Today, incoming Tufts freshmen will be greeted with an orientation that emphasizes the diversity of experiences that have brought them together on the hallowed and hilly grounds of the University.
As in other years, new students will join their Peer Academic Leaders (PALs) and participate in an afternoon matriculation ceremony, by which they will officially enter Tufts University. Later, they will attend a dinner in the spacious Gantcher Family Sports and Convocation Center, where panelists and performers such as the University's a capella groups will offer information and entertainment.
The class of 2008 and transfer students will not, however, be encouraged to "Make a World of Difference" - the theme of previous orientations - so soon into their college experience.
"This year we're basically changing the theme of what orientation is," said orientation student coordinator Cho Yau-Ling. "In previous years, we've had 'Make a World of Difference' as a signature theme. It's supposed to be uplifting for the freshmen. This year we felt that it's better for there to be a celebratory theme - that they should be happy with their choice, that orientation is supposed to be a happy thing."
"Our new theme is 'All Paths Lead to Tufts.' We see that all these different students are coming in from different backgrounds, and they are all coming together as one united class to be Tufts students - to make a difference, but for the first week to be united as a class," Ling added.
The new theme will be embodied by a different logo, designed by incoming freshman Giancarlo Saldana. The image depicts a smiling elephant with a "Jumbos" pennant walking down a road with a sign marked "Tufts."
"All of the orientation committee has been very happy about the change; they are welcoming this new idea of celebration and we're hoping that this will stick with the students more," Ling said. The change marks the first new theme for orientation in the last four years.
"I feel that it's better to congratulate and to make the students feel happy rather than to force this big idea of 'Make a World of Difference' on them," Ling continued.
In addition to the traditional open houses, panels, and entertainment, Ling said that the committee planned more social events for new students than in other years, including several screenings of recent movies. Orientation leaders will emphasize Tufts' proximity to Boston by leading a tour of the city on Sunday night.
The orientation committee also added a new mandatory workshop on academic integrity to the panels for new students.
PALs say that new students seem receptive to orientation programs. "They're eyes-wide open, really ready to dive into the experience - it's a lot of fun," sophomore PAL Mark Pesavento said. "They're all in the same boat, looking to make friends and the best of the experience."
Pesavento is leading a group of students in the Tufts/Museum of Fine Arts combined degree program, whose orientation period began Sunday.
"On Sunday night we met them informally for dinner, and we walked them around Davis. The next day we went with them to the MFA, where they had their own orientation," he said. "Everything really comes into swing Wednesday when the rest of the freshmen come up."
According to Pesavento, PALs help students choose and register for classes and navigate the social scene at Tufts. "We're there for registration through the next few days, we'll give them our own student guidance, and then they'll meet up with their academic advisors. We're there for them academically as well as socially."
Pesavento said that he and other PALs he worked with looked forward to helping new students adjust to college life.
"It's great because I'm enthusiastic about the school. I have a lot to say about classes and recommendations to make - let them know that they should be thinking about what they want to do, but they should have fun," he said.
The new program was created by the orientation committee and its four hired student coordinators, who each plan logistics, ExCollege orientation, academic advising, and major events.
