UW Gazette, June 18, 1997
     
     Chaos, confusion, congestion and long lines: Is that
any way to start a university career?
     Science student Matt Iley decided other newcomers
shouldn't have to go through what he did in his first week
at UW, and convinced the Federation of Students to help give
new students a head start.
     With very little lead time, very little money and
virtually no advertising, High School Sendoff, a one-day
introduction to student life issues and services on campus,
was initiated by the Feds last August.
     Some 350 parents and students attended the event, which
Catharine Scott, associate provost (human resources), termed
"terrifically successful".
     The university held its own orientation event on
Parents Day in September, but noticed not everything ran as
smoothly as had been expected. According to Scott, parents
didn't want to leave students in the Villages to attend the
event, and there was congestion on the Ring Road, as well as
the usual long line-ups for WatCards.
     Organizers pondered possible changes for Parents Day,
and hit on the idea of combining forces with the Feds to
create a new, expanded day for both parents and students in
August, dubbed Student Life 101.
     Planning is underway for the August 11 event, with
representatives of the Feds, UW staff and the church
colleges involved this year. Guided by the mission
statement,  "To ease and facilitate the transition into the
first year of university through presenting important
information and discussing the concerns of both students and
parents", organizers envision a day of campus tours, an
introduction to student services through displays at Fed
Hall, a question and answer session, and a barbecue to wrap
up the day.
     In addition, students will be given an opportunity to
purchase parking permits and get their WatCards, bypassing
the long lines in September.
     This year, by joining forces, having more troops to
help- and a budget - Scott predicted an even more successful
venture. Invitations to Student Life 101 are being included
in some 3,700 offers of admission, and RSVPs are requested.
     "Starting university can be very overwhelming for both
students and their parents," she said. "It's a new
experience, an emotional time, and there's a huge amount of
activity.
     "We hope to make the transition easier for both parents
and students, and help students avoid spending their lives
in lines the first week on campus.
     "Everyone's excited and enthusiastic about the
venture," she added. "We feel we can make a difference in
students' lives, and put parents' minds at ease."
     Anyone who would like to volunteer to help with Student
Life 101 is invited to contact Feds representative Melanie
Hazelton at mahazelt@artsu2.watstar or Scott at
cscott@mc1adm.