Orientation - Crazy, large scale production!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Friend of mine said the W&M first year move in was “really over the top”.

My DS is an Orientation Aide at W&M this year. Their first job is to get the new kids info on W&M policies and procedures. Their second job is to keep them so busy they're exhausted at night and don't go out drinking. The OA's used to help families move into the dorms but after a couple of injuries, they are instructed to just cheer when the new students move in. I haven't talked to my DS since Wednesday night - I'm sure he's as exhausted as the new students.

Former OA and Student Activities coordinator. Orientation is the one the most expensive, complex, and exhausting activities of the year.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Princeton does a ceremonial march through the front gate.

The indoctrination march to the reprogramming camp.

[Anonymous]

I’ve seen both - one was a huge event like that, with multi day crazy stuff. The other was one day with families and students with faculty/staff doing presentations then available for questions, meeting one-on-one, etc.
I much prefer the second. The first one did not feature any significant faculty or staff, and no one to answer questions or solve problems.
The second one was very lovely, able to address issues and resolve problems on the spot.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have a feeling OP is trolling. Otherwise, she would just name the school. I've never heard of any school having an orientation like that.

Pitt used to have fireworks for orientation but they switched to a drone show this year.

Yeah, Pitt's orientation events have been pretty impressive, including the drone show.

[Anonymous]

I've been so impressed by what I'm hearing from my kid about orientation so far at W&M. (Not "over the top" at all, and I frankly can't figure out where that would come from; it doesn't track with anything I saw when in town or have heard since then.) The dropoff day last week was extremely smooth, and from my kid's mid-orientation reports, they're connecting well with other students and having a great time.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Which SEC school?

Jealous?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Friend of mine said the W&M first year move in was “really over the top”.

We just returned and it was awesome. Not over the top at all. My husband and I were impressed and left feeling completely comfortable that DD is in great hands. Move in was well orchestrated, thoughtful of students and families, great spirit, no fireworks. Lots of happy volunteers directing students. OAs on hand to whisk kids off to dinner together after saying goodbye to parents. Kids had staggered move in windows so each family had time alone in the room to get set up and say goodbye privately. Just right IMO.

Tbf they did do fireworks in Colonial Williamsburg for the students last night, but I agree that it was all well done

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have a feeling OP is trolling. Otherwise, she would just name the school. I've never heard of any school having an orientation like that.

Not trolling at all. It was Chapman University--very positive experience. I just didn't think the specific school was relevant.

Are you kidding ? Of course, the name of the school is relevant.

[Anonymous]

Ivy was wholesome- not tons of flash. Normal

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Which university was this?

Must be an SEC.

That's immediately what I thought!

[Anonymous]

this is not an expensive event for most colleges - they get a ton of free (ish) sophomores to cheer and move kids in, set up the various bands and glee groups around campus to sing in t shirts and shorts, let the parents eat in the dining halls for free, have a lemonade and cupcake reception with the parents and dorm head, hold a panel or two in the main lecture rooms about supporting kids from afar (and what not to do), receptions for first gen, affinity groups, international, etc. Get the mascot rolling round shaking hands and taking pictures, get the president rolling around shaking hands and taking pictures. Have an opening ceremony the next morning with some music, couple speeches, and the first time signing the alma mater. Then last stop back at the dorm to drop off the last target run and goodbyes.

I've run events my whole career. Many every year with price tags into the millions. For colleges with the grounds and the cheap labor, this is a smart way to get information to customers/parents and make everyone feel good about their purchase/education. It's money well spent for Pharma, tech, and ... yes colleges.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP, here. We actually loved the whole experience. Fireworks aside, the campus was swarming with friendly, helpful student volunteers, and the whole move-in/orientation process was incredibly well orchestrated. It ended with a candle light ceremony on a quad. Yes, pretty OTT, but we felt good about leaving DS in their hands.

What school? (Wherever it is, the freshman class includes a ton of kids. You’re not going to out yours by identifying the school ….)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Apparently Duke is also way OTT.

It was last year with the Ed Sheeran concert.

Of course, they fired a bunch of people 9 months later and now have a hiring freeze…..

So…..

The Ed Sheeran concert was not orientation week. It was for the school’s 100th anniversary - a full-year celebration / alumni fundraising event.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Apparently Duke is also way OTT.

It was last year with the Ed Sheeran concert.

Of course, they fired a bunch of people 9 months later and now have a hiring freeze…..

So…..

Ed Sheeran was for the Duke Centennial in September, not orientation. They do have fireworks on campus for the students once a year though

And they paid him $2m for that gig.

That’s a bargain given the social media reach and the overall Centennial fundraising results.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:this is not an expensive event for most colleges - they get a ton of free (ish) sophomores to cheer and move kids in, set up the various bands and glee groups around campus to sing in t shirts and shorts, let the parents eat in the dining halls for free, have a lemonade and cupcake reception with the parents and dorm head, hold a panel or two in the main lecture rooms about supporting kids from afar (and what not to do), receptions for first gen, affinity groups, international, etc. Get the mascot rolling round shaking hands and taking pictures, get the president rolling around shaking hands and taking pictures. Have an opening ceremony the next morning with some music, couple speeches, and the first time signing the alma mater. Then last stop back at the dorm to drop off the last target run and goodbyes.

I've run events my whole career. Many every year with price tags into the millions. For colleges with the grounds and the cheap labor, this is a smart way to get information to customers/parents and make everyone feel good about their purchase/education. It's money well spent for Pharma, tech, and ... yes colleges.

+1