But beyond that, we need to provide students with more options. We ve got to get our computer technology up to speed. Housing and food make a big impression, as does general student space. VCU now is in the planning stages of expanding the University Student Commons and plans a similar expansion of Hunton Hall on the medical campus. We ve also got to start planning activities that students are likely to attend, especially on the weekends.
Students typically stay up late and get started late.
We ve got to come up with some programmatic things to capture this energy and to respond to those needs. We ve initiated and improved upon several programs for first-year students, including Starry Nights, offered in collaboration with the STAR program held each the summer. Incoming students can come the day before registration, stay in the residence halls and participate in planned programs and activities, so they can get to know other students before coming to campus in the fall. VCU also has incorporated some more engaging programs into New Student Orientation. For the first time, the university offered the welcoming ceremony for NSO at night and offered a number of activities for students afterward.