8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
InfoResidence Move-In Day
South Village & Simcoe Village welcome you home.
📍 Residences
September 4 – 7, 2026
Welcome to Ridgeback country.
Four days of new friends, faculty pride, ridiculous games, and one very competitive goose. Your university chapter starts here.
4
days of fun
20+
events
1
Great Goose Trophy
∞
new friends
The plan
Your weekend, hour by hour
Tap a day to explore. Times are draft and subject to a sprinkle of last-minute magic.
September 4 · 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM
🏠 Pre-Orientation & Move-In
9 events
- 9:00 AM – 12:00 PMCeremony
Welcome to the Residence
Hosted by Academic Advising & Residence — for students, families and supporters.
📍 Residences - 9:00 AM – 12:00 PMInfo
International Orientation
Hosted by International Student Services. All international students (grad & undergrad).
📍 BIT 2080 / Mezz - 12:00 – 12:45 PMFood
Pizza Lunch 🍕
International students.
- 12:45 – 2:00 PMCeremony
New Student Welcome: Getting Settled
All undergraduate students (except MTPS).
- 12:45 – 2:00 PMInfo
Parent & Supporter Session
For residence parents and supporters.
- 12:45 – 2:00 PMInfo
SGPS Graduate Student Orientation
📍 SCI 1350 - 12:45 – 2:00 PMInfo
Mature, Transfer & Pathway Session
📍 SCI 1140 - 2:00 – 3:00 PMPlay
Service Fair & Lawn Games
All students — booths, games and good vibes on the lawn.
Don't miss
The moments people will be talking about all year.
🪿
Wild Goose Chase
Compete for the legendary Great Goose Trophy across faculty challenges all weekend.
🏀
Ridgeback Spirit Hype-Up
Axe throwing, pickleball, ping pong, and the 3-point contest. Bring your A-game.
🎤
Karaoke on Main Stage
Hosted by the OTSU — sing your song, cheer your friends, make memories.
⛸️
Blades, Bites & Brainpower
Skating, snacks and a high-energy trivia showdown at the Campus Ice Centre.
🎬
Outdoor Movie Night
Stars overhead, popcorn in hand, a brand-new movie under the September sky.
🚌
Activate Pickering
A high-adrenaline field trip with interactive game rooms that react in real time.
Good to know
Quick answers
Do I need to register?+
Yes! Make sure you've registered through your student portal so we have your t-shirt size and dietary needs covered.
What should I wear?+
Your free faculty t-shirt (handed out at Saturday check-in), comfy shoes for lots of walking, and something warm for the outdoor movie night.
Is food provided?+
We've got you for 5 meals — Friday lunch (residence/international), Saturday breakfast/lunch/dinner, Sunday BBQ dinner, and Monday brunch.
Can my family come?+
Absolutely! There are dedicated parent & supporter sessions on Friday. The rest of the weekend is for students to dive in.
What if I need a quiet moment?+
Visit the Zen Den (SHA 133) on Saturday and Sunday — a soft space to regroup, recharge and reconnect.