LOBOrientation is about welcoming fresh faces. Orientation staff are taking a fresh approach.

“We are getting more faculty involved and working to better market the placement testing process,” said Laura Valdez, new student orientation director.

Orientation, required of incoming students, is offered in June, July and August. Placements exams are offered prior to orientation or at 7 a.m. on the first day of the two‐day program, she said. Students are encouraged to complete the testing early.

Rob Burford, judicial affairs specialist, organizes Family Connection, a day and half‐long orientation component designed for parents and other family members serving as the student’s support system.

Valdez and Burford look to academic findings as they hone programming. Researchers, they said, point to seven “life tasks” as relevant to success in college, including academic achievement “doing well”, social interaction “be with others” and physical well being.

UNM student Alex Roarke participated in the 2006 orientation. “It made the whole process much easier. It was also pretty cool to be with students who share my major. I was able to meet students taking the same kinds of classes. The leaders did a great job of keeping it entertaining as well,” Roarke said.

UNM programs such as Freshman Academic Choices are based on the theory that involving students quickly with peers helps them persist. Forming relationships with faculty is also emphasized at the freshman level. Instructors mix with students throughout the two‐day orientation and join parents for lunch.

“We invest a lot of human resources during those two days – we have staff from dean of students, residential life, student activities, all helping to get students checked‐in and off to a good start,” Valdez said.

“We have a lot of face to face moments,” Burford added.

Last year, nearly 3,000 students and roughly 1,000 family members participated in orientation. “100% of parents say they would recommend the program to other parents,” Valdez said.

A popular parent handbook that serves as a draw for Family Connection will now be distributed in calendar form, with a focus on practical tips and campus resources.

“Being well prepared, I already knew much of the information that many other parents needed,” said Cathy Kidder, who attended in 2006. “However, there was still plenty for me to learn, and my daughter and I found that we either heard or absorbed different information over those two days.”

Families can participate as a “tag team,” she said, an arrangement that allows mom or dad to attend the first day and then another parent or guest steps in for day two, all for the price of one – $ 40, which includes a breakfast and two lunches. Student orientation is $125 and includes a stay in the residence halls. Rooms are available at low cost for family members.

Travis Maestas, a former attendee and student in UNM’s BA/MD program, will work as an orientation leader this summer. “The best part of my orientation session was that my BA/MD group got to go over to the medical school and work with some of the mannequin’s which simulated various medical conditions such as giving birth, heart monitoring, etc.,” Maestas said. “During orientation I was able to meet them and tons of other new students. I feel we have bonded and formed life long friendships.”

For more information about LOBOrientation and to register, visit http://www.unm.edu/~nso/.

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