Frosh is your four day introduction to McGill University and more specifically, the Faculty of Science through engaging virtual events. Frosh will be dedicated to showcasing McGill campus and student life while helping students foster online connections with other McGill students in a safe and inclusive environment. We encourage all incoming McGill students to participate for the chance to meet other incoming students from around the world. Frosh is your opportunity to become more comfortable with Montreal, ask older students questions about life at McGill and learn about the programs that the Faculty of Science has to offer.

Science Frosh 2020 will begin Thursday, August 27th and run to Sunday, August 30th. Classes don’t begin until Tuesday, September 2nd so Frosh is your chance to have fun, get familiar with Montreal and McGill campus, and make friends before the studying begins!

Frosh will consist of a variety of exciting interactive events and bonding activities. These events will be catered to multiple time zones and students will be led through all Frosh activities by their Frosh Leaders. Larger faculty events will include a virtual concert and comedy night, interactive FAQ session, and trivia night. During the four days there will also be multiple organized opportunities to bond with smaller groups of fellow science peers.

Register here.Your Frosh swag will be mailed directly to your house just in time for frosh. We strongly encourage you to register early as spots fill up quickly! Remember that your spot is not guaranteed until your payment has been processed so please be sure to check your emails for when payment opens.

Frosh week is an invaluable start to your McGill experience. With the Fall 2020 semester being online, Frosh will be one of the main ways to meet fellow entering Science students and make connections. Whether they be study buddies or lifelong friends, the connections you make at Frosh can help you get the most out of your time at McGill. You won’t want to miss out on the memories and friendships that Frosh week creates!

The price for Science Frosh 2020 is $30 + processing fees, which grants you access to four days of interactive online events and activities. Frosh actually costs us much more than $30 per participant, but thanks to our incredible partners we can offer you an incredible Frosh experience at the price we do. Here are some examples of what’s included with your Frosh bracelet:

• Awesome swag including a hat, t-shirt, mug, stickers, and temporary tattoos!
• A virtual Montreal Crawl with insights into favourite McGill spots and a chance to win prizes!
• Virtual games nights, escape rooms, and concerts
• A chance to become oriented and welcomed into the McGill and Montreal communities!
• Full communications support
• Mentorship from over 120 upper year McGill students
• The best four days of your life (We aren’t joking!)
• And more!

If you demonstrate financial need and wish to participate in Science Faculty Frosh, please apply for the Science Frosh Bursary located on our Resources page.

In your Frosh package you will receive a hat, t-shirt, mug, stickers, temporary tattoos and more!

The Science Undergraduate Society (SUS) represents all students in the Faculty of Science (over 5000 students)! Almost like a student government, the SUS is responsible for providing countless events, activities, and services to students, allowing them to enjoy the best possible university experience.

With events ranging from Frosh and Science Games, to Social Sustainability Week and Academia Week, the SUS has earned recognition as an organization that promotes academic excellence within the context of a fun-filled, socially-active community.

The SUS is led by a group of elected students who help organize events and services throughout the academic year — like Frosh!

If you’d like to get more involved in the science faculty or McGill community, check out opportunities at the SUS at sus.mcgill.ca.

A group of 14 Frosh Coordinators (upper-year students) spend the summer organizing the four-day event, with responsibilities such as funding Frosh through sponsorships, booking venues, and hiring Frosh Leaders and Staff. During the week they will be wearing blue and white tie dye tanks. If you ever need help before or during Frosh, reach out to a coordinator and they will try their very best to assist you. Don’t be afraid to ask them questions, or just say hi!

This Frosh committee is hired by and overseen by the Vice-President Internal of the Science Undergraduate Society (SUS), which is a group of elected students who organize events and services throughout the academic year.

If you’d like to be involved in the science faculty or McGill community, and possibly be involved in Frosh next year, check out more opportunities at the SUS sus.mcgill.ca.

Frosh leaders are McGill Students who have previously participated in Frosh and want to volunteer their time to guide new students through this awesome new experience. They are selected out of a competitive pool of applicants and complete extensive training on harm reduction, online skills, consent, and more!

The coordinators have discussed having an in person Winter Frosh and this is a possibility. We are working with the McGill administration to determine how realistic this is. However, there are many external factors out of our control, so we cannot confirm if a Winter Frosh will happen.

If you demonstrate financial need and wish to participate in Science Faculty Frosh, please apply for the Science Frosh Bursary located on our Resources page.

The only mandatory part of Frosh is to set up and register your Frosh account and the opening ceremony (where Frosh groups are formed). Detailed instructions on how to register your account will be included in your Frosh package. However, we do highly encourage attending as many events as possible!

No, unfortunately it is not logistically possible for us to let students pay per event.

Some Frosh events will be recorded or you will have entry access throughout the duration of the event. However, there will be certain events, such as organized bonding activities that will require you to be there on time and present for the entire event. Your Frosh leaders and the schedule will keep you informed on which events these are.

YES! Registration is required to participate in Frosh Links to registration are located in the menu tab or on our homepage. Keep an eye on this site or our social media channels to stay informed about upcoming Frosh news.

Send an email to the Orientation Week staff at frosh@susmcgill.ca Note: if any information on your form turns out to be false (ie. your age), you will not be allowed to participate in Frosh.

Once you’ve registered and paid for Frosh, all information on accessing Frosh websites/content will be sent to you by email. You will have the option to have your Frosh package including all of your Frosh swag delivered directly to your house or to pick it up if you are in Montreal around the time of Frosh. More details to come on Frosh Package Pickup details.

We strongly encourage wearing your Frosh swag and any other FROSHTERS, INC theme-related gear that you may have! Please ensure that your device is set up on all platforms necessary for frosh...And don’t forget a positive attitude :)

Frosh events and programming are for students entering their first year of university at McGill in the Fall, students who entered McGill in the Winter term of the previous academic year, transfer students new to McGill. Returning students, family members, and (non-McGill-attending) friends of new students are not permitted to attend Frosh.

We understand the instinct to want to invite friends to join, especially in an online setting, but we ask that you please refrain from doing this. We will have systems set in place that will allow us to determine who should be present at an event and who should not. Remember, this is your chance to branch out and meet new people!

New transfers are considered first years at McGill and are encouraged to participate in Orientation Week activities. If you are a transfer student from Winter 2019 you are also eligible to participate in Frosh. Unfortunately, all other students not in entering their first year at McGill cannot register for Frosh – even if you’ve never participated before.

No you must participate in your own faculty Frosh unless you have applied for and been approved for a faculty transfer. If a faculty transfer has been approved, you may submit a faculty change through your Minerva account. If your faculty or school does not plan its own Frosh, then consult the list below for your suggested group:

• Arts & Science: Arts & Science students have their own Arts & Science Frosh
• Nursing Faculty: Students are suggested to join Science Frosh
• Faculty of Religious Studies: Students are suggested to join Arts Frosh
• Pre-Med Faculty: Students are suggested to join Science Frosh

We highly encourage all incoming Science students to participate in Science Frosh! It is a great way to make friends in the Science faculty and get acquainted with upper year mentors (Frosh Leaders) and the McGill campus. Even if students have lived in Montreal their entire life, we guarantee Frosh will show them something they have yet to see and will give them a chance to meet tons of people new to Montreal!

Each day will be made up of multiple events spread out throughout the day to cater to multiple time zones. In total, Frosh will be roughly 4-5 hours a day.

Consent is an informed and uninhibited agreement from all participating and affected parties regarding an action or activity. Consent is continuous, meaning it can be revoked at any time for any reason. It can be recognised by the presence of an enthusiastic “yes”, and not by the absence of a “no”. This applies to all circumstances and situations during Frosh, including sexual acts, photosharing, and alcohol consumption. Consent from all involved and affected members is required for all actions people choose to take.

Consent can never be assumed and cannot be given if a person is incapacitated by alcohol and/or drugs or unconscious.

All Frosh participants are required to watch a video about consent made by Frosh Coordinators. This ensures that the meaning of consent is unambiguous and unanimous among all Frosh participants. Many (notably, but not exclusively, sexual) acts committed without consent in the context of Frosh are eligible for consequences imposed by respective Frosh Committees and the Office of the Dean of Students.

Consent is exactly the same online as offline. We expect all Frosh participants to be aware of how their actions affect others in an online setting, and to ensure that all affected individuals are informed and have agreed to their actions.

Specifically, if a person were to share a photo or video of other people, it is important that everyone in the photo or video have agreed to have it be shared and where.

Someone who is unreachable online (asleep due to time zones, not logged in, unable to access a strong internet connection at the time) is unable to provide consent. This person is also unable to ask for or receive consent.

It is important to remember that consent is never implied, especially in an online context where socialising can often leave more to implication than in an in-person setting.

Sexual violence is an umbrella term thaty encapsulates two behaviours; sexual harassment and sexual asssault.

Sexual harassment is any form of unwanted sexual advances, requests for sexual acts, and verbal sexual aggressions. This includes harassment online or in-person. Examples of sexual harassment include, but are not limited to, unwelcome sexual teasing, jokes, remarks, questions, or suggestive signals.

Sexual assault is any act of a sexual nature that the done without unambiguous and enthusiastic consent. Sexual harassment becomes sexual assault when physical contact is made.

Both sexual assault and harassment can be committed by any gender.

If you or someone you know is affected by sexual assault or harassment during Frosh, please do not hesitate to contact the Inclusivity Coordinator. They will explain the various courses of action available, offer on and off campus resources and support, and will provide confidential, non-judgmental, and pro-survivor support.

Regardless of the nature of the sexual act or type of harassment, if the incident made you uncomfortable we encourage you to reach out to the Inclusivity Coordinator immediately. Unless there is imminent danger, your disclosure will remain completely confidential.

Please note: you do not have to contact the Inclusivity Coordinator directly, leaders and other coordinators are all prepared and trained to receive and help with such information

Frosh is an exciting week full of new experiences and meeting tons of other incoming students. But just as much as it is exciting, it can also be mentally taxing and stress-inducing. Students are encouraged to speak up when they are struggling with their mental health challenges. McGill has a number of resources available to students during Orientation Week that serves this purpose:

• Peer Support Centre: A confidential and non-judgmental peer support service located on the 4th floor of the SSMU building on McTavish. Volunteers will be available by phone during Frosh. For more information please consult their website: https://psc.ssmu.ca
• Nightline: A confidential, anonymous, and non-judgmental peer support service via phone conversation. For Frosh hours of service, please consult their website: https://ssmu.mcgill.ca/nightline
• Access Allies: Frosh Leaders with additional and more specific training that makes them well-equipped to refer Frosh participants to the correct services for a variety of mental or physical challenges. They will be identifiably distinct from other leaders during Frosh and you may contact any access ally from any group.
• Vent Over Tea: A free active listening service that pairs people up with volunteers to have a conversation in a local Montreal coffee shop. Confidential and non-judgmental, Vent Over Tea volunteers are typically graduates pursuing careers in social work, psychology, or medicine.

The most accurate subtitles that we can realistically access will be available for all events. In addition all information shared as a part of Frosh will be readable by screen reader.

Yes. Please indicate on your online registration form that you have visual/auditory difficulties or email the Inclusivity and Equity Coordinator at frosh@susmcgill.ca. We are including considerations for such difficulties in our event designs, and benefit greatly from any information about what we can best do to help.

Student’s Frosh Leaders are there to help them every step of the way during Frosh. Always feel free to reach out to your Leaders if you require extra assistance at any point during the week. Additionally, the Science Inclusivity Coordinator will be present during Frosh to ensure all accessibility concerns are addressed and student’s receive adequate support. This Coordinator’s phone number will be accessible once you sign up for Frosh. You may also fill out our accessibility form to express your concerns.

If you have any other concerns (medical, mental health, etc.) that you would like to be noted please email us at frosh@susmcgill.ca or message McGill Science Orientation Week on Facebook. We check these regularly and will be sure to get back to you right away.

Please remember that we will be better equipped to help you if you tell us of any potential issues before Frosh begins. You are also welcome to reach out to any Frosh Coordinator during the event in order to share any issues that may arise. Please do not worry about approaching us; we are here to ensure your safety and fun at Frosh!

Most events will be recorded and occur at multiple different times in hopes that everyone will be able to realistically attend at least one of the sessions.

Leaders will be encouraged to ensure group bonding at many times of the day so it’s not the same participants missing bonding consistently due to timezones.

We are disappointed that we are unable to provide exactly the same Frosh experience to everyone no matter where they are in the world, but we can guarantee that people in any timezone will be able to participate in Frosh.

We take any violation of consent or form of harassment (eg. bullying) during Frosh incredibly seriously and are prepared to remove offending participants from Frosh.

Students may express their concerns directly to a coordinator or leader before, during, or after Frosh. Information on how to make an anonymous complaint will also be given once you receive your Frosh account.

The legal drinking age in Quebec is 18, however we recognize that many students taking part in Frosh will not be in Quebec. Here is a link for the drinking ages around the world, please check for your respective region if you are unsure of the drinking age: Legal Drinking Ages around the world - You'll be Surprised!

Frosh is about the events and activities, not about drinking alcohol. Underage students find that their Frosh experience is hardly changed by their age and they still have an amazing time! More information on which events you will be able to opt-in to alcohol consumption will be provided by your leaders and the schedule.

Yes, Science Frosh does acknowledge that many incoming students are of legal drinking age in their respective regions and organizes a safe and inclusive space for people to opt-in to drinking alcohol. However, as the legal age is different in all areas of the world, we do not encourage the consumption of alcohol or other substances during Frosh events.

While Frosh is mainly made up of social events, please keep in mind that it does not entail the consumption of alcohol or other substances. We strongly urge you to be aware of the fact that it is difficult for us to effectively reduce harm or provide you with any necessary assistance that comes as a result of consumption in a virtual world. Should you make the choice to drink, please be informed of all regional laws and regulations in regard to substance use as well as safe consumption practices, such as knowing your limits and making sure that you are not alone when you engage in such activities.

Some Science Frosh events will allow participants to drink alcohol, however drinking is always optional. Frosh is designed so that every participant will be able to enjoy themselves, regardless of whether or not they are drinking. There will also be online events in which drinking will inhibit the flow of the event, therefore it will not be allowed.

Yes! The Science Frosh Coordinators strive to make every effort to ensure everyone is included. Frosh is about the events and activities and there are no events centered around alcohol. Underage students find that their Frosh experience is hardly changed by their age and they still have an amazing time.

• Students who make the decision to consume alcohol during Frosh week should be aware that alcohol affects different people in different ways. Here are a few tips to make sure Frosh stays a safe and fun environment for all:
• Count your drinks: It takes one hour to metabolize a drink (12 ounces of beer, 5 ounces of wine, or 1.5 ounces of hard liquor). Just because the alcohol doesn’t hit you right away, doesn’t mean it isn’t there!
• Inform a friend: Make sure you consume alcohol with people you feel safe and comfortable around. It’s best to stick with your Frosh Group! Your Leaders are a great resource if you ever feel you have consumed too much or are not sure if you have consumed too much.
• Don’t drink on an empty stomach: Eating before drinking decreases the absorption rate of alcohol.
• Alcohol affects people in different ways: Alcohol tends to have a stronger effect on females than males due to female’s lower levels of alcohol dehydrogenase, an enzyme that aids in the metabolism of alcohol. Additionally, your body’s water content plays a role in how your body metabolizes alcohol, which is why oftentimes when a male and a female are the same weight, the man will have a higher tolerance.
• Nicotine: Smoking slows the emptying of your stomach, in turn delaying alcohol absorption. Just because you don’t feel the alcohol right away, doesn’t mean you won’t later!
• Tylenol: Alcohol and tylenol separately can already cause liver failure. Taken together, either during consumption of alcohol or while hungover, can increase risk of liver failure even more.
• Benadryl: Mixing an antihistamine with alcohol will cause an increase in drowsiness.