Podcasts present previews of freshmen halls
There is always a touch of anxiety as College
freshmen (and their parents) prepare for the big move to dorm life. For
the first time, William and Mary students and their families can
preview their residence halls remotely—and before they ever arrive—via
podcasts.
The podcasts, which were filmed, directed and produced on campus this
summer by William and Mary students, highlight both the exterior and
interior features of each freshmen residence hall. Inspired by the
style of the popular MTV show “Cribs,” which provides viewers with
tours of celebrity homes, the William and Mary freshmen hall podcasts
are in a fast-paced, “you are there” fashion. The idea for the segments
came up last spring, noted Residence Life Director Deb Boykin.
“I'm pleased we were able to get them turned around so quickly,” Boykin
said. “Before choosing a College, students come to campus physically
and tour some of our buildings. Not everyone can return before arriving
for freshmen move-in day. This gives them a chance to see their new
home and its surroundings from a student’s point of view.
The clips were the idea of the Student Affairs Committee on Technology
and the project was overseen by the Office of Residence Life. Residence
Life Area Director Monique Colclough narrates the short clips, which
provide a quick video tour of the freshmen residence halls and basics
about each building.
The eight podcasts feature video tours of Barrett, Brown, Dupont, Hunt, Monroe, Taliaferro and Yates halls, as well as the Botetourt Complex, which includes Dinwiddie, Fauquier, Gooch, Nicholson and Spotswood halls.
William and Mary is expecting more than 1,350 entering students to arrive this Friday for freshmen move-in day. Undergraduate classes are scheduled to begin Aug. 29, 2007.
