University welcomes students to campus

	Students move into Burton-Judson Court

Every year, the College welcomes incoming first-year students with more than a week of activities during New Student Orientation. Activities are aimed at helping students adjust mentally, emotionally, physically and academically to their new lives at the University.

This year, the College introduced several new activities, including the International Student Welcome and Workshop, sponsored jointly by the International Student Affairs Office and the College Programming Office; and the presentation Chicago Life: University of Chicago History and Traditions, which both took place earlier in the week.

The University’s traditional welcome address, the Aims of Education address, will be held today from 4:30 to 5:45 p.m. in Rockefeller Memorial Chapel. Danielle Allen, Associate Professor in Classical Languages & Literatures, will address students.

Three additional new activities being offered to students this week are:

Queer U of C 101, a panel discussion for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender students and friends. Interested students can find out about what resources are available, including the new LGBTQ (where “Q” stands for “questioning”) mentoring program. It is scheduled from 4 to 5 p.m., Friday, Sept. 21, in the Reynolds Club South Lounge.

U of C Night at the Museum of Science and Industry. The annual welcome party at the MSI is bigger than ever.

“Traditionally only the entering class has been invited to attend, but this year we are inviting all college students to welcome the entering class of 2005,” said Heather Johnson, Director of College Programming. U of C Night at the MSI is set for 7 p.m. to midnight, Friday, Sept. 21, at the MSI. Regular campus bus service will be available, and special shuttles will be provided later in the evening.

Experience Chicago Day. First-years will have a day out exploring Chicago, with highlights such as an architecture cruise along the Chicago River. Students will then gather at the John Hancock Observatory for hors d’oeuvres on the 94th floor. The Chicago River cruises will be offered all day Saturday, Sept. 22, and the “On Top of the World Reception” will be held from 4 to 8 p.m. in the John Hancock Observatory, 875 N. Michigan Ave.

“We want to introduce new students to some of the wonderful things about Chicago right away,” said Johnson.