Seton Hall will host its third annual Pirate Adventure orientations for incoming members of the Freshman Class of 2013 in June.
This summer's Pirate Adventures will remain much like past orientations, said Associate Dean for Freshman Studies Bernadette Manno, but some changes will be made as a result of the evaluations completed by last year's attendees.
"Most of (Pirate Adventure) is staying the same," Manno said. "We had good comments on the evaluations last year."
She said the changes are focused on making the orientations more productive and enjoyable for the incoming freshmen. Most of the orientation events, such as meetings with the academic departments, public safety officials and ROTC, will remain.
Manno said rather than have lunch one-on-one with a mentor, incoming freshmen will have a traditional dining hall experience and there will be a large, group presentation where they will learn how to register for classes.
Another change made to the program is the elimination of the scavenger hunt, she said. Last year, Pirate Adventure included a high-tech scavenger hunt to help students learn about important places on campus, but many groups had problems getting the cell phones given to each group to read the chips in various locations around campus.
While Freshman Studies does not plan on staging a scavenger hunt, Manno said, ROTC presentation might include a scavenger hunt instead.
Also, incoming freshmen will have the opportunity to meet with their University Life classes on the first day of orientation for a chance to get to know classmates and build connections before they have their first University Life class on the second day of the orientation, she said.
"It gives students a chance to meet people and get connected," Manno said. "They meet their mentor, who is also their academic adviser; their peer adviser, who is like their first friend on campus; they get to talk to people in their academic departments, and they get to meet their classmates and peers."
The orientations will retain the same groupings as in the past. Diplomacy, Nursing and Business majors will attend the first orientation on June 22-23; Education and declared Arts and Sciences majors will attend the second orientation June 25-26; and undeclared Arts and Sciences will attend the third orientation June 29-30.
Associate Director of Admission Jaime De Leon II said the current freshman enrollment stands at 1,063 as of mid-May.
Freshman Studies is planning for 300-350 students per orientation, and students who are unable to attend the June orientations will attend an orientation just before classes begin in the fall.
Manno said Freshman Studies is currently planning to offer 51 sections of University Life and Journey of Transformation, but the final number is subject to change.
Despite the staggered orientations, Manoo, said, incoming students don't have to worry about classes filling up before they are able to register because classes are opened as each group of students attends orientation.
Manno said the student orientation is not the only orientation being changed. The family orientation will be adapted as well to provide some choices for parents. The changes will allow parents to attend programs that apply to them, so that the parents of commuting students don't have to attend Housing and Residence Life presentations, but instead they might attend a more applicable presentation.
The family orientation will include a "What to Expect in the Fall" presentation by Associate Vice President and Dean of Students Karen Van Norman, which will give parents some final advice and a last opportunity to ask questions, before culminating in the popular "Build-a-Bear" program.
