Discover Your UFV, put on by Student Life, took place on May 14 and 15 on the Abbotsford campus and May 23 in Chilliwack. The event was for prospective UFV students who have been admitted to UFV in the fall and have either accepted their offer, or are still trying to decide on their post-secondary plans. A total of 532 prospective students attended the events, with 263 total supporters in tow.
The event started with a resource fair where the students and their supporters got to check out all the resources available for UFV students, including free fitness classes, IT support, and the Career Centre services. Next there was a welcome session, with a territorial acknowledgement done by SUS president Tripat Sandhu. Cambree Lovesy and Albel Deol spoke on their unique experiences as students at UFV and the UFV registrar presented the registration process, including important dates, how to access your account, and how to choose classes.
The prospective students were sent off with current student ambassadors for personalized tours around campus. This year was unique in that the prospective students were paired with ambassadors who were in the same program as the one they applied for. For example, if they were going to be a criminology student, their tour would spend a lot of time near the crim wing and they could ask specific questions about the crim program to students who are currently in the thick of it.
“Students are able to make connections early,” said Mallory Manley, coordinator of student engagement and transitions at Student Life, “As opposed to waiting for the September orientation, they were able to meet other students in their program already.”
While the students were touring the campus, their supporters stayed behind to receive more information on financial aid, academic expectations, and how the classroom would be different from highschool to university, as well as more faculty members speaking on experiential learning, the process of getting involved on campus, and how involvement can improve their student’s success at university.
Greg Mather, manager of student wellness and development at Student Life, spoke on how students would be taken care of and the counselling services available to them. This session was geared toward the prospective student’s supporters, whether they be a parent, other relative, or friend, so that they would know how to help their student during their time at school and understand what they are going through. For example, if a student is having a hard time understanding the class material or were worried about their grades, their supporters could urge them to talk to their professor — something highly encouraged at UFV with the universities small class sizes.
The supporters then got a tour of the campus with current UFV staff and alumni, while their students were taken to academic advising sessions. The students were grouped into their program and given general academic advice on the classes they should think about taking for September and to encourage them to book one-on-one appointments with an advisor.
“Registration is coming up for new students, so convincing students why they should choose UFV, showing them what a great community this is, and all of the ways we are going to help them succeed once they actually come here in September, as well as the really practical stuff, like how you register and the classes you need to take [is important],” said Manley.
If current students are interested in getting involved in Student Life as a student ambassador or a volunteer for New Student Orientation in September they should email orientation@ufv.ca.
Andrea Sadowski is working towards her BA in Global Development Studies, with a minor in anthropology and Mennonite studies. When she's not sitting in front of her computer, Andrea enjoys climbing mountains, sleeping outside, cooking delicious plant-based food, talking to animals, and dismantling the patriarchy.
