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It was a wet and rainy day on Friday, March 27th as we held our second Successfully Orienting Students session this spring. The day placed a great challenge for our staff and orientation leaders as we had to adjust our plans as a result of the inclement weather. As the day started new students and guests were welcomed in the parking lot with a steady rain. Luckily they did not stay wet for long. Three busses got our students and guest to the new student center and into the ballroom for breakfast and War Eagle Welcome quickly. Our Dean of Students Dr. Johnny Green welcomed the students and guests to Auburn University. After War Eagle Welcome everyone headed to their small group sessions and met the orientation leaders. During small group session one our 450 students, parents, and guests learn important information about the university. After small group session one everyone was presented with the opportunity to choose two concurrent sessions in which they could learn more about things like financial aid or campus involvement. Those two sessions were particularly packed as parents flocked to financial aid and students filled the seats to learn about our campus organizations and clubs. After concurrent sessions, students went to learning for life, the presentation dealing with campus diversity, and tigeri, our preparing for registration session. From there everyone headed to lunch.

Another interesting facet was the transition of lunch from outside at Cater Lawn to inside in the Foy Ballroom. Students and guests enjoyed a lunch from Chic-Fil-A and got ready for the rest of their day. After lunch students and guests met back with their groups and went to small group session two. By this time the sky had cleared up and everyone got the opportunity to walk outside and take a campus tour on their way to advising. Although the rain presented interesting challenges for the day, SOS was an extremely fun day that went very well.

Continue reading »]]> During all SOS sessions students will meet, at the end of the day, with their academic advisor in a group advising session specifically related to their college. It is more than likely that you will not be registering for classes during the SOS day just because of the number of new students involved in the advising process. In most sessions, you will leave with a pin code that will allow you to register after you leave the SOS day.

Registering for classes can be confusing. During your SOS day, there will be a will be a presentation showing new students how to register for classes. Also, your advisor will provide you with the information you need to register. With this information you generally have enough time to get the classes you need for the upcoming semester. Always feel free to contact your Orientation Leader for registration help.

During the January and August sessions students will register for classes during the SOS day. During those sessions new students will see their advisor, view a presentation about registering, as well as get the opportunity to register for classes with the help of an Orientation Leader. The reason why these students register at SOS is because those sessions are within a few days of the upcoming semester and we want to ensure that these students have their schedule before the semester starts.

Continue reading »]]> I highly encourage parents and guests to come to orientation for a couple of reasons. First, SOS does it best to cater to parents and guests by providing them with their own unique schedule. It is very similar to the schedule of the student, but it is catered to provide parent and guest specific information while also giving them more flexibility in their day. I also highly encourage parents and guests to come to orientation because it gives them the opportunity to familiarize themselves with the university and the community in the same way their student will.

The role of a parent or guests at an orientation day is essentially the same as a student. Our goal is to provide a comprehensive orientation program that encourages a successful transition into the Auburn family. Parents and guests are there to learn as much as the students do, while at the same time provide an extra resource for students to feel confident and comfortable in their new environment.

During the SOS day, the parents and guests schedule will look very similar to your students. In fact, some of the day you will be spending with them. Parents go through a two small group sessions in which an Orientation Leader informs them about the University. After that parents and guests attend one tiger talk and two concurrent sessions in which they will learn about things like financial aid, parking, the medical clinic, and getting involved on campus. During the two concurrent sessions the parents and guests will have the option to attend the sessions with their student. Lunch will be provided, and both parents and students will go on a campus tour and meet in advising. It is a full day, and although it is optional for parents and guests we highly encourage your attendance and know that the day will be informative and fun for all those involved.