First year students won’t have much trouble adjusting to Loyola this year thanks to New Student Orientation. This year students were split into 13 different krewes allowing for more individualized orientation sessions.
Every summer, there are three orientation sessions throughout June and July, and in August there is a special orientation for transfer and international students, however new students can attended that orientation as well. Each session lasts roughly three days.
Krewe leaders run the show at orientation; they are selected students who help new students get acclimated to campus and college living.
Benjamin Weil, music industry junior, came to Loyola as a transfer student last year, and this year ran a krewe of his own at the new student orientations during the summer of 2016.
“I see it from the perspective of the Krewe Leader side compared to what I saw as a transfer student last year. There were more krewes this year, which allowed for more individual interaction,” said Weil.
Weil said new students are intimidated when they first arrive on campus and explained how the Krewe Leaders helped the students adjust. “When we broke down the wall of fear, we presented ourselves [not] as Krewe Leaders, but as their peers. We come across as their classmates and friends rather than staff”.
Weil also stated that he felt this year’s Krewe Leaders did best. “We showed up as the most hyped anyone has ever been. We’re on more than 110 percent. That energy lets the new students feel more comfortable with being social and having a good time.”
Krewe Leader Coordinator and psychology senior Nydia Araya has been involved with these orientations for three years, and now has a new role managing the new Krewe leaders. “I have participated as an orientation leader or Krewe Leader for 3 years now, and after each experience I am always in awe of how much the first years and new students transform in the short three days that they attend orientation. They truly blossom and grow to love Loyola wholeheartedly. It makes it all worthwhile.”
Araya explained that the orientation shifted some of its more traditional policies. “We adjusted the education sessions so that new students could attend sessions that appeal to their special interests. These special interests options included student involvement, mission and ministry and study abroad.”
Araya pointed out some more activities that were conducted, including late night events, an ice cream and snowball social with SGA and a lunch with faculty. Araya said she thought the students enjoyed the events.
“The students absolutely loved the new outdoor late night, Cookout on the Quad. They eagerly participated in several rounds of dodgeball and tug of war. They all seemed eager to get involved in the Loyola community and to study abroad.”
