New student orientation

Sept. 2-8, 2023

It is an exciting week of events, activities and informative sessions to help you make friends, have fun and learn about all the incredible things UNB has in store for you. Whether you are international or domestic; high-school entrant, transfer or mature student, if it is your first year at UNB Saint John, then you are invited to participate in orientation events.

Student Affairs & Services staff are busy planning the details of "Super-Tuesday" (September 5), which is our official Welcome Day for new students.

Orientation is intended to make you feel at home at UNB. The events and activities we are planning will help you start out well at UNB, and we hope that you will join in on all the activities!

For now, plan on spending the entire Tuesday September 5 on campus. Lunch will be provided compliments of Student Affairs and Services. We cannot wait to welcome you to our beautiful Saint John campus!

Stay in touch while you wait

Throughout the summer, we will send you updates about orientation. These emails will come from the chooseunb@recruit.unb.ca email. Please add this email to your safe-recipients list to avoid important emails from UNB ending up in your junk folder.

UNB will become a big part of your life. As you are getting ready to start your studies, we welcome you to connect with us for your questions or concerns. Throughout August, every Wednesday from 2 - 3 p.m. ADT, Student Affairs and Services staff will host an online drop-in session via Microsoft Teams.

Schedule

Residence Move-in day

  • 3:30 – 4:30 p.m. | Family and Supporter Orientation | Oland Hall 104
  • 4 p.m. | Meeting with your RA | Location: Your assigned floor
  • 4:30 - 5:30 p.m. | BBQ | Baird Dining Hall
  • 5:30 - 6:30 p.m. | Mandatory Residence Meeting | Hazen Hall Lecture Theatre
  • 8 – 10 p.m. | Bonfire & Live Entertainment | Outside the Hans W. Klohn Commons

Residence Orientation

  • 9 – 10 a.m. | Tropical Themed Breakfast | Baird Dining Hall
  • 12 – 3 p.m. | Lily Lake Beach Day and Water Activities | Bus leaves at 11:45 a.m. in front of the Security Office
  • 3:30 - 4:30 p.m. | Water Blast Fight (water balloons and water guns) | The Quad
  • 5:30 – 7 p.m. | Vinyl Record Painting | The Whitebone Pizzeria
  • 7:30 – 10 p.m. | Kahoot night, Speed Friend Dating | The Whitebone Pizzeria

  • 10 - 2 p.m. | T-Shirt & Orientation Pack pick up | The Quad (Rain location: G. Forbes Elliot Athletics Centre)
  • 10 - 2 p.m. | Water Balloon Tie Dye T-shirts and Yard Games | The Quad (Rain location: G. Forbes Elliot Athletics Centre)
  • 12 – 4 p.m. | Amazing Race | Meet in the Commons
  • 6 – 8 p.m. | Trivia: Spilling the Tea on Relationships, Myths, and Sex, co-hosted by Drag Queen, Dia Monde, CSASA and your SRC | Whitebone Pizzeria. Free pizza
  • 8:30 – 10:30 p.m. | Outdoor Movie Night | The Quad (Rain location – G. Forbes Elliot Athletics Centre) Movie TBD

  • 8:15 - 8:30 a.m. | Students Arrive at G. Forbes Elliot Athletics Centre
  • 8:30 – 9:30 a.m. | Campus Welcome – All students to attend | G. Forbes Elliot Athletics Centre
  • 9:30 – 10:45 a.m. | Faculty Presentations
    • Faculty of Business | Meet your Future Professors and fellow upper year students for the “Straight Goods Lecture with no profs around” | Meet 2nd floor Atrium of Oland Hall
    • Faculty of Arts | Meet your Future Professors and Fellow Students. Tour the building and find out where your classes are. Get the inside scoop and conclude with a “Student’s Only” session led by 3rd & 4th year students | Hazen Hall Lecture Theatre
    • Bachelor of Health | Introductory Medicine walk with Todd Ross, Indigenous Advisor. Bring comfortable walking shoes | Meet in the Quad Outside Oland Hall (Rain location: Irving Hall 107)
    • Faculty of Science, Applied Science and Engineering | The AmaSASEing Race | Meet in the Quad Outside Oland Hall (Rain location: OH 104)
  • 10:45 a.m. – 11 a.m. | Break | Stretch your legs!
  • 11 a.m. – 12 noon | Things I wish I knew as a first-year student! Presented by your SRC (Student only event)| Hazen Hall Lecture Theatre
  • 12 – 2 p.m. | Join us for a BBQ compliments of Student Services | The Hans W. Klohn Commons Garden (Rain location: The G. Forbes Elliot Athletics Centre)
  • 12 – 2 p.m. | SRC Clubs & Societies Expo – During the BBQ | The Hans W. Klohn Commons Garden (Rain location: The G. Forbes Elliot Athletics Centre)
  • 12 – 2 p.m. | Campus Tours drop-in | The Hans W. Klohn Commons Garden (Rain location: The G. Forbes Elliot Athletics Centre)
  • 12 – 2 p.m. | Athletics Event – Spike Ball | The Hans W. Klohn Commons Garden (Rain location: The G. Forbes Elliot Athletics Centre)
  • 12:30 – 1:30 p.m. | Indigenous Student Orientation lunch | Oland Hall 105

Commencement Ceremony

  • 2 – 2:15 p.m. | All new students meet in the gym and line up by faculty | G. Forbes Elliot Athletics Centre
  • 2:15 – 2:30 p.m. | Students are led by piper to Commencement Ceremony | Ganong Hall Lecture Theatre
  • 2:30 – 3 p.m. | Commencement Ceremony | Ganong Hall Lecture Theatre

Advising Drop-In Sessions | Advising Drop-In Session for students already registered for their 2023-2024 academic year. If you need help with your courses, stop in to see an advisor. If you are not registered, please book an appointment with an academic advisor.

  • 3 - 4:15 p.m. | Arts/CGEN Advising | Irving Hall 102
  • 3 - 4:15 p.m. | Engineering Advising | Irving Hall 101
  • 3 - 4:15 p.m. | Indigenous Advising | Oland Hall 103
  • 3 - 4:15 p.m. | Science Advising | Irving Hall 101
  • 3 - 4:15 p.m. | Bachelor of Health Advising | Irving Hall 101
  • 3 - 4:15 p.m. | Business Advising | Oland Hall 210
  • 3 - 4:15 p.m. | Computer Science Advising | Oland Hall 210

  • 3:15 – 5 p.m. | Ice Cream Sundae Bar and Cupcakes – Create your own key chain and button | The Whitebone Pizzeria
  • 4 – 6 p.m. | Library after hours | Pizza Party, snacks & games| Hans W. Klohn Commons main level

  • 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. | Clubs & Societies Expo | Hans W. Klohn Commons. Rain location: G. Forbes Elliot Athletics Centre
  • 3:30 – 6 p.m. | Breakout Saint John | G. Forbes Elliot Athletics Centre
  • 6 – 8 p.m. | Tropical Bingo Night | The Whitebone Pizzeria

  • 1:30 – 4 p.m. | Plant & Pot with Green Society | The Whitebone Pizzeria
  • 4 – 5:30 p.m. | Meet your SRC and enjoy a Poutine Bar | The Whitebone Pizzeria
  • 8 - 10 p.m. | James Mullinger - Comedian | Ganong Hall Lecture Theatre

  • 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. | Zen Den | SRC Study Room
  • 7 – 9 p.m. | Casino Night | G. Forbes Elliot Athletics Centre

  • 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. | Shine Day Bottle Drive | All proceeds go towards the fight against Cystic Fibrosis | UNB Saint John Parking Lot (by G. Forbes Elliot Athletics Centre)

Campus and faculty welcome event

Join other new students in the G. Forbes Elliot Athletics Centre to meet Vice-President Dr. Petra Hauf, our Associate Vice-Provost Student Affairs and Services, Sheldon MacLeod, and the President of the SRC Madison Worth.

After their welcome and advice to you and your fellow new students, you will go to your faculty building where you will meet your professors and other students within your program.

Things I wish I knew as a first-year student

Student-only event

This is a popular event that is hosted by your Student Representative Council. They have organized for current students to provide you with their suggestions on how to get a good start to your time at UNB. Hear top tips from your UNB student peers and ask them questions to learn from their experiences.

Student Affairs and Services BBQ Lunch

After a busy morning with lots of new impressions, relax with your old and new friends for a lunch Barbeque. Entertainment will be provided - just bring yourself and your appetite!

Commencement ceremony

As a new student, you are warmly invited to the Commencement ceremony to celebrate your entry into higher education. Hosted by Dr. Paul Mazerolle, UNB President and Vice-Chancellor, and Dr. Petra Hauf, Vice-President.

Clubs and societies

Get involved in the clubs and societies. During the orientation day, you will have a chance to speak with club members and sign up for future engagements.

Getting ready for the first day of classes

Throughout the day, you will have opportunity to get your UNB card, pay your tuition and fees, do a campus tour, find your classrooms, chat with UNB Student Affairs & Services staff, academic advisors and professors, and go to the bookstore to buy UNB swag and buy your textbooks.

Student Representative Council

The Student Representative Council (also known as SRC) is your student union that represents all undergraduate UNB Saint John students. They plan many fun activities for orientation and throughout the year, and provide you with valuable services and supports.

Follow your SRC on Facebook & Instagram to stay updated on their many activities.

Academic advising and registration sessions

UNB Saint John offers interesting and diverse courses for you to take; so how will you choose? Our academic advisors will be accessible at specific times virtually throughout the summer to help you understand the course requirements for your degree and will help you in the selection of your fall and winter term courses.

Campus store

Our campus store, on the main floor of the G. Forbes Elliot Athletics Centre, Room 112 is your one stop shop for textbooks, school supplies and UNB merchandise to show off your UNB pride! Can’t wait for orientation? Start shopping online for UNB clothing and accessories.

Residence orientation

Are you moving into one of our beautiful residences on campus this fall? This is the best way to meet your new neighbours! Our residence staff have been planning a series of events to introduce you to your new home, including your peers and residence-specific supports. Keep an eye on your email for more information. Please note: Residence orientation events are accessible for residence students only.

'Ask me' table

The Student Affairs and Services 'Ask Me' table is located on the 1st floor of Oland Hall during orientation week. Student volunteers will be on hand to help you find your way to your first class. They are easy to find - look for the red Ask Me button on their shirts!

Accessing financial supports for success

Are you ready to get started?

Before your arrival to campus for Orientation Week, it is very important you have claimed your IT services to have full access to information within UNB's portal. Activate Your IT Services now.

If you require assistance with your username or password or have questions for our IT service desk team, contact the IT Help Desk.


Our new student guide is developed specifically with you – our new students – in mind! It’s packed with information and QR codes to UNB pages often visited by students. This guide will also give you a campus map to help you find your way around and locate your classrooms.


If you are commuting to campus in your car, you have to purchase a parking pass. They are available for various durations (1 month, 2 months, one term, two terms and a full year for instance). Vehicles without parking passes are not ticketed during the first week of classes to give you time to pay and pick up your pass. Order a parking pass (UNB log-in credentials needed).

Student parking is available by taking a right turn when you first enter campus and then following the signage.


At UNB, your student ID card is called your UCard. You can upload your own photo prior to coming to campus and simply pick up your card from our Security office in the Athletics Centre. You can also add money to your UCard to purchase food on campus and to print documents in our computer labs.


Many of you would like to know which textbooks to get for your classes. Each professor will provide this information when you receive your syllabus during the first day of classes. Your syllabus may be available prior to classes starting via UNB’s course management system called Desire to Learn Brightspace (D2L) (UNB login credentials needed). Once you have determined which textbooks you need, you can purchase them in the campus bookstore, located on the main level of the Athletics Centre.


UNB offers many payment options. The deadline for paying your tuition and fees is September 15. If you have questions about your student account or fee statement, reach out to stufees@unb.ca and remember to include your student number. If you don’t remember your student number, you can find it on your letter of acceptance to UNB.

If you wish to pay your tuition in installments, follow the payment plan instructions.


There are lockers available to you in many of the campus buildings. You need to bring you own lock. It’s “first come, first serve”. If you see an empty locker, it’s yours!


Campus tours are part of Tuesday’s orientation schedule. If you are unable to participate or you wish to become familiar with campus prior to orientation, you can schedule a campus tour.


The Athletics, Recreation & Wellness department is your hub for campus recreation, intramural, fitness and more. Looking to play soccer, basketball, volleyball or badminton for the Seawolves? Full-time UNB Saint John students can register to tryout.

Help us to make your student experience even better by participating in our Campus Recreation Survey. Great prizes to be won! Follow the Seawolves on Facebook & Instagram.


There are several food services on campus: our Whitebone Pizzeria, Baird Cafeteria and the Commons Café. Make sure to explore them all and learn about the meal memberships to save money.


Student Services can always be you first go-to resource! We are a department full of helpful staff members. Our location is the ground floor of Oland Hall. You can stop by any time in Oland Hall Room G27 to ask questions or contact us via stuserv@unb.ca.


Student testimonials

"I loved being able to meet the people living on residence and I cannot wait to start classes to meet more people" – Mickayla

"The most fun part about orientation day was going around and actually learning about the school and figuring out where my classes are, also being with my friends and having fun" – Pat

"It has been an awesome experience and an awesome first week. I couldn’t have asked for more! The events have been fun and exciting. 10/10" – Aiden

"One thing I wish I knew before orientation... just go! You don’t have to participate, just go. Talk to people. Make friends. They might be your friends for a lifetime!" – Krista