University of Miami - Ibis Yearbook (Coral Gables, FL)

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ORIENT TION a p followed in am ttempt to JUST RELAX Student leaders participated in a hypnosis show led by Thomas Bresadola.

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FACTOIDS VAN Transitions From Previous Years - Orientation worked With Residence Halls to pair CPS and RA's of flrst year students to create more of a student community. 0 Orientation groups were created based on where students live. 0 Staff was cut from 220 to 150 Orientation Fellows. Over 350 people applied for a position. ' Increased time allotted for academic advising. Upcoming Changes ' Orientation Services extended the program by one day this year and hopes to eventually make it one week long, like most universities. DAZED AND CONFUSED Freshman Sawlar Vu looks through his Orientation folder trying to figure out his next move.

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w AND NOW A FEW WORDS A 3 part of the UM Orientation tradition, President Shalala welcomes the new freshman at the BankUnited Center. rientation: A whirlwind of seminars teaching new students about Toppel and other on-campus services, time spent taking departmental exams and, of course, icebreaker upon icebreaker meant to crack the shy freshman shell. But there's one event of UM Orientation thafs meant to do more than just inform and test. Cane Kick-Off, the opening event for Orientation, is the time when UM strives to make new students feel like a part of the Hurricane family before classes even begin. Some might think that listening to speeches and cheers while the Band of the Hour plays in the background does not sound like the greatest time, but apparently, it works. ltlt definitely made us feel welcome. They talked to us like we werenlt freshmen but like we were already part of UM life, freshman Carissa DeMello said. Speeches by important members of the UM family such as President Shalala, Student Government President Danny Carvajal and new head coach of the football tean Randy Shannon introduced students to the UM way of life. Sebastian pumped up the crowc as did the cheerleaders and band. But for all tr. ebells and whistles, how memorable is this expl rience really? Memorable enough to remember fou years down the road? Some students disagree. ll thought it was a little weird just going into the Convocation Center and sittink . with a bunch of people I didnt know. It was ki. 1d of boring and uncomfortablef senior Melissa Don said. Speeches, strangers, a huge aren a The fact is there are those who agree and considert d the event just another activity on the list, but t wr many, Cane Kick-Off was about tradition and will always be remembered as the first event that made tnern feel like a lCane? uI quickly felt like a part of the school and not like so much of an outsider, senior Lindsay DeCollibus said. I remember going in and doing the tC-A-N-E-Sl'l cheer and listening to people talk and it made me feel really good to be here and be a part of something with so much pride. TRANSITIONS One of the first things freshmen learn upon coming to school is UMs alma mater.