Orientation week @ JCU Cairns

It’s Orientation Week at James Cook University in Cairns, as 1,000 new students begin their tertiary studies.

Deputy Vice-Chancellor Dr Stephen Weller said the newcomers were joining JCU in a significant year. “It’s 25 years since JCU welcomed its first students in Cairns, and their Orientation Week was very different. There were just 117 students and we offered a total eight first-year subjects.

“This week we will have 1,000 new faces coming through the gates. Having passed the 4,000 mark last year, we expect to have around 4,120 students on campus when classes resume next week,” Dr Weller said.

Students in the Faculty of Law, Business and the Creative Arts began their introduction to university life this morning at 9.00am, and the Faculty of Medicine, Health and Molecular Sciences welcomed its new students at 10.00am.

At these sessions the students meet Faculty staff and take a campus tour, guided by student mentors – students in the later years of the same degree programs, who volunteer to provide advice, guidance and support throughout the year.

At noon today staff and students will welcome the new students to the University community with lunch at The Boathouse.

“Next week the study starts, but this week it’s all about preparing for that, getting to know the campus, and meeting your fellow students,” Dr Weller said.

The O Week program combines serious preparation for study with serious partying. “The social side of O Week is important. Some of the new people our students meet this week will probably be with them for life, both as friends and as professional colleagues,” Dr Weller said.

Preparatory sessions include library tours, an introduction to the University’s computer systems, information on the costs of studying, career planning, and how to balance life, study and work.

Issued February 13, 2012

Media enquiries: E. linden.woodward@jcu.edu.au T. 07 4042 1007