[img_inline align=”right” src=”http://padnws01.mcmaster.ca/images/handshake_07.jpg” caption=”Shaking hands with university administrators, including President Peter George, is an annual tradition for first-year students. Photo by Susan Bubak.”]Starting this weekend, more than 5,000 first-year students will begin the next phase of their lives at McMaster University. Welcome Week begins Saturday, Aug. 30 as students move into residence over the long weekend, making McMaster their home away from home.

More than 1,000 Welcome Week reps will guide new students and help make the transition to university as smooth as possible. Students will be introduced to their faculties, residences and off-campus societies while making new friends and meeting their future classmates.

“Welcome Week is a great time to have fun, but also a great way to get involved in both the McMaster community as well as the Hamilton community,” said Elizabeth Leal, a fourth-year English student and Welcome Week rep for the Faculty of Humanities. “Welcome Week is not only a week of orientation for first-year students, but it is also a week where students can start to develop their identity at McMaster.”

The IRIS drama production is one of many events designed to prepare students for the academic and social side of university life. Written and performed by McMaster students, IRIS, which stands for Inspiration, Reflection, Integrity and Success, will deliver important messages about inclusivity and community using comedy and music. Performances will be held on Sunday, Aug. 31 and Monday, Sept. 1

On the academic side, students will have the opportunity to meet professors and faculty advisors from each program during faculty day activities on Tuesday, Sept. 2. Students will also learn more about campus services and resources that will help them on their post-secondary journey.

The annual tradition of shaking hands with McMaster President Peter George, Provost Ilene Busch-Vishniac and Phil Wood, associate vice-president (academic) and dean of students will take place at the Edwards Arch on Tuesday.

The McMaster Students Union will host several events on Wednesday, Sept. 3, including Clubsfest, Airbands and the PJ Parade, where pajama-clad students will walk through Westdale to get to know the community and introduce themselves to their new neighbours.

They will also collect donations for Shinerama, a fundraising event for cystic fibrosis research. Shinerama activities continue on Saturday, Sept. 6, when students will be out in the community shining everything from cars to shoes for donations. During the closing ceremonies on Sunday, Sept. 7, the spirit cup will be awarded to the faculty that demonstrated the most school spirit.

As in past years, McMaster University and the McMaster Students Union are jointly funding special duty police officers to help ensure a successful start to the academic year. These officers will be in addition to the regular police and bylaw enforcement contingent that regularly patrols the campus community.

Stay tuned to the Daily News for more stories and photos about Welcome Week activities.