Transfer students introduced to UNT campus at opening transfer orientation
Matthew Reyna | Staff Writer
Future UNT students from all over the world were welcomed to campus Friday by administrators, faculty and fellow students at the first transfer orientation event of the summer.
“Orientation is all about helping students transition to the university,” assistant vice president of student affairs Melissa McGuire said. “Learn a little bit about the community, get advised, know what courses they need to take [and] learn about their degree plans.”
McGuire issued welcoming remarks and delivered information from a PowerPoint presentation designed to assist transfer students with helpful tips and their itinerary for the day. Students and their parents were offered free coffee, doughnuts and orange juice before the welcoming statement in Room 314 of the University Union.
McGuire was hopeful students would make the most of the day and not be shy.
“Just starting at UNT, it’s important to put yourself out there and keep learning,” McGuire said. “Even if it’s a little uncomfortable at times.”
After McGuire’s early morning presentation, orientation leaders taught students the UNT Fight Song and Alma Mater. They also taught students how to raise their “caws” for sporting and spirit events.
The orientation leaders led a “caw-petition,” a spirit battle between competing students in the left and right sides of the room.
Students were eventually broken up into groups by which UNT college they were attending. The different factions split around campus for core evaluations to see how much of their transfer work applied to UNT core requirements.
Students from the College of Engineering and the College of Information were shuttled on a bus to Discovery Park.
Orientation leaders redirected lost students, provided guided tours for parents and answered numerous questions from both.
“We are basically showing students around and helping them get acclimated,” orientation leader Chantil Bounhevanguilay said. “Registering for school and getting advised go hand-in-hand.”
Once core evaluations were completed, students attended a lunch period that offered numerous campus information sessions. The list of seminars included Campus Technology, Career Center Service, Getting Involved, Know Your Title IX, Money Matters, On Campus Housing/Dining, and Parking and Transportation Services 101.
An additional seminar was Parallel Pathways, which allowed students to explore the option of choosing a different major before starting their UNT career.
Orientation leader Alana Tosca was excited about the opportunities presented to students.
“We have so many different fairs going on,” Tosca said. “Money management, getting involved, parking on campus, it helps [students] get situated before they arrive.”
Angela Nguyen, a junior transferring from Collin College, attended the Campus Technology seminar hosted by officials from the UNT IT department.
Nguyen was excited by the opportunities her new school offered.
“UNT just opened the pharmacy school in Fort Worth, and I wanted to take the leap,” Nguyen said. “The advisers leading the event have been more than helpful.”
Nguyen met Jennifer Chastka, a junior transferring from Blinn College, at the Campus Technology seminar.
Her new friend agreed that the orientation leaders were helpful.
“They seemed willing to help, to ask around, and do just about everything else,” Chastka said.
The final event for students was major advising led by advisers from their department. Students were offered specific advising and tailored schedule crafting before receiving the clearance codes required for registration.
Between 2 p.m. to 6 p.m., students were given time to sign up for classes in computer labs around campus before returning home. McGuire strongly encouraged students to stick around and sign up for classes, especially if they did not live in Denton.
Other activities offered included math and foreign language placement exams, an organizational fair and an allotted time for the new students to get their UNT ID’s made.
Students who completed the orientation schedule are eligible for a $100 dining services gift card if they turned in their completed schedules to orientation leaders who helped guide the students throughout the day.
“It’s more than an informational session,” McGuire said. “It’s all about helping students transition to the university. It’s so much more than just the resources. It’s their introduction to university life.”
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