Welcome New Business Students

I am André Capaldi, your 2010/2011 Odette Commerce Society President, and on behalf of the Society, congratulations on your admission and welcome to the Odette School of Business!

Go ahead, breathe a sigh of relief, and get ready to start university life. The Odette Commerce Society executive and I are already working hard to create an enjoyable and welcoming environment to enhance your Odette Experience. As a full-time student at Odette, you are already a member of the Commerce Society and will benefit from the many events and activities we have planned, including the exciting Odette Orientation activities set to take place starting on Wednesday, September 8. If you have not started on your to do list for new business students to help take care of all the “small stuff” please take the time to do so.

The Commerce Society executives are representatives who in addition to organizing many events and activities, represent full-time undergraduate business students on various faculty committees, and bridge the gap between business students and Odette faculty and staff. In short, the Odette Commerce Society is here for you, undertaking the needs of the Odette business student.

Over the last year the Commerce Society has been very successful. Odette hosted RoundTable 2010, Canada's largest undergraduate business school conference with over 300 delegates representing nine provinces from British-Columbia to Nova Scotia. Our annual end of the year BComm Gala – last year’s event was a true “Red Carpet Affair” and was a huge success. We unveiled a new Commerce Society logo, brand, and website to provide you with updates of activities taking place within the business school.

Finally, I would like to leave you on this note. Your university life will be what you make of it. The Odette School of Business and the Odette Commerce Society will work diligently to provide a welcoming and comfortable environment, but, I would really like to stress the importance of becoming involved. You are coming to the Odette School of Business for an education, but it is my hope that you will leave with so much more: a community of friends and colleagues and a feeling of support from your professors and your peers. There are many opportunities available for you to get involved here at Odette and across campus. A small sample includes:

• Joining a student club, association or competitive team,
• Volunteering at a Commerce Society or University organized event,
• Assisting your peers with their studies,
• Becoming a TA or tutor,
• Playing varsity or intramural sports.

Just remember, you are here because you deserve to be and because you can bring something new and exciting to the Odette community. All of us look forward to meeting you on Odette Orientation Day!!

Sincerely,

André Capaldi
President, Odette Commerce Society
e: capaldia@uwindsor.ca