Spectrum - Volume 17 Issue 37 July 27, 1995 - Students meeting Tech at Summer Orientation

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Students meeting Tech at Summer Orientation

Spectrum Volume 17 Issue 37 - July 27, 1995

Nearly 5,400 incoming students and about 9,000 of their parents have been on campus during the month of July to attend orientation. Entering freshmen and transition students attended one of 14 Prologue orientation sessions, spending 24 hours on campus.

Participants come to campus in the morning, checking in at Cassell Coliseum. "We try to make a good first impression," said orientation director Tom Brown. "We have balloons, popcorn, and other refreshments." Turkey tracks on the Coliseum floor lead students and parents through the various check-in stations. Representatives from about 25 campus organizations are on hand to explain their programs.

Separately scheduled programs for students and parents provide information on frequently asked questions, ranging from social life to academics.

After the scheduled activities end at 9:45 p.m., parents have the option of mingling informally with faculty and staff members at Deet's Place. Students go to the Hokie Grill.

By the time the day is over, students will have an ID, and a class schedule. Both parents and students should have a much better understanding of the university and its programs than they had when they came, Brown said. "When people leave after orientation, we like for them to be 100-percent convinced that they made the right decision in choosing Virginia Tech."