2008 Woodie Awards
Orientation helps new Febs to adjust with ease
Chocolate fountain and enthusiastic Febs leaders make '08.5s feel welcome
Max Nardini
Issue date: 2/17/05 Section: Features
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Before their orientation even began, the incoming students corresponded by e-mail with first-year students who enrolled in September. The pilot program - which paired the incoming Febs with Reg buddies - was intended to alleviate new students' trepidation and make orientation more relaxed.
Thefacebook.com also helped many Febs become acquainted with each other prior to their arrival on campus. Over half of the Feb class registered on the site and joined the "FebMiddkids '08.5" group.
Once the new students made it to campus, however, their adjustment to Middlebury College was facilitated the old-fashioned way - through the guidance, enthusiasm and energy of Feb leaders.
Orientation consisted of several days of informational and recreational activities intended to help integrate the new students into the College community and allow them to socialize with their class. This year's program has received high praise from both the incoming Febs and the College administration.
Karen Guttentag, assistant dean of Student Affairs and coordinator of Feb orientation, noted that a major "factor in the orientation program's success was the incredible work done by the 28 sophomore Feb leaders and two senior co-chairs."
Many members of the class of 2008.5 were equally enthusiastic about the orientation. Andrea Glaessner '08.5 said that when she first arrived on campus, "I was excited that [the Feb leaders] were excited."
"At first I was overwhelmed by everything to do, but I really had fun," Glaessner said. She cited the square dance as one of her favorite activities and added, "Thefacebook.com helped people to get to know each other before they got to the campus."