Tufts Community Union (TCU) senators have been revamping their focus on freshmen. They held two forums recently and convened the first official meeting of the Committee on the First-Year Experience.
The committee was officially announced last month and has begun to put the orientation program under increased scrutiny.
A recent Senate survey showed that 76.8 percent of respondents were happy with their orientation experiences, but those on the committee feel the process could still be improved.
"A lot of people feel lost at orientation or overwhelmed," freshman Senator Katie Simon, a committee member, said. As such, one possibility would be to lengthen orientation. But Simon said that doing so would be very complicated.
From orientation, the committee, which met on Friday, will likely move to advising. Other topics will get the limelight as well, but Simon was unsure of the exact trajectory that the upcoming discussions will take. "We're seeing how this goes right now," she said.
TCU President Neil DiBiase, who also sits on the committee, said he is enthusiastic about its progress.
He also said that its focus is particularly important. "The freshman experience is people's first introduction to Tufts," he said. "For a lot of people, their first year colors their entire experience."
Some of the other committee members come from the administration. They include Coordinator of Programs and Special Projects James Ryan, Director of Advising and Scholarship Programs Kate Nash and Dean of Undergraduate Education James Glaser.
Meanwhile, freshman senators hosted two forums early last week: one in Tilton Hall and one in Miller Hall.
Simon said that they were well-attended and reaffirmed the senators' commitment to goals such as securing campus-wide wireless Internet and increased vegetarian options in dining halls.
"I think [the forums reassured us] that we're going in the right direction," she said.
- by Rob Silverblatt
