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Orientation program prepares incoming students, adapts to campus construction
July 19, 2005 —
Between the construction and the anticipation of increased enrollment for the 05-06 academic year, organization can get a little crazy for the student leaders and planners involved in orientations over the summer.
"There is so much that goes into every orientation that it can be challenging at times to make sure everything has been done," says Lisa Gross, assistant director of the Academic Advisement Center. "Our goal is to make the students feel like SVSU is their new home as well as making sure they are getting the pertinent information they will need.
"I don't think it is hard, but it takes a lot of coordination with other offices on campus and a lot of organization."
Even though there are fewer dates for orientations this summer than in the past, there are still a lot of incoming students attending.
"We currently run 11 Student Orientation Academic Registration (SOAR) programs where we bring in 130 students per day," Gross says.
"In addition to those we have a separate athlete orientation for incoming freshmen. If there are any students from out of state or students who decide to attend SVSU after all of the orientations are done, we hold another program on the Friday before classes begin. We also hold a parents' orientation during SOAR programs separate from the students. We usually get about 130 parents each day as well."
For orientation leaders, keeping track of 130 students is an exciting challenge.
"The hardest part of preparing for orientation is never knowing how the students will behave," says sophomore Crystal Dillard."They are always bored with the speeches and tired after the tests but you never know how they will treat you. Some are nice and some just want to be left alone."
Dillard says she loves being involved in orientation.
"Our attitudes, personalities and everything are showing them how people at SVSU act," she says.
To be an orientation leader, at least 24 credit hours must be completed with a 2.5 cumulative grade point average.
Orientation leaders also need a resume, two recommendation forms, spring/summer class/work schedule, and availability sheet. They interview with Gross, and then 25 orientation leaders are selected.
Since taking her position as assistant director in 2001, Gross has had to take over coordinating orientation, tutoring, and course placement testing.
The program changed its format to become SOAR and according to Gross, they bring more students in during the day, making SOAR "a very effective, efficient program."
To plan orientation, Gross sets the dates a year in advance. Doing this allows her to accommodate scheduling so all the advisors involved can still work in their department during peak times, registration dates and walk-ins or appointment times. Gross also works with IT Services and Campus Events to schedule rooms and computer labs.