“Hi! Welcome to… Seton Hall University?”

Icebreakers at Seton Hall University

Many of Rutgers’ peer institutions have orientation programs that exist for reasons similar to ours: guiding new students to have a well adjustment to the university and encouraging them to explore and make the most of their four years. After reviewing the orientation schedules of other universities, such as Drexel University, Columbia University, Monmouth University, and Seton Hall University, I found that these programs have themes and topics that are parallel with those evident in our program schedule. In addition, I recognized differences in the schedules, ranging from the focuses of the program to how long the program is. But pushing the differences aside, I was pleased to see how every orientation embodied the answers and solutions to a lot of the new students’ biggest questions and concerns.

Reoccurring Topics and Themes

Go RU!

Diversity, commuter/residence life, involvement in clubs and activities, and campus resources are a few of the abundant topics I identified in each of the programs. I believe it is important for a university to embrace their diversity and encourage their students to appreciate how it can enhance their college experience. In our orientation program, the topic of diversity comes up in numerous parts of the two days, whether it is in the Life on Campus skits performed by the orientation team or the discussions that occur within the breakout groups with an orientation leader. In Seton Hall’s program, they have a diversity session in which students interactively explore and celebrate the diversity of their campus. Commuter/residence life is another huge topic that orientations cover. Students will have different needs and resources depending on if they decide to live on campus or commute. For example, commuter students may want information about how to get involved with an off-campus association, while students residing on campus may want to learn about what they can have in their rooms and what is prohibited. Rutgers NSO has split sessions involving commuter and residence life. In contrast, Drexel University has developed a student panel devoted to these topics. Campus involvement and resources are other topics incorporated into the various orientations through workshops (like at Monmouth University), breakout sessions (like at Columbia University), and a resource and involvement fair (like at our wonderful institution).

Differences

One of the biggest things I noticed that we do differently than other universities is that we do not include academic advising and planning into the actual orientation program. Some of the programs set up times during which students can meet with an advisor and plan their schedule, and others even give students the opportunity to take placement exams.  I understand that putting the two programs together may be more convenient, especially for out-of-state students. However, in my opinion, I like that academic advising is separate from orientation because it allows the new students to focus on one or the other.

In conclusion…

Campus tours at Monmouth University

Having seen how our orientation program works in the past summer, I was curious to view other programs from around the area. It was interesting to compare the different orientations to the orientation we have at Rutgers. I was also excited to see that Rutgers’ SCREAM theatre performs during Seton Hall’s orientation, just like they do at ours.

As I was reading the schedules of the other universities’ orientations, I was able to get a feel of the values that are important to them, and I got a sense of how they want to represent their university to incoming students. It made me think about how our orientation displays the values and pride our university holds. And therefore, I believe it is critical for us, the orientation team, to really uphold these values and represent our university in the best way possible. Orientation programs are similar and different in a lot of aspects, but it is important that the program allows new students to be able to adjust and connect to the university so that their college experience can be lifted to a great start.

 - Ashley Aya