Evaluated a freshman orientation program at a southeastern research university through questionnaires completed by 1,048 (80%) of the entering freshman class. Responses suggest that students themselves are not sure what orientation programs do or are supposed to do, although they were generally satisfied with the program. (SLD)

Studied the messages being conveyed to prospective students in campus visits and summer orientation sessions at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Findings for 497 prospective students show that the visit and orientation program may be effective, but programs are trying to communicate too much. Findings also show the importance of the campus…

This article compares the standard structural categories of colleges with the "image factors" of the inventory of college activities as predictors of student orientations. The results are that it is difficult to obtain orthogonal "image factors" and, therefore, these factors cannot easily be used in regression equations.…

The ways in which admissions and orientation policies and practices help undergraduates form appropriate expectations for college are examined through examples of 14 colleges and universities, whose recruitment materials communicate the institution's educational purposes and orientation activities affirm institutional values and make students feel…

This study investigates the experiences of mature students across three higher education institutions in the UK. The issues arising are of relevance to academics who are involved in widening participation and in evaluating support in their own programmes for the diversity of students. The sample includes mature students from programmes in Health,…

Student involvement is key factor in this relaxed but useful orientation program for new and returning students at Kenosha Technical Institute. (Editor)

Studied the perceptions of first and second year college students about their preparedness and technical competence at college entry to use the computer and software applications. Survey responses from 338 students suggest that entering students felt better prepared than second year thought they had been, and that all students make gains over time…

This monograph has assembled together student and parent biblioesssays, position papers and reflective commentary from professionals who work with deafblind students. For the students profiled in this monograph, like many deafblind students, access to academic achievement was often met with obstacles due to low expectations, inadequate support…

Data showed that (a) it is possible to design programs that result in statistically significant differences in mean GPA by group and in level of knowledge about a campus, and (b) voluntary withdrawal and academic dismissal are not affected by orientation programs. (Author)

Examined the perceived orientation needs of college freshmen and transfer students (N=527) and whether these needs were met or unmet. Results showed that new students, both before and after orientation, saw academic and career planning as the primary objective of an orientation program. (WAS)

Studied effects of four types of orientation approaches on disadvantaged Black freshmen students' attitudes toward discussing problems with counseling center staff, knowledge of counseling center services, and perceived use of the counseling center to discuss problems in the future. Showed small group orientation the most effective method. (RC)

Reasons for the failure of special programs to help college freshmen adjust to school are analyzed. (JD)

Examines the perceived needs of incoming freshmen on a newly created instrument, the Freshman Survey. The instrument contains four scales with items related to personal/emotional, social, academic, and career needs. Freshmen indicated higher pre- and post-orientation needs on the academic and career scales. Also discusses student needs with…

A focus group was formed at Brigham Young University (Utah) to gain student perspectives on advising services and materials. The approach has helped the institution refine its materials and content to match students' developmental needs, involve students in program evaluation, and improve administrator sensitivity to student needs. (MSE)

Results of evaluating the June 1987 orientation program at the University of North Carolina at Wilmington are discussed and compared to findings of the 1986 orientation program evaluation. Items that were ranked as the four highest and four lowest aspects of orientation are identified. Orientation leader effectiveness is also assessed, along with…