O2K1 runs smooth

Orientation 2K1 welcomed nearly 1000 doe-eyed freshmen into Homewood with a plethora of activities designed to ease their transitions and quickly integrate them into their new environment. From Move-In Days and "Saturday Night Live!" to last night's closing ceremonies, the frosh rarely found themselves without something to do.

Hordes of minivans and U-Hauls descended upon Homewood's freshly landscaped freshman quads on August 31, Moving Day #1. Overly-perky Orientation assistants assaulted unsuspecting vehicles and relieved them of their loads while newbies separated from sobbing parents and bored siblings and took in their new surroundings.

As Move-In Day #2 drew to a close, resident advisors brought their new students together and helped them get to know each other while spelling out the do's and don'ts of residence hall life. O2K1 broke open with "Saturday Night Live," a massive late-night fest at Levering Hall featuring a DJ, karaoke and a moon bounce.

Freshmen followed up Saturday night's revelry with an early Sunday morning wake-up call and a quick continental breakfast at Terrace Court Cafe. Following shortly, a second floor meeting, where resident advisors lined up the day's events. First-years were ushered en masse down to Arellano Theater, Mattin 101, Mudd Auditorium and Remsen 1 for the Office of Multi-Cultural Affairs' presentation of The Color of Fear, a documentary addressing race relations. A thought-provoking film that has become an Orientation staple, many freshmen thought The Color of Fear to be a pleasant surprise in an otherwise light schedule.

A box lunch at Terrace Court segued shortly into Sunday's New Student Convocation. President Brody and the deans, attired in full academic regalia, officially welcomed the Class of 2005. Brody also delivered a ceremonial gavel to senior Anuj Mittal, this year's Student Council president.

Post-dinner, the madness that is Playfair took over the Lower Quad. As usual, frosh appeared in all sorts of odd attire, prepared to scream for a standing ovation and engage in all manner of wild exercises in mass consciousness. As though the day wasn't already full, the Mattin Center converted itself into the Trump Taj Mahal as Casino Night commenced promptly at 10 p.m. Freshmen gambled at various casino games as they vied for a bevy of big prizes.

After a hectic weekend, Monday offered a welcome change. Club Night at Have a Night Day Cafe capped a day of placement exams and advising meetings.

Tuesday delivered a morning assembly with each school's dean, department meetings, and in the evening, Quad Movies featuring Meet the Parents and Hitchcock's Psycho. Though the movies had to be shown inside Shriver Hall due to the weather threat, the combination of laughs and frights left most satisfied nonetheless. Wednesday night's a cappella and talent show topped off this year's festivities, shortly followed by a presentation of the official Orientation 2001 video and short closing ceremonies.

All in all, O2K1 proved a solid beginning to the academic year.