Frequently Asked Questions

Have a question (or lots of questions) about Orientation Week? Find the answers here!

If you don't find the answer to your question, email Dmitri Tchebotarev at ort@ams.queensu.ca for more information.

What is Orientation Week?

Orientation Week, commonly referred to as Frosh Week, is a week (your first!) designed to welcome you to university.

There are two parts to the week:  

• Residence Orientation, which acquaints you with campus and your new living environment 
• Faculty Orientation, which acquaints you with more of your peers and your new academic environment

The week is designed to be fun and informative, and get you ready for your time at Queen's!   

What's the difference between Frosh Week and Orientation Week?

Nothing! Orientation for first-year students has traditionally been called "Frosh Week".

The term "Orientation Week" is used to better describe what the week is about, as well as incorporate those who do not fall under the traditional definition of "Frosh".

Will there be hazing?

ABSOLUTELY NOT. Hazing activities are expressly forbidden. Orientation Week is designed to be fun, inclusive, and welcoming.

Who is in charge of Orientation?

Orientation Week at Queen's is entirely run by students! From the leaders of your group, to the committees and executives that plan and run the week, to the Orientation Roundtable, it's Queen's students who run Orientation.While students do all the planning and running of the week, Orientation policy is set by the University Senate through the Senate Orientation Activities Review Board (SOARB).

Do I have to participate?

No, but we highly recommend that you do.

Registration is entirely optional, however participation in Orientation Week is an incredible experience, one that many people list as one of their best at Queen's.

Even after registering, attendance and participation in all events is optional - you will never be forced to do anything.

By participating in the week, though, you'll meet a ton of new people, learn a lot, and have fun!

Do I have to register before I get to Queen's?

Nope!

Pre-registering helps committees with their planning and will make the first morning of Orientation Week a little quicker and easier, but it is not mandatory. For more specific registration questions, contact the head of your week.

Please note that Residence Orientation is a part of living in residence, and so no extra registration is necessary (but if you are not living in residence and are participating in FYNIRS Orientation, you will need to register). 

I'm not going into first year, but I'm new to Queen's - can I still participate?

Absolutely! NEWTS (New Exchange Woo-Hoo Transfer Students, and Castle Kids too!) Orientation is run specifically for undergraduate students new to Queen's who are not in their first year of university.

Check out the NEWTS page on this site or email newts@ams.queensu.ca for more information! 

I'm an international student. Are there extra resources for me?

Of course! The Queen's University International Centre (QUIC) provides a wealth of resources and support for international students.

Check out http://www.quic.queensu.ca/incoming/ for a taste of what they have to offer. 

What is the policy on alcohol in Orientation Week?

Orientation Week at Queen's is completely alcohol-free - there is no alcohol in any events, and nobody involved in planning or running Orientation consumes alcohol during the week.

Residences are also alcohol-free during Orientation Week (from September 4 until September 12). For more information on this policy, check out the Residences Homepage and the Student Guide to Residences.

How do I know which week to sign up for?

Visit the Find Your Week page for all the information you need! If you're still unsure, email ort@ams.queensu.ca.

I don't like yelling and cheering. Will I still have fun?

Absolutely! While spirit and cheering are a big part of Orientation, they are in no way the entire experience. The beauty of Orientation Week is that there's something for everyone - and you can choose what you do and do not want to participate in.

Are there other types of orientation offered?

There most certainly are!

The weeks described on this site are the official Orientations offered by the University, but a number of groups on campus run Orientation activities as well. These will often run after the official "Orientation Week" so that you can participate in both. Keep your eyes and ears peeled on campus in the first week for more information! 

I'm moving up late. Can I still participate?

Of course! The easiest way for a week to accommodate late registration is to know in advance when you'll be coming. Visit the Contact Us page to find the contact information for the head of your week, and get in touch with him/her for more information.

Who is playing the Orientation Concert this year?

You mean the MYSTERY concert? If we told you it wouldn't be a mystery, now would it?