Nice To Meet You

Meeting others made easier with involvement in clubs, organizations

A new student walks onto campus and sees an overwhelming number of unfamiliar faces. Not knowing anyone, she makes small talk with the student in front of her at the bookstore. They walk back to their dorm together and find out they have many of the same interests and are in similar situations. Such a chance encounter waiting for books ends up as a life-long friendship.

With over 15,000 students roaming the JMU campus, both freshmen and upperclassmen easily can find new people to meet every day. Through classes, clubs and organizations or living situations, meeting new people is part of what makes college interesting.

For freshmen, the adventure of meeting new people at college began during the summer at Summer Springboard. "I know of at least two cases this year where students have met at Summer Springboard and decided to room together," said Laura Haas, assistant director of 1787 Orientation and First-year Experience. "Summer Springboard is good because you see students who are scared, but we give them opportunities to get to know people. Just from one day, students can make a friend that they will look forward to seeing when they arrive at JMU."

New students are grouped by majors, which encourages them to meet the students they’ll study with. "I enjoy working with Summer Springboard because it is fun to see the change from a scared newcomer to a confident JMU student through our programs," Haas said.

The freshmen class began their 1787 Orientation five days before classes began. "Students are put into groups depending on their residence hall and have a chance to meet the people they will be living with," Haas said.

Upperclassmen were given the chance to become First Year Orientation Guides to help the freshmen adjust to college and also meet new friends in the process, both young and old. "Being a FROG was a great experience; I not only got the chance to meet and help freshmen, but I became so close to other FROGs," sophomore FROG Ashley Lakner said. "However, it was nice to know I wasn’t just a FROG to the freshmen, or just someone who gave them information about the school, but I was their friend. Since classes started, I’ve hung out with them and gone to lunch with them."

Once orientation ends and school begins, students assume the responsibility of finding their niche at JMU. Many look for clubs or organizations that they find interesting. "I think the best way for students to meet new people is to go to as many activities JMU has going on the first few weeks of school as possible," freshman Katie Donahue said. "If you go to events that appeal to you, you’ll meet people who have the same interests as you. Also be as outgoing as you can because people are drawn to friendly faces."

With 271 clubs on campus, students are bound to find one that fits their interest. An easy and convenient way for students to find out about clubs is to attend Student Organization night. "The main way I got to meet all of my friends at JMU was to join clubs on campus," sophomore Emily Watson said. "Student Org Night was the best way for me to find out about all the different clubs on campus because all of the groups are represented."

For others, dorm life creates instant connections that lead to life long friendships. "I live in the Village, which made it easier to meet people because of the suites and how close together we are," freshman Hanah Oh said. "There’s the open space where you can meet your suitemates and they are some of my best friends. Then you meet their friends and they meet yours and you all become close friends."

New students living in the dorms often look to their residence advisers to lead the way. "When it comes to meeting people, we’ve stressed to have their doors open," Chesapeake Hall RA Jen Walsh said. "It’s the best way for anyone to stop in, or for you to just shout out ‘Hey!,’ Even just striking up conversations with people in line while getting food or at the bus stop is a good idea."

Everyday activities on the JMU campus allow students to meet new people and see new faces, making it inevitable that one’s circle of friends will grow significantly.

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