I am realizing just how important orientation is to the retention of our students. It is much more than just an information session; it's just as much about the students beginning to bond with one another and start to feel as a cohesive group who support one another!
I also learned the importance of connecting faculty to other faculty members within their discipline. Invariably, instructors may be subbing each other's classes, or students will need to make up missed hours, due to life issues. If possible, have more than one faculty member within that department at orientation, so students will become acquainted with other instructors with whom they may come in contact during their time at our school.
Reiterate to students during orientation, the rules, policies and classroom expectations we have are distinctly tied to potential employer expectations and how their experience at our school will best prepare them for employment. This is, after all, the primary reason why students are enrolling at your college.
Lastly, I love the idea of taking a class picture at either orientation or on the 1st day of class to start the process of bringing the students together and building the bond between them.
