The summer between senior year of high school and freshman year of college is supposed to be carefree. No more SATs, no more standardized testing, and no more college supplements. This summer, out of all the summers a student will encounter, is meant to be purely fun.
For the newest class of Stevens Institute of Technology, the summer bliss does not fully come to an end once orientation commences on August 26th. The Stevens Office of Student Life and orientation leaders have been working hard to give the matriculating class of 2019 a great beginning to a hopefully even better college career.
Freshman students who participate in one of the several pre-orientation activities, commonly termed as “Pre-O,” normally would be apportioned among the many different orientation groups. However, this year students will remain with their Pre-O groups throughout orientation. Jacob Vanderbilt, a chemical-engineering student and one of the Orientation Leader Coordinators, explained why the change was made. “We hope this will allow for is better engagement with all the new incoming students by our programming because we have more time with them,” said Vanderbilt. “It’s a way to put less of an emphasis on the distinction between Pre-O and Orientation.” Students who are partaking in a Pre-O activity or arriving on campus for the first time on Tuesday will all be ready to start learning about Stevens on Wednesday.
The Pre-Orientation and Orientation Leaders have gone through an extensive application and training process and are prepared to educate, support, and engage with freshman students. “It is important to choose an orientation leader team that is most reflective of incoming class,” said Christopher Shemanski, Coordinator of Undergraduate Student Life. “We do our best to pick students from different backgrounds and majors.” The Orientation Leaders are an integral aspect of orientation, as they are responsible for informing new students about the various services Stevens provides, like the free tutoring center and Student Counseling and Disability services.
Orientation, as much as it is a time for students to enjoying comedy nights, bingo, and hypnotist shows, also serves to build a sturdy foundation for incoming students. Freshmen will be learning about the Stevens Honor System, which, as Honor Board Chair Elena Piper explains, “defines what it means to be a member of the Stevens community of honor.” The presentation is designed to be both educative and meaningful. “When in your academic careers you are faced with a difficult ethical decision, I hope each of you will choose to represent a true Stevens student and the values that define our Institution,” said Piper.
The Office of Student Life is excited to announce additions to the orientation schedule. The College101 event is a live performance which highlights five typical college scenarios that freshmen students may encounter during their time at Stevens. “We wanted to give students a foundation of what they might experience during their freshman year,” said Damell. The performance was not only written by Stevens, but also cast by Student Life and directed by a Stevens alum. After the performance, students will break out into their orientation groups to discuss the topics presented in the performance, such as alcohol consumption, consent, and academic integrity.
A mass of information is presented during orientation, and it can be quite overwhelming for a new student who is unfamiliar with the unique Stevens culture. However, it is a time meant to prepare students for their impending college careers. “We strive to introduce the resources the school offers to help them be successful during their first year,” said Vanderbilt. “Orientation doesn’t end on Sunday. You will continue to learn about our school all the way to and past graduation.”
Shemanski shares the same sentiment. “We do all of this to help students feel connected to their academics, their campus, and most importantly, the Stevens community.”
