The College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences will kick off its back-to-school orientation student activities on Monday, Aug. 18, with nearly a week of orientations, luncheons and ceremonies.
This fall, the College will welcome 134 students into the Professional Veterinary Medical Program, which includes six students into the MBA/DVM combined program, three students into the MSPH/DVM combined program, one student into the DVM/PhD program, and eight students into Vet Prep. As of Aug. 4, the College has 125 confirmed new students for CVMBS undergraduate programs in the Department of Environmental and Radiological Health Sciences; Department of Biomedical Sciences; and Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Pathology. The College also has 105 newly admitted students to its non-PVM graduate programs (69 confirmed at of 8/7).
This year marks the second week-long orientation for students in the Professional Veterinary Medical Program. The College expanded orientation last year to include three days of activities at Colorado State’s Pingree Park mountain campus. The three-day retreat is designed to introduce and reinforce ideas of communication, leadership, and team building among the PVM students.
Highlights of the PVM week include a welcome on Monday from Dr. Lance Perryman, Dean of the College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, and the Oath and Passages Ceremony which takes place on Tuesday. During the ceremony, in-coming freshman PVM students receive their lab coats, sign the PVM Student Code of Honor, and participate in a non-binding recitation of the Veterinarian’s Oath, signifying their membership in the PVM Class of 2012. The students also will be treated to lunches provided by SCAVMA and Hill’s Pet Nutrition, Inc., and by Nestle Purina, before heading to Pingree Park on Wednesday.
On Monday afternoon, the College will have an orientation for students in the MBA/DVM program, with a welcome by Dr. Perryman, who will also welcome students in the MSPH/DVM program during their orientation on Tuesday. Also on Tuesday, the College hosts a Vet Prep breakfast welcome. The Vet Prep program is designed to assist disadvantaged students in obtaining the Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree. The program offers coursework and mentoring to selected students who, upon successful completion of the program, will be admitted to the Professional Veterinary Medical Program (PVM) at Colorado State University. Each year, seven to eight students are admitted into Vet Prep based on their admissions ranking, as well as economic, educational, cultural and environmental factors.
On Wednesday, the College is hosting an orientation and luncheon for its three Vet Start students. The students, all incoming freshman at Colorado State University (Class of 2012), come from diverse backgrounds and engage in an undergraduate program tailored to prepare them for veterinary school. Vet Start, now in its 20th year, provides guidance through mentoring, peer support, in-depth advising, and other specialized programs to ensure the success of its participants.
Thursday marks the move-in day for the Prevet Living and Learning Community at Edwards Hall.
On Friday, the College will welcome its entering freshman class with CVMBS Ram Welcome. The day is comprised of directed informational meetings and orientation activities plus personal introduction of all new students to key advising and guidance personnel in the College. Students also are invited to attend an all-University barbeque for the freshmen and their families on the lawn near the Clark Building, and an afternoon outdoor fair featuring student organizations, departments, colleges and other student services offices. The event helps the more than 4,000 new freshmen begin to know and appreciate all the opportunities offered by Colorado State.
