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Welcome Class of 2012!
Updated 08.26.08
Incoming first-years, proud parents, and orientation staffers arrived early Monday morning to usher in the beginning of the New Student Orientation Program at Barnard, held from August 25 through September 1.
Hauling suitcases, bedding, and computer boxes, the students lined up along Broadway, 116th Street, and Claremont Avenue, patiently waiting to move into their dorms and start their new lives as college first-years. “The process has been very efficient, we haven’t been waiting that long at all," said one mother, who didn’t want to be named in case she embarrassed her daughter. "I’d like to stay anonymous," she laughed. "How am I? I’m nervous. She’s excited. We live in the Midwest, so we packed nearly everything she owns," she said, gesturing to a pile of suitcases.
 
Not all students showed up with family members. Incoming first-year Zarin Ahmed, 18, arrived early with her best friend, Shanti Khan. "My parents both had to work so they couldn’t come with me,” explained Ahmed, whose family lives in Queens, New York. "My mother and I stayed up pretty late last night. We were talking and crying. I’ve never slept away from home before, so even though I’m from New York, this feels very new to me," said Ahmed. "It’s slightly overwhelming. When I get into my dorm room I think I will probably set up my bed and then crash," she added.
While many new students probably feel the same way Ahmed does, there isn’t a lot of naptime scheduled during orientation week, which includes required meetings with resident hall leaders and academic advisors, and evening events like Convocation, a long-standing traditional ceremony for incoming students. But the first-years won’t be the only new faces at Convocation. Barnard President Debora Spar, who started her presidential post on July 1, will be attending the first of what should be many Convocation ceremonies during her tenure.
In addition to scheduled events on campus, there are a bevy of New York-centric outings for students to choose from this week, including walking tours of Greenwich Village and the Lower East Side, trips to Central Park, and even a private party at the Metropolitan Museum of Art with fellow new students from Columbia College and SEAS.
"I can’t wait for everything to start. I'm really looking forward to exploring the city this week," said Radost Stanimirova, originally from Bulgaria. "And I really can’t wait to meet my roommate, we’ve talked using Facebook, but I haven’t met her in person yet. I hope she arrives soon,” said Stanimirova, as she waited to get into her dorm.
In addition to their roommates, students will also be assigned to an upperclass-student orientation leader who will guide groups of first-years through the event-packed week. “I really enjoyed my orientation week, so I decided to give back and work here this year,” said orientation staffer and sophomore Swati Chandhoke. “My advice? Relax and enjoy the week. Don’t sign up for too many activities, although it’s hard not to. Pick the ones you are really interested in doing, because that’s how you make friends,” she added.
Jessica Nunez, Director of College Activities, recommended that incoming students lean on the orientation crew for support. “We’re here to help everyone feel comfortable and acclimate to a new home at Barnard,” she said. “It can be overwhelming, but it should also be really fun. It’s going to be a great year.”
— Maya Dollarhide
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