By Frederick Burwick
On behalf of the Office of Residential Life and the Faculty in
Residence, it’s my pleasure to welcome the freshman class to
UCLA. Because most of you will be living in the residence halls, I
look forward to the opportunity to meet you personally.
There are currently 18 FIR, each housed in one of the residence
halls, so you will also be meeting several of my colleagues in the
many activities we have planned for the coming year.
While it is not our purpose to duplicate the tutorials provided
in Covel by Bruce Barbee, the director of academics in the commons,
we are ready to offer academic support and assistance to ensure the
success of your educational experience at UCLA.
We can do this not only in advising you on effective strategies
for writing assignments and preparation for examinations, but also
on how to meet and interact with faculty, how to become involved in
research projects, and how to make effective use of academic
resources.
The FIR draw from their own field of expertise in working with
program assistants and resident assistants in the halls to offer
academic enrichment to your live-in experience.
Because of my background in theater and drama, I will call on
residents in fall quarter to audition for a play to be performed in
winter quarter. We will perform the play at UCLA and a couple of
nearby campuses.
This is a great theatrical experience, and students can receive
four units of honors credit for their participation. I enjoy
moderating film-related programs on floor lounges and in the
suites.
When Halloween approaches we might get together to share ghost
stories (I have visited many of the haunted castles of Europe).
Those of you who are interested in education abroad or
international internships, let me help you with connections and
preparations.
Please introduce yourself to me as soon as fall quarter
commences, and also to the FIR in your hall. Turn to us often
““ we are eager to help.
You will find that we are ready to offer our academic support
and to write those letters of recommendation you’ll need for
grant and scholarship applications.
Burwick is a professor of English and a faculty in residence
in Hedrick Hall.