Although the start of the fall semester is weeks away, hundreds of new Fordham University students and their families have attended orientation events at the Manhattan, Bronx and Westchester campuses.
Incoming Lincoln Center freshman Melody Bowler said she is excited and a tad nervous about starting college in September, so she found the orientation to be helpful.
“I thought the session on how to manage your money was interesting,” the 19 year old said at the July 23 event on the Lincoln Center campus.
Theresa Conroy, whose daughter, Meg, will attend Fordham College at Rose Hill, said Meg attended the summer event to meet some friends and start the transition process.
“Plus, I love this campus,” Conroy said at the July 23 orientation at Rose Hill.
Ann Marie Mattison, mother of incoming College of Business Administration freshman Sarah, said she, too, wanted to learn about the Rose Hill campus.
“We wanted to feel more comfortable,” Mattison said.
New Student Orientation, held on several dates in July and August, is a program designed to assist new students and their families with the adjustment to college. The program is planned and executed by Dorothy Wenzel, director of the Office of Student Leadership and Community Development at Lincoln Center, and Jennifer Mussi, assistant dean for Student Leadership and Community Development at Rose Hill, along with several student Orientation Coordinators.
“It’s important for students and parents since it offers them a unique opportunity to learn firsthand about (the University’s) academics and extra-curricular activities months before they arrive for the fall semester,” Robert J. Parmach, Ph.D., assistant dean of Fordham College at Rose Hill. “It is an unrushed day to meet deans, faculty, staff, fellow incoming students and upperclass student leaders while exploring the college’s best resources – the committed people that hallmark the distinct quality of the FCRH academic experience, freshman advising program, and the concrete philosophy behind our daily vision here.”
Students and their families receive campus tours and learn about many services offered at each campus. They attend breakout sessions on topics such as “What to Expect During Your First Year?” alcohol and other drug education, “Introduction to Career Services,” tips on academic advising and the commuter student experience.
Attendees also learn about the challenges they will face and balances they will have to make during their first year in higher education.
“Along with the freedom that comes with university life comes an awful lot of responsibility,” said Robert R. Grimes, S.J., dean of Fordham College at Lincoln Center. “Nobody is going to check with you to see if you have done your homework.”
Father Grimes called the incoming freshman class at Lincoln Center a special one.
“You are perhaps the largest class in our history—440 freshmen,” he said. “You are now part of our intellectual and creative community.”
Classes begin on Wednesday, Sept. 3, but before then, students will have the opportunity to attend fall orientation, information and open house sessions at their respective campuses.
Lincoln Center campus:
Commuter Barbeque Thursday, Aug. 14 noon to 4 p.m.
Commuters will have an opportunity to meet other commuters as well as current FCLC students and administrators.
Sunday Aug. 31 Welcome to Fordham! (Families invited to attend.)
Monday Sept. 1 Student Life Day
Tuesday, Sept. 2 Academic Orientation Day
Rose Hill campus:
Sunday, Aug. 31 New Student Fall Orientation Program
Monday Sept. 1 Academic Orientation
Tuesday Sept. 2 Student Life Orientation
Westchester campus, 400 Westchester Ave., Harrison:
Saturday, Aug. 23 Open House at 10 a.m.
Tuesday, Aug. 26 Information Sessions at noon, 1 p.m. and 6 p.m.
Thursday, Aug. 28 New Student Orientation at 11 a.m. and 6 p.m.
The Westchester campus of Fordham College of Liberal Studies also will host an Express Admission Day on Wednesday, Aug. 20 and Wednesday, Aug. 27 from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. For more information, call (914) 332-8295 or e-mail: mydegree@fordham.edu.
