FREDONIA – New York State University of New York at Fredonia rolled out the welcome mat Thursday to first-year and transfer students two days ahead of time; part of a expanded orientation designed to help new Fredonians transition to higher education.
“Part of the Strategic Enrollment Management plan was to reimagine the orientation process and how to better help students understand the expectations of college life. We want them to recognize that they belong at Fredonia and that they can be academically successful here,” explained Erin Mroczka, director of New Student and Transition Programs.
In prior years, all orientation activities were conducted during two-day sessions in June and July, and new and transfer students arrived on the Saturday before classes began.
This weekend, sessions will introduce students to their respective academic department as well as resources at Reed Library.
Students will also attend networking gatherings with students outside of their major as well as the traditional new student convocation.
A “Go Blue” spirit night will introduce students to Blue Devil athletic teams, intramural program opportunities and Steele and Dods Hall athletic facilities.
This summer, the campus hosted nearly 1,200 incoming students and their families across six day-long orientations.
Sessions were devoted to finalizing a student’s enrollment, focusing on completing financial aid forms and course registration, obtaining identification cards and learning how to access to instructional materials, among other items.
