Orientation
Orientation is the most important summer program that assists incoming students and their parents in transitioning to the university experience. Academic information and placement testing, university success strategies, discussions with faculty members, administration, staff members, and student leaders, various presentations about university resources, and interactive activities, all assist in developing a comfort level that can be gained only by participation in orientation. Meeting and getting to know other incoming students and parents is also an integral part of university enculturation. Multiple orientation days are scheduled each summer in June and July.
New transfer students have the option of participating in the one-day orientation, a Transfer Day that is an individualized approach to meeting each transfer student’s particular needs, or both. Transfer students receive a Transfer Credit Evaluation (TCE) at a meeting with a transfer specialist and a meeting with his/her academic department advisor. In addition, a student guide orients each transfer student to any and all areas of interest at the university.
To continue to provide new students with the information and resources needed for a smooth transition to university life, fall orientation, a three-day and evening event, provides a variety of activities, educational sessions, group discussions, and social opportunities over Move-In Weekend in August. Reminders from summer orientation and new topics that are designed to enable new students to successfully fulfill their university responsibilities are held. Culminating fall orientation is Academic Convocation, the formal opening of the academic year for new students, followed by a picnic and the first mentor-mentee program of the fall semester.
Student orientation leaders serve as mentors for new students during their first fall semester at the university. Students who enter the university in the spring semester participate in a one-day orientation program in January. For further information, visit 403 Normal Street or call at 570-422-2862.