Division of Student Services

Office Spotlight--Student Development and Orientation2009 Orientation team photo

Student Development and Orientation (SDO) provides programs, services and support that enhance student success, learning and development, focusing specifically on college transition; and offers additional support programs that aid in student retention. SDO serves as a liaison for students, family members, faculty, staff and the local community in emergency situations; offers consultation for students considering withdrawing from the University; and provides general assistance and referral to students with concerns of any type.

Orientation

SDO helps new students make smooth transitions to University life and provides programming to support student growth, academic success and leadership. Emphasis is placed on students’ academic, residential and personal adjustments. Western students, faculty and staff work together to provide a multifaceted orientation program to familiarize new students and their families with Western and with the Macomb community. SDO coordinates the Summer Orientation and Registration (SOAR) programs for incoming freshmen, New Student Registration for transfer students, nontraditional student orientation, minority student orientation and fall orientation.

SDO makes special efforts in orientation to address the importance of learning, academic success and leadership development. Sessions concentrate on appreciation of diverse student populations, multiculturalism, personal responsibility and commuter and nontraditional student needs.
SDO also produces the WIU Student Handbook, Preview, Fall Orientation Schedule and a variety of other publications.

Emergency and crisis follow-up assistance

SDO serves as an emergency contact for students experiencing immediate health, emergency or personal issues that affect their academic performance. For students in crisis, the office acts as a liaison between students and their family members, faculty, University personnel and/or community agencies. SDO staff provides academic and moral support to those who have experienced a personal tragedy. In the case of the death of a student or immediate family member, the staff assists with necessary notifications. SDO also coordinates the efforts of the University’s after-regular-business hours Emergency Consultation Team (ECT), which is designed to identify students at risk and connect them to appropriate resources.

University withdrawal/exit interview

SDO conducts exit interviews when students are contemplating withdrawing from the University, to ensure students are aware of all options and alternatives when making this critical decision. Many times SDO can provide insight that may impact a student’s decision to withdraw.

Student Leadership Opportunities

SDO recruits more than 100 student volunteers—Student Orientation Staff (SOS) leaders—to assist in the fall orientation process by conducting small group sessions for incoming students in which they share their experiences to help new students feel comfortable in their new environment. In addition, 12 highly regarded student leaders are selected to serve on the Orientation Team (O-Team) and play an integral part in the SOAR programs as well as assist with fall orientation. The O-Team members present and facilitate sessions focusing on academic and personal success and connect with new students and families. Both O-Team and SOS leaders gain valuable leadership experience while helping new students transition to Western Illinois University.

Division of Student Services Articles  |  1  |  2  | 3  | More... |