Day ONE: Welcome to Campus is a part of your UFV Student Orientation experience! Connect with peers in your incoming class, get to know your Faculty of study, meet UFV departments and services, and find out how to join student clubs and associations on the first day of your first semester at UFV.
Who can attend?
The Day ONE: Welcome to Campus event, offered through the UFV Student Orientation program, is only available to current, registered UFV students beginning their studies in the Winter 2023 academic semester.
If you're not a new UFV student just starting your studies this semester, visit the the New UFV Students webpage to find Student Orientation resources and events available to all UFV students!
Event size
Historically, there has been between 700-1,200 students in attendance at the Fall semester event, and between 300 - 500 students in attendance at the Winter semester event. If there is anything the Orienatation team can do to make you feel more comfortable at this large-scale event, please let us know in the Accessibility accommodations field of the event RSVP form.
Accessibility
The UFV Orientation team strives to create an inclusive tour experience for students of all abilities and backgrounds. If you have any accessibility needs that you would like our team to accommodate, simply include them on your online booking form when you RSVP to this event.
All event areas are wheelchair accessible, and have a variety of seating options for students to choose from. Live captioning will be provided during the Invocation ceremony. Although this is a large event, students can find calm and quiet spaces to participate in activities, or to simply take a break from noise and other people when you need it.
The Orientation team will do our best to meet all accessibility requests submitted at least 5 business days in advance via the online event RSVP form. If you would like to make a change to your request, or submit a new request, please reach out to Orientation@ufv.ca and our team will do our best to make arrangements to meet your needs.
Where to meet
This event takes place at the UFV Abbotsford campus location (33844 King Road, Abbotsford, BC, Canada V2S 7M8).
For event check-in, meet the Orientation team in the lobby of Building S (also known as the Student Union building, or the SUB). UFV staff and student volunteers will be waiting at Building S to check you in, and help you find your seat for the Invocation ceremony.
Don't know your way around campus yet? Take a look at this map of the UFV Abbotsford Campus, or use this google maps navigation link.
Parking & transportation options
Parking
Parking is free for any new students attending the Day ONE event at the Abbotsford campus on the first day of the upcoming semester. Please note that all UFV parking lots are pay parking throughout the rest of the semester.
The easiest parking lot to access will be Student Parking Lot 10, which is closest to the Gillis Avenue entrance.
Select parking stalls are available for electric vehicle charging. Please note that these parking stalls have a time limit, and you may be required to move your vehicle to a new space after that time limit has expired.
Visit the UFV parking webpage to view a map of student parking locations, and electric vehicle charging stations.
Campus Shuttle
For students looking for transportation options to and from Chilliwack, the UFV-SUS Campus Shuttle will be in operation on September 3rd with an adapted schedule. For the most up-to-date information on Campus Shuttle arrival/departure times, visit the Student Union Society website.
Parking at the UFV Chilliwack campus is free on this day for new students taking the shuttle to the Abbotsford campus location.
Public Transportation
For students choosing to take public transit, take a look at the BC Transit website to find out more about Fraser Valley bus routes, schedules and stops that will take you to the Abbotsford campus location.
Please note that the BC Transit system serves the Fraser Valley only. Students living in Metro Vancouver (e.g. Langley, Surrey, Coquitlam etc.) will need to visit the Translink website to find public transportation options that will first connect them to the Fraser Valley.
Food options
During this event, participants will be provided with light snacks, and a pizza dinner in the evening. The Orientation team works to provide a range of food options for students with varying dietary needs and restrictions. Additional options for food purchase on campus that will also be availble include Tim Horton's, and the Fairgrounds cafe.
If you have a dietary restriction that you would like our team to accommodate, simply indicate your food restrictions your online booking form when you RSVP to this event.
We encourage students with specific dietary requirements to RSVP 10 days in advance to give us time to adapt our menu to best suit your needs.
What to bring
Day ONE activities will take place both outside and inside buildings on campus. Bring what you need to be comfortable sitting and navigating/walking the campus for 3-6 hours, and be prepared for the weather. Here's what we suggest:
- Since you will spend time both indoors, and outside on the UFV Abbotsford campus, you are advised to wear comfortable, weather-appropriate clothing and footwear.
- If you're planning on getting your campus card, bring your government issued photo ID and prepare to be picture ready!
- Bringing your own reusable water bottle to help save on waste. Show your bottle at check-in, and be entered to win a prize!
- Consider bringing a phone or digital device that can access the internet to participate* in online activities
- Light snacks and pizza dinner will be provided!
Getting your campus card & u-pass
While you’re on campus for this event, you may be able to get your Student ID card (campus card) and u-pass sticker.
Given that this is a large-scale event, lineups may be quite long. If you don't need your u-pass or campus card for access to public transportation or Municipal Recreation Centres, you can stop by the Campus Card office and SUS office any time during the semester, and avoid the lineups.
UFV Campus Card
If you are currently registered in at least 1 course for the Fall semester, and would like to get your campus card before the start of classes, you should plan to be photo ready, bring one piece of government photo ID, have your UFV student number ready. Check the campus card website to find out their hours of operation and more information, and plan to be picture ready!
SUS U-pass
For students who plan on using BC Transit or municipal recreation centres in Abbotsford, Mission, and Chilliwack, you may also be able to get your u-pass sticker from the Student Union Society before the start of classes. Check the SUS u-pass website to find out their hours of operation, and more information.
Textbooks from the UFV Bookstore
Some instructors publish their list of course materials in advance so students can purchase their course textbooks and other items before the start of classes. You can look up the materials list for each of your courses by visiting the UFV Bookstore website. Many students also choose to purchase their materials directly from the UFV bookstore.
Currently, the bookstore is open for in-person browsing and purchasing, and will also accept online purchase orders with assigned pickup times. If you plan on buying your course materials from the bookstore via online order, consider arranging a pickup for a time that doesn't interfere with Day ONE event activities.
Friends, family & supporters
Please note that this event is for students only. Guests are not permitted to accompany students to this event. If you have friends, family, or supporters who would like to attend a UFV campus, please visit the Future Students website to book a campus tour.
Campus safety protocols
On the day of this event, before coming to campus, please complete a Self-Assessment Health Check. If you are experiencing any covid symptoms, please choose to stay home.
All UFV events follow current PHO and University health and safety guidelines. For more information on UFV's return-to-campus plan and COVID-19 protocols, please visit UFV’s Coming to Campus webpage.
