New freshmen invade campus

Approximately 6,400 incoming freshmen will invade IU's campus over the next couple months. Between June 14 and July 20, 34 student orientation leaders are expected to conduct campus tours, oversee freshmen registration and prepare the University for this year's class of 2008. \nAssociate Director of Orientation Programs Melanie Payne said orientation is a must for all incoming students. For 24 hours, freshman students will romp about campus and experience dorm life in the wings of Wright Quad.\n"But actual orientation is really phase two in the whole process," Payne said. "We've already built a relationship via mail. Our goals over the years have remained the same, but we always try to improve our approach."\nSophomore Rebecca Darling said she doesn't remember the key elements of her orientation. \n"You're so caught up in your own head," she said. "It's hard to make what they tell you stick." \nBecause of this type of complaint, Payne is working on a more direct way of communication this year.\nPayne said this year's goals include emphasis on social decision-making, alcohol and drug safety, living in the dorms and academic involvement.\n"But at the most basic level, students need to register, know how to get around, utilize resources and things like that," Payne said. In terms of this year's communicative approach, Payne said orientation leaders are personalizing the freshman experience.\nFor students like Darling, Payne said she wants this year's orientation to be a memorable success, but wants to remind incoming freshman that there is only so much to be said about IU in one day. \n"We have to carefully select the messages we send to each year's freshman," Payne says.\n"They'll be sharing personal experiences, good and bad," Payne said. Other issues up for discussion include sexual assault and student diversity. She said though these issues are difficult to talk about, the messages are well received. \nThis year's 34 leaders have spent months preparing for the 34 days that are freshman orientation. Junior Kendrel Cooper, an orientation team leader, shared his experience in what he called an intensive training program in Grand Rapids, Mich., last summer.\n"They had us all lodged together, leading group discussions, playing group games and a whole list of other activities," Cooper said. "But I understand what they're trying to do."\nTraining sessions include tasks that help the communications process, including public speaking and even Power Point presentations, Cooper said. The training sessions in Grand Rapids were also conducted with other orientation leaders regionwide from the National Orientation Directors Association. \nOrientation Leading is a full-time position, according to the Office of Orientation Programs Web site. Leaders are expected to lead group activities and perform resident assistant duties. \n"It's a paid position," Payne said. "The selection process is very precise."\nWhen freshman students do arrive on June 14, Payne said she will assure students and parents that the Office of Orientation will be ready. \n"The parents and students will be separated and we'll be keeping them busy," she said. Though students won't have a curfew during their 24-hour stay, Payne said she hopes this year's freshmen will choose to engage themselves in orientation activities. \n"We're not going to go around and check their beds at night," Payne said. "These are near-adults who are making a conscious choice to go to college."\nShe said carefully selecting the messages sent to this year's freshmen will decide whether the program is a success.\n"We just want students to feel good about coming to IU," Payne said. "That's truly our primary mission."\n-- Contact staff writer Amber Kerezman at akerezma@indiana.edu .