CASEY CAMPBELL/Gazette-Times Amanda Murphy listens as she and her group receive instructions on how to follow the maps.

Organized activities introduce new Oregon State University students to campus life

Students starting classes today got a jumpstart on finding their way around campus Sunday, when they participated in an orienteering activity that took them from one end of Oregon State University’s campus to the other.

The students divided into two groups and raced to see which team could find all 16 designated locations first. Unfortunately, the heat (and the scheduling so close to lunchtime) made the challenge extra grueling.

“You guys; cinnamon rolls and running do not equal ‘good,’ ” said Amanda Murphy, a sophomore who is majoring in interior design.

This is her first year as a resident assistant. She has been assigned to the fifth floor of Wilson Hall.

“It’s really exciting,” she said of her new leadership position. “I love it. It gives me an excuse to be social to everyone.”

She’s not new to campus, but Murphy did discover some unfamiliar buildings during the orienteering session.

“You only really go to the buildings on campus where you have classes, or the soils and science building if you need extra money —they do (paid) food testing — or if your friends just like to walk around campus,” she said.

Peter Sandin, a junior majoring in computer science, agreed. Anything east of Nash Hall is a mystery to him, he said.

Oregon Cascades Orienteering Klubb organized the Sunday course. It was part of Connect Week, sponsored by OSU’s Office of Student Orientation and Retention Programs, and designed to acclimate new students.

“It’s a great opportunity for students to run around campus, compete with other housing units and make sure they know their way around campus before school starts,” said Paula Whipple, an orienteering club member.

Beavers aren’t the only local students getting back into the higher education groove today. It’s also the first day of fall classes at Linn-Benton Community College.

Mitchell Young just moved from Seattle to begin his freshman year at OSU. He plans to major in nuclear engineering.

“I’m kind of excited. It’s a first,” he said.

Young and his team completed the orienteering course in 24 minutes. They did, however, bend the rules by breaking into relay groups.

“It was fun. It was hard. I don’t like running very much,” Young said.

Twins Jordan and Kurtis Landauer clocked in at 35 minutes. They did the course the hard way, and each went to every designated site.

There was no prize for winning, other than bragging rights. The big draw was the chance to practice navigating campus.

Like Young, the brothers are freshmen. They’re from Portland, and both are majoring in electrical engineering.

In addition to having similar class schedules, they’re also roommates in Wilson.

“It’s just easier because we know who we’re going to be staying with,” Kurtis said.

Both Landauers are members of Navy ROTC, which did a similar orienteering course last week. Jordan had to miss it, though, because of an ankle injury. Sunday he was recovered enough to join in the adventure.

“Oh yeah, it was fun,” he said.

Although he finished the orienteering course more familiar with campus than he started, Jordan Landauer was still a little anxious about his first day of college courses.

“I’m kind of nervous. I have no idea what’s going to happen,” he said.

Mary Ann Albright covers higher education. She can be reached at maryann.albright@lee.net or 758-9518.

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