Orientation - Crazy, large scale production!

[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

[Anonymous]

Why all the hate??

Looking school’s approach to O-week is yet another opportunity for a kid to assess whether a school is a good fit for them.

Some kids want the all-out, highly organized, event-filled week before school starts. Other kids want the opposite.

There are schools for everyone. Spend some time this week on the schools’ Instagram or TikTok. Find what works for your kid/family and move on from what doesn’t. Live and let live.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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

Haha, I spoke too soon. DD sent a video and loved it. No fireworks at move-in, but I’m not sure why people are turned off by celebrating this milestone anyway. Orientation is a big deal and I’m pleased with OAs’ efforts to make kids feel included. Introverted DD is a bit exhausted and excited to get started with classes already, but appreciates the bonding and has made some friends. She’s excited about convocation and the ceremonial walk through Wren - she signed up for a school steeped in tradition and loves this kind of thing.

[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.


Uh no they paid my sophomore $20 an hour plus overtime

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Ivy was wholesome- not tons of flash. Normal

Same. Very well-organized too. Time slots. Freshmen arrive a week earlier than the rest of school--for week long orientation. Meet with their faculty advisor for course selection and their student advisor. Lots of low key events. Reception for parents night of move-in.

My kid made his best friends that week.

[Anonymous]

UVA. UVA has fireworks after they got all the first years into the stadium and lined them up to take an aerial shot forming U V A.

[Anonymous]

South Carolina has fireworks and live music. They are ranked #1 for this. https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=8uRpBvnucK8

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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 ….)

OP said it was Chapman.

[Anonymous]

Rice goes big for orientation week.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Move-in isn’t the same as Orientation at most schools. Just saying.

It IS the same for non-state schools/ schools that attract lots of far-flung students. Only state schools have earlier orientations, because it's easy for students to travel to campus. And those usually have at least one orientation right before (early) move-in for students coming from afar.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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.

Sounds like Notre Dame.

I just came back from ND drop off -- no fireworks or candles (at least that parents were invited to view).

The marching band is pretty impressive, but I think they work for free.