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Wentworth Opening Week (WOW) is our official welcome program for all first year and transfer students at Wentworth. Whether you are living on campus or commuting from home, every new student at Wentworth participates in this three-day introduction to college life in late August. WOW is an institute-wide initiative that brings all students, staff, and faculty together to help welcome new students and transition them to life at Wentworth.
During WOW you will:
- Make friends with other new students and learn what it means to be a Wentworth Student
- Learn to navigate campus and the vibrant City of Boston prior to starting classes
- Meet with college representatives to learn what to expect in your classes and how to succeed academically
- Participate in a half-day service project
- Get better acquainted with student leaders who will guide you through the week
- And of course, you will get your new laptop
By the end of Wentworth Opening Week you will be ready to begin your first semester with all the tools needed to be successful.
Dates for WOW and other important information, including move-in, can be found in the links below.
Frequently Asked (and Answered) Questions
What is the purpose of WOW?
WOW is designed to help you successfully transition into the Wentworth culture. Studies show that a new student who takes full advantage of orientation programs is more likely to be confident within their new surroundings and more successful academically, professionally, and socially. All throughout life you’ll participate in orientation programs anywhere from co-op jobs to your first job out of college. It is a natural part of your life and professional career. Like any new job would, Wentworth Opening Week will help you navigate the student system, find resources on campus, meet other new students, and slowly ease into life as a college student.
What will we be doing?
WOW covers many areas of interests for new students. Some topics we cover are welcome addresses from the Wentworth President and Dean of Students, Wentworth Community Standards, meeting with your academic department faculty and advisor, safety at Wentworth, health and wellness, multicultural awareness, social activities, community service and of course, you’ll get your brand new laptop!
How long is WOW?
If you are going to be living on campus, you will need to move in on either Wednesday August 27th or Thursday August 28th. WOW officially begins on Thursday August 28th at 4:00 p.m. and goes until Sunday August 31st. Your move in date will be assigned to you.
If you are commuting from home or an apartment off campus, you need to arrive to Wentworth on Thursday August 28th at 4:00 p.m. WOW will go until Sunday August 31st.
If you’re an International student who will be living on campus, please arrive on Wednesday, August 27th at 8:00 a.m. to move-in to your on campus room. WOW will go until Sunday August 31st. If you are an International student who will be living off campus, please arrive at Wentworth on Wednesday August 27th at 9:00 a.m. WOW will go until Sunday August 31st.
For up to date information on times and schedule, check this website throughout the summer.
Is it mandatory that I go?
Yes. The entire Wentworth community collaborates to help plan, organize and implement WOW, not because we have to, but because we think it is vital to your success. Faculty, department heads, administrators, staff, and students all work very hard to ensure that your transition to Wentworth will help make sure you get off on the right foot.
As such, attendance is required at all programs, events, meetings, and group time during WOW. We will be taking attendance at WOW as part of your First Year Seminar grade.
I have to work during WOW, is it O.K. to miss it?
No. Please make arrangements to be let out of work. WOW is the official start of the year for all new students. You cannot miss it.
What do I need to bring with me during WOW?
Not much, you will get your WIT I.D. when you arrive on campus, so keep that with you at all times. Bring a pen, which is very important. Everything else will be provided for you.
Do I have to buy my own meals?
Some meals during WOW are provided. See your specific schedule for more details.
What if I have other questions?
You can call the WOW Office at 617-989-4080. Ask to speak to someone on the WOW staff. You can also email newstudents@wit.edu.
Move In Dates & Information
Move in for all new students will begin on August 27, 2008 and conclude on August 28, 2008. The dates and times for move in have not been finalized and are subject to change. Please check back for updated information.
Each student will be assigned a day to move in and, as of right now, those days will be either:
- August 27th or
- August 28th
All international students are required to move in on August 27th.
Please note detailed information regarding room assignments (including roommate information, scheduled move-in times, approved & non-approved items, and your move-in day parking pass) will be mailed in July. Please continue to check the New Students tab on LConnect frequently for further information about your housing assignments.
Should you have any questions prior to arrival, please do not hesitate to contact the Office of Housing and Residential Life at 617-989-4160 or email housing@wit.edu. You may also e-mail newstudents@wit.edu.
Wentworth Opening Week (WOW) Schedule
On this page you will find detailed information on the 2008 Wentworth Opening Week (WOW) program for all first year college students.
First Year Student Schedule
First year students who live on campus (residents) begin their WOW experience with move in on either Wednesday August 27, 2008 or Thursday August 28, 2008. For more details on move in click here.
First year students who live off campus (commuters) begin their WOW experience with WOW Group Time on Thursday August 28, 2008 at 4:00 p.m. For more details on commuter students and WOW click here.
Details regarding the WOW First Year Student Schedule are currently being finalized. Please check back often for updated information and a finalized schedule.
For now, please utilize this sample schedule outline to help you prepare for WOW.
Sample WOW First Year Student Schedule Outline
Move In & Welcome Day
(Wednesday, August 27 & Thursday. August 28)
Check-In & Move-In
WOW Group Time
Welcome Address
Wentworth Opening Week BBQ
Residence Hall Floor Meetings
WOW Welcome Carnival
WOW Day I (Friday, August 29)
Various Programs & Sessions
WOW Day II (Saturday, August 30)
Various Programs & Sessions
WOW Day III (Sunday, August 31)
Service Day
Various Activities
Classes Begin (Tuesday, September 2)
Commuter Students and WOW
Commuter students begin their WOW experience on Thursday August 28th at 4:00 p.m. All commuter students are expected to attend all daytime activities (typically from the morning until dinner) with the exception of Thursday’s Welcome program which is from 4:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m.
We believe it is essential to your Wentworth experience that you take part in all the activities that have been planned for you during WOW. However, we also understand the demand a commuter has on their own personal schedule. We encourage you to begin to develop and strengthen your bond to the college by staying for all the activities which occur after dinner. By doing so, you will develop relationships with both off and on-campus students.
Wentworth has much to offer the commuter student, but to truly experience it you need to stay on campus past dinner time.
Parking
During WOW you will be asked to park in the Annex Parking Lot. You do not need to pay for parking during WOW.
During the normal academic year, the fee for a commuter permit is $175.00 dollars per academic semester; the permit is valid from the hours of 7:00am to 10:00pm daily. Parking is available in the Ira Allen Lot, Parker Street Lot and Sweeney Lot. Additional parking is available in the West Lot after 3:00pm (campus map). Questions regarding parking should be directed to Public Safety at 617-989-4400.
Meet the WOW Student Staff
Your WOW Group is different than your Orientation group. The group you will be placed in during WOW will also be your class for the First Year Seminar. Every new student is placed into a group of 25 new students which will be led by a WOW Team Leader. The groups are based on where the student lives, whether they live on-campus or off. This group of 25 new students will also participate in the same First Year Seminar during the fall semester.
WOW Team Leaders are upper-class students who have been selected and well trained to help welcome you to Wentworth. There are also several other student leaders who work hard behind-the-scenes to help bring WOW to life. They are called WOW Program Assistants and Orientation Coordinators.
Check back soon to view their student profiles.
6th Annual Wentworth Service Day
Sunday, August 31, 2008
During Wentworth Opening Week we dedicate an entire day, known as Service Day, for the incoming class to perform volunteer work in the surrounding areas in Roxbury and Boston. We value this day immensely because of the impact that the students bring to each community. Every year we receive positive feedback about the nature of the work, and how it benefited each person, organization and location that the students visited. Wentworth believes in having a positive relationship with the surrounding areas, as this is where we live and learn.
This year marks the sixth year that Wentworth Institute of Technology will be participating in this event. Service to the community, however, is not just a one time event for Wentworth. During the year, many faculty incorporate a service component into the curriculum. In collaboration with the Center for Community and Learning Partnerships, students in each major are able to utilize their knowledge, skills, and talents in a service learning project that is tied directly to a course they are currently taking.
Service learning is a way of teaching in which learning objectives of a course are met through planned service activities and projects that meet community identified needs. Successful service learning enhances a student’s mastery of academic material in addition to improving general skills of interpersonal communication, teamwork and complex problem solving. Furthermore, service learning is a means to improved professional and technical education with the added context of civic and social awareness and understanding. Through service learning, students not only become architects, designers, engineers and managers but also leaders and citizens.
During WOW, we invite you to talk with faculty members from your academic department to learn more about service learning projects within your major. You may also visit the website for the Center for Community and Learning Partnerships. |
