2015 New Student Orientation Edition

NEW STUDENT ORIENTATION EDITION

2015

THE DAILY ATHENAEUM - WEST VIRGINIA UNIVERSITY’S STUDENT NEWSPAPER

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Woodburn Hall

Creative Arts Center

mountaineerconnections.wordpress.com

Downtown Campus Library

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YOUR GUIDE TO WVU ORIENTATION TIPS ON MAKING YOUR TRANSTION INTO COLLEGE LIFE AT WVU EASIER Scheduling classes and purchasing textbooks for your first semester.

Page 3 The essestials of sanity: Preparing for dorm life. Page 4

Getting involved in West Virginia sports. Page 7 wvusports.com

WVU Coliseum

Student Employment offers work on campus. Page 8

Greek life promotes personal growth, offers social support. Page 9

Getting around: Learning Morgantown transportation. Page 10 WVU’s Personal Rapid Transit

transportation.wvu.edu

WVU President E. Gordon Gee

Doyle Maurer/THE DAILY ATHENAEUM

2 | NEW STUDENT ORIENTATION

THE DAILY ATHENAEUM

2015

Welcome, incoming WVU Students From the Daily Athenaeum Staff

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The Daily Athenaeum office, located at 284 Prospect St. in Morgantown, W. Va. The Daily Athenaeum is West Virginia University’s student-run newspaper.

Commonly referred to as The DA, this publication is one of the largest newspapers in the state of West Virginia. It has previously been ranked among the nation’s top college newspapers, as well.

It is our mission to keep students, faculty and the broader community informed about the University and the local area. We also aim to be an outlet for the WVU family to debate important issues and contribute to the public dialogue.

The New Student Orientation Edition is a special annual edition of the Daily Athenaeum, designed to help prepare incoming freshmen and other new students for their transition into Morgan-

town. This edition includes information we all wish we had known before coming onto campus, as well as advice from current students and a few warm welcomes, including one from University President E. Gordon Gee, who has become quite the celebrity on campus.

The content within this edition reflects what we strive to deliver on a daily basis. During the fall and spring semesters, The Daily Athenaeum is produced Monday through Friday and can be found on campus in nearly every University building, as well as in local establishments around Morgantown. During the summer semesters, we publish one edition per week on each Wednesday.

The Daily Athenaeum has

five sections in each regular edition, which include News, Sports, Arts & Entertainment, Opinion and Campus Connection.

Our News section strives to deliver up-to-the-minute, need-to-know news regarding the University and the city of Morgantown. This section covers groups such as the Student Government Association, Morgantown City Council and the University Board of Governors, as well as clubs, events and anything of interest to the WVU community.

The Sports section covers nearly every sports team at the University, including many club sports. This section is always one of The Daily Athenaeum’s most popular, and it includes schedules of games, player

profiles and game recaps.

Arts & Entertainment is the section to go to if you’re in need of an escape from the grind of everyday work. Profiles of local eateries, coffee shops or other spots around campus, reviews of concerts and other University-sponsored events and columns about the newest movies or album releases can be found in this section.

Our Opinion section provides an outlet for students, faculty and the community to speak on issues they feel strongly about through guest columns or letters to the editor. Aside from this, the section also includes columns written by a diverse group of columnists on various issues that affect students both on a local and national level, as well as a staff editorial each day displaying our Editorial

Board’s opinion on issues.

Campus Connection provides puzzles, horoscopes, a photo of the day and most importantly, a daily schedule of WVU-related events.

The Daily Athenaeum also has an online presence. Our website, www.daonline.com, includes all the daily articles and PDFs of the day’s newspaper. Also, we post breaking news during the day and include extra content not published in the print edition.

You can also visit www. issuu.com to view PDFs of each day’s newspaper. If you happened to miss an issue or wanted to see an article from a past edition, you can visit this site and see the entire newspaper.

To keep up with the latest news, follow us on Twitter @ dailyathenaeum.

As a student publication,

we are always seeking new students who can help us in our daily operations. If you’re interested in becoming a writer, please send us an email at danewsroom@ mail.wvu.edu or apply online at www.thedaonline. com/employment.

You can also stop by our on-campus office at 284 Prospect St., which is between Boreman and Arnold Halls.

If you have any additional questions, you can reach us by phone at (304)-293-5092 or visit our website for additional contact information, including the emails of each section editor.

We look forward to providing the news for you this fall, and we can’t wait for your arrival on campus. danewsroom@mail.wvu.edu

The Daily Athenaeum Staff:

Summer 2015

Editor-in-Chief, Casey Vealey Managing Editors, Alexis Randolph & Nicole Curtin City Editor, Caity Coyne Sports Editor, David Statman A&E Editor, Caitlin Worrell Opinion Editor, Molly Robinson Art Director, Andrew Spellman Social Media/Campus Connection, Nikki Marini Copy Desk Chief, Allison Gumbarevic

Fall/Spring 2015-16 Editor-in-Chief, Madison Fleck Managing Editor, David Schlake City Editor, Jake Jarvis Associate City Editor, Caity Coyne Sports Editor, Nicole Curtin Associate Sports Editor, David Statman A&E Editor, Caitlin Worrell Associate A&E Editor, Westley Thompson Opinion Editor, Abby Humphreys Art Director, Andrew Spellman Campus Connection, Laura Haight Social Media, Laura Haight & Ally Litten Web Editor, Alexis Randolph Copy Desk Chief, Casey Vealey

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THE DAILY ATHENAEUM

2015

Making smart and efficient textbook purchases alexis Randolph

Summer Managing editor @LexRandolphWVU

The first semester of college is a lot of change for first year students. Between moving away from home, entering a new environment and meeting new people, students often give little thought to new details such as buying textbooks for their classes.

Knowing what books you need and the best places to get them are vital to being prepared to ace your first semester.

Being prepared is a key ingredient to a successful college run. However, when it comes to textbooks, it may be better to hold off and wait until after you have received syllabi from your professors—or even until after the first class.

Unless you have received an email with the syllabus before class, you will likely not have any readings due until the second or third class meeting. Until you have met for the first time, you won’t know what role the book will play. So fight the urge to pre-order nonworkbook items, and stick it out until you know what is expected.

Once you know what you

need, you’ll need to consider if you want to buy or rent the book and if you want new or used. Renting is the better option when wanting to save money.

Buying is a good option when the textbook is within your field of study and you could see yourself using it as a reference in the future.

For the most part, used textbooks will be cheaper and work just as well as new— the exception being workbook texts that require the user to fill out pages for homework and turn them in.

Once you have the textbook list in hand, the first place you may want to stop is the West Virginia University Libraries website. Especially for classes that assign novels, you may be able to rent the books for free for the entire semester. Even when the books aren’t at the WVU Libraries, they may be able to get them through the library lending system.

Once you have looked into these great money saving options, take your (hopefully shorter list) and compare your prices online.

In Morgantown, there are three major in-store buying options: WVU Barnes & Noble, The Book Exchange and

Book Holders. Of the three, the cheapest price will depend on availability and whether or not you plan on buying or renting. Luckily, each of the stores’ websites have an option to look up the prices of the books for each class. Options like The Book Exchange and Book Holders tend to be cheaper than the official bookstores, however, they only have a finite amount of each book.

The WVU bookstore also tends to carry the harder to find or WVU specific books more than the other two as well.

For example, the WVU Bookstore has the required textbook for biology 101 listed for $173.35 new and $130.00 used, the Book Exchange lists the same book for $158.30 new and $118.70 used and Book Holders prices the book at $141.58 (condition not specified).

If you have looked at these websites and still aren’t impressed by the prices, you may want to take to the major online powerhouses Amazon and Chegg.

If you are all about your ereader these may be the best way to go as well. Amazon’s Kindle and Kindle app allow for cheaper, instant downloads of the texts you need straight to your

n3rdbomber.com

A stack of used textbooks stands tall, giving students a cheaper option when purchasing books for class. device. They also rent or wait period before receiving the cost and access is a great sell physical copies of text- the book. way to save on textbooks. books. On Amazon’s webNavigating the textbook With so many buying opsite, you can buy the same tions, another route to con- road can be a long process, biology 101 textbook for sider is sharing textbooks but with a little research, $162.50 new, $40.30 used with fellow classmates. This you can find the best (and or rent it for $23.49. As with option is particularly easy cheapest) option for all of anything you order online, if the book is online and your needs. you will of course have to requires a username and deal with shipping and the password combo. Splitting danewsroom@mail.wvu.edu

Picking the right classes for your first semester casey vealey

Editor-in-chief @dailyathenaeum

Scheduling at WVU may seem intimidating at first, but when you come equipped with the facts and an understanding of the process, it becomes much easier. The first step of the process is to relax.

I remember sitting down to schedule with an adviser during my orientation session and staring at all of the class listings with a feeling of apprehension.

But my adviser calmly and knowledgeably guided me through the process and I knew I wasn’t alone in cre-

ating my class schedule.

The second step is to make sure you know your sleep habits. Are you more of a night owl or an early riser? If you know you can barely get up before noon, schedule accordingly.

Don’t pack your schedule full of 8:30 a.m. classes. But, remember the later your orientation session is, the more limited class availability will be. You’re scheduling after everyone else at WVU, so your choices are limited. However, for many 101 classes you will need to take, there are numerous time slots.

Also, don’t take more credit hours than you can

handle. At the beginning of your college career, you may think it’s a good idea to take 18 credit hours (6 classes) for your first semester. You’re new to college and may feel ready to knock out as many GEC courses as you can, but this can lead to feeling overwhelmed and performing poorly. Remember, you don’t need to overachieve past your limits.

Your first semester at college is a time to learn more about yourself and your study and sleep habits. Some people can handle 18 credit hours, but if you’ll also be working, I wouldn’t recommend it. You want

to be able to experience all that WVU has to offer, and if you’re constantly exhausted from spreading yourself too thin, you won’t be able to.

When scheduling, make sure the locations of your classes are close enough to each other so you won’t be rushing from one to the next. For example, don’t schedule a class on Evansdale Campus 15 minutes after a class on the Downtown Campus. Also, make sure you’ll actually utilize a break between classes; if you put an hour between each, make sure you’ll use that time for studying or homework, and won’t sim-

ply feel stuck on campus.

Third, check out all of your options for your GEC requirements. There’s actually a lot of freedom and flexibility when it comes to fulfilling GECs and WVU offers a variety of classes for each. Experiment a little bit; try out a fun film class or dance class to broaden your experience. You can even use classes you take to fulfill GEC requirements toward completing a minor.

For a list of all of your options, visit http://registrar. wvu.edu/current_students/ general_education_curriculum.

Remember to utilize Degree Works. Degree Works

shows you the progress you are making toward completing your degree in an organized and helpful manner. Degree Works is found on the STAR tab on MIX. Finally, don’t be afraid to ask questions during the process. Your adviser is there to help you create your best schedule possible for your first semester at WVU. Remember, there will be limitations because of your later scheduling date, but the farther you get in your career at WVU, the more options you’ll have to have your best possible experience here. danewsroom@mail.wvu.edu

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2015

The essentials of sanity: Preparing for dorm life

Kyle Monroe/THE DAILY ATHENAEUM

Freshman marketing student Emma Thompson and her mother, Carol Thompson, adjust the location of her MicroFridge in her room in Braxton Tower in 2014.

Caitlin Worrell a&e editor @dailyathenaeum

Most Mountaineers will tell you that although dorm life can be challenging, it also will be one of your most memorable experiences at WVU. Preparing for move in is overwhelming, intimidating and sometimes a downright hassle. While your packing list for college is probably growing by the day, there are a few essential items students shouldn’t live without their freshman year.

Here are a few items you

may not have thought you needed.

Bed Risers – You may not have thought about the height of your bed at school, but it actually can change the dynamic of your whole room. Adding bed risers gives students the ability to store more items under their bed, saving space in the rest of the room. Most bed risers are adjustable so students can customize the height to their unique dorm space.

Coffee Pot – Whether you drink coffee or not, a coffee pot is a must have.

It’s a fast, easy way to boil water in your dorm. Boil-

ing water is essential for popular snacks like Ramen and Easy Mac, but students have been known to get creative.

Shower Caddy – If community style bathrooms are your unfortunate reality, it’s important to keep your things together. An easy way to keep and carry your shower items to and from the bathroom is in a shower caddy. These often have a handle and holes so water can drain out.

Shower caddies can get wet in the bathroom and won’t drag water back into your room.

Robe or Towel Wrap –

This is another downside to community bathrooms, but properly suiting up will save you some embarrassment. Many dorms on campus are co-ed, so walking around in your towel may not be the best idea. Do us and yourself a favor, and pick up a robe or a cute towel wrap for your daily bathroom commute.

Measuring Bowl – Since endless instant meals are in your near future, having the right cooking tools will save you some trouble.

A large measuring bowl allows you to heat and measure liquids quickly and accurately. Pyrex makes

cheap ones that can easily be stored and cleaned.

Noise Cancelling Headphones – Peace and quiet is sometimes hard to come by when sharing a room.

Having a pair of noise cancelling headphones for studying and homework can help you focus better.

HDMI Cable – If Netflix isn’t already your life, it’s going to be. Cable in the dorms is limited, so TV from your laptop will probably become the norm. An HDMI cable for your TV is essential for streaming shows from your computer. Most HDMI cables are under $20 and will

make your television experience more enjoyable.

Space Savers – The key to fitting your life into a tiny room is creative space saving. If it will give you extra room, go for it.

From cascading hangers to plastic drawers and vacuum seal bags, you cannot purchase enough of these crafty mechanisms. Target and Bed Bath & Beyond have tons of greater space saving items and accessories for cheap prices.

In all of your dorm room purchases remember: The smaller, the better. danewsroom@mail.wvu.edu

THE DAILY ATHENAEUM

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2015

President Gee welcomes Class of 2019, shares advice My Dear Mountaineers,

N e w New adventures tend to rattle our feelings, but it is in our nature to shake off Welcome to your new those nerves and march on home among the hills. into unknown territories.

I am thrilled that you I remember quite vivhave chosen West Vir- idly my first days as a ginia University for the college student. Having next chapter of your life’s grown up in a small town journey. called Vernal, Utah, I deThat decision is one of cided to go to the Univerthe best you could make – sity of Utah, which was three hours away and in I promise you.

Also, you will be pleased a city that was 20 times to know I am always game larger. for selfies and hugs when Up until then, I had not I see you around campus. met many people from difIf you have not done so ferent backgrounds, difalready, you will quickly ferent races or different fall in love with this won- countries. derful place, its people, I delved in headfirst. I its scenic beauty, its aca- made new friends, joined a demics, its innovation, its fraternity and digested all student life, its sports pro- of the fascinating knowlgrams, its traditions, its pi- edge that flowed from the oneering spirit. lectures, professors and You will come to love the books. For me, college city of Morgantown, which was like opening a door to is continually ranked as a brand new world. one of the best small towns For many of you, this in America. Our commu- marks the first time that nity has so much to offer – you will have to fend for from outdoor activities to yourself as an adult. You unique restaurants to great can no longer rely on your cultural events and great parents to boot you out of people. bed. It is up to you to make As I recently told our your own appointments, graduating Class of 2015, set your study hours, deyou, too, are likely expe- cide what to have for dinriencing a range of emo- ner and figure out how to tions right now – excite- travel from point A to point ment, anxiety, inspiration B. and intimidation.

Look at it this way: It is This is perfectly OK. freedom!

Kyle Monroe/THE DAILY ATHENAEUM

President Gee can be found hanging around campus by day, and spending time out with students by night .

But with freedom comes great responsibility.

To succeed academically, you need to go to class, complete your work on time and ask for help whenever you need it. You will find that the people here will help you.

However, the time spent outside the classrooms

and libraries is just as critical to your development as a young adult. That is why I preach the mantra of “work smart and play smart.” It is important to have fun and reward yourself for your hard work.

Surely, every adult in your life has lectured you about studying and mak-

ing good grades. You have made it this far. You know the drill. But those adults should also be telling you to laugh with friends over ice cream, exercise 20 minutes a day and take an occasional road trip to explore somewhere new.

My friends, this will serve as your home for the

next four years. So settle in and make this chapter of your life worth reading.

Congratulations on becoming a Mountaineer and welcome to the family.

Your mountain is waiting!

Sincerely, E. Gordon Gee

Taking it all in: Making the most of New Student Orientation alexis Randolph

summer managing editor @lexrandolphwvu

A lot happens in four years at West Virginia University—a lot happens in a semester for that matter.

So when you ask an upper classman, or even a student who has recently completed their freshman year about New Student Orientation, the details may be a bit fuzzy.

New Student Orientation is your first time on campus since officially deciding your Mountaineer status.

Summer 2015 will bring approximately 5,000 new students to Morgantown to take their first steps of their college career.

“Students can expect a full but fun day,” said Katlin Swisher, interim coordinator for New Student Orientation.

“New Student Orientation is all about their experience— helping them transition to their new home while starting off their first semester successfully.”

Swisher stressed the importance of making the day about the students and their transition. Throughout the day students will attend a variety of programs and events preparing them for life as a Mountaineer. New Student Orientation is where first time students have their photo taken and receive their Mountaineer ID Card, meet their academic advisors for the first time, schedule classes and much more.

This is a once-in-a-lifetime event, Swisher said, so make it count.

“Take it all in—it’s your day. You will only have one first day of college, and the

File Photo/THE DAILY ATHENAEUM

Students visit different departments set up in the Mountainlair during New Student Orientation.

Services and each individual academic department, orientations have been able to run smoothly and efficiently.

In addition to the scheduled events, students have the option to participate in “On Your Own” events. This is their chance to visit their future dorm, check out the Student Recreation Center or WVU Bookstore and even speak with financial aid or set up an account with PNC.

New Student Orientation team is here to help make it memorable,” Swisher said.

“Our goal is for students to depart confident in their decisions to join the Mountaineer family and prepared and excited to begin their first semester.”

According to Swisher, it takes the entire University to make New Student Orientation happen. With many different departments contributing, such as Dining

The Class of 2019 also has the chance to participate in the Million Dollar Match challenge.

“Don’t miss the afternoon service extravaganza, hosted

by WVU’s Center for Service and Learning,” Swisher said. “WVU students recently challenged the state of West Virginia to complete 1,000,000 hours of service by 2018 through the Million Dollar Match. New Student Orientation is the Class of

2019’s chance to get started.”

This will take place on the first floor of the Student Services Building, located right next the Mountainlair. But, if students get lost, don’t worry because there are plenty of follow Mountaineers to help guide your way.

“Ask questions. Our Orientation Leaders are current WVU students, Swisher said.

“They are the real experts.

Don’t hesitate to reach out to them if you have questions

about orientation or about life at WVU. They were once new Mountaineers too, and they can’t wait to meet you.”

New Student Orientation is the perfect opportunity to meet fellow classmates and get to see and experience what WVU and Morgantown are all about. Dive in, be prepared to learn and take away as much as you can. danewsroom@mail.wvu.edu

URGENT CARE STUDENT HEALTH SERVICES

The semester might end, but your need for the advanced care provided by WVU Student Health doesn’t have to! We’re open throughout the summer, ready to serve WVU students with the comprehensive service you have come to expect.

WVU Healthcare Student Health Services offers walk-in service for illness and injury; appointments are requested for some primary care services.

Whenever Student Health is closed, students can also visit WVU Urgent Care at the Suncrest Towne Centre location, open every day. (Insurance will be billed for an Urgent Care visit.)

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WVU Urgent Care offers two walk-in clinics that provide a complete range of treatment for minor illness and injury. Appointments are not necessary.

WVU Urgent Care - Suncrest 301 Suncrest Towne Centre Dr. 8 am to 8 pm Every day WVU Urgent Care - Evansdale 390 Birch St. (on the Evansdale campus) 8 am to 8 pm Monday-Friday 10 am to 4 pm Saturday wvu-urgentcare.com 304-599-CARE

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WVU Urgent Care is operated by University Health Associates.

6 | NEW STUDENT ORIENTATION

THE DAILY ATHENAEUM

2015

2015 WVU FOOTBALL SCHEDULE

Safety KJ Dillon jumps in the crowd following the Mountaineersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; 41-27 win against Baylor in 2014.

Doyle Maurer/THE DAILY ATHENAEUM

Sep. 5 Georgia Southern Eagles Sep. 12 Liberty Flames Sep. 26 Maryland Terrapins Oct. 3 at Oklahoma Sooners Oct. 10 Oklahoma State Cowboys Oct. 17 at Baylor Bears Oct. 29 at TCU Horned Frogs Nov. 7 Texas Tech Red Raiders Nov. 14 Texas Longhorns Nov. 21 at Kansas Jayhawks Nov. 28 Iowa State Cyclones Dec. 5 at Kansas State Wildcats

THE DAILY ATHENAEUM

7 | NEW STUDENT ORIENTATION

2015

Getting involved in WVU sports is a must

wvusports.com

Milan Puskar Stadium during West Virginia’s first conference game as a part of the Big 12 Conference.

Shannon McKenna/THE DAILY ATHENAEUM

Alex Ochoa

Caleah Wells

Shannon McKenna/THE DAILY ATHENAEUM

Daxter Miles Jr.

Fans throw ripped newspaper in the air as the Mountaineers score their first basket of the game.

by nicole curtin sports editor @nicolec_wvu

Going to college is not only about getting an education, but also having the full experience. At West Virginia University, part of that experience includes sports, meaning attending games and also participating in sports.

Attendance to any West Virginia game is free for students. With your student ID card you can get into men and women’s soccer, volleyball, baseball, women’s basketball, tennis and hockey games as well as gymnastics and wrestling meets.

For football and basketball games, students have to request tickets ahead of time and claim them in order to get into a game. Keeping up with the ticket availability at www.ticketreturn. com/wvu is the best way to know when tickets are open; no one wants to miss a game because they could not get

a ticket.

Also, for guest tickets, for your parents or friends who come to visit, there are usually some available that they can purchase once the lottery of free tickets has ended.

One of the student organizations that thousands of Mountaineer fans join is the Mountaineer Maniacs. There are two different kinds of membership levels, which are “basic” and “ultimate.” For the basic level students pay $25 to join and get free T-shirts, invitations to watch parties, discounted tickets for football and basketball away games, but are not guaranteed football tickets.

Many people join the Maniacs because they are guaranteed a general admission ticket for football games, which can be hard to get during the week of a big matchup. For the ultimate Maniac, students receive the free T-shirt as well as discounted tickets for

the away football and basketball games and guaranteed football tickets among other things.

The Maniacs do travel to away games in nearby states and some groups have even traveled to recent bowl games. Having a membership of this group could create opportunities to travel as well as get a leadership position later on in your college years.

For students who would like to continue playing their favorite sport during their free time, club and intramural sports is the way to go. There are over 40 club teams on campus including, but not limited to, soccer, competitive cheerleading, boxing, basketball, baseball, lacrosse and rugby. Club teams compete against other school club teams and are involved in community service on campus and other activities.

Joining a club team can have a bigger time commitment than participat-

Doyle Maurer/THE DAILY ATHENAEUM

ing in intramurals, because they have regular schedules for tournaments and away games. Also club teams are for the most part self-funded and for travel to farther away states, teammates will often collaborate on someone’s house to stay in for saving money and chip in for the cost of traveling.

Most of the club teams do have dues for each semester of playing as well. Almost all of the club teams can be

Taylor Munden found on the student activities part of West Virginia University’s website.

Intramural sports are another very easy way to stay active and also have fun with your friends. Teams do usually have to pay a one time small fee to participate, but this league includes tournaments and playoffs.

The intramural league has a multitude of sports and you create your team with your friends, coworkers, frater-

Doyle Maurer/THE DAILY ATHENAEUM

Doyle Maurer/THE DAILY ATHENAEUM

nity brothers or whomever you want. There are leagues for softball, flag football, basketball, soccer and volleyball among others.

Sports are a huge part of going to West Virginia University, whether you are attending games or playing with your buddies on the field. Be sure to take advantage of all these ways to be a Mountaineer. ncurtin@mail.wvu.edu

8 | NEW STUDENT ORIENTATION

THE DAILY ATHENAEUM

2015

Student Employment offers flexible, part-time work Caitlin Worrell A&E Editor @caitlinwo7

Your experience at orientation is sure to have your head buzzing with new information and ideas on how to get involved and stay active on campus. For those of you who are interested in more than just an extracurricular activity, West Virginia University’s Office of Student Employment is the place for you. Mountaineers work hard and play hard, making on-campus job opportunities a great way to earn a few bucks and stay connected with your peers.

During orientation, students are able to get a jumpstart on the application process by visiting the Student Employment Office. Located in the second floor of the Mountainlair, this department works with students to find both on and off campus employment. Career Services advertises positions in a wide range of part-time fields, with flexible hours to fit students’ busy class schedules.

“There have actually been several studies done that prove that students actually do better when they are working part time,” said Amy Diznoff, job location development program specialist for the Office of Student Employment. “Students who work up to 10 hours a week typically do better in school because they are forced to schedule themselves and manage their time better

The Office of Student Employment offers a variety of jobs in food services and beyond.

File Photo/THE DAILY ATHENAEUM

Doyle Maurer/THE DAILY ATHENAEUM

Student worker jobs can help students earn extra money while providing a convenient location and schedule. than they would if they with both academic and the Student Rec Center were just taking classes or service focused positions and working in a WVU acaavailable to students. Pop- demic office. With ranging hanging out.”

Students have no short- ular jobs around campus hours and pay, students age of options when it include dining services have many different opcomes to jobs on campus, and catering, working in tions to work within their

availability.

WVU also offers employment opportunities to students through their federal work-study program.

This unique program offers students on campus employment to help fund their educational expenses. Keeping students’ interests in mind, the work-study program incorporates community service and work related to your major when possible. Students who show a certain financial need can qualify for the program, but there are limited positions available.

Though the summer months are a great time to start filling out applications, now is the time to get the ball rolling. Before students can be officially hired through the school, they must register for payroll.

While the process is simple, it can be a lengthy one. It can take up to two weeks for your payroll to be processed once completing your paperwork.

Registering for payroll during your day at orientation is a proactive way to prepare yourself for a job at school. By completing this step, students will already be in WVU’s payroll system before they even move into their dorms.

This makes it easy for students to get hired quickly and seamlessly at the start of the semester.

“It can take a while to get processed for payroll at WVU because it’s such a large institution,” Diznoff said. “The sooner you process, the sooner

you can start working.

So if you process for payroll and you don’t have a job, that’s fine. Once you do get a job though, you can begin working almost immediately.”

To register for payroll, students need to bring a few important items with them. The first and most important information to have is a banking document. This includes any document that can be used for establishing a direct deposit. You will also need to bring two valid forms of identification. Students can use their driver’s license, a passport or a social security card. All documents must be original copies.

“You have to have certain original documents and many times when students come to school, they don’t bring those with them,” said MaryAlice Dunn, on campus jobs program coordinator for the Office of Student Employment. “They can bring them that day and send them home with their parents.”

Before you head out to explore the rest of Morgantown, don’t forget to drop by the Student Employment Office booth at the information fair. Also keep your eye out this summer for updated job listings.

For more information on campus job opportunities or the work-study program, please visit http:// studentemployment.wvu. edu. danewsroom@mail.wvu.edu

THE DAILY ATHENAEUM

9 | NEW STUDENT ORIENTATION

2015

Greek Life promotes personal growth, offers social support for college, beyond

by Westley Thompson Associate A&E Editor @westleyt93

Greek Life can have a huge and positive impact on your college career. As an incoming freshman you probably have a lot of questions. How do I rush? Who do I rush? What is “rush?”

Calm yourself young padawan, everything will become clear to you soon.

First, let’s cover the benefits Greek Life can offer you.

Anyone who’s watched “Animal House” or one of the terrible “American Pie” spinoffs knows that Greek Life offers parties. However, there is a lot more to it than ragers.

Greek Life offers many opportunities for personal growth and leadership. A fraternity’s executive board consists of a President, Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer, as well as other positions depending on the specific organization. There are also other officer positions such as social chair, philanthropy director, service director, membership education chair and more.

Each of these positions offers responsibilities and skills that have real-world applications later in life. By taking a position you learn Kyle Monroe/THE DAILY ATHENAEUM how to lead and manage Kappa Kappa Gamma sister Hannah Kinney introduces people, organize ideas and herself to the potential new members during recruitment. events, and other position-

specific skills.

Greek Life also offers social support and networking. Brothers or sisters make a pledge when joining to support each other throughout life. This is a pledge that is taken seriously. Greek Life brothers or sisters are closer than standard friends are; it’s a deeper relationship.

Additionally, networking is improved. The old adage “it’s who you know” is true today more than ever. As a member of Greek Life, you not only have the support of your own brothers or sisters and who they know, but the support of your entire national fraternity and all its members across the nation.

Trying to get through a hard job interview? If your future employer notices you were in the same Greek organization he or she was, you may have an upper hand.

Now let’s talk about how to join Greek Life on West Virginia University’s campus. The process differs for fraternities and sororities, but the general principles are the same. You want to meet every single organization open to you, and make your decision from there. Although every Greek group is bound to have nice individuals in it you’ll get along with, each stands for something different. The key is to accurately assess which group is right for you. This is

done by meeting the members, asking what their principles are and finding out about their philanthropic partners, charities and service events.

It is important to consider your time and workload when considering joining Greek Life. Being a pledge, or a new member if you’re in a sorority, is a time consuming process. You’ll often be required to learn a lot of information about your group’s history, principles, etiquette, customs and the like.

During the process it is important to keep your head about you and put safety and common sense first. That being said, don’t let news reports of one or two fraternities behaving atrociously or having terrible accidents deter you. Although a few groups make poor decisions and cause accidents, there are approximately 19 fraternities and eight sororities on campus. The vast majority of these groups care for their new members, and don’t do harmful activities.

Greek Life can offer many benefits and significantly enhance your college experience. There are a lot of things to consider, but the decision to join is life changing. Give Greek Life a try; you may just love it. wethompson@mix.wvu.edu

Askar Salikhov/THE DAILY ATHENAEUM

Members of Kappa Kappa Gamma, Alpha Sigma Phi, and Sigma Alpha Epsilon hoist up one of their dancers on the Mountainlair Green during Greek Week 2015.

Kyle Monroe/THE DAILY ATHENAEUM

The sisters of Alpha Omicron Pi stand outside of their house on Prospect Street as they greet potential new members.

Kyle Monroe/THE DAILY ATHENAEUM

The sisters of Alpha Omicron Pi sing inside their house as they escort potential new members out of their house.

Frat row expands up North High Street and is active throughout the school year

File Photo/THE DAILY ATHENAEUM

Kyle Monroe/THE DAILY ATHENAEUM

Potential new members exit the Alpha Omicron Pi house during recruitment.

Brothers and new rushes hang out on Frat Row for the 2013 Fall Fraternity Rush.

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10 | NEW STUDENT ORIENTATION

2015

The best ways to travel in Morgantown

File Photo/THE DAILY ATHENAEUM

Many students choose to walk to and from classes due to traffic and close proximity.

The bus system is a free and convenient way for students to get from campus to campus.

Caitlin Worrell a&e editor @dailyathenaeum

Stepping on campus can be pretty intimidating, especially when you don’t know where you are going or how you are getting there. Whether your classes are on the Downtown Campus, Evansdale or one of WVU’s other campus areas, chances are you will rely on public transportation at some point in your college career.

Parking is limited in Morgantown, causing students to get creative with their transportation. Luckily, WVU offers a variety of options to help students get where they are going.

But with so many great ways to get around, how do you know which one to

choose? There are some positives and negatives to all of the transportation options on campus, so here is the rundown on how to run around.

PRT – You probably have already seen the little gold and blue cars whizzing by on your drive in.

The PRT (Personal Rapid Transit) system has been one of the main forms of campus transportation for years and for a good reason. With just a quick swipe of your ID, students can board the monorail and hop between campuses. The system has five stations, with convenient stops at Walnut St. (Downtown Morgantown), Beechurst Ave. (Downtown Campus), Evansdale, Engineering, and Health Sciences. Fresh-

welcometo.wvu.edu

men, especially those living in Towers, will rely heavily on the PRT to get to their classes and the Mountainlair. While you may hear of this system’s lack of reliability, it’s truly the fastest way to get around on a weekday.

Mountaineers can also look forward to a major overhaul and modernization of the system, which will begin in 2016.

Mountain Line Buses – Another way to campus hop is through the local bus transit. The Mountain Line Bus system is free for students using their student ID and can take you much farther than your usual campus stops. It is also your go-to option for late night travel, as the PRT closes in the evening. The popular Campus PM route

File Photo/THE DAILY ATHENAEUM

The PRT, unique to WVU, is a great way for students to get to and from classes, football games and more. connects the Evansdale and Downtown campuses Thursday-Saturday until 3 a.m., with services running every 10 minutes. If you’re looking to explore town a bit more, catch a ride on the Orange Line, which takes passengers to South Park and the Morgantown Mall. The bus system also offers a long distance option with service directly to and from the Pittsburgh International Airport. This special Grey Line service is a cheap and easy way for students to travel to and from the metro area without a car. It’s hard to miss these big green buses squeezing through the tight streets of Morgantown. Whether you’re just headed to campus or looking to cross Morgantown, the Mountain Line has you

covered.

Walking – If planes, trains and automobiles just aren’t your style, many Mountaineers rely on their own two feet to get around.

There are plenty of closeby options for students on both the Downtown and Evansdale campuses to visit and explore.

From the Downtown Campus, students have easy walking access to the entire High Street corridor.

This area includes restaurants, shopping, nightclubs and live local entertainment for both students and their families. Downtown is also close to a few outdoor locales including the Rail Trail, which runs along the Monongahela River. Many students enjoy West Virginia’s natural beauty by jogging or

biking the scenic trail. It’s also a quick hike to Morgantown’s South Park neighborhood.

From the Evansdale campus, it’s a short stroll to the WVU Student Recreation Center or one of the outdoor recreation fields. If you’re looking for even more action, you can stumble on over to the Arboretum near the Creative Arts Center for a trail hike.

Students even have access to many restaurants and shops along Patteson and University Avenue, including the Boston Beanery, Ogawa Sushi and Panera. This area also boasts a 24-hour Kroger, where students can stock up on groceries and living essentials. danewsroom@mail.wvu.edu

11 | NEW STUDENT ORIENTATION

THE DAILY ATHENAEUM

2015

Oh the places to go: Visiting Morgantown in one day alexis randolph

summer managing editor @dailyathenaeum

New student orientation gives incoming students the chance to explore Morgantown and get a feel for the place they plan on spending their next four years. With only one day and tons of information shared, the whole experience can be vastly overwhelming.

But when it is all said and done, there are a few things you want to make sure you take away from this exciting yet hectic day. Exploring Morgantown is a great problem to have, and here are some suggestions on where to go, what to see and the best way to get there.

Check out your soonto-be dorm While this is an optional part of the orientation trip, it is most definitely one of the most important. Finding out exactly where the building is situated can help you plan for move-in day, where you’ll be eating and the best way to get to your classes. It will also help you plan for the things you need to bring with you. While futons are the kings of multi-functional furniture, they may be a bad idea unless you are comfortable in confined spaces and bunk beds. The college dorm section of any retailer will also try and convince you that you need a ton of storage, but without ever seeing your dorm, how will you know how much you already have? Checking out your dorm is the best way to plan ahead and assess what you need come the fall. Dorms on the Downtown Campus are an easy walking distance to the Mountainlair. Catch a shuttle bus or drive to Evansdale to check out Towers and Lincoln Hall.

Walk down High Street The hub of activity in Downtown Morgantown, High Street provides stu-

dents with a lot more than nightlife options. Lined with local dining options, cute shops and souvenir opportunities, drop by for dinner or even just to get a feel for the area.

Like most places in Morgantown, the best way to get there is on foot. Trying to find parking downtown—especially when it is busy—is difficult if not near impossible and this location is just a straight shot down the hill behind the Mountainlair. Once there, stop in Tailpipes for a milkshake or visit the Book Exchange or UniversiTees to grab a cheaper T-shirt or hoodie option to take home. No matter what kind of food you are looking for you will find fresh, local options.

Check out where the football stadium and Coliseum are Athletics are a huge part of WVU culture. Football games will nearly shut the town down in the fall and fans coming flocking for home basketball games.

Figuring out where these hubs are, and the best ways to get there from the place you will be living in the fall will be a fun task to take on. While most people park at the Coliseum for orientation, Mylan Puskar Stadium is a little further out of the way.

Finding your best route, whether that be by foot, bus or PRT, will help you navigate your way through the craziness that is Morgantown on game day.

Go to the Blaney House overlook Wondering where the best view in Morgantown is? Look no further. The view from President Gee’s front yard is one of the best you can find around town. Located on Evansdale Campus behind the Towers Complex, walk or drive to the end of Oakland Street and check out this enchanting view. This is a great way to get getting a lasting impression of how beautiful Morgan-

town is.

Bonus: Check out Coopers Rock For students staying overnight or who have a little extra time to waste, check out Coopers Rock State Forest. Another fantastic view, the park is a 20-30 minute drive on the interstate past Morgantown. For students from out of state, this is a great chance for you to see some of the wildlife and beauty West Virginia has to offer. The park is filled with scenic hiking trails, and be sure to follow the road to the end to check out the scenic overlook.

Stopping by a few of these locations will not only make you feel better oriented in the fall, but it will also help you make the most of your time spent here. Summer Morgantown is a much calmer beast than the place you will return to in mid-August. danewsroom@mail.wvu.edu

File Photo/THE DAILY ATHENAEUM

Towers houses many first year students each semester and is just one of many on-campus housing options.

File Photo/THE DAILY ATHENAEUM

wikipedia.org

Morgantown’s iconic High Street provides a variety of local dining and shopping Only a short drive on the highway from Morgantown, Coopers Rock is a great place for every nature lover. options and serves as the heart of downtown Morgantown day and night.

12 | NEW STUDENT ORIENTATION

THE DAILY ATHENAEUM

2015

Get your fill: Morgantown’s top restaurants

Mountain State Brewing Company in Morgantown, W. Va.

dinerdan.blogspot.com

Tailpipes in Morgantown, W. Va.

urbanspoon.com

A dish served at Ogawa in Morgantown, W. Va.

by Abby Humphreys opinion editor @obiwan_bologni

Morgantown is full of hidden restaurant gems, and trying each of them has been one of my favorite parts of living in this city. Whether I’m ordering in late one night or having a dinner date with friends, these restaurants have gone above and beyond my expectations and delivered unforgettable flavors and experiences.

Ogawa If authentic sushi is what you’re after, look no further than Ogawa. The wait staff greets each customer in Japanese, and the sushi is pre-

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pared fresh in front of guests.

Ordering is as simple as checking off which sushi roll you desire on a slip of paper, which is then given to the sushi chefs. The presentation of the dishes is incredible—it’s nearly impossible to resist taking a photo before digging in.

They also offer a hot menu as well, which includes bento boxes and traditional Japanese dishes.

Mountain State Brewing Company Pizza and beer is the typical fare of any college town, but Mountain State certainly stands out from the crowd.

They offer beer brewed in micro-breweries from different

parts of the state, and each flatbread is crafted with the freshest ingredients. The restaurant’s creations include a new take on the Hawaiian (pineapple, mozzarella and prosciutto), the classic Margherita (basil and tomatoes), and the spicy Fire on the Mountain (sausage, chipotle sauce and spicy pepper rings).

All their flatbreads are cooked in a gigantic stone oven in the middle of the restaurant for a perfectly crispy crust. If you’re still feeling hungry after the main course, they also offer dessert flatbreads.

Tailpipes Walking into Tailpipes is like taking your time-traveling

DeLorean back to 1955. The restaurant is known for the most famous combo of that era: Burgers and milkshakes.

The namesakes of each burger is a classic car, ranging from the 57 Chevy (featuring fried egg and chipotle ketchup) to the Charger (topped with peanut butter and banana). My personal favorite is the Barracuda: Grilled pineapple, bacon and sweet teriyaki sauce.

Each order of fries comes with special dipping sauce whose deliciousness defies description, and their “Bottom of the Bowl” milkshakes are made with sugary cereals from every college kid’s childhood. If you’re feeling especially dar-

Chico’s Fat in Morgantown, W. Va. ing, I recommend the chocolate chipotle milkshake—it’s your average chocolate shake with a slightly spicy twist.

Chico’s Fat I saved the best for last. Chico’s may seem like your runof-the-mill local Mexican restaurant on the outside, but it’s far more than that. Depending on the time of day, funk music or the Beatles might be playing throughout the restaurant. The ordering process is similar to Chipotle or Qdoba, where hungry customers can pick a number of meats and toppings for any dish. Their grilled cheese tacos feature two corn tortillas with melted cheese between

candacelately.blogspot.com

them, and the tilapia for their fish tacos are fried fresh for each order. By far, the best side dish on the menu is their Hot Mess: Crispy French fries topped with queso, enchilada sauce, shredded cheddar, sour cream and green onions.

Trying any of these fabulous restaurants is sure to satisfy any foodie’s cravings. These restaurants have helped shape Morgantown’s nightlife and provided the setting for invaluable memories.

If nothing else, these restaurants might just be my sole reason for visiting Morgantown after graduation. daperspectives@mail.wvu.edu

THE DAILY ATHENAEUM

13 | NEW STUDENT ORIENTATION

2015

What does it mean to be a Mountaineer?

Passengers ride the PRT from the Walnut Street station.

Former Mountaineer Jonathan Kimble is lifted by the student section after WVU’s upset victory over Iowa State in 2014.

Woodburn Circle during the summer of 2013.

caity coyne

City Editor @dailyathenaeum

So you made it. You’ve gotten all your college acceptance letters, you’ve balanced the pros and cons of each option and now you’re here. Congratulations, you’re now part of an international family of Mountaineers who will be there to help and support you, wherever you end up in life.

One of the first things you will learn about West Virginia University is we are not just a regular college in a regular college town, we are a culture. We, as Mountaineers, take pride in our school. We take pride in our town. We take pride in each other. Now as a Mountaineer, you get to take pride in all of that as well.

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Mountaineers are empathetic and passionate. We exceed expectations and set new standards. As a Mountaineer, when you work at something you give it all you have. It does not matter how inconsequential you believe the task to be, you have the ability to make it great.

Being a Mountaineer is not just a privilege, it is a responsibility. You are now responsible for representing WVU wherever you go, and wherever you go people will recognize you are a part of this ever expanding global community, so represent us all to the best of your ability.

Always be respectful.

Respect this town. It is going to be your home for as long as you are here. Morgantown is old and has its problems, but the town is revered

kyle monroe/the daily athenaeum

Dreamius Smith scores a touchdown against Oklahoma in 2013. by its residents. Work on making this town better, give back to the community around you and try to leave it better than it was when you first arrived.

Respect the University.

You are only one of thousands of students, but you do have a say in what goes on here. If you see something wrong or something unjust, have enough respect for WVU, yourself and your fellow Mountaineers to hold it to higher standards. Bring attention to the wrongdoings and work to make them better.

Respect yourself. You have worked hard to get where you are and do not forget that.

Respect yourself enough to make decisions that will make you happy and are beneficial to your life. Do not hesitate to draw on the resources avail-

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able to you. Ask for help when you need it.

Respect other Mountaineers. We are all a part of this giant community no matter where we come from. You are going to meet people here who hold different beliefs than you and who lead different lifestyles than you, but they are still your neighbors and classmates. Allow your differences to bring you together instead of pull you apart. Learn from each other. Understand each other, and let your differences foster healthy conversations that can broaden your perspectives.

Always be supportive.

Mountaineers support each other in any way they can. If you have a hand to lend, then do so. None of us got to where we are today

Kyle Monroe/THE DAILY ATHENAEUM

Dierks Bentley performs at the 2014 Fallfest concert on the Mountainlair Green. without a bit of help, so don’t hesitate to offer or receive the assistance you need.

Always do better.

If you try and you fail, you can’t give up. Mountaineers are innovators and trailblazers, we are persistent and we are dedicated. It takes falling down to learn how to get back up, so when you fail remember that you owe it to yourself to do better and try again and again and again. Try until you succeed. No great thing has ever been accomplished on the first try. There has to be a first for there to be a last, and Mountaineers always go first.

There is a saying here, you will see it on T-shirts and posters. You will hear it during presentations and speeches.

Once a Mountaineer, always a Mountaineer. No truer words have ever been spoken at

this University. You will be a Mountaineer for the rest of your life. There will always be more of us and we will always be there for you, but you have to be there for us as well.

You have decided to join the ranks of thousands of Mountaineers worldwide.

No matter what city you are in, someone will see the brilliant gold and dazzling blue on you and they will call out.

Get used to the excitement on their faces and the pride in their eyes, because it will never disappear. This is a culture, and it is your turn to embrace it. Let WVU into your blood and remember what we stand for as you embark on all of your firsts.

Welcome to the family, Mountaineer. danewsroom@mail.wvu.edu

THE DAILY ATHENAEUM

14 | NEW STUDENT ORIENTATION

2015

If there was one piece of advice you could give an incoming #WVU freshman, what would it be?

“Step outside of your comfort zone! Go to a meeting for a student org. that isn’t familiar. You never know what you’ll find!”

—@theJDixon

“Don’t take the easy way out. College is a time to challenge yourself. But don’t forget to have some fun along the way.”

—@jocelyn_zornes

“A morning class might sound good at orientation but not when you like to study late or be involved in other activities.”

—@WVUmac

“Take at least one class per semester that you think you’ll love and find interesting, even if you don’t really need it.”

—@hazelchristina_

“Don’t be afraid to talk to people. Introduce yourself to as many people as possible. You’ll gain so much from a simple chat.”

—@CamAlexander91

“Find out what excites and motivates you academically, socially, and culturally then dedicate yourself to it. #timeflies #WVU” —@lAUren_alane

“Do not go back to your dorm during the day go to the library and study instead.”

—@kevinlapp89

“Explore all the nature WV has to offer.”

—@dannylshearer

“Go to activities other than football games. WVU has so many things to do other than that, and they’re fun!”

—@BartimusPrime19

“Get out of your room and get involved in dorm activities or go out with friends. Don’t be a recluse.

Have fun!”

—@Cennaire

Advice for your freshman year, beyond: Get to know yourself abby humphreys opinion editor @obiwan_baloni

Successfully navigating freshman year can be a difficult and intimidating time for new students. Though escaping constant supervision from teachers and parents might have been every kid’s dream in high school, having almost complete freedom in college can seem a little overwhelming by comparison.

The idea of college is usually sold to future students as a flawless and unforgettable experience in the pamphlets—walking to class in the rain or eating meals alone just doesn’t seem like part of the package. When these things eventually happen, feeling alone or out of place is common in new students; I know I felt very similarly during the beginning of my freshman year. Hopefully this list of friendly tips and tricks I learned throughout the year can make adjusting to college life a little easier.

First, getting to know your study habits is a must.

If you work better with music, put those headphones in; if not, try to find a seat in the library or in your dorm to tackle heavy workloads.

Experimenting with different study spots around campus worked for me until I found a few I liked, and it was great to have my own secluded space in which to work without interruption until my next class and leave the hustle and bustle of downtown briefly behind. But whatever you do,

keep workspaces and sleeping spaces separate. Working in bed may be comfortable and convenient, but it can be far too easy to procrastinate on social media or ignore work entirely once sleepiness inevitably hits.

I also recommend participating in dorm activities whenever possible. Unless you plan on living on campus all four years, there will never be another time in your life when snacks during finals week are free for the taking every hour of the day (pancakes, anyone?)

Dorm club topics range anywhere from ultimate Frisbee to vampire literature, and can include making crafts or even taking trips on certain occasions. I realized too late just how beneficial dorm clubs could be in learning new skills and meeting the people I might be sharing classes with. I’d join one or two if I had the opportunity to relive my dorm experience. Fortunately, there are cross-campus clubs where people of all ages and years can meet under common interests, so I suggest finding one that interests you if dorm clubs don’t quite cut it.

Though most college admissions offices will tell you the same thing, learning limits and setting goals is an important part of being both a successful college student and a fully independent person. It might be tempting to make a run down to High Street at midnight with an 8 a.m. class the next day, but let’s face it: It’s likely a bad decision all around. Making mistakes and learning from

them is expected, but unlike high school, there isn’t always a safety net of makeup tests, forgiving teachers or extra pocket money there when you need it.

As loathe as I was to admit it at the time, this was the year when advice my parents had given me started to make sense.

Knowing personal boundaries, taking precautions and being responsible can go a long way in the area of personal growth. And remember, help is always available if necessary: Student Health offers helpful counseling services, and all RAs are trained to lend a listening ear to student concerns.

These are just a few simple tips to help create a lasting foundation for the year ahead. I wish all the best to the class of 2019. danewsroom@mail.wvu.edu

Spend time with other dorm residents during your first year stay.

Students tour their potential new home in Woodburn Circle.

File Photo/THE DAILY ATHENAEUM

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Join the discussion.

Stay informed.

Get involved.

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16 | NEW STUDENT ORIENTATION

THE DAILY ATHENAEUM

2015