By Nicholas Cafalone
OSWEGO, NY – There is only one conclusion to be had when the local stores begin to fill with young and mysterious faces in Oswego; it’s time for a new year of classes at SUNY Oswego.
Friday marked the beginning of the mass exodus to the lakeside campus for freshman from all around the state and even the world. Students moved in, ahead of a possible visit from Hurricane Irene.
Students were scheduled to return this weekend to campuses throughout the state for the start of the fall semester. Many campuses downstate, including the Fashion Institute of Technology, Farmingdale State College, and Maritime College, postponed move-in to later in the week.
Many other campuses, such as SUNY IT in Utica/Rome and SUNY Oswego, offered early move-in to their downstate students to avoid travel during the storm.
“I decided on SUNY Oswego because they offer my major and it’s a beautiful area,” said Karl Backhaus of Troy.
Backhaus decided to attend SUNY Oswego when he discovered they offered a degree in geological chemistry. Outside of that he was influenced by friends’ parents and a musician he listens to, all who have attended SUNY Oswego.
“I’m very excited for new friends, new experiences and new memories,” said Backhaus.
Lake Ontario seems to be one of the big draws for new students.
Ryan Bauer of Warwick, said he decided to transfer to SUNY Oswego from SUNY New Paltz because of the lake and “a few other reasons.”
Friday’s move-in day welcomed 1,400 new freshmen and 500 transfers.
For the new arrivals, the school set up a campus job-o-rama in the afternoon to help new students find employment on campus.
Following an opening picnic in the quad by Hewitt Union, the college hosted a welcoming torchlight ceremony that evening followed by a cappella pop-jazz quartet, the Blue Jupiter.
Classes begin today (Aug. 29) not only on campus but at SUNY Oswego Metro Center in Syracuse and SUNY Oswego Phoenix Center, as well as online.
Approximately 35p upperclassmen moved in to The Village on Saturday.
Move-in day for more than 2,000 other returning student residents was set for Sunday. Some took advantage of the early move-in offer.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Wednesday: Student Involvement Fair (more than 160 clubs and organizations), 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.; blood drive, 1 to 5 p.m., Swetman Gymnasium, Campus Center.
Thursday: Cruising the city fair with local businesses, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Campus Center arena; farmers’ market, 4:30 to 8:30 p.m., West First Street.
Friday: Green and Gold Day – campus communities sport the school colors; Green and Gold Ice Cream Social, 12:40 to 1:35 p.m.,
academic quad or Campus Center activity court (faculty, staff and students group photo at 1:30 p.m.).
