This paper presents a brief history of higher education in United States prisons, and then describes an on-campus education program for ex-offenders at John Jay College. The following topics are covered: (1) establishing and planning the college orientation program; (2) primary objective and ultimate aim; (3) needs and limitations of ex-offenders;…

The design and rationale for the University of South Carolina's required credit-bearing freshman orientation course are described, and ways in which the course offering could be made better are discussed. (MSE)

The freshman orientation process at Fordham College is used to illustrate the processes and advantages of building a sense of community for freshmen, one element supporting successful advising. Among the techniques used was a Values Program, a grouping of courses to encourage learning and stimulate moral development among students. (MSE)

A Southern California orientation program involves a new optometry student immediately by having the student see an actual clinic patient in a college clinic. The program gives students a feeling of belonging to the profession and also demonstrates the relevance of basic and visual sciences to practice. (Author/MSE)

Describes the design and application of the Student Affairs Program Evaluation Process at the University of Nebraska. An evaluation team including students and faculty was set up to study counseling, recreation and orientation programs. Weaknesses and strengths of the process were discussed and suggestions made for appropriate followup activities.…

Describes an economically and educationally effective experimental approach to orientation, developed by the University of Kentucky, involving the creation and implementation of videotapes on topics of interest to freshmen. (NRB)

A program devoted to discussion of a patient and the patient's problems, given to incoming medical students at the State University of New York at Buffalo as part of a three-day orientation, is described. The exercise gives the student immediate exposure to medical-school-level information. (Author/MLW)

Argues that little research has focused on the preparedness of new college students to cope in a technologically driven campus, particularly in community colleges with a large percentage of non-traditional students. Identifies strategies for exposing students to technology during student orientation programs. (Contains 13 references.) (NB)

Suggests that if children's emotional concerns are not met, any attempt at cognitive learning is useless. Describes the Right Start Program, which smoothes the transition from home to school through a school picnic, "let's read" night, class visit, and optional home visits. Notes some possible impediments to implementation such as teachers'…

A telephone registration system for first year students implemented at Alma College (Michigan), involves having freshmen confer with advisors during orientation week, then having the registrar's office contact the advisors. Despite limitations, the low-tech solution works well at extremely low cost. (MSE)

Emphasizes the need to accommodate growing cultural and educational diversity among first-year college students. Describes several programs designed to address freshmen needs including a two-day orientation program; a mentoring scheme; and a course unit to improve teamwork and communication skills, increase awareness of university facilities, and…

A Washington University (Missouri) law school program for new faculty has four elements: a publication, "Things I Wish I Had Known as a New Faculty Member"; orientation sessions on teaching, creating and grading exams, pursuing scholarship, and dealing with law reviews; formal mentoring; and a detailed question-and-answer memo about the…

The process of transitioning from secondary to postsecondary education can be very complex and challenging. Many freshmen students are coming to college underprepared and in need of developmental education. The role of student services is to assist these students and their families with this important transition to postsecondary education by…

While America's two-year colleges are diverse in function, mission, clientele, and organizational structure, they share a common identity in their commitment to a developmental philosophy. A rarely used, but nonetheless tenable and cost-saving path to development involves exploring strategies which simultaneously contribute to faculty, student,…

An orientation course at an Ohio college was designed to help college freshmen adjust to the values of a new living/learning community, using personal journal writing to develop the students' coping skills. Life issues considered essential in adult development theory--identity, intimacy, autonomy, and competency--serve as a background for the…