Old School Orientation: behind the scenes
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Ten strangers are trapped in an office with no windows for nearly six months. They are forced to work around the clock all summer or face the wrath of more than 1,000 disoriented young adults. No, this isn't another reality show, it's Orientation.
The selection process for Orientation week staff began in February, with interviews that followed in March. The first meeting in mid-March could in no way predict the upcoming staff's 90-hour work weeks, "I really didn't know what I was getting myself into," admits executive co-chair Will Ares.
The staff originally planned to implement a theme of "reality television" throughout orientation. The idea, however, was scrapped for a more workable one; hence the creation of an Old School styled theme. The popular movie was one freshman and staff alike could find a sense of commonality.
"Old School was a great theme that helped us name the other events", Alexa Kurzius, orientation staff member, explained. "For example, the closing ceremonies were named "Hop-A-Palooza!' after "Mitch-A-Palooza.'"
Old School proved not only a form of inspiration, but also as a way to bring the diverse orientation staff together.
"The movie played nonstop in the office. The whole staff knows every line; it became our own way of communicating," claims Ares. The favorite line amongst O-staffers: "you're my boy Blue."
According to Ares, the overall week was amazingly successful. More freshmen showed up to the orientation events than the staff could have ever hoped for. The closing ceremonies turnout was the biggest surprise. Past ceremonies saw a crowd of less than a hundred people. This year's closing ceremonies had about 700 freshmen present. The staff attributes much of this turnout to the efforts of O-staffer Maria Marsh. Marsh worked closely with Lee's Ice Cream, a local Baltimore establishment, to plan the ice-cream party and raffle which drew so many eager frosh.
Other major improvements from last year, according to the staff, were the revamping of the Student Advisor Program and other major social events. The Student Advisor Program consists of 160 upperclassmen who volunteer to help freshmen. They return to Homewood early to undergo extensive training in order to face any conflicts or qualms the incoming class may experience. For many the Student Advisor is not only a mentor, but a new friend.
Some major events also contributed to this year's success. Some highlights include the addition of the "Hall Pass." It's an all access pass that people can purchase during the summer. The pass was the brainchild of First Week Co-chairs Teresa Bruno and Bryan Kaminski.
"The trips included an array of activities, anything from the Inner Harbor to shopping at Arundel Mills. During these trips, I met many new people, making Orientation week one of the most memorable experiences of my life," says Nancy Tray, a freshman from Virginia.
Hopkins alumnus Dan Ahdoot headlined Monday night's entertainment. This event was a freshman favorite.
"Dan Ahdoot was amazing. He really made you feel like you were a part of Hopkins as he hilariously discussed his own experience," says freshman Pavan Dalal.
The academic programs were also well-attended. The Academic Open Houses and Academic Interest Panels were generally seen as "informative" and "effective" among freshman. Some information sessions, however, were not as well received. Color of Fear, a new addition to the Orientation agenda, was seen as "kind of ineffective," freshman Ellen Tsay from Maryland observed. "The discussion part was much more effective in addressing diversity."
"The 9 a.m. meetings were the hardest to glean information from because 9 a.m. is too early after long, tiring days filled with activities," says freshman Michelle Brown. She suggests consolidating "The New Student Convocation, the Dean's Assembly and the Ethics Assembly into one thing" in order to save time. Limiting the time spent in long lecture-type information sessions would allow time for more social events, something that all the freshmen craved.
Will Chang, a freshman from Taiwan, feels that, "while the person-school relationships were established and bolstered, the person-person relationships weren't as strong."
Freshman Whitney Reiben seems to accurately capture the overall opinion of Old School Orientation 2004 when she says, "Orientation week was well-produced and informational."
The staff can give a collective sigh of relief knowing that their efforts have been appreciated. After going through a large budget, three cases of Red Bull, five helium tanks, a couple "pimped-out' golf carts, 13 hours at Costco, one night in a gymnastics studio and the torture of having only two hours of sleep in a two-day period, the Orientation staff still manage to feel a sense of pride each time they spot an underclassmen donning an Old School T-shirt.