By Ashley Tripp

Contributing Writer

The Avanti orientation team is looking to change things up for next year’s incoming freshmen, as upcoming expansions and renovations at the Ferguson Center will force Bama Bound to be relocated.

“A completely revamped Bama Bound doesn’t have to mean any less fulfilling of an experience for the students that attend a session this summer,” Julianna Clark, a senior majoring in dance and former Avanti executive board programming chair, said. “I am confident that the orientation staff will design a great program for them.”

Founded in 1975, the Avanti Team at The University of Alabama serves as a prominent student service organization in efforts to prepare incoming students for life at UA.

Under the Office of Orientation and Special Programs in the Division of Academic Affairs, the Avanti Team helps students become familiar with traditions at the Capstone, as well as academic programs and campus involvement.

Clark said her favorite part of working with the team was being able to help freshmen into their transition into college, whether it was helping them design their schedule or answering questions about greek life.

In addition to relocating from the Ferg, the Avantis and Parent Ambassador Teams will be more of a collective unit.

These adjustments also mean a new selection process according to Paige Bussanich, a senior majoring in psychology and political science. Bussanich served as the former Avanti Team executive board academic chair and said in the past, the selection process has been a two-step process.

“The first step is a group interview with five other prospective Avantis,” Bussanich said. “The group does an activity that shows the selection committee how they interact in a group and what types of personal attributes are important to them.”

For the next round, potential Avantis are invited to an individual interview where the selection committee asks questions about their college experience and gets to know more about them.”

As an Avanti for two years, Bussanich said the experience has helped her gain a lot of different leadership skills and hopes to see the Avanti Team continue to build distinguished leaders and prestigious groups of individuals, with the new changes in the selection process as the future team moves forward.

Landon Lee Nichols Jr., a junior majoring in advertising, served as the Avanti Team executive board communications chair. Nichols believes there is great potential for improvement for the Avanti Team.

“I believe the Avanti Team should be a tangible, respected force on campus year-round,” Nichols said. “I have watched this program shift its focus from a public relations arm of the University to a personal growth and development program for the Avantis themselves.”

For more information about becoming an Avanti member, head over to Get On Board Day: Dusk Edition on Sept. 11 from 5 to 10 p.m.

During the 2013 selection process, every applicant must either come to an interest session or by the Avanti office to pick up a packet before they apply.

If you go:

Interest sessions for 2013 Avanti team in Gorgas 205

Sept 4 at noon and 6 p.m.

Sept 5 at noon

Sept 11 at noon and 6 p.m.

Sept 12 at noon and 6 p.m.