Student Services, which include many differant departments is the most referred dept. that I tell students that they can go if they need help,but first I let the whole class know that they can come to me with any questions that they may have and I will help them to the best of my ability.
Karl--
Excellent point. Student Services typically have the most resources to assist current students. It's great that you reinforce this to your class.
Susan
Well let see, I believe we make a point to cover all of the departments that pertain to the students. Some of these include student services, employment services, education facilty, and resorce personel.
As an instructor, I never see the student until they reach my class.
Our other teams, financial aid, housing, employment services, student services, resource center and more, these guys are the best.
We could probably do better if more instructors were involved in the begining processes. Only less than a handfull of instructors are involved in the orientiation process.
Our institution does train instructors on the awareness of student retention and we are also trained to help and guide our students eairly on to support and guide them in all areas.
Brad--
It is often very difficult to involve all faculty in the admission process, whether that is in the admissions interview, orientation, etc.
Some institutions have found it very effective to involve faculty during the admissions process by having them meet with faculty during the interview.
Susan
We have the instructors that asre going to be their first instructors at the orientation. This really allows the new students to see who will be teaching them and stitch the students in.
Our company has an orientation that includes all of our departments. The local employment services makes a presentation on the local job market to make sure that our students have a realistic expection of what to expect. Names are taken and appointments are set for students who need local jobs.
Student Services explains the scheduling process and tells them about the other services they provide. The students are told how to access our counciler, the food bank and the other community services, They try to put the guys who may have transportation problems with a car pool.
The Finacial Aid Department comes in to stress the importance of repling and returning any request for information.
Our housing is also present to explain the process and assist as needed.
Our system works well and the new students show up with a good understanding of what to expect. Most all of the questions have been answered. Our instructors who teach our first course also explain how the student can out to them if they are having problems adjusting to the new school life. We let them know that "education" can grease the wheels because we know where to go with any type of problem.
As an instructor who teaches the first class I would have to say that our new students are preparded and ready to begin their education.
I am proud of how we do it.
Our Program Manager handles the orientations. This is very helpful because it ties managment and the instructors together for a unified effort. The student benefits because it keeps the course requirements consistent.
Financial has a large role with students. However,they are not included in orientation. The Director of Education,the Director of Campus,the Training Supervisor,Career Services is always there.
Davey--
This sounds like an excellent process. Great job!
Susan
Steven--
That is excellent! It is important that the entire institution make students feel welcome and that everyone is there to help them.
Susan
Student Services and Academics have the most interaction. Both departments are available for orientation: Academics are available for scheduling challenges and questions, while Student Services breaks up into several areas on campus: Greeting, Current Student Q&A as well as Resource information, and Student IDs. So Student Services sees them at the beginning, during, and at the end of orientation.
Our education managers visit them and instructors of verrious courses. It gives them the oppertunity to see who they can go to for help and who they might see when they get to a particular class or course.
Eric--
I really like the idea of having other instructors come in so students can meet them. That's a great practice.
Susan
At our campus during the oriention process, FA Financial Aid, Student Services, Empolyment Services , Housing are all present to assit with student loans, reschudule class time conflicts, provide job listing for employment while attending school.Arrange tutoring ectt.I have to say our campus does a very job and helps our students to feel not only welcome but also feel as part of the campus.
we have people from most of the departments that the students use. people from financial aid, student services, employment services, instructors and each of them tell the students what each dept does and the best way to utilize there services. i personally am not involved with the orientation process.
James--
Sounds like you have all the important areas available.
Susan
Student services is key here. They will come into orientation, Kind of meet and greet. Asure them they are there to help,and what they can help with.
At our campus, admissions has the least to do with orientation. The Campus President opens with a welcome and a pep talk. Student Services follows with a 30 minute presentation on their department. Education has a 20 minute presentation on basic policies and procedures and first day expectations. Employment Services ends with a overview of how their department works for the new student. On the second day of class, we bring the students back for "Student Support Presentation". We discuss how to plan a budget, a short questionaire to follow up on any pressing issues and short intros by different support contacts to put a name with a face. This seems to have stomped out some of the initial axiety of the new students and builds a positive foundation of support for their success.
Tim--
This sounds like a good agenda. I especially like bringing them back on day two for the 'Student Support' presentation. This is great timing as they may have already encountered some difficulties.
Susan
