The Fadder Scheme aims to help new students get to know each other quickly, as well as the campus and the city in which they study. Almost 50 % of the students come from places other than southern Norway, and many will start the new semester in a city that is completely new to them. Most of them are starting a semester at a university for the very first time. The Fadder Scheme and the fadder will help new students to get started, primarily socially, but also with the campus and the city.
Fadder?
As a fadder, you are responsible for welcoming a new group of students to the University of Agder at semester start, and helping them to quickly get to know each other, the campus, and the city in which they study.
The Fadder Scheme is organised by students at both Campus Kristiansand and Campus Grimstad. You can volunteer as a fadder for your campus. As a fadder, you perform one of the most important tasks for the university. You are a valuable resource for UiA and especially for the new students who need guidance at the start of their studies.
New student?
As a new degree seeking student, you become part of a “fadder group” when you start your semester at the University of Agder in August. Fadder and fadder groups are assigned during the roll calls/information meetings held for each study programme on the first day. Therefore, you do not need to apply to be assigned a fadder.
Fadder group allocation
New students become part of a fadder group when they become students at UiA. This takes place during the roll calls/information meetings held for each study programme. All groups are assigned one or more “faddere”, who are students already familiar with the university. The fadder are responsible for the new students in their groups, are guides during semester start, and function as "gathering points". The first few days, during the semester start festival, are the most important, but many fadder stay in touch with their fadder group afterwards. Every year, 3000 new students arrive at UiA, and around 600 apply to be fadder.
Activities and events
The Fadder Scheme facilitates a number of activities related to semester start – with help from the Student Association in Agder (SiA), the Student Organisation of Agder (STA), the student activities and study associations, the University of Agder, Kristiansand and Grimstad municipalities and other cooperative partners who wish to contribute to welcoming new students. Together, we aim to make for a great start, a good foundation for studying and the student period, and life after studies. Trips, concerts, barbeques and competitions are amongst the regular events.