[img_inline align=”right” src=”http://padnws01.mcmaster.ca/images/SOCS-Wday.jpg” caption=”SOCS students, (L to R) Jacquie Grose, Lisa Diiorio, Nina Bloxam and Sophie Khuon meet and greet campus visitors in the square outside the student centre. Photo credit: Deborah McIvor”]It's a beautiful, sunny day at McMaster and a multitude of incoming first year students and their families are here to explore and learn more about what we have to offer.

A group of McMaster's Maroons, the social or 'spirit' club, which supports student event participation, welcomes new students at their information display in MUSC. Photo credit: D. McIvor

Smiling faces of current students wearing orange, blue or maroon jumpsuits welcome visitors and help them find their way around. Students from the various clubs and societies such as SOCS (Society of Off-Campus students), the Maroons, MES(McMaster Engineering Society) and SOC SCI (Social Sciences Society) pepper the campus with their vibrant shades, ready and willing to discuss everything from student life to buying textbooks.

Folks from the Centre for Student Development and Career Services smile for the camera at the info fair in MUSC. (L to R) Eileen Pineeda,administrative support of disability services, Ashley Thompson, 5th year English/Theatre Studies, CSD Director, Desmond Pouyat and Patrick Burek, career counsellor. Photo credit: D. McIvor

From a distance you can see a tent outside of the student centre (MUSC) set up by Titles Bookstore to assist students with information and offer prizes such as an iPod from the Microcomputer Centre or a $200 gift card to help with the cost of getting those first year textbooks. The bookstore has even created a new website at http://banana.mcmaster.ca/ custom designed to provide timely information to 'first years'.

McMaster Marauders don their football jerseys and gather at Title's Xbox display for some friendly competition. L to R: Jesse Card (5th year, Psychology), Justin Vince (2nd year, Theatre & Film Studies) and Matt Gibbons (5th year, Geography). Photo credit: D. McIvor

The tent is also a shelter from the sun for computer representatives who are on hand to advise parents and students of the technology they can choose to support their studies. The biggest draw, however, is the Xbox display. Several folks, including a few in the familiar maroon-coloured football jerseys were enjoying some interactive sports this morning on the popular games console, which is now available for purchase in Titles Microcomputer Centre.

From information booths in the student centre to sessions helping students plan for success at University, the day has clearly drawn a large crowd of interested new members of the McMaster community.