June 24, 2020
St. John’s University’s 2021 New Student Orientation program welcomes first-year students to the Queens and Staten Island, NY, campuses throughout the summer—a dramatic pivot from last year, when the event was held virtually due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“The main thrust of this year’s orientation is to provide a sense of normalcy to our incoming students, as well as to give them an opportunity to meet friends and mentors,” said Brian Fausto, Assistant Director of Student Development, as he waited for students to arrive on the Queens, NY, campus for the second in a series of Orientation Connection Days.
“Many of these high school seniors missed an entire year of in-person learning, and most college orientation programs were held online. Being present for this tradition is such a crucial part of the college experience, so it is great to be back,” Mr. Fausto added.
The University will welcome more than 2,800 new students, in groups of 150 to observe social distancing rules, over the summer months. Orientation programs for students’ families are held concurrently. The orientation for international students takes place on the Queens campus from Tuesday, August 24, through Friday, August 27; one for graduate students is held on Monday, August 30; and the Staten Island, NY, campus conducts orientations from August 24 until August 27.
“We made a huge commitment to having 19 smaller orientation sessions to provide an opportunity for students to receive more individualized attention,” said Kathryn T. Hutchinson, Ph.D., Vice President of the Division of Student Affairs. “We also believe it will help ease students back into being part of large groups, especially because so many incoming students have not been in a classroom since March of 2020.”
During the June 17 orientation, social distancing and mask-wearing were observed by visitors, orientation leaders, and St. John’s personnel. These health precautions are in place as many incoming students are not fully vaccinated yet. But those safety measures did not dampen the ebullient spirit that pervaded the day.
“Our orientation program is peer-led, which allows students to truly experience student life through the lens of a fellow student in a fun and interactive way, while being exposed to all that St. John’s has to offer,” said Eric M. Finkelstein, Associate Dean of Students and Director of Resident Life.
Orientation leaders warmly greeted students before ushering them in small groups to walking tours that would acquaint them with the University’s buildings, facilities, and services in Queens. Newcomers were given opportunities to meet with academic deans, advisors, faculty members, and departments of their chosen majors.
Throughout the day, future Johnnies also attended sessions designed to introduce them to a wide variety of student-based activities and organizations, such as Campus Ministry, Multicultural Affairs, and Career Services. During “SJYou Experience,” orientation leaders shared their own experiences as St. John’s students.
Incoming freshman Sofia Salgado dos Santos, of Staten Island, NY, was clearly enjoying the orientation as she sat surrounded by fellow students during a University-provided lunch in Montgoris Dining Hall.
“I have not been around this many people in a long time,” she said, “and I will be around these folks for the next four years. I have met some really nice people today, and I see some friendly faces. I am very excited to start my journey here at St. John’s.”
Sofia, who aspires to become a lawyer, said she chose St. John’s after debating whether to attend college close to home or farther away. “At St. John’s, I am still out of my comfort zone, and yet, I have some friends who go to school here. I like the morals and values of the University, and I like the way the campus is run. You can tell right away that this school is well put together.”
Aleksandra Sarzynska, who will commute daily to St. John’s from her home in Queens, was especially grateful for the campus tour she took earlier that day.
“I have been to the campus before, but I never toured it until today, and that was extremely helpful,” she said. “Before the tour, I was confused. Now, I am comfortable with these surroundings, and I know where my classes will be held.” Aleksandra will be a Pharmacy major in the College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences.
“The Queens campus has everything you could ask for,” she added, “and the St. John’s Pharmacy program gives you the most opportunities to get the hands-on experience you need to succeed in this field.”
Alexander Del Brocco, of Eastchester, NY, looks forward to returning to social interactions with his peers. “I want to meet a lot of new people. I want a normal college experience,” said Alexander, who wants to major in Adolescent Education in The School of Education. “I want to step away from my computer screen after spending an entire school year sitting in front of it. The idea of having a more positive future ahead of me is exciting.”
Armando Nika, of Lynbrook, NY, is following in the footsteps of his brother, Valentino, by attending St. John’s. Even with his family connection to the University, he still had many questions about the school that he posed to orientation leaders. “They knew every answer to every question I asked.”
Noting his visit to the campus was the first time he could mingle with a larger group of people since the onset of the pandemic, Armando nodded toward a lively crowd of fellow high school seniors sitting nearby. “Things,” he said, “are definitely returning to normal.”