​Virtual Freshman Orientation Set for May 28

ASU Director of Admissions & Recruitment, Freddie Williams Jr., welcome freshmen and their family during one of Alabama State University's Freshman  Orientation. 

Hazel Scott/ASU

Freshman orientation  is a rite of passage every incoming  freshman should experience. To help its new students  to mark this moment,  Alabama State University is  hosting  a virtual  Operation Hornet Nation: New Student Orientation  on Friday, May 28,  for more than 1,000 new students, including students who have transferred from other institutions.

“It is an exciting time for the whole family when a daughter or son begins college. This is not only a transition from one phase of education to the next, but also the beginning of student’s first year away from home and, in many cases, the parents’ first year with an ‘empty nest,’” said Dr. Ronda Westry, interim assistant vice president of Student Affairs/Student Success Units and the director of Retention.

The half-day (8 a.m. to noon)  program is designed to acquaint new students and their families with ASU by offering orientation sessions before the official start of freshman year.

“The information-packed program is designed to provide students and parents with an overview of the University’s administration, campus resources and student support services,” said Westry. “Freshmen learn how things work at their new school and meet other students as well as faculty and staff members. Orientation is also a chance for the school to start getting to know our new students.”

Westry points out  that attending new student  orientation is important for the successful transition to a new academic environment. “It is students’ and parents’ opportunity to get to know their new ‘home away from home.‘"

Research shows that college orientation sessions increase students’ and parents’ connectedness to their institution, which decreases attrition in the first year.

Orientation, Westry emphasized,  is not  only the key to overall student success and  helps with some of those initial feelings of anxiety, it also is a fun way to welcome new students by holding a variety of events during this period.

 ”ASU values its New Student Orientation because it is an opportunity to provide stakeholders with valuable information that will create a sense of ‘CommUniversity’ as often touted by ASU President, Dr. Quinton T. Ross Jr.,” Westry said.

While orientation has been traditionally for students,  colleges, such as ASU have recognized the fact that parents also need help dealing with the transition.

“ASU's New Student Orientation was designed with the family in mind.  Many sessions such as the Money Matters, Do you Know Your Child, and Academic Advising inform parents of those necessary things to support their Hornet.  Additionally, the Parent and Family Portal, which is a platform for families to connect to ASU news and their students throughout the school year, is promoted during the  New Student Orientation to solicit registration from parents and family. It may be found at the following link:  https://alasu.campusesp.com/”

The University hosts a total of six (6) Virtual Orientations a year.  One in the spring, one for summer school, which is tomorrow, and four in the summer for the fall semester.

What’s New

This year's Virtual New Student Orientation will add two concurrent sessions at the end of the half-day program. One of the sessions will cover important information on the Financial Aid Office and Federal Financial Aid Student Loans: An Investment that Appreciates.  The second session will cover Student Money Management: How to Budget Your Money During the first year. 

For more information, contact the Office of Admissions and Recruitment at 334-229-4291.