4 NEws OVER THE EDGE NEWSPAPER. SEPTEMBER 13, 2006 Orientation Week A Success New students get an early start on ski lessons during orientation. ANDREW KURJATA EDITOR-IN-CHIEF If you visited UNBC the week before classes started, you may have been sur- prised at the number of students run- ning around campus, Not Sarah Kaehn- ~ after all, she was the one responsible for organizing the successful Northern Degrees-Orientation that took place on September 1 and 2, The fourth-year Andrew Kurjata A view inside the learning skills centre, where worry not, help is available. BROOKE WARD STAFF REPORTER Before the doors close to mark the end of the first week back at school, the staf at the Learning Skills Centre is hard at work coordinating programs and help- ing students, One thousand students, or some 30% of the university population, will take advantage of the programs and services available through the Learn- biochemistry major started last March after successfully applying for a co-op position at Student Services. The goal, says Kaehn, was to bring in as many new UNBC students “to help them become familiar with the location of buildings on the campus, meeting ‘new people... and let them know what resources there were.’ About 300 stu- dents registered, and in all 250 people ing Skills Centre this year so, naturally, Coordinator Lyn Benn is thrilled about some of the new programs that the centre has to offer. Convenience and utility meet to pro- vide online tutoring services for the first time. This service promises to be ex- ceptional, with twenty-four hour a day online access, catering to both the early bird and the night owl. Students can showed up. Though the exact numbers are not yet known, the majority of stu- dents were from out of tow, which means it helped familiarize them with not just the University, but the surrounding community. Many local businesses sup- ported the event, which Kaehn says was a great help in making the event as great as it was. Students were divided into fifteen hours. Additionally, prizes will be randomly “Convenience and_ utility meet to provide online tu- toring services for the first time.’ drawn monthly. Any students who register for this service from September through November will automatically be entered in the draw. Also new this year is the concept of coaching sessions. Held in half hour ses- sions, for a three to four week period, a handful of students and a tutor will meet to focus on such issues as Time Management and Effective Note-taking. These activities focus on organization and self- motivation. One would ideally create self-feeback from personal obser- vations and put that accountability into practice. Students wanting to tone their aca- demic muscles are encouraged to partici- pate in the 40 Day Challenge to Become a Better Student. These fun filled activ- ities take daily tasks and turn them into study strategies by way of goal-setting, self-organization and prioritizing, with ANDREW KURJATA groups of approximately twenty, and were led by twenty-five returning UNBC students who volunteered to help with th event. The teams, who took their names from northern BC wildlife, then took part in a number of events on and off campus. Things kicked off with a formal presidential assembly, where stu- dents were given a welcome by Dr. Don Cozetto and various other staff mem- little prizes along the way. This chal- lenge is in four parts and can be started at any time. The English Conversational program provides an opportunity for inter- national and ESL students to interact with UNBC student volunteers, there- by gaining an appreciation for Canadian culture and developing English language skills. Along with these new setvices, the Learning Skills Centre still offers one- on-one tutoring by appointment, drop-in tutoring, supplemental instruction and bers. Cozetto also hosted a President's Picnic, which had over 900 students, staff, and families in attendance. Another Friday highlight was the Playfair event at the Prince George Rolladome, organized by Jerry Ewen, which Kaehn describes as “one huge ice- breaker. [Students] got a chance within an hour and a half to meet every other student at orientation....I think if you ask anyone, they were exhausted after- wards.” This was followed by rollerskat- ing and a movie and games night. Saturday began with the UNBC Treasure Quest, which had started the day before. This event, modeled after television's “The Amazing Race,’ had teams decipher clues which would lead them to various UNBC locations. Here they had to perform a task, the most dif- ficult of which was a crossword and the Learning Skills Centre. “That bogged down a lot of the groups,’ says Kaehn. But the highlight of the entire week- end, says Kaehn, was the UNBC Open Mic Night. Hosted by CFUR DJ Kiel Howarth and his: assistant Cal Hilde, gtoups were to perform in any way they chose, be it a skit, airband, song, or dance. The theme was ‘Spirit of North- ern BC, but this was only loosely fol- lowed. The results were “hilarious,” and included some groups resorting to tech- niques such as bribing the judges with candy. Participant feedback was largely posi- tive. “It's really fun,” said first year Cam Scott. “It was relaxed,” said Ryan Steele, “you get to know people, it got people talking and past the whole‘T don’t know you so I'm not talking to you' point.’ Tt is hoped that there will be a similar event for the winter semestet, plus one next summer, so those interested in get- ting involved are encouraged to drop by Student Services to find out how. “It's an awesome position,’ says Kaehn, who leaves the position soon. “We had awe- some volunteers this year and Idd really love to have that continue.’ workshops. The LSC website has been revamped and is brimming with infor- mation. Small movie clips and handouts on everything from self-assessments to study strategies can be found on the site, including four videos produced by ma- ture students, packed with information and advice which could be very helpful for new students. To access any of these services, visit www.unbc,ca/Isc or better yet, visit the fun, friendly staff in person and they'll be sure to do their best to assist you. GAIA Offers Opportunites For All! Sometimes; sitting in your room - neglecting the piles of textbooks you should | have read- you may think; is this all there is? Hell no! UNBC not only offers fine academic courses but has a club thar caters to all your creative needs, The General Arts Interest Association (GAIA) is now stronger and more act- ive than ever. Promoting any and all creative facets, GAIA has, in just the last few yeats, begun a campaign to rid this University of the sour reputation of all work, no play: From advertising musical performances to organizing poetry reading, GAIA does it all, Think that this school needs a night of juggling and interpretive dance? Con- vince us, and we'll try and make it happen! The most important part of out lives is upon us, and we should flaunt any and all creative tendencies while our supple minds can handle it. Don't want to act, sing, dance, write, photograph, or rock out on wailing gui- tars? Then contact our club email address and just keep up-to-date on all the events going on in your community. And remember, if you're not with GAIA, youre letting the terrorists win! Contact: artsunbc@gmail.com for any suggestions, questions, or humorous commentary.