While students are looking toward the end of this year, administrators are already making changes for the upcoming freshmen class, specifically the orientation program.

Student Life is working on two different orientation presentations: “Living the Cardinal Life” and “Facebook Live.”

There are also plans to bring a nationally known speaker to campus.

While details haven’t been finalized, these events will offer a fun and entertaining twist to the program.

“While business is our main goal, we want students to leave Orientation feeling confident in themselves and ready to get involved on campus” said Rachel Florence-Spaetzel, director of orientation programs

Academic preparation is another key goal. Faculty presentations are being prepared to give students perspective on what to expect in their classes and what’s expected from them.

While previously academic advising and registration was entirely separated, this year advisers will be present in the same computer lab that registration occurs to help students with any difficulties.

Parent orientation has been changed, as well. Where before, everything parents did was presented in one room with a short lunch break that allowed them to grab food from off campus, the event now will evolve into something more like a professional conference.

Two parent passes will be given for a free lunch at the Marketplace and different time blocks will be set up. Parents will be allowed to pick and choose the presentations they attend with topics such as RHA, study abroad, and campus safety.

Efforts are also in effect to develop a better program for transfer and returning students. Orientation leaders, trained as mentors to freshman, are being trained to treat the typical second-year transfer student as peers with both academic assistance and social involvement still serving as the main goal of their orientation experience.

Returning students, typically having many outside commitments to jobs or families, will expect a more business-like and speedy orientation.