My orientation is similar to James.
Our dean conducts the orientation alone, through PowerPoints, and some advisors hand out materials and literature. However, a few faculty members are available to meet and greet. Student ambassadors give a tour of the library, and building.
Tiffany
Current students, alumni, staff, faculty, and financial aid all play a critical role (other than admissions).
On the first day of class, give a bio of my skills, competencies, and experience. Allow them to introduce themself. Icebreakers aren't just for the first class. Get to know your students on that first day, but continue to break the ice with them throughout the term.
Have an event like a game and do the orientation lecture from the back of the room. Do not make any student uncomfortable but stand right next to the students who are trying to stay far away from you. That's send the message that you are aware and care, setting the tone.
Tiffany
Every department is really involved. Admissions takes a back seat, but they are there. Student services, employment, education, and even the Campus President is there to introduce whatever they do and to help new students feel at ease about their decision to come to school.
Estelle, who are executive staff students? Thanks in advance for your response.
As an instructor, we're not directly involved in orientation. But, we have the most interaction with the students as we are with them 6 hours a day for 3 weeks. Student Services only talks to the students when they need to.
To be honest I have never observed our orientation process but after taking this course I will try to attend the next one.
It is very important for all departments to be involved with the students. That way the students see the school and all the departments united as one team seeing to the success of the students.
Instructors are part of our orientations as well as employment and management staff.
Sean--
Great observation. It is important that the students feel the entire institution is there to help them succeed.
Susan
Every once in a while I get shepard-hooked into a group of new students and barraged with questions. It could be as vague as 'do you like it here' to 'why do you think this is a good program'.
I usually give them a quick run down of my experience of moving through the ranks up to the point of being an instructor, with emphasis on having no regrets for my career choice.
I believe that during orientation Instrutors should be available as a toll and a boost to morale.
Looking back, the students that I have met during orientation often come to find me for other questions, and ask that I attend their graduation.
All of our departments are included in Orientation. We do have greeters who guide students to the various locations, while offering information and answering questions. Students are guided to Financial Aid, Student Accounts, or to get uniforms in different groups. They are then taken to a large room where different department set up tables so that the students can go to them for information. There is much interaction. We also have them sit together to listen to the President as well as the Director of Education at one point. I like the idea of interjecting some games.
I think that using student ambassadors at Orientation is great hope to use more ambassadors at our Orientations because students interact very well with other students.
John--
Wonderful! Obviously, you speak from the heart and they clearly understand that. It is great that they seek you out afterward.
Susan
Orientation is critical in our College. We want the students feeling comfortable to join us. We have the whole process set up to create excitment and understanding of what is our role, including demo and goodies...
usually the Instructors and Chefs have the most interaction with the students.
Other than the Admissions department, the faculty have the most interaction with students during orientation. They are assigned various roles to engage students in learning about the school’s culture, operation and expectations.
The Education department, meaning the instructors, directors, registrars, etc. They are involved by being the greeters. They answer questions, help issue their uniforms, talk to them about when they were going through school, etc.
We make sure we tell them about the value of their education, the expectations, and answer any questions they have.
All departments are a part of the orientation of new students and they are limited to short introductions of themselves and briefly outline the services they offer.
We also have students go from one department to the next for needed materials and location familiarity as a part of the orientaion prossess, this is purposeful and respectfully done so not to put out the student, but to invite them into the fold, this is also semi-guided by student ambassador's in order to help the process along in a timely manner.
Our academic department coordinates with admissions "class days". This open interaction between the new student and the Instructor allows to answer questions directly and from the source. This experience is very beneficial for the new student.
Financial Aid, Student Services, Resource Center, and Employement Services are all part of our orientation process to allow the stucents to become familiar with these people and to help them feel at home, including approachability for open lines of communication and support.
