Orientation: Do I need to be there?
First-time College Student Parent / Family Member
"Do I need to be there?" is a question we often hear. Parents of first-time college students are encouraged to attend the first day of Orientation. Not only will you learn about the resources available for your daughter, but also those available to you. On your drive into campus, you'll see the College's President and Vice Presidents helping direct traffic, parking, and sometimes even helping parents load things on a cart for an easy move-in!
First-year resident students are asked to arrive between 8:30 and 10:30 a.m. on August 23. While your car is being unloaded with the help of our student orientation leaders, your daughter is welcome to start her check-in process in the lobby of Le Fer Hall.
First-year commuter students are asked to arrive between 10 and 10:30 a.m. on August 23. They will go through the same check-in process as our resident students. If your daughter has chosen to stay on campus during the 4-day orientation, she may want to come a little earlier so she can get settled in her room before the 11 a.m. commuter information session. Parents are welcome to attend this session with their daughter.
Following the move-in and commuter information session, everyone is invited to lunch at O'Shaughnessy Dining Hall. Your daughter will receive 3 meal tickets, one for her and 2 guest tickets. Should you need to purchase additional lunches; a cashier will be available as you enter the dining hall. The Welcome Address from President Dottie King will be given during lunch. Feel free to invite some of the staff or your daughter's friends to sit with you during lunch.
After lunch, your daughter will meet her Orientation group while you attend the Parent and Family Orientation meeting. During this time you will meet the Vice President for Academic Affairs, Dr. Janet Clark, and the Vice President for Student Life, Vicki Kosowsky. This will be a time for them to share some information and resources with you as well as give you the opportunity to ask questions that you may not have thought about earlier.
The day doesn't end after your meeting! We have optional jump start sessions from 2 to 4 p.m. These sessions are meant to give you some one-on-one time with the College Nurse, Counselor, Campus Minister and the Director of Learning Resources. You may also tour the campus, visit the bookstore, or visit with other staff members.
Transfer College Student Parent / Family Member
Transfer orientation is composed of some very short, intense sessions that are focused on giving students the necessary information they need specific to our institution. It starts with checking in at the Le Fer Lobby on August 25. If your daughter is a resident student, she should plan her arrival between 9 and 10 a.m. This will give her just enough time to move into her room before brunch. Commuter students should plan to arrive between 10:30 and 11 a.m.
There will be a short informational session before brunch for both students and parents. You will meet the Vice President for Academic Affairs, Dr. Janet Clark, and the Vice President for Student Life, Vicki Kosowsky, learn about the resources available, and be able to ask questions. Following brunch, your daughter will begin her individual sessions.
Questions?
If you have any questions about Orientation, please feel free to contact our Campus Life office at campuslife@smwc.edu. You may also call one of the following numbers to speak with our staff regarding any questions or concerns you may have:
Elizabeth Coley • 812-535-5173
Deb Light • 812-535-5281
Jeff Malloy • 812-535-5219