Does anyone know if during the New Student Orientation specifically for the Honors College Program, have separate programs for students and parents on the first day? Was just wondering if the students and parents go off on their own for the day. Their seemed to be a different program for listed for the students and parent/family intinerary. And if so, does anyone have any prior knowledge from years past at what time do they separate, info on pick ups for the second day, etc. I’m sure all of this info can be explained with a simple phone call but I wanted to ask the knowledgeable and helpful folks here first. Thanks!
This is a copy of something I posted last year - mostly from a parent’s point of view
We just finished a 2 day Honors Orientation. Check-in went well in Cole. Parenets and students checked in through different lines. Everyone got info folders and name tags. The Health forms were turned in by the students. There was coffee, OJ, bagels and cookies.
A little before 9, we were all lead to the Stamp. Dr Dorland welcomed everyone. They showed a short video and Dr Dorland discussed several noteworthy past Honors College graduates. It was a good talk.
The kids were then lead away in groups by college, ENGR, BUSINESS, CMNS, etc. Each group had 2 Orientation student leaders. Some had multiple groups, i.e ENGR. That is the last time parents and students are together until pickup the next afternoon.
The parents then had a talk about academic adivising and class schedule from Dean Hebert. Dean is his name, not his title. He talked about the schedules students want (all classes between 10 and 2, on Tuesdays and Thursdays only) and what they usually get (8:30 am every day). He explaine AP/IB credits and class waitlists, and how they hold some Honors seminar seats for Freshman only. It was a good talk.
Then it was time for lunch. We walked to the South campus dining hall. The choices were: salad, chicken, deli, pasta, pizza, and soda to drink. It was about what you would expect.
At 12, we walked to the Biology building, in the same groups that the kids were split into, with the same Student orientation Reps, and we were able to ask them anything we wanted. Question ranged from dorm roommates to dining plans to playing musical instruments.
All the different groups of parents were in the same lecture hall.
Then there began a seires of 20=30 minute presentations on a variety of topics: Counseling services for stidents - bottom line, it is protected by patient-doctor privelege and they wont talk to you about it; Parent and family affairs - bottom line, they are there to support you and your kid, but there is a Federal Law, FERPA, that prevents them from sharing any info with you, even if your kid is only 16, unless the student grants you a waiver and gives you a PIN for access; Health Services - You can apply for a waiver from the University health plan, but it MUST be done online and you should check to see if the University Health Services are in-network for your insurance. They offer a lot of services; Billing - your student must add your email to the billing notifications and there are 8 and 10 month payment plans that require a paper application to be mailed in; ResLife - nothing really new there - it’s all on the web site; Dining Plans - pick the cheapest one and include TerpExpress; Technology - you can buy laptops and warranties from UMD - MACs or Dells; Safety - very interesting.- presented by the Head of the UMD police force, a former head of the MD State Police and Security Head for the Dept of Homeland Security - the 2 biggest problems seem to theft and drunks. He said thay are not worried about a freshman having his/her first or second beer, but their 10th or 12th beer and getting falling down drunk. In those cases, they call an ambulance ($750 a ride) and send them to a hospital. No arrest, but it may go into their Academic record for all future employers to see, if they don’t complete some on-campus rehab. For theft, they use phones, laptops, and bikes, equipped with GPS trackers to catch the thieves. Also, every vehicle entering the campus has it’s license plate recorded and run through various data bases. There are also hundreds of cameras on the campus. If your kid goes skinny dipping in a fountain, it will be on video tape. The UMD police force is internationally cerified and their jusidicition has been expanded to include the city of College Park - they also have an IED sniffing K-9 unit. The dogs do NOT sniff for drugs.
Then a final Q&A session with Dr Dorland and Mr Hebert.
During the parents afternoon session, the kids are somewhere meeting with Academic advisors and registering for classes. The students also do a lot of touring to get a feel for the campus layout.
Day 2 was a trip to Annapolis. Very Good. Some rain throughout the day. Great Lunch
Thanks @SoofDad…Good info. Do parents who take part in Day two stay at near by hotels, locals just go home and return…how does that work? Also is the Day 2 terp trip all day and start in the morning or afternoon after registration/advising which I read somewhere takes place on day two as well and what if you’re not participating in the Terp trip?
We’re local, so my wife and I just went home and came back the next day. Some parents did stay in hotels near campus. The trip to Annapolis left in the morning and came back early afternoon. I’m not sure what parents did who did not take a trip. I think there might have been a campus tour for them.
Do you recall if you were able to take part in everything like the academic advising and/or registration because I do believe I read somewhere that that took place on Day 2. Also how did they handle parking and I’m assuming if the students check in their luggage at Easton then that’s where they stay overnight or did they allow the to see or stay in their perspective LLC dorms?
Parents are not involved in any advising or registration activities. You will be staying in Easton and your parents can go to the room with you when you check in. You will be told where to park and there are parking permits to print out after you register for orientation. I dont know if you will get to see your LLC dorm or not. My D didnt, get to see hers, but we knew which one it was
Okay thanks for the info…very helpful.
So basically the parents stay away we have to make own decisions and path in schol…however…i will assume that the counselors are very Knowledgable in what they do…so, I want fnid an error of taking a class i didnt need.? I have heard from othere schools
.they advisors dont communicate with other advisors in case the student wants to take 2 majors And the the student suffers
My fate is in their hands…is there a place to look on course catalog and each requirement so ypu can more educated before you meet with them?
@collegenj - here is a link for all the classes offered next Fall. My D said her Advisers at Orientation were helpful and answered all her questions.
@SoofDad, do you think it is necessary for my son to cut senior week short to attend the first orientation session in early June or is it ok to go to the July one?
@jackjenson my daughter had the same issue last year. She was determined to not cut senior week short and the July orientation worked out just fine for her. She got all of the classes she wanted.
They tend to open up additional sections for most freshman classes as they fill, so you probably don’t have to worry about it. With my son transferring, we were sweating it to get into a good Calc teacher’s class, and that teacher ended up not even teaching the class! It usually works out.
@soofdad…thank you for the link…and sorry for those errors in my message…I will never use my cell phone/auto correct while on this board…lol
July should be fine. June just worked out better for us last year
Hi all, is a link to the New Student Orientation program for Fall 2015 already up? Although my son hasn’t made a final decision to attend Maryland, it seems very likely that he will. We’re also local (Baltimore). Thanks.
It just dawned on me that the Terp Trips are just for Parents and Families…the New Students will be spending day two meeting with advisers and working on their scheduling…right? We pick them up at 2:30…right?
@sbhamm Yes, the trips are just for parents. As you said, the students will be doing their schedules. I’m not sure of the exact pick up time though.
Thanks @terpmom7, I was confusing myself. Actually my son had me convinced it was for students and parents until I re-read everything myself.
2:30 was the pickup time, but our D was a little late getting back to the dorm (they were out touring the campus), so it was actually closer to 3 that day/
Thanks and if you remember, was the pickup area at the dorm a problem or did they have you park in one of the garage areas and meet at the dorms?