New Student Orientation is Underway

The San Diego State University campus is abuzz with incoming students and their families as New Student and Parent Orientation kicks off for the fall 2019 semester. The orientations, spread over 21 sessions and five weeks, are key to helping new students transition to the university and set them up for success during their time at SDSU.

Nearly 15,000 people have registered to attend an orientation session: nearly 5,000 freshmen, 3,500 transfer students and more than 6,300 parents and other guests. Freshman and transfer orientation sessions will average about 400 students for each program.  
New Student and Parent Orientation is organized by the Division of Student Affairs with participation from partners across campus. 
Interim Vice President for Student Affairs Christy Samarkos credits the collaborative nature of orientation as foundational in student success. Almost 90 percent of SDSU’s first-year students continue on to their second year, compared to a national average of 78 percent. 
“New Student Orientation helps students understand their academic road map, with the goal of graduating freshman students in four years and transfer students in two years,” said Samarkos. “Students learn about their general education and graduation requirements and the course registration system, with a focus on taking a full load of courses – 15 units. Students will also become familiar with useful career resources at SDSU, meet with assistant deans and faculty advisers, and learn about how to get involved on campus.”

Parents as Partners

Parents receive an overview of campus resources and also meet campus representatives throughout the day. A student panel of SDSU Ambassadors offers perspectives on college life, and a Student Affairs overview panel gives parents a chance to ask questions. 
There is a lunchtime information fair about campus resources and organizations for students and parents, as well as campus and housing tours. 
“Parents are valued partners at SDSU,” she said. “They not only provide their students with support, but the university as well. Parents impact student success, and we are grateful for their involvement.”
Students who attend orientation with a parent are more likely to earn a higher GPA and continue to their second year of school – and are less likely to be on academic probation, research shows. 

Spanish-speaking Parents

A July 20 orientation session is geared to Spanish-speaking parents. 
“SDSU is a proud Hispanic-serving institution and happy to support our Spanish-speaking parents, who will be better-equipped to support their students during their transition to SDSU,” said Dean of Students Randall Timm. “We want all students to succeed, and we know that parental involvement is key to that success.” 
Timm noted several printed materials for parents now have been translated into Spanish: the Parent Handbook, an Alcohol and Other Drugs brochure and a Sexual Violence prevention brochure.  

“We educate the parents on how they can best support their student,” he said. “We want them to be a coach for their student – not the decision-maker or problem-solver.”
For more information about New Student and Parent Orientation dates and activities.