ORIENTATION 101 THE BASICS OF OTR & AN INTRODUCTION TO NODA Denise L. Rode Director, First-& Second-Year Experience Northern Illinois University Abbey Wolfman Assistant Dean of Students & Director of New Student Programs University Of Illinois Urbana-Champaign 1

Mission: The mission of the National 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. 2

NODA tidbits First meeting was December of 1948 (24 delegates from 6 states) NODA was chartered in 1977 Organization is governed by a Board of Directors made of volunteers from within membership Membership is separated into 9 regions 3

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 members Conveying 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 Students Veterans Others? 5

Orientation program models One day (Summer) Multiple day Summer (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 models 6

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 partnerships 7

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 Committee Be willing to meet individually with stakeholders Find ways to get faculty buy-in/support Off-Campus Partnerships 8

Items to Consider: Evaluation CAS Standards Learning & development outcomes Program satisfaction Follow-up evaluation Focus groups What’s driving the bus? Satisfaction vs. Learning/Development Outcomes 9

What are the purposes of “transition” focus? First-Year Initiatives may include: Welcome Week Convocation Mentoring Common Reading Programs First-Year Seminars Other resources Websites Handbooks Program series 10

I NTENTIONAL T RANSITION INITIATIVES “ FRONT - LOAD ” THE FIRST Y EAR Regular communication with prospective students set realistic expectations; Comprehensive assessment at entry; Orientation 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 courses 11

What are the reasons for focus on “retention”? Federal, state and local governments, as well as governing Boards 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 include An 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 C OMPREHENSIVE R ETENTION P ROGRAM INCLUDES : Assessment Orientation and Transition programs Academic integration Advising First year success course Collaborative learning environments Academic support services Frequent and rewarding student/faculty contact Social integration Peer networking Involvement in campus organizations Support groups Community service Referral to campus resources and follow-up on referrals Enhancing a campus- wide sense of community, connections and relationships 13

NODA Resources Conferences Annual and Regional Networks – 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 Program Consulting services assessing organizational strengths while identifying opportunities for rejuvenation and change 14

NODA Home Office University of Minnesota 2829 University Avenue, Suite 415 Minneapolis, MN Toll free: NODA or NODA(6632) (fax) 15