Certain occasions call for pomp and circumstance, but UCLA's New Student Welcome on Sept. 24 called for a different kind of ambience.

That was the consensus of the College of Letters & Science, which - in a noticeable departure from previous years - put together a much more spirited, upbeat, down-home program to welcome the newest Bruins into the UCLA family.

In the past, freshmen assembled at the Los Angeles Tennis Center, where they formally greeted by faculty, deans and provosts who marched in wearing academic robes. But this year's event combined freshmen and new transfer students for the first time - approximately 5,000 students in all - and gathered them into a more spirited venue: Pauley Pavilion.

With the Bruin Marching Band and Spirit Squad working the crowd, a casually attired Brian Copenhaver, provost of the College, walked onto the stage, followed by three presidents - Karren Lane of the Undergraduate Student Association, Jose Munguia of the Transfer Student Association and Laurence Seigler of the UCLA Alumni Association.

"You're the newest Bruins, and I expect you to be the best Bruins ever," Copenhaver told the newcomers. "When you gather for your commencement, what I expect to see in the headlines are your achievements, your prizes and your honors as the smartest, quickest and hardest-working group of graduates UCLA has ever seen."

Rousing cheers also greeted Head Football Coach Bob Toledo. "Take advantage of the opportunities you have here, and give your very, very best effort," he urged.

"I liked what was said about how, at UCLA, they stress holistic learning," said Aaron Johansen, a freshman from San Jose, as he lined up for hamburgers and hot dogs at a barbecue in Wilson Plaza. Student dancers and musicians performed in the background. "It's more than just academics, it's also about understanding people. That's one of the reasons I came here."