Columbia will officially kick off the fall semester on Friday, Aug. 30 with its annual New Student Convocation.
Although Convocation has been held at Grant Park near campus for more than a decade, it will take place this year within and around the Student Center. As the Chronicle previously reported, Columbia is downsizing events like Manifest, Convocation and future commencement ceremonies in order to help address the budget deficit.
The college is facing a significant decline in both new enrollments and total students. There are 600 fewer first-year students projected for Fall 2024 semester than there were in Fall 2023, and the total number of students set to attend this year is 5,529, down from 6,529 last year, according to Columbia’s interim President and CEO Jerry Tarrer.
During the afternoon’s festivities, Tarrer is expected to give his first address to students since stepping into the role after former President Kwang-Wu Kim resigned this summer.
Presentations from other faculty and student leaders will also be featured, including one from Student Services that will outline the various resources available throughout the upcoming academic year.
One major adjustment includes the decision to permanently close Columbia’s on-campus Student Health Center and merge both Counseling Services and Student Relations to form the new Center for Student Wellbeing at 623 S. Wabash Ave.
While speaking at a college-wide faculty meeting on Aug. 16, Tarrer explained that the changes over the past few months have helped reduce the $38 million financial deficit to $17 million heading into the fall semester.
This year’s celebration may look a little different, but according to the Engage app, the goal of Convocation remains the same: to offer a warm welcome for incoming freshmen and transfers, as well as commemorate the return of school.
An array of groups will have booths set up around the campus for students to stop by and visit. Performances, games, and free giveaways from campus partners are also going to take place throughout the afternoon.
Student Government Association President Jenna Davis said that SGA has “advocated for the importance of keeping campus traditions. So, to still hold Convocation for the incoming class is so exciting.”
Davis said that despite having a smaller college community than in previous years, SGA hopes to not only maintain but increase the number of students involved in their organization.
Before the campus festivities begin, there are school-specific connection sessions that will meet in the morning from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. These meetings offer more specialized information and give students a chance to meet peers who share similar interests.
SGA will have a representative in attendance at these sessions to speak with new students about the role that student government plays in representing the student body as a whole.
While connection sessions are intended to act as an engaging introduction for those who are new to Columbia, all students and staff are welcome at Convocation.
What students are saying:
First-year American Sign Language major Taryn Yahn said that she hopes to make new friends during Convocation and is also “extremely excited to learn more about what Columbia has to offer.”
Jordan Perdue, a junior photography major explained that they are “expecting to meet a whole bunch of new incoming students and get them involved in clubs.”
During New Student Connections for the School of Communication, Culture, and Society, faculty members asked students what drew them to Columbia. Many responses referenced the appeal of Columbia’s creativity, community, resources, activities, and internships.
However, Perdue said “… it definitely won’t be the same as it was when I was a freshman. I’m a little worried that incoming students will miss out on experiences that I had.”
Copy edited by Vanessa Orozco
