Orientation is an important time for many incoming freshmen, and to ease the pain of scheduling classes, meeting friends and getting oriented, the Dean of Student’s office has created a new program called “Reality LSU.”
Many incoming freshmen come to campus with no idea of what goes on during the year, and Reality LSU helps them get oriented around campus, said orientation coordinator Kelli Webber.
In the program, which takes place on the last day of orientation each session, incoming freshman and their orientation leaders participate in a two-hour program about the University and the choices they will make here.
Victor Felts, dean of Greek affairs, said in the past, orientation did not have a real, interactive program. “In the past it’s been more assimilation, when they would just go through the motions,” Felts said. “Now we’re trying to get them involved with student organizations. It’s more interactive and laid back.”
The incoming freshmen reported to the Royal Cotillion Ballroom in the Union at 8:30 a.m. and were greeted by their orientation leaders blaring the fight song and shaking purple-and-gold pompoms.
“It’s designed to be informative but fun,” Felts said. “We talk about safety and choices in college, the choices that effect the rest of their lives.”
During the program, freshmen are divided into their orientation groups by major and form a circle. In the circle, the orientation leaders use the intimate setting to acquaint students with their new classmates.
“The program really is a great way for people to meet people so when they come back in the fall they can see a familiar face,” said undecided sophomore Amy Scales, an orientation group leader.
LSU Ambassadors then took the stage to act out scenes to represent choices that often face freshmen. The acts ranged from getting involved in a student organization to drinking at Tiger Stadium.
“It’s a program on its way up. The first time we did it, it was pretty rough,” said LSU ambassador and architecture senior Hunter Brown. “But now it’s improving a lot.”
One of the main aspects of Reality LSU is getting students involved with student organizations. Biological sciences senior Kristin Berlin, one of the orientation group leaders and president of Phi Mu sorority, said Reality LSU was a good recruitment tool for student organizations.
“The session shows students how much LSU cares about getting involved,” Berlin said. “Hopefully it will open their eyes a little bit.”
Many freshman were impressed by the two-hour-long program.
“I thought it gave a lot of insight about what to expect from college, it was interesting,” said incoming business freshman Stephanie Lampert. “When we got in the circles, I got to meet different people.”
Incoming undecided freshman George Yarborough said the program gave him an impression of what college life was like. “It showed me a little bit of the inside, what I’m going to be doing in college.”
The next freshman orientation begins Thursday.