June 19, 2009
New Student
Orientation at St. John’s University kicks off on June 22 this year
and a cohort of students, faculty and administrators will be on
hand to welcome new students and help guide them in their role
as students of St. John’s University.
During orientation, the students meet fellow classmates, tour the
campus, get acquainted with their academic advisors in the Freshman
Center, visit the newly constructed Office of Student Financial
Services and participate in ice breakers and games as part of their
formal introduction to the University.
“The program introduces students to their University family and
allows them to interact with faculty, staff and administrators who
will be instrumental to their success throughout college,” says
James Salnave, Associate Dean for Student Development.
Orientation sessions, which run from June 22 until
August 29 on the Queens campus and July 20 until August 26 on
the Staten Island campus, are three days of fun and excitement. The
first day is University Day, when the new students will hear
presentations about the offerings of various departments throughout
the University including the Office of Health and Wellness and the
Department of Public Safety.
The second day is Mission Day, when students are presented with “A
Taste of Service” and set out to participate in several community
service projects throughout the metropolitan area, including
stocking the food pantry at St. John’s Bread and Life soup kitchen
or watching children at Momma’s House, a home for young mothers and
their children on Long Island. Once the sun sets, students will
dance the night away on the “All Aboard” Spirit of New York boat
cruise complete with DJ and two dance clubs.
It is a new St. John’s tradition to designate the third and last
day of orientation as Technology Day. All new students will receive
their own state-of-the-art Lenovo ThinkPad X200 laptop and a
tutorial of St. John’s student portal, St. John’s Central.
“Orientation gave me a better understanding of the mission and
overall objective of St. John’s University. It was also a good
opportunity to meet current students and participate in a service
activity together. You could really tell that students genuinely
enjoy community service, and giving back to the community is a
large part of being a student here,” reflected Adbo Alkaifi, a
visual arts major in St. John’s College of Liberal Arts and
Sciences who will be entering his sophomore year in the fall.
Parents and Guardians, You’re Welcome
Too!
Parents and guardians will also have the chance to join their
students and live a day in the life of a college freshman during
Parent Orientation. This two-day orientation will give parents and
guardians an in-depth look at what they can expect during their St.
John’s student’s first year of college and an introduction to the
departments that will ensure a smooth transition into college
life.
For more information about the New Student Orientation, please
visit the
Orientation Web site or call the Office of New Student
Orientation (718) 990-5353.