In the past, although new students were given a few days to familiarize themselves with the university before classes started, many still had questions concerning the location of the academic buildings and classrooms, or possibly about the classes themselves. And while SOAR and Welcome Week ensure that freshmen aren’t thrust into their class schedule without knowing the basics about classes, students still have questions of their own that may form just as that first day of class rolls around.

In 2008, the All Day Q & A (Question and Answer) was established by the Office of Student Activities to remedy this problem. It began when members of the UNH community thought it would be helpful to place upperclassmen students around campus to answer questions by freshmen during the first few days of classes. The upperclassmen that participate spend time in shifts in front of academic buildings, to serve as a resource for any students passing by that are in need of help. Students are encouraged to utilize the program as a way to have their questions answered faster.

This year, the Q & A Days were originally scheduled to take place Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday, August 29-31. However, due to the closings brought on by the storm, it was pushed back to Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday, August 31 through September 2. The program was organized by Orientation Coordinator Colleen Kerrigan, and participants consisted of many of the university’s most involved students and most knowledgeable student leaders.

Wearing bright yellow shirts, these students were positioned in front of Dodds, Kaplan, Maxcy, and Buckman Halls, as well as the Henry C. Lee Institute, from 8:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. in shifts of one to two hours. Reception to the program has been positive as many new students have taken advantage of the opportunity and have benefitted from it, further demonstrating the university’s commitment to easing the transition for new members of the community and making them feel as welcome as possible.