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, links are in the drop-down sections below**.
Monday, August 28
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 by checking in at the registration tables and enjoy 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.
ARST/MArch Program Intro
PF 4170
MPlan Program Intro
PF 2160
Meet your professors! Introduction to the MArch program for incoming MArch/ARST Minor and MPlan students.
PF 2165
Meet your professors! Introduction to the MEDes & PhD program for incoming students.
PF 4170
All incoming students are invited to join Dean John Brown for a pizza welcome lunch.
PF 2160
Join SAPL EDIA director as they showcase SAPL's commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion.
PF 4170
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 21-25). 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)!
Tuesday, August 29
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 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 21-25). 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.
Workshop
This is mandatory for all architecture students who did not complete the previous week-long workshop training (August 21-25). 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 30
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
This is mandatory for all planning and landscape architecture students who did not complete the previous week-long workshop training (August 21-25). Sessions will be led by and more information will be provided by Nathan, SAPL Workshop Supervisor.
Please join us for a tour of the Taylor Family Digital Library. We will be meeting in the library lobby at 9:30 am (MT) to begin the tour.
This tour will cover information on library use including resources plus the Spatial & Numeric Data Services (SANDS) and Canadian Architectural Archives.
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 MPlan and MLA foundation year students who did not complete the previous week-long workshop training (August 21-25). Sessions will be led by and more information will be provided by Nathan, SAPL Workshop Supervisor.
Main Floor Studio
PF 4170
Speed networking meet and greet with incoming and returning students, faculty, and alumni. Light refreshments will be available.
Thursday, August 31
Incoming planning and landscape architecture students will learn more about their program curriculums, while incoming 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
Drop-in time for architecture students to work on their training projects. Sessions will be led by and more information will be provided by Nathan, SAPL Workshop Supervisor.
PF 2165
Join a current student representative from the Alberta Association of Landscape Architects and the Canadian Society of Landscape Architects to learn about the professional association, how they support students, and the path to registration.
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 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 a current student representative from the Alberta Professional Planning Institute (APPI) and the Community Planning Association of Alberta to learn about the professional association, how they support students, and the path to registration.
Travel Downtown to CBDLab during this lunch break!
CBDLab
616 Macleod Trail S | City Hall C-Train Stop
Classroom C
Join the SAPL Student Association for fun activities to meet other incoming students.
CBDLab
616 Macleod Trail S | City Hall C-Train Stop
Event Hall
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 and our SAPLSA President.
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 1
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
CBDL
More details to come
CBDL
More details to come
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.
CBDL
More details to come
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
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