University of Pittsburgh Division of Student Affairs 738 William Pitt Union Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15260 412-648-1006 For more information, contact: Shawn Ahearn, 412-648-1005 Cell: 412-715-1157 Campus Community to Welcome New and Transfer Students During Week-long Orientation Activities The University of Pittsburgh will welcome nearly 4,500 new students to its’ Oakland campus for New and Transfer Student Orientation, which begins on August 14 with a series of events for international students, and concludes August 24 with the traditional Lantern Night ceremony for Pitt women at Heinz Chapel. The new students will receive a warm welcome from current students, as well as faculty and staff from the academic schools and support units throughout the University on Wednesday as they make their way to the Petersen Events Center for one of Pitt’s traditional events: New Student Convocation. Current members of the Pitt community will participate in a special ceremony during the convocation. New Chancellor Patrick Gallagher and other distinguished members of the University community will welcome the new students and their families and celebrate their successful transition to Pitt. New Student Convocation will be held from 3 to 4 p.m. followed by the Chancellor’s Picnic immediately after the ceremony. “We are so excited to welcome this class to the University of Pittsburgh,” said Vice Provost and Dean of Students Kathy Humphrey, who will be overseeing her 10th orientation week at Pitt. “This is a special class, and this is going to be a very special week, because our entire campus is participating in Convocation and many other activities. I know Chancellor Gallagher feels a special connection to this group of students because he is starting a new chapter in his Pitt journey along with the Class of 2018.” In addition to New Student Convocation on Wednesday, the mandatory “Tipping Point” program will be held later in the evening at the Pete, covering topics regarding campus safety, with special emphasis placed on alcohol use and abuse, and sexual harassment and assault prevention. Following the Tipping Point, the Class of 2018 will attempt to become the fifth consecutive class at Pitt to break a world record. There are more than 85 programs and activities during orientation, which is developed by the Office of First-year Experience and staff from the Division of Student Affairs, to help new students and their families become acclimated to Pitt. Sessions are specifically designed for international students, transfer students, and first-year commuter students. -more- PITT ORIENTATION… page 2 A wide range of topics will be covered, including programs on the Pitt ABC’s (Academics, Book Options, Classroom Expectations); the Student Health Center, Counseling Center, and Office of Disability Resources; PITT ARTS; the Outside the Classroom Curriculum; Study Abroad; Pitt’s Global Ties Program; Fraternity and Sorority Life; leadership opportunities and much more. Thursday has been designated “DiscoverU Day” as students will have the chance to explore their passions and interests during specialized field trips and activities arranged by the Career Development and Placement Assistance Office. On Friday, students will engage in community service projects sponsored by the Office of PittServes at various locations throughout the Pittsburgh area. On Saturday, students can participate in a variety of “HealthyU” fitness classes and activities, before heading to the Waterfront for a shopping excursion, then a “Pre-Class Bash” on Bigelow Boulevard between Fifth and Forbes Avenues. On Sunday, the ever-popular Student Activities Fair will be held at the Pete from 2 to 5 p.m. as approximately 330 student organizations and clubs set up information booths and give away prizes to attract members. And finally, female alumni pass the light of learning and inspiration to first-year Pitt women during the University’s oldest tradition, Lantern Night, which was first held in 1920. For a complete list of programs and events, please visit www.fye.pitt.edu.