CSC has far-reaching orientation schedule

This year’s orientation schedule included four sessions at CSC, in addition to a new twist: eight sessions conducted at points throughout the Chadron State service region.

Tena Cook, CSC director of admissions, said the orientations not only allow a convenient way for students to register for courses, but also help improve their success.

“We tell our expectations of them, and we work to find out their expectations of us,” she said. “We try to decrease their stress level and make them more comfortable as they enter college.”

She said the orientations are especially helpful to those entering freshmen whose parents have not obtained a four-year degree -- termed first-generation. Those students represent about half of CSC’s first-year students.

About 230 students have attended the sessions so far, with another 75 expected July 20. In addition, about 75 health professions students will attend an orientation in August especially designed for their rigorous program of study.

The sites of the new off-campus sessions were Gordon, Alliance, Scottsbluff, Ogallala, Sidney, Atkinson, Chadron and Rapid City.

CSC personnel representing a broad range of college operations traveled to the communities, including the Admissions Office, Enrollment Management, the Dean of Students Office, Student Academic Success Services, the School of Arts and Sciences and the School of Professional and Graduates Studies.

The off-site approach was created to be more accommodating to students and parents by providing the service in a convenient location while reducing the need for travel and for parents to take time off work. It was proposed by Dr. Lois Veath, CSC’s new interim vice president for academic affairs, when she was dean of Arts and Sciences.

Like the traditional orientation sessions, the off-site registration approach provided information, resources and one-on-one academic advising needed for first-year students to get off to a good start. The sessions each were 2-3 hours long.

“It was really great for this many staff from CSC to visit these towns and let them know we care about their concerns and want CSC to be a vital part of improving the future outlook for this region. You can only get a true feel for the needs of a community by visiting it,” Veath said.

Veath noted that the high school principal at Sidney said two of his top students attended the event and plan to attend CSC this fall.

Katie Digmann, a CSC admissions representative, said the off-site sessions were popular with parents.

“Parents at the Rapid City session told us they feel very comfortable sending their children to CSC,” Digmann said. “One mother said she knows she can rest reassured because her son will be in good hands at Chadron State. Another parent who had sent six other children to college felt like the CSC registration session was the best one she had attended.”

Cook said parents who spoke to her at Rapid City were fascinated that three college deans attended the off-site session.

Jump Start, an annual campus event for new students and their parents during the days leading up to the start of fall semester, was heavily promoted at the off-site sessions as the “second half of orientation.”

Jump Start begins the evening of Thursday, Aug. 18, and continues through Friday, Aug. 19. Plans include an introduction to college as a "9-to-5" job, complimentary meals, important success skills for students and introductions to community resources. The event is organized by Sharon Rickenbach, coordinator of CSC Student Academic and Success Services.

Related site:

CSC Orientation Registration