Imperial College London welcomes new students to Freshers’ Week 2008

Thousands of new students take part in Freshers’ Fair showcasing all student clubs and societies - News

Wednesday 8 October 2008
By Naomi Weston

Thousands of new students start at Imperial College London this week and Freshers’ Week (4-10 October) is now in full swing.

Over 4,500 students start at Imperial this week and both the College and Imperial College Union are holding a range of events to introduce them to university life and help them settle in. One of the biggest events and a highlight of the week is Freshers’ Fair, which took place yesterday on the South Kensington Campus.

Over 300 clubs and societies were on display showcasing what their club can offer new students and offering a taster of their activities, including Photography, Ten Pin Bowling, Surfing, Orienteering, Rugby, Drama and Capoeira.

 

At the fair many club members were on hand to meet new students and talk to them about the activities of their society. President of the newly established Imperial College Surfing Club, Jamie Watkins, a second year Civil Engineering student, was there to encourage students to take up a different sport.

He says: “Last year I realised that there wasn’t a surfing club so I decided to set one up this year. The fair has been a great success and over 100 new students have put their name down on our mailing list. We are organising our first trip to Newquay this November, where a surf school will give new members surf lessons.”

To end the day, the Freshers’ Fair Afterparty took place in Beit Quad, where the Imperial College Union is situated. A selection of performance-related clubs and societies showcased their activities including demonstrations from music, dramatic and dance societies and martial arts clubs.

Lily Topham, Deputy President for Clubs and Societies, says: “Freshers’ Fair is all about helping new students to make new friends, get involved in College life and settle in. It is also a great opportunity to sign up to society mailing lists and pick up freebies.”

Members of the Lacrosse team greet new students at Freshers' Fair

A busy programme is on offer for all new students for the rest of the week. On Wednesday 8 October pop star, Sophie Ellis-Bextor and her husband from the Feeling, Richard Jones, play a DJ set in Beit Quad.

The Freshers’ Ball 2008 on Friday 10 October ends the week with DJ Edith Bowman from BBC Radio 1 playing.

Rector of the College, Sir Roy Anderson, welcomed all new students to the College on Monday 6 October along with the President of the Imperial College Union, Jenny Morgan, the Dean of Students, Professor David Lloyd- Smith, Faculty Principals and College Tutors.

A Welcome Day for all international students was also held on Sunday 5 October. It was organised by the International Office who provide a range of services to international students, including support and preparation for students before their arrival and during their studies on banking, social and community needs as well as acclimatizing to life in the UK.

All Imperial students are automatically members of the Imperial College Union, and can take part in all activities and make the most of the facilities on offer. These include the Student Activities Centre, which provides all of the services that you might need to successfully operate a club or society, and the Advice Centre, which offers advice on issues such as employment rights, housing problems and academic advice.

In addition, the College’s Sports Centre, Ethos, offers students excellent facilities with free use of the swimming pool, sauna, steam room, spa and gym.

Imperial also has a busy arts scene with a number of orchestras, choirs, societies and groups for students to join. Frequent art exhibitions and workshops take place, and there is a free lunchtime concert series which takes place at 1pm every Thursday during term time.

Information for new students on issues such as finance, student welfare, graduate schools, health, IT facilities, faith and chaplaincy can be found in the Student Handbook for 2008 - www3.imperial.ac.uk/studenthandbook/