This is the true story of 28 strangers chosen to live together for a sweltering summer. Find out what happened when they stopped being nice and started being real.
No, the Real World auditions are not coming to town again. This is the story of 28 student leaders picked to live together in Hereford College this summer to show the ropes to 3,000 incoming first years.
Last summer marked the beginning of a new University tradition - summer orientation for new students.
Last year, 160 students vied for the competitive positions. Those chosen were expected to serve as representatives of the University for the students and their parents. As representatives, they led small group activities, encouraged participation in the orientation programs, and most of all, helped acquaint the first years to life at college.
"Serving as a student's first impression on their first day at U.Va. was just a great opportunity," said Matt Madden, third-year College student and 1999 summer orientation leader.
|
|
"When I first came to U.Va, it was so overwhelming. Everything was a blur. I had to take my ID picture while unpacking, while trying to find the classes I'd signed up for on my own at home over the summer," Gupta said. "Working at orientation last summer was such a unique experience. Since it was the first time they'd done it, we had a lot of liberty in shaping the program."
Gupta, who says she wants to return this summer as an orientation leader, has already gone through the rehiring process. She says she wants to return to carry on some traditions the leaders started.
One comic tradition developed throughout last summer's sessions. During the first meeting of the two-day orientation, one of the leaders, who looked like a random student in the audience, stood up and screamed, "It's great to be a U.Va. Wahoo!" After the outburst, all the leaders ran down the aisles of Old Cabell Hall, chanting the University's signature "Wahoowa" cheer.
"I was so embarrassed for this guy who just jumped up in the middle of the welcome meeting. He was way too excited to be at U.Va," first-year College student Kristen Buergert said. "When I realized it was an orientation leader, it was hilarious."
Students who enjoyed the session last year now have the opportunity to share their experiences with the class of 2004. The Office of Orientations and New Student Programs is selecting leaders for this summer's orientation.
"If you like meeting people and sharing what you know about Charlottesville, you should try out," said Brooke Brower, fourth-year College student and 1999 summer orientation leader. "You're part guide, part RA, part academic advisor. It's a merging of roles."
Second-year College student Sonia Wahi said she is applying to be an orientation leader this year because, although she would like to be a Resident Advisor, she doesn't have time during the year.
"Basically, I've wanted to be a RA, but I don't have the time commitment for a whole year," Wahi said. "This gives me the opportunity to do it on a smaller scale."
"It was an amazing group of people to work with, interacting with all new students with an open mind to U.Va," Madden said. "There was such a broad set of perspectives and life experiences."
Students' biggest complaint was being housed in Hereford.
"I think they put us out in Hereford to teach us how to use Escort," first-year College student Rob Rudd said. Instead of walking back to the AFC for the planned pizza party, Rudd and two friends showed up in style in a clunky white van with "Escort Service" plastered across the side.
Assistant Director Monica Nixon said they housed students in Hereford because, although far away, it is the only place that can hold all 425 people that come every session.
Eleanor Sparagana, director of orientation and new student programs, said she plans to solve the Hereford problem by stationing students at Newcomb Hall all day this summer to avoid excessive trips back to the distant dormitory.
Students also complained about Hereford's frigid temperatures. The blasting air conditioning, combined with lightweight linens, made the accommodations uncomfortable. Evaluation forms cued program directors to turn down the air conditioning and warn this summer's students to bring warm blankets.
"All in all, I felt the summer went great, seeing as it wasn't tested. We were able to adapt from session to session," Madden said. "I was surprised at how well it went, actually."
Another change for this summer is the way Student Council and the Honor and Judiciary Committees will be introduced. Students complained these programs were redundant because they were repeated in the fall orientation program. This year, student groups will give an overall philosophical introduction of their organization in the summer and will add more specifics during fall orientation.
"During focus groups that we had after the program, we asked the questions, 'What fits best in the summer and what in the fall?" Nixon said.
To give the first years more time to interact one-on-one with their leaders, this year's program has added a small group forum.
Program leaders also have extended the time first years will have to develop their fall schedule.
In another change for this summer, students will participate in a tour of Grounds to help acclimate them to the University.
"We want orientation to make the University feel a little safer, less intimidating. These students can arrive with 400 others for the first time, not 3,000," Nixon said.
For many current first years, the approach worked.
"It was so nice having that many more familiar faces when I showed up for my first real day at U.Va.," first-year College student Shauna Berman said. "Some of the people I met at orientation have become some of my closest friends now."
"I still, up to this point, have first years recognize me and say, 'Hey, you were my orientation leader," said Myung Kim, third-year College student and 1999 summer orientation leader. "Sometimes they even ask me advice on classes or locations of buildings. It was a great way to get to know 3,000 incoming first years."
Applications to be an orientation leader are due Wed., Feb. 16 in the Office of Orientation and New Student Programs. Those accepted will be notified before Spring Break, and must go through a training session in the spring before tackling the six-week summer job.
Read More
At Emmy Squared, Detroit-style pizza is upstaged by star handhelds and sides
By Xander Tilock | 3 days agoEmmy Squared is a Brooklyn-based restaurant that serves Detroit-style pizza and recently expanded into Charlottesville.
Sustainability in the lecture hall and beyond
By Ingrid Gay | 5 days agoStudents in all three of these programs stress that now, more than ever, it is important to be learning about our environment.
Top 10 pieces of advice from fourth-year students
By Sam Saks | 6 days agoThe following pieces of advice will help you achieve academic success and personal growth during the remainder of your college experience
