Extended orientation program teaches first-years about traditions
While USC’s standard orientation lasts only a day, shuffling students quickly from the Koger Center to Russell House to registering for classes, Pillars for Carolina, an extended orientation program, gives students a closer look at what will soon be their new home.
The program lasts 5 days and 4 nights, costing $350 and covering housing, meals, and other program costs. Incoming first-year students got to participate in team building activities, learn USC traditions and meet with top student leaders while getting a head start on their freshman year last week.
The program was started by students in 2011 with only 22 first-year participants. It has grown significantly since then, but maintains the tradition of separating the group into two teams — garnet and black, of course.
“We do a lot of fun activities like ‘the Olympics,’ where students participate in physical competitions,” Marketing Director MJ McVay said. “Then we also do some serious stuff like discuss social issues and play ‘walk the line’, a game where you ask people to step forward anytime they have done a certain thing that may be difficult to talk about.”
The program has stayed student-run since its inception despite its rapid growth. McVay is a second-year international studies student and all other members of the executive board as well as counselors — “extended mentors,” or XMs — are students.
Emma Robl, a fourth-year biology student, was an XM for this year’s at Pillars for Carolina and was drawn to the program because of its length.
“I am an out of state student and I didn’t like the way there was only a one day orientation as opposed to some other schools,” Robl said. “I heard about Pillars from a friend and thought that I would like to at least be involved in counseling, and help students like me acclimate to campus, since the program wasn’t offered my freshman year.”
Allison Camp, a first-year sport and entertainment management student, came from Dallas for Pillars and was thankful to meet her future classmates.
“I’ve really enjoyed the camp and getting to know new people since I’m from so far away,” Camp said. “I’ve really enjoyed all of the activities, especially Walk the Line.”
But Pillars is not just for out of state students. Many students from South Carolina have both participated in and been positively affected by Pillars.
Lee Goble, from Gaffney, and Emily Bordiuk, from Summerville are both South Carolina natives who have enjoyed the program.
“Overall the experience has been really good and I’ve enjoyed meeting everyone,” Goble said. “The experience has allowed me to see just how diverse Carolina is”
Bordiuk wasn’t excited about Pillars at first, but her experience led her to stay involved in the program once she arrives at USC for good.
“I wasn’t looking forward to the camp just because it seemed like it would take away from my summer. But now I am so glad that I came,” Bordiuk said. “I really love this and I even want to be a counselor next year. The activities, especially the Olympics, have been a lot of fun and getting to meet people so early on has been great.”