University President Jehuda Reinharz welcomed Brandeis's Class of 2006 Sunday at the annual Orientation ceremony in Gosman Sports and Convocation Center. He introduced the new students to their new academic home and his own sense of humor. "It feels like commencement," Reinharz said, "if you all make it, we'll see you four years from now."

"We are going to try to provide the kind of environment where ... (the students) can analyze the world around them dispassionately," Reinharz said, speaking to parents of new students.

The president addressed a class of which 43 percent were in the top five percent of their high school classes, a new high for Brandeis. The Class of 2006 is also more diverse, boasting nearly twice as many black students and more Hispanic students as well, said Director of Enrollment Deena Whitfield. The new class also includes 20 percent more international students.

"I hope this class, like every class before it, is going to make an impact on this university," Reinharz said.

The more than 840 members of the Class of 2006, selected from an applicant pool of more than 6,000, listened to the remarks on the floor of Gosman, their parents seated on the bleachers behind them. "Don't call too often -- once a day is probably enough," Reinharz offered to the parents, now ceremonially separated from their children.

The ceremony in Gosman ended for the new students' parents a tiring day of traveling, hauling, and unpacking. The Fishbeins, from New Hampshire, described it simply as, "overwhelming." They, as most parents, however, were impressed with Brandeis's move-in day. "I thought it was terrific," Mr. Fishbein reported. "It couldn't have been more organized in anything."

Ruth and Ron Howard of Sharon, Mass. shared the same sentiment, though they mentioned the length of time they had to spend waiting in queue in the parking lot. "Actually though, it worked out well," Ruth Howard explained, "it would have been a nightmare otherwise. And, once you got to the front of the line, it took only five minutes."

The Fishbeins also mentioned the attitude of Orientation leaders, who helped haul luggage. "They were very hospitable," Mrs. Fishbein said, "every one of those kids made eye contact with you."

First-years then joined their Orientation AIDE groups for the annual New Student Barbeque on Chapel's Field. Hamburgers and hot dogs were served buffet-style to AIDE groups playing ice-breaker games and discussing their new academic home. The long day ended in Castle Quad, with the Sand Castle dance party.

Yesterday, AIDE groups could be seen all over campus, touring the grounds and buildings of the University. "It's beautiful," Avi Asuleen '06 said about her new campus.

"I am so excited to be here," added Deborah Borenstein '06.

One first-year who spoke to the Justice had a complaint. "My orientation leader was a little late," Justin Olen '06 said, "and I was all alone." Olen, however, was not disillusioned with his AIDE group leader or the Orientation program. "It makes you meet people outside your dorm," he said.

Olen was one of the 33 percent of accepted students who chose to enroll at Brandeis this year. Last year, 27 percent of those accepted chose Brandeis. The high yield contributed to the rather large size of the Class of 2006. Whitfield said this would not pose a problem, as the Class of 2005 was smaller than expected. Forty-two percent of those who applied were accepted, which represented a higher acceptance rate than last year's 41 percent, due to a slight decrease in applications.

"There are probably more lofted (three-person double-sized) rooms this year," Whitfield said, because of the larger class.

Reinharz offered a means for new students to vent any anger they held because of the situation. He told the Class of 2006 to come and speak with him, "and harass (him) if need be.