WIU in the News

Colleges/Departments

Upcoming Alumni & Friends Events

Popular Links

Summer Orientation Finishes Fourth Year

The school year is already underway for some Western students. In fact, for some, it began in June. No, they were not taking summer school classes, but rather, they attended Summer Orientation and Registration (SOAR), a program developed four years ago to assist new students and their families with the transition to college even before move-in day. The day-and-a-half SOAR program is now held multiple times throughout June and July on the Western Illinois University campus.

Many WIU Alumni often recall the day their parents dropped them off at Western to begin college not knowing what to expect, but the SOAR programs prepare both the students and their families for that transition. The SOAR programs are primarily for new freshmen. Each day-and-a-half session is designed to promote personal academic success and individual development. In addition, students have the opportunity to meet other students and their families, which in turn provides a group of ready-made friends when they make the journey back to Macomb in August to move into the residence halls. The programs also include informative presentations, small group discussions, academic advising, placement exercises, and class registration which are designed to help students enter the University informed and confident about their upcoming years at Western Illinois University. SOAR programs are one of the first steps that students take in their transition to Western.

"Orientation was a totally new experience for me. I did not know what to expect, but Western made the experience very memorable and informative. All my questions were answered and it left me feeling ready and excited for school," said 2008 incoming freshman Megan Ervin.

The incoming students were not the only ones who got a lot out of the program; many parents found the sessions informative as well.

"We were very pleased with the information we received during orientation. This is our first child to go to college and we have many concerns and questions. The information we received was priceless," said parents Jeff and Cindy Ervin.

"SOAR programs help students not only connect with other students but also prepare them for a good start when they do arrive on campus in August," said Tracy Scott '90, Director of WIU's Student Development and Orientation (SDO). "Both students and families benefit because the programs are more than just a trip to Macomb to register for classes, they are designed to help promote student success in and out of the classroom and keeping families connected to their students during their student's time at Western."

The SOAR programs are primarily for new freshmen prior to beginning their careers at WIU. Each day-and-a-half session is designed to promote personal academic success and individual development. In addition, students have the opportunity to meet other students and their families, which in turn provides a group of ready-made friends when they make the journey back to Macomb in August to move into the residence halls. The programs also include informative presentations, small group discussions, academic advising, placement exercises, and class registration which are designed to help students enter the University informed and confident about their upcoming years at Western Illinois University. SOAR programs are one of the first steps that students take in their transition to Western.

"Orientation was a totally new experience for me. I did not know what to expect, but Western made the experience very memorable and informative. All my questions were answered and it left me feeling ready and excited for school," said 2008 incoming freshman Megan Ervin.

The incoming students were not the only ones who got a lot out of the program; many parents found the sessions informative as well.

"We were very pleased with the information we received during orientation. This is our first child to go to college and we have many concerns and questions. The information we received was priceless," said Jeff and Cindy Ervin.

"There are 12 Orientation Team (O-team) members selected from the entire student body to serve in a very prestigious role and assist the University with orientation programs. Their primary responsibility is throughout the summer during Summer Orientation and Registration programs assisting with the programs, presenting sessions, performing vignettes, and addressing questions from both students and families. The O-team receives rave reviews from the evaluations and are a huge asset for the University," according to Vian Neally '96 '02, Assistant Director of SDO.

"As a member of the 2008 Orientation Team I was so pleased to give back to incoming students in the way that my Orientation Team gave to me. It was one of the most rewarding experiences I have had as a student leader on the campus of WIU. It was nothing short of amazing!" said O-Team member Tony Ballard Jr.

Click here to meet the O-Team.

Scott added that in addition to how rewarding it is to see families and students begin their transition to Western, one of the most gratifying parts of the summer programs for him and the SDO staff is when they see the 12 Orientation Team members getting to interact with each other and develop lifelong friendships after spending the entire summer with each other.

Back to top