With Classes Starting Aug. 29, the Campus is Beginning to Buzz

Student Life staff and resident assistants

As the start of the 2016-17 school year approaches, both new and returning students are preparing to arrive on campus to ready themselves for the beginning of classes Aug. 28.

Many student leaders are already on campus including residence hall assistants, who next week will join athletic team captains, student government officers, Greek organization peer mentors, GOLD Program mentors and college union managers for a week-long training symposium to kick off the academic year. The keynote speaker for the symposium this year is Josh Feigelson, founder and executive director of Ask Big Questions.

Move-in Day is Aug. 26, when most new students arrive on campus and settle into their residence halls. Members of the college’s athletic teams will be available to assist students in moving baggage and other items into their rooms.

This morning Student Life staff and the resident assistants helped the grounds crew to prepare for the start of a new year and the welcoming back of the students.

Opening Convocation for faculty and staff is also Aug. 26, which will include an opening address from SUNY Geneseo President Denise A. Battles, announcement of award recipients and recognition of renewed, tenured and promoted faculty. The convocation is in Alice Austin Theatre.

New Student Convocation will be Aug. 28 at 6:30 p.m. in Wadsworth Auditorium. SUNY Distinguished Professor of History Michael Oberg will address the new students. The First Knight celebration immediately follows New Student Convocation on the College Green.

New students are encouraged to participate in the college’s Weeks of Welcome activities designed to help increase personal connections with other students, faculty and staff and promote a sense of belonging.

Geneseo will welcome yet another impressive group of first-year students to the community. Drawing from a talented pool of close to 8,800 applications, the Class of 2020 will be in the range of 1,285 first-year students. 

The College also will welcome 3,963 returning undergraduate students. Total graduate student enrollment is estimated to be 72 for a total estimated full-time and part-time enrollment of 5,546.

"Geneseo’s reputation for having outstanding academic programs, one-of-a-kind learning opportunities both inside and outside of the classroom, and faculty of the highest caliber, has attracted yet another group of students," said Meaghan L. Arena, vice president for enrollment management. "The Class of 2020 will bring remarkable talent, accomplishment and extraordinary potential to Geneseo."

A look at the class profile:

  • The average SAT score this year is 1233.
  • The average high school GPA of 93 remains the same as last year. Data show that high school GPA is the primary predictor of success in college. 
  • The average ACT score is 27.
  • The average class rank, if available, is in the 83rd percentile.
  • The class includes 39 valedictorians and salutatorians.

The class of 2016 offers advice to incoming freshmen.

Media Contact:
David Irwin
College Communications
(585) 245-5529
Irwin@geneseo.edu