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OVERVIEW OF ORIENTATION WEEK EVENTS

Note: This article is hosted here for archival purposes only. It does not necessarily represent the values of the Iron Warrior or Waterloo Engineering Society in the present day.

Engineering Orientation Week features several exciting events unique to the University of Waterloo. In addition to being better acquainted to the University through tours and informative lunches, you will also have the opportunity to participate in many of our flagship events, including Earn Your Hard Hat and Junkyard Wars. Let’s also not forget about the infamous Engineering Scavenger Hunt! More information on these and the other events that fill your week can be found on the page numbered below:

SCHEDULE
See attached spreadsheet.
This goes below schedule:

If you are in Software Engineering your schedule looks slightly different to ensure you receive your
Math identity as well! You will be attending the following events instead for the times outlined below:
• ‘SE 101’ on Tuesday (6th) at 10:00am followed by the SE Departmental Lunch
• ‘Earn Your Tie’ on Thursday (8th) at 2:30pm with Math!
• Math Desserts followed by Math Scavenger Hunt on Friday (9th) at 6:30pm.
You will be part of the super.mario() team during Math Orientation!

MEET THE DEAN
Your week will begin with a quick introduction to what the University of Waterloo can do for you from the Dean of Engineering. An introductory video will highlight Orientation Week and what it has to offer you.  The theme of the week and the respective colour groups will be officially announced which marks the start of the week’s competitions.  EngFOC, the organizers of the week, and your colour group leaders will also introduce themselves at this time.  You definitely do not want to miss this event!

DEPARTMENT LUNCHES
This is a great opportunity to meet upper-year students, faculty and staff in your department who you will be working with during your academic career.  This event is run by the Faculty of Engineering and is always a great venue to answer questions you may have about your department of choice.  You can also pick up several tips to help you succeed at the University from the get go!

EARN YOUR HARDHAT
Earning your Hardhat is one of the longest running traditions in Engineering Orientation.  Dating back to the 1980’s, the Hardhat is a prestigious item awarded to incoming Engineering students and is worn with pride by all.  At this event, as a team, you will complete several challenges that represent: communication, leadership, integrity, teamwork, creativity, adversity, and organization.  Again, you definitely don’t want to miss your opportunity to collect the coveted Yellow Hardhat.

AERIAL PHOTO
Taking place immediately after earning your Hardhat, this is a time honoured tradition which portrays the theme of your Orientation Week:  “The Final Countdown: Enders vs. Defenders.”  This will be the only time until graduation that your class of 2016 will be in the same location at the same time, so take it all in!  You can find this photo mounted on the wall of POETS, the engineering student lounge.

SINGLE AND SEXY
An original drama production by the University of Waterloo, this hilarious play deals with the challenges of living away from home and out from under the parental eye for the first time.  Issues explored include sexual harassment, orientation, sexual assault, transmitted infections, pregnancy, love and succeeding in university.  With several TV and music video farces, the play promises not only a humorous view of student life but also crucial information about how to receive help in the listed topics above.

HOW TO SAVE/END THE WORLD 101
This amazing event brings together the six Ender or Defender colour groups to help construct an elaborate device to help take over or protect the world.  In the process, learn about the buildings and services which are available to you at Waterloo and upgrade your resume by earning sidekicks, gadgets, “the master plan” and more!

VARIETY NIGHT
Sports, dance lessons, inflatables, comedy, a hypnotist, a haunted house, and more.  If you want it, Variety Night has it! This is a great way to spend some time with faces from other University Faculties.

O IN THE DARK
What would it be like to have everything glow in the dark?  Well this is the perfect time to find out!  As a joint event with Arts and Math, this is a great chance to meet people from those faculties.  There is an activity for everyone and, with rumours of a giant glow in the dark graffiti area, you can’t go wrong!

JUNK YARD WARS
Our flagship event, Junkyard Wars, is exactly what the name implies.  Colour groups are challenged to solve problems using only recycled materials and scrap parts.  Though not everything can be won with a hammer and saw; it’ll take creativity, wit, ingenuity and plain old smarts to win this competition.

STUDENT TEAMS LUNCH
Following immediately after Junkyard Wars, the Student Teams’ Lunch is your opportunity to meet with upper year students who are working on one of Waterloo’s many student teams.  This also gives the opportunity to see what extracurricular activities are available to you and how to take part.  Some corporate sponsors of the week are also present, several of which hire co-op students.  This is a great chance to see what you can offer as a co-op student.  To top it off, a delicious barbeque is served!

MEET THE TOOL
This is the oldest and most sacred traditions of Waterloo Engineering.  It is a must see event where you get to see the engineering mascot: “The TOOL.” Live it. Love it.

ENG 101
This is your introduction to the academic world of Engineering at the University of Waterloo.  The faculty and students will work together to answer your questions about academics, co-op education, counselling, and balancing school and fun.

MONTE CARLO
Orientation’s annual semi-formal comes complete with red carpet, live music, a mock casino and more. Dress to impress with this night of class and elegance.

CORNERSTONES
Experience the Four Cornerstones of the First Year Experience: academics, social interaction, health and well-being, and personal finances.  These topics will provide overarching information on the main aspects of the first year experience.

SCAVENGER HUNT
The infamous Engineering Scavenger Hunt is where the colour groups have their last chances to try to gain points and win the overall competition of the week.  There are countless activities for everyone and also a never-ending acquisition list with items for you to collect.  This is the final flagship Engineering event and is sure to not disappoint!

BLACK AND GOLD DAY
Come decked out in Black and Gold to enjoy the pre-game carnival and first football game of the season!
Cheer our Warriors Football team to victory and watch the amazing half-time show at the University’s Columbia Ice Fields athletics facility.

TOGA
This is the final night of Orientation programming! A giant Toga dance party, coffee house, a bonfire, improv and magic will help close the week with a bang!

ENGSOC DAY / COMENG
The Waterloo Engineering Society will play host to a fun afternoon of low-key activities.  Come to POETS, the engineering student lounge, and see what the Engineering Society can do for you!  Later in the evening, join in for a night of hilarious comedy by professional comedians as a way to relax before class the next morning. Meet your new upper year friends and watch the Orientation Week awards show where we announce the winners of the week. Will the world be destroyed or defended? Stop by to find out!

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