In an effort to inform commuter students of services and programs on a regular basis, the University of Maine at Orono launched a campaign consisting of a newsletter and orientation sessions targeted directly at commuter students. The newsletter included topics of special interest to commuter students such as housing services, ridesharing, child…

A program was developed in the Norwalk, Connecticut schools to smooth student transition between elementary, intermediate, and high schools. It includes spring orientation activities and staggered opening of school in September to give each new class full staff attention on the first day of school. (SJL)

Summarizes the pilot stage of a project that investigated the child-school incorporation process in Great Britain by using action based methodology, and specifically examining four-year-old children in reception classrooms. States that children's adjustment to school is a dynamic process involving considerable stress and argues that policy and…

Presents a multifaceted staff development model for newly hired and rehired continuing education teachers. Describes elements for new hires such as interviews and hiring, orientation, meeting other teachers, mentors, and individual learning plans. Discusses elements for rehired teachers, including formal learning opportunities, communication,…

Examined the effect of orientation in altering concerns of new college students. Measured the change in level of student concern about academics, finances, physical layout, university structure, social integration and identity, housing, and social relationships. Results indicated that overall student concerns were reduced for the seven areas. (RC)

Presents 80 quick activities that elementary teachers can use to get to know their students, reward good work, communicate with parents, brush up on basic skills, spruce up the classroom, pamper themselves, or publicize the school. (SJL)

Behavioral and subjective report measures indicated that some form of undecidedness, tentativeness, or uncertainty about choice of major existed in at least three out of four college freshmen. A two-year follow-up indicated a relationship between uncertainty about major choice and attrition. (Author)

The camera can be a complementary evaluation tool for evaluations of student affairs programs. It is particularly suitable for evaluations designed to portray programs. It has potential as an evocative aid and can clearly be used in reporting results. (Author)

Examines the role of orientation programs from a student learning perspective and reviews current orientation programming practices. Argues that orientation programs facilitate the transition and integration of students into the college learning environment. Describes some exemplary orientation activities which demonstrate the varied aspects of…

Categorizes for college orientation staff a social and academic diversity of developmentally oriented programs and activities offered in terms of their time frameworks: summer or precollege programs, freshman week activities, short-term seminars and workshops, term or semester courses, and year-long and ongoing programs. (ABL)

A survey of 32 college students of color, faculty, and staff involved in related support groups found that the overall university climate remains unwelcoming despite programs to enhance their experience. It is concluded that there is a need to address the level of underlying belief structures of the university culture. (Author/MSE)

Presents an investigation into situational characteristics and their relationship to factors affecting graduate students' judgments of the relevance of information; proposes new student orientation as an exercise in information retrieval; and explains a process model of socialization to meet new students' information needs. (Contains 14…

Evaluated outcomes of freshman orientation seminar on orientation to college. Found college freshmen's (n=113) participation was associated with improved academic and social adjustment, in contrast to normal trend of declining adjustment over first semester. Seminar seemed successful at increasing participants' knowledge of university and…

Argues for adopting the concept of colleges and universities as "total institutions," noting the importance of such characteristics as isolation, activities, location, unity of focused goals, and opportunities for student development. Implications of these considerations and characteristics for student recruitment, admissions, student orientation,…

Incoming college students often find themselves overwhelmed by their coursework. Campus programs, such as cultural education and leadership training, are intended to aid students in their transition to the academic setting but can instead lead to further stress. Without unprogrammed time, students do not have a chance to analyze their thoughts…