Illustration by Arnie Bermudez

This is day number two of the college experience for nearly six thousand students on the UA campus. For many freshmen, it is the second day of absolute chaos.

From trying to get tuition paid to finding classes, new students are being completely overwhelmed. Many are probably realizing that college is nothing but a collision between what you planned and the reality that you will have to live with.

Your time here at the UA will be the period of your life where you will grow the most culturally, spiritually and intellectually. Before you get crammed with reading assignments and essays, you owe yourself this: Open your mind.

Jessica Lee Columnist

Most importantly, learn to think critically.

Even after one day of class, it is probably evident that many sects of campus are trying to influence you.

Greek rush. Go Christian. Buy this cell phone. Register Republican!

Take a deep breath. And another.

It is important that you, as an individual, take time to think about why everyone wants to talk to freshmen. As a new student, you are fresh bait, a warm body that has yet to give out your address, social security number, phone number or pledge to join a club.

Campus clubs and local businesses need you to increase sales or boost membership.

And some get credit if they convert you to a belief in God.

Besides the array of tents scattered across the mall luring students to sign their private information away for a free t-shirt, the prime example of predatory organizations on campus are the religious clubs.

The residence halls have already been hit by the religious hurricane.

The Arizona Daily Star reported on Sunday that a local Southern Baptist church mailed a Christian-themed DVD to the home address of nearly all the freshmen.

This year, students moving into the residence halls were plagued by religious groups "helping" by moving boxes, holding doors, renting dollies and providing cold water. The Arizona Daily Wildcat reported Feb. 14, 2002 that students felt uncomfortable with the continued pressure some religious groups inflict on students.

"There is nothing we can do to stop them," sighed Juliette Moore, the chairman of Wildcat Welcome Week. While some clubs help out of the kindness of their hearts, Moore added, "We try to prevent them from distributing club materials to the students and infringing religious beliefs on other people. But it is the policing of that that is tough. We can't be there 24 hours."

Pam Obando, associate director of Residence Life, is also concerned. "We don't allow these organizations to officially help (with Wildcat Welcome), sometimes they make the students feel uncomfortable."

Although the Wildcat Welcome leadership warned of aggressive religious recruiting, the same could not be said of all clubs.

Standing near the rear entrance of Arizona-Sonora Residence Hall last Thursday, Gabe Sorensen from the Faith Christian Church felt differently. "We are just here as a service, to help out." Sorenson, a 2001 philosophy graduate, mentioned, "We have no fliers. I don't even have any paper to take students' information."

Ben Notheis from the Refuge Student Ministry was also there to hand out water. "I was glad I was called (by a Christian club) when I was a freshman. I am doing this as a service opportunity to make freshmen feel welcome." Although Notheis, an electrical engineering senior, was handing out fliers to a Refuge barbeque, he felt he was not "soliciting."

Hillel, a prominent Jewish campus organization, rented out dollies to moving students as a fundraiser for their student programs.

Though more entrepreneurial, Hillel Assistant Director Hal Ossman also jumped onto the service bandwagon. "We have been out here every year not only for religious reasons, but to also serve the cultural and other aspects of students' lives."

The first week of school is without a doubt overwhelming, but it is important that all freshman develop an eye for clubs trying to increase their numbers and spread their beliefs.

If you feel that you are being harassed by a religious or special interest club, you have the right to report its behavior to the Dean of Students Office.

The next four years (at least) will not only be a time to learn about a particular focus area, but also a time to develop as an individual.

Discover. Adapt. Make mistakes. Inquire.

But do it for you. Don't let clubs or organizations sway you to join something you are not interested in.

While your main goal here at the university should be to nurture a growing critical mind and to learn a little about everything while you become in expert in something, do not let yourself become brainwashed or convinced to drop your values.

Now that you are out from under your parents' wing, it is time for an independent mind rebirth.

Jessica Lee is an environmental science senior. She can be reached at letters@wildcat.arizona.edu.