Colleges and universities across the United States are struggling with student retention and attrition (Derby & Smith, 2004; Jacobs & Archie, 2008; Tinto, 1993). As a result, theoretically supported interventions designed to encourage retention and persistence are needed. The purpose of this study was twofold: (a) to intentionally create…

Over the years researchers have attempted to gather information on outdoor orientation programs. Past researchers used different sampling techniques to locate programs, but all concluded more outdoor orientation programs probably existed than they were able to find. In the fall of 2005, a research group for the present study set out to create a…

The students' first 3 weeks of college are spent becoming more familiar with one's self in the unfamiliar environment of America's wilderness areas. (NQ)

The Penn State Libraries' Open House activities for incoming students find Access Services staff extending beyond their everyday routines to creatively help relieve students' fears of the library and understand how Access Services can help them. Serving on the Access Services Open House Committee offers staff many opportunities for development as…

This article describes a summer orientation program used by a liberal arts college in New York. This orientation program utilized the systems approach as most appropriate for the development of a personalized humanistic orientation for newly admitted students. (Author)

A school orientation program was developed to: (1) create a positive base for home-school communication; (2) provide parents with some information related to school entry skills; and (3) provide an initial positive school experience for beginning students. (Author)

Intramural sports activities are used as an integral part of the freshman orientation program at Belmont Abbey College. The program organization and success are briefly described. (JMF)

This "back to school" edition of College Connection features ideas and success stories from academic libraries that have welcomed first-year students in creative ways. Many libraries participate in campus orientation initiatives in order to introduce new students to the library as a welcoming place with helpful staff. These events can set a…

Freshmen Pre-Orientation Programs (FPOPs) can be powerful outreach tools for incoming college students and provide an exciting introduction to the field of engineering. The benefits reach not only the first year students, but also the upperclassmen who help to run the programs and the departments that sponsor them. A family of three engineering…

Describes an optional orientation program which provides a week-long live-in experience, along with a host of opportunities and experiences that support entrance into the university culture. (Author)

This article discusses the initial development tasks that greet the student making the transition from school to college. A three-session, structured group program is outlined for helping the new student meet these tasks systematically rather than haphazardly. (Author)

The data suggests the program was successful because it made a big, impersonal university familiar to parents and because it lessened their main fears that their son or daughter would not succeed. It showed them that academic and social success are probable, that there are people and services well-equipped and ready to help all students. (Author)

This article summarizes a junior college's early failures in attempting to develop a viable student orientation program, outlines the planning strategy that eventually led to success, describes the program that resulted, and presents descriptive data regarding the results. (Author)

This publication discusses the value of orientation programs for new school board members and examines various possibilities for the structuring and presentation of such orientation programs. Approximately half of the publication is devoted to presenting examples of orientation programs and materials used by five state and local agencies that…

A three-day program at the College of the Holy Cross (Massachusetts) was developed to address low retention rates for African-American students meeting the usual predictive criteria for academic success. It familiarized students with the college, allowed them to meet significant college community members, and assisted in adapting to academic…