Literature on faculty relationships with new students (freshmen and transfers) as it relates to orientation programs is reviewed, and an experimental Brigham Young freshman mentoring program and its outcomes are discussed. Short-range goals were achieved, students were positively influenced, and program continuance was supported. (MSE)

Reviews retention research and examines programs that use freshman orientation courses and student leadership development as components in aiding retention. Concludes that overall awareness of university and its resources and integration into academic and social aspects of college life seem to be key factors in student retention. (Author/ABL)

A sample of 3,484 incoming first-year students at a large, mid-Atlantic University were surveyed to assess a variety of attitudinal and behavioral variables pertinent to the college experience. The current study focused on how student value system orientation, or the degree to which values are open or closed, related to key aspects of college…

A quasi-experimental design using four matched groups of 88 students each of entering college freshmen investigated the question of whether increasing exposure to different types of orientation programming would have any effect upon freshman academic performance and reaction to college. The types of orientation included: (1) traditional…

An optional summer explorientation program for new students at York College, Pennsylvania, is described, and a literature review and York College survey results are presented. The program is designed to orient students to campus life and provide exposure to campus facilities, faculty, administration, and other students. The literature suggests…

The 1974 Survival Week Program was an orientation program designed for entering minority and economically disadvantaged students at the University of Texas at Austin. The major purpose of the program was to assist the participants in acquiring the knowledge and skills for academic, financial, emotional, and social "survival" in a complex…

Prior to their attendance at a summer orientation program, 339 students were mailed their own student profile, materials for its interpretation, and information on factors important in academic choices. A control group of 321 students received no mailed materials. Both groups subsequently participated in a standard orientation program, in which…

Answers on questionnaires returned by students and parents attending orientation sessions held by Cornell University are discussed. Questions dealt with feelings about the purpose of a college education, the advisability of attending graduate school right after graduation, important factors in selecting one's first job, etc. (EAK)

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)

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)

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,…

Followed the progress of eight cohorts of first-year college students taking an orientation course between 1986 and 1993. Found that, compared to students who did not take the course, they fared significantly better in retention, graduation rate, grade point average, and other satisfaction, participation, and skills measures. (EV)

This volume contains a compilation of 68 abstracts by presenters from various nations at a 5-day conference on the first year college student experience. Among the topics considered were: advising and assessment programs; preparing freshmen for work, family, and private life; integrating reentry women in the college community; evaluating…

THE USE OF THE COLLEGE ENTRANCE EXAMINATION BOARD TEST FOR PLACEMENT IN FRENCH AT THE UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN IS OUTLINED. A GENERAL STATEMENT ON CUT-OFF SCORES IS FOLLOWED BY PLACEMENT STATISTICS FOR OVER 1,200 STUDENTS WHO TOOK THE TEST DURING SPRING AND SUMMER OF 1966. TEST PERFORMANCE, COURSE SELECTION, AND NUMBER OF YEARS OF HIGH SCHOOL FRENCH…