All you need to know about Freshers' Fair 2021
Wednesday 22-09-2021 - 00:00
We’re so excited to have you at our first in person Freshers’ Fair in two years! Whether you’re a fresher who’ll be heading to university for the very first time or are a returning student who didn’t quite get the chance to explore the full Durham experience – Freshers’ Fair will show you what it’s all about!
Do I have to pay to get in?
No! It's absolutely free.
Do you have to be a fresher to go?
Nope. All Durham students are welcome, from freshers to final years to postgraduates.
What happens at the Freshers’ Fair?
You can get involved in so many different activities at University, from crocheting to representing Durham at rugby. The Freshers’ Fair is the place to find all the students’ union and University opportunities all in one place!
You’ll get to talk to students about the activities available and sign-up to get more information about how to join.
What Covid-19 measures will be in place?
To make every effort to keep all attendees and staff at our Freshers' events safe, we will have some Covid-19 safety measures in place.
Test to participate:
You will need to provide proof of a negative lateral flow test. These will be checked upon entry to the fair. You will need to bring proof of a recent negative lateral flow test (showing a result by text or email) taken in the last 48 hours.
For information on where you can access testing and vaccination on campus, please visit the University’s coronavirus pages.
You will need to wear a mask whilst attending the indoor elements of the fair, unless you are exempt.
We also ask that you respect everyone’s space and be aware that attendees may have different comfort levels.
If you are experiencing symptoms or feeling unwell, please do not come to Freshers’ events. Please isolate until you’re able to get a test.
Where is the fair?
For the first time, the fair will take place at the Durham University Sports and Wellbeing Park, otherwise known as Maiden Castle.
You can reach the Sports and Wellbeing Park by walking along the road with the Palatine Centre and Bill Bryson Library on, then turning right at the roundabout, and following the road until you see the sports centre on the left.
When is the fair?
The Online Freshers' Fair will be live from Monday 27 September durhamsu.com/freshersfair.
The Sports and Physical Activity Fair will take place on Tuesday 28 September, 13:00-18:00, and the Freshers’ Fair will take place on Wednesday 29 September, 10:00-18:00.
There are different stalls on each day. Please check below to find out when the stalls you want to visit will be there.
What groups will be at the fair on what day?
The fair is split across two days with different stalls on each day. This means you might want to visit the fair twice.
The Sports and Physical Activity Fair will be on Tuesday 28 September, and will include stalls from the University sports teams and Durham SU physical activity groups.
The Freshers’ Fair (Student Groups, Theatre, Music & Volunteering) will be on Wednesday 29 September, and will include stalls from over 250 Durham SU student groups, plus Theatre, Music and Volunteering.
There’ll also be stalls from local and national businesses or charities handing out information and freebies.
The Online Freshers' Fair will be live from Monday 27 September durhamsu.com/freshersfair. Access information about Durham SU groups, University sport, student volunteering and outreach, student theatre and music from wherever you are as part of the online Freshers’ Fair. The online fair will be live for a month, so you can browse any time you like.
Can I sign up to student groups at the fair?
Groups will have QR codes on their stalls that will allow you to express an interest in their group. They’ll then be able to send you more information after the fair about how to join that group and any upcoming events.
Activating your account to join SU groups
If you’re certain you want to join a particular SU group, you can join directly on the SU website for SU groups, if you’ve activated your Durham SU account.
If you’re a fresher, or don’t already have a durhamsu.com account, you’ll have received an email with an activation link to your @durham.ac.uk email (sender info@durhamsu.com). You need to follow this link to activate your account, and create a password in order to purchase memberships. Can’t find the email? Get a new activation email sent here.
If you're still having issues, try signing in with your CIS username and password before contacting us. Once you've signed in successfully, your account will be activated.
Once your account’s activated you can sign up online! You can find the link to sign up to any group at www.durhamsu.com/groups.
For Experience Durham groups (Team Durham Sport, Music Durham, Durham Student Theatre, Volunteering & Outreach) simply navigate to their pages on the relevant websites and contact the club executive or sign up at the Online Fresher's Fair!
Team Durham Clubs: https://www.dur.ac.uk/teamdurham/performance/universitysport/clubs/
Music Durham: https://www.musicdurham.org/
Durham Student Theatre: https://www.durham.ac.uk/colleges-and-student-experience/enrichment-activities/theatre/
Volunteering & Outreach: https://www.durham.ac.uk/colleges-and-student-experience/enrichment-activities/volunteering/
Accessibility half hour
The last half hour of each day (17.30-18.00) will be a “quiet half hour” for students who might benefit from time to look round when things are less busy.
If you need further accessibility information, please email dsu.engagement@durham.ac.uk
Can I access the fair online?
Yes! Wherever you are, you can meet and join hundreds of student groups at the online Freshers’ Fair.
Browse through groups on our online site, signing up as you go. You’ll have a month to access the fair, so you don’t need to decide which groups to join straight away.
www.durhamsu.com/freshersfair (live from Monday 27 September)
Got more questions?
Email us at info@durhamsu.com.
Visit:
www.dur.ac.uk/experiencedurham
