first years // The Observer

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Adjustments made to fall Moreau First Year Experience shifts focus on diversity and inclusion

Lyric Medeiros | Tuesday, November 3, 2020

A two-semester, graded course sequence, the Moreau First Year Experience helps new students integrate their academic, co-curricular and residential experiences. This year’s class of first years recently completed their diversity and inclusion unit. However, the lesson plan appeared different from that of past years. Andrew Whittington, one of the co-directors of the Moreau program, said

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Students reflect on first week of in-person classes during COVID-19

Fangrui Chen | Monday, August 17, 2020

Notre Dame resumed in-person classes on Aug. 10, becoming one of the first universities to reopen after the academic shutdowns due to COVID-19 across the nation. As the school year kicks off, students reflected on their first week in this unusual semester. Francine Shaft, a junior majoring in theology, appreciates the opportunity to be physically

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Belles Beginnings helps new College students acclimate

McKenzie Lookebill | Tuesday, August 21, 2018

This past weekend, Saint Mary’s class of 2022 took part in Belles Beginnings, the College’s orientation program where students began their transition into college life. Peer mentors assisted in this transition by working alongside professors to help answer questions about college life. In addition to peer mentors helping students one-on-one, campus organizations hosted sessions about

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Student government, administration groups help first years get involved

Tom Naatz | Friday, August 17, 2018

When Notre Dame’s newest class arrives on campus during Welcome Weekend, they will not only be greeted by hall representatives waiting to unload packed cars, but also several student government and administrative groups ready to help them get involved in on-campus activities. The First Undergraduate Experience in Leadership program, or FUEL, is student government’s only

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Mentors help ease college transition for new Belles

Colleen Zewe | Friday, August 25, 2017

Saint Mary’s continued to use peer mentors as an integral part of their Belles Beginnings orientation this year, and according to seniors and current peer mentors Katie Frego and Kristie LeBeau, they will continue to play a large role in the first years’ transition throughout the next semester. Through the program, each first year works with

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Freshmen take first trip to Grotto

Emily McConville | Tuesday, August 26, 2014

Bearing candles, programs and prayers, members of the class of 2018 packed the Grotto on Monday night for the Freshman First Visit to the Grotto, a prayer service that helped introduce first-year students to faith life at Notre Dame. “It’s just a great way to begin the school year,” Stephen Spittle, a Keenan Hall freshman,