Orientation Training 2009: T-Shirt Reveal (Don't Stop Believin')

First, some background information: during Orientation, the volunteers wear different colors of t-shirts to denote their role. The information regarding the color is a highly guarded secret up until the final day of Orientation Training, in which the t-shirts are revealed. This year, the CSD staff decided to up the ante, with a little inspiration from the TV show Glee, and choreographed a dance routine to "Don't Stop Believin'" (a special thanks to Cathy and Vanessa for the choreography). 

Without further ado, I present the Orientation 2009 T-Shirt Reveal. 

p.s. I am sorry for the 2 month delay. Editing the video was quite grueling. 

Sustainability Awareness Week and 30 Seconds with... Louise from ECOS

As you may have seen around campus, it's Sustainability Awareness Week! It's put on by the University Office of Sustainability, in partnership with the Students' Union, ECOS, Campus Sustainability Coalition, U of A Energy Club, CAPS, the faculty of Education, and the School of Energy and the Environment. 

From the SAW Website:

Sustainability Awareness Week (SAW) is filled with activities that will raise your awareness of the University of Alberta's efforts to 'green' our campus. We'll engage students, staff and faculty in a discussion of what they can do to help build a more sustainable campus. This year's events include outreach booths in SUB, lectures and panel discussions, the Voices of Nature community concert, and much more.

To check out what kind of events are happening, check out the SAW website.

 

I have decided this is an excellent time for the continuation of our ongoing series of video blogs. I present to you, 30 Seconds with Louise from ECOS. For more information on the Environmental Coordination Office of Students, please check out their website. 

30 Seconds with... Keltie from the Student Distress Centre

Continuing our introductions of all of the services, I would like to present you with "30 Seconds with Keltie from the SDC". This is an especially timely post since the Vitamin A Volunteers and the SDC Volunteers are engaged in a friendly spy vs. spy competition (which will conclude on Friday). 

The Student Distress Centre offers peer counseling to the UofA community, and can be found in 0-30N SUB, or they can also be reached at (780) 492-HELP. Their office hours are 9am-5pm everyday except Tuesday when the hours are 9am-7pm. For more information, please visit http://www.su.ualberta.ca/sdc. 

Without further ado, "30 Seconds with... Keltie from the SDC"

Orientation 2009: Next Exit UofA

Sorry about the hiatus, but things have finally calmed down around the office a bit and I have gotten the chance to work on the Orientation video. 

This year's Orientation was a great time, and it wouldn't have been possible without the hard work of the rest of the CSD staff and the fantastic volunteers. Personally, I had so much fun and it was awesome to see so many passionate volunteers and excited first-year students.

Without further ado, I present to you "Orientation 2009: Next Exit UofA"

P.S. I promise to be more diligent about posting. My apologies for dropping the ball. 

30 Seconds with... Boo

It has been, and will continue to be, a crazy week. All of us in the CSD have been incredibly busy figuring out stuff for Orientation and for our respective programs. Therefore, I will leave you all with this and the promise that there will be something a little more substantial next week:

Have a great week. 

30 Seconds with... Stevie from Safewalk!

As we are getting closer and closer to the beginning of the school year, I figure it's getting to be the time where everyone should be learning (or perhaps relearning) about the services, and meeting their directors. We've already started this task (which I have named "Services Round-Up), but I propose we continue it. 

Without further ado, may I introduce Stevie from Safewalk. I think he does a pretty good job explaining Safewalk in the video, so all I will do is provide their phone number: (780) 4-WALKME, or (780) 492-5562.

More information about Safewalk can be found at their website, which includes any FAQs.

30 seconds... Attempting to Coax Sam the Bird to Be Friendly

It's been a busy couple of weeks, so therefore, I have decided to post one of our lighter "30 Seconds..." video blog entries. 

In the Agriculture and Forestry building, there is a jungle-like greenhouse environment full of birds and beautiful greenery - a veritable jungle paradise in which students can spend the cold winter months. Students can be found in the greenhouse relaxing, sketching, and often socializing with Sam, the overly friendly bird. 

After being told of the friendly creature, the CSD staff took it upon themselves to film Sam. Unfortunately, we were quite unsuccessful, but the footage is pretty entertaining.

Without further ado, "30 Seconds... Attempting to Coax Sam the Bird to be Friendly"

Vitamin A Presents... The Parent Orientation Video

The first round of Parent Orientation has already come and gone, and I am happy to report that it was a smashing success. 

Parent Orientation offers parents, as well as future U of A students, a chance to see our beautiful campus and receive some very important information about the years ahead. Students receive a ONEcard quickpass, and get a chance to learn about student life and academic success. Students also get a chance to visit the downtown area, as well as Whyte Avenue, and they receive a tour of campus. At the same time, parents receive presentations from the Office of the Dean of Students, the Academic Support Center, Campus Security Services and many others. Parents also receive campus tours, and get a chance to find out about the services available to their students.

The next Parent Orientation is on August 22nd, and parents can already register online here, and can get more information at www.su.ualberta.ca/orientation (click on "Parents"). Unfortunately, we do not offer a Student Track during the second round of Parent Orientation, but students can register for "New Student Orientation 2009 - Next Exit: U of A" here. 

p.s. Sorry about the video quality. I had some issues posting it, and this was the best option. For better quality, please visit the Facebook fan-page. 

Scared Student's Question has Response lost in the Mail...

A very sad thing happened to me today, and I would like to tell everyone about it. I received a frantic question through the Q&A service today, and I typed up my response, and it turns out the person's email was incorrect and the message couldn't be delivered. Therefore, on the off-chance that they read the Vitamin A blog, I will post their question and my response here, and hope that they see it. If the person who asked the question happens to see it, please let me know, and I will sleep easy. Also, maybe other students have the same question, and this will help them. I'm always looking out for you guys, you should know this. 

Q. OH. MY. GOD. I am SOOOO scared of the UOFA!!!! It will be such a big big campus and I will get so lost and confused and i'm stressin to the max, man help me plZ!!! 

A. The best thing I can possibly suggest to deal with your concerns is to come to Orientation 2009. At Orientation, you will receive a campus tour (to deal with your fear of the large and confusing campus), as well as a variety of informational seminars regarding the ins-and-outs of University life. Topics addressed include Academics, Student Life, Security on Campus, University Etiquette and Community Involvement. I'm not sure whether you have already registered for Orientation (since the Q&A question box is placed in a variety of locations, including the Registration page), but if you haven't, I highly recommend it. Also important to Orientation is the over 6000 new students, with exactly the same concerns as you. Some people stay friends with people they meet at Orientation throughout their academic lives.

Another resource available to you is the Vitamin A program, run by the very same people that put on Orientation. Vitamin A consists of four programs that will help you get to know campus and the people around you, and ensure that they continue their U of A career with great success. Vitamin A Campus Connection is a mixed group of students in various years that meet monthly for networking, recreation and leisure events. Senior students are drawn from a variety of areas on campus and can help new students find their place in the campus community. This is also a great way to meet new friends outside of Orientation, and to attend events directed by the interests of all participating students, such as trips to West Edmonton Mall or other areas of Edmonton, or movie nights. If you think Vitamin A Campus Connections is a good fit for you, please email me, or visit www.su.ualberta.ca/connection for more information. The Vitamin A Passport Program rewards students for attending events around campus. Events range from athletic to cultural, and students have the opportunity to win fantastic prizes. This is a great way to find activities to balance your academics with, such as Studio Theater, or Athletic games, and to be rewarded for doing so. For more information, please visit www.su.ualberta.ca/passport and let me know whether you would like to be added to the Vitamin A Passport Program monthly newsletter, which tells you about all of the things that are happening on campus. The Vitamin A Seminar Program is a series of informational seminars presented by various services around campus on a variety of topics with the aim of improving student's success at the U of A. We are also planning seminars for schedule building as well as stress management for students concerned with balancing their social lives with their academic lives. For more information and to see the schedule of seminars, please visit www.su.ualberta.ca/seminars. The last program is the one that you are utilizing right now, the Q&A. For more information about the Vitamin A Program, please visit the Vitamin A Website, at www.su.ualberta.ca/vitaminA, the Vitamin A blog, at www.UASUvitaminA.blogspot.com, or become a fan on Facebook. 

I have only outlined two things that will help you find you place in the campus community, and there are tons of other options as well. Do your research at clubs fair during Orientation about Student groups you might want to join, or Services you might want to volunteer for. Get out there and do your research, because there are so many exciting and fulfilling opportunities available to you.

Above all, you are not alone in your concerns. The questions that you have are common to most, if not all University students, but what is not common is that you are asking your questions early, and preparing for what is to come. This already puts you at an advantage.

Vitamin A Q&A Featured Question

Since I have a feeling there will be a lot of questions about the upcoming Student Health plan, I have decided to share a recent question I received through the Q&A service for everyone's information. 

Q: On my fee assessment page, there is a dental and health plan for the fall term but not the winter term. Why is that? Are these fees mandatory? 

A: The fee for the dental and health plan is assessed in September, but it covers students from September to August (so you only have to pay it once). You are able to opt out of the Health Plan if you wish, and you can do so at http://ihaveaplan.ca/. You will also be able to access more information about the plan at that site, including a Frequently Asked Questions page.

Infolink (and why you need them)

One of the goals of the Vitamin A blog is to acquaint individuals both coming to the University, and already at the University, with the different services around Campus. One of the most important services, and the first service in what will now be referred to as a "Services Round-Up" is Infolink. 

And who better to explain Infolink than the manager, Hallie:

"At InfoLink, we strive to be a comprehensive student information source for all things university-related. We specialize in academic information, but are able to assist with any question related to the campus community. You've got questions; we've got answers!"

With that being said, here is the latest in the series of "30 Seconds with...": Erin!

The Majesty of Quad

For anyone on campus looking for somewhere to frolic, hang out, eat their lunch, or toss around the frisbee, Quad is definitely the place. Surrounded by the three University halls, CAB, CEB, the Administration building and the glorious hole in the ground that will be the Centennial Center for Interdisciplinary Sciences, Quad is a picturesque green space in the heart of campus. At least in the summer. 

But the fun doesn't stop in the Winter. Not only does Quad hold Week of Welcome events, Beer Gardens, Orientation stuff and guys throwing axes at targets (still not sure about that one) in the summer, Quad in the winter is a great place for Antifreeze events (a series of team competitions - a Campus Winter Olympics if you will), and appropriate as well as inappropriate snow sculptures. 

And without further ado, I present to you, "30 Seconds... of A Panoramic View of Quad"

Vitamin A Presents... The Orientation BBQ

Hurrah, it's that time again! Things are ramping up for the coming school year, and we at the CSD are getting pretty excited. 

This past Wednesday was the Orientation BBQ, and I am happy to report that a good time was had by all (at least I hope). To document this event, I gave the Flipcam to my lovely associates Vanessa and Cathy to capture some of the general merriment of the evening (I also had a hand in a bit of the filming)

Now, it is my pleasure to present the Orientation BBQ video. 

30 Seconds with... The CSD Staff

This marks the beginning of a new project for the Vitamin A Blog: Video Blogging, and "30 Seconds with..."

Throughout the year and the summer, we will be bringing you Video Blogs (or Vlogs, I am told) from places all around campus to help you get to know the people and/or places you may not already know about. The very first entry you will see is a series of impromptu interviews with the CSD staff. They were unaware ahead of time what the questions would be, and some interviewees may have been a little more resistant than others depending on how busy they were... You'll see.

And now, I proudly present, 30 Seconds with... The CSD Staff

0-26 Crazy Hat Day

So the Infolink-ers decided it was Crazy Hat Day today in the office. Because of this, they get to be on the blog. Lucky them. 

Jenn doesn't work for Infolink, I just like her hat. 

I assure you we actually do some work in the office.

For the rest of the pictures, check out the picasa page. 

U of A in the Springtime

A lot of students who don't take spring classes don't get to see the U of A Campus when it is the most beautiful, obviously that would be the spring. Check out the Vitamin A Picasa page, and keep an eye out for more photos. 

From University of Alberta (Spring 09)

The Birth of the Vitamin A Blog

Vitamin A is a transition program run by the University of Alberta Student's Union, with the goal of aiding in the transition of students to and through the University of Alberta. Vitamin A uses a multi-pronged approach to reach this goal, and consists of four programs: Vitamin A Q&A, the Vitamin A Seminar Program, the Vitamin A Passport Program, and Vitamin A Campus Connection. 

Vitamin A Q&A is just that, a question-and-answer email service run by the Vitamin A Coordinator. The VAC (that would be me) will answer any non-academic question about student life at the University, and if I don't know the answer, I will refer you to someone who does. 

The Vitamin A Seminar Program consists of informational seminars on a variety of topics to improve your University experience. Some of last year's seminars included how to say green on campus, studying abroad, and essay writing. This year, we plan to have even more seminars for students.

The Vitamin A Passport Program rewards students for being involved in campus events. At official Passport events, students will receive passport stamps that they can redeem for a chance to win some fantastic prizes.

Vitamin A Campus Connection offers the best chance to get involved and network on campus. The group meets once a month for planned events both on and off-campus, and is made up of members from a variety of SU services and other University organizations. 

For more information, please visit the Vitamin A website at www.su.ualberta.ca/vitaminA

Now why does Vitamin A need a blog? To keep you even more up to date on events and so that you can keep in touch with the Vitamin A community through video blog postings, surveys and anything else we manage to post on the blog. You can also interact with the community by posting and subscribing to the RSS feed. 

Keep an eye on the page throughout the summer for more information about the program, as well as previews of the year to come.

Cheers.

-Torrey