<p>Hmmm. Guess I like your idea of tossing a few in their faces. Ha ha. She does already know how to fend for herself and let guys know. But in this day of excruciating political correctness, I still think this little stunt could even be classifed as mildly in the "sexual harassment" category, if it made female students uncomfortable.</p>
<p>Yeah it could. Throwing out condoms is saying here you go, have fun, we know what you college kids do. I think it should stay personal, go buy your own damn condomns of go to the health office and get some free ones. Promoting safe sex is still promoting sex.</p>
<p>My school had a mandatory two day orientation in the summer though it was largely useless. It was a bunch of boring presentations about random college related things, nothing really useful. Though there was a pretty funny musical put on by our group leaders about STDs and other sex related topics. Haha. On the second day we registered for classes. I guess overall I had a pretty positive impression of the school (except for the dorm, but I won't be staying in the one we stayed in) despite how boring it was for most of the time. We also have a week before classes start where we really get oriented to campus, though.</p>
<p>My son's orientation was terrific. I was held the week before classes started. The kids and parents arrived, moved the kids in. The kids met their roommates, suitemates and "entry-mates" meaning the group that they would live with under the auspices of two junior advisors. From day-one they had a group to hang out with.</p>
<p>There was a day of events that included parents then we cut out, leaving the kids to bond with their group. Those that chose to went on an overnight camping trip. There were other events for the nature-adverse. All in all it was one of the best aspects of Williams. For my son, a really wonderful start.</p>
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Are we not talking about two different things? Summer orientation does not replace a more traditional, settling-in freshman welcome orientation at the start of school. For all the kids I know, the summer thing is optional, a chance to meet with advisors and sign up for classes, kind of an extension of accepted students' day. Are you guys saying that some of you had a summer orientation and now your kids will arrive in August the day before classes begin??
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<p>In our case D is dropped off on a Saturday and classes start on Tuesday. For the parents it's a true drop off - there are no more orientation sessions, welcome speeches by administrators etc. For the students the summer orientation is not optional, although they had one of about half a dozen weekends to choose from. It was also the time they met with their advisor regarding their schedule - so that was important. Of course there are still other welcome week activities the first week on campus, orientation to the dorms, club activity kick off events etc. but it's not in place of orientation.</p>
<p>Roshke,
Our kids must be at the same school. I heard they're thinking of changing orientation to August the week before classes start, but those changes will certainly be too late for us.</p>
<p>My S's small private school has orientation the full week before classes start. He is also attending the optional (and extra cost) 2.5 week wilderness experience that they offer for incoming freshmen. That ends two days before the included orientation starts. </p>
<p>I was kind of nervous reading many of these posts, but I have a good feeling about my son's orientation.</p>
<p>I've seen this question often in this discussion, why have a summer program when all accomplished during orientation can take place a few days before classes start?</p>
<p>As I mentioned before, I work at a mid-sized private school (we have about 1700 first-year students). Having a summer orientation, capped at 250 students, introduces them slowly to the new college environment. They are each assigned an orientation leader (10-20 per group), who guides them through the schedule. These smaller groups really allow students to make connections. We do have sessions specifically, though not exclusively, for certain majors, honors college, and athletes, though the sessions have a good mix of different students.</p>
<p>Advisement and registration are perhaps the most important aspects of any orientation program. We have an advisement center, and all undergraduates are assigned an adviser in the advisement center, as well as faculty advisers. It would be VERY difficult to advise all 1700 new students the few days before classes start. Not to mention, faculty will often not come to campus before the first day of classes (in most, though not all cases, this is true in my experience.) It is also VERY difficult to get faculty participation during the summer, so those available to advise during the summer are only a small portion of the faculty, therefore limiting the number of advisement staff available to advise students. It is also a financial issue hiring faculty to advise in the summer.</p>
<p>The other issue with programs that are at the beginning of the semester, there is also an issue of retention and accountability. Again, we keep a VERY tight lid on students attending our summer program- they are not allowed to leave campus during the 3 days they are here, and if they do and are caught, it is a judicial issue. Also since they are not registered students until the last day of orientation, they are considered guests of the university and we take their safety very seriously (my staff is on duty until a late hour by the only un-alarmed exit in the residence hall.) Also because of their small orientation groups, it's noticeable if they are missing. In the fall, there are more students here all at once, and how can you guarantee that 1700 students are attending programs? Also, once it hits day 3 of a fall program, student participation drops off dramatically.</p>
<p>We have a Week of Welcome in addition to summer orientation. New students, freshmen and transfers, move in on a Thursday, upper class students on Saturday/Sunday and classes begin on a Tuesday. We offer trips to local points of interest, sporting events, conference style information sessions and many other opportunities for them while they adjust to campus these few days before classes start. </p>
<p>I hope this answers some questions. I'm trying to find some stats for you regarding orientation and retention. So hopefully I will be able to get back with some of that information.</p>
<p>Orientation is not the real world the kids will be entering. It is disappointing that it was not as expected, but I would be more concerned if the problems continue or crop up as the year truly starts. My oldest enjoyed orientation week too much and had problem adjusting to the true nature of the college.</p>
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I have a hard time believing orientations are for the students. At least in my (admittedly narrow) experience, it's for the parents.
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Doesn't dovetail with my experience at large State U where it was student-only. And I understand why a school with 5,000 entering frosh holds multiple sessions; its the only practical way to give a semblance of personal attention. While summer orientation is not like being a student in the fall, it is a time to get across important information and help the kids understand what it takes to transition to college.</p>
<p>Although the events may be for students only or mostly for students, the events may exist so that parents are relieved that kids are enjoying themselves and not getting the cold plunge after a summer off into academics. As I posted before, my kids loved the orientation activities. It was the reality of the academics and schedule that was hard to take. So don't exhale just because your kids are loving their first week of school when they are doing the wilderness bonding and partying and having fun getting to know their fellow freshmen. Wait till those exams hit at the end of the term.</p>
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Advisement and registration are perhaps the most important aspects of any orientation program. We have an advisement center, and all undergraduates are assigned an adviser in the advisement center, as well as faculty advisers. It would be VERY difficult to advise all 1700 new students the few days before classes start. Not to mention, faculty will often not come to campus before the first day of classes (in most, though not all cases, this is true in my experience.) It is also VERY difficult to get faculty participation during the summer, so those available to advise during the summer are only a small portion of the faculty, therefore limiting the number of advisement staff available to advise students. It is also a financial issue hiring faculty to advise in the summer.
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<p>orientation101:</p>
<p>Your explanation can basically be boiled down to: "We don't have the resources to give a proper orientation to the number of freshmen we enroll without breaking them up in to smaller groups during the summer."</p>
<p>That is perfectly understandable and, of course, that's the reason for having multiple orientation session during the summer when it costs families an arm and a leg for additional travel.</p>
<p>But, we should be clear. Too few resources for too many students with insufficient priority on undergrads by the faculty to even show up before classes start is the reason. To have one large orientation session, you would have to have many times more resources and staff.</p>
<p>Here's what I don't understand, though. All the things you describe (faculty to meet with all freshman), orientation groups limited to 20 students, and so forth happens at many proportionally smaller schools with proportionally smaller faculties. You charge the same amount per student and, presumably, scale up your resources. So what I don't understand is why it's impossible to provide the same resources?</p>
<p>In my opinion, these summer sessions are an advantage to the colleges financially. They feel they have to offer them because it has become the norm to give students orientation. It is financially useful for them to do it in smaller groups over the summer. And yes, it is another pain in the neck to parents who have to pay for kid to make another trip to the college before starting school there.</p>
<p>I had never thought of the extra travel cost for students from long distances. That would be a pain especially if parents come too and they have to fly and pay for hotels/meals. </p>
<p>The vast majority of kids who attend my kids' two state u's (each w/ multiple Orientation sessions in the summer) are instate. The oos kids are generally from the surrounding states. Both of mine carpooled with high sch. friends to their Orientations leaving the 'rents at home. I think the cost was about $125 (for one night dorm room stay including linens provided and 3 meals) plus the gas to get there. Parents who wanted to attend had to pay an extra $85 for the first parent and $25 for the second.<br>
Our kids were fine with going on their own. </p>
<p>I thought it interesting that at S2's Orientation last week all the kids were given lanyards to wear both days that held their room key and name tag. The lanyards were color coded depending on which state they were from. S2 said most of the kids from oos had parents with them while the in-staters had proportionally less.</p>
<p>Our state U did does these orientations over the summer. The parents are also invited and there are things for them;much information. I felt it was important for me to go. Had I just sent S, it would have just meant transportation costs, as the uni provided dorms for housing, food. I went along which meant hotel room for me, though food was provided for me. It was not a great hardship for me; on the contrary, I enjoyed it, but it could be ornerous for those parents who are struggling with work schedules (it was during the work week) and money. It has become more and more difficult for those who are trying to keep cost down during the whole college search and matriculation. It is now being recommended to look at the possibilities (money for visits), visit again for interviews and show of interest once apps are done, accepted student days are now the norm for kids to decide which school to accept, and then the orientation. No wonder so many go to college near by!</p>
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And I understand why a school with 5,000 entering frosh holds multiple sessions; its the only practical way to give a semblance of personal attention.
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<p>That begs the question: what about a semblance of personal attention after classes start?</p>
<p>That is always the risk with those larger schools. The inherent risk that is taken. It would be touching if the orientation is done so that those kids were getting more personal attention , but the response makes it clear that it's a cheaper way to do this.</p>
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That begs the question: what about a semblance of personal attention after classes start?
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It doesn't beg the question; at most large state U's there is little to no personal attention. It's the nature of the beast. That's why I constantly harp on fit, on making sure the college is right for the kid. If I've helped even one person think thru their choice and make a better choice, it's been worth it.</p>
<p>I'm not contending that large state U's are bad; they can be great for the right kind of kid. A student who makes the effort to get to know profs, who is pro-active and works to find out who can help solve their problem or give advice, who joins groups or takes steps to get involved, can have a wonderful experience. Many people who work at colleges genuinely like kids and want to help; when approached they are often very willing to do what they can. Its just that at a school of 20,000+ they can't possibly meet with every student. The good news, if you can call it that, is that most kids just pass thru the large U with little contact or guidance, so the kids that do make the effort can get guidance and help without swamping the faculty & staff.</p>
<p>S1 attends the largest state u. in our state. His department/major however is one of the smallest at the school. When he arrived for advising at Fresh. Orientation, his advisor told him that he (S1) would be his only advisee in the freshman class. S1's adviser has been in invaluable help over the last three years. He also got a very nice merit scholarship from the dept. Small depts. at big u's are great.</p>
<p>S2 will begin his freshman yr. in Aug. at a different state u. He too has chosen a major within one of the smaller colleges at the university. He really liked the dept. advisor assigned to him at Orientation. I hope he can get as much help as S1 has gotten.</p>
<p>I do agree wholeheartedly that if you want help at the big schools, you can't be shy about asking. The good news is that S1 has had great response when he has asked.</p>
<p>My D just graduated from a medium size state university (16,000) and her orientation was awful for her. Orientation was 5 days long, which was about 3 days too long, the week before classes started. There was a lot of down time (and a lot of time to feel home sick). With not much to do there was a lot of partying and drinking (which my D did not want to be part of). By the end of the first month of freshman year she had her transfer papers filled out and mailed. By the end of the second month, she had joined a club, made some really nice friends from the club and classes, and settled in. It would have been a much better start if orientation was either optional or shorter.</p>