SRU hosting six weeks of activities to support second-year students
Slippery Rock University’s Student Affairs Office is organizing Year 2, SRU programs, Aug. 22 to Oct. 3, for second-year students to help them adjust to campus life after many were remote last year due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Aug. 10, 2021
SLIPPERY ROCK, Pa. — Many second-year students at Slippery Rock University will be experiencing campus life for the first time this fall. This is a result of the COVID-19 pandemic forcing SRU to conduct approximately 80% of its classes online and limited residence hall capacities during the 2020-21 academic year. And while SRU already helps first-year students become acclimated to college life through the Week of Welcome, second-year students need the support that they missed last year. Enter "Year 2, SRU," a series of a series of events, programs, and resources for second-year students at SRU.
"We're excited about this University initiative that is designed to support our second-year students," said Lauren Moran, director of student engagement and leadership. "Many of our second-year students missed out on their traditional freshman year of college while they were taking college classes at home last fall, and if they developed any relationships (with their classmates), it was (only) virtual."
Organized through SRU's Student Affairs Office, Year 2, SRU includes six weeks of activities from Aug. 22 to Oct. 3 that piggyback on some of the WOW programs but also features programming, events and resources tailored for second-year students. They range from a workshop hosted by the Student Counseling Center titled "Avoiding the Second Year Slump" to more social activities such as an outdoor movie night, bonfire, cornhole tournament, tackling a ropes course at night with glow sticks and, for those who think they are too busy to meet people, a "speed friending" event.
MORAN
"Research shows just how critical the first six weeks of campus life is for transitioning to college, in terms of making friends and achieving academic success," Moran said. "We are providing extra support to assist second-year students in making connections and creating a sense of community. We're not only helping them through social events and entertainment, but also through programs that focus on academic progress, career education and wellness activities that are specifically for second-year students."
The Year 2, SRU kickoff event is 4-6 p.m., Aug. 22, on The Quad where second-year students can enjoy free dinner from a variety of food trucks, tie-dye T-shirts, giveaways, live music, lawn games and more.
"Our goal is to keep students engaged," Moran said. "Outside of the classroom, they spend about 85% of their time on campus, so we want to fill that time with fun and engaging things."
Moran and her staff are providing incentives for attending multiple Year 2, SRU events. Students can track their participation at Year 2, SRU events by logging on to CORE, SRU's online platform for student organizations and activities, to earn an SRU water bottle and be entered into a drawing for various prizes. They can also check in at events using their mobile event pass found in the Corq app.
MEDIA CONTACT: Justin Zackal | 724.738.4854 | justin.zackal@sru.edu