Thanks to pandemic, UB welcomes two ‘freshman’ classes this year

After a year like the last one, Leila Michelen Sanchez can’t wait to get more of the traditional college experience.

Selina Rai was just happy to step foot on the UB campus last week, after spending her first year stuck at home remote learning.

And for Alexandra Stathopoulos, the start of the fall semester sort of feels like she’s a freshman all over again.

The three are among the thousands of second-year students anxious to get their first real taste of life at UB after their freshman year was stolen by a pandemic that put a halt to most in-person activities and forced much of the campus to learn remotely.

In that sense, UB is welcoming not one freshman class this fall, but essentially two.

“More than half of our sophomores have never been to campus — didn’t have a class in person, didn’t live on campus,” says Dean of Students Barbara Ricotta.

“They, like all college freshmen, wanted the typical freshman experience that, unfortunately, they weren’t able to get,” Ricotta says.

UB is keenly aware what sophomores missed out on last year, which is why Student Life is giving them some extra attention this year. That started last week at Welcome Weekend.

While the festivities — which continue this week — are often geared toward welcoming the incoming class, Student Life made a special point of including second-year students and encouraging them to take part in the slate of events on campus.

“We’ll have tours and info tents and activities, and work with clubs and organizations to help them feel connected and excited,” Ricotta says.

Sophomores can pick up a free UB T-shirt through Thursday in 150 Student Union. There are workshops scheduled this week, including a sophomore scavenger hunt, to help second-year students get familiar with the campus and involved at UB.

“We are going to recognize our sophomores at the first football game by inviting them down on the field with the marching band to welcome them back,” Ricotta says. “We’re doing a tailgate for all students, but we wanted to do something special for sophomores to say, ‘We’re happy and excited you’re with us.’”

While sophomores became acquainted with the academic side of UB last year — albeit remotely — they are in many ways still first-year students when it comes to adjusting to campus life and navigating UB, says Phyllis Floro, director of student engagement.

“I think the biggest part is just acclimating to campus,” Floro says. “Building community. Making friends. Knowing where they are going. Knowing what’s available.”

Rai, 20, spent her first year at UB stuck at home in Nepal learning remotely amid the pandemic, so you can understand her excitement last week when she finally arrived to see the university for herself.

“It’s really pretty,” Rai says, looking out at the North Campus. “It’s kind of overwhelming, though. It’s such a big campus.”

 Rai is hoping there will be campus events for international students so she can meet more people.

Stathopoulos, 19, of Amherst, transferred to UB this year after learning remotely from home while enrolled at a university out of state. She’s excited to be at UB — and living on campus.

“But I would say I’m confused, honestly, because I feel like a freshman,” she says. “I barely know how to get around on campus.”

Michelen Sanchez, 18, of Orange County, was eager to take part in Welcome Weekend this year, having missed out as a freshman. She spent last spring living on campus, but she didn’t have a roommate and there wasn’t a lot of activity around. This fall is already looking better, she says.

“Definitely, way better.”