Building Belonging Through Orientation

Orientation at Loyalist is designed to make a big campus moment feel accessible. For the college’s Student Experience and Engagement (SEE) team, the goal is to open the door for human connection by creating multiple entry points that allow every student to find a way in. 

“Students are coming to campus from all walks of life – they could be 17 or 47,” says Olivia Millard, Manager, Student Experience and Engagement. “But just because this year we welcomed a younger cohort on average doesn’t mean that everyone will feel comfortable jumping headfirst into a foam party.” 

That’s why the team takes a holistic approach to planning Orientation activities each semester, aided by brainstorming sessions with SEE’s team of second-year student Loyalist Life Ambassadors (LLAs). This year’s mix included high-energy stations like a rock-climbing wall, beach volleyball and inflatables, alongside slower, creative options like painting and bracelet-making, and food-anchored spaces that made meeting people easy. Across the stations, students’ new red hoodies provided a connecting thread. 

“Orientation is about creating so many points of entry. You choose where you belong, and the red hoodie signals you’re part of something bigger.” 

Who’s Here to Help? 

A key design choice this year involved stationing student ambassadors, faculty and support staff where questions actually happen—at doors, in lines, around event stations—so help feels approachable.  

When students feel comfortable enough to ask a question, that’s a signal they’re settling in, Olivia notes. “We had over 60 Team Loyalist members volunteer their help on Day One this year, which allows students to put a face to the services they’re told about via emails or in classrooms. If you met someone from Career Services or the Parrott Centre at the door or over a game of cornhole, it’s easier to reach out when you need support.” 

Designed For Real Learners 

Orientation programming is informed by student data like age and geography alongside interests and realities. Short, drop-in activities are more realistic for commuters and parents than committing to an after-hours campus movie night, and low-key events are timed to fit between classes so that people already on campus can join. During the big Day One party at “Camp Sharkie,” multiple stations meant that everyone had a place to land. 

In reality, orientation doesn’t stop after a day or even a week. For international learners, settlement takes time; for domestic students, the adrenaline of the first month tends to dip after visiting home during Thanksgiving. With this in mind, the team plans ongoing, bite-sized onboarding throughout the first term.  

Student Leaders Keep it Moving 

Loyalist Life Ambassadors help plan and run events, bringing lived experience and practical tweaks to the execution. One example of this, says Olivia, was the decision on where to hand out glow sticks for the Glow Party. “Having been to the event themselves during their first year, our LLAs suggested handing out glow sticks at the entry, before students walked past the bar. It seems tiny, but giving people something to hold makes that moment less intimidating. The room feels more welcoming.” 

A second tweak came from the same LLA team who’d attended last year’s plant party, where students customize a pot and plant their own greenery to brighten up their rooms. The LLA crew reworked the room layout and station flow so students could drop in, settle for a bit, or keep moving: small changes that made the night run better and feel easier for new students to join. The result: 159 students participated, about 90% of them first-years. As one table wrapped up, a student exhaled: “We really have to make more time for this.” Heads nodded around the room. 

As the semester begins, the focus shifts from first impressions to daily habits: finding study spots, building routines, and getting involved. Along the way, the Student Experience and Engagement team, faculty, staff and student leaders are visible and available to help students navigate their next steps. 

A First Month Checklist (for anyone!) From the SEE Team:  

• Walk your schedule. Find each classroom or lab and time the routes. 

• Sort out the basics. Get campus Wi-Fi, printing, sign in to your Loyalist email on your phone, and set up your Canvas LMS and Loyalist Safe app notifications. 

• Meet one support service in person. Stop by Student Experience and Engagement, Academic Advising, Financial Aid, Accessibility Services, the Indigenous Student Centre, Counselling, Career Centre, Health Centre or Athletics and Campus Rec—pick one Student Support Service and say hello. 

• Ask one small question. “Am I in the right place?” “How do I find out about…?” Small asks build your belonging fast.