Faculty needed for Freshman Orientation: $4,000 summer stipend Faculty needed for Freshman Orientation: $4,000 summer stipend

As part of the graduation partnership to help increase retention and graduation rates at WSU, orientation for new freshmen is changing radically in summer 2012. A collaboration between Admissions, the Office for Faculty Development and Student Success, and advisers from every college has brought about a more robust and engaging two-day experience.

The new program, funded jointly by the Provost's Office and the Division of Campus Life and University Relations, promotes a key principle in retention by allowing more time for new students to form connections with each other, peer leaders, the campus and WSU staff. In addition, students will be involved in more hands-on activities to explore their purposes for being in college, good habits for college success, paying for college, getting involved, WSU traditions, policies and expectations, and much more.

In contrast to recent years, freshmen will receive academic advising and enroll for classes at Orientation. To give students options, 13 different two-day Freshman Orientation sessions are offered throughout the summer (from May to August with the first four weeks of July off).

A key component in all this is faculty involvement. One faculty member from each college will be hired (or two faculty members may apply together to "job share"). These Freshman Orientation Faculty Fellows will give formal presentations to students and parents, and interact informally with attendees on the first day of each of the 13 two-day freshman orientations.

This is a wonderful opportunity to get to know new students and help them to get off to a good start at WSU. Faculty who participated last summer reported getting a lot out of the experience.

Tenured and tenure-track faculty are invited to apply by sending a statement of interest and a current curriculum vitae to ofdss@wichita.edu. Apply by Friday, April 27, for full consideration. Inquires about the positions may be directed to william.vanderburgh@wichita.edu or 978-3379.