Group to host black freshman orientation

A local group is offering an orientation session to help ease the transition to college for IU's black students.\nIU's Black Student Union is hosting a black freshman orientation at the Neal-Marshall Black Culture Center, Bridgwater Lounge and patio, beginning at 5 p.m. today. Pizza will be served and guest speakers will abound.\nThe orientation program was created to offer a pool of resources aimed at black students in particular, said BSU president Courtney Williams in a press release. She said black students have found these resources useful in the past.\n"We want to help new students maximize their opportunities so they can have a successful academic career at IU," she said. \nSeven University speakers will offer their assistance. The attendees include representatives from Hudson-Holland Scholars, the African-American Art Institute, the IU Honors College and the executive board of the BSU. Topics will range from finding financial resources, utilizing and developing relationships with University advisers, the history of Black IU, balancing academic and social life and other student values.\nThe BSU will invite student participants to apply for membership to the group and to sign up to be "community representatives" -- a post new to the BSU. The BSU will raffle off an academic preparedness packet, flush with IU gear. \nThe event is open to upperclassmen as well as freshmen.