UPEI NSO Kicks Off School Year with

by Jonathan Smith

It can be said that New Student Orientation week 2003 was undoubtedly one of the most popu- lar and most successful in the last few years. That is not to say that

previous NSO's didn't go well and weren't a blast for the participants. However, under the direction of NSO Coordinator Nick MacDonald and the initiative of the leaders and participation of the new students, there was a definite atmosphere of new life and energy being infused

-:page [4] September 15, 2003:.

into the events. Undoubtedly, one factor was the fact that this years' NSO quite possibly had the largest number of student participants of the past three years, at almost 400 students plus leaders and coordina- tors. There were actually more stu- dents than there were NSO packs and T-Shirts.

The opening ceremonies were held on Sunday, August 31 in the Duffy Amphitheater. Among the speakers present was President Wade MacLauchlan. There was the showing of an entertaining opening video that not only provided a few laughs but probably also put some people more at ease. Through humour and exaggeration it "high- lighted" all aspects of first-year stu- dent life, including the handicap of being under the age of 19 and try- ing to partake in certain aspects of campus life as well as getting along with roommates and trying to find time and a place to actually do some studying. After the required formalities and introductions how- ever, it was time to head for the beach.

New Student Orientation

week at the Island's only university wouldn't have been complete with- out a visit to the beach. The Beach Blast went well, with loads of par- ticipation and good use of the stu- dent team structure to create a com-

petitive atmosphere as well as encourage creativity via a sand sculpture contest. The winning team was Seafoam with their recre- ation of the NSO Panther logo, though a mention did go out to the Flaming Devils for their sculpture

of their name sake. There was also a water relay race and other general activities.

Upon return to the campus, there was a break in the events to allow for some recuperation (at least officially). Early in the evening, the groups met up again at the Chi Wan Young Sports Center for the Playfair event, an organized ice breaking session that further strengthened the ties within teams as well as those with other groups. The incredibly strong relationships between teams was one key ele- ment of the success of NSO 2003, and through an atmosphere of openness and friendly competition

they worked together well.

Sunday evening was a real treat, even for those not actually participating in the event. The NSO game show this year was a strange combination of the popular reality wee IV shows "Dog Eat » Dog" and "Fear Factor". Some truly bizarre food items and combinations were ingested by the participants, though nothing that fell out of the category of actual food. It was more the time limits and combinations in which the items were ingested that created the chal- lenge. A major high- light of the show, and one that is still being talked about, was Pete Grandy of the Mighty Ducks' eating a Wendy's combo (complete with drink and condiments) that had been mixed together in a blender and made into a shake. Tyler Lelacheur of the Silver Bullets was the eventual winner of the evening though, wolfing down the most pie plates of whipped cream in a spe- cific time limit for the final round.

Monday morning was com- posed of mock lectures to give new students a taste of what their class- es would be like. Also provided was information on various aspects of university life, as well as a chance to see what societies and special interest groups would be available throughout the school year. The afternoon was composed of the Amazing Race, with each team moving from station to station and completing a variety of tasks, each one providing a different chal-