Frosh flock to orientation fun

Provost Stanley Chodorow plans to welcome hundreds of freshmen this week --Eto the blackjack table, that is. New Student Orientation actually began Monday with a freshman week for those in the Reserve Officers' Training Corps, or ROTC. Orientation for all freshmen begins when they move in today and tomorrow and continues through Wednesday, when classes begin. The program is designed to welcome new students and to help them adjust to the campus and their fellow classmates. One of the highlights of this year's NSO will come as Chodorow takes his place as a dealer at Casino Night on Monday. "We have planned a lot of exciting events, but we are definitely most looking forward to Casino Night," said College and Wharton senior Gil Beverly, who is co-chairing NSO. "With the provost as a guest dealer, we know the night is going to be enjoyable." The luau-themed Casino Night will also feature guest dealer Larry Moneta, associate vice provost for University Life. Director of Police Operations Maureen Rush said she is interested in participating as well, but could not commit yet. Beverly and College junior Rob Hassett, who is co-chairing the orientation, have planned more than 100 events for the beginning of the fall semester. Several pre-orientation for interested students have already finished, including PennQuest and PennCorp. Hassett said those were deemed very successful. A cluster of events are planned to provide social opportunities for freshmen. The annual Video Dance Party will take place on Sunday, but a sponsorship change means it cannot be called the "Wild Video Dance Party," ending an NSO tradition. And Beverly and Hassett will serve as DJs for a social at the Natural History Museum. "I am going to debut with my stage name -- Rob Base," Hassett said. "That's exciting in itself, but of course the Big Dog [Beverly's nickname] will also be there." Groups of students will be bused to the Philadelphia Museum of Art, a Phillies baseball game and several other events throughout the city. And for the first time ever, NSO is sponsoring a Safer Living workshop to take place Monday after the annual Penn Life Sketches -- skits about what freshmen should expect during their first months at the University. For the fifth year in a row, the Penn Reading Project will allow freshmen to gather in small groups on Sunday to discuss this year's featured book: A Moveable Feast, by Ernest Hemingway.