<p>In the New Student Orientation Program, the incoming students will have noticed an exhausting schedule. They would probably would appreciate some advice from returning students as to which parts are valuable.
My daughter found the activities with room and hall mates useful. She found some of the pep talks unnecessary, “Why do they keep telling us how good Barnard is? We all chose to come here.”
The summer reading meeting with the Alumna author looks interesting to me. Last summer read the assigned book while my daughter was away. This years book is one that I have been meaning to read.</p>
<p>What book did they pick this year?</p>
<p>I loved going to mine; we got Mary Gordon to autograph the books afterwards. I treasure my copy. :)</p>
<p>"Last of her Kind" by Nuñez.</p>
<p>I read the book and really think it is something that would appeal to our generation more than the kid's -- from the comments the kids have made on myspace, most of them are not too happy about the reading. The book just seems to make more sense to someone who attended college in the late 60s/early 70s -- I found a lot to relate to, but didn't think my daughter would see it the same way. I don't know if she's read the book - she did take it with her on the plane, and I won't be surprised if she passes on it. It's suggested only, not required, and the bigger issue she needs to deal with is the alcohol.edu requirement, which I am pretty sure she hasn't done and is supposed to be done by Monday. (But a big yawner for her, plus I understand that the kids are having all sorts of annoying computer access issues). </p>
<p>Back to the book: I would say I enjoyed reading it but I don't particularly recommend it. I mean, in the end if I ask myself what I got from reading it, I come up empty. In a way I would like for my daughter to read it as a window into my generation -- I think it does do a good job of conveying changing attitudes about sexuality and drug use. </p>
<p>As to the orientation activities.... I think it is a wonderful idea to start this thread but I don't think my own daughter would anyone's advice if it was plastered on a billboard and hung from a banner on the front of Butler Library. She's pretty stubborn about doing whatever it is she decides to do, never mind what anyone else says. She's in New York now and already way too busy to talk to me, still 2 days ahead of the move in time. Sum total of today's communication: a text message, in response to mine: "Yeah I know"... so I think I will stick with absolutely essential communications for now and let her figure out the orientation thing on her own.</p>
<p>you mention the alcohol.edu requirement. last year this was only for columbia students - did they extend it to barnard this year?</p>
<p>Yes, they sure did.</p>
<p>ooh, when is the reading... maybe I can sneak back to campus and get her to sign my copy.</p>
<p>I liked it because, from my perspective, I still see a lot of college-aged students with "white guilt," who think that they deserve nothing because everything they have has been given to them and that their opinions mean nothing because they're not born of struggle. I totally felt (young) George's reaction, how weird it is being essentially fetishized for being poor or otherwise disadvantaged, and befriended to give someone else "streed cred." It's very, "Well, I know I can't say anything myself, but my POOR/BLACK/GAY friend agrees with me." It's not quite as politically charged, but it may be even more widely internalized.</p>
<p>For me, the rest of the novel was just an interesting story and (no offense meant!) cool for the historical aspects.</p>