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By Frederick Burwick

On behalf of the Office of Residential Life and the Faculty in Residence, it’s my pleasure to welcome the freshman class to UCLA. Because most of you will be living in the residence halls, I look forward to the opportunity to meet you personally.

There are currently 18 FIR, each housed in one of the residence halls, so you will also be meeting several of my colleagues in the many activities we have planned for the coming year.

While it is not our purpose to duplicate the tutorials provided in Covel by Bruce Barbee, the director of academics in the commons, we are ready to offer academic support and assistance to ensure the success of your educational experience at UCLA.

We can do this not only in advising you on effective strategies for writing assignments and preparation for examinations, but also on how to meet and interact with faculty, how to become involved in research projects, and how to make effective use of academic resources.

The FIR draw from their own field of expertise in working with program assistants and resident assistants in the halls to offer academic enrichment to your live-in experience.

Because of my background in theater and drama, I will call on residents in fall quarter to audition for a play to be performed in winter quarter. We will perform the play at UCLA and a couple of nearby campuses.

This is a great theatrical experience, and students can receive four units of honors credit for their participation. I enjoy moderating film-related programs on floor lounges and in the suites.

When Halloween approaches we might get together to share ghost stories (I have visited many of the haunted castles of Europe).

Those of you who are interested in education abroad or international internships, let me help you with connections and preparations.

Please introduce yourself to me as soon as fall quarter commences, and also to the FIR in your hall. Turn to us often – we are eager to help.

You will find that we are ready to offer our academic support and to write those letters of recommendation you’ll need for grant and scholarship applications.

Burwick is a professor of English and a faculty in residence in Hedrick Hall.