UNH is a special place. You have earned admission to one of the best universities in the United States. In addition to instruction, UNH has major commitments to research and to public service. As you plan your total degree programs, it is likely you will have opportunities for experiences in both research and public service. There will also be opportunities for internships in other towns or states and opportunities for study abroad in one of the many foreign sites where UNH sends students. These enrichment opportunities provide you with more than your money's worth and are one good reason to plan your total degree program early in your college experience.

It is likely that this, your first year, will be spent primarily on the home campus and that your primary responsibility will be to your course work. We are persuaded that your academic preparation and your previous records mean that you are well prepared to succeed academically. You would not have been admitted otherwise. But you don't want to make many mistakes at the front end of this venture. There are three things that go a long way in guaranteeing academic success this year. Be sure that at the end of the first semester you can answer "yes" to each of these questions:

* Do you know your academic advisor and at least one faculty member?

* Did you go to every scheduled class, missing none?

* Did you connect to a smaller group of students through some organization or activity that interested you?

If you can answer "yes" to these questions, you'll be okay. Getting to know your advisor and faculty, going to every scheduled class, and being a part of a small group of students are especially important in the first six months.

A university is a special kind of community, different than any you have likely experienced before. Here we live together, eat together, learn together, and play together. When you entered the University, you became a citizen of the University community, and you are now responsible not only for yourself, but for all members of this community. We are a community of many cultures, races and creeds; we come from all the states of the United States and many different parts of the world. Some have lived in rural areas, some have lived in urban areas. No one of us has lived closely in a community with such a mix of people. Diversity is one of the things that makes a university strong. Each of us learns from those around us; each of us benefits from having our beliefs and experiences challenged by other beliefs and experiences. Most of us will in time leave Durham, New Hampshire to live and work in very diverse communities. The University is committed to being a successful, diverse community in which each person is fully supported and respected. There is no room for racism, sexism, or homophobia here. Harassment is not tolerated. You have an obligation as a member of this community to respect and support each person in the community.

It happens that our medium-size university is located in the small New Hampshire town of Durham. That is a plus for us. This is a beautiful and safe place, a good place for learning. We need to recognize that our total community is larger than the people directly associated with the University. We have close neighbors whose residences and businesses are in Durham. You must always be respectful of these neighbors even though you may not know them in the way you have known your neighbors at home.

There is one other I must be clear with you about. The University must provide for the safety of all members of the community and must also create an environment appropriate for learning. For these reasons, the University's code of student conduct sets somewhat higher standards than what are required in the society generally. Learning requires a disciplined environment. It is important that you know what the rules of conduct are at the University and in the surrounding communities.

In particular, underage drinking and binge drinking have been serious problems for your college generation. Large numbers of college-age students have made bad decisions about alcohol, and as a consequence their futures have been damaged, even ruined. The problem is especially acute for freshmen. Last year UNH's judicial cases for alcohol showed 232 freshmen and 12 seniors. People do grow up, but we can't wait on that now. You are too important and the community can't tolerate high risk behaviors. Further, the data show clearly that alcohol abuse correlates directly with poor academic performance.

One of Yogi Berra's often quoted sayings is, "If there is a fork in the road, take it." But, we know that often doesn't work. Alcohol and illegal drugs are choices where you can't have it both ways. Decisions must be made. Please think for yourself, and please think smart. Believe me: losing control is never smart. Finally, the decisions you make about alcohol and illegal drugs are never just personal decisions. They are decisions that affect others--indeed the entire community. Take care of one another.