The stereotype of freshmen who can’t find their classrooms and don’t know how to check their e-mail may be a phenomenon of the past with the introduction of New Students at Iowa State.

“New Student Days will help new students learn many important things right away,” said Matt Ostanik, student co-chairman for New Student Days.

The four-day event will begin on Aug. 19 and continue through Aug. 22.

New students will learn study skills, budgeting, time management and how to use CyRide, send e-mail and work with AccessPlus among other things, said Ostanik, senior in architecture.

Liz Kurt, New Student Days coordinator, said 200 upperclassmen have been recruited to assist with the project, and these volunteers report to a committee of 11 student leaders.

“The programming for New Student Days has been formulated by student input, and all the scheduling and planning has been student driven,” she said.

Katherine Hallenbeck, sophomore in business, said volunteering for the program has turned out to be a fun experience.

“I’ve met a lot of great students who are also volunteering, and I’ve even learned a few new things about Iowa State,” she said.

The 200 volunteers had two training sessions before the spring semester ended. They listened to speakers from International Studies, Study Abroad, the residence halls, health services and the Department of Public Safety, Hallenbeck said.

“The new students are going to be curious about everything,” she said. “Our job is to fill them in, and if we don’t know the answers, then we find them.”

The concept for New Student Days has been in the works since a 1996 task force recommended a three-day orientation program just prior to the start of fall classes to give incoming freshmen more support, Kurt said.

In October of 1998, plans for the first New Student Days finally were set in motion. Since, much progress has been made toward implementing the program, Ostanik said.

“Every incoming freshman has received a brochure at orientation or in the mail,” he said. “We did presentations about New Student Days at every orientation session in June, and many new students signed up right away.”

As the Aug. 6 deadline for registering for New Student Days draws near, Ostanik said more students are signing up every day.

“We are expecting up to 2,000 new students to participate in the program,” he said.

Lauren Sandell, junior in agricultural business, is volunteering during New Student Days. She said participants will get an extra orientation about issues not covered in the standard June visit.

“[We will address] things like how to put money on your ISU card, where to do laundry, where all of their classes will be and how to get to the mall are necessary issues for college students,” she said.

Sandell said she is looking forward to all the planned group activities such as barbecues, ice cream socials and a live comedian.

“It’s a great way for new students to get a headstart making friends,” she said. “It also lets them establish a place for themselves here at Iowa State.”

According to both Kurt and Ostanik, the program is intended to be an annual event.

“The program will be closely monitored, and its success will be measured through written and phone surveys,” Kurt said.

The students who participate are assessed a $40 fee, which covers a T-shirt, meals and their room. All students will be placed on a “team” of eight to 10 new students, led by an upperclassman.

These groups will participate in various activities such as hands-on experience in the computer labs, a campus scavenger hunt and a community service project, Ostanik said.

“It will help new students kick off their college careers in style with an incredibly fun week of activities and excitement,” Ostanik said. “I can think of few better ways to welcome new students to our campus and to show true Iowa State spirit.”