DRC New Student Orientation Agenda
Students
Monday, August 28
Students move in to Residence Hall by 8pm
Tuesday, August 29
All Staff Present 9:00- 9:45
Check in
Continental Breakfast
Dean’s Welcome, Director’s Welcome
Introduction of DRC/LDP Staff & Student Mentors
Agenda and Process
All Staff Present 9:45-10:15
Mary, Jennifer
Mike, Katie
10:15- 10:30
Break into Groups
10:30-12:00
Session One
Group A Transition from H.S. to College
Group B
Strategies for Success
All Staff Present
12:00-1:30
Lunch and “Good-byes” from parents
Mary, Jennifer
Mike, Katie
1:30-3:00
Session Two
Group A Strategies for Success
Student mentors may participate
Ruth, All Specialists
Group B
Transition from H.S. to College
Student mentors may participate
3:00-3:15
Wrap-up and Preview of Evening/Tomorrow
3:15-3:45
Break/Snack (light refreshment and mingling at DRC)
3:45
To ISSI, 206 Ell Hall
4:00-7:00
Walking Tour of Historic (Colonial) Boston; leave ISSI at 206
Ell Hall
Dinner in the North End
7:00
DRC New Student Orientation Agenda
Parents
Tuesday, August 29
All Staff Present 9:00- 9:45
All Staff Present 9:45-10:15
Check in
Breakfast
DRC Dean’s & LDP Director’s Welcome
Introduction of DRC/LDP Staff & Student Mentors
Agenda and Process
10:15- 10:30
Break
Ruth
Ronnie Porter
10:30-11:15
11:15-11:30
11:30-12:00
Parent Presentation
Co-op
Student Mentor Panel
All Staff Present
12:00-1:30
Lunch and “Good-byes” from parents
DRC New Student Orientation Agenda
Students
All Staff Present
Ronnie Porter, Mike
Any and All
Wednesday, August 30
8:30-9:30
Breakfast
9:30-11:00
Session One
Brief Co-op Presentation
Mentor Panel Presentation, Q&A
Tim, Mike, Ruth, Mary
11:00-11:15
Break
11:15-12:45
Session Two
Assistive Technology
All Staff Present
12:45-2:00
Lunch
Jan, Debbi, Laura
2:00-3:30
Session Three
Using the DRC: Understanding Accommodation Request Process and
Forms
Student mentors share perspectives on using accommodations and services
Student Mentors
3:30-3:45
Break
3:45-5:00
Session Four
Classroom Tours
Students bring classroom schedules and maps
Ruth, All Specialists
5:00-5:30
Wrap up and Closure
Any and All
5:30-6:30
Dinner
6:45
Museum of Fine Arts, ISSI Event
AHEAD Handout #1
DRC/LDP New Student Orientation Agenda 2007
Friday, August 31
Time
9:00-9:30
Activity/workshop
Check in
Light Breakfast
Room/location
Facilitator
DRC Front Desk Peer Mentors
9:30-12:00
(includes a
break)
AT, Bb and myNEU
presentation and demo
145 Snell Library
Computer Lab
12:00-1:00
Lunch
DRC Lounge
1:00-1:15
University Health and Counseling
Services (UHCS)
Curry 440
Pam Harris
1:15 – 1:30
Math Lab
Curry 440
Prof. Oblas
1:30-3:00
Using the DRC
Curry 440
Jan Anderson
Theresa King
Peer Mentors
3:00
Classroom Tour for Transfer
Students
AHEAD Handout #2
Tim Regan
Peer Mentors
Peer Mentors
DRC/LDP New Student Orientation Agenda 2008
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 4, 2008
Time
12:00-1:00
Activity/workshop
Check in, Lunch and Welcome
Introduction of Staff and Mentors
Schedule Overview
Room/location
450 Dodge
Facilitator
Ruth Bork
Mary Barrows
1:00-3:00
Using the DRC
for students
Snell 145
Jan Anderson
Patrick Fabics
Theresa King
Peer Mentors
College Transition
for parents/guardians
450 Dodge
Ruth Bork
Peer Mentors
Ronnie Porter
3:00-3:15
Break
3:15-4:15
Presentation on Coop
450 Dodge
4:15-4:30
Wrap-up and Tomorrow’s
Schedule
450 Dodge
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 5, 2008
Time
9:00-9:30
Activity/workshop
Continental Breakfast
9:30-11:30
Transition to College
Strategies for Success
Room/location
20 Dodge
&
Facilitator
Curry Student
Center 340/346 Mike Sidoti
Mary Barrows
Peer Mentors
11:30-12:00
Delta Alpha Pi Panel
Peer Mentors Q&A
Curry Student
Center 340/346
12:00-12:45
Lunch
20 Dodge
12:45-2:00
Campus/Classroom Tour
2:00-4:00
Campus Technology:
myNEU, Blackboard (Bb)
Snell 145
4:00-4:30
Evaluations/Feedback and
Focus Group
Snell 145
AHEAD Handout #3
Honor Society
Peer Mentors
Peer Mentors
Mary Barrows
Mike Sidoti
Peer Mentors
DRC/LDP New Student Orientation Agenda 2009
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 3, 2009
Time
12:30-1:00
1:00-3:00
Anderson
Activity/workshop
Check in, dessert
Cold drinks, Welcome
Introduction of Staff and Mentors
Schedule Overview
Room/location
Using the DRC
Snell 145
450 Dodge
Mary Barrows
for students
Break
3:15-4:15
Delta Alpha Pi and
Peer mentor Q & A
4:15-4:30
Jan
Patrick Fabics
Theresa King
John Pirone
Peer Mentors
Jen Newton
College Transition
for parents/guardians
3:00-3:15
Facilitator
Wrap-up and Tomorrow’s
Schedule
450 Dodge
Mary Barrows
Peer Mentors
450 Dodge
Mentors
Honor society
450 Dodge
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 4, 2009
Time
9:00-9:30
Activity/workshop
Continental Breakfast
9:30-11:30
Transition to College
Strategies for Success
Room/location
20 Dodge
&
Curry Student
Center 340/342 Jen Newton
Facilitator
Mary Barrows
Katie Collins
Peer Mentors
11:30-12:00
Panel Presentation
Curry Student
Center 340/342
12:00-12:45
Lunch
On Own w/ Mentors
12:45-2:00
Campus/Classroom Tour
UHCS, COOP
Writing Center
Peer Mentors
2:00-4:00
Barrows
Campus Technology:
Snell 145
myNEU, Blackboard (Bb)
4:00-4:30
Evaluations/Feedback and
Focus Group
AHEAD Handout #4
Mary
Jen Newton
Peer Mentors
Snell 145
DRC/LDP New Student Orientation Agenda 2010
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 2, 2010
Time
12:30-1:00
1:00-3:00
Activity/workshop
Check in, dessert
Cold drinks, Welcome
Introduction of Staff and Mentors
Schedule Overview
Room/location
Using the DRC
for students
Snell 145
Courtney Joly
Patrick Fabics
Peer Mentors
Jen Newton
Lisa Toft
College Transition
for parents/guardians
340 Egan
Mary Barrows
Peer Mentors
Deb Auerbach
3:00-3:15
Break
3:15-4:15
Tour of the DRC
for parents and guardians
4:15-4:30
Facilitator
340 Egan
Mary Barrows
Dodge 20
Delta Alpha Pi and
Peer mentor Q & A
for students
340 Egan
Wrap-up and Tomorrow’s
Schedule
340 Egan
Mentors
Honor society,
Courtney Joly
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 3, 2010
Time
9:00-9:30
Activity/workshop
Continental Breakfast
Room/location
20 Dodge
Facilitator
9:30-11:00
Self Advocacy
Curry Student
Courtney Joly
Disclosure
Center 333
Lisa Toft
Mentors
11:00-12:00
Panel Presentation
CAS Tutoring
12:00-12:45
Lunch
Curry 333
UHCS,
, Writing Center, Library, Math Center
On Own w/ Mentors
12:45-1:30
Campus/Classroom Tour
1:30-3:00
Campus Technology:
myNEU, Blackboard (Bb)
Snell 145
3:00-3:30
Evaluations/Feedback and
Focus Group
Snell 145
AHEAD handout # 5
Peer Mentors
Mary Barrows
Jen Newton
Peer Mentors
Courtney Joly
Summer Orientation Planning 2009
TO DO LIST – March 10, 2009
MARCH/APRIL
 Choose Regular Orientation dates - freshman and transfer – and length
o

Decide on Mini Session Orientation date and length
o

Review last year’s evaluations and follow up evaluations (if any)

Inform Lisa C and Ronne T of our Orientation Dates

Decide on location for workshops, breakfast and lunch, and Reserve Rooms for Orientation
o

Confirm MOVE-IN with Housing for freshmen and for transfer students; also confirm parking.
Do we have parking passes?

Nominate Peer Leaders
o

Draft “Invitation” letters –one for ALL students and two for parents: freshman and transfer parents
(as we did in 2007) OR just one combined letter for parents as we did in 2008
Draft Registration Form

MAY



Identify and Confirm Workshop Topics for Orientation and Mini Session – List:
Identify facilitators for all workshops and mini session
Determine evening activities or events for students attending Orientation – contact Lisa and Sue
o
MAY/JUNE
 Create Orientation Agenda/Schedule for students and parents
 Invite guest speakers and panelists
o Such as Delta Alpha Pi, Peer Mentors
o And Coop, UHCS, Writing Center, Math Lab
MAY/JUNE

Identify students (with completed documentation and provisional) and their parents to receive
Orientation invitation letter and U.S. mail the letter and Registration Form beginning June XX
o Will students requesting Housing Accommodations only be invited?

Develop tracking system to monitor student/parent RSVP

Secure equipment for workshops
o DRC has ______ projectors and _____ laptops
o
Will need to order _______ additional LCD projectors and ______ laptop
JUNE
 Peer Leaders-Information-Session date will be August XX
 Develop Peer Leader handout materials
 Draft letter and contact mentors (via email and U.S. mail) about nomination to participate in
Orientation and confirm availability
 Draft a follow up/reminder invitation (2nd Mailing) to students who have RSVPd and include
move-in times and parking information but double check first with Housing that the student’s
building will be open. Bring Husky card
 Advertise the Orientation on the Accepted/Admitted Student Portal
 Create Orientation Poster to advertise in the Parent’s Lounge
JULY

Facilitators create presentations and provide handouts of relevance for Student and Parent Packets

Send follow up reminder letter (2nd Mailing) with logistics via U.S. mail to incoming students who
have RSVPd beginning Aug XX (last year it was August 11) and include move-in times and
parking information but double check first with Housing that the student’s building will be open.
Remind students to bring Husky card.

How many students have been invited _____ How many RSVP’d to-date _____

Inform DRC staff on Summer Orientation Agenda and specify where and when all staff are
requested to be present (e.g. Welcome Breakfast; Lunch)
1. Inform at staff meeting
2. And Via email

Request interpreters for students and staff for both the regular and mini sessions
JULY/AUGUST
 Email reminder to those who have not responded starting XX/XX or two weeks after initial
invitation
 Decide on last student/parent invitation (1st mailing) to be (last year it was Aug 8) or phone call
(last year it was Aug 15) For local residents, August 22
1.









Decide on last follow up reminder (to those who’ve already RSVPd) (2nd mailing), or email or
telephone call (last year it was August 22 for both)
1.
Last year: AFTER AUGUST 22, NO MORE INVITES EXCEPT TO MINI SESSION
Create Student Orientation Packet (Resource Manual)
Create Parent Orientation Packet
Facilitators finalize powerpoint presentations
Design Workshop Evaluation Forms
Create alternate version/large print handouts if necessary; e.g. Arial, 18pt, blackandwhite
Develop mid-semester Evaluation/Survey and send to students and parents who attended
Orientation in early November to find out: How helpful was it to their transition, satisfaction, and
overall experience so far?
Decide on focus group, 1st meeting, facilitator, facilitation style, and questions– create flyer to give
to new students
AUGUST
 Send Student and Parent Orientation packets to reprographics for printing by Aug XX (last year it
was Aug 20)
 Create folders for students: Agenda and Resource Manual (strategies, transition, AT, campus
resources, and glossary) leave evaluations out of folder and give to students at the end of the
orientation. Also include a printout of the Math Lab and Writing Center, and Subject Matter
Tutoring within colleges and majors, and list of mentor names and email addresses

Create handout with a list of evening activities for students attending Orientation (borrowed from
the NU Orientation)

Compile final list of students and parents attending Orientation by Aug XX (last year was Aug
29)
Confirm food menu and order food (if necessary) by Aug XX (last year was Aug 29); Number of
people attending will be ____________ .


Match students according to Disability, Deaf/HOH, and/or major to peer leaders for classroom
tour and lunch time conversation
AUGUST
 Print student course schedules and decide on “points of interest” and accessible route for
classroom and campus tours (i.e. library; tutoring/writing/math; health ctr; cashier’s office) decide on tour groups and who will lead them


Identify, finalize, and invite (via email) undergraduate students to attend mini-session who can not
attend regular session by (last year Sept. 2 with RSVP Sept. 5)
Confirm undergraduate students who will be attending the mini session and finalize agenda by
(last year Sept. 5)

Decide on time for a Committee Wrap-up, and invite mentors to meeting
ON THE DAY OF ORIENTATION
 Check in table (identify staff to meet and greet and check in); bring list of attendees, name tags,
markers, student packet, parent packet, Orientation agenda, student schedules, other:
_______________
 Save power point presentations to flash drive
 Give pre and post test will be given at the beginning and end
 Give evaluation forms at the end
AHEAD Handout # 6
DRC/LDP New Student Orientation Agenda 2010
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 2, 2010
Time
12:30-1:00
1:00-3:00
Activity/workshop
Check in, dessert
Cold drinks, Welcome
Introduction of Staff and Mentors
Schedule Overview
Room/location
Using the DRC
for students
Snell 145
Jan Anderson
Patrick Fabics
Theresa King
John Pirone
Peer Mentors
Jen Newton
College Transition
for parents/guardians
450 Dodge
Mary Barrows
Peer Mentors
3:00-3:15
Break
3:15-4:15
Tour of the DRC
for parents and guardians
450 Dodge
Mary Barrows
Dodge 20
Delta Alpha Pi and
Peer mentor Q & A
4:15-4:30
Facilitator
450 Dodge
Wrap-up and Tomorrow’s
Schedule
Mentors
Honor society,
Courtney Joly
450 Dodge
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 3, 2010
Time
9:00-9:30
Activity/workshop
Continental Breakfast
9:30-11:30
Transition to College
Strategies for Success
&
Room/location
20 Dodge
Facilitator
Curry Student
Center 333
Mary Barrows
Jen Newton
Peer Mentors
11:30-12:00
Panel Presentation
Center, Writing Center, CAS Tutoring
12:00-12:45
Lunch
12:45-2:00
Campus/Classroom Tour
Curry Student
UHCS, Math
Center 333
Writing Center
On Own w/ Mentors
Peer Mentors
2:00-4:00
Campus Technology:
myNEU, Blackboard (Bb)
Snell 145
4:00-4:30
Evaluations/Feedback and
Focus Group
Snell 145
AHEAD Handout # 6
Mary Barrows
Jen Newton
Peer Mentors
Section One: College Transition


Differences Between High School and College
Student Responsibilities in Preparing for College


The “411”
Who Can Help You




Time Scheduling Suggestions
Using a Master Calendar
Weekly Calendar
Things To Do Record Sheet


Techniques for Overcoming Procrastination and for Time Management
Time Management Techniques

Ten Tips You Need to Survive College


Learning Style Inventory
Syllabus Review
Section Two: Strategies for Success

What Do I Need to Succeed?


Reading Strategies: A Thumbnail Sketch
Marking Your Text

Guidelines for Taking Notes in Class

Writing Strategies



Test Preparation Strategies
Tips on Answering Multiple Choice, True/False, Essay, and Short Answer
Questions
Terms Used in Essay Questions






Study Strategies: Information Organizing and Memory Strategies
Memory Strategies
Guidelines for Approaching Instructors
Self Confidence
Self Advocacy: “I” Messages and Practice Scenarios #1 and #2
Additional Resources
AHEAD Handout # 7
Peer Mentor Training
2010
AHEAD Handout # 8
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
10:00AM-12:00PM
A Mentor is:
“someone whose hindsight can become your
foresight”
Brainstorm a list of academic and social challenges a college student might face.
Challenges
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
17.
18.
19.
20.
21.
22.
23.
24.
25.
A Mentor is:
“a brain to pick, an ear to listen”
Imagine you’re presenting the New Student Orientation. Look at the calendar below and
circle the three most important sections. As a veteran college student, generate a
“take home message” for each of the sections.
Registration: Meet
specialist, advocate for
accommodations/support
1:30 pm – 1:45 pm
1:45 pm – 2:00 pm
2:00 pm – 2:15 pm
10:00 am – 10: 30 am
Professor Notification
Letters/Student
Information Sheets
10:30 am – 11:00 am
Note-Taking
11:00 am – 11:10 am
Exam Accommodations
11:10 am – 11:20 am
11:20 am – 11:30 am
Alternative Format Text
2:30 pm – 2:45 pm
Deaf Services
2:45 pm – 3:00 pm
Housing Accommodations
11:50 am – 12:00 pm
3:00 pm – 3:15 pm
BREAK
12:00 pm – 1:30 pm
3:15 pm – 3:30 pm
DRC Tour
1:30 pm – 1:45 pm
Peer Mentor Meeting: Peer
mentors introduce
themselves and answer
parent/student questions
1:45 pm – 2:15 pm
3:30 pm – 4:15 pm
DRC Facility
and Resources
2:15 pm – 2:30 pm
11:30 am – 11:40 pm
11:40 am – 11:50 am
2:15 pm – 2:45 pm
2:45 pm – 3:30 pm
A Mentor is:
Classroom Skills
1:15 pm – 1:30 pm
9:30 am – 10:00 am
Organization/Time Management:
Students print out syllabi; students
input first two assignments, book buy,
and professor notification letter
delivery for each class into g-mail
calendar
Note-taking: Students listen to a 3-5
minute lecture and take notes;
students compare their notes with
lecturer’s notes
University Health and Counseling
Services
Panel Presentation
Introductions: LDP/DRC
staff and students
introduce themselves
DRC Accommodations
1:00 pm – 1:15 pm
Friday, September 3rd
Co-op
Writing Center
Math Center
College of Arts and Sciences Tutoring
Questions for the Panel
Lunch/Tour on with Peer Mentors
Campus Technology
Thursday, September 2nd
Establishing Contacts: Students input
advisor’s, DRC/LDP specialist’s
email/phone number in personal
phone
myNEU Central/Self-Service Tabs
Blackboard
Community/Career
Services/InfoChannels Tabs
“someone who shares experiences and wisdom
to help mentees realize their full potential”
Take 3-5 minutes to prepare an answer to the following potential questions.
From Students:
1. Where do I go if I need a tutor?
2. What you recommend I do if, at the end of week one, I hate a class/professor?
3. How many hours in a day do you really have to study?
4. What are fun things to do on a weekend (for an 18-20 year old)?
From Parents:
1. Where does my child go if they get sick?
2. What would my student do if they had to get across campus alone late at night?
3. What should my student do if they suspect their roommate is stealing from them?
4. Have you ever been on coop? What was it like?
New Student Orientation
Disability Resource Center
Learning Disabilities Program
Evaluation
Please take a few minutes to give us feedback on what you feel are the strengths and
weaknesses of the orientation so that we can continue to improve its value for future
students.
Please comment only on workshops/presentations that you attended.
Circle the response that best reflects your opinion:
1)
Using the DRC Presentation
very
somewhat
helpful helpful
not
helpful
2)
Coop Presentation
very
somewhat
helpful helpful
not
helpful
3)
Strategies Workshop
very
somewhat
not
helpful helpful
helpful
4)
College Transition Workshop
very
somewhat
not
helpful helpful
helpful
5)
Delta Alpha Pi Presentation
very
somewhat
helpful helpful
not
helpful
6)
Campus/Classroom Tour
very
somewhat
helpful helpful
not
helpful
7)
Using Blackboard and myNEU
very
somewhat
helpful helpful
not
helpful
8)
Handouts, Materials, Binders
very
somewhat
not
helpful helpful
helpful
9) What aspects of the Orientation Workshop were
the most beneficial?
10) What suggestions would you have for additions and changes to this orientation?
11) Are there any other topics you would suggest we include in future workshops?
Thank You!
Handout #9
Disability Resource Center
Learning Disabilities Program
Orientation Workshop Evaluation
Parents & Guardians
Thank you for joining us today. We hope that you will come away from today’s workshop
with a better sense of how things “work” at the Disability Resource Center and the
potential that exists for students registered with us.
Please help us understand the strengths and weaknesses of today’s workshop from your
point of view so that we can continue to improve the way we support parents of future
students.
1) What aspects of the College Transition Workshop were the most beneficial for you?
2. What suggestions would you have for additions or changes to this workshop?
3. Was the content of this session (circle one)
too little? about right?
too much?
Comments:
4. Were the handouts (circle one)
too little?
Comments:
about right? too much?
5. What other workshop topics would you suggest?
6) Other Comments you would like to offer:
Thank you
AHEAD handout # 10
A f t e r n o o n
M o r n i n g
DRC/LDP Orientation: Student Agenda
Activity
Using the DRC
Description
Students will tour the DRC, meet specialists and staff, see
testing rooms, lounge, and other DRC facilities.
Requesting
Accommodations
Students will be led through a hands-on session to experience
the procedures for requesting Professor Notification letters
and accommodations each semester.
MyNEU / Blackboard
Overview
Students will review key campus technology platforms
through a hands-on session led by LDP/DRC specialists.
Assistive Technology
Overview
Students will be introduced to assistive technology resources
on campus, that are available to students registered with the
DRC. Technologies include speech-to-text, text-to-speech,
and graphic organizing programs.
Peer Mentor Panel,
Lunch & Tours
Students will have informal Q&A with Peer Mentors, who are
current NU students registered with the DRC. They will have
first-hand discussion and advice from experienced students.
The session includes a campus tour, led by the Peer Mentors.
Self-Advocacy &
Disclosure Workshop
Students will participate in an interactive session during which
they will understand and assess self-advocacy skills. They will
also discuss the need for disclosure as part of the
accommodation process, and practice developing effective
disclosure scripts.
Review,
Evaluations
&
Wrap-up
Students will participate in an interactive review of the
concepts for the day. They will hear a closing message from
the current Director and other staff members, and will have
the chance to complete an evaluation, offering feedback on
their experiences.
Meetings with
Specialists
Specialists will be available for scheduled one-on-one
meetings with students following the close of Orientation.
AHEAD Handout # 14
DRC/LDP New Student Orientation Agenda 2010
THURSDAY, January 7, 2010
Time
12:30-1:00
Activity/workshop
Check in, dessert
Warm beverages, Welcome
Introduction of Staff and
Schedule Overview
1:00-2:00
Using the DRC
for students
2:00-3:00
Campus technology:
MyNEU, Blackboard (Bb)
3:00-4:30
Strategies for Success
Individual Meetings
Classroom Tours
AHEAD Handout # 15
Room/location
Facilitator
DRC Lounge
Mary Barrows
Deb Auerbach
DRC Lounge
Jan Anderson
Jen Newton
Courtney Joly
Richard Allegra
Mary Barrows
Jen Newton
DRC Lounge
Specialists