Orientation Week 2021

Welcome to Western University! We are excited to have you join us for Orientation Week (also known as "OWeek"), taking place from Monday, September 6 to Sunday, September 12, 2021. Western sets the OWeek standard across Canada and, this year, we fully plan to raise that bar even higher. Get ready for exclusive experiences, campus-wide events (online and in-person), and everything you need to make your year a success. It's a seven-day welcome to a new school, new friends, and a new life. Near or far, virtual or in-person, our OWeek will be accessible to all students via the OPass! Don't miss out on once-in-a-lifetime memories made possible by Canada's best Orientation.

Is Accessible Education for Your Student?

• If they were accommodated in high school, then YES.
• If they had an IEP in high school, then YES.
• If they have a disability and have concerns about accessibility at Western, then YES.

Encourage them to connect with us early. We are here all summer to help. The best time to meet with an Accessible Education Counsellor is after they have registered in courses. Email aew@uwo.ca to book an appointment, or register with us on our website.

Dietary Accommodations in Residence

If your student is living in residence and has special dietary requirements, we encourage them to self-identify by contacting Nutrition Services. Our Nutrition Manager will book a meeting with your student after they've moved in to help them navigate their options in residence. If your student needs additional dietary support throughout the year, they can reach out to their dining hall staff at any time.

Gift Your Student with a Piece of Purple Pride

Every Mustang remembers their first piece of Western merch. Gift your student with Purple Pride from the Book Store at Western to celebrate their new beginning--from official branded clothing to giftware, and beyond. The store is now open for in-store shopping with capacity limits and enhanced safety measures. Alternatively, you can shop online and choose in-store pickup or shipping at checkout.

Career Support

Our Career Education team assists students in designing careers that are meaningful. With a framework that encourages students to gain a better understanding of the linkages between their degree, experiences, and interests, we support students in exploring the myriad career options available to them. By reframing the "what can I do with my degree" question into "how can I use my degree to help me achieve the career I want", we guide, support and challenge students to think differently about their futures, and provide tools to help them plan careers that are meaningful to them.

Office of the Ombudsperson

Hopefully, it is all smooth sailing for your student, but when it is not, the Ombuds Office is here to provide confidential, impartial, and independent advice on everything from concerns with course delivery to residence conduct issues. We will discuss your student's concern with them, let them know what their rights and responsibilities are as a Western student, and prepare them for the next steps. We will review appeal letters and notes for discussions with persons in authority. If we cannot help, we will direct the student to an office that can. Ombuds staff sees over 800 students a year--that is 1 in every 49 students! Visit our website to learn more about what we do and how to find us.

Writing Assistance

Strong, effective writing skills are key to success at university. We're ready to help your student build those skills with writing assistance offered through Western's Writing Support Centre. Students can submit their assignments and papers and our expert writing advisors will review their work and email them useful and informed feedback about their writing. The Writing Support Centre also offers a number of online videos and handouts that can help your student prepare for September.

Experiential Learning at Western

Students across all disciplines have the opportunity to participate in experiential learning. Through practical hands-on learning experiences in the community, in a workplace, or in the classroom, Western students can develop their skills, strengthen their employability, and collaborate meaningfully with others. Explore the Experience Catalogue or visit our website to learn more about internships, community engaged learning, simulation, field experience, and many other forms of experiential learning at Western.

Audition for an Ensemble

You don't have to be a music student to join an ensemble in the Don Wright Faculty of Music. If your student was part of their high school band, orchestra, or choir, they are welcome to audition online this summer! Full details including audition excerpts are available online.

Western Libraries

Western Libraries has a world-class collection with nearly six million items available for physical and digital loan. Can't find it at Western? We're part of a collaboration network with university libraries across Ontario, giving students access to over 17 million additional items. Still having trouble? We'll help your student find what they're looking for, and in most cases, get them a copy for free!