“Welcome to Ivey.” The start-of-term banquet will begin shortly, but before you take your seats in the BMO Auditorium, you will be sorted into your sections. The Sorting is a very important ceremony because, while you are here, your section will be something like your family within Ivey. You will have classes with the rest of your section, work on cases together, and spend free time at section socials and study groups. The ten sections are called the Red-Hot Chili Peppers, Orange Pylons, Yellow Chickens, Green Dinos, Pink Panthers, and so on. Each section has its own noble history, and each has produced outstanding business leaders. While you are at Ivey, your triumphs will earn your section points, while any rule-breaking will lose section points. At the end of the year, the section with the most points is awarded the Ivey Cup, a great honour. I hope each of you will be a credit to whichever section becomes yours.
Sound familiar? For Harry Potter fans and casual observers alike, the four houses of Hogwarts are iconic. Whether you’ve watched the films or taken an HP Buzzfeed quiz, you have likely felt the thrill of being sorted into your Hogwarts house. Now, minus the wizards, house elves, and dark lords, Ivey’s section system feels much the same. Instead of Gryffindor or Slytherin, you’re sorted into one of Ivey’s ten sections – each with its own traditions, mascot, and fierce sense of pride. In your section, you’ll form lasting bonds, challenge each other, and compete for the coveted Ivey Cup – a tradition that brings out the best in every section. Much like at Hogwarts, your section becomes your home, where you learn together, compete together, and create memories that last beyond your time at Ivey.
To paint a better picture of Ivey’s section culture, we spoke to Joanne Shao, an HBA1 student, Section 2 President, and a well-versed champion of Ivey's section culture. Having pursued Economics during her pre-Ivey years, Joanne also became a familiar face in Western clubs and organizations, being involved in PBSN, FLS Fashion Show, and CAISA Fashion Show. She started by taking us back to her inaugural first week as an Ivey student, which she cites to be one of her favourite memories. During this week, the OWLs (Orientation Week Leaders), Ivey's version of sophs, play a major role in setting the tone and bringing the energy that make the experience unforgettable. If you’ve ever walked into a section classroom and noticed the familial warmth and personal touches in the decor, that’s another piece of the OWLs’ work, making sure every student feels right at home from day one.
Beyond orientation, Joanne quickly realized how much her section would shape her Ivey experience. Each section elects a President, VP of Events, and VP of Ivey Cup, while other roles, like VP of Communications, are appointed. With this structure in mind, Joanne initially considered pursuing VP of Communications. However, after speaking with an HBA2 student, she realized that becoming section president would allow her to make a bigger impact on the section's culture. She saw the president’s role not just as overseeing events, but as a golden opportunity to foster a space where everyone could contribute and thrive. Joanne's belief in inclusivity and experience in community-building drove her to ultimately step up and take on the challenge, embracing her motto: bringing everyone together, no matter their background or experience.
What makes Ivey’s section culture stand out is its collaborative and flexible approach to organizing events. There’s no official process for hosting activities, and if an idea sparks within the section, it's encouraged to be brought forward and discussed. This openness fosters creativity, ensuring that every section has its own unique mix of activities. Whether it’s academic challenges, social gatherings, or service initiatives, it’s about getting everyone involved.
Joanne’s leadership role also gave her a front-row seat to how the Ivey Cup brings out the best in each section. Sections compete in trivia, a food drive, sculpture-building, an academic decathlon, and even a talent show. It’s a multi-faceted celebration of section pride, with something for everyone. The top three teams with the most points are rewarded with a larger budget and, of course, some serious bragging rights. These moments not only highlight the best of each section but also rally people together, making the Ivey Cup a unique reflection of the team spirit that defines the Ivey experience.
While section culture thrives in both academic and competitive settings, it’s the people who truly bring it to life. The Ivey signature 48-hour reports serve as an experience that can “make or break your Learning Team (LT).” LTs are assigned groups that work through the reports together, and it’s these shared, high-pressure moments that bring students closer. These experiences create memories that extend well beyond the classroom, turning classmates into friends and forming connections that last long after Ivey.
Within the academic sphere, Joanne acknowledges that Ivey’s structure creates a “level playing field” for students. While academics remain important, the focus often shifts toward recruiting, where competition is more pronounced. Joanne, however, views this competition positively, seeing it as an opportunity for students to support each other through interview prep and cross-mocks, working together through the demanding recruiting season. The VP of Academics helps foster this collaborative environment, ensuring students stay engaged and motivated.
Joanne has become a go-to source of insight for prospective Ivey students, sharing her day-to-day life and experiences on TikTok. Her drive to share her Ivey experience on social media comes from a desire to fill the gap she felt before coming to Ivey. Not knowing much about the culture, events, or teaching methods, she now feels it's crucial to provide prospective students with an inside scoop. For her, the most rewarding part is hearing from others who say her TikToks helped them better understand what Ivey is all about. “I want to represent my section and Ivey well,” she says. Through her posts, Joanne is helping bring in the next generation of talent, giving them an honest, engaging glimpse into the Ivey experience.
So, if you are still 9 ¾ convinced on pressing “accept,” let Ivey’s one-of-a-kind section culture be the magic that nudges you to a 10!
TikTok: @joanne.shao