Andrea Diaz
Reporter
Starting in a few weeks, Idaho State University is going to start hosting the New Student Orientation (NSO) programs. These programs will continue throughout the summer. New Student Orientation is the period right before a new student begins their first semester at a university. NSO’s usually consist of introducing the new students to the campus’s faculty and staff, what programs they offer and helping the students enroll in classes.
In ISU’s program, there are changes ranging from the process itself and new additions to the program to help students understand the university and its programs better. The first big change is that NSO is going to take place over a longer period of time in the summer to enable more students to be able to attend and ensure the students fully understand all the new information. “In order to successfully implement this new format with all Fall 2021 first-year students, it was critical to create multiple session dates. This allows us to give more attention to each student and allows the student flexibility in selecting the date that best fits their schedule. For example, students on the Pocatello campus will select from one of nine available NSO sessions held between the months of May and August,” said Director of Orientation and New Student Programs, Brooke Barber.
Another change that has been made is the registration and advising of the first-year students will take place during New Student Orientation so it will be easier for the students to get everything done at once instead of prolonging the necessary requirements in order to fully enroll at ISU. “For the first time at Idaho State University, the advising and registration of first-year students will take place during New Student Orientation. This format is a national best practice in the field of new student orientation, and allows these students a one-stop-shop approach in taking care of all of their business needs before their first semester, in addition to receiving all of the important academic and social transition resources during NSO. We are thrilled to be launching this new format with our incoming Fall 2021 first-year students, who will select their fall courses during this summer’s NSO program,” said Barber.
There have also been additions made to the program. An event known as Incoming Student Convocation has been added to the NSO process. “This will be a formal assembly of all new undergraduate first-year and transfer students held immediately prior to March Through the Arch on Friday, Aug. 20, 2021. This event will officially kick off the fall semester for our newest Bengals with guest speakers, an overview of ISU traditions and great excitement,” Barber said. The event was added because the organizers and directors of NSO felt it would help put an emphasis on Idaho State University’s traditions and would be a great concluding event to help launch student’s academic careers.
New students can expect some exciting events to help introduce them to campus life and its faculty and staff. “Events like “Meet the Colleges” will introduce them to the faculty and staff of their intended academic program. Resource Fair tables will introduce them to valuable student support resources. Student leaders will meet with students in order to answer questions and provide mentorship. By the end of their New Student Orientation experience, new Bengals will be ready to roar,” said Barber.
