New Student and Family Programs
OTR (Orientation, Transition and Retention) Central
February 2021 Issue

  • Number of FTIAC students who paid their enrollment deposit - 1097
  • Number of transfer students who paid their enrollment deposit - 181
  • Number of FTIAC students currently registered for orientation - 813
  • Number of transfer students currently registered for orientation - 138
(as of 4pm, 2/23/21)
Join us as we welcome our newest CMU students to the Chippewa family! Fire Up Friday events are designed for students who have already applied and been admitted to CMU, and provide a direct focus on the needs of the student. This multi-faceted event introduces students to campus, assists them in building strong relationships with faculty and staff, and empowers the student with the skills and abilities to be successful on campus - and in life.

  • Upcoming event dates: March 19 & 26, Apr. 9
  • Website: https://www.cmich.edu/admissions/undergrad/visit/Pages/Fire-Up-Fridays.aspx
  • 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.
For more information please contact Jill Irving (schum2jm@cmich.edu) or Blakelee Dunkelberg (canno2b@cmich.edu).
As we plan for the 2021 orientation season, we are looking for fired up CMU staff and faculty to join our team as Orientation Advisors. Our Orientation Advisors guide and support a group of students each day, introducing them to our campus community and presenting information including academics, student involvement, and campus resources. They are an important source of support and connection for students as they transition to the university and into their first year.

This is a unique professional development opportunity that we hope you’ll consider for the summer. The strength of our team comes from the dynamic group of individuals from across the university who bring their talents, experiences, and love for working with students.

Please contact Amy McPike (shurl1ae@cmich.edu) for more information and to receive the position description and intent form.
Throughout the academic year, the Office of Student Success coordinates the planning and execution of required New Student Orientation programs for first-year and transfer students. With your help, we hire and train a team of undergraduate student Orientation Mentors to assist in the academic and social transition, sharing information with students and their supporters during this critical point in their relationship with CMU. Mentors are asked every question under the sun, and at the same time, have the opportunity to narrate the incredible breadth and depth of campus programs, resources, and opportunities.

As we prepare for the orientation season and our staff training this spring, we hope you'll assist us by submitting information about your department/program to supplement our existing training materials and to help our mentors develop "elevator pitches" to share with students and their supporters. Additionally, we will create e-flash cards using this information so our mentors can practice and quiz one another on the information.

CLICK HERE to submit your department/program’s “Fast Facts.” Submissions due by 5:00 p.m. on Friday, March 19th.
Our new student orientation sessions for the spring and summer will be offered virtually. Students will receive email communication leading up to their session date with log-in instructions; we will use the WebEx platform for the required components of orientation.
  • Spring Transfer Orientation Sessions
    • April 8, April 23, April 30, May 7
  • Summer “Peak” First-Year and Transfer Orientation Sessions
    • May 25, 26, 27
    • June 1, 2, 3, 8, 9, 10, 15, 16, 17
    • June 22, 23, 24 (transfer only sessions)
  • “Late” Summer Orientation Sessions
    • July 14**, 21** and August 5, 25, 26
** These July dates have been changed from what was previously announced. 

NOTE: Only dates through early 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 or need to change their orientation session date, please direct them to the Orientation Office (989-774-6629). 

We are pleased to share the initial schedule outline for our new student orientation programs. While logistical details are being determined, please note that we have developed our program into a more robust experience for students, adding additional opportunities for them to connect with other students and engage with our staff as they continue their transition to CMU. 

Students should expect to be “logged in and live” for a good portion of their orientation day, and we encourage them to participate in those afternoon opportunities to learn more about campus and connecting with others. The sessions noted with the ** are those that we will be taking formal attendance during and must all be attended in order for a student to have completed their new student orientation. 

Orientation Schedule for First-Year Students
9am-           Welcome and Central Success 101 **
10am-          Student academic/color team meetings **
11am-           Mentor tech talks
12pm-          Break and pre-recorded content
1-3pm-         Small group advising and registration breakouts **
3-4:30pm-  Encouraged opportunities for students
                          Mentor chats/Affinity groups
                              Virtual student services/new student welcome fair
                              Other pre-recorded content on virtual orientation website and within Blackboard

Orientation Schedule for Transfer Students
9am-           Welcome and Central Success 101 **
10am-          Student academic/color team meetings **
11am-           Mentor tech talks
12pm-          Break and pre-recorded content
1-5pm-         1:1 academic advising appointments **
1:30-3pm-   Encouraged opportunities for students
                          Mentor chats/Affinity groups
                              Virtual student services/new student welcome fair
                              Other pre-recorded content on virtual orientation website and within Blackboard

We will continue to share updates in the coming months, as well as details of our parent/family orientation program for supporters.

We will continue to share updates in the coming months, as well as details of our parent/family orientation program for supporters.
Collaborating with University Communications, Parent and Family Services produces the monthly e-newsletter, Our CMU Family Edition, for parents and families of CMU students. They also convene a University-wide team of campus leaders who serve as the moderators for the Facebook group for parents and supporters. The group has grown to over 3,000 members since it launched in fall 2019.

We gladly accept submissions for content suggestions which can be sent directly to family@cmich.edu. We have a content calendar and are happy to promote your programs, services, and events to family members throughout the year.