“We can see it benefiting the students more than hurting them,” said Dean Maraña.

The philosophy behind W.O.A. has always been to provide a bonding experience for students before on-campus orientation begins. There is fear among critics of expanding the W.O.A. program a mandatory would detract from the intimate bonding of the original concept.

“I’m a traditional W.O.A. guy…we’re going to have to be creative if we want to create the same experience,” said Assistant Dean of Students Jim Nauls.

In its tenth year, about 140 students participated in W.O.A.—nearly 50 % of the class of 2011. In order to make the program available to everyone there would have to be several logistical changes in the program to keep the essence and purpose of W.O.A.

For example, Pomona, which has had an orientation adventure similar to W.O.A. provided to all students for several years now, makes concessions to please students less inclined to the outdoors. To that end, Pomona provides the option of a more urban experience trip in Los Angeles.

CMC would likely adopt a program similar to Pomona’s as an alternative to the usual camping and backpacking trips. Jim Nauls and Dean Maraña recognize that it will be a challenge to develop an urban program while also replicating the bonding that they feel can only occur while in a small group in the wilderness.

“If we can make the experience that you guys had [this past year] available for everyone, we’ll do it…it’s going to be challenging though,” said Mr. Nauls when speaking of this past year’s program and the possibility of a mandatory one.

There would be other scheduling issues associated with the expansion of W.O.A. A decision has not yet been made on the participation of fall athletes who are in the midst of their pre-season by the time W.O.A. begins. However, Dean Maraña hopes that something can be worked out.

W.O.A. would have to be moved back a couple days from its usual starting date around August 23rd or 24th in order to compensate for move in day that usually occurs after W.O.A. when the students who did not go on a trip come to campus with their families. This movement of start times could conflict with placement exams for foreign languages or other disciplines.

Despite the need for a few tweaks to an expanded W.O.A. program, Dean Maraña is optimistic that it will be possible in the coming years. “If funding comes through, we’ll make it work.”