New Student Orientation Assessment: A Student Council/Dean's Office Partnership at the College of Engineering at Kansas State University

摘要

The Kansas State University (KSU) Engineering Student Council (ESC) and the College of Engineering Dean's office established DEN 015: New Student Orientation Seminar Series (NSOS) in 1994. (The course identifier DEN is assigned to all Dean of Engineering courses). Emphasis is on new student (freshman and transfer) transition to college life. Students obtain administrative, academic, and professional development information, and receive guidance on how to become a successful student. New students discuss this information in small groups with mentors (older engineering students are trained and assigned to lead discussion). Homework assignments are reviewed and discussed. Students are introduced to their assigned departments, department assemblies are explained, and advising information is provided in an effort to connect new students to their college and departments. The NSOS process has been a positive improvement for new students and several important administrative changes have been accomplished. The Student Council / Dean's Office partnership has produced a focused effort by students, faculty, and administration to share limited resources and to effectively implement needed change. Assessment and continuous quality improvement methods are being used to focus on future improvements.