The student council will be reaching out to new students by participating in Bobcat Orientation on March 29.
Bobcat Orientation, an event held before each term on all Central Oregon Community College campuses, offers new students the resources they need to be successful, according to Shawna Elsberry, director of retention at COCC. The spring 2013 orientation will be funded in part by the Associated Students of Central Oregon Community College.
The ASCOCC budget allots $3525 for 2012-2013 new student orientations, according to Megan Cole, the fiscal operation director of ASCOCC.
“It goes for the pizza and the beverages, and we also help with promotional stuff,” Cole said. ASCOCC is responsible for bringing the “traditional fun connection piece” to orientation, according to Elsberry.
On Feb. 15, ASCOCC voted to allot an additional $3000 to Bobcat Orientation to be used for “swag bags.” The drawstring bags will be filled with items including a pen, highlighter, pencils, a notepad and a student planner, according to Cole.
“We are hoping that we can hit at least 300 students with these,” said Cole.
Members of ASCOCC also serve as mentors during the Bobcat Orientation, according to Cole.
“We are able to explain things like the waitlist process,” she said, “and tell them not to give up hope.”
Student mentors serve as a connection, explained Elsberry. “You are representing the self advocacy of being able to do this.”
Some new students are unable to conceptualize being successful in college, according to Elsberry. So when they witness a peer’s success story, that provides “evidence that you can be successful.”
Bobcat orientation will focus on student technology accounts and college success strategies, according to Elsberry. Tutorials on Office 365, Bobcat web and Blackboard will be offered as well as a discussion on classroom expectations
“Orientation gives students positive momentum,” Elsberry said, “during a time when they are most vulnerable as a student.”
–Anna Quesenberry
The Broadside
(contact: [email protected])
