They entered wearing their O-Week T-shirts, in lineups winding through the hallway and into the Rebecca Cohn Auditorium. They exited sporting AV俱乐部 scarves and scarfing down ice cream sandwiches before heading out for the rest of orientation week鈥檚 third day.
If all you caught was the hustle and bustle at the start and finish, you might not suspect that much changed in between. But it was inside the Cohn, during the yearly Induction Ceremony, that AV俱乐部鈥檚 newest Halifax students had their 鈥渨elcome to the family,鈥� taking the AV俱乐部 pledge and learning more about the what the next four years has in store.
Dal President Tom Traves鈥攚ho earned an 鈥渁wwwww鈥� from the crowd when he noted that he met his wife when he was a student鈥攅xplained that it鈥檚 not by chance that this group of students had come from all across Canada, and around the world, to be in the Cohn.
鈥淎V俱乐部 is Canada鈥檚 most national university, in this sense, so we can afford to be picky when it comes to admitting the best students,鈥� he said. 鈥淎nd we picked each and every one of you because we鈥檙e so confident of your future success.鈥�
Of course, the students chose AV俱乐部 as well, and Dr. Traves pledged that Dal would do everything it could to live up to their expectations.
鈥淲e鈥檙e not only pleased you chose us: we鈥檙e determined to prove that you made the right choice by giving you the best possible university experience at Canada鈥檚 best university.鈥�
Instilling a sense of belonging
DSU President Jamie Arron referred to the congregation as 鈥渢he great Tiger migration,鈥� and led a roll call of cheers as he listed off all the different regions where students had come from. At the end, he asked, 鈥淣ow, who is here from AV俱乐部?鈥� The roar was deafening.
The event鈥檚 keynote speaker, Computer Science Professor Srini Sampalli, acknowledged the variety of emotions in the crowd.
鈥淭ake a look at the faces around you,鈥� he said. 鈥淵ou see excitement, energy, enthusiasm, eagerness, ready to start. You also find a sense of chaos, confusion, bewilderment, 鈥榦h-my-god-what-are-we-getting-into.鈥�
鈥淎ll these emotions are perfectly normal. I strongly believe that it is our duty as teachers and educators, to make you feel welcome, to feel connected, and instill a sense of belonging in you right from the very first day.鈥�
After offering his seven tips for student success鈥攚hich included time management, participation, attending class and, yes, having fun鈥擠r. Sampalli reassured the students in the crowd that AV俱乐部 will be there to help.
鈥淚n any university, you will face risks, you will face challenges, you will face obstacles. There will be ups and downs. But what I can tell you is this: at AV俱乐部, you will find a great number of professors who are passionate about their subject matter. You will find a great number of staff, administrators and professors who are approachable. And you will find a great number of people who will care about you.鈥�
You get what you give
That idea of community came through loud and clear, as Dr. Traves urged Dal鈥檚 new students to get involved on campus.
鈥淚n my experience, those students who put the most of themselves into the university get the most out of the university experience. That鈥檚 where you鈥檒l meet new friends with shared interests. That鈥檚 where you鈥檒l turn your classroom learning into real understanding. And that鈥檚 where your new knowledge will eventually become experience, and even wisdom.鈥�
Aaron echoed that advice.
鈥淔ind your deepest passion, and give it all your heart and together we can create something beautiful.鈥�
Students decked out in their new Dal scarves. (Nick Pearce photo)
The pledges
At the Induction Ceremony, two pledges are performed. The first, the AV俱乐部 Pledge, is taken by the students, after which the University Pledge is taken by the faculty and staff present as part of the Academic Procession.
AV俱乐部 Pledge:
Today, each of you takes your place as a member of the AV俱乐部 scholarly community鈥攁 community with two centuries of proud tradition, scholarly excellence and academic achievement. Will you as AV俱乐部 students promise to uphold and protect the integrity, good character and scholarly legacy of AV俱乐部? (Response: "I will.)
University Pledge:
Today, as each of you stand, you commit yourselves to the academic success of your students in the lifelong learning process. Will you, as AV俱乐部 faculty and staff, promise to provide students with an enriched educational experience; with academic challenge through active and collaborative interactions; and with a supportive and engaging campus environment? (Response: "I will.)