Introducing students to campus life in a more meaningful way than simple registration is a great way to get their college experience off to a good start.

Beginning this year, we've revamped our summer registration and fall orientation programs into two new student activities. Up first is Student Orientation, Advisement, and Registration — or SOAR — an expanded registration program for new students incorporating components of orientation. Welcome Week, an expanded version of orientation, takes place in August.

"Generally, the more engaged or integrated students become with the university academically and socially, the better it is for persistence," says Ed Boucher, dean of students. "New students need to master the role of being a student at Tennessee Tech, which is why they'll be meeting with current students in small sessions — students who can serve as models. We're also trying to group new students in some natural way — by college and major, for instance."

SOAR mixes registration with college and department meetings, separate meetings for parents, dinners, tours, and a campus resource fair.

"Incorporating some elements of orientation into registration provides a number of benefits for new students," says Boucher. "Students are able to meet with their advisers and schedule their classes for fall. They're able to meet other students who will be in their area, as well as some upper classmen. This starts the transition from wherever they were — high school, community college, even work for our non-traditional students — to Tennessee Tech."

Most SOAR sessions last two days, although there's also a slimmed-down version for transfer students. The first two, for high ACT/scholarship freshmen, took place in April. The remainder are scheduled throughout the summer:

* Transfer students: Thursday, June 12

* New freshmen: Sunday-Monday, June 15-June 16; Tuesday-Wednesday, June 17-18; and Thursday-Friday, June 19-20

* Additional transfer day (for late applicants): Friday, July 25

* Additional new freshmen days (for late applicants): Sunday-Monday, July 27-28, and Tuesday-Wednesday, July 29-30

* Last new student registration: Tuesday-Wednesday, Aug. 12-13.

While organizing SOAR is a joint effort between Student Activities and Admissions, it really involves the entire campus. Be prepared to welcome newcomers and their parents by helping families find their way around campus — and consider wearing school colors on those days. If families have questions you can't answer, don't hesitate to call the Admissions Office at 3888.