STRIPES welcomes incoming Tigers

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By Rachael Lundy

The Student Tigers Rallying, Interacting and Promoting Education and Service Program (STRIPES), a division of the Center for Student Leadership & Involvement, has been busy these last few weeks welcoming incoming freshmen and transfer students to LSU’s massive campus. The STRIPES organization understands that the transition from high school to college can be difficult, especially when the college is as large as LSU where more than 30,000 students attend.

“STRIPES is an optional program and goes beyond what incoming students learn at orientation,” explains the LSU STRIPES Web site. “Freshmen who participate in STRIPES are exposed to LSU through activities such as in-depth campus tours guided by current students and breakfast with the provost and deans of various LSU colleges.”

This program offers more to these incoming LSU students than tours and dining. STRIPES tries to instill a pride in the University by explaining the history and traditions of LSU. It’s essential to know that all LSU students should take pride in Mike the Tiger, LSU’s mascot, while incessantly yelling “Tiger Bait!” at anyone unfortunate enough to be tailgating for an opposing team.

STRIPES also familiarizes students on LSU’s customs, because, simply put, no LSU tiger is complete without knowing how to sing the infamous Fight Song or LSU’s Alma Mater, which are both played religiously at every LSU football game.

More importantly, STRIPES is a program that gets students acquainted with each other and with the campus that is soon to be their home away from home.

“STRIPES is a transition program for incoming freshmen,” said Andy Palermo, STRIPES executive staff representative. “It’s a four day and three night program where incoming freshmen or transfer students get placed in a small group with two student leaders and they learn about the history and traditions of LSU. In their small group they participate in different activities that build team unity and build a love and pride for our great university.”

Although STRIPES is an optional program, it exists to benefit all incoming students by familiarizing them with LSU’s campus life. LSU encourages all those coming to LSU, whether it is as an incoming freshman or a transfer student, to attend these sessions in order ease the transition from high school life to the life of becoming an LSU Tiger.

Originally Published: Issue 701 - August 19, 2008

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