Students try to knock each other down at Campus Extravaganza, an Orientation Week event on Tuesday, September 4 where students enjoyed music, a barbecue, and carnival games, and had the opportunity to learn about student services.
The quiet summer days across Durham College campuses are no more as new and returning students excitedly reclaimed the hallways and classrooms for the 2007-2008 academic year, transforming the college into a hub of bustling activity.
More than 3,500 first-year students began classes on Wednesday, September 5, bringing the total number of registered students to 6,100. There were a number of activities taking place for Orientation Week 2007 to acquaint new students with the campus and its services.
Following first-year program orientation, the Campus Extravaganza in the Polonsky Commons kicked off the week on September 4. Featuring a barbecue, music, carnival games and a student services fair, students had the opportunity to meet new people and enjoy a beautiful day outside. Also on the agenda were mature/transfer students and Staff-to-Student mentoring socials.
"Everything is going great," said Melanie Barnett, a second-year Office Administration - Executive student and an Ask Me, I'm Orange volunteer, who was operating the Moon Walker Inflatable Slide at Campus Extravaganza. "Everyone is having fun. Students are meeting new people and having a great time playing all the games."
The slide is an inflatable obstacle course-like attraction. Other games included sumo wrestling in large sumo wrestler costumes, gladiator-style battles and more.
Nighttime programming included Movie-on-the-Lawn each night in the Polonsky Commons, in addition to themed pub nights at E.P. Taylor's. Shinerama Shine Day takes place on Saturday, September 8 and includes a fundraising car wash and shoeshine.
Also available for student use this year is the Campus Recreation and Wellness Centre expansion, which opened in June. The facility houses a 28,000-square-foot triple gymnasium, 10,000-sq.-ft. fitness centre and a health centre featuring a medical clinic and pharmacy, among its many user-friendly features.
The college has also added six new programs and one apprenticeship program, and some programs have experienced large increases in applications for the new academic year.
Since first opening its doors in 1967, the college has graduated more than 40,000 students; men and women who've gone on to take their places as leaders in industries, workplaces and communities across Canada. Over these 40 years, Durham College has taken great strides to ensure its programs are continually shaped by market need and its students are workplace-ready when they graduate.