Photo courtesy of OU Office of the Registrar

With the steady arrival of the fall semester, July 16 was Rock and Enroll Day at Oakland University. Housing tours, tabling and swag giveaways were among the activities held at the Oakland Center (OC) to inform all returning and new students.

Organized by the Office of the Registrar, Rock and Enroll Day was an introductory event allowing students to meet with advisers, get informed about financial aid and take care of class registration needs.

“Lots of times over the summer you want to keep connections with students,” Michael Wadsworth, dean of students, said. “Rock and Enroll is just an initiative that helps us do that because you want students to stay interested and not forget what’s going on at school.”

The corridors on the main floor of the OC were populated by the tables of major departments and offices at OU. From the Graham Health Center to the Honors College, many administration members introduced their offices, resources and contact information to students.

“None of the people I talked to knew what the Dean of Students office was,” Wadsworth said. “And that’s great because those are the people we wanted to talk to and share what we do with.”

The Office of Global Engagement, the College of Arts and Sciences and the Center for Multicultural Initiatives were also present to answer questions and introduce specific programs taking place throughout the academic year. 

“The more you can get students connected, the more likely they are to stay here [at OU],” Wadsworth said. “When you can have events like this, and you have all of these offices participating, I think is the only way you’re going to really get to students in a big way.”

The importance of such introductory events was also echoed by the student attendees.

“Anything that’s a good environment for just asking questions and getting important info — like your tuition or what’s housing going to look like — I love places like that,” returning student Brendley Carey said. “They let you just fire those questions off and get those answers.” 

However, while attendance at the event was steady, a desire for more student engagement was expressed.

“We had a pretty typical flow, a steady flow,” Wadsworth said. “I would still love to see more students at the event … but getting people to see there’s a need before it becomes immediate is the big challenge.”

Carey echoed the urge to not only attend the events but also engage.

“It’s only as informative as you make it,” Carey said. “You’re only going to get the most you can out of it by applying yourself and being outspoken. Ask the dumb questions first and then ask a stupid one. It’s about setting yourself up for when you’re out of college.”

As the semester begins, Student Congress legislator Alex Verzillo also recommended spending time on campus as a way to maintain involvement.

“Spend more time at the Oakland Center, walk around and see what is happening,” Verzillo said. “Don’t be afraid or ashamed to ask questions or be present.”

For more information, visit the OU Events Calendar or the Office of the Registrar’s website.