Students from the Class of 2029 are gearing up for an exciting semester at SUNY Cortland.
Towards the middle of the first month of school, the Class of 2029 is proving that their SUNY Cortland experience is off to a good start. The Student Life Center is lively, campus clubs are in recruit mode again, and new friendships are being established more rapidly than assignments pile up. This year, a record breaking of 18,000 applications flooded the college, giving this freshman class the distinction of being among the strongest of the decade. Out of those applications SUNY Cortland accepted over1400 freshmen and 400 new transfers.
Hosting events from class exploration tours, to “Smores” Night at the Student Life Center, and the Red C Ice Cream Social, the university created an inviting launch pad that drew in new students. Incoming freshmen were already navigating library stacks, exploring the depths of their majors during academic convocation, or checking out clubs at the Campus Recreation Fair. By the middle of September many in the Class of 2029 are in the midst of school work, activities, or both. Since classes officially began on August 25th, the students are getting into the groove.
Academics and Transition
With most classes under their belts at this point, many freshmen are learning what works. For some, perhaps that’s a biology lab with hands-on experiments. For others, business classes with up to date applications. The semester began with “Add and Drop Week” in late August, followed by academic advising in the beginning of September so students should now feel that they are on track to succeed in their first months as a Red Dragon.
Clubs and Involvement
The club scene is in full swing. The Recreation Fair and Club Fair offered the opportunity for students to get familiar with clubs from intramural sport activities to hobbies during the students’ first weeks.
Those who are into hiking trips, Student Government campaigns, or sport management and media, for example, got a chance to meet with other students through the many activities these clubs prepared, and join organizations that suit their interests. For example, the Sport Management Club, one of the largest at the university, hosted this September’s golf tournament.
Self Awareness / Consciousness
Events like Wellness Wednesdays got underway as well and now offer stress management opportunities every week. There have also been activities such as free exercise courses and meditation sessions, so students could get direct access to the kind of tools that create balance.
Campus Culture Lives On
Even though this is just the start of the semester, the tradition and culture of Cortland is alive and well. The school spirit roar is not reserved for game day only, although the first football game of the season just happened, but for all the time and for all students to share. New students are walking around in Red Dragon apparel at all times, from study halls to sitting in Union getting coffee, to giving Nancy a fist bump at Bistro.
The sense of belongingness is growing and the Class of 2029 is realizing they are just beginning to be part of something much bigger. What a “textbook” start to an amazing year.