Welcome Letters from President Charlotte A.B. Yates

Welcome Letters

CHARLOTTE A.B. YATES President and Vice-Chancellor University of Guelph It is my pleasure to WELCOME YOU TO THE 2021-2022 ACADEMIC YEAR AT THE UNIVERSITY OF GUELPH. Whether you are a new or returning student, I am delighted you chose to become a Gryphon. U of G is a leading comprehensive university that offers exciting research, innovative teaching and an enriched student experience. You will learn in a number of ways: from taking classes taught by world-renowned faculty, by meeting new peers and friends, through participating in unique experiential activities, and in finding new ways to engage with the world.

After a year and a half of restrictions to in-person activities, the University looks forward to providing more robust on-campus experiences once again this fall. You can look forward to attending more in-person Orientation Week events and partici-

IRENE THOMPSON, MBA Interim Vice-Provost (Student Affairs) University of Guelph

WELCOME GRYPHONS, new and returning! As a proud Gryphon, and on behalf of the Student Affairs team, I’m excited to invite everyone to join me in making 2021-2022 a year that we can all be proud of! For our collective success, the year will be what we put into it! I hope you all join me in maintaining our strong Gryphon Family by participating in activities in our hybrid environments and playing a role in limiting the spread of COVID-19 in our communities. Whether you are just starting your program or are closer to graduation, the team in Student Affairs provides many programs and services that will help make your life as a Gryphon inspiring, energizing, and rewarding. We are all proud Gryphons who strive everyday to embody the Gryphon Values. We encourage you to energize your Gryphon spirit by being an engaged student. Join a club, volunteer, or get involved in student government or in your residence community. Be sure to also check out our numerous fitness and recreation programs offered by Gryphons Athletics (gryphons. ca). There are many possibilities both virtually and on campus! We also encourage you to be authentic… At U of G we want you to feel free to be yourself and to participate in a range of activities that provide opportunities for you to develop and express your personal values and perspectives. While we hope your experience will be positive please know that we have numerous support programs to help if you experience difficulty. Don’t hesitate to reach out and ask for help if you are struggling— academically or personally. Speak to your program counsellor or residence assistant; connect with the Undergraduate Academic Information Centre (UAIC), the Library’s Learning Commons, call Student Wellness Services to connect with a counsellor, or to schedule an appointment with the medical team in the Health Clinic. If you are struggling, tell someone… Any Gryphon you talk to, student or employee, will listen with an empathetic, respectful and caring ear and will guide you to the support you need. The Student Affairs team is determined to help students achieve their goals. For information about the many programs and services offered by Student Affairs check out uoguelph.ca/studentaffairs. Also visit uoguelph.ca/studentexperience to find ways to make the most of your U of G experience and while you’re checking out the Student Experience site, make sure you click the GryphLife button to explore hundreds of clubs, activities and events. As Gryphons, we are respectful, caring, determined, engaged, and authentic. Together, we improve life for ourselves and others, and I can’t wait to see what we accomplish as a community this year!

A WARM WELCOME TO ALL NEW AND RETURNING GRYPHONS! I am looking forward to seeing many more U of G students around town this year, as we continue our recovery from the pandemic. Students bring an amazing vitality to our city. While you’re here, you’re not only a Gryphon – you’re a Guelphite. I encourage you to explore all that Guelph has to offer beyond the campus. You can visit guelph.ca for all the information you need about parks and amenities, Transit service, rules for things like waste collection and parking, and much more. You can follow me on Twitter @camguthrie, on Instagram @mayorcamguthrie, or e-mail me any time at mayor@guelph.ca. This city has always been proud to be home to the University of Guelph. During pating in more in-person classes, experiential education, and extracurricular clubs and activities. You will also have the chance to explore our beautiful campuses and the many local experiences and opportunities that come with attending university in the City of Guelph. The health and well-being of our students remains our top priority as we continue to navigate the COVID-19 pandemic. We have worked hard to ensure that campus facilities and practices meet all public health guidelines. We will keep you regularly informed of any changes to on-campus plans and activities, and you can always find the latest updates here: uoguelph.ca/ covid19. If you are a new student, I encourage you to visit STARTonline.ca to learn more about your courses, wellness resources and student opportunities. There are a range of services, as well as a helpful community of peers, staff and faculty available to guide you along your journey. When you need help, reach out to us. We are here to support your academic and personal growth.

Though diverse in our academic interests and lived experiences, the U of G community is united in the pride we take in our inclusive culture and in our mission to Improve Life. This year – and every year – I encourage you to consider how you will contribute to that mission to make a difference in the wider world whether through your coursework, volunteering or extracurricular activities. On behalf of all of us at the University, welcome once again to the 2021-2022 academic year. I want to wish you the very best for excellent health and success this academic year. I look forward to seeing you on campus!

your time here, this city is proud to be your home, too. Welcome to Guelph! All the best for a fantastic year.