Orientation introduces new students to life at WVU

All around campus students and parents can be found in the midst of orientation at West Virginia University. Throughout June, incoming freshmen and their parents will be exploring their way around campus and learning about WVU.

Orientation leaders, current students at WVU, lead the future students and their parents to a Qualitative Reasoning Assessment, or QRA, which places students into their math and chemistry classes based on scores. Orientation leaders will also take students on campus tours and guide them to advisers who help them create their first semester’s schedule.

A popular part of the orientation process is the Student Organizations Fair. Student organizations across campus host booths, which students can visit to see what organizations await them when they attend WVU.

Alex Eichelberger, a freshman engineering student, said he was very interested in the Student Government Association but was disappointed to see their booth empty Monday afternoon.

Many students at WVU come from out of state, and they all have different reasons for choosing WVU. Eichelberger said he really appreciated the closeness of the College of Engineering and Mineral Resources, despite the large University setting.

"I just loved the campus, and the School of Engineering was just really great," he said.

Nora Abbey, a freshman public relations student from Maryland, said she was looking forward to a new start out of state.

Abbey was also among the many students at the fair looking forward to joining the Mountaineer Maniacs. This is by far the most popular booth at the Student Organizations Fair.

Orientation isn’t all about students though. Parents also attend orientation, and it has benefits for them as well. Carrie Eichelberger, who attended with her son Alex, said meeting Dr. Garbutt, the dean of the Honors College, put her at ease.

"It really made me feel comfortable, because we’re almost four hours away, so the honors advisers were really great. They really create a great bridge between high school and college," she said.

Students will continue to attend orientation throughout June, and this orientation assures both students and parents of the future that awaits them at WVU.