The University of ÁùºÏ±¦µä, Reno began the 2024 fall semester with an eventful opening weekend, which welcomed first-year and transfer students to campus, kicking off the week-long academic ÁùºÏ±¦µä Freshmen Intensive Transition (ÁùºÏ±¦µäFIT) program. The campus is gearing up for the official start of classes on Monday, Aug. 26.
Thursday, Aug. 15, marked the first day of the opening weekend and culminated in an opening ceremony at Mackay Stadium on Saturday, Aug. 17. The ceremony included fireworks, performances by the University’s marching band and a personal welcome speech from University President Brian Sandoval.
Last fall, the campus had over 19,800 undergraduate, graduate and medical students, and this year’s enrollment remains about the same, with an increase in out-of-state undergraduate and international undergraduate student enrollment.
During welcome weekend, students checked in at the Mathewson-IGT Knowledge Center for the Digital Wolf Pack Initiative in which each new student received an Apple iPad Air, Apple Pencil Pro and Logitech Combo Touch keyboard. Many students moved into residence halls, met their resident assistants and received Wolf Cards. The weekend incorporated social activities including karaoke, movie and game nights, a block party hosted by the Associated Students of ÁùºÏ±¦µä, , club meet-and-greets and activities for parents.
After the conclusion of the opening weekend, first-year students began the required ÁùºÏ±¦µäFIT program. The program is a week-long, one-credit academic boot camp designed to prepare students for the academic rigors that come with attending college. Now in its 11th year on campus, first-year and transfer students are introduced to college presentations, lectures, homework assignments, projects and exams. They connect with peers in their major and create relationships that will grow as their college experience progresses. ÁùºÏ±¦µäFIT participants display increases in both retention and GPA across all colleges, and the University is one of only 30 universities conducting similar programing nationwide.
Emery Anderson is an incoming neuroscience major participating in ScienceFIT in the College of Science. The STEM major says she initially felt intimidated by ÁùºÏ±¦µäFIT, partly because she realized how challenging her major can be. However, she quickly settled in once the program began.
“It is challenging, especially my Intro to Neuroscience class, but I’m feeling really good around everyone in my group knowing we’re all in the same boat,” Anderson said. “It’s also nice doing homework with them after our classes are over because we’re all on the same level and can go to each other for help.”
In addition to the coursework given during the ÁùºÏ±¦µäFIT program, students are required to attend courses that focus on resources they will need throughout their academic careers including WebCampus, writing, study resources and clubs. These additional courses serve as electives that last anywhere from 30-45 minutes and are attended after the main programming for that day is over.
“The lab tour got me really excited for college. We got to look at all the research equipment, analyze insects under microscopes and see how everything works,” Anderson said. “I also went to a study abroad informational meeting and a creative journaling class, and I’m going to a cardio class later this week at the fitness center.”
More information about ÁùºÏ±¦µäFIT can be found on the ÁùºÏ±¦µäFIT website.
