The mission of Orientation Programs is to provide continuing services and assistance that will:
- aid new students in their transition to the institution
- expose new students to the broad educational opportunities of the institution
- integrate new students into the life of the institution
Orientation Programs seeks to accomplish these goals through the following programs and publications.
New Student and Parent Orientation Sessions
Each summer, Orientation Programs offers approximately 16 Orientation
sessions for new students and their parents. These sessions are two days for freshmen
and one day for transfer students, and are designed to assist with the
transition to UCSB from high school or other institutions. In previous
years, attendance at Orientation has been approximately 95% for freshmen
and 84% for transfer students. The student and parent programs include large
and small group meetings (discussions, lectures, presentations, panels);
academic advising in small groups for students; tours of the campus, facilities,
and Isla Vista; meals in a campus dining commons; an overnight stay in
a campus residence hall (during freshmen sessions only, optional,
and dependent upon availability); student social activities; parent social hour;
workshops on student life; and assistance with fall course registration.
Beginning in mid-May, an informational pamphlet describing the Orientation program
and reservation procedures is mailed to freshmen and transfer students who have
returned a Statement of Intent to Register to the UCSB Admissions Office.
A pamphlet is also mailed to parents of freshmen.
More comprehensive information about Orientation is available on various
sections of this website.
See Freshman,
Transfer, and
Parent Orientation.
Fall Orientation Meeting for Freshmen
Prior to the beginning of fall quarter classes, Orientation presents a
Fall Orientation Meeting for freshmen who did not attend an Orientation session in summer.
This program includes information about academic advising, important resources, and student services.
Discovery Days
At the beginning of fall quarter, there are several days of events
to help new students become familiar with the variety of programs and services
available to them at UCSB. Activities include receptions, discussions, workshops,
tours of the campus, departmental meetings, campus organization social events,
and New Student Convocation.
The online
Discovery Days Calendar of Events is a comprehensive guide to Discovery Days.
Graduate Student Orientation
At the beginning of fall quarter, a program is presented
for new graduate students that includes important information about registration,
the Graduate Division, Graduate Students Association, Student Health, Counseling,
Career Services, and other campus resources. Panels on important graduate
issues are also offered.
Kiosk - UCSB Student Handbook
Orientation Programs publishes the online
Kiosk - UCSB Student Handbook.
The Kiosk is a comprehensive guide to academic and co-curricular services and resources
on campus and in the community.
Student Staff Positions
Each year during fall and winter quarters, Orientation Programs advertises
the availability of student staff positions.
Two students are hired from among previous staff members to act as
Student Coordinators, and approximately 27 students are hired as Orientation Staff advisors.
These positions are advertised in the Daily Nexus, fliers, letters to targeted groups
of students across the campus, and announcements in specific winter quarter courses.
Orientation Programs seeks to recruit a diverse staff representative
of the range of students making up the UCSB student body. Those who are
hired will participate in a three-month spring training program, and help to plan and
implement the upcoming Orientation sessions. The process of students
interviewing, training, and working in these positions is valuable for
their personal and career development, as well as for the success of the
Orientation program.