ORIEnTATION 101 THE BASICS OF OTR - PowerPoint Presentation

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ORIEnTATION 101 THE BASICS OF OTR & AN INTRODUCTION TO NODA Denise L. Rode Director, First-& Second-Year Experience Northern Illinois Universitydrode@niu.edu,815/753-6781 Abbey WolfmanAssistant Dean of Students & Director of New Student Programs University Of Illinois Urbana-Champaign awolfman@illinois.edu,217/333-4057

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Mission: The mission of the

Natio

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al Orientation Directors Association is to provide education, leadership and professional development in the fields of college student orientation, transition and retention Core Values: Community, Diversity, Integrity, Learning, Scholarship, Service.

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NODA tidbitsFirst meeting was December of 1948 (24 delegates from 6 states)NODA was chartered in 1977Organization is governed by a Board of Directors made of volunteers from within membershipMembership is separated into 9 regions3

What is the purpose of “Orientation”? Provide students with attitudes, knowledge, skills and opportunities that will assist them in making a smooth transition to a university or college community thereby allowing them to become engaged and productive community membersConveying Information vs. ‘Doing’ There is often this tension between what the priority/primary goal should be…social development, academic development, community development …4

The “purpose of orientation” and the “primary goal or priority” will be different for each different population. Populations for Orientation  First-time, first-year students  Parents/family members Transfer students Graduate students First-generation {students and parents}International StudentsVeteransOthers?5

Orientation program models One day (Summer) Multiple daySummer (most common: two day with overnight)Fall (3-5 days prior to the start of class) Online Off-campus/site  Course registration Registration for classes differs within these various models6

Items to Consider: Who Runs Orientation? Student Affairs, Academic Affairs, or Enrollment Management  Frequently based on skill sets, interests and relationships  Orientation/New Student Programs Office  Frequently continues into transition and retention programming  Other Offices (Counseling, Student Activities, Deans Office, Admissions)Will it be high-profile enough if just ‘another task’ of a busy department? Student Life/Campus Life/University Life Departments All hands on deck… The keys to success are campus-wide partnerships7

Campus-Wide Partnerships - Items to Consider: Building Collaboration/Support Build bridges Strive to make each relationship mutually beneficial Development of a campus-wide Planning/Advisory CommitteeBe willing to meet individually with stakeholdersFind ways to get faculty buy-in/supportOff-Campus Partnerships8

Items to Consider: Evaluation CAS Standards Learning & development outcomes Program satisfactionFollow-up evaluation Focus groups   What’s driving the bus?Satisfaction vs. Learning/Development Outcomes9

What are the purposes of “transition” focus? First-Year Initiatives may include: Welcome Week Convocation Mentoring Common Reading Programs First-Year SeminarsOther resourcesWebsites Handbooks Program series10

Intentional Transition initiatives“front-load” the first yearRegular communication with prospective students set realistic expectations; Comprehensive assessment at

entry;

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entation for students and their parents; Identification of at-risk students early; Focus on “target” groups;Track students and follow up on referral;Peer counselors, mentors and academic advisors are assigned; Foster opportunities for student involvement; Focus on first-year curriculum; Assign best faculty in first-year courses11

What are the reasons for focus on “retention”? Federal, state and local governments, as well as governingBoards are changing “accountability” practices;Rising educational costs;Retention should not be an institutional goal but rather a by- product of improved educational programs and services for students.Characteristics of successful retention initiatives includeAn emphasis on academic excellence, engaged advisement, campus involvement, ongoing assessment, prevention plans, student success, faculty-student engagement, front-loading the first year experience.12

A Comprehensive Retention Program includes:AssessmentOrientation and Transition programs Academic integration Advising First year success courseCollaborative learning environmentsAcademic support servicesFrequent and rewarding student/faculty contactSocial integration Peer networking Involvement in campus organizationsSupport groups Community service Referral to campus resources and follow-up on referrals Enhancing a campus-wide sense of community, connections and relationships13

NODA Resources Conferences Annual and RegionalNetworks – Affinity & Special Interest groups 13 Networks serve the needs of the NODA membership Publications: Orientation Planning Manual, Parent and Commuter Guides, Designing Successful Transitions Monograph, Journal of College Orientation and Transition Peer Resources Databank, Website NODA Consultant ProgramConsulting services assessing organizational strengths while identifying opportunities for rejuvenation and change14

NODA Home Office University of Minnesota2829 University Avenue, Suite 415Minneapolis, MN 55414Toll free: 866-521-NODA or 612-301-NODA(6632)612-624-2628 (fax) noda@umn.edu www.nodaweb.org15