Orientation

Hey Gators! You may have heard Allegheny was recently included in the Princeton Review’s Guide to 301 Green Colleges.  Allegheny is serious about sustainability and we incorporate it into our operations, academics and culture.  We even have a Climate Action Plan to reach climate neutrality by 2020.  But what will this mean to you when you move here in August?

As you walk around campus, you’ll see the evidence of our commitment to sustainability in rain gardens, a green roof, LEED® Certified construction, geo-exchange heating and cooling, porous parking lots, native wildflower plantings, and energy efficient lighting.  We compost all our dining hall food wastes and use it to fertilize our sports fields and lawns.  We not only recycle paper, plastic, glass and metal, but also fryer oil which is converted into biodiesel fuel and used in Meadville’s municipal vehicles.  We work as a community to turn off lights, conserve water, support local farmers and businesses, and use alternative transportation.  We even purchase 100% wind generated electricity, which drastically reduces our greenhouse gas emissions and our reliance on fossil fuels.

Wondering how you can be a Green Gator, too?  Here are a few tips: Read the rest of this entry »

Greetings from YOUR Allegheny College Bookstore! We hope to be a source of many things you want to buy over the next several years, but right now I want to talk about those things you’re supposed to buy…

Yes, that would be textbooks. If you’ve looked at prices already then you know what I’m talking about – it’s pretty crazy out there.  We do everything we can to keep prices low; however we are oftentimes not the cheapest alternative (based strictly on price).

BUT…  Read the rest of this entry »

Zeben Ashton '12

Hey everyone! My name is Zeben Ashton. I’m a rising senior from Waterville, Maine with a major in Communication Arts and a minor in Women’s Studies. Throughout my past three years at Allegheny I have developed a passion for being incredibly involved in the school. I’m a former Varsity Diver, Career Peer Advisor, Class Senator/President, Admissions Gator Guide, Admissions Intern and President of my fraternity. Currently I am interning in the Learning Commons to plan your Orientation, as well as working as an Admissions Representative.

It seems like only yesterday that I moved into my residence hall (Walker Annex 288… whoop whoop). I remember being terrified that I wasn’t going to make any friends as I knew absolutely no one who was a student here. Who was I going to eat meals with? Would my hall mates like the same type of music as me? Who was I going to hang out with when I wasn’t studying? Who was I even going to study with? So many whos, whats, wheres and hows were circling through my thoughts that it even made me tell my mom to turn around and head home… mid 13 hour drive. Read the rest of this entry »

Betsy Scarpaci, Area Coordinator

Having a roommate can be one of the best experiences of your college career, but also a challenging one.  Living with someone brand-spanking new can be a little intimidating and rightfully so!  There’s a lot that goes into living with someone new.  Will they study in a quiet space or like music on?  Are they a night owl or early riser?  Do they keep the room tidy or will they keep pizza boxes under their bed for weeks?  What if they’re completely opposite person than I am?  These are all legitimate questions and there are ways you can navigate the roommate experience so that you have a great living experience at Allegheny.

The Basics to Roommates: Communication, Recognition, Understanding, & Compromise

• Communication is key.  Prior to coming to Allegheny take some time to get to know your roommate.  Don’t just text and Facebook them, take the time to give them a call and chat about your excitement to come to Allegheny!
• Recognize that folks are just different!  Two very different people can live together and enjoy their time at Allegheny through this experience.  You need to remember to RESPECT the differences in each person and be open to those differences!  Also, remember that your roommate probably has the same fears as you do.  Respect your differences, but remember that you also have a lot in common as well! You’re here to study…so both you and your roommate should be on the same page!
• Discuss the important things that make your living environment comfortable so that you both understand the expectations of the room.
• These expectations can include:

• The set up of your room.
• Rules for sharing common items like the TV, fridge, stereo, etc.
• Rules for sharing personal items like clothing, jewelry, sports equipment, food, etc.
• Expectations for guests, study time, personal time, alarm clock settings, cleanliness, etc.
• Guidelines for misunderstandings.  Everyone has them, chat about how you’ll work them out in the event that you experience some rough seas with your roomie.
• Be assertive but flexible.  If everyone is right and the situation is the other person’s fault, you’re never going to get to a common ground.  Recognize that some situations call for you to compromise and be flexible; it’s ok to agree to disagree.  Approach the situation from the standpoint of how can we move on from this and what will we do in the future if a similar situation happens again! Read the rest of this entry »

So you think everyone at Allegheny is from Pittsburgh?

Think again! A growing number of students are coming to Allegheny from out of state. We have students from several countries and most of the 50 states, including Hawaii! We know it’s tough to think about moving so far away from home, so we created the Gator Out-of-Stater mentor program to help you with the transition. When you sign up to participate in the Gator Out-of-Stater program you will be matched up with an upperclass student who’s from roughly the same area as you (maybe not the same town, but hopefully the same state!). Your upperclass mentor can help you figure out what to pack, what airline he/she usually flies, how the shuttle system works, and maybe even give you a ride home for breaks if you’re from a city that’s close enough like Cleveland or Buffalo!

Signing up is easy. Just fill out this form and we’ll match you ASAP so you can start communicating with your mentor!

Course Registration

Have you started filling out your Educational Planning Form and Course Interest Form? Those are important for your advisor to read before they talk with you in July. If classes fill up or if a class you’d like to take isn’t being offered, your advisor can use that information you provide to direct you towards other courses that are available that might interest you. Don’t forget to take your placement tests!

You’ve heard about getting Orientation updates sent to your phone, but we thought you might need some direction for getting our Orientation tweets.  If you’re a Twitter user, just start following @alleghenyorient!

If you would like Orientation updates sent to your phone, follow these easy steps: Read the rest of this entry »