Xavier University gave a grand welcome to its freshmen and transferee students with a full-packed Orientation Seminar (OrSem) held from June 5 to 7. 

Fr Roberto Yap SJ, XU President, welcomed the students who have the “distinct honor of being the Ruby Freshmen Class.” XU celebrates its 80th founding anniversary this year with the theme “Forming Leaders the Ateneo Way.”

“Xavier wants to form you as leaders in the way of academic excellence and of enthusiastic student life,” said Fr Yap, who was joined by the rest of the administration and faculty members during the welcome program.

Activities throughout the three days included college assemblies, counseling sessions, small group discussions and interest sessions on topics such as leadership involvement, culture and arts engagements, sports activities and religious engagements that students can participate in while at XU.

“But it’s not all studies and serious at XU,” assured Fr Yap. “Leadership formation also happens in our wide-ranging and extensive co-curricular and extra-curricular programs.”

On the third day at Org Tour, various student organizations set up booths to promote their organizations and encourage the freshmen and transferees to sign up and become members. Games "Orsemazing" and "Orsemvivor" were also prepared for students who were up to physical and mental challenges. A talent exposition at the XU gym capped the occasion.

OrSem is an annual activity of the Student Activities and Leadership Development Office that aims to help freshmen transition from high school to college. It is run primarily by student volunteers who themselves had a positive OrSem experience while they were still in their first year.