Assessed the freshman orientation program at Stephen F. Austin State University in terms of academic success of participants. Data were obtained for freshman classes from 1986 to 1994, and results of data analyses indicated a significantly higher grade point average for those who attended orientation. (SLD)

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…

Describes Iowa Memorial Union's method for creating its virtual tour, lists equipment and software needed, and offers helpful tips for any institution considering virtual tour development. (EV)

Examined psychosocial development in student paraprofessionals (N=22) in a college orientation program and control students (N=20) who had not been accepted into the program. Found student paraprofessionals exhibited greater gain scores than nonparticipants on interdependence and tolerance as measured by the Student Developmental Task Inventory.…

Examines the relationship between participation in an institution's freshman year experience course and student retention and success. Participating students were found to continue their enrollment to the fall term of their second year at a higher rate, complete more of the first academic year, earn higher cumulative grade point averages, and have…

Ten years of participants in Ohio University's freshman "University Experience" course (an extended orientation course) were compared with comparable nonparticipants on academic performance, student retention, and student graduation. For most years, participants' GPAs, retention rates, and graduation rates were higher. (EV)

Discusses the benefits of a Web-based orientation for international students and suggests means by which academic institutions can best use the Web to support their specific programs and goals with respect to international education. (EV)

Discusses the origins, philosophy, and current status of student financial aid, asserting that this information is important for orientation personnel as they develop programs and promote a holistic view of student success, including how students pay for college. (EV)

According to the Pew Internet and American Life Project (2002), "The Internet Goes to College", all college students began using a computer between the ages of 16-18 and 85% of those college students owned their own computer and had gone online. The Internet had become "a staple of college students' educational experience…a…

This study looks at when individuals consider postsecondary education, how they approach their decision, the different paths they decide to follow, the roles other individuals play in the process, and what information students seek and consider in their decisionmaking. This report focuses on the types and sources of information used during the…

This study examined the necessary elements for the development of a student orientation brochure for commuter students at Mount Vernon Nazarene College in Mount Vernon, Ohio. It reviewed nontraditional and commuter student literature and 10 commuter student brochures and orientation materials from other institutions. The orientation brochure that…

The orientation program of the Georgia Center for Continuing Education at The University of Georgia for nontraditional students has two primary goals. The first goal is to provide information that will help students make a successful transition to college; second, to provide opportunities for students to meet each other and campus personnel in an…

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…