Welcome!
SAPL Orientation 2023
SAPL Orientation is a series of events, workshops, and information sessions where incoming students can learn about what to expect during the Fall and Winter semesters. For students starting in Fall 2023, it will take place from August 28 to September 1.
Mandatory health and safety training for the workshop will be provided. Please note that some activities require registration - sign-ups will be available in the drop-down menus soon.
The calendar schedules for Fall 2023 will be available for download soon. For your reference, here's a look at the 2022 schedules:
Full schedule (August 29-September 2) →
Monday, August 29
Join us for coffee in the morning before attending your program introduction meeting. Before or after you'll be able to participate in a SAPL and campus tour! Then we will gather for the dean's welcome and a pizza lunch. In the afternoon, all programs will attend the workshop safety training and general introduction. End the day with a fun mixer hosted by the SAPL Student Association!
Stantec Gallery
PF 2145
Join us before your program intro session for light refreshments to start the day!
Stantec Gallery
PF 2145
Campus tours led by student volunteers for incoming students in all programs. The tours will start at 9, 10, and 11am. Participants can meet before the tour at the Stantec Gallery.
PF 2165
Meet your professors! Introduction to the MLA program for incoming students.
Main Floor Studio
PF 2130
Meet your professors! Introduction to the MArch program for incoming MArch and ARST Minor students.
PF 2160
Meet your professors! Introduction to the MPlan program for incoming students.
PF 2165
Meet your professors! Introduction to the thesis-based programs for incoming MEDes and PhD students.
Main Floor Studio
PF 2130
All incoming students are invited to join Dean John Brown for a welcoming pizza lunch.
PF 2160
Join Professor Catherine Hamel as she showcases SAPL's commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion.
Main Floor Studio
PF 2130
This is mandatory for all new professional program (MArch - Fnd, M1, ARST Minor, MPlan, MLA) students who did not complete the previous week-long workshop training (August 22-26). Sessions will be led by and more information will be provided by Nathan, SAPL Workshop Supervisor.
Last Defence Lounge
MacEwan Hall | 2500 University Drive NW
All SAPL Students Welcome (all programs, all years)! The registration page has now closed, but if you are interested in attending, please email Meaghan at macarrie@ucalgary.ca and she will add you to the list!
Tuesday, August 30
The second day of SAPL Orientation is all about training and tutorials!
- Architecture: workshop safety training all day
- Planning/Landscape Architecture: software introduction tutorial (AM) and drawing tutorial (PM)
- All professional programs: must attend the mandatory Fire Safety Training
- Thesis programs: library tour and presentation
All incoming students are invited to join the SAPL Student Association for a fun lunch!
Workshop
This is mandatory for all architecture students who did not complete the previous week-long workshop training (August 22-26). Sessions will be led by and more information will be provided by Nathan, SAPL Workshop Supervisor.
Computer Lab
PF 2165
Incoming students will be introduced to Adobe Creative Suite programs and various 3D modeling programs.
Stantec Gallery
PF 2145
Bring your own lunch and join the SAPL Student Association for a meet and greet with fun activities! The lunch will be held outside (weather permitting). Please meet in the gallery by 12 noon.
Main Floor Studio
PF 2130
This is a mandatory session. All students are expected to attend.
Taylor Family Digital Library (TFDL)
Meet in the lobby
Incoming thesis program students can join SAPL's expert librarian, James Murphy, Taylor Family Digital Library, to learn about how to access eBooks, search architecture databases, use Lab NEXT's VR and access visualization, audiovisual and maker spaces. You will also learn about Western Canada's largest collection of architectural history, the Canadian Architectural Archives and the data and maps experts at Spatial and Numeric Data Services.
Workshop
This is mandatory for all architecture students who did not complete the previous week-long workshop training (August 22-26). Sessions will be led by and more information will be provided by Nathan, SAPL Workshop Supervisor.
PF 3160
Why hand drawing? Join SAPL instructors for valuable drawing skills, guidance, and exercises that you will use in the Master of Planning and Master of Landscape Architecture programs and their respective professions.
Wednesday, August 31
The University of Calgary offers additional Orientation Events for incoming students. Join the SAPL Student Association for a fun and interactive ‘Speed dating’ style meet and greet with incoming and returning students, faculty, and alumni!
Workshop
Incoming architecture students are invited to use the workshop during this time to work on their projects. Sessions will be led by and more information will be provided by Nathan, SAPL Workshop Supervisor.
The UCalgary International Student Services team welcomes new international students.
Enjoy lunch on or off campus! This is a great opportunity to explore UCalgary and the city.
The Faculty of Graduate Studies (FGS) will offer presentations and activities that will get you acquainted with some important grad school basics and you’ll have the chance to meet other students and leads in graduate studies.
Workshop
This is mandatory for MArch foundation year and ARST Minor students who did not complete the previous week-long workshop training (August 22-26). Sessions will be led by and more information will be provided by Nathan, SAPL Workshop Supervisor.
Main Floor Studio
PF 2130
Speed networking meet and greet with incoming and returning students, faculty, and alumni. Light refreshments will be available.
Thursday, September 1
Incoming planning and landscape architecture students will learn more about their program curriculums, while incoming M1 architecture students will attend workshop safety training. Everyone will meet at the CBDLab in the afternoon for icebreaker activities and city walks. The day will conclude with Dean's Dinner, an excellent opportunity to mingle, celebrate, and meet each other!
Workshop
This is mandatory for MArch M1 students who did not complete the previous week-long workshop training (August 22-26). Sessions will be led by and more information will be provided by Nathan, SAPL Workshop Supervisor.
PF 2165
Join the Associate Dean and Graduate Program Administrator to hear about your course sequencing, how to choose electives, and to address any other course registration questions you might have.
PF 2165
After the curriculum meeting, join a current student representative from the Alberta Professional Planning Institute (APPI) to learn about the professional association, how they support students, and the path to registration.
PF 2140
Join the Associate Dean and Graduate Program Administrator to hear about your course sequencing, how to choose electives, and to address any other course registration questions you might have.
Travel Downtown to CBDLab during this lunch break!
CBDLab
616 Macleod Trail S | City Hall C-Train Stop
Join the SAPL Student Association for fun activities to meet other incoming students! Specific details to come.
CBDLab
616 Macleod Trail S | City Hall C-Train Stop
We invite you all to join us for an evening to welcome incoming students to SAPL. The reception will begin at 5:00pm and dinner will be served at 5:45pm. Remarks from: Dean John Brown, SAPLSA President, and Dr. Brian Sinclair.
Cash bar. Casual to business casual dress code.
Registration required to attend. Due to capacity limitations, this will be an internal event only. Registration open to SAPL Faculty, Staff, and incoming students.
Friday, September 2
On the last day of SAPL Orientation, incoming planning and landscape architecture students will complete their workshop safety training, while incoming architecture students (Foundation, ARST Minor, and M1) will learn more about their curriculums. Join professors SAPL for a learn and learn presentation on faculty research projects and to learn more about opportunities for research assistantships.
Workshop
This is mandatory for MPlan and MLA students who did not complete the previous week-long workshop training (August 22-26). Sessions will be led by and more information will be provided by Nathan, SAPL Workshop Supervisor.
PF 2160
Join the Associate Dean and Graduate Program Administrator to hear about your course sequencing, how to choose electives, and to address any other course registration questions you might have.
PF 2160
Join the Associate Dean and Graduate Program Administrator to hear about your course sequencing, how to choose electives, and to address any other course registration questions you might have.
Main Floor Studio
PF 2130
During your lunch break, join SAPL professors for a presentation on SAPL research projects and to learn more about opportunities for research assistantships. Please bring your own lunch to enjoy during the session.
Workshop
This is mandatory for MPlan and MLA students who did not complete the previous week-long workshop training (August 22-26). Sessions will be led by and more information will be provided by Nathan, SAPL Workshop Supervisor.
For additional information, please access:
Access the UCalgary campus map room finder →
Communication, Housekeeping and Safety for SAPL Students →
Photo and Video Consent Form
Please complete the Photo and Video Consent Form and email it to the Admissions Team by August 19