An average of 1,300 incoming students take part in Saint Louis University’s eighth annual freshmen orientation program, SLU101, over the summer.
SLU101 gives students a chance to meet their advisors, other incoming freshmen, and older students. Dan Schniedermeier, one of the 15 students employed by SLU101, said that the program allows incoming freshmen to “draw on us to help them bridge the gap from being high school seniors to being college freshmen. We [the student advisers] are real live college students. We can tell them what college is like and what types of activities and organizations are available to them.”
“This is something I’m really excited about doing. As a senior, SLU101 really helps complete the four years for me. Thinking back to all the questions I had my freshmen year really makes me feel a sense of giving back while working at SLU101,” Schniedermeier said.
SLU101 provides students with activities ranging from talks about scholarships to a Student Life Fair. However, “our main focus is making sure the students are registered for fall classes before coming to SLU in the fall,” said David Clark, assistant director of Student Life.
SLU101 is offered in 11 sessions. Four of the sessions are only one day and take place on various Tuesdays. The other seven sessions are two days, including an overnight stay on campus in Reinert Hall.
Some students who went to the one-day sessions felt rushed. “I went to a one-day session and it was jam-packed. I got my schedule put together, but had to stay later to get my ID picture taken,” said Ming Yin, incoming freshman.
For students who attend a two-day session there is more time for activities and socializing. A luau by the out-door swimming pools is scheduled for the Thursday night of each two-day session. “At the luau we played beach volleyball but didn’t go swimming because it was too cold,” said freshman Justin Lebb.
“I had fun meeting other kids and talking to my advisor, which was really helpful. It all just made me more excited to go to school,” said Ginna Mehan, incoming freshman.
At SLU101 students also receive their residence hall assignments, take readiness exams for math and foreign languages, and learn about technology on campus, such as WebStar and SLU e-mail accounts.
Parents also can attend special sessions while their children are at SLU101. Parents can learn about scholarships and financial aid, campus safety, Campus Ministry, and issues dealing with transitions.
“While the one-day sessions had around 70 parents each last year, about 100 parents will have participated in SLU101 this summer,” Clark said.
According to Clark about 85 percent of the entering freshman class attend SLU101. Students not participating in SLU101 are able to make appointments during the summer so they won’t have to register when they arrive in the fall.
