Guide for New Students
Welcome! This guide has been created to assist new students to the University of Calgary during their move to the city in the hopes that we can help make the process easier and, hopefully, save our incoming students a bit of money.
- Orientation Week
- Housing
- Transit & Parking
- Hotels & The Airport
- Cost of Living
- Murray Fraser Hall
- What to Expect
- Student Union Services and Campus Card Info.
- Got More Questions?
Orientation Week
Note: All event times/dates and sponsorship are tentative and subject to change and are currently being finalized with Faculty, Career Services, Student Services, Student Legal Assistance, and our sponsors from previous years.
Saturday, September 4th.
Kinball
6:00pm to 9:00pm
Sponsored by: Join us for an opportunity to meet your classmates (and the upper year students) before Orientation officially begins. The event is plus 1 friendly and proceeds will be returned to students in the form of Unviersity Bookstore Gift Certificates. Try out the "sport" - no athletic ability required.
McLeod and Company
The even will be held at the Hillhurst Sunnyside Community Association located at 1320 5th Avenue NW.
Tuesday, September 7th.
Check-In, Welcome, Pictures, and Locker Assignments
8:30am to 12:00pm
Greetings from the Dean, SLS President, and details about the upcoming week.
Welcome Lunch
12:00pm to 1:00pm
Sponsored by: After the introductions, the standing in line for photos, and the logistics that are locker assignments... is it time for that break? BLG has sponsored a delicious lunch which will be hosted right outside the main doors of Murray Fraser Hall and will provide everyone an opportunity to get to know each other and talk about the day that's been.
Borden Ladner Gervais LLP
Student Legal Assistance
1:00pm to 2:30pm
Sponsored by: Student Legal Assistance Recruitment.
Student Legal Assistance
Mutual Expectations and Campus Tour
2:30pm to 3:30pm
We will break-out into smaller groups with upper year students and professors to discuss the immediate expectations of faculty, tips and tricks as to how to prepare for class, and some insight into clubs and committees.
Den Reception
3:30pm - 5:30pm
Sponsored by: After a hectic day, what better way to unwind than on the patio (whether permitting) of 'The Den', the campus pub that will soon become one of your favourite hangouts. MacPherson Leslie & Tyerman LLP has generously agreed to foot the tab for drinks and appetizers at the Den from 3:30pm after your campus tour. It will be a great way to relax and meet some of your new classmates in an informal setting.
MacPherson Leslie & Tyerman LLP
Wednesday, September 8th.
Welcome Breakfast
11:30am - 1:00pm
Sponsored by: Come join the team from Stikeman Elliott for the annual Welcome Breakfast. Please join us outside Murray Fraser Hall for a hot "stampede-style" breakfast and a chance to meet representatives from one of Canada's leading law firms.
Stikeman Elliott
Classes Begin
Please check the Official Faculty of Law Website for your Course Schedule by clicking here.
Welcome BBQ
5:45pm - 6:450pm
Sponsored by: Start the school year off right by attending the annual Welcome Barbeque. This is a great opportunity to come and hang out with new friends during a casual afternoon. The food has been generously sponsored by Scotiabank and Fasken Martineau, which should allow students to redirect some of their food budget to other more important areas during the first day of school.
Fasken Martineau
and
Scotiabank
Thursday, September 9th.
Pro Bono Event
12:00pm - 2:00pm
Sponsored by: 
Pro Bono Law Alberta/Pro Bono Students Canada
&
Career Services - Faculty of Law
This event is your opportunity to learn all about the 2010 - 2011 Pro Bono Students Canada program at the University of Calgary, and to join a group of individuals dedicated to providing legal services for 'the public good'.
Join PBSC Calgary for lunch, hear from past and current PBSC volunteers about their experiences with the organization, learn about projects planned for the upcoming year and what you need to do to join PBSC to volunteer on some amazing projects.
Finishing off the PBSC Calgary launch will be the Honourable Chief Justice Wittmann of the Court of Queen's Bench of Alberta, who will speak about the importance of Pro Bono work in the legal profession.
Find out more from the PBSC Facebook Event Page.
Canadian Bar Association Reception
3:15pm - 5:00pm (First Years)
4:50pm - 6:30pm (Upper Years)
Sponsored by: Details yet to be released.
Canadian Bar Association
Friday, September 10th.
Softball
2:00pm - 5:00pm
Sponsored by: Gowlings and Gruman Law are co-sponsoring the Orientation Softball Game at Optimist Athletic Park (26th Avenue SW). Come out for the chance to meet and greet with lawyers and articling students from Gowlings, Gruman Law and other Calgary firms, and of course to get to know 2nd and 3rd year students. Be sure to bring a softball glove if you have one!
Gowlings Lafleur Henderson LLP/S.E.N.C.R.L.
and
Gruman Law
Meet Your Learned Friend
7:00pm
Sponsored by: Appetizers and drinks will be provided, thanks to FMC, at this party where you'll get to meet your learned friend. This person can be a life-saver - they'll give you CANS, advice, tell you where to buy the best lunches on campus, tell you about volunteer opportunities, share information about professors, direct you to Calgary's cheap wings & drinks, answer you questions, and will introduce you to others. It's a great chance to relax, meet some new people and have fun. The event takes place at Sky Bar (Saltlik Downtown).
Fraser Milner Casgrain
Tuesday, September 14th.
Bowling at Shanks
6:30pm - 9:00pm
Sponsored by: Available for all first year students at Shanks Crowfoot. A local Sports Bar with a bowling alley inside the bar. Field has generously provided appetizers, prizes, and more. Bring your game faces and talcum powder ladies and gents!
Field Law
Thursday, September 16th.
Clubs Day and SLS Promotions
12:00pm - 1:00pm
Sponsored by: Clubs Day will be held in the SLS Lounge in Murray Fraser Hall. This is an opportunity to get involved in any number of the Law School groups, including the Environmental Club, the Year Book, and numberous SLS Committees. You will also have a chance to learn about the SLS, meet the executive, and decide if you would like to run to be either the First Year or First Year Events Representative.
Society of Law Students
Friday, September 17th.
Golf Tournament
Sponsored by: Want to sepnd a day networking in the best of settings? Sign up for the Faculty of Law Golf Tournament, sponsored by Burnet, Duckworth, & Palmer LLP and held at the beautiful Glen Eagles Golf Course. This is a great opportunity to relax after your first few weeks of law school. The golf tournament is always a hit with students and lawyers alike. Don't forget to bring your clubs (although rentals are available). Sign up information to follow.
Burnet, Duckworth & Palmer
Friday, October 1st.
Dinner and Dance
Sponsored by: The Blake's Dinner and Dance has been re-formated and will follow the Career Fair and will be held downtown at the Seven Restolounge. Tickets will be limited! Details forthcoming.
Blakes, Cassels and Graydon LLP
Saturday, October 2nd.
Western Canadian Men's/Women's Rugby Championships
12:00pm
The University of Calgary takes on their rival schools (UBC and U of A) in a "friendly" rugby tournament hosted, this year, in Edmonton (St. Albert's to be precise). The Canadian Western Law Rugby Championships take place at the St. Albert Rugby Football Club located at 51 Riel Drive St. Albert, which is about 20-30 min drive from downtown Edmonton (St. Albert Rugby Football Club on Google Maps).