Cruise
This year's ceremonies kicked off with the now traditional Circle Line Cruise around Manhattan, already an established component of Orientation after a number of years. The night before the first day of school, new Yeshiva College and Stern College students enjoyed a boat ride, taking in views of the island they will call home for the next few years. "I've been all over Manhattan" declared an incoming YC Freshman, "but I've never seen it from this perspective, on the water, before." Students relaxed to live Caribbean music as they mingled over Dougie's refreshments, certainly a fitting introduction to life at Yeshiva.

This year's ride also reinforced the trip's well-deserved nickname as "The Shidduch Cruise," as the lengthy ride allowed plenty of time for mingling and socializing between the new students. Many Yeshiva College students however, had eyes only for the stunning, moonlit Lady Liberty standing in the harbour.

Blast
In past years, Orientation has usually included a visit to New York City's Theatre District. This year the committee arranged a subsidized outing to see a lively British musical called "Blast." Set to booming percussion and a wondrous brass section, students watched the energetic cast dance, sing and act through this unique piece of musical theatre display. Turnout was not as large for this event as in previous years theatre outing to "Stomp," but most of those who went enjoyed the evening.

"I'm a big fan of brass," said one Stern freshman, who is also an aspiring trumpet player.

Another student raved about the musicians' ascent into the audience's midst while playing mightily. "Those brass were really something," he enthused.

Bowling
A night out bowling began typically enough as Orientation students arrived one half-hour late at the aptly named University Lanes near Yeshiva's Cardozo School of Law. After light refreshments, the lights went out for some glow-in-the-dark cosmic bowling. Participating students described the unusual bowling as "very challenging, but really cool."

"If all Yeshiva events are this fun," said a Yeshiva College sophomore, "this will be the closest I'll ever get to a good law school."

The evening progressed uneventfully for a while until a sewage pipe and sprinkler above one of the lanes Yeshiva students were playing on burst, creating a great deal of confusion and dampness. Although the lights were out, people began noticing things getting wet. Many lanes were drenched and gutters soon overflowed. As the lights went up, the proprietors of the bowling alley frantically sought ways to divert the water from flowing onto the lanes and warping the hardwood. New York City's Fire Department came to the scene attempting to sort things out, but there was no fire or immediate danger, so they left. It is unclear what exactly caused the pipe to explode, but the unexpected shower forced the alley to close early and brought an abrupt halt to the event. While some students were disappointed, many enjoyed the unusual excitement. "I've never had this much fun not bowling before," quipped YC Junior Avi Mandelbaum.

Great Adventure
In keeping with tradition, the Orientation Committee arranged a school-wide excursion to Great Adventure on Sunday, September 9. Unlike the other events in which everyone essentially did everything together, in this case all participating students split up into small groups and explored the park themselves. In contrast to previous years, when hundreds joined the event, this year's trip consisted of merely four busloads of undergraduates, carrying less than 200 students in all. Many attributed the poor turnout to inadequate publicity, as few signs advertising the event and informing students of departure times were placed on campus. Overall, however, participants were satisfied that the Great Adventure tradition continued.

Orientation Shabbos
Over 300 YC undergraduates remained on campus for Shabbos Parshas Ki Seitzei, fondly dubbed Orientation Shabbos 2001. Hearing from such Roshei HaYeshiva as Rabbi Meir Goldwicht and Rabbi Jeremy Wieder, as well as from various student leaders, students enjoyed their meals in the cafeteria as usual, beginning the year with a marked proclivity towards staying in for shabbos. In addition to the meals, student leaders organized a gala kiddush and a Saturday night Melava Malka in Belfer Commons, replete with music and food. Many students attending the Saturday night affair, enjoyed the food and heard Rabbi Wieder speak.

One of the highlights of the weekend for many students was the lecture delivered by Yeshiva College Dean Norman Adler, who was present for shabbos. He graced a small group of intellectually inclined students with an afternoon discussion on the attractions of Yeshiva's Torah U'Madda philosophy in the contexts of the medieval university and modern society.

Barbecue
The Orientation Committee sponsored a campus-wide BBQ in Tenzer Gardens, especially for Yeshiva College and Sy Syms uptown students. Aside from providing participants with free hot dogs and hamburgers, the event entertained all with a live mariachi band. It was an event that allowed both student and Yeshiva staffer to kick back and relax together.

Book Project
Both as a part of Orientation in general and as a kick-off for this fall's Book Project, the Book Project Committee organized a dinner in Belfer Commons the day before the first day o classes that joined incoming and veteran students with faculty and administrators. This year's book, whose themes pervaded the discussions and lectures of the evening, was Dr. Jerome Groopman's collection of medical testimonials, The Measure of Our Days. Featured speakers included Rabbi Maurice Lamm, President Lamm's brother, and Rabbi Dr. Moshe Tendler. In addition, upperclassmen volunteered to lead table-based discussion groups about the book.

Check-in/Finance
As both entering and returning uptown students scrambled to check into their new dormitories for the coming year, the Department of Housing facilitated the process by organizing a highly systematic method for moving in. Resident Advisors, Yeshiva security, and other volunteers set up tables in Morg lounge with financial clearance availabilities, dorm assignments, keys, and general Orientation information. Perhaps most helpful for those planning to transport many personal items or bulky objects, Housing arranged for large bins with round wheels that students were able to use with a nominal deposit.

Chesed Event
Also in line with tradition, Yeshiva College and Stern College students joined together on Friday, August 31 in a chesed effort intended to provide New York City's homeless citizens with peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. After spending a number of hours preparing the sandwiches at the Midtown campus, participants journeyed the streets of NY distributing the much-needed food.

Israel Shiur
In an unprecedented but timely event, the Yeshiva College Alumni Association joined with the Student Organization of Yeshiva on Labor Day in sponsoring a Morning of Prayer and Learning on behalf of Israel. After davening and an ensuing coffee/cake reception, students and Rabbeim joined together in a mass recitation of Tehillim. The program was highlighted by Mazer Yeshiva Program's Rabbi Yonason Sacks' shiur, "M'Afela L'orah Perspectives on Kedushat Ha'Aretz," which enlightened and inspired students with many concepts relating to the current status of Israel and its kedusha. Aside from serving as an interesting part of Orientation, the event demonstrated Yeshiva's solidarity with Israel.