Fall Orientation 2014 Newsletter

Columbia College Fall Orientation 2014 New Student Orientation Check-In & Registration

Pack the Perfect Outfit for

Pick up your Orientation materials and residence hall key (if living on campus) in Edens Library on Friday, August 22, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Columbia College police officers and students will help to direct you to the check-in location from Colonial Drive and Lots A, B, & D.

These Special Events

Check-in provides a centralized place for you and your parents to meet with representatives from the offices of Admissions, Tuition Accounts, Financial Aid, and Residence Life & Housing. All

Move-in Cool and Comfy

8/22

Pool Party Swimsuit, towel, and flip

8/22

Day of Service Closed-toe shoes please

8/23

President’s Luau Hawaiian themed - We provide the leis; you provide the rest

8/24

students must complete the check-in process during this appointed time in order to guarantee their class schedules.

Resident Students: You must check in before you can move into McNair Hall. You will receive your residence hall room key only after you have completed the check-in process.

Recommended Reading How to be Compassionate, by the Dalai Lama

Columbia College is proud to announce we are a partner of the Charter for Compassion and currently one of hopefully many more compassionate institutions to come. Purchase your copy of the recommended book and join us on Saturday, August 23, immediately following the Day of Service, Pajama Party for a discussion of living a compassionate life. The text (ISBN# 978-1451623918) is available in most Bunny slippers and all bookstores, Amazon.com, and in e-reader compatible methods, including Kindle, Nook, and iBooks.

8/24

Update Your Emergency Contacts Commuter Students 1. Login to Koala Connection (KC).

2. Click on the “Student” tab.

3. On the left side of the screen, click on “Emergency Preparedness Documents.”

4. Click on “Personal Information Update.”

5. Fill out the form in its entirety by August 20.

Make sure your information is up-to-date in case of an emergency.

WELCOME, CLASS OF 2018!

Got Questions? Call Student Activities at 803.786.3663.

We realize you may have to make an extra effort to attend Orientation activities; still, we believe Orientation is vital to your academic and personal success at Columbia College! Here is information you’ll need to know.

begin until after lunch. Also, please note that Tuesday’s events are optional.

Overnight Accommodations: If you would like to spend the night on campus during Orientation Dates: Orientation, with other first-year Friday, August 22 through students, please contact the Office Tuesday, August 26. Plan adequate of Residence Life and Housing at time to complete the check-in reslife@columbiasc.edu by process on Friday before the Thursday, August 14, to make Commuter Student Reception at arrangements at no cost to you.

2:30 p.m. Friday’s Orientation sessions will last until 5:30 p.m.

Meals and Parking: Your meals will be provided during Sessions on the other days will last all Orientation. You may park in Lots day and into the evening with one A and B, located on Colonial exception: Sunday’s activities will not Drive.

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Columbia College Fall Orientation 2014

Fall Orientation Highlights Friday, August 22  Check-in, Registration, & Move-In  Commuter Student Reception  Orientation Kick-Off  Orientation Group Meetings  Parent & Family Drop-In  Residence Hall Floor Meetings  Social: Pool Party

Sunday, August 24  President Dinndorf’s Hawaiian Luau Dinner  Performance by the Gestic Theatre Company  Social: Pajama Party Monday, August 25  Meet the Institute for Leadership and Professional Excellence Staff  Sessions on Academic Life, Decision-Making, and Koala Spirit  Alpha Service  Skit Performances and Closing Ceremony  Social: Riverbanks Zoo

Saturday, August 23 Win $200 cash  Columbia College Day of Service with THINKFAST  Recommended Reading Discussion: How to be Compassionate  Getting Involved in Campus Life Presentation Tuesday, August 26  Social: THINKFAST, a Game Show Just for the Class of  Shuttles to Walmart & Target 2018!  Welcome Back Party and Student Activities Fair

Check-in is 8/22 in Edens Library from 8 a.m. -2 p.m.

Get your keys and move into McNair Hall

Meet at College Place Church for Orientation Kickoff at 3:30pm

Day of Service: Class of 2018 Hits the Town On Saturday morning during Fall Orientation, the Class of 2018 will venture out into the city of Columbia to show what women can do when we work together for the common good. The Columbia College Day of Service is one of many traditions your class will participate in during your first few days on campus.

Get ready to make memories with your peers while getting to know your Columbia community.

Because we will be participating in a variety of activities, we ask that you please notify us if you have any health conditions, allergies, or physical limitations. You can email this information to studentactivities@columbiasc.edu.

You will receive a purple Columbia College t-shirt in your first Orientation group meeting to wear to the Day of Service.

Welcome From The Institute for Leadership & Professional Excellence The Institute for Leadership and Professional Excellence is comprised of four centers of excellence structured to support our students during their four-year experience at Columbia College. Through the centers, we will provide you with relevant and timely professional and academic advising, experiential learning opportunities, career coaching and leadership training and development. We look forward to getting to know each of you this year and working with you throughout your college experience. Feel free to contact us with any questions.

Dr. Christine La Cola, Executive Director clacola@columbiasc.edu 786-3933 Center for Academic & Professional Advising Chanté Clarkson cclarkson@columbiasc.edu 786-3727

Center for Applied Learning Erin Carlson ecarlson@columbiasc.edu 786-3311

Center for Career Coaching & Professional Development Kenetta Pierce kpierce@columbiasc.edu 786-3848

Center for Leadership Katherine Swartz-Hilton kswartz@columbiasc.edu 786-3822

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A Letter From Your Orientation Coordinator Dear Incoming First-Year Students, The time has come for you to begin your college career! I am so happy that you have chosen Columbia College as the place for you to continue the next segment of your life’s journey. You are headed in the right direction and are joining a community that will provide you with academic challenges, countless opportunities to grow, and long lasting friendships.

Look to your Orientation Leaders (OLs) for guidance and support when you arrive on campus. These bright, strong, upperclass women are looking forward to being your fearless leaders and building personal relationships with each of you. The OLs know that the first year is both challenging and wonderful, and they have been diligently preparing to help ease your transition into the college environment. It is our hope that having someone around who can give you great advice and encouraging words will be helpful for you throughout your first year. We are prepared to travel with you as you embark on this journey filled with new experiences that will empower you for a lifetime. We look forward to helping you truly realize that Columbia College is where you will put the world on notice: because You’re On Your Way! Sincerely, Catelyn Curry ’15 2014-2015 Orientation Coordinator

LA 100: Foundations for Learning in the Liberal Arts One of the most beneficial courses you will take this semester discussion and readings. is LA 100: Foundations for Learning in the Liberal Arts. This Each section of LA 100 will also have a Student Assistant first-year seminar will build on your Fall working with the class to give an upperOrientation experience and help you class student’s perspective to many of the adjust to college life in general and to topics discussed. She will also serve as a Columbia College in particular. mentor to each student in her section of LA 100, offering guidance and support The goal of this course is to help you throughout the semester. become a focused, successful college student. To that end, the course will LA 100 is designed to be very interactive, center on three important areas: interesting, challenging and fun. It managing academic life, managing should give you a terrific opportunity to personal life, and exploring professional get you know your classmates and life. Exploration of these topics will yourself as you embrace life at Columbia College. include small group interactions, guest speakers, class

First-Year Class Elections Class of 2018, You’ve probably been hearing a lot about being on your way and making an impact on the world. Well, here’s some more of that! Columbia College offers tons of ways to develop your leadership potential; the most effective way is through getting involved on campus and leaving a remarkable footprint for classes that will follow you.

During the Getting Involved in Campus Life session on Saturday, August 23, I will be sharing with you important information about the process of electing your class officers (president, vice-president, secretary, treasurer, and two activities and public relations officers) to represent you and your class. Officers are different for each class and the level of activity and participation will depend heavily on whom you all elect for the positions—the future of your class is in your hands!

With that in mind, I will also help you to understand other events and traditions that you can get involved with as a class. I look forward to welcoming you personally to the campus, and I encourage you to consider running for an elected office or getting involved in one of the many leadership opportunities available at Columbia College. No matter what you want to do, we have a leadership opportunity for that!

If I can be of any assistance or if you have any questions about the elections process, do not hesitate to contact me or one of the other CCSGA officers at sga@columbiasc.edu.

Nikki Brown ’15 CC Student Government Association 2014-2015 President

4 Cs of Leadership at Columbia College Year 1: Stepping Up– COURAGE Vision and Motivation to Step Up and Take Risks Year 2: Stepping In– COMMITMENT Making Choices and Commitment to Step In Year 3: Stepping Out– CONFIDENCE Step Out to Seize Opportunities and Take Action Year 4: Stepping Back– COMPETENCE Step Back to Reflect and Synthesize Columbia College Experiences

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You’re On Your Way with Columbia College You will be well on your way with Fall Orientation 2014!

Fall Orientation will help you get acclimated to your new community starting with a warm welcome from our Helping Hands moving crew and the official Welcome Ceremony on Friday. During Orientation you will attend many sessions on college success to help get you on the right track with your studies and prepare you for new academic responsibilities. You will also attend unique Columbia College sessions to teach you all about the traditions and culture of our campus.

Get your move on with Move In Day!

At the Welcome Back Party and Student Activities Fair, you will have the chance to meet representatives from many of Columbia College’s 50+ student organizations so that you can discover the many involvement opportunities available to you. The Gestic Theatre Performance will prepare you for making good decisions, living with and learning from people different from you, and developing your leadership potential.

You will have several opportunities to get to know other members of the Class of 2018 through Orientation socials and Welcome Week activities. In your Orientation Group sessions, you will share stories, complete a community service project, and perform an original group skit. You will also have the chance to begin developing a significant relationship with your Orientation Leader (OL), a returning student leader who will be a friend and mentor for you during your first year at Columbia College.

Participating in Orientation is the best way to start your journey at Columbia College!

What’s inside?

Everything you need to know about

Orientation!

VISIT US ON THE WEB AT: WWW.COLUMBIASC.EDU/ ORIENTATION FOR MORE DETAILS!

Columbia College Office of Student Activities 1301 Columbia College Drive Columbia, SC 29203