NSO rearranged to accommodate holiday

On average, it happens less than once a decade. But when it does, it wreaks havoc on the University calendar and creates both logistical and emotional dilemmas for students. Next fall, Rosh Hashanah -- the Jewish new year and one of the holiest days in the Jewish calendar -- begins at sundown on September 5, conflicting with the University's move-in period and new student orientation. And the Office of New Student Orientation, together with Hillel, are scrambling to find ways to allow students to take part in New Student Orientation and celebrate the Jewish holiday. "It will be tough for many freshmen having to come and make a choice of whether they are going to be part of the University or they are going to affirm their Jewishness," Hillel Director Jeremy Brochin said yesterday. Brochin said Hillel's Assistant Director Rabbi Sharon Stiefel is working with Assistant Director of Academic Support Programs in the Office of Student Life Laurie Reed to make sure students will not have to make such a choice. While move-in will not be changed, said Reed, who coordinates New Student Orientation, all required programs have been rescheduled so that they will be finished before the holiday begins. And students who move in early because of the holiday will not be assessed the usual fee for moving in ahead of schedule, Brochin said. Reed said the developmental programs, like the Freshman Reading Project, have also been changed to accommodate students who wish to celebrate Rosh Hashanah and still participate in the reading program. The optional programs, like tours of Philadelphia, will still take place on Monday and Tuesday, Reed added. The scheduling changes still have to be cleared with the Council of Undergraduate Deans, but Reed said she believes they will approve the rescheduling. Once the changes are approved, Hillel will send out a letter to all incoming Jewish freshman and returning Jewish students informing them of the resources available at Hillel to assist them as they move-in and attempt to deal with the logistical and emotional problems the holiday may create, Brochin said. "[The letter] will make it clear to students that people are encouraged to celebrate the holiday and that the University is not making any demands on them that will force them to compromise their religion or their orientation activities," he added. Reed still said some students may have trouble adjusting because they will arrive at the University only to return home a few days later to celebrate the holiday. "I think a lot of students are still going to feel torn," Reed said yesterday. "But we're just going to try to do as much as possible to let those who stay [on campus] feel comfortable and let those who want to go home go home. We want to be sensitive to the [Jewish] population." In addition to holiday services, Hillel will be offering a wide-array of programs and events to help new students adjust to the University during the holiday period. When Reed discovered the conflict, she originally wanted to move back the start of classes by one day, but was unable to do so because the academic calendar had already been set. University Secretary Barbara Stevens said yesterday the academic calendar is generally set three years in advance and cannot be significantly changed at the last minute. The date of the Jewish holidays tend to float within certain general ranges on the Roman calendar. "At least this won't happen for 10 more years," Reed said.