University of Arkansas Fayetteville - Razorback Yearbook (Fayetteville, AR)

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Before classes began and students moved into the residence halls, all new students were getting oriented to UA. Orientation gave them a taste of college life by touring campus and registering for classes. “The main purpose of Orientation is to intro¬ duce new students and their families to the University of Arkansas,” said senior Stacy Bingham, Assistant Director for Special Events. “It gives them an opportunity to meet with academic advisors and to learn about college life from other students.” Orientation also provided new students the chance to learn about the university ' s policies and procedures. Students were able to take a peek at college life through workshops and skits about topics like setting goals, time management, and extracurricular activities. The highlight of the skits was the performance of the “Transition” program. Freshman Erin Owens said, “The best thing about it was talking to our advisors and professors because they were so helpful.” Orientation was not just for freshman, but for all new students. Transfer, non- traditional, and internation¬ al students were also famil¬ iarized with the university through orientation. Orientation was led by upperclassmen who were chosen in the spring semes¬ ter to answer questions, give tours and help new students meet and bond with other students. New student orientation was a time for new stu¬ dents to ask the questions they were afraid to pose and to begin seeing UA as their new home. — Cliff Haynes U Th • The main purpose of orientation is to introduce new students and their families to the University of Arkansas. y — Stacy Bingham Assistant Director for Special Events

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w come u The most exciting and anticipated, yet most con¬ fusing and hectic part of student life is approached each August as new and returning students face a year of college experience. August ‘98 held true to nostalgic University of Arkansas tradition as cars, reminiscent of Jed Clampett’s, trudged up The Hill. Thousands of students hauling entire wardrobes, ironing boards, computers and stereos flooded the elevators and passageways of residence halls. Welcome Weeks ‘98 was ready and waiting to pro¬ vide a welcoming atmos¬ phere for the transition to college life. The annual Residents Interhall Congress’ Welcome Back Dance kicked off the year in fun fashion. Students mingled, enjoyed refreshments and danced in the courtyard area between Humphreys Hall and Brough Commons Dining Center. Attendance was high for the second year in a row, but the energy level was higher than ever. “The dance was a lot of fun, and it was a great chance for me to see my friends from last year,” said Gibson RA Marcene McVay. “I didn’t get to see many people over the summer because everybody went home.” McVay said her favorite event was the Kareoke Night co-sponsored by Gregson and Gibson Halls. “Getting up there and singing away in front of a bunch of people you do not even know really breaks the ice.” UA cheerleaders flooded the Greek Theater with Razorback spirit and pride at the Freshman Pep Rally. The astounding support of motivated freshmen and returning students made this fall an unforgettable foot¬ ball season. The main emphasis was to get the freshmen acclimated to the halls and their new surroundings here on campus . . . 55 — Mike Morris Central Area Coordinator Residence halls coordinated other welcome week events and focused primarily on community building activities. Central Area Coordinator Mike Morris said, “The main emphasis was to get the freshmen acclimated to the halls and their new surroundings here on campus, to build community within the residence halls, first by floor, then by hall, then hopefully throughout the area.” One major event was “Singled Out”. Morris said “Singled Out” matched freshmen students and paid for a night out on the town, such as dinner and a movie. Other social events included the central area picnic, scavenger hunts, an ice cream social and games to acquaint roommates with each other. “The idea was to keep the freshmen so busy that they wouldn’t feel the effects of home-sickness,” Morris said. “We wanted to help them find their niche here on campus and meet as many people as possible.” The annual Merchants’ Fair was held on Old Main Lawn. Students enjoyed a picnic dinner while mer¬ chants introduced them to community resources and distributed free gifts. Waiting in long lines to buy books and parking permits, locating classes, establishing bank accounts and fighting crowds at Wal-Mart can be a dishearten¬ ing experience for new and returning students. Welcome Weeks was designed to help students over¬ come these frustrations while establishing a home away from home. The program enabled students to meet peers expe¬ riencing the same challenge, and together they tackled the challenge confidently. — James P. Honold Welcome Back ♦ 9

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Smiling s t u dents line up for their student ID photos in the Arkansas Union. photo by Traveler Staff New students exl{ Vol Walker Hall as they continue to their next orientation activity. photo by Traveler Staff Orientation leaders tell students about the build¬ ings on campus and which classes are held where. photo by Traveler Staff Orientation ♦ 11