Erskine College Puts Class of 2004 Through Their Paces

Members of the Erskine College Class of 2004 have been busy each day since their arrival Aug. 29, from breakfast at Moffatt through afternoon and evening meetings, focus group sessions and social events.

Divided into 12 groups of about a dozen students each, the freshmen, led by pairs of upperclassmen, have been offered presentations on topics ranging from academics and learning styles to career options and service opportunities.

"It has worked out wonderfully," said Monty Wooley, Vice President for Student Services and Athletics. "The biggest complaint we receive is that the freshmen do not have enough free time. This is by design because we feel it will take their minds off being homesick, and also because we have so much material to give them in such a short time."

"We do keep them pretty busy," said Dr. Robyn R. Agnew, Dean of Students. "One of the comments we’ve had in the past from freshmen is that they’ve been so busy they haven’t had time to be homesick."

The upperclassmen leading the groups are Student Life Assistants (SLAs), students who take on special dormitory responsibilities and are indispensable to the Residence Directors in each residence hall.

"The freshmen respond well to the SLAs," said Wooley. "Usually this goes far beyond our expectations. Part of the reason for that is the caliber of the Student Life Assistants and their eagerness to serve the newest members of the Erskine family."

"The SLAs have been outstanding," Agnew agreed. "We started out with them and took them to Bonclarken last week. They’ve been going hard for a good 10 days now."

Agnew noted two changes that have been made in freshman orientation activities this year.

"The Erskine staff is conducting the classroom part of alcohol education, but this year we got an NCAA grant to have an outside speaker, Randy Haveson, come and make a presentation to the entire student body during the Back to School Bash next week."

Another change is that the book the freshmen are required to read for their Focus Group sessions, Tuesdays With Morrie by Mitch Albom, is also being used for the Freshman Seminar.

Wooley, who has been observing the incoming freshmen all week, said he has been impressed by "their willingness to take part" in the week’s activities. He believes this class will be a strong presence on the campus.

"This seems to be an involved class. A vast majority have had service experience and seem to enjoy being involved."

The freshmen were treated to a welcome dinner at the Due West ARP Church and and an ice cream social at Snapper’s last night. Today their meetings continue during the day, with focus groups meeting early in the evening. At 8 p.m. the FCA Praise Band will perform in Memorial Hall and there will be an outdoor movie on the back lawn of Robinson.

The Literary Society Progressive Dinner will begin at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, followed by Shakes-n-Shag at the Hangar. A college worship service will be held at 9 a.m. Sunday, and the Freshman Follies, held Sunday evening in Lesesne Auditorium, conclude the week’s orientation activities.

Classes begin Monday.