| Last updated at 12:10 AM on 04/09/07 |
Home sweet home at UPEI 
University opens the doors to its residences for the start of the fall semester
TERESA WRIGHT CONSTABLE
The Guardian
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| New students have begun registering at UPEI for the new school year. From left are Jen MacDonald, registration assistant, Jasmine Daigle, history student from Moncton, N.B.; Amanda Armstrong, nursing student from Coburg, Ont., and Emilee Sorlee, science student from Sydney, N.S. Guardian photo by Brian McInnis |
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Starting a new semester at university is always a little nerve-wracking for students — especially if they’re going to be away from home.
But students staying in residence at UPEI shouldn’t worry, because residence staffers are strongly focused on spirit building this year, and on promoting a sense of community among those who will live on campus.
Megan Callaghan, the Residence Life Co-ordinator at UPEI, has been hard at work over the summer preparing for the influx of students into campus residences this weekend.
She said UPEI wants to provide an environment for students in which residence becomes more than just a place to live.
“We really try to make it a community where people feel welcome to participate. Ultimately, our goal is to have students experience a bit of personal growth, gain some social skills and learn a bit in the process.”
Eighteen-year-old Emilee Sorlee from Cape Breton is beginning her first year of university this week, and moved into her residence room on Saturday.
She said she is a little nervous about being on her own.
“This is the first time I’ve ever lived on my own without my Mom. But my best friend is my roommate — we both always knew we were coming to UPEI and applied for residence together — so we’ll be sharing the experience.”
The campus was filled with students and parents this weekend, all of them lugging cardboard boxes and duffle bags into rooms filled with everything the students will need for eight months away from home.
Residence staff members handed out maps and reassured nervous parents their children will be in good hands this year.
They even held a session for parents where concerns or questions could be voiced and answered by the Residence Life Advisors — students hired by the school to ensure rules are enforced and that new students adjust to residence life.
Jasmine Daigle attended UPEI and stayed in residence last year, so she wasn’t quite as nervous as some on Saturday.
But this year is the first time she’s ever had a roommate, which she said could end up being a challenge for both girls.
“You may as well hear about this now, Hannah,” she warned her roommate, who was spending some get-to-know-you time with Daigle on Saturday. “I don’t deal well with others in my room. I’m a bit of a neat freak.”
But she said she’s looking forward to getting back into the routine of classes and the social events organized within the residences.
Last year, she befriended a group of students who lived on her floor, and by February they all agreed they were tired of cafeteria food. So every Thursday they would go to MacDonald’s or Tim Hortons, and sometimes make the trek into downtown Charlottetown for a change of scenery, she said.
“I’m looking forward to school, seeing all my friends again and my Thursday night dinners.”
Callaghan said this kind of interaction is important for students living on campus, and is a big part of the whole UPEI experience.
“Our ultimate goal is to have the students call home and say, ‘Mom I can’t believe how much fun I’m having here. I’m so glad I came to UPEI.’”
As part of orientation activities organized through the week, today UPEI students will participate in Shinerama — Canada’s largest post-secondary fundraiser involving students at almost 60 universities and colleges.
Students will hold raffles and barbecues as well as other events in support of cystic fibrosis research and care.
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