The OLINformer

Sooooo, we’re a couple weeks into the new school year - let me catch you up on what’s been going on…

After three months of waiting and hanging out with about a quarter of the student body (~50 students each year stick around during the summer for work and research opportunities), the first-years finally arrived bright and early on August 26th. The Class of 2010 tracked each other down over the summer, visited each other’s hometowns, figured out each other’s roommates, created countdowns on their cell phones, and even dyed their hair Olin blue in anticipation for arriving on campus! That kind of enthusiasm is contagious and I definitely caught “the fever” as well. Needless to say, even though Orientation is officially an Office of Student Life event, there was no way I could miss it! (I even drove back from New York on Friday night… err… early Saturday morning so that I could be there! Yeah, I’m a big nerd.)

Orientation officially lasts four days, and it’s a rollercoaster ride! The first-years learn about classes and academic expectations, meet their faculty advisors and advising families, participate in team building activities, and generally get acclimated to life at Olin before the upperclassmen arrive. Lots of fun, not much sleep! Classes officially began on Thursday, August 31st.

Teresa (she works with me in Admission) and Bennett ‘09 welcome new students and their families.

Orientation registration (with Student Life Staff working hard… or is it hardly working?!?)

Freshmen group having lunch on the “O” during Orientation. (Photo courtesy of Erik ‘10)

Big Sibb, Tiana ‘08, during the Scavenger Hunt in Boston… yes, that is a large balloon hat on her head! The Sibbs program builds bridges - hence the double “b” - between freshmen and upper class students. Volunteer upper class Sibbs adopt a freshman to help him or her adjust to the unique culture, quirks and inside secrets of Olin. (Photo courtesy of Roland ‘10)

This was awesome! All the Big Sibbs were waiting to welcome the freshmen back after their Scavenger Hunt. (Photo courtesy of Roland ‘10) At some colleges or universities, this would simply be a Hall Meeting… at Olin, this is the entire freshman class! (Photo courtesy of Erik ‘10)

At some colleges or universities, this would simply be a Hall Meeting… at Olin, this is the entire freshman class! (Photo courtesy of Erik ‘10)

So some of the freshmen decided that a Roomba would be a great feature to add to West Hall; the collection box was open and available for anyone to add their donation (gotta love the Honor Code!). I think the new West Hall mascot/mini-maid arrived yesterday… (Photo courtesy of Erik ‘10)

At the end of the first full week of classes, students can browse the Activities Fair on the Oval (a.k.a. the “O” – our equivalent of the academic quad). With over 50 clubs and organizations on the Olin campus alone, there are PLENTY of opportunities for students to get involved and stay busy outside of class. C’mon… you do the math… 300 students/50 clubs = no room for boredom! And, of course, in addition to all that’s available at Olin, students can get involved with clubs and organizations at our partner institutions: Brandeis University, Babson College and Wellesley College.

At any rate, the Activities Fair is an experience best told in pictures… I had a blast! Lots of interesting demos and props, snacks, good music, fabulous weather - a perfect end to the week! To explore some of our clubs and organizations, check out http://core.olin.edu/clubs/

A couple views from above…

Pam ‘10 checks out the SWE (Society of Women Engineers) table

CORe is Olin’s very active student government

Mini Baja

Derek ‘10 explores the Outing Club
Face-painting at the Open table

A member of the Butterfingers Club (juggling)

Midnight Riders (unicycling club)

Suggestions for our Honor Board

This is typical at Olin - casual conversations between faculty and students happens ALL THE TIME! (Pictured L-R: David ‘07, Juliana ‘07, Profs Allen Downey and Brian Storey)

Not to worry… she’s not dangerous - FWOP (the Franklin W. Olin Players) took the opportunity to promote theatre at Olin while painting props for their fall production of “The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged)”

Katherine ‘10 chats with Avery ‘08 about the Olin Disc Club (Ultimate Frisbee is one of two club sports at Olin

Jon ‘08 is showing off his rugged side with a beard and new “tattoo” (it ain’t real, folks!)

Assistant Director of Admission and Financial Aid, Patty Blanchette, takes a break and practices her West Coast Swing with Gui ‘08

Whew! I’m exhausted just giving you the highlights. But I hope you got the idea and a hint of the opportunities available at Olin.

So, I think that’s enough for today. As an admission officer, the past few weeks are like seeing all the pieces finally come together, and in all honesty, is the best going-away present for me – I’ll start traveling to recruit the next group of talented students next week. I hope to see some of you out there on the road! Stay in touch and let me know what’s on your minds…

Have a great week,
Allison

allison.bahme@olin.edu
781-292-2203
IM: OlinAdmission
http://www.olin.edu/