On the beautiful day of August 28th, 2015, the remaining members of the incoming freshmen class moved into their new homes, Housing 2 and 3, at Stockton University. Move in times were staggered throughout the morning, starting at 8:30 AM. When students arrived at Stockton they were led to their rooms by enthusiastic Orientation Leaders. Those students who chose to go on S.O.A.R. (Stockton Outdoor Adventure Retreat) woke up that morning, anxious to meet their new roommates, floormates, and friends, but they also felt grateful for the lasting friendships that they made while on S.O.A.R.. This day was the beginning of Welcome Week, a college tradition used to welcome incoming freshmen to the place where they will hopefully be spending the next (and best) four years of their lives.

Heartbroken parents were assisted in the move in process by the T.A.L.O.N.S, a group of upperclassmen who also acted as “tribe leaders” at S.O.A.R. The move in day process was followed by the new students first meal plan lunch. Students used meal swipes and flex dollars to help them get used to how they will be acquiring food for the next year. This was also a good time for students to get to know the people on their floors and start new friendships. These new connections with floormates were moved to the dorms when mandatory housing meetings started at four. At these meetings students were able to meet their RAs (Resident Assistants) and learn the rules are expectations that are in place in the freshmen dorms. One of the majors rules was no alcohol in the buildings, housing 2 and 3 are dry. Punishments were explained and then students were given some free time after the meetings.

In between mandatory events many “ice breaker” games were played. Games such as ride that pony, wap, and all my friends and neighbors, were implemented as a way to ease the tension of a new group of anxious people. These ice breakers seem silly and tedious but are actually essential to the group dynamic. Icebreakers were a major part of keynote speaker Troy Stendes presentation. This presentation was used as an ultimate icebreaker, students I spoke to credited it as their, “favorite welcome week activity” and “a really good way to get everyone  to participate, without making it lame to get involved.” Stende combined fun activities with team building to create a fun environment that students felt comfortable.

After a long, new, day, students were finally free to do what they pleased. Some students went straight to bed while others chose to hang out with the new friends they made. Either way, move in day can overall be considered a success with the freshmen class beginning welcome week in Osprey style.