FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 6, 2005
Contact: Tony Rhodes
(662) 329-7119

MUW new student orientations set for June and July
  
COLUMBUS, Miss. – Mississippi University for Women’s Office of Student Life is prepared to help newly enrolled students transition into college life through orientation sessions set for June and July.
   
Some very special individuals called Student Orientation Assistants (SOAs) will help these students make academic, social and personal life adjustments before classes start. Each SOA will be assigned a small group of students, which they will educate about MUW, the campus and its traditions. Students’ parents are invited to attend.
   
Wahnee Sherman, assistant to the vice president for student services, said, the SOAs are representatives of the institution.
   
“They come from a pool of applicants who are then interviewed. Those selected spend many hours in weekly training sessions and weekly meetings right up to the very day orientation starts.”
   
Sherman added that the SOAs are expected to maintain their course load, attend the training and meetings and develop a skit for performance at two Southern Region Orientation Workshops.
   
“This year’s team of SOAs took third place at the competition. They worked hard for long hours to wear those shirts.”
   
The new student orientation session for transfer students is set for June 14 and for freshmen June 16 and 17. In July, the transfer and non-traditional session is scheduled for the 23rd and for freshmen on the 21st and 22nd.
   
Faculty and staff will assist with academic advising, addressing parents’ considerations and developing schedules.
   
“If this is your first time attending MUW, you will enjoy the start of your semester so much more by attending student orientation. You will know where the buildings are and what the abbreviations mean on the schedule.”
   
Non-traditional students will benefit from registering and attending orientation as well, she said.
   
“Much of the uncertainty of going back to school can be calmed by spending a day with the well prepared corps of Student Orientation Assistants.
   
“Student orientation is very important in the retention of students. Anyone who attends learns not only about curriculum, also the many services and experiences which are available to them as a student of MUW.”
   
Participants are asked to bring casual clothes, comfortable shoes, an alarm clock, bed and bath linens and an umbrella.
   
Students and their parents may register by mail or on-line at www.muw.edu/orientation/regforms.html. Registration continues until the day of orientation.
   
Advance registrations are used as a base factor to coordinate rooms and meals.
   
For more information, contact student life at (662) 241-7416.