also host their own College-specific events based on their themes for the week. Themes and events for 2008 include:

• School of Rock (Lady Eaton College) – September 2 from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m., Karaoke and other events
• Haunted Castle (Champlain College) – September 1 from 8 p.m. to 11 p.m., Crazy Games and Bonfire
• Olympics (Gzowski College) – September 3 from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., Go for the Gold Olympic Games
• Rockstars (Otonabee College) – September 2 at 6 p.m., Otonabee’s Annual Boxsledding

For a complete list of ISW events, please visit www.trentu.ca/isw.

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For more information about ISW activities, please contact:
Scott Dempsey, ISW Coordinator, Office of Student Affairs, Trent University, (705) 761-9321 (cell); or (705) 748-1011 ext. 7124; or scottdempsey2@trentu.ca