snowy campus and Tier Building

Winter Welcome

To help you get ready for the start of Winter term

For information on International Centre orientation and events, visit their Orientation web page.

The University of Manitoba is strongly committed to equity and diversity. Accessibility accommodations and/or disability related supports are available for all events. Contact student_accessibility@umanitoba.ca or call 204-474-7423.

Get Ready to Register

Get Ready to Register for Winter is intended to help students make good decisions about choosing courses, creating a timetable and registering for courses. In this session, we’ll cover some key differences to starting university in the Winter term, instead of in Fall. We’ll guide you through the process, so you’ll feel confident making choices that work for you.

January 6, 2023 Welcome Day

Join us for an event on campus that was designed just for YOU! Take in helpful information sessions, get to know other students through fun activities and enjoy a free lunch. 

Be sure to register for Welcome Day. You will receive an email and a text to your mobile phone indicating the correct classroom you need to report to for 9:00 a.m. on January 6, 2023. If you do not have a working mobile phone and do not get an email, please report to the following rooms, divided based on your surname:

  • Surname First Letters A to J | Room 200 Fletcher Argue Building
  • Surname First Letters K to R | Room 206 Tier Building
  • Surname First Letters S to Z | Room 306 Tier Building

We're looking forward to meeting you! Here's what we have planned:

Welcome Day | Friday, January 6, 2023

9 a.m. CST | Check-in and Welcome Activities

Bring your WaitWell QR code to check in at your assigned Homeroom. Our friendly volunteers will be stationed around campus to help you find your Homeroom and settle in for the day. Helpful note: There is a lot of construction around campus right now, so it’s a good idea to give yourself some extra time to find parking.

9:30 a.m. CST | Fun Welcome Activities

Our team of upper-years students are excited to welcome you with some fun activities that will introduce you to other new students!

10 a.m. CST | First Six Weeks: Your Guide to a Successful First Term 

Did you know that the first six weeks of university are crucial to your success? Research shows that many university students across the world drop out after six weeks. That’s why we’re sharing our guide to the first six weeks with you. It’s based on research but it’s full of practical tips that you can use right away. This session will give you an understanding of the challenges that students often face and how to prepare yourself to meet those challenges. You can do it!

11:15 a.m. CST | Study Smarter, Not Harder: How to study at University

Study skills need to be tailored to your specific courses and other commitments. There is no one-size fits all approach. That’s okay, though – we will teach you how to get started and share all of the awesome campus resources that are here to support you. Did you know your tuition fees have already paid for access to trained tutors? You will learn about tutoring services and more in this session.

12 p.m. CST | Lunch provided in UMSU University Centre (second floor)

It wouldn’t be a great event without some free food! Join us for a catered lunch in the UMSU University Centre building. You won’t want to miss out!

1 p.m. CST | Coping with Change: Developing a Solid Self-Care Routine

Starting university is a huge change no matter what you were doing before. It is absolutely crucial to develop a solid self-care routine in order to be a well-rounded person and a successful student. In this session, you will learn some practical tips and about all of the ways that UM services can help you support your well-being and get you through all of the changes you’re facing.

2 p.m. CST | Campus Tours 

Whether you’re interested in a self-guided tour to find your classrooms or you’re looking for a more general tour of key student services, we’ve got you covered. You’ll love getting to the know the campus and you’ll feel so much more relaxed before your first day of classes.

UM Essentials

UM Essentials is intended to help you prepare for your studies at the University of Manitoba. This 8-module course will:

  • Introduce you to offices at the University and the services and resources they offer.
  • Provide you with practice using UM Learn, where you will access most of your courses
  • Help you learn about and connect with communities at the University.

All first year students must complete UM Essentials.

After complete UM Essentials you will be able to:

  • Explain your rights and responsibilities as a new student joining the University of Manitoba community.
  • Locate resources for navigating all areas of life as a new student.
  • Identify and implement strategies for effective online learning.
  • Summarize expectations for academic work.
  • Recognize opportunities for personal skill development and community engagement.
  • Demonstrate proficiency in using UM Learn.

You will receive an email to your @myumanitoba.ca email when you have been enrolled in the course. Enrollments in UM Essentials will pause during the UM Holiday closure on December 23 and resume when the university re-opens on January 4, 2023. We will not be accessing our e-mails during this time as well.

Prizes

Completing UM Essentials will automatically enter you into a draw for UM Bookstore product prizes and a tuition prize. Check the Winter Welcome prizes section below for details.

Prizes

Prizes

UM Essentials Prizes: to receive a UM Essentials certificate of completion, you must:

  • Acquire all the module badges for completion of each module quiz; and
  • Complete reflection questions throughout the course.

Upon completion, you will get a notification that you have finished the course and can view or print the certificate of completion. Finishing the course by Friday, January 20, 2023 will also automatically enroll you into a draw for UM Bookstore prizes.

Tuition Draw Prize: completion of both Winter Welcome program offerings will grant you one entry for the Contest prize draw: 

  • Completion of UM Essentials (identified by receipt of your course completion certificate); and
  • Register for and participation in Winter Welcome Day activities on Friday January 6, 2023.

If you have met one or more of the criteria needs above by 11:59 p.m. (CST) on Friday, January 20, 2023, you will automatically be entered into the draw for the $500.00 tuition prize or UM branded sweatshirts from the UM Bookstore.

Prize rules and regulations

 

Prize rules and regulations
The UM Winter Welcome contest (the “Contest”) is open to first year University of Manitoba students who are residents of mainland North America (excluding Quebec) and who are enrolled in the UM Essentials course and Winter Welcome Day. The Contest shall be construed and evaluated according to applicable Canadian law. Void in whole or part where prohibited by law. Entry in this Contest constitutes acceptance of these Contest rules (the “Contest Rules”).

1. GENERAL ELIGIBILITY
The Contest is open only individuals 18 years or older at the time of entry who are students of the University of Manitoba and are located on mainland North America, excluding residents of the Province of Quebec, or students who are under the age of 18 who enter with the consent of a parent or guardian (“Eligible Participants”). This Contest is not open to employees of the University of Manitoba’s Student Engagement and Success Unit.

The University of Manitoba shall have the right at any time to require proof of identity and/or eligibility to participate in the Contest. Failure to provide such proof may result in disqualification. All personal and other information requested by and supplied to the University of Manitoba for the purpose of the Contest must be truthful, complete, accurate and in no way misleading. The University of Manitoba reserves the right, in its sole discretion; to disqualify any entrant should such an entrant at any stage supply untruthful, incomplete, inaccurate or misleading personal details and/or information.

2. AGREEMENT TO RULES
By participating in this Contest, the Contestant (“You”) (or, if entrant is a Minor, such Minor’s parent or legal guardian) agree to be fully unconditionally bound by these Rules, and You represent and warrant that You meet the eligibility requirements. In addition, You agree to accept the decisions of the University of Manitoba as final and binding as it relates to the content of this Contest.

3. CONTEST PERIOD
Contest Entries will be accepted online starting December 1, 2022 at 08:00 a.m. Central Standard Time (“CST”). The Contest closes on January 20, 2023 at 11:59 p.m. CST. For entry into the draw, you must complete UM Essentials and register for and participate in Winter Welcome Day.

4. HOW TO ENTER
There is no purchase necessary to enter the Contest. Enter using the method of entry outlined below. No entries will be accepted by any other means.
Prize Draw: completion of both Winter Welcome program offerings will grant you one entry the Contest’s prize draw:

  1. Completion of UM Essentials (identified by receipt of your course completion certificate);
  2. Register for and participate in Winter Welcome Day activities on Friday, January 6, 2023. 

If you have met the criteria needs above by 11:59 p.m. (CST) on Friday, January 20, 2023, you will automatically be entered into the draw for a $500.00 tuition prize or UM branded sweatshirts from the UM Bookstore.

The entry must fulfill all Contest requirements, as specified, to be eligible to win a prize. Entries that are incomplete or do not adhere to the rules or specifications may be disqualified at the sole discretion of the University of Manitoba Student Engagement and Success Unit.

You may not enter more times than indicated by using multiple email addresses, identities, or devices in an attempt to circumvent the rules. If You use fraudulent methods or otherwise attempt to circumvent the rules, your submission may be removed from eligibility at the sole discretion of University of Manitoba Student Engagement and Success.

5. CONSENT TO USE
By submitting the Entry, You understand, acknowledge and confirm that if you win, the University of Manitoba may choose to announce your name or publish your likeness on the University of Manitoba website as a Winner without further obligation or compensation of any kind to You.

6. WINNER SELECTION AND NOTIFICATION
Winners will be selected through a random draw under the supervision of the University of Manitoba Student Engagement and Success Office. The Winner(s) will be notified by email following their selection as a Winner(s). The University of Manitoba Student Engagement and Success Office shall have no liability for Winner’s failure to receive notices due to spam, junk e-mail or other security settings or for Winner’s provision of incorrect or otherwise non-functioning contact information.

If a Winner cannot be contacted, is ineligible, fails to claim the prize within 30 days from the time award notification was sent, or fails to timely return a completed and executed declaration and release as required, the prize may be forfeited and an alternate Winner selected. Receipt by Winner of the prize offered in this Contest is conditioned upon compliance with any and all federal, provincial, and local laws and regulations.

Each Tentative Prize Winner (or, if such Tentative Prize Winner is a Minor, such Minor’s parent or legal guardian) affirms they have read, understood and agreed to be bound by these Rules, grant all consents required and as contemplated by these Rules, and, in the event You win the Contest, authorize the University of Manitoba to broadcast, publish and disseminate Your name, likeness, voice, city of residence and biographical information in connection with any promotion, publicity, or news, entertainment and/or information purposes, without further consent and without compensation, and releasing the University of Manitoba, its affiliates, representatives, employees and agents from any and all liability of any kind whatsoever arising out of the Winner’s participation in the Contest and/or receipt and execution of any prize awarded.

7. PRIZES
The prizes are hereafter referred to as the “Prize(s)”. A Prize winner is hereafter referred to as a “Winner”. There is one (1) Tuition Prize available to be won, along with two (2) UM Bookstore products. The Winner(s) of the Contest may receive:

  • one (1) $500 credit towards their tuition at the University of Manitoba; or
  • one of two (2) hooded UM branded sweatshirts from the UM Bookstore.

The specifics of the Prize shall be solely determined by the University of Manitoba Student Engagement and Success. No cash or other prize substitution shall be permitted except at University of Manitoba Student Engagement and Success’ discretion. Prizes are non-transferable.

All expenses related to mailing or shipping to Winner will be the sole responsibility of the University of Manitoba Student Engagement and Success’ Office. Any and all other Prize-related expenses, including without limitation any and all federal, provincial, and/or local taxes, shall be the sole responsibility of Winner.

No substitution of Prize or transfer/assignment of Prize to others or request for the cash equivalent by Winner is permitted. Acceptance of Prize constitutes permission for the University of Manitoba Student Engagement and Success Office to use the Winner’s Entry for purposes of advertising and trade without further compensation, unless prohibited by law.

8. ODDS
The odds of winning depend on the number of eligible entries received.

9. LIMITATION OF LIABILITY
The University of Manitoba, its affiliates, representatives, employees, agents, insurers and assigns shall not be in any manner whatsoever be liable or responsible for theft, loss, technical malfunctions, computer and/or telephone network malfunctions, software problems, online traffic congestion, any human or computer generated error, which may in any manner affect the receipt of Contest entries, the notification of winners, the awarding or distribution of any prize under the Contest.

10. INDEMNIFICATION
By entering the Contest, entrant releases and holds the University of Manitoba, its affiliates, representatives, employees, agents, insurers, and assigns, harmless from any and all liability for any injuries, loss or damage of any kind to the entrant or any other person, including personal injury, death, or property damage, resulting in whole or in part, directly or indirectly, from acceptance, possession, use or misuse of any Prize, participation in the Contest, any breach of the Contest Rules, or in any Prize-related activity. The entrant agrees to fully indemnify Releases from any and all claims by third parties relating to the Contest, including without limitation any claims of infringement of rights to copyright, privacy and/or personality.

11. PRIVACY
The University of Manitoba will not be collecting any personal information of any kind during the Contest, other than to notify prizewinners and showcase winning images. This information will not be kept past the Contest finish.

12. GENERAL
If for any reason the online portion of this Contest is not capable of being completed as planned including, but not limited to computer virus, bugs, tampering, technical failures or other causes beyond the control of the University of Manitoba, the University of Manitoba reserves the right to cancel, suspend or modify the Contest.

The University of Manitoba, its affiliates, representatives, employees and agents assume no liability whatsoever for damage to any person, or to their computer or other property, arising from their actual or attempted participation in the Contest in any manner whatsoever, or in the awarding of any prize.