University of California Berkeley - Blue and Gold Yearbook (Berkeley, CA)

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SIDs. GPAs. Units. Advisor codes... These numbers define us, and yet not at all. We ' re all-night study sessions, but also heart- to-hearts; we ' re ten-page research papers and six-hour labs, but also student groups and campus organizations. Our worth is defined not by our transcripts, but our knowledge from and contribution to this campus and its surrounding community. The Berkeley experience is more than just a number. You are more than just a number.

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Students meet new taces, new places Oil Auf jst 21, 2006, trcslmicn Shan.i P.itadia and Evelyn Yung hastened toward Memorial t iladc, hoping to catch the picnic dinner offered at ihc New Student Convocation. There, tliey found thousands o( snidents in a subtle commotion of conversations, linyerinf; in the atrermarh ot the m.iin events. Rut they had come ttxi late; all the prortered sandwiches and sodas had disappeared into the hands of the masses. Indeed, thousands of students attended this Welcome Week activity. Besides a hearty sandwich. Convocation offered words o( wisdtim from a number of speakers, including Chancellor Birgeneau, in ai-ldinon to free UC Berkeley fans and posters. For new students the campus ' layout, the student body ' s impressive size, and the variety ot scheduled events can be a daunting experience, but it ' s just UC Berkeley ' s way of saying, Welcome. Two days after Convocation, Memorial Ghule became a fairground for tables, tents and an auspicious canoe, as clubs and organi:ation gathered on the knolls tor Calapaloo:a. From Socialism to Rowing, the groups catered to .1 plethora ot interests. Students were also loade l with informative pamphlets and free gcKKJies, like pens, candy, pins and stickers. CalapaliK):a wa- ,in awesome place to see all the opportunities th.ii ire lying at your fingertips and get a teel lor all the things that you could rake pan in at Berkeley. said Patadia. It was nice to see that there are so many clubs that lit your needs and interests. The next big event also attraacd thousand of students with its free handouts. Caltopia, a two day fair, featureil a winery of visiting commercial businesses. Highlights incUidevI Bankol Amenca ' s taux-nu ne .uching Knith; a tree massage srand; .ind Tlie Stiulent Store ' s srand, which g.ne out tree baby blue laundry bags. From Ikea to Apple to Adolx ' , sweepstakes and contests were ax-ailable for smdents to ena-r as well. Fraternities and sotiirities had their share ol work during Welcome Week, tini. For a number of Greek organizations, Welcome Week was about recruiting new mcmlx ' rs. Memlx-rv stixxi by Sather Gate and all along Sproul Plaz.i exchanging neon olored handouts. Informing passing students abtiut their frat or sorority and its upcoming e ents. .additionally. Welcome Wi-ek iiffered dozens ot orientations and into sessions tor tliosc liKiking tor tips and tricks for the upcoming year. From a Chixising Your Major workshop to library tours to a pre-med information session. Cat offered .1 numlx-r of ways to help incoming students get acquainted with the campus and college lite. And as hus ' as the days were, with all the activities, info sessions and solicitation. Welcome Week nights proved just as e entf il. If students weren ' t socializing at one ot many gatherings or learning how to rumba at Hearst Gym, they were B G 2007 1 Page 24