New Gold Coast campus is centre of action as orientation begins

Orientation kicks off this week at Southern Cross University’s new Gold Coast campus with a jam-packed program of events for students including guest speakers, live music, sports fixtures, treasure hunts, sand sculptures, free relaxation classes and a range of social events as well as information sessions and essential academic support sessions.

New and returning students are invited to join in activities which will run from today, February 15 to March 12 to help them find their feet and feel at home.

The presenter of the ABC’s The New Inventors and author of a book on work/life balance, James O’Loghlin will be a special guest speaker at orientation. As a guest of the School of Tourism and Hospitality Management’s Centre for Tourism Leisure and Work, he will address students, staff and members of the public at the Gold Coast campus at Bilinga today, Monday February 15.

On Tuesday February 16 the orientation activities begin in earnest with a volleyball competition and live music from local Gold Coast-based band, Fat Tuesday, which boasts three Southern Cross University graduates among its members. Students will have the opportunity to test their surfing skills on a mechanical surfboard, while well-known professional sand sculptor Steve Machell, who will be on-campus carving out some of his creations, will be inviting students to try their hand at some sculptures.

Manager of the new campus’ shared services hub and chairperson of the orientation program, Mary-Anne Clark said the aim of orientation was to help ease the transition to university study.

“Orientation is the university’s opportunity to outline the services available for students and to provide as much information as possible to ensure success in their studies,” said Mary-Anne.

“It’s also an opportunity for the university to enrich the social aspect of student life by providing a range of sport and social activities.”

Southern Cross University is set to welcome about 3,000 new enrolled students for on-campus study in Teaching Session 1, 2010. In addition, approximately 900 students have enrolled to study via distance education.

The activities for students will continue over the coming weeks with barbeques, more live music soccer, basketball, table tennis, a wine and cheese night, meditation and relaxation sessions and mentoring information.

The fourth floor library which offers stunning views of the ocean and Gold Coast Hinterland will also be home to an exhibition of Marine Photographs by Professor Peter Harrison, from Southern Cross University’s School of Environmental Science and Management.

For the full orientation program and more information on the James O’Loghlin event go to www.scu.edu.au/orientation

Media opportunity: Media are invited to attend orientation tomorrow, Tuesday February 16 at 1.15pm (Qld time) at Southern Cross University's new Gold Coast campus at Southern Cross Drive, Bilinga (access via Terminal Drive, Gold Coast Airport.

Students will be available for interview and photographs as they try out a mechanical surfboard and participate in sand sculpting and volleyball to the sounds of live music by 'Fat Tuesday.' Staff will also be available for interview.

Photo: Southern Cross University Gold Coast campus (high resolution image available on request)