Continue reading »]]> The Southeastern Regional Orientation Workshop, otherwise known as SROW, is a weekend workshop for all college and universities to bring their Orientation Team to learn grow and experience an energy packed environment.  Since Auburn University has three separate orientation programs, the only people who attend are the head of each program.  Auburn was represented by The HCC’s, HPC’s and OLC’s and professional staff. 

The weekend began at 3:00AM Friday morning with an 8 hour bus ride from Auburn, Al. to Louisville, Ky.  Along for the ride we shared a bus with the new Impact Leaders from Troy University.   Once we arrived at the University of Louisville, the fun began.  We jumped off the bus in Auburn attire and went to a sticker swap.  Now to explain the sticker swap you have to understand that there were 1,500 students at this event.  The sticker swap was held in a gym and right when you walk in the door students from other schools began to put stickers all over your body.  I will say again, ALL over your body; arms, shoulders, legs, back, forehead, shoes, stomach and even a few backside stickers!  The stickers were school designs to represent each school there.  After the sticker swap, everyone was seated for roll call.  Roll call was cool to watch.  Most schools when called out, stood up and screamed with excitement, every school brought out something different.  Incorporating SROW and their school into a cheer, or rap or even dance!  Auburn represented with a Traditional Auburn Cheer and the infamous WAAAAAR EAGLE, HEY!

After sticker swap and roll call, everyone scattered to their designated dining spots.  The cheering did not stop there though.  As you crossed over campus, you would see orientation Groups joining other schools and learning their cheers and chants.  Groups were forming circles and playing icebreakers.  The typical personality of Orientation leaders!  The dining hall was filled with music, laughter, cheers and chants.  Each state banned together and had a cheer to represent their state.  Alabama was represented well with schools like; Alabama, Auburn, Troy, Alabama State, Wallace Community College, UAB and a couple others. 

After dinner we attended the Skit, Song and Dance competition.  Auburn did not participate in this event, but after watching so many schools go and represent their group, I wish we had.  The theme for SROW 2010 was the 80’s so a lot of the songs played were 80’s themed.  To represent your school on stage seems very cool and I think that next year the option should be delivered to those who attend!

The first night was finally over and we retired to the hotel after a very LONG day!  Then, Saturday morning came very fast, though!  Auburn returned to Uof L dressed in our Orientation Best, ready for a day of presentations and learning how to make our program better! 

The day started off with a state meeting.  Of course Auburn is in Alabama, so we attended the state meeting and got to meet and mingle with other schools from the state of Alabama!  At the end each school got to choice one person to represent and get before the crowd and try and persuade the other schools to attend their school.  In true Auburn Fashion, we dominated the scene and took home the victory of a well polished, posed and proper Orientation Leader! 

The rest of the day consisted of presentations given by students from all different schools.  The subjects were all very different and each was to benefit orientation programs.  Every program from Auburn presented at SROW, and all did exceptionally well!

After all long day of presentation, we all meet in the quad for a t-shirt swap.  Each student brought shirts representing their school and then got to swap for a t-shirt from other schools.  Many people from Auburn walked away with 5-7 shirts; Auburn seemed to be a popular t-shirt!

The end of the day consisted of dinner and then a Key Note Speaker.  The Speaker was the original Date Doctor from the movie Hitch!  He talked about not have regret and always giving 100% in everything you do.  Love, school and being an all around happy person were the message on the night.  I believe that everyone should experience one of his speeches!

The night ended with a social which consisted of many choices; A 80’s dance, interactive games, and scavenger hunt.  Most everyone attended the dance, which was INSANLY FUN!  The music was hype and the crowd was wild. It was a great time to mingle with new friends and just have some good Orientation Fun!

The next morning it was time to say goodbye to U of L.  We ended with a closing ceremony and the cheers were still blasting.  To be an Orientation Leader takes excitement, courage, willingness to be uncomfortable at times, and willingness to make someone’s day!  That is everything that SROW is about.  This weekend I think made everyone a better OL and I know it brought me and my OLC’s closer together.  The ride home was filled with laughter and excitement.

The next group to go to SROW should be pumped.  Not only is it in LSU a great place, but you will be as prepared as possible to go and represent your school to the fullest!!

Continue reading »]]> The first SOS Session of the 2010 Year was a complete success. The new OL’s shined like we knew they would! Our day started off bright and early at 6:45. We had a last minute meeting and enjoyed some yummy breakfast. Setup and preparation began as soon as everyone was ready. Preparation includes: Check-in, Breakfast Table, Lost Person Patrol, Parking Lot Patrol, and a few OL’s who assisted everywhere. Check-in started promptly at 7:30 and there were 258 Students in attendance and 117 parents and guest. Once checked-in, the day was full of lots of activites. WEW was lead by Dr. Nancy McDaniel, where the new students learned of the infamous WAR EAGLE Story. From there the sudents and guest meet their OL’s and had a small group session. After SGS time, the students and guest participated in 2 concurrent sessions, where they choose from different topics related to Auburn’s services. The students and guest then met their OL once more for the last SGS and Campus Tour. Lunch was then provided for all by Chick-Fil-A. After lunch students learned how to navigate Tigeri, our course registration program, and went to a diversity presentation, while parents heard from speakers from around campus. The last stop of the day was Academic Advising, which is a group advising sessions given by each college or school. The day ended with the first ever SOS Social, which included thechoice of AU Softball game or “Up in the Air” a movie in the student center. Snacks were provided and excitement was still there at 6:00pm, the end of a great SOS day!

Bravo again to all our awesome Orientation Leaders!

Continue reading »]]> SOS Orientation Leader Training this week had some really cool events. This week’s guest speaker was Mr. Dave George from Tiger Transit and Parking. He spoke to us about how the tiger transit system has grown throughout campus and how parking at Auburn is always changing. Parking is always an interesting topic to talk about with students! After the speaker, the OL’s took their second AU knowledge which then led into this week’s Fish Prinicple PLAY. When you think of play, you think fun, exciting, games, and more FUN. Being able to have fun and make an SOS Session exciting, it is important for the OL’s to understand how to PLAY and still do their job. The activity we did was called The Risky Transfer Student Drop. They were split into groups and each group was given an egg, which represented their transfer student. Each group was also given a bag of materials to build their transfer student a device that would keep them safe as they took their first jump into everything Auburn has to offer. Each group member had to take turns talking to their egg and giving them vital information about being an Auburn Student, they told them stoires, facts and jokes to keep them entertained. Overall, I feel that the OL’s got a good sense that they can have fun and PLAY, but still accomplish their job of getting the information to their students in an actual session. The day was finished with an activity from Jenn, True Colors, which gives the OL’s a closer look at their personality and also lets them see who has similar personalities. The group seems to be getting to know each other well and I look forward to every Training Session…WAR EAGLE!!!!