From Wednesday to Sunday, incoming freshmen at Saint Mary’s College will be acclimated to their new campus environment through Belles Beginnings, an orientation program led by upperclassmen and faculty. The program features events that will help students familiarize themselves with different parts of campus life and make connections outside of the classroom.
Shay Jolly Schneider, associate dean of students, explained how Belles Beginnings helps to address questions or concerns students might have before classes start via staff-led discussions and small groups led by Welcome Week leaders, who were introduced to the program in 2023 to help build community.
“It's important for our underclassmen, our first years, to see our upperclassmen as a part of the community and recognize that they aren't in this alone … Everybody works together and really works to build what we want to see as one inclusive and connected Saint Mary’s,” Schneider said.
Mona Bowe, executive director of retention strategies, defined Belles Beginnings as an opportunity to meet students from across the country and assist them in making Saint Mary’s their new home.
“It sets how the year and how the four years are going to go,” Bowe explained.
A more recent tradition established in 2020 at the College is Closing the Circle, where students do their first walk down The Avenue, inspired by the Opening the Circle event during Senior Week.
During the ceremony, the student body president, vice president and our student government association welcome new students Saint Mary’s and lead them down The Avenue.
“It’s a great opportunity to show our new students a guided path that others have walked in front of them and before them,” Schneider said.
She described it as an emotional experience for parents to see their students walking down for the first time with their peers.
She also explained that the more welcoming, transparent and responsive the college campus is to incoming students, the smoother the transition will be for them.
Education panels were held Thursday evening and continue Friday morning. Resources such as the “How Do I” factsheet and Belles Beginnings orientation handbook will help students and parents to navigate resources.
Students can participate in a variety of activities through the Afternoon Adventures series on Friday, including a free trip to Generations AdventurePlex, a multi-level facility of amusement and entertainment attractions.
Two upcoming events aimed at helping freshmen relax include “A Fancy Night with RHA,” hosted by the Residence Hall Association on Friday, and a movie screening in O’Laughlin Auditorium later that evening organized by the Student Diversity Board.
Saturday will feature mandatory educational sessions, including the Panel on Belonging led by previous alumnae, along with the #BigSmickEnergy event held by student leaders to highlight life at Saint Mary’s. A new event on Saturday will include The SMICK Show, a game show which will help students get to know different departments and groups.
BelleFest, a Saint Mary’s event that leads into DomerFest at Notre Dame, is a way to help lift the spirits of students who plan on joining the later event and provides “an opportunity to celebrate us as a unit before we walk over to Notre Dame together,” according to the orientation handbook.
On Sunday, freshmen through seniors participate in the convocation ceremony, which celebrates the start of a new academic year. Upperclassmen will be able to provide a small pin to incoming students as a symbol of their entrance into the College.
The Saint Catherine’s medal will be awarded during the ceremony to honor a junior or sophomore student for leadership and service.
Schneider and Bowe suggested that incoming freshmen reach outside of their comfort zone and not be afraid to ask for help while adjusting to their first year. They also recommend students create new relationships and recognize that other students are at the same stage as them.
“The best thing that you can do is, as soon as you think you need more support in connecting with people, or with your class or with your schedule, reach out to someone and ask for that help, because we’re here to help you. We can only help if we know what it is that you need,” Bowe said.
