Orientation introduces students to IU

Freshmen, their parents and bowls of free candy and lanyards filled the lobby of the Herman B Wells Library on Wednesday as New Student Orientation continued to acquaint IU’s newest students with the place they will spend the next four years.

Dustin Nisley, a social work intern at the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Student Support Services Office, said orientation not only provides a chance for new students to learn more about IU, but also a chance for campus organizations and offices to introduce themselves.  

“It’s important just having a presence and letting students know there’s a place they can go if they have an issue,” Nisley said. “And for freshmen, it’s great to get a feel of what campus is like.”

Just one booth over, Helene G. Simon Hillel Jewish Student Center administrative assistant Melissa Silvers said it’s also a great way to get a head-start on meeting new friends.

“It’s a great place to learn about different organizations on campus and meet other freshmen,” she said.

Silvers recalled two freshmen meeting each other at the Hillel booth a few years ago.

One was from Atlanta and the other from New York. The two became college friends after the chance encounter.

“It’s just also a great place to get answers to all your questions,” she said.
As an orientation program assistant, it’s Paige Babala’s job to answer many of those questions.

She and the other assistants walked around the lobby Wednesday holding iPads that displayed surveys and greeting new students and their
parents.

“Students really do get a feel of what life is like at Indiana,” she said. “Orientation helps them get comfortable and feel safe.”

While there has always been an emphasis on safety, this summer’s orientation sessions have had a stronger focus on those issues in the wake of Lauren Spierer’s disappearance in June.

Some staff members and campus partners, however, have detected a certain reluctance from parents in discussing the disappearance.

“Parents are aware of what’s been going on,” Babala said. “But I haven’t actually had too many questions about it. I think parents may be scared to ask.”

Assistant Dean of Students Suzanne Phillips, who manned the Parents Association booth, said she also picked up on the concern, but as time passes, the concerns have become less vocal.

“Questions have been coming up,” Phillips said. “We certainly had them at first, but not so much anymore. Even without the actual questions, we keep promoting safety, though, as we always have.”

For some incoming freshman, like Valparaiso native Kristina Stewart, the University’s method of using orientation to calm any nerves following Lauren’s disappearance has worked.

“It’s been great,” she said. “It’s interesting to see how easy it is to meet people and make friends. It’s definitely made me more comfortable about going here after what’s happened.”