As freshmen moved into the dorms last week, they were greeted by
a few things that Saint Louis University students have not
historically encountered: All of the residents of the Griesedieck
Complex and several floors in other dorms are now inhabited only by
freshmen.

The first few weeks of this year’s full-fledged version of the
First Year Experience (FYE) has also included the Involvement
Mentor program, which provides the all-frosh floors with
upperclassmen mentors. There are 34 IMs, each assigned to an FYE
floor in Reinert, Marguerite, Notre Dame and the Griesedieck
Complex.

Stephanie Adams, the area coordinator for FYE, explained that
the rules on these floors have two major differences from other
floors. No alcohol is allowed on an FYE floor–even if there are
students of age–and the visitation hours are more restricted.
Sunday through Thursday members of the opposite sex must leave the
floors by 1 a.m., and Friday and Saturday members of the opposite
sex must leave the floors by 2 a.m.

According to Adams, the IMs’ role is to provide freshmen with
their “knowledge of campus resources, information about involvement
on campus and excitement for leadership opportunities.”

She said that thus far, the IMs have completed a half day
training session, assisted in the move-in process for their
assigned building and worked with the Resident Advisor on their
floor.

Megan Elliott, an IM, said that because there are no other
upperclassmen on the floors, the RAs and ARAs have an increased
work load. She said that IMs are trying to field these typical
questions from freshmen, such as where the closest grocery store is
and how to access their e-mail account.

Vito Brandle, also an IM, said that so far he has helped
decorate, helped with freshmen check-in and had the freshmen on his
floor fill out an activity survey, to find out what information
they need to get involved on campus.

“This being the first year of the program and my first year at
Saint Louis University, I have high hopes for this program. I feel
that we are providing another avenue of support to our first year
students outside of Residence Life and looking at the resources
from the greater campus community,” Adams said.

Elliott predicts there may be problems because policies are
different on FYE floors, as compared to other floors in the
building. Brandle has a different opinion.

“I truly don’t see anything wrong with it,” she said. “By
putting all freshman on a few floors, it eases freshman into their
life at SLU. It makes each experience a total freshman experience.”
Most of the IMs have heard only positive feedback from freshmen.
Lisa Phifer, Involvement Mentoring co-chairperson, said that she
hopes that the program will “help new students feel more
comfortable here and that more freshman will return to SLU next
semester and next year because they have found a home away from
home.”