Joanne,
I am glad you like it. Ours says "We're proud of our instructors." And has a picture of each of them.
One caveat: never let it go out of date. It sends the totally opposite message.
B
Dear Bret: That sound like a geat idea. I think I will try that next mod.
We have a picture board, too. It helps reinforce whatever was said in orientation as to who is who on the instructional staff. It helps them remember from mod to mod also.
B
Matthew--
Excellent! That is the whole point, after all....students see school as a necessary process to get from where they are to where they want to be. Careers, and the lifestyle that provides, are the bottom line for students.
Our FA Officer gives a brief presentation, but urges students with questions to visit her privately. Career Services spends a good deal of time with new students during Orientation. We want to create cause and effect right away -by fully participating in his or her school experience, the students see that the careers they want our waiting for them.
Bret--
Absolutely true regarding financial aid. Students often tell them much more--partly due to the fact they must collect some highly confidential things anyway. Is there some type of formal sharing of appropriate information that would help with retention?
All Departments participate in orientation. Admissions emcees the event, and we have visits by the Executive Director and the Dean. Financial Aid is a big part of our orientation, and because of the personal and confidential nature of the transactions, they often have information about the students' lives that we in education would not. This can help to identify situations we would have to keep an eye on.
B
Our's is similar to this one - with stations for finance, registrar for schedules, pictures for ID cards, and car registration.
Jessie--
I have been in several colleges where they have a bulletin board in major areas with pictures, names and departments noted. Sometimes they set it up in a 'who to see about what' format which seems helpful (e.g. putting down the types of issues students may have and then displaying the photos, names, etc. under those). Don't know how effective that is in a measurable form, but it does seem like a very good idea. Something permanently available to students.
Susan
Currently, our admissions staff greets our students. Then our Director of Education and Campus Director facilitates the orientation. Throughout the orientation we have the students meet with Financial Aid, Student Records (to receive ID card and pictures taken), and one of their instructors.
I have always wanted to include more introductions from the rest of the staff but timing and staff availability has always been a problem. I like the idea of creating a welcome letter. Has anyone tried a handout or pamphlet of staff pictures and bio's? Has this been effective?
-Jessie
Our students receive thier welcome letter after the enrollment process, before they attend the orientation.
Joanne
Do either of you compile individualized welcome packets of some sort?...welcome letters from the faculty/academic division, etc?
We basically use the same format for our orientations as Estelle. We also take them to the bookstore to receive a prepared book bag filled with textbooks, notebooks, pen and pencils, two 3 1/2 floppies, and other materials necessary for a successful first day of class.
By Joanne Bosley Wisdom
We begin our orientation by having students greeted by our student services manager and admissions rep. Students are brought to an area to be seen by FA then are taken to an area to be fitted for uniforms. All during this time, pictures are taken and students are interacting with the education department, business office, FA, career services. After a brief introduction by our executive staff students are separated by discipline where they receive individual orientation by their scheduled instructor. This allows the students to get an idea of the instructior's expectation for the course while students are meeting their classmates all prior to the first day of class.
