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STUDENTS
Who participates in OA?
All incoming students take part in OA, including
athletes, transfer and international students.
What does OA cost?
There is no separate fee to participate in OA.
All costs are included in your tuition payment and/or
financial aid package. Free sleeping bags rentals are
available to everyone upon request.
I have never been backpacking/ sailing/
kayaking/ surfing before. Do I need prior experience to go on
these trips?
No prior experience is required. Orientation Adventure trips are designed to be fun and
rewarding for participants of all skill levels. You
will be undertaking many new experiences at college, and
these trips are an excellent place to start. However,
please note that students signing up for the more strenuous
backpacking adventures should be in excellent physical
condition and confident of their performance at high
altitudes. Moderate backpackers should also be capable of
hiking with a full pack on trails of intermediate
difficulty.
When will I be able to sign up for an OA trip?
Trip sign-up will begin May 1st, 2008. All
admitted students planning to enroll for the Fall 2008
semester may sign up at this time by following the "Sign Up"
link at the top of any OA web page.
By when must I sign up?
To receive priority consideration for your top-choice
trips, you must sign up by May 15th, 2008. All
incoming students will be placed on OA trips, but students
who sign up after the deadline may face reduced availability
for their most preferred trips.
How are trip assignments made?
If you sign up prior to the May 15th deadline, your
trip assignment will be made on the basis of your expressed
preference and availability. Once the initial
sign-up period is complete, we will randomize the list of
currently registered participants and begin making
assignments. Each participant will be assigned to the
trip of his or her highest preference that remains available
at the time of assignment. If your first-choice trip
is full at that time, you will automatically be placed on
its waiting list. We will contact you by email when
your trip assignment has been made.
Sign-ups received after the May 15th deadline will be
assigned on a first-come, first-served basis. You
will be assigned to your most highly preferred trip that is
still available when you register.
The trip sign-up deadline is July 1.
We will make every effort to honor requests for
assignment changes that arise from unforeseen and compelling
circumstances not present at the time of initial
registration. A leg broken in an accident over the
summer would be an example of such a circumstance.
When will I be notified of my trip assignment?
We expect to notify students of their trip assignments on
approximately August 1st, 2008.
What should I bring with me on the trip?
This depends on the trip in which you will be
participating. A detailed packing list for your trip
will be sent to you along with your trip assignment
and is also available online.
I don’t own a frame pack/sleeping bag,
etc. Do you
have gear available for loan?
Yes, we
have sleeping bags, pads, and frame packs available to you,
and we will rent them to you free of charge.
I already own all of the gear I need for my backpacking
trip, but would like to use OA's gear for the sake of
convenience. Is this OK?
If you have your own gear, we recommend you use it as it
will likely be a better fit for you, and possibly of
superior quality. In addition, this will free up our
limited stock of gear for other participants.
Can I move into my room when I arrive on campus?
Yes. When you check in on Sunday, August 24th,
you will receive an orientation packet that includes a key
to your room. Orientation Adventure Leaders and
Sponsors will be available to help you move in.
Can I move into my dorm room before Sunday, August
24th?
No. Rooms will not be available for move-in until
Sunday morning.
What is the schedule for the day of arrival, Sunday,
August 24th?
The schedule below is subject to change. Please
refer to your new student handbook for final times and
meeting places.
Day 1, Sunday, 8/24/2008
8:30am-12:00pm- Arrive and Check In
12:00- Lunch with Sponsors
2:00- President’s Welcome to the College
3:00- Panel discussions for parents
4:00- Advisor/Parent Picnic at President’s house
5:30- Student’s dine with faculty advisors
6:45- Enter Here ceremony
7:00- Student Affairs/Campus Life Welcome
8:30- Residence Hall meetings
Day 2, Monday, 8/25/2008
9:00am- 4:30pm- Placement Exams
4:30- 5:30- Class meeting on Alcohol Policy
6:00- Dinner with Orientation Adventure Leaders
8:00- Prepare for OA departure
Days 3-6, Tuesday-Friday, 8/26-29/2008
All OA Trips Depart Tuesday morning and return Friday
evening. Athletes and international students follow their
training or orientation schedule.
Days 7-9, Saturday-Monday, 8/30-9/1/2008
On-campus orientation continues, students settle into
dormitories.
Day 10, Tuesday, 9/2/2008
Convocation, classes begin
PARENTS
Please visit
Arriving at Pomona for additional information about your
student's first days on campus.
Can OA participants be reached by phone during their trips?
While some OA leaders will be carrying cellular phones and/or
radios, participants generally will be out of contact with
their families for the duration of Orientation Adventure. In the event of an
emergency, an OA coordinator or
leader will arrange for participants and family members to
get in touch with each other. Participants who plan to
bring cellular phones along with them
should note that certain trip itineraries lie outside
cellular coverage areas. Those on backcountry routes
should also be mindful of the disturbance mobile phones can
cause to both fellow students and other hikers in the area.
All cellular phones should be kept
off for the duration of your trips.
My son or daughter has a disability/allergy/condition/etc.
that may limit his or her ability to participate in OA.
Can necessary accommodations be made?
Yes. An OA coordinator or Student Affairs staff
member would be happy to discuss the matter with you or your
student and determine which trip would be the best match and
what accommodations can be made.
Still have questions? Please
contact us, and we will be happy to answer them.
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