Stanley Park no longer a part of O-Week
A recent Facebook post tipped off many students and Mars’ Hill to the fact that this would be the last year for the Stanley Park trip. The trip, a long standing tradition going back 15-20 years according to Cathy Almost, Associate Dean of Students, was ended primarily due to changes in the Academic Calendar.
The trip to Stanley Park has been a part of Orientation Week at TWU, serving as a time for students to just let loose and have some fun outside of the actual orientation freshmen go through that week. Almost offers several reasons future freshman won’t be visiting the park, the biggest being the change in course scheduling, with classes now beginning on the Wednesday after Labour Day.
The decision for an earlier start date was voted on by the Academic Councils as a move to ensure more class time. Courses must involve a minimum number of classroom hours, and adding the Wednesday offers more available classes when planning for holidays and in case of campus closures.
Consequently, Orientation Week will be shortened by a day. Almost hopes that the cancellation of the trip doesn’t mean there won’t be some sort of group activity. “I envision some sort of speed friend-ing circles in the gym,” she offers. Because love it or hate it, activities like speed friend-ing are staples of orientation at TWU, a tradition not likely to end.
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