Back in session: time to hit the books again at Ryerson

Students: the bell tolls for thee—the school bell, that is. The back to school countdown is on, and while students across the GTA psych themselves up for another academic year, faculty and staff at Ryerson University are busily preparing for them. Summer may be winding down, but fall is revving up and Ryerson has plenty of new things in store for the ‘09/’10 academic year.

Here’s a look at the highlights:

Ryerson Mobile Applications (R mobile)
Ryerson mobile applications are being developed by a multi-disciplinary team of student and faculty representatives from the Library, Computing and Communications Services, Department of Computer Science (Ryerson Ubiquitous and Pervasive Computing Lab) and Students In Free Enterprise (SIFE). Grouped under the banner “R mobile,” the following mobile phone apps have been developed in response to student need: campus maps, campus directory, news and events, student schedules, booking study rooms, finding available computers on campus, and accessing the library catalogue.

Orientation / Welcome Back Events
This year, Orientation Week: Unite: Make Your Mark (August 31 to September 4) is part of a larger transitional program created by students for students that extends through the summer until mid-October. The traditional week of social activities includes a world record attempt, a commuter mingle, Amazing Race-style scavenger hunts and a beach party. The fun continues with events in September and new events are being added every day. Full Orientation schedule: http://www.ryerson.ca/orientation/orientation09/

Guinness World Record Attempt
World’s Largest Air Guitar
Wednesday, September 2 at 3:00 p.m. in the Quad
The Ryerson Community continues to make its mark on the record books with this Orientation tradition of attempting to break a Guinness World Record. Last year it was the world’s largest sword fight. This year the student run Orientation Team (O-Team) asked incoming students for their world record suggestions and the response was: world’s largest air guitar! The competition requires more than 1,200 RU community members to mock rock out in the Quad with their shades on.

Grad Studies Expansion @ Ryerson
Ryerson University’s School of Graduate Studies continues its rapid growth, with four new programs debuting this fall:
• MSc in Applied Mathematics
• PhD in Environmental Applied Science and Management
• PhD in Psychology
• PhD in Policy Studies

Starting in September Ryerson will be offering 31 master’s programs and nine PhD programs.

Bridging Program First Years
This fall, Ryerson welcomes its first cohort of undergraduate students who have successfully completed the Ryerson University Now (RUN) bridging program. Ryerson’s Department of Outreach and Access, led by Rona Abramovitch, offers the program which allows students at risk of dropping out, or who may complete high school but not consider continuing their education, the opportunity to earn a University credit before they even step foot on campus. In September these students arrive on campus to embark on their full-time studies with a Ryerson credit already under their belt. Read news story.

Distinguished Visiting Professor:

Peter C. Newman
Starting in September distinguished visiting professor Peter C. Newman arrives at Ryerson. A legendary journalist and bestselling author, Mr. Newman will join both the Faculty of Communication & Design and the Ted Rogers School of Management, for Ryerson’s first distinguished visiting professor cross-appointment. As a Distinguished Visiting Professor, Mr. Newman will deliver lectures to graduate and undergraduate students as well as to the public.

Athletics
• Ryerson welcomes a new head coach for the men’s basketball team. Roy Rana joins the Rams after nine years at Eastern Commerce Collegiate Institute in Toronto, where he led the Spartans to five OFSAA provincial championships. He also holds strong ties to Canada Basketball, where most recently he led the Cadet Men’s National Team to qualification in the 2010 under-17 world championships.
• The 2009-10 varsity season kicks off with men’s and women’s soccer teams will when they host the Queen’s Gaels on September 5 at Lamport Stadium.

For more Back to School publicity materials, including downloadable photos and expert tips for students and parents on everything from finances and shopping, to leaving home and managing your weight, visit http://www.ryerson.ca/news/media/spotlight/backtoschool/index.html.

Ryerson University is Canada’s leader in innovative career-focused education, offering close to 100 PhD, master’s, and undergraduate programs in the Faculty of Arts; the Faculty of Communication & Design; the Faculty of Community Services; the Faculty of Engineering, Architecture and Science; and the Ted Rogers School of Management. Ryerson University has graduate and undergraduate enrolment of 25,000 students. With more than 68,000 registrations annually, The G. Raymond Chang School of Continuing Education is Canada’s leading provider of university-based adult education.

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