Posted on December 3, 2007
As JMU’s enrollement continually increases, the Orientation program is challenging itself to grow with these changes.
Since 1999, the number of first-year students has steadily grown, this year there were close to 3900 first-year students, and JMU expects around 4000 first-year students next year.
“It’s not about the [year to year] student difference, but [the increase] from 1999 until now, we can’t continue to squeeze in students,” Director of Orientation Steve Grande said.
Grande said the changes being made to the Orientation program will provide more individualized attention during advising and registering for classes. The program itself is increasing, adding two more Orientation Program Assistants (who will now be known as Orientation Peer Advisers) to the program.
“The OPAs will serve as academic role models by preparing students about credits before meeting their advisers, and it’s nice if they haven’t talked to a peer about it,” Grande said.
The structure of the program is not the only thing undergoing changes. The program’s content is being adjusted as well.
“Orientation invests a lot of time for the new students so we want to make sure students are learning and developing as a result,” Grande said.
The new Orientation program will provide information about majors online and other online tools will be available for making career decisions.
There will be two dates added to Summer Springboard to make 14 days total. Summer Springboard will see some changes with a stronger emphasis on making responsible decisions regarding alcohol and the importance academics at JMU.
The OneBook all incoming students receive is also being redone to consolidate the information and present it as clearly as possible.
Orientation Program Assistant in 2006 and Student Orientation Coordinator, 2006-07 Melissa Noble and Student Orientation Coordinator Kelsey Pack agree that the changes will positive.
“It will encourage student involvement in the university and to take part in the academics which are a vital role at JMU and beyond,” Noble said. “The emphasis on class and education is extremely important and Orientation will reflect that change.”
Grande also hopes the changes will create a meaningful experience for incoming students.
“I hope this will mean that students will get an increased personal experience despite the growing size of JMU and they get a clear sense of what is expected of them as new students and make connections with students, staff and faculty,” he said.
Coordinator of Student Staff Dan Murphy said the changes will allow the Orientation staff a chance to re-evaluate their program.
“It will give us an opportunity to look at the programs and [see] what’s working,” Murphy said. “We get to use that creative energy to make new programs and continue to improve the program.”
About Us | Supplements | Advertising | Contact Us
Website design by Erik Pitzer ('07)
