Inside, GS staff and Orientation Leaders greeted the new students and provided NSOP schedules for the week. New students are placed in small orientation groups and will be guided by an Orientation Leader, current students who will introduce them to campus and facilitate social bonding throughout the week.
Following breakfast, students heard from President Lee C. Bollinger and Dean Peter J. Awn on Low Plaza, who gave their welcoming remarks to the new students. President Bollinger and Dean Awn stressed the spirit of intellectual discovery and free speech. "One has the duty to challenge ideas," stated Dean Awn, encouraging incoming students to view their education as an opportunity to expose themselves to differing perspectives, and to sharpen their critical thinking abilities.
Thomas Harford, Dean of Students, led a GS orientation tradition by asking members of the audience to rise as he described different categories, such as serving in the military, which include over 70 students, to being born abroad, belonging to the School's innovative joint degree programs with Sciences Po, the City University of Hong Kong, the Jewish Theological Seminary, to being a parent, working full-time, or being a born-and-raised New Yorker.
Each of these identity traits—and several students belong to more than one—emphasize the broad definition of diversity at the School of General Studies. The multiplicity of experiences among GS students contributes priceless value to the undergraduate experience at Columbia University, as acknowledged by faculty, administrators, and students alike.
Incoming students also heard from current GS students, including Julian DaRosa, the General Studies Student Council president, and Jacquie Viggiano, GS NSOP Chair. In their speeches, current students described the supportive community at GS, extending a warm welcome to new students. Bessie Roca, Postbac Premed student and VP of Community Relations for the Premedical Association remarked to fellow students, "Your classmates will not only serve as your biggest supporters both academically and emotionally, but they will be your future colleagues."
The School of General Studies convocation highlighted the diversity of students and their experiences, and celebrated the beginning of their journey as undergraduate students at Columbia University. Throughout the week, students will be invited to social mixers, workshops about campus resources and academic practices at Columbia, as well as outings throughout New York City. NSOP is instrumental to new students' integration at Columbia, and provides numerous opportunities to meet new and returning students, as well as alumni, before classes begin on September 6.
