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 trial program to improve the quality of liberal arts education gave freshmen students at Pennsylvania State University an introduction to a particular discipline, improved advising, and a college orientation. Results suggest that the program led to more favorable attitudes but no perceptible differences in performance or retention. (Author/CM)

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 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 study examining wilderness orientation programs for incoming college freshmen surveyed 57 program leaders. Findings indicate that most programs supported social over academic goals and that assessment was informal and after the fact. Recommendations include revising stated goals and encouraging faculty participation if student retention is the…

The objective of this research is to find out the problems and expectations of the students in Inonu University (in Malatya, a city in east Turkey) concerning the orientation services. An additional objective is to ascertain whether students' expectations with regard to orientation services differ according to their sex, their place of origin, and…

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…

Acknowledging that college life has changed dramatically over the last 20 years, this book tells parents what to expect as their children leave home. Beginning with the college admissions process, practical solutions are offered for specific problems. Topics covered include: basic issues every family should discuss before the student leaves for…

This report is a followup of Wildcat Welcome Week held at Kansas State University in the Fall, 1968. The report is based on 237 questionnaires correctly completed by new students who attended and participated in Welcome Week Activities. Of the eight sessions which were attended by the largest number of students, five were recreational and three…

Designed an intervention to facilitate the first meeting between student and adviser. During orientation, students were asked to focus on career goals in preparing for the adviser interview, recognizing stages through which students typically pass as they progress through college. Skits were used to demonstrate adviser expectations. Advisers…

The Metropolitan Campus of Cuyahoga Community College (CCC) in Ohio conducted a survey of 239 institutions belonging to the University of South Carolina's National Resource Center for the Freshman Year Experience (FYE) to identify elements of a model program that could be established at other institutions. The summary revealed five key ingredients…