OLs Welcome New Students to Orientation
Summer Orientation is the first step into the University community for incoming students. For two days, these brand new 'Hoos get to experience life in a residence hall, dining hall fare, and the challenges of course registration. Additionally, a host of other activities are designed to acquaint them with enduring University traditions, such as the Community of Trust and student self-governance. Orientation is a glimpse into what the following four years hold at U.Va.: new friends, a new home, and a newfound sense of independence.
To ensure that this journey begins successfully, the full-time Orientation staff relies on 31 undergrads to serve as Orientation Leaders. The summer "OLs" are a dedicated group of students, with diverse academic and extracurricular pursuits and a sincere passion for all things Cavalier. These student leaders take on multiple roles, including peer academic advisor, overnight resident advisor, tour-guide, and entertainer. They are an invaluable resource to parents as well, providing information, directions, and reassurance as parents and their offspring are separated for the days' activities.
Orientation Leaders go through two weeks of training, where they receive information about regulations and procedures from the deans of individual schools at the University.
"Coupled with the information communicated from the deans, the OLs bring their own personal experiences to the program," said Tabitha Enoch, director of the Office of Orientation and New Student Programs. "I am 100 percent confident in their abilities to guide and advise the students."
“We have a very good working knowledge of the resources and things that go on at U.V.a.,” said Kimberly Sine, a senior Orientation Leader who is returning for her second summer. “We try our best to be honest and give incoming students a realistic expectation of what life at U.Va. is like.”
Although check-in begins at 8 a.m., the OLs have been at work since 5:45, chalking sidewalks around Grounds with arrows and directions to guide visitors to their various destinations throughout the day, as well as writing expressions of encouragement for students as they make their trek to the Hereford Residential College, where they will be spending the night.
After the welcome address in Old Cabell Hall, students and parents go their separate ways for Orientation programming. Students meet with their Orientation Leaders and spend the afternoon in course advising workshops and in talks about the U.Va. community with various student leaders. Evening social activities are held in the Aquatic Fitness Center.
“During this time, it is best for parents to allow their student to be independent,” advised Sine. “Students are going to be busy for most of the day.”
Parents can enjoy a number of activities, including seminars on financial matters, academic life, and health and wellness at U.Va. The Parents Hospitality and Resource Center is also open from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on day two. Additionally, there are activities for parents and students to share, such as the Residence Hall Open House and a new session this year, “U.Va. Students: Is Everybody Drinking?”.
By Roxana Mullafiroze ’10
Posted June 22, 2008 |
