Frequently Asked Questions
ORIENTATION FAQs
1. What is Orientation?
Orientation is a week full of fun and informative activities that gives first year students the opportunity to meet new people and learn about the Ryerson community, campus, services and facilities.
2. What is the difference between each Orientation?
Academic Orientations are specific to each program and are typically mandatory information sessions. Engineering, Commerce and Residence also have their own “froshs” that are only open to students in those programs. There is also Ryerson Orientation: LEGACY 2012 run by RU Student Life that is free and open to all incoming first year students.
3. When is Orientation Week?
August 27th – 31st 2012 (the week before classes start)
4. How do I register?
a) Commerce Frosh (RCS) – Registration is online here: http://frosh.rcsonline.ca/
b) Ryerson Orientation: LEGACY 2012, registration takes place every day at 11AM on Gould Street.
5. Do I have to pay for Orientation?
a) Ryerson Orientation: LEGACY 2012 events are free for all students!
b) Engineering, Commerce and Residence orientations have some paid events (see websites for details).
6. What do I wear?
Wear comfortable clothes appropriate for indoor and outdoor events! Please be aware that Orientation week tends to be warm! For the Welcome Gala on Thursday August 30th, you are encouraged to dress up in semi-formal attire (Change rooms and lockers at the Ryerson Athletic Centre will be available).
7. Can I bring my friends or family?
Unfortunately, Orientation is only for incoming Ryerson students. This is to ensure that you will have the opportunity to connect with the Ryerson community and find a place within it.
8. Is Orientation mandatory? What happens if I miss Orientation or some Orientation events?
a) Some Academic Orientations are mandatory (see calendar). If you are unable to attend your Academic Orientation, contact your Program Department to find out any important information.
b) Residence Orientation is not mandatory for all students living in Residence, but highly encouraged.
c) All other non-academic Orientation’s are not mandatory. As much as we encourage attending everything, if you miss registration or some of the Orientation events, don’t worry! You can always join in at any time. Just check the schedule posted on the website to find the location of each event.
9. Are my friends allowed to stay in residence during Orientation week?
Unfortunately there is a strict policy against non-residence students staying in residence overnight during Orientation week. We have a no overnight guest policy in order for you to fully experience Residence Orientation.
10. If my academic orientation doesn’t start until Tuesday or Wednesday, can I still participate in O-week activities?
Yes, you are encouraged to come out to as many events as you can! If you have any downtime, check the Ryerson Orientation: LEGACY 2012 schedule and find out what’s going on.
11. Where can I find out information about my Academic Orientation?
Everything you need to know about Academic Orientations can be found here: http://studentlife.ryerson.ca/academic-orientations/
12. Is my academic orientation mandatory?
Academic Orientations are mandatory varying by program (see calendar). You are, however, expected to attend if you would like to know more about your specific program and stay informed about the next few years of your life. If you are unable to attend your mandatory Academic Orientation, contact your Program Department.
13. How do I know which orientation to attend? (i.e I live in Residence and I am a business student)
a) Only Academic Orientations are typically mandatory, so you can leave the Residence Orientation or any other non-academic orientation in order to attend your Academic Orientation.
b) Commerce Frosh has a limited number of spots – if you are unable to confirm a paid spot, you are welcome to attend Ryerson Orientation: LEGACY 2012!
14. If I miss Registration in the morning, can I still participate in Orientation activities?
Yes. You can still come to the events, but registration grants you a free lunch as well as information about the rest of the week’s events. Look for a Ryerson Orientation Crew member (Yellow shirts) to register late and/or to join a group!
15. What is the difference between Orientation Week and Week of Welcome?
While Orientation Week takes place during August 27th – August 31st, The Ryerson Student’s Union organizes a Week of Welcome during the first week of school (September 4th – 7th).
16. Help! I am lost! Who do I talk to?
The Ryerson Orientation Team (blue shirts) as well as the Ryerson Orientation Crew (Yellow shirts) will be around campus all throughout Orientation week, so don’t be afraid to ask them any questions! You can also ask online on the RU Student Life Facebook, @RUStudentLife on Twitter, the Student Information Desk in POD61 or @askmeRU
ACADEMIC & ENROLLMENT FAQs
17. I have a class ending at 11am and then a class right after in a building across campus that starts at 11am! I am going to be late?!
Classes officially begin 10 minutes after the time listed on your schedule in order to accommodate travelling time. (i.e. 11:10am)
18. I will be attending Ryerson as a First Year student; I can log in to my.ryerson.ca with my student number but I cannot access my RMail. Can you please activate my RMail?
You will not have access to an RMail account until you are matriculated into RAMSS. Once you are matriculated into the system (this is the process where your profile changes from applicant to student) you will be required to select a user name to sign into Blackboard and RMail. You will then have access to your RMail (mail.ryerson.ca) and login with the user name selected.
19. When is the deadline to pay my tuition? Do I have to pay in full for Fall and Winter?
Full payment of undergraduate tuition fees for the Fall 2012/Winter 2013 academic year is due September 7, 2012.
Additional information about full fees is available at Fees & Finances
Students may also refer to the Approval Guide-What and When to Pay
20. Can I defer my tuition fee? If so, what is the procedure for deferring my tuition fee?
Students who choose to defer payment of all or part of their Winter 2013 undergraduate tuition fees until after September 28 will be assessed a $70 deferral fee. Late fees of 1.25% (16.08% effective annual rate) will be charged on unpaid Fall 2012 undergraduate tuition fees as of September 8, 2012 and on unpaid Winter 2013 undergraduate tuition fees as of January 7, 2013.
Additional information about full fees is available at Fees & Finances
Students may also refer to the Approval Guide-What and When to Pay
21. What is an Enrollment Appointment? What do I have to do during my Enrollment Appointment?
Your Enrollment Appointment is an online appointment through RAMSS. Your appointment is the period which will enable you to make changes to your schedule (add/swap/drop).
22. How do I make an OSAP appointment?
More information on how to book your appointment for OSAP pick-up can be found at Financial Aid For inquiries related to appointment booking, please email: bookappt@gwemail.ryerson.ca
23. If my tuition is due, but I haven’t gotten my OSAP yet, what do I do?
Please speak to Student Fees directly at POD 64 or at 416.979.5136 to see if there is a special arrangement that can be made.
24. Where do I get my OneCard?
During Orientation week you can pick up your OneCard from Kerr Hall West 73 (lower gym). Be sure to submit your application in advance to speed up the process. Information and online applications can be found at http://www.ryerson.ca/onecard/gettingthecard/pickuptimes.html
25. If I have any other questions, whom do I contact?
Orientation Questions:
@RUStudentLife
orientation@ryerson.ca
416-979-5000 ext. 2580
All other Questions:
@AskmeRU
416-979-5187
studentinfo@ryerson.ca
Podium Building Lower Ground floor (POD-61)
