Photo: Problem-solving 101: From left, Ben Needle, Michael Tannenbaum and Josh Needle move into Russell Hall. Photo by Paul Efland.
Photo: Problem-solving 101: From left, Ben Needle, Michael Tannenbaum and Josh Needle move into Russell Hall. Photo by Paul Efland.
By Sharron Hannon
President Michael Adams isn't the only new face on campus this fall. Some 70 new faculty and their spouses, plus 450500 teaching and laboratory assistants, and what is shaping up as the largest freshman class in University of Georgia history have undergone orientation sessions to prepare for the Sept. 15 start of the academic year.
More than 4,200 freshmen--a jump of approximately 500 from last year--attended one of several two-day sessions offered throughout the summer, or a one-day late orientation in September, under the auspices of the admissions office.
"We made a deliberate decision to admit more freshmen this year," says admissions director Nancy McDuff. "But our overall enrollment numbers should not reflect too much change, because we have been enrolling fewer transfers and graduating larger senior classes."
"The size of the incoming freshman class was a bit of a challenge," says Eric Johnson, who directs the orientation program and added two more sessions to the summer schedule in order to keep the number of students at each session to about 260.
Welcome Back Students! |
What: | When: | Where: | More info: | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A popcorn-and-ice cream reception sponsored by the National Alumni Association | Sept. 19, 4-6 p.m. |
North Campus quadrangle, in front of the Chapel | 542-3672 | |||||
"We think working in small groups is a strength of our program," he says. "People come expecting huge numbers, so they really appreciate the personal touch."
That touch is delivered by a team of 10 student orientation leaders, who meet with small groups of students in breakout sessions where questions are answered and concerns aired.
"We encourage a personal connection to the orientation leaders and make it possible for students to keep in touch with them through our admissions Web site," says Johnson. "Those leaders make orientation a success because they put so much time and energy into it."
Students and parents attending orientation heard presentations from department heads and other student affairs staff on everything from meal plans to health and safety issues.
They also heard from one of a dozen faculty members who were asked to participate in orientation this year.
"We wanted students to see and hear from faculty to show that they are available and accessible," says Johnson. "The faculty members shared with students what they should expect academically and gave them tips on how to succeed in the classroom."
Bill Provost, an associate professor in the English department who will teach a section of English 101 this fall, found the freshmen in his session to be "bright, nice-looking folks."
His message to them: take responsibility, get organized and use your time well.
"The majority of students come to English 101 or 102 ready to learn," he says, "but they typically don't start off doing good work. That distresses and surprises them. But I told them that if they're making A's and B's on their first papers, then they didn't need the course. And it's the work at the end that counts most."
In addition to learning about life in and out of the classroom, students took placement tests, registered for classes and got UGACards and e-mail addresses.
"Our hope with orientation is to give students a successful start," says Johnson, "so that when they get to campus maybe they're a little less lost and confused."
Freshmen moving into on-campus housing immediately find another helping hand provided by residence hall student staff, who go through training before school starts so they can provide counsel and support when needed.
"Their focus initially will be on transition issues and safety," says housing director Jim Day. "Then we'll move on to academic success."
Day anticipates few vacancies in any of the residence halls and notes that men's halls are booked to overflowing--rooms previously converted to extra study lounges and guest rooms have been reclaimed to house this year's crowd.
Responsibility for acclimating new faculty to campus rests with the Office of Instructional Support and Development (OISD), which organizes a two-day colloquium touching on the university's teaching, research and service missions, plus support services, promotion and tenure, and legal issues.
This year's session included a talk on UGA history delivered by emeritus professor Nash Boney, as well as lunches at the Georgia Center and the State Botanical Garden and a reception with spouses at the President's house--whose occupants had moved in only a few days before.
Besides greeting new faculty, President Adams also delivered opening remarks at an OISD session for new graduate teaching and laboratory assistants.
The day-long orientation included concurrent sessions taught by senior faculty on topics ranging from motivating students and leading discussions to incorporating technology into teaching. TAs also met and heard from faculty who will serve as mentors during the coming academic year.
