The College is expecting more than 650 families of members of the Class of 2000 for First-Year Family Weekend, which starts today.
The '00 Family Weekend Committee, the 2000 Class Council and Director of Student Activities Linda Kennedy have been planning for this weekend since the beginning of Fall term, according to Thad Glowacki '00, a co-chair of the committee.
"We're prepared for a full weekend," Kennedy said.
This evening, freshman family members will be greeted by College President James Freedman at the opening welcome reception. And later this evening, The Temptations will perform at Leede Arena in conjunction with Freshmen Family Weekend.
"There are a lot of traditional things we're doing this year," Family Weekend Committee co-chair Lizabeth Roberts '00 said. "But there are some things we went out on our own [on]."
A student panel discussion examining "a day in the life of the 'shmen" is new to the schedule this year, Glowacki said.
"We really wanted the parents to get in touch with student life," Roberts said.
"The discussion is an option for parents to see Dartmouth through the eyes of the students."
The families of freshmen will be offered a variety of tours this weekend, in contrast to previous years. A historical tour of the campus will be available this afternoon, and a topical tour of the athletic facilities, libraries and the Hopkins Center is scheduled for tomorrow morning.
Parents have the option of going on early morning walks on Saturday and Sunday in Pine Park. They will also be able to attend a variety of lectures, drama productions and films on Saturday afternoon and evening.
Many freshmen said they are looking forward to seeing their parents this weekend.
Casey Noga '00's mother and stepfather will be visiting the campus for the first time ever.
"My mom's all excited," Noga said. "She and my stepdad have never been able to get off work before, so they haven't been able to visit."
"I'm really looking forward to my parents coming," Anne Murray '00 said.
"I want them to meet my friends and [to] show them what I do at Dartmouth."
Jesse Travis '00 said she and her friends have planned a picnic on the Green with all of their parents, so "they can all meet each other."
But students are not the only ones preparing for the weekend.
"We always look forward to a surge in business," Everything But Anchovies Manager Charlie Dowd said. "We stock up heavy -- extra food, extra staff. We always do very well."
Many of the area hotels, such as the Hanover Inn, the Radisson Inn and the Holiday Inn, are also busy preparing for the weekend.
"We love having the parents," said Claire McNamara, head of accounting at the Hanover Inn.
The Hanover Inn has increased hotel staff as well as the staff in the Ivy Grill in order to accommodate the many parents who will be staying there this weekend, McNamara said.
