Our orientations require all students to visit all of the various school stations, such as career services, financial aid, school director and the appropriate course department head. This practice ensures that all of the potential questions, or non-start factors,are brought to the new student's attention.
Academic Affairs--the entire team is introduced; Librarian, Student Services Manager and Registrar all give a brief introduction of their services to the students. Director of Education, or their designee gives an overview of the student handbook, classroom expectations and addresses an student concerns that might arise. Program Chairs split off with their students to give a more indepth explanation of what the students can expect from their program...
Our President, Director of Education, Program Chairs, Student Services Advisors, and Career Services Advisors are all involved in the Orientation process. Also involved is the bookstore, Financial Aid, and Student Accounts offices as needed. Students must become familiar with all of these individuals/offices so that they are comfortable coming to the appropriate person when needed.
Keegan,
It is wonderful that you include so many faculty. I agree, it helps the students feel more comfortable when they see them in classes. Great job!
Susan Backofen
During orientation we try to have as many faculty members in attendance as possible. This way students will feel more comfortable and familiar when they then see the faculty when they begin classes.
I like the idea of also including current and former students as well.
Department heads and instructors have the most interaction with the students. I think that allowing small groups to have some Q&A time with the instructor will help the students feel better about the career path that they have entered into.
Each department meets with their program director and instructors on orientation day. We discuss what fun things they will learn, activities they will get to do, etc. We also outline expectations regarding program policies. Students get to ask questions and interact with the instructors. We spend about 45 minutes together, then all students for each programs meet as a group where they are introducted to all the other departments.
Linda,
Great! Too often we just tell students the library facilities and resources are available, but don't walk them through how to use these.
Susan Backofen
I always enjoy haveing the recrutiers bring the students around to meet me and our class.
A lot of the other departments are involved with the students, such as financial aid, career services, and faculty/instructors. At orientation the financial aid and career services depts. come in and introduce themselves personally by telling students about who they are, where they're located, and what they assist with and expect from students. Unfortunately we have too many instructors to have them all attend orientation, but the program directors are always involved. Our orientation includes a break-out session where students sit with their specific program director and discuss questions, as well as goals and expectations they will encounter during their time as a student.
Having faculty present at the orientation, may also be an opportunity for students to see who will mentor and grow their careers while in school and ease the first class day jetters.
The people that have the greatest interaction with students are the Faculty or Instructors. Financial Aid, Career Services, and the bookstore departments all have interaction with the students in conjunction with the admissions process. The instructors were recently asked to be more active by attending the orientation and giving general information about the programs. Some Admission representatives also give a tour and ask that instructor who are available tell the students about interesting learning activities they should anticipate if enrolled.
The idea of having student ambassadors is great. I think its great to have the current students and new students interacting with each other. A lot of times students need that positive re-enforcement of their peers to stay on the right track.
We involve all departments in orientation. Admissions greats them and takes them to our student lounge. There we have food and drinks. While they are in the lounge we have student services, academics, business office, career services, and current students in the room to greet and give information. After this, they are split into their programs where they meet with their program directors. They then come back together into a group where Career Services completes the orientation. From there Admissions, financial aid and academics makes sure there are no questions and if there are they are answered as quickly as possible.
Everyone is represented at our Orientations. The directors of each department, Head Librarian, Student Services, Financial Aid, etc. We have an alumni and current student from each department also attending to answer questions after the Orientation during the informal time where we serve the snacks.
On our campus, the chef instructors have the most significant interactions with the student body, so, typically during an orientation session, several chef instructors, while not actually part of the presentation or orientation, will typically attend and interact with the presenter, lending a sense of the chef instructors taking an interest in the students before they even begin classes.
Having accademic advisors, finacial aid representatives and department staff on hand for orientation in very important. Someone to represent each department is very important. If students can find out specific information about the degree or certificate they will be awarded, they are more likely to enroll. Plus they will have feel more at ease when they do start, becuase they will know someone who can help if they need it.
I work in the library. There is a student orientiaton Powerpoint presentation put on by Admissions and the Academic Department, we have a slide in the presentation. We are not involved in the presentation because we are busy taking student IDs and showing them how to access their student portal. All students are required to take a Invest in Success class during their first term. We have a separate library orientation for that class during their first week. We provide information about the library and then walk them through their portal, showing them how to use it and answering questions as they arise.
Career Development is heavily involved in this process. Also the directors for each program for incoming students. Faculty could have a big impact as well but they are currently not involved in orientation. I try to involve Career Service at least some in various classes I teach to help keep the student focused on finishing/graduating.
I am the adviser for Phi Beta Lambda. They are included in orientation by handing out the welcome packets and greeting new students. They answer any questions new arriving students may have on a student to student basis and this helps relieve some fears from incoming students.
The financial department, as well as the registrar and the community services facilitator all have a lot of interaction with the students. Financial aid is essential in order to make sure that the students are getting the aid that they need to purchase their books and cover other expenses, like travel and child care. In my orientation, I make sure to remind the students of the importance of staying on top of their financial aid and making sure that they have correctly completed all of the required paperwork. The registrar office is the place the students need to go incase they show up late for class. The attendance policy is rather strict, and once the attendance roster is turned in, it's up to the student to make sure that they are marked as tardy rather than absent. Also, community services is a vital key to ensure retention. Often, students are unaware of the variety of services that are available to them and often quit or give up for reasons that could have been avoided. In my orientation, I make sure that the students are aware of the different services that are available to them.
