Student and faculty leaders alike are preparing for the second wave of first-year students to come to The Commons this fall by evaluating the effectiveness of the orientation process.

Current first-year students were welcomed to Vanderbilt with the nine-day CommonVU program, during which they bonded with their VUcept groups and houses. The orientation experience continued throughout the first semester with weekly Vanderbilt Visions meetings and occasional house programming.

VUcept Public Relations Co-Chair and junior Sahi Denduluri said although the two programs - VUcept and The Commons Houses - work separately, they share the same goal.

"Both groups work to establish a strong sense of community among the entire first-year class. CommonVU and orientation to Vanderbilt would be significantly lacking if either of these groups (VUcept or Commons House staff) were out of the picture," said Denduluri.

Next fall, however, the VUcept program will be slightly different. VUcept Public Relations Co-Chair and sophomore Ricky Diaz said the executive board hopes to continually improve the program by re-evaluating the program at each year's end. For the class of 2013, traditions like Move Crew and Founder's Walk will remain intact, but the initial orientation period will only last for four days. The CommonVU program will continue as classes start, and orientation activities will continue throughout the week.

Another change to CommonVU will be to Commodores in the Community, traditionally a day for first-year student groups to go to sites around Nashville in order to build group cohesion and establish a sense of service. Due to funding constraints, the program will be replaced with alternative activities to establish the same ideals.

Despite the limitations of the current economy, Diaz said he is confident that with the help of The Commons staff, VUcept will continue to have success.

"A large planning committee that includes ResEd, Dining (and) deans ... is working hard to make sure it is a memorable and positive experience for the Class of 2013," said Diaz.

According to Diaz, VUcept plays an active role in the orientation planning committee to ensure that student voices remain significant in the process. The VUceptors have been speaking with current first-year students about ways to improve the program and they do not want the first-year experience to be compromised in any way by the cuts in funding. Their most important goal is to ensure a smooth transition into life at Vanderbilt and in Nashville, Diaz said.

VUceptor applications were released on Feb. 9 and the executive board has already seen an increase in the number of applications submitted early compared to last year, according to Denduluri.

"There has certainly been a ǃÚbuzz' among students regarding VUcept applications, especially first-year-students. It is evident that The Commons has played a key role in the success of VUcept this year, and as such, we are seeing a spike in enthusiasm among rising sophomores who want to be involved next year," Denduluri said, adding that the executive board is also trying to reach out to upperclassmen. "... Rising juniors and seniors have so much to offer to the program and bring a totally new perspective," he said.

Diaz said he believes the success of VUcept is because a variety of students are interested in becoming involved.

"There is no set ǃÚVUceptor type' or personality. We are looking for VUceptors from every corner of the Vanderbilt community," he said. "... The relationships you build through VUcept are invaluable. ... Even if you are not extremely involved, VUcept is a way to get out there in the Vanderbilt community."