Carleton Students Rally to Save Orientation Week

OTTAWA, April 13 /CNW Telbec/ - Carleton students across campus were shocked to learn that the Carleton University administration has unilaterally decided to take the annual Orientation Week out of the hands of the student association. The Carleton University Students' Association (CUSA) and the Rideau River Residence Association (RRRA) received an email on Thursday alerting them that the decision had already been made to cancel the CUSA/RRRA Orientation Week.

"I was shocked to see this decision had been made, it has been a tradition for decades that Orientation Week is delivered to students by students," said Alex Sirois, Vice President Student Life of the Carleton University Students' Association, "Orientation Week has often been cited as one of the best experiences students have at Carleton."

Upon learning of this decision, students quickly rallied behind CUSA and RRRA, creating a Facebook group with more than 1,700 members, and more than 100 students have written letters of support to the President of the University asking for CUSA/RRRA Orientation Week to be reinstated. An on-campus rally and fundraising event for Shinearama is planned for Wednesday, April 14 at 12:30pm.

The administration cited "Providing misperceptions of university life, a lack of personal adjustment information, an inability to modify and improve orientation due the upper year student model employed by CUSA, traditionally under 50% participation of the new student body and limited accountability for volunteers" as the reasons for the decision which was announced during the exam period.

"CUSA/RRRA Orientation Week has more than 500 volunteers who dedicate countless volunteer hours to make 2,300 new students feel welcome. Volunteers assist new students in moving in, learning about the city, meeting their professors, and making new friends all while staying on-campus and the week is 100% dry," added Sirois, "Without this week, new students will be missing out on invaluable life experiences."

The Carleton University Students' Association and the Rideau River Residence Association are asking for student, parent and alumni support in reinstating Orientation Week and encourage anyone who wants to share their positive experience and support to contact the University President's Office and the Board of Governors.

For further information: Alex Sirois, Vice President Student Life, Carleton University Students' Association, [email protected], Office [phone] Ext 1617, Cell [phone]