The University will reduce the number of pre-orientation arrivals in residence halls starting this fall, a policy change that will force some organizations to move or alter their pre-orientation activities.

Due to an influx of early arrivals over the years, the policy on which students can request an earlier move-in date will tighten. The number of early arrivals has grown to an average of 1,500 students per year, almost 30 percent of the undergraduate population.

Senior Vice President and Dean for Campus Life John Ford wrote in an e-mail to the Wheel that the number of early arrivals escalated to unmanageable levels because too many exceptions were made. Ford wrote that the revised policy will only allow student-athletes with NCAA requirements, international students with visa limitations and orientation leaders to check in early.

In addition, students participating in orientation activities will be able to check in on Aug. 21 with Residence Life approval.

While training for residence hall advisors will be able to continue prior to orientation, training for Multicultural Outreach and Resources at Emory (MORE) mentors, which usually takes place before school begins, will have to be moved.
“The new arrival policy is causing the program to shift the training for new MORE mentors to spring 2009 rather than fall 2009,” said College junior Mariam Karamali, a MORE mentor adviser.

Ford wrote in a memo on Tuesday that limiting early arrivals could potentially be a unifying experience for first-year students, who can begin arriving on campus on Aug. 22. Upperclassmen are scheduled to move in on Aug. 23.

OEO Secretary Matt Hamm wrote in an e-mail to the Wheel that the new guidelines “throw the purpose of the trip out the window.”

“The point of easing into a new university by meeting about 20 other kids in a laid-back setting for a few days is lost,” he wrote.

OEO Publicity Chair Ruth Blum wrote in an e-mail to the Wheel that this new policy will “be detrimental to both the club and the incoming freshmen.”

According to OEO Co-Leadership Chair Margaret Shaffer, OEO is trying to schedule trips during the first week of the fall semester as a last resort.

Hamm added that the group has reluctantly accepted the change because there was no opportunity for open discussion about it.

Ford wrote that lessening early arrivals can both cut costs and produce profits.

The extra days will allow for resident adviser, sophomore adviser and house director training “to continue without being interrupted by early check-in; costs for those trainings will be reduced because student staff will be allowed to return to campus at a later time,” Ford wrote.

“More time will be allowed for University conferences to generate revenue,” he added.

— Contact Alice Chen.