Students gather around to eat and socialize during the new student barbecue in Smith Auditorium. BARBARA VASQUEZ / THE QUADRANGLE
Isaiah Minaz & Barbara Vasquez, Staff Writer & Editor-in Chief
Manhattan University (MU) welcomed incoming freshmen and transfer students at a new-student barbecue event this past Thursday, Aug. 27.
Jasper Launch, the university’s first-year experience program, put on the event as a way to bring together different aspects of campus life. Attendees enjoyed activities, food and free t-shirts from Student Engagement, all while sharing the experience with their peers. For freshman childhood education major Tatiana Cortez, the barbecue was a way to get more familiar with the community.
“I came to grow the connections I’ve already made and create new ones as well,” Cortez said. “I just wanted to see everybody who’s new as well, because that’s something [where] we all relate. We’re all scared, we’re all just starting, so I wanted to make new friends.”
The first week of classes have been full of events for incoming students, with more coming in the next six weeks, according to announcements made by director of Student Engagement Nicole Brosnan.
“One of the reasons that we put so much emphasis on the first six weeks is, you’re brand new,” Brosnan said. “It’s the scariest time. If you’re a resident student, you’re feeling really homesick. Probably, it’s the time when you’re most likely to be like, ‘I don’t feel like I’m fitting in. I want to leave,’ and we know that you’re meant to be here on campus, so we want to show you that.”
For freshman psychology major Jaida McAllister, the barbecue provided another opportunity to meet new peers and build even more relationships with people from on campus. Beyond meeting other students, she said that she greatly enjoyed seeing people from the university interact with each other.
“I just came to meet new people and socialize with my peers in my class, and be able to see everyone that’s been here and try to make new friends and new connections,” McAllister said. “Just being able to see everyone connect with each other gives us all a sense of community, we’re all here for each other, even seeing some of the professors here as well, talking to them, it’s very nice to get to connect with them.”
The barbecue was one of a plethora of welcome events available to freshmen during their first week on campus. McAllister said one of her favorite events was the outdoor movie event, where her highlight was the refreshments.
“I liked the popcorn, the candy and everything, and to be able to sit out and talk with everyone, but also enjoy the movies,” McAllister said.
Mariah Newsome, a freshman computer engineering major, also saw the university’s welcome events as a chance to interact with new students outside of an academic atmosphere. Newsome said she went to an event that brought new students from across the university together and met people she may have not otherwise met. Looking ahead, Newsome said she hopes future events will continue giving students opportunities to interact with professors in a more sociable setting.
“I enjoyed it, meeting new people, people not necessarily in my school, maybe in the arts and sciences, but everyone’s different…” Newsome said. “ I agree with [Jaida], meeting professors, wanting to get to know them, and then as well as some sort of hands-on activities that the students can do.”
Student Engagement will continue to host first-year events for the first few weeks of the semester. To stay updated and get involved with all events on campus, follow @mustudentengage on Instagram.
“You guys are much cooler than I am and you know what your fellow students like,” Brosnan said. “So if you have ideas, don’t be afraid to stop in my office. Don’t be afraid to send me an email, tap me on the shoulder if you see me walking to a meeting. We want to plan what you want to see.”