New Student and Family Programs
OTR (Orientation, Transition and Retention) Central - January 2020

Spring Orientation Recap

We are pleased to report the successful implementation of the 2019-2020 Spring Orientation sessions:

• November 15, 2019: 63 students, 42 family members
• December 13, 2019: 49 students, 34 family members
  
• January 9, 2020: 44 domestic st., 12 international st., 23 family members

By January 14th, we will have offered “Orientation Exceptions” to 8 students total, who were absolutely unable to attend any of the Spring Orientation sessions. This included students who were admitted late in the cycle, international students, and a variety of valid reasons for not being able to attend a full orientation day. The Orientation Exception required students to attend a 30 minute resource presentation, and then to meet with their respective college advising department.

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2020 Orientation Dates “Live”

On Monday, January 13th, we activated the online registration system for the 2020 orientation season. In coordination with Admissions and University Communication, we initiated a campaign for students who submitted their enrollment deposit fee of $175 in the fall semester, inviting students to complete their academic profile and register for orientation. 

View the 2020 New Student Orientation dates and a listing of frequently asked questions. 

NOTE: Only dates through June are available for students at this time. We hope to fill the April – June dates, and then begin to release availability into July and August once the dates are full. If students communicate with you that they cannot attend any of the listed dates, please direct them to the Orientation office (989-774-6629).

Orientation Registration & Academic Profile Update

In partnership with all six undergraduate academic colleges as well as the Office of Information Technology, we successfully implemented a content update to the New Student Orientation Portal. Specifically, new students are asked a series of questions prior to registering for an orientation date to assist academic advisors in building a course schedule. The questions now match to a new one-page academic profile with math and English placement reflected on the same page.

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Admissions: Fire Up Friday Recruitment Program

Fire Up Friday events are designed for students who have already applied and been admitted to CMU. These programs provide students and their parents with a program and tour specifically tailored for incoming freshman, including information on academic and curriculum, housing, financial aid, and the CMU experience. Lunch and a walking tour are also included.  

• Event Dates: February 21, March 20 and 27, April 3
  
• Website: More information on Fire Up Fridays
• Special Note: This program is not a required program, but is intended to assist in student decision-making and excitement. Students are still required to attend a New Student Orientation in May, June, July, or August.   

August 2020: New Student Convocation & Campus Life 101

The following program line-up has been finalized for August 2020. Residential students are required to attend Campus Life 101 by residential area.  In addition to increasing sense of belonging to the University, the Campus Life 101 programs hope to achieve the following goals: 

• Introduce students to the academic rigor and strong faculty support through New Student Convocation;
  
• Provide students with critical information about campus safety and well-being;
• Present students with the concepts of consent and healthy relationships;
• Ensure students understand reporting as shaped by the Office of Civil Rights and Institutional Equity;
• Initiate student learning on social responsibility and learning to engage across difference.

• 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. -- New Student Convocation (McGuirk Arena)