Report from Arrival Day

Colleges and Universities A-Z Wesleyan University
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<p>For prospective parents and students, here’s a report on Wesleyan’s arrival day for freshmen this year.</p>

<p>Let’s hope the thought and organization that went into Tuesday's arrival was an indicator of the overall quality of the school’s operations. Things went off without a hitch, as students checked in at a common site, were guided quickly through the paperwork and dropped off their belongings. At our son’s dorm (Fauver) student and parent volunteers and university cops kept things amazingly smooth. (The all-frosh dorm, about 3 years old, is very appealing, full of light and nicely set up.)</p>

<p>The new student union/university center was open for the first time. It is a marvel, a focal point for the school, with many dining options, a bookstore, post office and a big courtyard facing out on the heart of campus. The new president, Michael Roth, who is clearly as sharp as they come and as funny as a standup comic, gave a brilliant off-the-cuff speech to the parents and new students and then hosted a reception in the courtyard. There certainly seemed to be a lot of energy building at the school. </p>

<p>Earlier, we attended seminars for parents on how to support your kid academically and in campus life without interfering too much. Finally, they kicked the teary-eyed parents off campus and the kids started a weeklong orientation before the upperclassmen arrive, meeting with their advisors, attending an academic fair with tables full of professors, stuffing themselves at a campuswide barbeque, and so on.</p>

<p>It’s a bittersweet time for us parents, leaving their young ones on their own, but they seemed in good hands. Just wanted to assure those parents entering the long, anxiety-filled college search process that it really does have an end point. And when it’s all over, it completely feels worth the work and planning you and your kids put into it.</p>

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<p>Great report, Froshdad, and so glad you had a good move-in. We also had a wonderful day. The New England weather was picture-perfect and everyone was incredibly friendly and helpful. Didn't get to hear the new pres or attend any seminars as we were busy buying out Staples and then assembling furniture. Our son has a large, airy single in Butterfield C and is surrounded by other freshmen in singles in a cozy hallway. S reported that the coed bathrooms are fine and that a very nice girl helped him figure out how to work the shower last night. Sounds as if the fun has begun! We left feeling quite sad but at the same time very excited about Wesleyan and the four years ahead. It seems like a terrific place.</p>

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<p>The orientation activities since the parents left have been really well done, too. Now if only the classes are as good as the social life....</p>