More Than NSOP

After welcoming more than 2,000 students across the four undergraduate schools, this year’s annual New Student Orientation Program drew to a close on Sunday. Though the student NSOP organizers should be praised for a job well done, the weeklong event fell short when compared to preorientation programs such as Columbia Urban Experience and Columbia Outdoor Orientation Program. Since the week before school is meant to foster strong peer relationships, the University should shorten NSOP while expanding and emphasizing its selection of preorientation programs.

Each year, students arrive on campus a week prior to the start of classes in order to take part in NSOP. With more than 100 events—from hors d’oeuvres at the Metropolitan Museum of Art to walking tours around the city—the program aims to acclimate students to life in New York, at Columbia, and to college in general. But because the majority of incoming students are more thrilled by their newfound independence than the activities orientation offers, they tend to spend the first week on campus finding their own way. Once first years realize that an NSOP event is “required” in name only, they often pick and choose events to attend, or even skip all of the NSOP programs. When students stop attending events, it becomes more difficult for them to make new friends among their classmates.

Instead of keeping students on campus for a full week, the University should initiate a variety of smaller programs like CUE and COÖP that will better foster peer bonding. These two preorientation programs have gained glowing reviews because students have chosen to take part in them. Additionally, when groups are small, the initial deterrents to forming diverse, close friendships break down. With only two or three days of traditional NSOP events, students will be excited about on-campus events and already accustomed to living away from home.

If the University shortens NSOP and pushes students to attend smaller preorientation programs, it will be better able to fulfil its mission. Students will be more likely to attend and enjoy on-campus events while still having enough time to adjust to Columbia and city life. Friendships formed before NSOP would encourage diverse acquaintances outside one’s dorm and classes. The University should orient students as much to their peers as to their surroundings, and preorientation programs can do this successfully.