SOAR 2010 navigates campus construction
The first summer SOAR (Student Orientation, Advising and Registration) session begins today, Thursday, June 3.
More than 7,000 new and transferring students and their parents plan to visit UW–Madison during continuous two-day sessions that run through Aug. 4.
For the second consecutive year, extensive campus road construction coupled with the rebuilding of Union South, the program’s normal home, is presenting a few logistical challenges for the program, says Wren Singer, director of the Center for the First-Year Experience, an arm of the Offices of the Dean of Students.
The portion of the program normally based in Union South will be in Engineering Hall again this year. And there is no avoiding construction projects affecting University Avenue, Park Street, Langdon Street and Observatory Drive.
“Summer construction is a fact of life on a campus of our size,” Singer says. “SOAR takes place in seven different campus venues and includes a bus tour, so almost every venue is impacted by these projects in some way, shape or form.”
Singer adds that the program has taken several steps to alleviate construction hassles, including:
- Updated construction maps have been posted to the SOAR web site.
- There will be increased campus bus service on the Route 85 Circulator from approximately 11:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. on Sunday through Friday, when the SOAR program needs to move program participants across campus. (Service on Sunday will only occur during this time.)
Current students, faculty and staff are also asked to be patient and assist program participants whenever possible during their stays.
“We’re asking everyone to remember their first time finding their way on campus,” Singer says. “Try to take a moment to be friendly and help people out.”
If you have questions about getting around campus during SOAR, call or visit: http://www.newstudent.wisc.edu/soar or (608) 262-4707.