On Aug. 27, campus sprang to life. Cars packed the streets, and families gathered around the first-year dorms. They were greeted by teams of students sporting orange and turquoise T-shirts and banners reading “Welcome Home, Brunonians!”
Brown’s newest group of first-year, transfer and visiting students spent their first Wednesday on College Hill moving into their dorms. Both Meiklejohn Peer Advisors and Bruno Leaders — undergraduate students who help with first-year integration — were on call for move-in, greeting first-year students at check-in and providing rolling carts to help move personal belongings into dorms.
“The energy’s been really fun,” said Evan Heath ’28, a Bruno Leader stationed on North Campus, home to many first-year dorms. “We have a speaker going. It’s a really nice day, which I think we got lucky with,” he added. “There’s so many different kinds of people, and I’m excited to meet them all.”
For many first-years, the day was full of nerves and excitement. Tommy Ma ’29, arrived on campus after a 4-hour drive from New York with his parents and two younger brothers. “I’m excited and nervous but looking forward to making friends,” he said.
As students move away from home, many bring their favorite snacks and drinks along with them.
“I’m excited about orientation and meeting new people,” Emily Shull ’29 said as she worked with her mom to pack her shelves with books. “I mean, I’m nervous as well, but I think the excitement sort of triumphs over the nervousness.”
Jessica Liu ’28, a Meiklejohn assisting with move-in at Keeney Quadrangle, the first-year housing hub on South Campus, said it was a “very welcoming environment, very energizing.”
“It was so fun being able to hold conversations and help the students settle their nerves as they came in,” she added.
For some students, the day felt surprisingly reassuring.
“The process was a lot more chill than I thought it would be,” said Ethan Zhang ’29, who spoke with The Herald right after moving into his Keeney triple. By the time he got back from getting his key, most of his luggage was already in his room.
“Moving in took 30 minutes,” said Max Leventon ’29, as he walked back to his dorm with an Andrews bowl. His goals for the semester? “To make good friends, do cool things (and) go to cool places.”
Later that day, the class of 2029 convened at their first orientation event: an Ice Cream Social on the Main Green. This marked the beginning of New Student Orientation, a week-long orientation program for new students designed to ease their transition to Brown.
Approximately 1,750 first-year undergraduates comprise the class of 2029, according to University Spokesperson Brian Clark, with about 120 Resumed Undergraduate Education, transfer and visiting students rounding out the class.
Prior to orientation, first-year students could also elect into a variety of pre-orientation programs, from International Orientation to Mosaic+, a program centering minority students in computer science.
Outside Keeney Quadrangle, move-in volunteers distribute orientation lanyards and room keys at check-in.
“During pre-orientation, there were a lot less people,” said Ben Huang ’29, who participated in the Third World Transition Program, which aims to cultivate community for incoming students of color. He recalled moving into a quieter campus with guided tours peppering the Main Green. “Seeing their kids come and pose with Bruno was a reminder that a lot of people want to come here,” Huang said. “I’m very lucky and fortunate to be here.”
Ivan Yu ’29, who also attended TWTP, noticed a clear surge of energy on campus with the arrival of the rest of their class. “Now it’s a bit chaotic, hectic, but it’s still nice.”
The move-in experience also gave older students the chance to reflect.
“It feels really good to give back to the community,” added Meiklejohn Alicia Wu ’28. “Helping first years, you get a sense of deja vu, because that was you a year ago.”
