New students report to CSC this week

Deena Kennell, a CSC professional staff employee who is leading the committee in charge of the event, said the group is hoping to build on the success of last year's orientation. That event marked the first time in many years that new students attended a single orientation near the start of school as opposed to several different sessions during the summer.

"We got a lot of positive feedback from evaluations last year," she said. "We've made slight adjustments based on that feedback, but it will be basically the same."

One improvement, Kennell said, is that faculty members have requested to be more involved with this year's orientation.

Dr. Randy Rhine, vice president for enrollment management and student services, said 568 students are expected to attend this year's orientation, which is an increase of about 100 over last fall.

The action begins Wednesday when 38 returning students who have signed on to be orientation leaders report for training.

"Many of the leaders were freshmen last year and were so satisfied with their experience during orientation that they want to be a part of it this year," Kennell said.

The incoming students will move in to residence halls Thursday morning and take part in a number of sessions to get them acquainted with CSC and college life that afternoon. They also will be welcomed to campus by CSC President Dr. Janie Park and gather for a class photograph.

Friday, the new students will meet with faculty members of their chosen fields of study and learn about other campus services at an information fair. That night they will join CSC employees at a barbecue.

The students will plant trees on C Hill Saturday morning, part of a continuing effort to refurbish the area after the wildfires of July 2006. After that, they are scheduled watch the Eagles' football scrimmage at 10 a.m.

More information about orientation, including the complete schedule of events, can be found online at www.csc.edu/orientation.