Droves of first-year students streamed onto the Queen’s University campus Saturday as the school welcomed its newest class and launched a busy orientation period designed to help students settle into university life.
The university said approximately 4,850 first-year undergraduate students were moving into its 18 residence buildings during move-in weekend, with about 3,850 arriving on the main move-in day.
Queen’s worked with the City of Kingston, Kingston Police, Kingston Transit and other partners to manage traffic and logistics surrounding the influx of students.
Nearly 1,000 volunteers, including faculty orientation leaders, varsity athletes and university staff, were on hand to help students and their families unload vehicles and navigate campus.
We have a lot of work to do helping them settle in and making sure they feel supported
Yahya Mohamed
president and CEO of the Residence Society
“We have almost 1,000 volunteers helping today from various faculty associations,” said Kate Murray, Queen’s interim executive director of housing and ancillary services.
“In total, there are roughly 4,000 students moving in. We have about 3,800 first-year students living in residence this year. We moved approximately 650 students in last night, and the rest are arriving today,” Murray said on Saturday at the corner of University Avenue and Union Street.
For many students, the move marked their first time living away from home.
While first-year life sciences student Ava Rose was busy moving into residence, her mother lamented the three-and-a-half-hour drive from home in the Niagara region.
“I have some mixed feelings,” she said, clutching a lamp while waiting for Ava to return for the second load of items to move into her dorm room.
“I’m excited for her, this new chapter, but it is sad to see her go,” she said as she watched for Ava to emerge from the front doors of Victoria Hall.
Yahya Mohamed, president and CEO of the Residence Society, said helping students adjust to university life is a central focus at Queen’s University on first-year students’ move-in day at the corner of University Avenue and Union Street in Kingston on Saturday, Sept. 5, 2026. Bill Hall / The Kingston Whig-Standard
Yahya Mohamed, president and CEO of the Residence Society, said helping students adjust to that transition is a central focus of residence life.
“A lot of students are coming to Kingston for the first time and leaving home for the first time,” Mohamed said. “We have a lot of work to do helping them settle in and making sure they feel supported.”
Mohamed, who previously served as a residence house president and vice-president, said this year’s move-in was his fifth experience welcoming new students to campus.
“I’ve definitely seen the process become smoother and more organized over time,” he said.
The Residence Society serves as the student government representing students living in residence, advocating on their behalf and helping foster community through programming and events.
Once students were settled into their rooms, orientation activities were set to begin immediately.
Mohamed said Saturday night’s so-called welcome home event would give students an opportunity to meet peers, connect with upper-year leaders and learn about campus resources.
“We want friendships and communities to start forming from Day 1,” he said.
Queen’s orientation programming continues throughout the week, including faculty-specific events and the university’s Tricolour Open House, which introduces students to clubs, services and extracurricular opportunities across campus.
Corinna Fitzgerald, vice-provost and dean of student affairs, said orientation plays a key role in helping students build connections while learning how to navigate campus life responsibly.
“Our focus is on helping students understand both their rights and their responsibilities,” Fitzgerald said. “We want students to have fun and build meaningful connections, but we also want them to do so safely and in ways that minimize impacts on surrounding neighbourhoods.”
Murray said planning for move-in began months ago and involved extensive coordination with municipal and community partners.
“We work with Kingston Police, Kingston Transit and the city’s communications team,” she said. “Planning for today’s move-in actually began last March.”
The goal, she said, was to create a welcoming experience for incoming students while limiting disruptions for Kingston residents.
Fitzgerald noted that the university’s relationship with the city has grown stronger in recent years through joint efforts focused on student engagement, safety and community well-being.
“Their arrival brings life and energy back to campus and to the city,” she said. “They volunteer, they work in local businesses and they become part of Kingston’s fabric.”
The 323 Collingwood Boys, a group of third-year Queen’s students, have an entirely different type of orientation going on at the corner of Collingwood and Johnson streets in Kingston on Saturday, Sept. 5, 2026. Bill Hall / The Kingston Whig-Standard
By late afternoon, university officials expected residence move-in to be largely complete, allowing students to turn their attention toward orientation activities and the start of classes.
“Orientation doesn’t happen without student leaders,” Fitzgerald said. “We have remarkable students who dedicate their time to helping their peers adjust to campus life and feel welcome from Day 1.”
The welcome home team were easily identified — all in red shirts and very enthusiastic.
As each car pulled up to deliver a new student to residence, it was met with cheers and chants, “I’m so excited!” they’d shout.
Steph and Carolina, second-year students, remembered what it was like to be greeted this way.
“That’s why we’re now on the welcome home team,” Steph said. “We want to support the new ones like we were last year.”
“Yeah, it was so exciting and it made us feel so welcome,” Carolina said.
Classes at Queen’s are scheduled to begin Tuesday.
