MTSU Sidelines

Issue date: 6/6/07 Section: News

Media Credit: Andy Harper Martha Turner, director of the Career and Employment Center, talks with incoming students Tuesday night at CUSTOMS in the Recreation Center.

While surviving a barrage of information on schools, schedules and extracurricular activities, incoming students are attending CUSTOMS sessions throughout the summer.

"Around 3000 to 4000 students are expected this summer," said Taccara Buchanan, junior business administration and student orientation assistant.

The 11 CUSTOMS dates over the summer feature two-day orientations that include a campus tour, meeting advisors and registering for classes. Orientation assistants take students through the entire CUSTOMS process.

"Students are divided into countries based on their majors," Buchanan said. "For example, Argentina is for undeclared and Zimbabwe is for music majors."

Incoming students also spend time with campus organizations in the "Ports of Call." Organizations such as Band of Blue, Intermural Sports and Greek Life have booths featuring their activities and encouraging new student participation.

The orientation as a whole provides a way for students to not feel alone on their first day of class, Buchanan said.

However, some students attending felt the two-day orientation was too hasty to properly transition and inform students on their new college.

"I didn't like that it went too fast for me to take everything in," said Deshawnda Trice, freshman finance major. "Also, I didn't see everything I wanted to see."

Christabel Herron, freshman elementary education major, agreed with Trice, noting that although the SOAs were attentive and the atmosphere was relaxed, there was too much information to compile into a day.

"I didn't like that CUSTOMS gave off the fake impressions that there will be cookies around every corner," said Josh Donegan, digital media major. "I tell you, there were no cookies. Plus these goofy bags aren't awesome."

Even for Lisa Lassar, parent of a new student, said the day became repetitive. However, she did appreciate the individual attention given by her group's SOA.

"We got to talk to people and not recordings and answering machines," Lassar said.

After CUSTOMS, new students receive postcards from their SOA to remind them of important dates and events for the Week of Welcome, Buchanan said.

"Week of Welcome's theme this year is 'Get in the Groove,'" Buchanan said. "We will have the usual movie in the park, live music, a 'Meet Murfreesboro' fair and We-Haul."

Finesse Mitchell from "Saturday Night Live" will be the featured comedian for Week of Welcome.

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