Welcome letters

Welcome to the 2022-2023 academic year at the University of Guelph!

It is an exciting time to be a new or returning student at U of G. You are part of a leading comprehensive university that offers unparalleled student life, engaging teaching experiences, and life-changing research endeavours. At U of G, your learning goes far beyond the classroom. You have countless opportunities to gain critical skills and experiences from world-renowned faculty, unique hands-on learning activities, and engaging extracurricular activities.

You will find ways to explore your interests, expand your knowledge and make your mark on our community during your time here. Explore the clubs, athletic teams, international research collaborations and countless other opportunities available to you. This includes exploring our beautiful campuses and the many local experiences that come with attending university in the City of Guelph.

And remember you are never alone. Your professors, peers, student service and wellness staff are all rooting for your success and ready to support your learning and growth. We are here to celebrate your successes and help you navigate the challenges you face. If you are a new U of G student, visit STARTonline.ca to learn more about your courses, resources, student opportunities and Orientation Week activities.

Please also rest assured that the University will continue to monitor and keep you informed of any changes to on-campus plans and activities resulting from future waves of the COVID-19 pandemic. Your wellness and learning are our top priorities.

You belong at U of G. Though diverse in our academic interests and lived experiences, U of G is united in the pride we take in our inclusive culture and in our mission to Improve Life. Whether you have a unique research interest, a niche hobby or anything in between, there is a place for you to pursue your passion and build a community at U of G. We are so glad you have chosen to be a Gryphon.

You can reach me on Twitter @ UofGPresident or by email at president@ uoguelph.ca. I look forward to seeing you on campus, and I wish you the very best for success the 2022-23 academic year.

Charlotte A.B. Yates President and Vice Chancellor

Welcome Gryphons, new and returning! As a proud Gryphon, and on behalf of the Student Affairs team, I am excited to invite everyone to join me in making 20222023 a year that we can all be proud of. I invite you as members of our strong Gryphon Family, to participate in activities across campus which aim to welcome you to our community and to enhance your student experience.

Whether you are just starting your program or are closer to graduation, the team in Student Affairs offers many programs and services which will help to make your life as a Gryphon both inspiring 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, get involved in student government or from within your residence community! Be sure to check out the numerous fitness and recreation programs offered by Gryphon Athletics (gryphons.ca) and to look into the many clubs accredited through the Central Students Association.

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 own personal values and perspectives.

While we hope your experience will be positive, please know that we have numerous support programs to help, should 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, or call Student Wellness Services to connect with a counsellor or schedule an appointment with the medical team in the Health Clinic. As Gryphons we are respectful and caring, so if you find yourself struggling, tell someone…speak to another Gryphon, student, or employee, who will listen with an empathetic 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 visit www.uoguelph.ca/studentaffairs.

Be sure to also visit www.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, try clicking on 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!

Irene Thompson, MBA Interim Vice-Provost (Student Affairs)

WELCOME GRYPHONS!

I am thrilled that you have chosen to pursue your studies at the University of Guelph. U of G is an essential part of the heart and soul of this city. Students bring energy, vitality, and creativity that is highly valued. In addition to being students, you are neighbours, volunteers, employees at local businesses, and community members.

When you need a break from your studies, I encourage you to explore everything that Guelph has to offer – whether that means taking in a game at the Sleeman Centre, going for a walk or run along our trails system, or visiting local shops and restaurants.

For information on everything from transit routes to waste collection rules, please visit guelph.ca. You can find the City of Guelph on Twitter and Facebook at @cityofguelph. You can follow me on Twitter at @camguthrie and on Facebook at @mayorcamguthrie. To contact me directly, send an e-mail to mayor@guelph.ca. I would love to hear from you!

Welcome to Guelph! I’m thrilled you’re here.

Sincerely,

Cam Guthrie Mayor

A LETTER FROM THE EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

ICON BY FLATICON

Dear Gryphons,

Welcome to the 2022-2023 school year! On behalf of The Ontarion, I would like to welcome everyone back to campus for the fall semester.

The past two years have been a whirlwind of masking, social distancing and vaccinations. It’s taken a long time to get to where we are now, and I couldn’t be more thrilled to be a part of bringing campus back to life.

We’ve made this back-to-school guide to help you get back in the swing of interacting in person and navigating university life. This is a guide for new and returning students and a guide to having the full University of Guelph experience.

The Ontarion has been a staple in the University of Guelph community since 1951. We’re a non-profit organization that focuses on providing news and resources to campus community members while offering lifelong skills through volunteering opportunities. We do this by amplifying your voice and giving you the platform to have it heard.

The past couple of years has seen The Ontarion running things differently, as many organizations have over the course of the COVID-19 pandemic. We’re slowly coming back out of our shells and getting back into the groove of the hustle and bustle of campus.

However, we’re still wearing masks in our office and being extra safe since the news waits for nobody–not even if you’re down with the sickness. We’re always happy to see new faces, so don’t be afraid to put on your own mask, stop by, say hello and learn more about who we are, what we do and how you can get involved.

Community journalism is more important than ever in the technological landscape that we live in. The Ontarion is all about small, grassroots organizations and stories that people can resonate with. If you’re interested in writing about that new niche campus club, or reviewing your latest Netflix binge show, give us a shout. We’re always looking for fresh ideas and hot takes from students and community members.

Reach out to us through email, or stop by our office at UC 264. Some of our best stories have happened because somebody stopped by to tell us about something, or sent us an email with details for an upcoming event.

Overall, I’m excited to get to know the U of G campus and all the great people who are a part of it. COVID might have changed the way we do things for a while, but I’m excited to bring The Ontarion back to life bigger and better than ever.

Sincerely,

Taylor Pipe Editor-in-Chief

Your vote

makes a difference

Are you a student that lives in Guelph, are a Canadian citizen and over 18 years old this October? Then you’re eligible to vote in the municipal election. Even if you call another city “home”, if you have an address in Guelph you can vote.