2012 - 2013
Name: Clarissa Moses
Major: Journalism
Minor: Law and Politics
Year: Sophomore 2015
Hometown: Uniondale, Long Island, NY
What do you like about being in FYI? FYI gave me a chance to discover who I am while I adjusted to this big transition in college. I was able to gain a sense of support and community with my fellow residents.
Favorite Place on Campus: The Student Union (The Atrium).
Name: Oladoyin Olanrewaju
Major: Political Science
Minor: Law
Year: Sophomore 2015
Hometown: Bronx, New York City
Why I’m glad I chose FYI:
I'm glad that I chose the FYI program because it provided me with an experience that is unique of other residence halls on campus. The FYI program helped provide a sense of community between the students, and coming from a smaller high school, that was very important to me. Seeing familiar faces both in the residence halls, and in my classes made my freshmen year more enjoyable and gratifying.
Favorite Place on Campus: The benches by the pond (especially during the Spring)
Name: Ellen O’Brien
Major: International Business/ Spanish
Year: Sophomore 2015
Hometown: Wantagh, NY
I’m glad I chose the F.Y.I program because…
• This program offers a lot of opportunity for volunteering and getting involved on campus.
• My RM was always there to answer any of my questions whether they were academic concerns or personal problems.
• I met a lot of my close friends through this program.
Favorite Place on Campus: Student Union
2011 - 2012
Stephen Lawrence (FYI 2010-11)
Major: Organizational Communications
Minor: Spanish
Hometown: Bayport, NY (Long Island!!)
Year: Sophomore
Favorite Place in New Paltz: Student Union, My room, and really anywhere outside!
I'm really glad I chose FYI because I was able to live and work with First years who all had a common goal of growing in terms of leadership. We were all able to express our academic goals along with our passion for helping others together! It was a great way to meet others and not only make some lasting friendships, but work with others who were looking to get very similar rewards out of their SUNY New Paltz experience!
As an RM, what do I provide to my residents in FYI?As an RM, I provide my residents with a “relate-able” person who is approachable. My residents know I am always there to talk about anything in an open, judgment-free environment. I provide a support system when needed, and I act as a mentor to them in terms of academics, leadership, and just life in general.
Carissa Roca (FYI 2010-11)
Major: Anthropology/Spanish
Hometown: Freeport, Long Island
Year: Sophomore
Favorite place in New Paltz: Health and Nutrition Store
FYI appealed to me because being part of a community was important to me. I wanted to be around people that I can relate to, but at the same time, I can learn from. FYI also gives you opportunities: to not only build a community within your residence hall, but also with the local New Paltz community through community service, which I enjoyed very much.
As an RM, what do I provide to my residents in FYI?As an RM, my knowledge about registration, majors, scheduling, and time management is very much put to use throughout the year. I feel residents come to me when they do not know who else to turn to and leave my room or the office less stressed than when they came in.
Katie Tyson (FYI 2010-11)
Major: Childhood Education concentrating in History
Minor: Music
Hometown: Mineola, (Long Island), NY
Year: Sophomore (2014)
Favorite Place: The Old Main Quad
What I liked about being a part of FYI was that I really felt a connection to my fellow students and campus community. I liked living with other first years because we were all going through the same transitions and could share experiences with each other. FYI also helped connect me to the New Paltz community because I would (and still) recognize other people in FYI in my classes and at all campus events.
As an RM, what do I provide to my residents in FYI?As a RM, I am an extra resource to my FYI residents. I am up to date on all of the information concerning FYI and the FYI classes, so I am able to provide my residents with that information. But, I am also just an extra resource in general to my residents. They can come to me with any questions, comments, or concerns with academics, campus involvement, etc. And I am also there as a support system, residents can come just to talk or for advice with anything that's going on.
