As thousands of students swarmed campus on move-in day, waited hours for elevators and dragged multiple 50-pound bags up the stairs, 350 freshmen were already comfortably nestled in their dorms.
These freshmen participated in pre-orientation programs from August 16 to August 23. These programs are intended to facilitate a smooth transition from high school to college.
“It’s been really great meeting new people and upperclassmen who actually know about the school and [who] can introduce me to the opportunities presented here,” commented Ian Chui, a freshman in the Leadership Through Service pre-orientation program.
Eight different programs, ranging from community service to camping, were offered to freshmen this year. Students participating in the pre-orientation arrived a few days early to check into their dorms and meet fellow incoming students.
During the pre-orientation programs, students interact with upper-class students who share similar interests and become familiar with the range of activities that the school offers. Breaking into small groups helps students to focus on their individual interests.
“The pre-orientation serves a different purpose from the orientation [because it] focuses on specific things,” said Chui.
The pre-orientation allows a more intimate, small group experience to students trying to adjust to a new environment and there are major advantages to attending one of the programs.
“It’s just harder to meet 1300 people all coming at once,” said Danielle Bristow, director of Orientation and Parent Weekend.
According to Bristow, arriving a few days earlier provides students a chance to mingle with smaller groups of people with similar interests before meeting the entire class of 2011.
Unlike the actual orientation, which started on August 24, pre-orientation programs are mostly student-run.
Any student group on campus wishing to participate may submit an application. The Office of Orientation encourages student groups to get involved as long as their purposes do not interfere with those of already existing programs.
“Pre-orientation budgets are set by the programs themselves,” said Bristow.
The cost of any program, however, must be under $300 to prevent it from being cost-prohibitive to some students.
This year, three new programs-The Hatchet in St. Louis; KWUR: Adventures in Radioland; and Hot Lasers and Fast Atoms-Approaching Infinity-were added, while a pre-med program from Cornerstone was discontinued. The Office of Orientation is hoping to expand the diversity of programs and a number of student organizations including debate, mock trials and crew team have already shown interest in participating next year.