First week back
First week back McGill University
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When school starts up it's always a bit of a shock to those who have been here all summer. Who are all these people? What are they doing here? The sudden influx of new faces and crackle of increased energy on campus are dizzying. Then before you know it, you're swept up in the excitement, contemplating the myriad possibilities of the year ahead.
Frosh frivolities on lower campus were certainly the showiest. There were alternative frosh activities off campus, such as tours of Montreal's different neighbourhoods and public markets. Graduate students are still engaging in welcome-back events up at the Post-Graduate Students' Society's Thomson House. New professors had an orientation day of their own at the Faculty Club, where Principal Heather Munroe-Blum welcomed them. They also listened to various deans and vice-principals talk about the lay of McGill land, and perused tables set out by different services at the university.
Although beer certainly played a role in frosh activities, The Princeton Review's 2004 edition of The Best 351 Colleges, quotes a student as saying "unlike American schools, McGill doesn't have a binge drinking problem." Probably has something to do with our university being #9 in the "Great College Towns" category -- students are exposed to a wide variety of extra-curricular fun.
The Princeton Review quotes one student, "I've met people from six continents now, and most of my friends are at least bilingual, if not trilingual." McGill ranked #1 in the demographic category "Students from Different Backgrounds Interact" and #12 in "Diverse Student Population." In the category of "Class Discussions Rare," McGill was #7, no doubt connected to the classes having unwieldy numbers of students in them (because of a lack of funds, not will, it's acknowledged). Yet the professors are deemed professional, helpful and "hugely entertaining."
Unfortunately, red tape still wends its way around us all. McGill makes the top ten at #8 in "Long Lines and Red Tape."
The Open Air Pub provided live music and other entertainment.
Owen Egan
Not rain, nor hail, nor sleet, nor snow can dampen the sprit of a true McGill student. Having entered one of the most prestigious universities in Canada doesn't mean they all know to bring an umbrella.
Claudio Calligaris
Students prepare for the competitive classroom through tests of physical skill during Frosh Week.
Claudio Calligaris
Frosh and returning students alike socialize at the Open Air Pub near the Three Bares.
Owen Egan
Staffer Dan Crouse, (left) joins PhD student Dana Wilson and MSc student Ian Haase (all from the Department of Geography), at the Post-Graduate Students' Society cider-tasting event, September 5.
Owen Egan
Amanda Zaharchuk and Jenny Shea meet and form a lasting bond of friendship through combat on lower field.
Owen Egan
Jill Barker (assistant manager, recreation and fitness, left) and psychology professor Caroline Palmer chat at the services fair during the New Faculty Orientation in the Faculty Club, September 2.
Owen Egan
In the late nineties, McGill was experiencing a net loss of professors, but starting in 2000, the annual hires have far outstripped the departures (104 to 66 that year, 100 to 69 in 2001, and 110 to 42 for the calendar year of 2002). The most recent numbers show that from September, 2002, until September, 2003, McGill has hired 121 new faculty.
Groundskeeper Norm Lefebvre tends to the sprinkler on lower campus.
Owen Egan
