Newcomers Settle In After Series of Orientations

AUB's new faculty 2008-09

A week prior to the beginning of classes on September 29, new students at AUB were helped to get ready for the academic year 2008-09 through an activities packed orientation program that was held from September 20 to 26.

"This year promises to be an excellent year, since enrolment has been very high and on par with the most peaceful periods," said Salim Kanaan, director of the Office of Admissions. "We are at full capacity in terms of student numbers."

Some sixty new faculty members, more than 20 percent of whom 217 are non-Lebanese, and about 1,600 new students of whom are international students from 32 countries, arrived on campus for orientation week.

Rima Iskandarani, the new faculty facilitator, who works closely with the Office of the Provost, said: "This year we have a very dynamic group of faculty from all five continents, and they are bringing with them lots of new ideas."

Assistant Professor Amy Clary, who joined the Department of English from the University of Maine, said she was pleased to have the opportunity to teach American literature to non-Americans. "I chose AUB for its reputation and also for its amazingly beautiful campus," she remarked.

The new faculty members attended two-day orientations that included a series of introductions made by AUB President Peter Dorman, vice president of Human Resources James Radulski, dean of Student Affairs Maroun Kisirwani, and the directors of various offices and administrative units on campus.

President Peter Dorman told the new faculty members to think of AUB as a place whose mission is to promote liberal arts, freedom of expression and thought, and tolerance and diversity. He shared his recollections of AUB as a young boy growing up in Beirut, talked about his deep roots with the University, and encouraged the newcomers to connect with the University at different levels. "I do hope you will take advantage of the intellectual, social, and cultural stimulations that AUB offers," he said.

The deans from all six AUB faculties also addressed the new academicians at the orientations, telling them to take advantage of AUB's resources and engage in multidisciplinary research by collaborating with other departments.

The Office of Student Affairs, on its part, organized a series of meetings, recreational activities, presentations, fairs, lectures, and demonstrations during the orientation week. "We are really excited about welcoming all these students this year," said Wadad Husseini, director of Student Activities.

During the International Student Orientation Program (ISOP), new international students were briefed on intercultural awareness and AUB's system, while Lebanese students went through the New Student Orientation Program (NSOP) and were instructed on registration, activation of Imail and internet accounts, use of moodle, time management, avoiding plagiarism and cheating, and applying for financial aid, and the like.

"ISOP is the best opportunity for international students to feel at home. This is their main support group and their first impression of AUB, and we strive to make it a good one," said Rania Murr, coordinator of international student services at the Office of Student Affairs.

A program called the Welcome Program that targets new sophomore students who registered for courses at AUB in July 2008, was introduced by NSOP. "The Welcome Program is new, in which we focus on the support services available for students that will help them succeed on campus. We also reintroduced the trip to Baalbeck and the Beqa'a Valley that includes a visit to AUB's Agricultural Research and Education Center (AREC)," added Husseini.