An orientation program for first-year nontraditional students at Ball State University

Abstract

The purpose of this project was to design an orientation program for first-year nontraditional students at Ball State University, a four-year institution with a predominantly traditional student population. This project was loosely based on the nontraditional student orientation program already established at Ball State University. It incorporated ideas from nontraditional student orientation programs at several other institutions with predominantly traditional enrollment. The program was designed with the characteristics and needs of nontraditional students in mind.The program welcomed new nontraditional students to Ball State University and introduced them to college life and the academic expectations they faced. The program also showcased many of the services available at Ball State University, such as Academic Advising, the Career Center, the Learning Center, the Office of Scholarships and Financial Aid, and University Computing Services. The program was designed to fit into busy students' schedules, while providing a meaningful introduction to the nontraditional student experience at Ball State University.