RED Zone -- an on-campus lounge for incoming students and their parents -- offers a facilitated experience of "all things York,” immediately following admission and prior to orientation.

Now in its second year, the program has already welcomed more than 5,200 visitors (1,200 more than last year's total). This figure represents about half of the incoming class for 2007-2008.

The response from visitors has been overwhelmingly enthusiastic.

“. . .new students tell us how glad they are to have us,” says Caitlin Crawford, a student ambassador in the zone. She’s one of a group of current students available to chat with newcomers and give them the “inside scoop” on university life.

While in the RED Zone, incoming students can:

-Get answers to important questions about bursaries, scholarships, RESPs and OSAP.

-Crunch the numbers and complete a personalized financial budgeting worksheet.

-Learn how to access Passport York, an essential tool for managing academic and financial life.

-Learn to navigate York's website.

-Explore the many ways to get to York. Find the best route by car, TTC, GO Bus/Train, VIVA/YRT or Greyhound.

-Learn where to park on campus and how to obtain a parking pass.

-Browse Learning Skills Workshops online and take away great tips for using the summer break to prepare for university.

Statistics acquired through a post-visit survey showed that the vast majority of respondents were "impressed" or "very impressed" with how they were welcomed to the RED Zone. Nearly 93 per cent of those who visited the RED Zone now plan to attend orientation. Eighty per cent of those who visited the zone stay for up to one hour. More than 83 per cent were impressed or very impressed with their overall experience in the zone.

Brian Poser, manager, student success & retention, says the RED Zone serves as an excellent model of partnership at York. “Student Community & Leadership Development, faculty advising centres, Admissions & Recruitment, the colleges and student services work together to help students make a smooth and successful transition to university life and studies,” he says.

The RED Zone is located on York's Keele Campus (4700 Keele Street), in the Complex 1 Computer Lounge, on the basement level of Founder's College.

For more information on the RED Zone, see the May 7, 2007 issue of YFile.

York University is the leading interdisciplinary research and teaching university in Canada. York offers a modern, academic experience at the undergraduate and graduate level in Toronto, Canada’s most international city. The third largest university in the country, York is host to a dynamic academic community of 50,000 students and 7,000 faculty and staff, as well as 200,000 alumni worldwide. York’s 11 faculties and 24 research centres conduct ambitious, groundbreaking research that is interdisciplinary, cutting across traditional academic boundaries. This distinctive and collaborative approach is preparing students for the future and bringing fresh insights and solutions to real-world challenges. York University is an autonomous, not-for-profit corporation.

Media contact:

Melissa Hughes, Media Relations, York University, 416 736 2100 x22097 / mehughes@yorku.ca