News Release
On Friday, Aug. 29, and Saturday, Aug. 30, 1,052 Johns Hopkins University freshmen will arrive on the Homewood campus in Charles Village to segue from life under their parents' roofs to life in residence halls. Year-round campus residents President William R. Brody and his wife, Wendy, will show them how smooth Homewood life can be by doing a little Segway-ing of their own. Known for zipping from place to place across campus each year on various wheeled conveyances to greet incoming freshmen and their families, the Brodys are shelving their in-line skates and scooters this year in favor of a decidedly 21st century ride. A pair of Segway Human Transporters is on loan from Segway LLC so the university can decide whether "the first self-balancing, electric-powered transportation device" would be a good way for university staff to navigate the Homewood campus, which is becoming increasingly pedestrian friendly by design. The addition of the Segways will make the opening days of Orientation Week even more of a scene: By 8:30 a.m. each day, University Parkway and Charles Street will be filled with a snaking caravan of family cars and SUVs, making their way to campus. Parents of the frosh will stand by as back-to-school necessities are shlepped quickly into the residence halls by more than 300 volunteering upperclassmen. In the Glass Pavilion, faculty members will mingle over coffee and doughnuts with parents who have wisely left the lifting to the kids. The rest of Baltimore will have a chance to meet the class of 2007 when the students venture off campus for "Involved," a day of community service from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Wednesday, Sept. 3. About the Class of 2007: The class of 2007 was selected from the university's largest ever pool of applicants (10,024). At the same time, Johns Hopkins admitted the smallest share of its applicant pool ever: 30 percent. Thirty-five percent of the accepted applicants enrolled, the second-highest yield rate since 1991, after last year's high of 36 percent. This year, the university has also enrolled the largest percentages in its history of both women and minority students. Of note is the number of African-American freshmen: 80, a 19 percent increase over the 67 African-American students who were freshmen in fall 2002.
Other photo opportunities during Orientation Week: Throughout the week, upperclassmen will present "Hopkins 24/7," a series of information sessions pertaining to life outside the college classroom. Topics include finding a job on campus, relationships and sexuality, and diversity. Contact Amy Cowles, 410-516-7160, for a list of dates and times. Sunday, Aug. 31, 10 a.m. to noon: Playfair, a high- energy outdoor game on the lower quad designed to help freshmen meet each other and alleviate any shyness they might be feeling. Wednesday, Sept. 3, 8 p.m.: The O-Show, a performance in Shriver Hall by various student arts groups, including a capella singers and bands. Thursday, Sept. 4, 8 p.m.: The Debate Council will demonstrate Johns Hopkins students' argumentative chops to incoming freshmen in Maryland Hall, room 110. Tryouts will be held Sunday, Sept. 7. Friday, Sept. 5, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.: Student job fair in the O'Connor Recreation Center. Friday, Sept. 5, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.: Student Activities Commission Fair. To court new members, more than 230 student groups will set up booths on the quad near the residence halls. Last year, the fair attracted 1,500 students. Classes start Thursday, Sept. 4!
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