Freshman class settles in at UMaine Thanks to ‘Maine Hello’ program, university rookies feeling right at home

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ORONO – Moving into her dorm room on Friday, University of Maine freshman Molly Schenck found that efforts to be organized had paid off.

The theater major from Winthrop was the first to arrive at Knox Hall early that morning, and by 10:30 her bed was made and her shelves were stocked with snacks. Even her books had been purchased.

“She’s been planning this,” said her mother, Nancy, as she watched her daughter put the room to rights. “She had today’s schedule set in her mind, and she kept to it. She knew what she wanted to accomplish.”

Her daughter’s methodical style wasn’t the only reason for the hassle-free move-in, said Schenck, who praised UMaine students for helping to unload the car and haul boxes and suitcases up the stairs.

“They made a huge difference,” she said. “They worked so fast, we couldn’t keep up. And they smiled as they lifted all this heavy stuff.”

The “Maine Hello” program, in which UMaine representatives greet freshmen and help them move into their dormitories, has become a welcome tradition for students and their families. Move-in activities are the beginning of three days of social events, informational sessions and opportunities for students to take care of last-minute details before classes begin Tuesday.

Taking a quick break from helping students to unload at Somerset Hall shortly before 11 a.m., UMaine President Robert Kennedy surveyed the hustle and bustle and smiled broadly at the steady stream of parents, students and staff whose arms were piled high with clothes, books, shelves, vacuum cleaners and microwaves.

“This is by far the most activity all morning,” he said. “Students just keep coming.”

With 1,823 students, this year’s entering class is the largest in 15 years – approximately 3 percent more than last year, according to officials. The reason is that about 20 percent more out-of-state students have chosen to enroll at UMaine. This year, there are 375 first-year students from away.

Greeting cars and offering directions outside Lengyel Gym, Sharon Oliver, director of admissions, said the out-of-state students primarily were from New England, but also from the Midwest and mid-Atlantic regions, including Colorado, Chicago, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Washington, D.C., and Virginia.

Several new recruitment initiatives apparently had reaped results, she said. A UMaine representative had been stationed in Chicago during the past year, contacting guidance counselors, attending college fairs, and visiting community colleges and high schools. Alumni volunteer ambassadors and admissions department recruiters did similar types of outreach, Oliver said.

“We’ve done a lot of little things to make a difference,” she said.

The aim of the outreach was to emphasize, among other things, the campus’ academic qualities, as well as undergraduates’ access to research activities, the personal attention that students receive, and the small-sized upper-level courses.

Also this year, UMaine saw a 13 percent increase in new students from Cumberland County, a statistic that Falmouth High School graduate Eric Newton put a face on Friday as he moved into Somerset Hall.

At least 13 members of his graduating class are attending UMaine this year, said Newton.

Planning to major in landscape horticulture and business, the young man said he was happy to be at the flagship campus.

“I wanted to stay in Maine,” he said.

Apparently many others like the state as well. UMaine’s total student population is estimated to be around 11,400, up from last year’s enrollment of 11,358. And that number could rise. Some students from universities affected by Hurricane Katrina have inquired about enrolling for the fall semester here, President Kennedy said.

This year, the average SAT score for new UM students is 1,084, a one-point increase over last year, and well above both state and national averages. More than 20 percent of new students were in the top 10 percent of their high school class, and more than 42 percent were in the top 20 percent. Those figures also represent slight increases from last year’s entering class.

Friday morning found Dave Dvorak, professor of engineering technology, in the Somerset Hall lobby, directing people as they brought in their belongings.

“I’m trying to organize it so kids can get all their stuff in one elevator,” he said.

Dvorak was spurred to participate in “Maine Hello” after receiving help a couple of years ago when his son Jonathan took up residence at UMaine.

“I saw what it takes to move a kid in,” he said. “Everyone helped out. It just made it so much easier and got everyone off to a good start.”

Also lending a hand Friday was sophomore Allison Fleming, who carefully steered a bicycle through the Somerset Hall entrance. “It’s tiring,” the Woodville native admitted. “It’s lots of hard work. But parents and kids really appreciate it. I know I did when I was a freshman.”

Nearby, freshman Eric Brown of Bangor checked his new mailbox. He had just met his roommate and already was feeling at home.

His father, Paul, pointed out that Eric’s older brother would be living on the floor above him.

Eric himself appeared to be on the fence as to whether this was a good thing.

“Maybe,” he said with a grin.