New arrivals discover an inclusive, supportive environment
WELCOME TO UVIC
by Lori Bamber
For Ahmed Mumeni, the promise of post-secondary education was just one aspect of the excitement of heading off to university.
“I come from a family that’s very strongly family-oriented,” he says, the emphasis in his tone communicating more than the words themselves, “and I wanted to be on my own, to turn the experience into an adventure.
“It was hard for my mom, but knowing that I’d be in a smaller, safer city like Victoria was a comfort, I think. She’s heard a lot of good things about Victoria from other people.”
Although the Mumeni home in Ottawa is a long way from Victoria, particularly from a mother’s point of view, Mrs. Mumeni must be otherwise delighted with the outcome.
Her son is enrolled in one of the top universities in the country. In his first year, Ahmed says he is thriving in the Faculty of Social Sciences. “The faculty are friendly and approachable, as are my classmates,” he says.
UVic is known for its superb student services and residence facilities: in fact, the university guarantees a residence offer for every new first-year student.
The UVic community is especially welcoming for new and firstyear students, who are met by real people, face to face, who help students adjust to campus life.
Susan Corner, Student Affairs co-ordinator at UVic, oversees orientation and transition programs – cornerstones of UVic’s inclusive culture that Mr. Mumeni experienced on arrival.
She says she’s proud to introduce unique campus amenities such as UVic’s old growth forest, stunning views of the Pacific, beautiful Finnerty Gardens, film and live theatres, a Student Union building with a family centre, and Ring Road – a main thoroughfare that conveniently encircles a campus you can walk across in about 10 minutes. But she saves her greatest enthusiasm for the award-winning Student Transition Centre itself.
“Like most students, I think, there was a time I thought that I’d get to university and turn into a new person and that would be that,” Ms. Corner says, laughing, “but as you become an adult, you realize that life is full of transitions, as is university.
“At the Centre, we’re here for all of them. Whether the students need to find the nearest grocery store or are wondering about their major and need to talk, we’re here to help and provide direction, throughout their degrees.”
In addition to its many programs, from Student Orientation to Grad Connections, the Centre serves as a link to a vast array of student services. Besides the core support of academic advising and aboriginal tudent services, the university also offers athletics and recreation, health services, a resource centre for students with a disability, international exchange services, childcare and an interfaith chaplaincy to name a few.
Megan Aberley is also a strong advocate of the Centre. A highenergy, gregarious student who has done well in her first year, she was attracted to UVic’s Faculty of Fine Arts’ Theatre program, one of the most prestigious in Canada.
“It was so exciting,” she says of her arrival at UVic. “You don’t know what to expect – you’re taking care of yourself for the first time, and you try things out. Some work,] some don’t work.”
Ms. Aberley improved her success ratio by signing up for First Contact, a series of orientation events that she says included campus tours, lectures and “really fun events” that allowed her to become part of her new community and meet new people.
Today, she’s involved in event planning through the Residence Council, and is looking forward to participating in an upcoming charity fundraiser.
Professor Jamie Cassels, vice president, Academic and Provost, believes there are two primary reasons that students choose the University of Victoria.
“First and foremost, of course, is the quality of the educational experience. Our faculty are superb…excellent classroom instruction is related to experiential learning and also placed in its international context,” he says. “Just as important is the quality of the educational community and overall student experience. We’re a destination university: more than 70 per cent of our students come from outside of our local region, so our community is a diverse one made up of people who have made conscious decisions to come here and be part of it.”
Part of UVic’s mission, says Professor Cassels, is to emphasize community and provide students with strong, personal support while they receive a top-notch education – from first inquiry to admission to orientation to transition programs provided to those approaching graduation.
“It is a very supportive and personalized community,” says Professor Cassels. “Our excellent academic programs and real-world learning opportunities offer students a transforming educational and life experience.”
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