Frequently Asked Questions
Selecting your trip:
For whom is OA intended?
OA is open to all incoming students! Unless you are a New Resource Student, transfer student or exchange student this is a fixed part of your orientation to Pitzer-- it isn’t optional. :)
Can New Resource Students, transfer students and exchange students participate in OA?
Yes, simply note your affiliation on the registration form. There are a select number of spaces available for these three groups, so if you are interested in participating please act quickly.
Why will I participate in OA?
Hands down, OA is the best way to get to know your new classmates before the academic year begins.
When are the trips?
They are 4 days and 3 nights-- August 21- August 24.
I am an athlete trying out for and/or participating in a fall sport, will I go on an OA trip?
With the exception of football players, all fall first-year students playing/trying out for fall sports will take part in the full OA program. According Pomona-Pitzer Athletic Department and SCIAC league rules, fall sports (except for football) will not begin practice until 8/25/11. Football player will have a reprieve from practice on 8/23 and 8/24 to participate on an OA trip. Pomona College has the same break for its football players. Pitzer football players will not be at a disadvantage. Please contact PP Athletic Director, Charles Katsiaficas, at 909-621-8423 if you have any questions regarding practices, etc.
How will I sign up for a trip?
Beginning on June 1, 2011 you will be able to register online via our web page www.pitzer.edu/oa
By when must I sign up?
The registration period closes on June 24, 2011.
Which trip is best?
One isn’t better than another. You’re silly. They are all great.
How can you guarantee that I’ll get my first choice trip?
We can’t, but, we have a strong record of placing students on one of their top three choices. We hope to continue this trend.
What if I’ve never been, hiking, kayaking, swimming, surfing, etc., can I still sign up for any of those trips?
Absolutely! We welcome participants of all skill levels and all abilities on all of the trips. With that said, you are the best judge of what you can and cannot do. On the trip registration form we ask a few questions regarding your skill level for said activities. A lack of experience won’t disqualify you, it is simply a sound mechanism we use to put together well rounded trips.
How intense are the backpacking trips?
The primary goal of OA is to build community. We intentionally do not make any of the trips, backpacking or otherwise, overly rigorous. Each participant will carry a 30-50 pound pack for 4-7 miles each day.
Are the trips safe?
Safety is the top priority for each trip. Each group will carry a complete first aid kit and all trip leaders are trained in first aid and CPR. Additionally, each trip is within cellphone service and/or the trip will be equipped with a satellite phone.
How are trip placements made?
About half of the slots are filled on a first-come-first-serve basis and the other half are filled via a lottery held after the registration period closes. It is out experience that this gives our most proactive students a strong chance of securing a top choice trip, while still enabling our students who are not able to register as promptly* to also have a chance to get a top choice trip. Since registration takes place online we’d like to make it as equitable as possible.
Who coordinates OA?
Staff and students work together on the program. Student Involvement Coordinator, Drew Herbert, and three students, Hallory Sindelar, Alyssa Solis and Chris Sibley make up the core of the coordinating team. Seventy five student leaders are responsible for real-time operation of the trips.
What office sponsors OA?
The Office of Student Affairs.
Is every trip accessible to students with special physical needs?
We aim to have every trip accessible to all students. With that said, this is difficult to claim outright. If you are concerned about your ability to participate in any portion of the program, please contact our office as soon as possible.
I still have questions about selecting a trip. How do I contact the OA coordinating team?
Here is our contact information: email oa@pitzer.edu | telephone 909.575.8091
Between May 12 and May 30, we will not be available via telephone. Please direct queries to the email address listed above. This is our slight reprieve before the summer rush. We will do our absolute best to respond to your questions within 3 workdays.
Preparing for your trip:
What should I bring?
Check out the packing list for your trip (going live at www.pitzer.edu/oa on June 24)
Do I need to buy special gear for the outdoor trips?
It is up to you. If you already own gear bring it, your gear will probably fit you best and be most familiar. If you don’t own gear we have backpack, sleeping bags, sleeping pads, bowls and sporks to loan to the trips that require these items. Group gear such as cooking supplies, water purification systems, etc. are standard on each trip. No need to bring your own.
Is there a fee for Orientation Adventure?
Yes, there is a $300 fee to participate in OA however; the fee is being applied from your commit deposit to Pitzer. If you’ve paid your commit deposit you do not need to make any additional payments to participate in OA. The fee represents just a fraction of the overall cost of each OA trip and includes transportation, food, accommodation, permits, entrances and certain other miscellaneous items.
When will I move into my residence hall room?
On August 20 between 8 am and 11 am you will have the opportunity to move in and settle in a bit. Even if your OA trip comes back to campus every night (which some do) most of your time will be spent away from campus, so settling in prior to your trip isn’t essential. You will have plenty of time after your trip concludes on August 24 and thereafter.
Can I move in prior to 8 am August 20?
No, sorry. August 20 at 8 am is the first opportunity you will have to move in.
When should I arrive for my trip?
Check in for your trip and your residence hall is between 8 am and 11 am on August 20. You will definitely want to come between those hours.
When will I meet my roommate and will he/she be on my trip?
Since all first-year students move in during the same 3 hour window it is likely that you will meet your roommate right away. The odds of you being on the same trip as your roommate are slim.
I still have questions about preparing for my trip. How do I contact the OA coordinating team?
Here is our contact information: oa@pitzer.edu | telephone 909.575.8091
Between May 12 and May 30, we will not be available via telephone. Please direct queries to the email address listed above. This is our slight reprieve before the summer rush. We will do our absolute best to respond to your questions within 3 workdays.
Going on your trip:
Who planned my trip?
Folks right here at Pitzer did. The OA Coordinators (students and staff) worked with the OA Leaders to craft each trip. Hours upon hours went into (and still are going into) each trip.
Who will lead my trip?
Each OA trip will have 2-5 trip leaders, all of whom are current or former (class of 2011) Pitzer students. All trip leaders go through extensive training and have a strong sense of ownership of their trips. Without question, every leader is committed to ensuring that each trip is a warm welcome to the Pitzer community.
Does everyone sleep in a tent?
No, actually most people don’t. About one half of participants will be on trips in the great outdoors of Southern California. These are the folks who will be sleeping in sleeping bags, and tents if they like. The weather is typically so pleasant that tents become more of a hassle than an amenity. The other half of the participants will be on local or urban trips. Most of these trips stay on campus and students will sleep in their residence hall rooms.
What will we eat on the trips?
The food varies from trip to trip, but we will make sure that you are well fed and happy. On the registration form you are able to note your dietary restrictions/preferences, please dutifully do so.