Orientation
Your weekend, hour by hour
Select a day to explore.
Pre-Orientation and move-in
Friday, September 4 | 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Residence Move-in Day
South Village Residence and Simcoe Village Residence welcome you home. Move-in, get settled and meet the Residence Life team before Orientation weekend begins.
International Orientation
Meet other international students, learn about available supports and get helpful information for beginning your studies at Ontario Tech.
Friday Concurrent Sessions
Choose the session that best fits you:
- Mature, Transfer and Pathways Student Session
- New Student Welcome
- Parent and Supporter Session
- School of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies Orientation
Service Fair and Campus Tours
Meet university services and student supports, ask questions and find the resources you may need throughout your first year.Explore campus, locate key buildings and classrooms, and become familiar with the spaces you will use during the academic year.
Faculty day and Ridgeback spirit
Saturday, September 5 | 9:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.
Check-in and Welcome
Check in at your faculty booth, pick up your free Ontario Tech t-shirt and meet the peer mentors and Orientation leaders who will guide you through the day. Arrive on time so you are checked in and ready for the Opening Ceremony at 10 a.m.
Location: Polonsky Commons
Opening Ceremonies
Kick off Orientation weekend with a high-energy welcome to Ontario Tech. Hear from university and student leaders, connect with your faculty and get ready for a full-weekend of activities, new experiences and Ridgeback spirit.
Faculty Orientation
Meet students in your program, connect with faculty and staff and get an inside look at what your first year will be like. Through interactive activities and faculty-specific information, you will begin building connections and leave feeling more prepared for classes and campus life.
Inflatable Obstacle Course
Climb, crawl and race your way through an inflatable obstacle course. Challenge your friends, compete for the fastest time or cheer on your fellow Ridgebacks from the sidelines.
OTSU Esports
Step inside the OTSU Esports Arena, meet the OTSU Esports team and try a selection of popular console and computer games. Tour the space, learn about campus Esports and see how you can get involved.
Ridgeback Spirit
Grab some pizza and spend the afternoon exploring games, challenges, music, campus experiences and places to relax. Compete with your faculty, visit the Esports Arena, try the 4D Movie Experience, race through an inflatable obstacle course or enjoy lawn games with new friends before the Ridgeback Spirit Parade.
Ridgeback Games and Lawn Activities
Drop in for badminton, ping-pong, basketball shooting games, life-sized lawn games and other casual activities. Join a game, challenge someone new or cheer on your friends between the afternoon’s featured events.
4D Movie Experience
Experience a scene from Twisters (2024) in Ontario Tech’s ACE facility—a world-class research and testing hub. Feel the action come to life as powerful environmental effects transform the film into an immersive 4D experience. Space is limited, so watch for showing times and entry details.
Trash Panda Brass band Live Performance
Head to the Polonsky Commons stage for a live performance from Trash Panda Brass. Their high-energy mix of pop, funk and brass-band music will get the crowd moving before they lead the Ridgeback Spirit Parade across campus.
Ridgeback Spirit Parade
Bring your faculty pride and join hundreds of new Ridgebacks as Trash Panda Brass leads the Orientation Parade across campus. Follow your Orientation Leaders, make some noise and travel together to the Campus Ice Centre, where the fun continues into the evening.
Campus Ice Centre Takeover Party
Take over the Campus Ice Centre for an evening of skating, music, trivia, pub-style games and friendly competitions. Borrow a pair of skates and hit the ice, join a rink-side activity, challenge your friends to a game or hang out and enjoy the music.
Super Sunday
Sunday, September 6 | 1:30 to 10 p.m.
Check-in Booths
Check in, reconnect with your Orientation leaders and get ready for an afternoon and evening of games, food, entertainment and campus-wide activities.
Sunday Kick-off: Playfair
Kick off Super Sunday with Playfair—an upbeat, high-energy experience packed with interactive games, comedy and team challenges. You’ll move, laugh and connect with new people through fast-paced activities and make it easy to feel part of the Ridgeback community.
EngageFest and BBQ Dinner
Take over Vaso’s Field for an afternoon carnival packed with games, inflatables, food, giveaways and opportunities to connect with student groups and campus services. Try the rock-climbing wall, get a caricature drawn, challenge your friends to carnival games or grab a treat while exploring everything Ontario Tech has to offer.
Bubble Soccer
Step inside a giant inflatable bubble and take on your friends in a hilarious, high-energy twist on soccer. Run, bounce and compete in short games where staying on your feet may be just as challenging as scoring.
Carnival
Test your skills at classic carnival games, climb the rock wall, race through inflatables and enjoy treats such as cotton candy and popcorn. Stop by the caricature artist for a custom keepsake, collect giveaways and see how many activities you can fit into the afternoon.
Wild Goose Cup Finale and Awards
Gather with your faculty for the Wild Goose Chase finale as the best photos, challenges and unforgettable moments from the competition are revealed. Cheer on the finalists and find out which faculty will take home the Goose Trophy and Orientation bragging rights.
Outdoor Movie Night
Enjoy a classic movie fun night on Polonsky Commons! Before the movie begins, join us for pre-show games, activities and chances to win prizes. Then settle in under the stars with popcorn, candy and new friends. Bring a blanket or lawn chair, grab a spot and recharge before the final day of Orientation.
Presented by Ontario Tech and Ontario Tech Residence.
Ridgeback adventure day
Monday, September 7 |12 to 4 p.m.
Ridgeback Adventure
Explore Shawenjigewining Hall and discover a variety of Peer Mentor-led drop-in activities on every floor. Wander through the building at your own pace, participate in Musical Bingo, challenge friends to board games for a chance to win prizes, or get creative by painting your own tote bag.
Stop by one activity or spend the whole afternoon with us—it's completely up to you!
Field Trip: Activate Pickering
Take your Ridgeback Adventure off campus at Activate Pickering. Work with friends through interactive game rooms featuring climbing, jumping, problem-solving and fast-paced challenges that respond to your movements in real time.
Space is limited and advance ticket purchase is required.
Attending Orientation ?
Register Now - Attending Orientation ?Summer Transition Programming
Ridgeback Ramp Up
Get a head start on your university journey with Ridgeback Ramp Up. Self-paced course modules launched on Monday, July 13, and live workshops run from July 20 to August 21.
International pre-arrival and arrival support
Join International Student Services for virtual pre-arrival sessions and welcome events designed to help you prepare for life at Ontario Tech. Learn about travel, health coverage, campus resources and student supports, connect with staff and fellow students, and get the answers you need before you arrive.
Accessibility Orientation
We'll guide you through key resources to help you start your university journey with confidence. You’ll learn about accommodations, how to use our services and how to navigate campus life. Lunch is provided.
Thursday, September 3 from 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Location: Shawenjigewining Hall, Room 223
Register to attend the Student Accessibility Transition Program
Graduate Studies Pre-Orientation
Join the School of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies (SGPS) for virtual Pre-Orientation sessions to learn about registration, academics, student supports, campus resources and more. Connect with SGPS staff, get your questions answered and feel ready for your first day.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Do I need to register in advance to attend Orientation?
Yes. Please complete the Orientation registration form to confirm your attendance and note any dietary requirements or accessibility accommodations.
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What should I wear?
Bring your free faculty t-shirt (handed out at Saturday check-in), comfortable walking shoes, and warm clothing for the outdoor movie night.
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How do I register for my courses?
The Office of the Registrar offers a variety of supports to help you prepare for course registration, including webinars, registration guides and step-by-step tutorials.
Review the course registration resources for detailed instructions, or contact the Office of the Registrar with any registration questions.
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Can parents or supporters attend?
Ontario Tech offers a variety of opportunities for parents, supporters and families to visit and engage with our community throughout the year, including Experience Day, Open House, Ridgeback Ramp-Up and Residence Move-In Day.
Fall and Winter Orientation days are geared specifically toward students.
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I'm an international student. Where can I get more information and support?
Ontario Tech offers a range of supports for international students preparing to arrive and begin their studies. Connect with an International Student Advisor and explore the New Arrival Support Program for personalized guidance.
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Are there other supports to help me transition into university life?
Yes. Our Peer Mentorship Program connects new students with trained upper-year mentors who offer guidance, support and community throughout your first year at Ontario Tech and beyond.
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How do I update my email address or mailing address?
Email is our primary method of communication. Check your email regularly to ensure you receive information in a timely way.
If you change your email address, notify Ontario Tech University by updating your Ontario Universities’ Application Centre (OUAC) application or by contacting the Office of the Registrar.
If you have accepted an offer of admission to Ontario Tech and are moving or relocating for the summer, you must notify the university of your change of address. Failure to notify Ontario Tech may result in a delay in receiving important information.
If your address has changed or will be changing, notify the university by amending your OUAC application or by contacting the Office of the Registrar.
Important: Include your Ontario Tech student number on all correspondence with the university.
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