Graphic by Megan Eloise/The Gazelle

As the semester progresses, certain freshmen have been trying to advocate for Campus Life activities that are geared specifically toward their class. Freshman Student Government representative Chris Wheeler is leading some of these initiatives, and says the decision-making process has been the joint effort of his six-member committee comrpised solely of freshmen.

“It was important for me to find a balance of people from different countries, regions, guys and girls, outgoing people and quieter people,” said Wheeler.

For this semester, Wheeler and his committee planned a Freshmen Phone Home Event for this past Wednesday, Nov. 11, that offered free international calls for freshmen to friends and family back home. On Nov. 19, freshmen and seniors will get the opportunity to interact in a Speed Date a Senior event.

Their last event for the semester is to arrange freshmen transport to the free Beats on the Beach concerts happening from Nov. 26 to 28. Musical acts will include Jason Derulo, Fatboy Slim and Assi El Hellani.

While Wheeler hopes for a good turnout, he realizes that the committee faces certain challenges in outreach. His biggest concern is choosing events that freshmen find interesting and inclusive. He also recognizes the difficulty in pinpointing dates and times that remain convenient for people, especially as the semester quickens its pace.

Wheeler’s concerns mirror those of his classmates. Freshman Syeda Ghaniba Ali has been striving to find a balance between getting to know her classmates through events and completing course work.

“The events are interesting and I’m looking forward to the concert on the beach and the mixer with the seniors, but there are so many things to consider, especially given the number of events on campus and balancing work,” said Ali.

In contrast, other freshmen have expressed dismay over the limited number of events this semester. Wheeler hopes to organize bigger, more substantial events for next semester; he attributes this semester's small number of events to the committee receiving their budget from The Office of First Year Programming later in the semester.

This setback, as well as the delay in the Freshmen Phone Home event, have not disappointed participants, however.

“As a freshman, I find that events here at NYUAD are unparalleled," said freshman Kirk Edward Mariano. "I have never seen so much appreciation and attention given to different cultural events.”

Wheeler remains hopeful that freshmen will find the freshmen-specific events fun and engaging, particularly as the class transitions into the next semester.