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About The daily Nebraskan. ([Lincoln, Neb.) 1901-current | View Entire Issue (July 3, 1973)
Fourteen New Student Orientation hosts daily greet parents and new students to this University. And when the parents and students leave 1 hey have seen the University through the eyes of these 1 4 individuals. Of the 14, two a'e black. Theie are eight females and six males. All types of living a r r a n g e m e n t s are represented -dormitory, qieek houses, apartments and cooperat ives. Peter Wirtz, coordinator of student activities, said that in the past there has been some contr overset y over the selection of student hosts. Several people complained about the composition of student hosts in the summer of 1972, tie sold. According to IVntz, the individuals wanted a guaranteed number of minority students serving as hosts. Wirtz said fie favots tne "luck of the draw system" where the oest qualified students applying f ot the position are chosen. Complicated screening Student hosts are chosen by a complicated screening process. Students fust must fill out an application blank and get three recommendations from either faculty, staff, employers or student leadeis. Maty Dean, who is in charge of New Student Orientation, said more than 500 applications weie picked up during the past year. However, only 200 were returned, she said. The 200 applications weie then screened at the college level by a committee of faculty, administrators and students, which nai lowed the field down to about 3b this spiing. They were personally interviewed and the final decision was made horn the interview, she said. Both Miss Dean and Wirt said the frosts weie chosen according to an established selection critena-the applicant should - capable of creating a positive, warm and accepling first impression on students and adults . . . be able to demonstrate communication skills. . . have a working knowledge of the academic requirements, coutses and xogtarns within at least one college . . . have a level of tolerance for diversity, different ideas and values... have a general awareness of the University and Lincoln community . . . be capable of deep intellectual inquiry . . . have a sense of humor ... be an effective planner and organizer . . . have a past performance record of leadership . . . and have the ability to respond spontaneously to situations requiring tact and diplomacy. Orientation purpose Wirtz said the purpose of New Student Orientation is to give students an opportunity to modify schedules and visit with academic advisors and to assist students with social and personal adjustment. More than 50,000 people have gone through the program in its 10 year history. "We provide a very real picture of the University. But it is only reasonable to focus on the good aspects," Wutz said. He said that after the 1970 University strike, an effort was made to explain the strike to parents and students during summer orientation. But, he said, because the program took the negative point of view, parents and students left the University with a bad impression. "This did not fit with the goal of helping the new student start out on the right foot," he said. Already made choice Miss Dean said the new student alteady has made his choice. The program tries to show the student how he can make college the best experience, she said. "We are presenting a balanced presentation, an accurate picture of the University." Host Cathy Smith calls the other 13 hosts diverse and independent. She said the hosts try to promote a good University image. Host Roger Hoebelheinrich said the hosts play up the good aspects, but, he said, "you could spent all day on either the gocxl or the bad aspects of the University", He said the group as a whole is more conservative than the University. "People are selected to give good impressions of the University." One host also explained that sometimes new students are given hints to help them on their way, such as "have a friend go ahead of you in drop and add and drop the course, even though he's not enrolled in it, then there will be an open spot for you." The host also said some students are told that the open door visitation policy in dormitories is not enforced. "Some parents want to be told what they want to hear. So why tell them anything else?" the host said. "If I can present the University in a good image, I will, but I'll always tell the truth," host Jim Macomber said. "I feel the group is a fair cross-section of the University; some have good grades, while others have average grades; some are very involved in student organizations, while others are not, and some come from small, medium and large sized cities," Macomber said. Confirming the diversity among the hosts, Macomber said he thought the hosts might be a little bit on the liberal side. 1, IE cS' Mil Wns AN'KAKIM, J..K ih- JK I Id, m - - "Buffo" 5 iiv-' v : 1: (!omel-l)anee uith mi entireh new show in the linektae Loiiii"' (io-Go (iirls! Pantomime from I'r.'M) p.m. to 2:'.U) a.m. J I In IYiiiIioiim' Lounr ' J ( oclvlilil I lout's I roin ).m. to 7 p.m. Drnu 2.V liar Drinks V2 priee I Koiaiiranl open I 7 a.m. to .') a.m. .Mon-Sal I V a. in. lo ) ().ni. Sunday I Serving llrrukiasi. Lunch. Dinner Coopers IUs(aurant S2V2U "(" i:m-76oi: 'Orientation effective' parents, students by Tom Heermann (Tom Heermann will be a freshman at UNL in the fall.) The tenth annual New Student Orientation, which acquaints freshman and their parents with the faculty, campus and academic procedures of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln is a success, according to Mary Dean, orient at ion coordinator. In the morning session, Jack Gutherie, one of three administrators who alternately act as hosts, tells freshmen that the main concern of the program is to make students feel welcome on campus. Gutherie said fie tries to allay a common fear of students by citing statistics which claim those of small high school graduating classes do as we as those from large high schools. He says, "If you know what you are doing, know your goals, have good study habits and make use of references, you will have a feeling of well-being." After the opening session student hosts answer questions posed by their own staff concerning housing, tuition, books, grades, finals, clothing, entertainment, transport at ion, medical facilities and parking pei mits. Mini-courses When all questions are answered, students and parents separate to attend mini-courses. The courses last up to twenty minutes and, according to student host Keith Scarborough, their purpose is to be interesting, yet not provide so m u c h information that they would be confusing. There are courses about financial assistance, relationships with professors, housing, student culture, friendship, organizations and recreation. Students and parents then divide into smaller groups for lunch and a campus tour with a student host. Hosts extend their carcJ, entitled "you've got a friend," with their name and where tfrey carj be reached, if a student needs advice. Be persistent Orientation also includes a lecture on academic requirements and grading scales. Sky Houser, arts and sciences advisor, tells new students, "You have to hi ix.'rsistent with instructors to get help or advice." Houser said professor 5 "may seem rude at times, so always be persistent." Students then see their fall semester schedules and meet with advisors. A wrap-up sessions follows where families can suggest improvements or ask additional questions. Over 2,500 parents and students attended summer orientation last year, and according to Ann Polmeier this year's attendance will top that figure. Reaction to orientation has been varied. One student from Pine Bluffs, Nebr., whose graduating class numbered 23, said she "enjoyed the friendliness of the hosts," and "learned more than I expected." Another from Omaha said, "My sister goes here and she was completely lost at first. Now after orientation I feel I can get around okay." A freshman from Beatrice, however, said "the tour of campus kind of confused me It didn't really help," Several parents said the programs needed improvement, but said orientation offered an effective means of providing necessary, helpful information to students. Orientation continues until July 12. poooooooooooooooooooooooooooao ! 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