Aug. 24, 2011
The Catholic University of America will welcome more than 1,000 new students and their families on Aug. 25 for the start of Orientation 2011.
Members of the Class of 2015 and their families will participate in "Doors Opening," a four-day program that runs through Sunday, Aug. 28. The program enables new students to become familiar with the campus, meet their academic advisers, and get to know their residence-hall roommates and neighbors before beginning classes on Monday, Aug. 29.
This year, the University has extended parents' participation in Orientation events through 2 p.m. Saturday. Events that day include a session titled "Real World CUA," which features a video, talks by several CUA administrators as well as skits exploring community standards, expectations, and tough issues and questions that new students may face during their time at CUA.
"I encourage students and their families to attend as many activities as they can so they can make the most out of Orientation," says Kathryn Jennings, associate dean of students. "We have found that these kinds of sessions are extremely valuable for families who are new to the CUA community."
With support from Jennings, the 2011 student Orientation coordinators - seniors Bronwen McAuliffe, an elementary education major from Portsmouth, R.I., and Josh Monroe, a double major in architecture and engineering from Aurora, Ohio - have been planning both Orientation and the Orientation Extended program, which runs for the first six weeks of the fall semester.
Seventy-five CUA student volunteers are serving as orientation advisers this fall. Dressed in red polo shirts with the CUA logo, they are available to assist new students and their families by answering questions and providing directions to different buildings on campus.
On Aug. 25, Catholic University President John Garvey will address new students and their families at the Pryzbyla Center during three 45-minute sessions at 3 p.m., 4:15 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. that are open to all CUA students, faculty, and staff.
Orientation events on Aug. 26 include break-out information sessions by individual CUA schools, the student resource fair in the Pryzbyla Center, Great Room A, where new students can learn about organizations and activities, as well as Mass at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, Great Upper Church, at 4:30 p.m.
During Orientation, students and parents will also participate in sessions on financial aid, career services, safety, and on-campus job opportunities.
Weekend activities for the students include Movies on the (CUA) Mall the evening of Aug. 26; the Barbecue Blowout and Cardinal Carnival on Aug. 27; and an ice cream social and excursions to Washington, D.C., monuments, the National Zoo, and the neighborhoods of Georgetown and Chinatown on Aug. 28.
This fall, Catholic University has enhanced its Orientation Extended program, offering more activities to help first-year students make a smooth transition to CUA. Orientation Extended will offer 198 programs, and 30 students will have the chance to win prizes. Two winners will have the opportunity to share a meal with Garvey and his wife, Jeanne.
For more information on Orientation, visit http://orientation.cua.edu .