Hi , 

Congratulations! You've made it to your first day of classes at Tulane. As you continue to navigate this transition to college, know that you are not alone. Campus-wide, there is a team of faculty, staff, and peer leaders eager to make your first year the best it can be. Explore some of the people and offices ready to support you in our student guide, Friends of the First Year.

There's so much to look forward to this year, and the Navigator is here to keep you in know! In this first issue of the fall semester, we will inform you of upcoming events, reconnect you with campus resources, and offer recommendations for an enriching first-year experience. There are more Hullabaloo Hello welcome festivities awaiting you, so keep reading to learn more!

Questions? Contact our team by emailing firstyear@tulane.edu or by visiting our website.

Roll Wave!

Newcomb-Tulane College | First-Year Experience Team

Hullabaloo Hello is just the beginning of a year-long orientation to Tulane University, and the fun is just getting started! Throughout these first two weeks of classes, there will be a parade of opportunities for you to reconnect with campus resources and continue building community with your classmates. Explore the Fall Welcome Schedule tab on the Hullabaloo Hello mobile app for a preview of events by day!

Celebrate the first day of classes with Popsicles and Polaroids! Join us outside Mussafer Hall between 1-3pm today for a refreshing treat and capture the moment with a Polaroid picture to commemorate the start of an exciting new adventure. Discover more exciting events to come below and have a happy Hullabaloo Hello!

All NTC College Advisors will be available for drop-ins from 1-4pm this week in various locations throughout campus, including Mussafer Hall, the LBC, the Hub, and virtually. To get the most out of your meeting, come prepared with any questions you may have about your academic journey.

No appointment necessary for in-person drop-ins! Please use the Virtual Advisor Zoom link to meet with an advisor virtually. Depending on the amount of students who attend virtually will depend on the wait time (approximately 5-15 minutes).

The Residential Faculty Mentor (RFM) Program aims to increase meaningful engagement between full-time faculty and first-year students. RFMs support your transition to the academic and social communities of the university through co-curricular experiences and office hours held in your residence hall. 

The bios and residence hall assignments for the 2024-2025 Residential Faculty Mentors can be found below. Click around to meet the faculty supporting you in your hall this year!

As part of our Wave of Support initiative, we are teaming up with GydEd to roll out a new support tool. Starting this week, you'll see the chatbot "Stella" appear on your Canvas page. This wellness check-in is a great way to access helpful resources and connect with support staff from around the university.

Stella asks two questions: How are you? and What makes you feel that way? The check-ins take 30 seconds, and all your answers are confidential until you specifically request support.

Your voice counts – vote and make it heard! Tulane Undergraduate Assembly (TUA) is here to remind you that election week for first-year delegates is just around the corner! From August 19 to August 21, you will have the chance to meet your candidates in the LBC and on McAlister Way to chat about their vision for Tulane.

Vote from August 21 at 11:59pm to August 22 to 11:59pm on WaveSync. First-years are the only students eligible to vote in this election, so make sure your voice is heard! 

During Hullabaloo Hello, you stepped outside the Tulane bubble and embarked on an exciting off-campus adventure with your new friends. That evening, you regrouped to reflect on your experiences and took part in a map activity, identifying key neighborhoods, streets, and landmarks across New Orleans. As you continue exploring your new home, remember the insights from your reflection. If you ever want to revisit the places discussed, you can find the presentation slides below. Enjoy discovering all that the Big Easy has to offer!

And the adventures don’t stop there! Later this semester, there will be more opportunities to venture beyond the bubble and explore the Greater New Orleans area. Keep an eye on upcoming editions of Navigator for more info on these exciting experiences.

Stronghold Studios, a local business known for their creative Mardi Gras House Floats, transformed Cudd Hall, Mussafer Hall, the LBC, and McAlister Way into immersive experiences that perfectly capture the charm and whimsy of New Orleans. Don’t miss out on a chance to take a photo of your own. Share it to social media and tag us @firstyear.tulane to be featured!

If you haven't yet completed the Hullabaloo Hello survey, please take a moment to do so below! Your feedback is invaluable as we begin planning next year's orientation experience.