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Off to a good start: A short, comprehensive orientation program

Abstract:

Alarmed by its attrition rate during the first 21 days of the Fall 1994 semester, the College of Engineering and Applied Sciences (CEAS) designed a short, but effective and comprehensive orientation program for Fall 1995. The CEAS presented an expanded orientation program for CEAS students imbedded in a week-long university orientation. The program covered areas that students had reported were difficult for them when they first entered engineering, as well as to give more information about particular majors and organizations in the CEAS. College and department assemblies were held on Monday morning, as in the past, but were then followed by seven general sessions and two specialized workshops. The Monday afternoon sessions included student panels for a "Discussion of Engineering Majors" and a "Discussion of Applied Sciences Majors." Other sessions conducted during the week were: "Accessing the Internet and E-Mail," "Project Management for the Engineering and Applied Sciences Majors," "Time Management for the Engineering and Applied Sciences," "Cornell Notes for the Engineering and Applied Sciences Student," and "CEAS Student Leaders and Involvement." On Saturday two specialized workshops were held. An underrepresented minority student workshop, sponsored by the CEAS Office of Minority Engineering Programs, included returning students as well as the newly admitted. The event used the assistance of members of the student minority engineering organizations. A workshop for newly admitted women was held by the Women in the Applied Sciences and Engineering (WISE) Office. Almost all the seminars and workshops were very well received. The paper gives a description and critique of each session, as well as suggested improvements for next year's program. Publicity for the events is also discussed.