Orientation
Orientation is the most important summer program that assists incoming students and their parents in transitioning to the university experience. Academic information and placement testing, university success strategies, discussions with faculty members, administration, staff members, and student leaders, various presentations about university resources, and interactive activities, all assist in developing a comfort level that can be gained only by participation in orientation. Meeting and getting to know other incoming students and parents is also an integral part of university enculturation. Multiple orientation days are scheduled each summer in June and July.
New transfer students have the option of participating in the one-day orientation, a Transfer Day that is an individualized approach to meeting each transfer student’s particular needs, or both. Transfer students receive a Transfer Credit Evaluation (TCE) at a meeting with a transfer specialist and a meeting with his/her academic department advisor. In addition, a student guide orients each transfer student to any and all areas of interest at the university.
To continue to provide new students with the information and resources needed for a smooth transition to university life, fall orientation, a three-day and evening event, provides a variety of activities, educational sessions, group discussions, and social opportunities over Move-In Weekend in August. Reminders from summer orientation and new topics that are designed to enable new students to successfully fulfill their university responsibilities are held. Culminating fall orientation is Academic Convocation, the formal opening of the academic year for new students, followed by a picnic and the first mentor-mentee program of the fall semester.
Student orientation leaders serve as mentors for new students during their first fall semester at the university. Students who enter the university in the spring semester participate in a one-day orientation program in January. For further information, visit 403 Normal Street or call at 570-422-2862.
New Student Mentors
Upperclassmen mentors can help new students become successful at the university. Orientation leaders serve as mentors to new, first-semester students. Mentors enable new students to: understand and meet the academic responsibilities associated with university-level classes, access university resources, wisely manage their time at the university level, become involved in productive co-curricular opportunities, build positive relationships with peers, faculty, staff, and the community beyond the university, and discover the unique possibilities afforded them as members of the university community.
Academic Convocation
Academic Convocation is a ceremonial occasion which marks the formal opening of the academic year. It is the time when the university officially welcomes the new class of students and focuses on the academic mission.
Academic Convocation introduces the new class to the dignity of university ceremonies and academic regalia, the organizational structure of the university and the individuals who serve in leadership positions, the president of the Faculty Association and faculty leadership, the president of the Student Senate and outstanding student leaders, and the Alma Mater and ESU Promise.
The highlight of the Convocation is the speaker, typically a recent graduate or current student, who speaks to the new class about academic achievement, scholarly opportunities, and expectations for new students.
Academic Convocation brings the new class of students together for the first time to focus on academic excellence and scholarly engagement.
BALANCE: Being an Active Learner Among New Collegiate Experiences
BALANCE is an acronym for Being an Active Learner Among New Collegiate Experiences. This weekly series of workshops provides new students with strategies to successfully balance the multitude of components of university life. Workshop topics include, but are not limited to: developing research and writing skills, successfully interacting with professors, managing time and stress, effectively taking notes and tests, strategies for retention of textbook material, budgeting and wise use of credit, techniques for choosing a major, and developing healthy academic, personal, interpersonal, and social lifestyles. The university’s BALANCE program has been nationally recognized for the past ten years as a “Best College Character Program” for first-year students by the Journal of College and Character.
Fall Orientation
Summer orientation is the beginning of a new student’s introduction to the university. To continue to provide new students with the information and resources needed for a smooth transition to university life, a variety of activities, interdisciplinary studies, first learn experience workshops, and group meetings are held just prior to the opening of the academic year in August. Reminders from summer orientation and new topics that are designed to enable new students to successfully fulfill their university responsibilities are held.