I agree with Dave and Bonnie. The students feel more comfortable when they meet their future teachers, see the rooms, and have some interaction with the teaching staff as a whole.
This is so important, Bonnie, to make that connection between the new student and the various departments throughout your school.
All departments are involved in our new student orientations. Financial Aid introduces its members and the director talks briefly about FAFSA, etc. Career Services introduces themselves and discusses placement and companies who hire our graduates. Student Services give the student information on our free resource services that provide professional assistance and resources to help resolve issues that interfere with thier school success. Of course the education department is there throughout the orientation. Specific program coordinators, instructors, and deans are there to assist students with questions about their academics. I would say all of our departments have considerable interaction with the students so they are all involved in the Grad Preview.(orientation)
Many times, during students' visits, the new-recruting rep will bring the students by my room to introduce them to me.
I will sometimes have them speak with class or vise versa; permitting the classroom students to tell themw what they like about the school. Always seems to work posively.
We also use a Mentor Program for new students. They seem very pleased that the school employs the effort to follow up with them individually.
Patricia--
I understand that the medical students have additional information that is needed...and I really like that they are brought together and also meet with the program director. Do you something similar for the others?
Susan
We already utilize a team approach when we work on orientation. We introduce all departments to the students. This includes Financial Aid, Admissions, Career Services, Student Services, administrative staff, Program Chairs, and student organization advisors. This helps the students become familiar with all of the faces, and they will feel welcome upon arriving to school on their first day.
In our school, the education office interacts alot with our students. Finacial aid is another. During orientation each of the departments have members representing them. For the medical students they will go throught the orientation and then they will meet with the program coordinator to order their uniforms, fill out paper work, and ask quesitions.
Tyson--
Great point about financial aid. They get to know a great deal about students and, as you point out, play a large role in making sure the financial stress of college tuition is resolved. This can play a huge role in retention.
Susan
I think that the financial aid department definately has an impact on the student. They also have a very important job regarding funding the student's college experience which can weight heavily on student minds. If they have a bad experience in financial aid, it just makes the positive experience a little more challenging.
Academics probably has the most interaction with the student. Each of the department heads speak with the students during orientation, as well as the each one of the Deans. The registrar also speaks with students during orientation. I liked the idea of a "field trip orientation," where the students attending orientation are on a sort of scavenger hunt attending orientation, instead of everyone coming to the students. It also let's the new students explore the school for the first time, which can be very exciting.
Our admissions is strongly developed by enrollment coordinators, and our student services is the back person who students are turned over to for retention and continuous follow-up, we highly encourage our enrollment staff to continue follow-ups and build a relationship for student success.
I would say that Student Services and Financial Aid have the most interaction with students. Student services usually plan a short activity with the students when they introduced themselves to the student body. They also help the students located their books in the bookstore and make sure they have their photo IDs.
I think financial aid and the academic department. Students should be aware of the financial responsibilities and opportunities for support in higher education. Unfortunately to date, I have not really addressed this area in my classroom orientations. However another area would be the academic department. I continually advise my students to check their academic progress/next steps for registration with their respective advisors.
We have one or two of the admissions reps greet our students and have them check in. We do a quick power point with the dept directors (admissions, Executive Director, Career Service, Financial Aid, Business Office, Education). Then we do a break out session by program with the students and their Program Chairs (so they can meet and greet the students, talk about expectations, answer questions, get them excited, etc). We then have a 'passport' that the students take to each department to ensure their file is complete and someone signs off. Before the students leave they pick up their scrubs or uniforms so they are ready for the first day.
Diane--
It sounds like they are very energetic! Great job on also including alumni. That's a wonderful addition. I also really like showing the graduation ceremonies. Nice touch!
Susan
Clearly all departments are engaged in Orientation.
Staff and alumni engage in activities at various stations. Popcorn and candy stations are very popular. Live streamings of the graduation ceremonies play during orientation in the hall ways.
Tours are given of the building and various rooms.
Our orientations are very energetic!
The faculty has daily interaction with the students. At our school the department directors and faculty meet and greet the students at orientation.
During orientation we have every department in attendance to introduce themselves and talk briefly on how their jobs interact with the student. Academics plays the largest role which includes the learning resource center and the actual faculty. Financial aid reps, student accounts, career services, and student services are all there to help out and show support.
Education Department.We have direct contact with the students.
Stacey--
You are correct, everyone plays a key role. From the President to the night custodian, students will gravitate to different people at different times.
I really like your having students and graduates included!
Susan
