Thousands of new USC students will start Semester 1 with a bang as Orientation Week kicks off at USC’s Sippy Downs campus next week.

USC’s newest cohort will enjoy a full program of live music, information sessions, social activities, market stalls and entertainment from Monday 20 February to Friday 24 February.

About 4,500 new students are expected to start classes across USC’s campuses from Monday 27 February, out of a total enrolment of 13,600 expected in Week 1.

The biggest ‘Orientation to USC’ crowds are expected on Tuesday 21 February, which will begin at 9am with an official welcome from Vice-Chancellor Professor Greg Hill and a commencing class of 2017 group photo.

This event will include the launch of USC’s new Reconciliation Action Plan, a three-year strategy that sets out the University’s commitments to helping Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students achieve success.

Stalls showcasing USC’s range of student groups, clubs and societies will open from 9.30am, while a free lunch, entertainment and a Quidditch match will be held from noon.

Tours of the campus, USC’s ‘The Green Place’ and the library will run throughout Tuesday 21 February.

On Thursday 23 February, Student Guild Day will include a tree planting event from 8.30am, as well as a ‘speed friending’ event to get new students mixing and mingling.

New International students also will attend an Orientation event at the Innovation Centre on campus from 9am on Monday 20 February.

Professor Hill encouraged new students to attend Orientation. “It is a great way for students to become familiar with the campus, interact with other new students and prepare themselves for a great year of university,” he said.

— Gen Kennedy