Sisqo to CSULB? SOAR says maybe

By Wes Woods II
Daily Forty-Niner

Probably the most interesting aspect about the Student Orientation Advising and Registration program held Saturday was the talk about R & B singer Sisqo coming to Cal State Long Beach in fall or spring.

"Nothing is 100 percent," said Amy Wiedermann, a student orientation commissioner about bringing in the singer of "The Thong Song" for the school's second Beach Blast in a discussion after her SOAR presentation. But "it's all iffy," she said. Also, Eminem and Limp Bizkit were also being discussed among the Associated Students Inc. for the event, "but it's all talk," Wiederman said.

A Reggae Fest, possibly on Nov. 2, and another hip-hop fashion show was another item mentioned at the Student Involvement and Development part of SOAR in the University Student Union's Small Auditorium.

During the highly eventful orientation, hundreds of students learned about Cal State Long Beach through games, discussions and walking around campus through the SOAR program.

The two-day orientation is used to help both freshmen and transfer students adapt to life at Cal State Long Beach.

The sessions covered at the eight-hour long orientation were: academic success resources; career development and life planning; sports, athletics and recreation; emotional, physical and spiritual well being; and student involvement and development. A disc jockey spun music during the day as well.

Between 70 and 90 orientation leaders walked students around the campus while traveling to each session, said John Karros, director of SOAR and the Student Transition and Retention Services, or STARS.

"There are a lot of good info on outside school, recreation and advising," said Naomi Isorda, a junior kinesiology major. The "long days" were a bit discouraging, she said. "But I think they've covered the bases so far."

"Not all of [SOAR has] sunk in. But it does give you insight into everything," said Daniel Lumer, a junior kinesiology major. However, he said "personal experience" will be more helpful than SOAR.
The SOAR program has been around for decades, Karros said. The purpose of SOAR is to "help students learn the flow" of the campus.

"It's a good jump start about what resources are available," Karros said.

Students pay $50 to enroll in the sessions, which take place during two days. As part of the fee, students receive advising and a handbook (for both transfer and first-time freshman). There's also lunch on both days.

Orientation leaders wore yellow shirts emblazoned with Soar 2K and Beyond. While some were volunteers, more were paid for their services or got credit for helping out, but they had to take a class first.
"I did it last year," said Perla Carvajal a junior majoring in psychology and leader of group number 40. "It feels good to know about your campus. It's fun and rewarding."

She suggested that new campus students "get involved so you're not a commuter student. Have fun. But don't slack off. It's not high school."