Groups students welcomed to ’07 program

Groups student and incoming freshman Tanei Livingston was a little nervous when she arrived at Teter Quad. She recalled her move-in day to the Groups program as being “hectic and exciting,” with lots of jam-packed elevators and people coming and going. \nAs an only child, Livingston was happy to take on the responsibilities Groups now offers her. \n“I’m excited and ready to meet new friends, see old ones and learn more about IU,” Livingston said.\nLivingston was one of hundreds of Groups students who unloaded their belongings on the curbside by Teter Quad on Saturday, June 16, when the 2007 Groups program officially began its session. \nThe Groups program was established in 1968 to address three major concerns of college students during the time. The first concern was increasing the attendance rate of first-generation college students, the second was servicing low-income families, and the last was benefiting the physically challenged.\nEach year the Groups program admits more than 200 students, and this year is no different. Upon arrival, students were greeted by the Groups staff as they received their University IDs and summer room assignments. Students will spend six weeks experiencing first-hand college life while taking three courses. \nDirector Janice Wiggins has been with the program for 10 years and has constantly kept her goal for the incoming freshman, which is “to complete all classes with exceptional grades and persist at Indiana University.” \nEach year she also stresses to the Groups student the four Ds: desire, dedication, discipline and determination. \nFreshman Eboni Jones said one of her favorite activities so far as a Groups student has been hanging out during the program’s after-hours in Teter’s lounge area. \n“The lounge area has a pool table, foosball, couches and computers,” Jones said. \nThe first day, the Groups staff gathered all the students to create a chant that would represent the different residence floors in Teter. Each floor performed their personalized chant in front of everyone, Jones said, and she remembers the experience being “really fun.” \nThe chanting is one of many activities Teter Quad Residence Manager Cedric Harris and his Groups staff have in store for the new students. All summer, the students will be entertained with the creative social, academic and fun events planned by the residence assistants. \n“I’m excited to have long-lasting memories with all the new people,” Jones said.\nOne common theme among the new students in Groups is meeting new friends and learning responsibility from the experience.\nWiggins recited a quote to all the students from Dr, Seuss’ “Oh the Places You’ll Go” that she uses as advice for old, new and future Groups students. The quote she recited was: “You have brains in your head, you have feet in your shoes, you can steer yourself in any direction you choose. You’re on your own, and know what you know, you are the person who’ll decide where to go.”\nIt is Wiggins’ hope that the Groups students take with them a great deal of responsibility, as they are now in charge of their fates.