Team Approach
The anticipation and excitement on day one should be approached by every staff member, all departments. Credibility is important but continued involvement is equally important.
Our orientation includes our department heads, teaching staff as well as our clinical instructors. It is important for the students to see that we are a team and we are there for them. And if the students have had experience with the instructors in the past, they will see that the same friendly atmosphere continues to prevail.
Joyce,
You bring up a very important point. Many institutions have a cadre of adjunct faculty, many of whom are outstanding and long-term. Adjuncts play the same critical role in the classroom as our full-timers. Involving them in a more holistic way is an advantage for everyone!
Susan Backofen
I agree. However, where possible, I think the adjunct faculty should also be involved in orientation. I teach a class that usually is made up of incoming new students but am not invited to or involved in orientation. I think this would be a definite plus for the students to see me as I am often the first instructor they have. I also have never really spent any time with the admissions people. I probably could take more initiative myself but I think it would be very good if part of the orientation of new instructors is to meet and understand the role of the admissions personnel.
Mary ,
Involvement is probably THE most important. As this course addresses, students who feel connected to the institution via an individual (faculty, staff, other students) are more likely to graduate.
Susan Backofen
