Rochester Institute of Technology - Techmila / Ramikin Yearbook (Rochester, NY)

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Operation campUS A grey rain fell lazily and somewhat relentlessly last September 17 on the two-year-old Henrietta Campus as the OPUS (Operation Campus) com- mittee oriented 1400 freshmen and new transfer students to their next two or four years at RIT. The official “Welcome Week”, organized under able OPUS co-chairmen, Danny Sinto and Jon Roberts, began early Wednesday morning with the small trackless trains taking parents and guests, and students on tours of the academic complex RIT’s storage and transportation department, under the direction of Ed Ziegler, provided American Airlines luggage carts and shuttle buses for trans- portation throughout the day. New students, supplied with OPUS Spirit Kits, freshmen beanies, buttons, and maps of building locations, gathered on the west side of the George H. Clark Memorial Gym for the afternoon Presi- dent’s Assembly. The recently retired Dr. Mark Ellingson, spoke to a capacity crowd in the gym, emphasizing the growth of the Institute, introduc- ing his successor, Dr. Paul Miller, and wishing his “sincere best washes for future accomplishments at RIT to the incoming students.” Most of the freshmen and parents dashed through the puddles forming on the dormitory walk-way to the College Alumni Union Cafeteria, where OPUS sponsored a buffet Luncheon for the guests and new students. During the next two days, campus activity cen- tered around discussion groups in the dorm lounges, purchasing books, and freshman testing in the various colleges. One of the highlights of the week included the 8 p.m. Pep Rally in the gym, led by the Tiger Cheer- leaders. The new students were already beginning to become familiar with the Tiger and the Orange and Brown colors of the Institute. Nearly 600 stu- dents and transfers rallied to the pep squad leader- ship in support of their new alma mater. Following the pep rally, the sound of gay nineties music coming from the College Union attracted even more par- ticipants in the activities. Pizza, beer and newly made friends attracted many to the Red Garter Party in the Ritskeller. Other events during that week were also well at- tended. An open pool party Sunday afternoon in- duced rain-weary parents and students to enjoy the benefits of the year-old pool. Throughout the week, the green areas of the campus were put to use by picnics and sports activities, sponsored by OPUS. To end the busy activities, an all college concert, featuring Janis Ian, noted vocalist and the voice of “Society’s Child,” appeared before 700 new RIT students in the gym, Friday, September 26