Rider University Freshmen Move In This Weekend

Editor's Note: The following is a news release issued by Rider University.

The residence halls on Rider University’s Lawrence Township campus will welcome some 900 new students this weekend, but the dorms’ newest residents won’t have to haul so much as one bag, box or bedspread into their new homes away from home once they arrive.

Instead, Rider’s Bronc Buddies — about 390 upperclassmen volunteers from a variety of student groups, athletics teams and Greek organizations — will move the new students into their assigned residence halls, escort them to opening weekend events, facilitate various activities and serve as liaisons to the students throughout their first few days in the Rider community.

New Student move-in activities will begin on Sunday, Sept. 2, at 8:30 a.m. and run concurrently with a Family Food Fest on the Campus Mall from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

Sunday’s events launch Rider’s Fall Opening 2012, which features three days of activities on the Lawrenceville campus, to help new students familiarize themselves with the Rider community.

“Fall Opening is a fun and informative three-day welcome designed as an opportunity for new students to become acquainted with the campus and all it has to offer, while they also connect with their classmates,” explained Ira Mayo, associate dean of freshmen.

Once students are moved in and well-fed, a Welcome Ceremony will begin at 1:30 p.m. in the Student Recreation Center, and will feature remarks from President Mordechai Rozanski. Later, that evening, new students will also have the chance to dine with Rozanski and Student Government Association leaders at the New Student Dinner from 5 to 6:30 p.m. on the Campus Mall.

Sunday night will be capped by PlayFair!, an evening of getting-to-know-you events for all freshmen, whether residential or commuter, at 8 p.m. in the Bart Luedeke Center Cavalla Room. This inclusive icebreaker is a fun and highly social opportunity for all members of the Class of 2016 to get acquainted, according to Christine Cullen, associate director of the New Student Resource Center.

The first night of Fall Opening will conclude with the Rider Revue, which will provide students a sneak preview of some fun on-campus events awaiting them throughout the year.

Fall Opening 2012 events continue throughout Monday and Tuesday, highlighted by off-campus recreational trips to rock-climbing sites, bowling, miniature golf, among other activities, and the stand-up comedic stylings of Butch Bradley.

For more information about Fall Opening 2012, contact the New Student Resource Center and Office of Orientation at 609-896-7373.