The registration for new SJTU students kicked off at the new gym in the Minhang campus on September 13. In the early morning，enthusiastic JI student volunteers in unique JI T shirts started guiding the new students by waving the giant JI flag, attracting the most attention among all welcome booths. The slogan of this year’s welcome team is “serving the new students wholeheartedly.” With new ideas and attention to details, team members ensured that the new students would feel at home on the first day at JI.
First stop：fully prepared for the new students
The welcome team rolling out the red carpet
A week before, the team members had already checked each freshman dorm room thoroughly to ensure smooth move in. They solved the problems of low water pressure and repaired the water heaters.
On registration, every freshman received a welcome packet containing a “Mini JI Encyclopedia” carefully prepared by the current students, which includes essential information such as course introduction, course selection guide, student club information, etc. One of the editors remembered that last year he was puzzled by all these problems so he hoped the timely information would save the freshmen time and energy to settle down at JI.
On the first floor of the dormitory, students had set up a souvenir stand so freshmen could purchase JI T shirts, USB, and used textbooks.
Second II：Balloons and ID tags
Affixing an identifying sticker
At the new gym, the welcome team implemented an innovative identification system with different stickers: heather for male volunteers, lily for female volunteers, daisy for male freshmen, and jasmine for female freshmen. It was effective for volunteers to locate and assist the freshmen.
President Zhang Jie posting with freshmen
Besides the stickers, every freshman received a balloon: blue for boys and yellow for girls, JI’s brand colors. The colorful sea of bobbing balloons at the registration venue was a sight to behold, symbolizing an energetic start and a bright future for the freshmen at JI.
Stop III：Rain or Shine, the compassionate pedicabs keeping on
A welcome team member transporting for the freshmen
At 6:30 in the morning, a compassionate fleet of 4 JI pedicabs started shuttling between the new gym and the JI dormitory, guiding and transporting the freshmen and parents. Regardless of the rain, the drivers peddled happily and tirelessly, touching the hearts of the freshmen and their parents. One freshman pledged, “It will be my turn next year to pass the torch of JI’s compassion.”
Stop IV：Parents Speaking up, listen carefully
A student club member reading parents’ letters
It is common for universities to send out “Dear parents” letters on the first day of school. However, this year for the first time JI asked parents to write “Dear JI” letters to tell about their children’s hobbies, interests, personalities, and wishes for JI. The letters were collected by the JI Student Affairs Office and passed to relevant counselors and student clubs for improving student service, which Dean Peisen Huang emphasizes as what JI is striving for. “The letters represent our resolution. We will take each letter seriously and give students the best education.”
Stop V：Meticulous care of the dorm
Seeing the meticulous details of the dorm, the freshmen were deeply touched by the dedication of the welcome team: a welcome-home poster on the first floor; a photo gallery on the dorm door featuring new roommates; and English signage for laundry rooms and bathrooms.
In the evening, the class counselors visited freshmen at the dorm, making sure they have well settled on the first day and wishing them good luck at JI.
