The first week of classes is my favourite time of the year. Our campuses are alive and buzzing with the very heart of the University of Calgary — our students. To each and every one, whether they’re returning with a degree in sight or starting a post-secondary journey, welcome. And a particularly warm welcome to those students in Calgary, or Canada, for the first time.
Across our campuses, students are renewing friendships and making new ones that will last a lifetime. Learning new skills and scholarship. Picking up where you left off or starting something new. Whether it’s your latest degree or the first of perhaps many, I wish you all the best and invite you to take full advantage of all the University of Calgary has to offer — in the classroom or lab, in our fitness facilities, in our clubs and associations, and in our Dinos Athletics teams.
We also offer extensive student supports, including a welcome centre, academic supports and mentorship, an ombuds office, wellness services, and sexual and gender-based violence prevention and support. In addition, we have a Women’s Resource Centre, an accessibility centre, and dedicated offices for Indigenous and international students.
Thank you to every student for choosing the University of Calgary to continue or begin your post-secondary studies. We are Canada’s entrepreneurial university. A place to start something, explore something, create something, all of which I hope you’ll do over the year ahead. I encourage you to be open to exchanging ideas and be curious about diverse perspectives and lived experiences.
I’d also like to acknowledge and thank our faculty and staff for all their work. The university prides itself on offering an outstanding student experience and it depends on you. From faculty preparing courses to those who work in admissions, groundskeepers, student housing staff, to those who keep the website running, our campuses secure and more, thank you for your scholarship, professionalism and dedication.
I hope the entire university community has had a good first week of classes and my very best for the year ahead.
Ed McCauley, PhD, FRSC
President and Vice-Chancellor
