Orientation: An Organizational Function Of Student AffairsDiana TienAntonio BanksEDAD 521

Overview Of Presentation

•What is Orientation•What Must/Should an Orientation(s) do

according to CAS Standards•Profile of UCI and CUSF Orientation(s)•Major Components of The Orientation

Functions Of Orientation Programs According to CAS Standards•CAS Standards believe that Orientation

Programs(OP) regardless of institution should(PG. 267):▫Facilitate transition of Students Into the

institution▫Make students aware of their new educational

opportunities as well as their responsibilities▫Integrate students into the intellectual, cultural

and social climate of the institution▫Support parents, partners , guardians, and

children of the new students

Functions Of Orientation Programs According to CAS Standards

▫Enhance overall educational experience▫Mission of the orientation must match the

mission statement of its respective university Orientation Coordinator Serena Cline States

that each of their respective orientations implements what should be apart of their programs according to CAS

Orientation staffCSUF UCI

Meet The Staff• Larry Martin, Associate

Dean of Students • Serena Cline, Senior

Coordinator• Annabelle Cariaga,

Coordinator• Susan Amdahl,

Administrative Support Coordinator

Meet The Staff• Jill Halvaks, Director of

New Student Programs• Mike Knox, Assistant

Director of New Student Programs

History of OrientationCSUF UCI

• Began With School’s Opening

• Part of Academic Affairs until the 70s

• Was not made mandatory until 2004

• Comprised of Three Separate Programs▫ New Student

Orientation▫ Transfer Student

Orientation▫ Parent Orientation

• Orientation was always a part of student affairs, from the time UCI opened to present day

• Orientation was an optional program until the early 1980’s

• Comprised of Two Separate programs▫ Student/Parent Orientation

Program (SPOP)▫ Transfer Student

Orientation (managed by individual schools/academic units)

CSUF Types of Orientation:New Student Orientation•Mission of the Orientation•Orientations are mandatory for incoming

freshmen students•Must spend a day on campus getting

acclimated to various resources that they can take advantage of in their academic career

•Part II Optional ▫Expand on Student Services

CSUF Types of Orientation :Transfer Student Orientation(TSO)•Designed to ease the transition from

student’s previous institution to CSUF•Encouraged to complete upon

transferring; must be completed before the second semester begins.

•Three different ways to complete the orientation:▫Full Day($55), Half-Day($35), Online(Free)

CSUF Types of Orientation:Parent Orientation•Strictly Online Based:•Has presentations on such topics as:

▫CSUF 101- Overview of University’s Structure; listing of Academic and Student Affairs departments

▫Academic Expectations- Presentation on various academic topics relevant to students and how parents can assist in achieveing these expectations

▫Student Health and Safety▫University fees- helping to understand what the

students are paying for

UCI Types of Orientation: Student Parent Orientation Program (SPOP)• Orientation is mandatory for all new incoming

freshmen students. Last year, 96% of all incoming freshmen attended a SPOP session.

• The orientation program is a 2 day/1 night program, that includes spending one night in a dorm hall.

• The first day consists of mandatory academic advising and class registration in the student’s school/academic unit.

• The second day focuses on student services that the University offers.

UCI Types of Orientation: Transfer Student Orientation•All transfer students are mandated to attend

an academic advising session with their respective school. Academic units will go over all degree requirements, University regulations and other school specific policies.

•There is no fee for this program.•Academic advising sessions usually run for

half of the day.•Students will be able to register for their

courses on the same day.

UCI Types of Orientation: SPOP (parent portion)

• Parent sessions will begin on day 2 of SPOP.• Parents get an overview of laws that guide the

University such as FERPA and the Clery Act.• Financial aid officers are also present to answer

questions about their student’s aid packages• Housing, admissions, disability student services,

etc. also run information sessions for parents.

Components of CSUF Orientation

•Who Makes Orientation Possible At CSUF?▫The New Student Programs Office▫The Academic Affairs Departments▫The Student Affairs Departments▫The Trained Orientation Leaders

Overview of CSUF’s Orientation Specifics•Program has strong ties with each of the

academic and student affairs departments on campus

•Partnerships limited to on campus•Very thorough advising sessions for NSO

Learning Outcomes for SPOP• Assist New Students in Defining Personal and

Educational Goals• Develop New Students’ and their Families’

Awareness and Understanding of UCI’s Values• Provide New Students and their Families with

Knowledge of Campus Resources and How to Access Services

• Foster a Sense of UCI Pride and Connection to the Campus Community for New Students and Their Families

• Build Students’ Commitment to Personal Responsibility

Components of UCI SPOP• Director and Assistant director hire 5 SPOP

coordinators to help plan SPOP• Last year, 140 student volunteers were hand-

picked to assist with staff.• New Student Programs (part of the Dean of

Students) is entirely self-funded and is not given any monies from the University.

• Cost to attend:▫$190 w/linens▫$65 per parent

*scholarships are available for students who qualify for financial aid

Overview of UCI’s SPOP specifics• SPOP works closely with Admissions, Registrar’s,

academic units, campus catering, residential life, etc.• Partnerships are limited to on campus services.• SPOP coordinators are responsible for program

planning for students and parents.• These positions are paid and students are selected

based upon personal characteristics such as the following:▫ Openness to change▫ Innovation▫ Confidence▫ Students are all different, and they have various

backgrounds and degrees of study.

CSUF program challenges•Orientation Leaders Training

▫Cut in time ▫Cut in skills learned▫How will it affect the orientation?▫Are we satisfied with the experience they

have now?

UCI program challenges• The main concern for SPOP is funding. Since SPOP is

entirely self-funded, and the cost of food and housing continue to escalate, the cost of SPOP slowly increases as the years go by.

• SPOP volunteers are trained by the program directors as well as coordinators. In addition to this, the volunteers are also trained by various student affairs officers on campus. Furlough days will impact training, but the director does not cite any great negative impacts.

• With courses being cut, this causes problems for course registration, in particular for large units such as Undecided/Undeclared. Priority registration for many courses are given to students within a respective major.

Student and faculty perceptions•Faculty believe that students come in more

prepared, as they are more aware of degree requirements and the expectations that faculty have of them.

•For students, before school even begins, they have already been able to forge a relationship with some of their peers and the campus. Students cite that they are more aware of campus services and feel confident about their academic and social success.

Other tidbits about UCI SPOP

•Technology has served as a great tool in disseminating information to SPOP participants, academic units and parents.

•There has been more en loco parentis in recent years, compared to years ago. There are more “helicopter parents” today than there were many years ago. This alone is a great challenge for all student affairs professionals on campus.