IUS Times

New Student Orientation maps the way for success

The theme "From Here you can go Anywhere" was evident throughout campus as 1,092 new students participated in one of six Orientation sessions held on campus this summer. The Orientation graphic identity, developed by Graphic Artist Bob Corum, featured IUS on a local map and carried the travel theme throughout programmatic and printed material to assist new students in getting their bearings about life in college.

"New students are starting a great adventure," said Laure Morris, director of Campus Life, the office responsible for Orientation. "It's our responsibility to assure they're starting this journey on the right foot."

Orientation was revised significantly this year by the Orientation Coordinating Committee, a cross-departmental group consisting of faculty, staff and a student representative. Viewing Orientation as a process and not just the half-day program, the committee developed four key messages to convey to new students through mailed printed materials, a website and the program, and continuing through the First Year Seminar and other communication in the first semester.

It was then the responsibility of the Campus Life staff to develop and implement the mailings and the program, to recruit volunteers, to schedule staffing and to respond to the questions of new students and their parents. "It made for a hectic summer in UC101" joked Morris. "The Campus Life staff functioned as an incredible team," she added.

The half-day programs included new students and their family members, averaging around 350 guests at two programs each month of June, July and August. A volunteer staff of 26 student leaders, newly-recruited Navigators along with Student Ambassadors, assisted with every aspect of the program and provided new students with valuable connections to returning students.

"It takes a village to orient new students," commented Morris. Beyond the leadership of the Campus Life staff of nine full- and part-timers, nearly 50 faculty and staff participated in all six programs, including the deans and faculty of every School, and staff of the University Division, Career Services, Admissions, Financial Aid, the Bursar's Office, and Information Technology.

"And of course, a program of this scope could never happen without the support of critical services like IT, Conference and Catering, Physical Plant, Media Services, Campus Police, the Ogle Center and many individual volunteers, all of whom were incredibly gracious," she added.

A highlight of this year's remodeled program was the Big Red Fest, an activities fair with live music, food and representation of more than 30 of IUS clubs, organizations, office and academic departments. "The Big Red Fest helped to convey the sense of community we have at IUS--it was a very enthusiastic welcome," Morris said.

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