AURORA - Classes at Wells College resume today, and for the first time in the college's history, men are filtering in and out of classrooms on the Cayuga Lake campus.

The historically all-women's college announced last fall that the school would be going coed in order to help boost enrollment and stabilize finances.

The decision by trustees last year to open Wells up to men provoked a weeklong protest during which more than a hundred students camped out in front of the school's administration

building.

Despite the uproar, the college's administrators stood by their decision, and the first men moved on to campus over the weekend.

"Everyone had to get ready for the influx of men, but that is exciting," physics professor Scott Heinekamp said Wednesday.

While many of nbew male students are aware that today marks a historic moment for Wells, they also see their first days as typical college life.

"I always had more girl friends then guy friends in high school," said Andrew Marshall, from State College, Pa. "So it seems the same to me."

First-year student Eric Freel came to Wells from Houston, Texas, to participate in the college's strong creative writing program. Freel's experience so far has been enjoyable.

"So far everyone's been real cool," Freel said. "I am not really worried but I have been somewhat nervous."

Even the female students returning to the school are finding ways to adjust and are ready for the start of classes and the changes that are taking place.

"At first I was upset; I mean I was heartbroken," sophomore Caitlin Pratt said. "But I would rather see Wells succeed than go dead, and for that I am willing to deal with the change."

For the last four days, the Wells College graduating class of 2009 has been kicking off their college careers with a rather ambitious orientation. The week was spent getting to know one another and learning about college life. The incoming class was divided up into four color groups that took turns rotating through a number of seminars and workshops.

"During orientation, incoming students familiarize themselves with the campus and learn about Wells," said Stacy Sharpe, orientation coordinator and Wells graduate. "It has been a crazy, fun, hectic time."

In addition to taking a swim test and math placement tests, students have been meeting with professors and selecting their courses. One of the workshops gave incoming students clues about different Wells' traditions and filled them in on what there is to do on campus.

"We are very tradition-oriented," Sharpe said. "But we only gave them clues to help them know what to look for."

To help deal with some of the changes the college is undergoing, students also participated in diversity and problem resolution workshops.

"They had us all do ice-breaking activities to get to know one another," Marshall said. "It's been fun and busy, a little goofy, but it has also helped settle our nerves a little."

A number of first-year students flooded the campus bookstore to pick up their required textbooks Wednesday. Marshall joined fellow classmate Shilvonne Miller, of Detroit, in the search for their books.

"I am a little nervous because I don't know what classes will be like," Marshall said. "I think that is the part that is a little bit scary."

The Associated Press contributed to this report. Staff writer Ashley

Lipsky can be reached at 253-5311 ext. 235 or ashley.lipsky@lee.net