Discovery Weekend reinforces and enhances information presented at New Student Orientation that will be critical to the students during the first week of classes, ensures that students know how to get around in Clarion and on the campus, ensures that students know where their classrooms are, helps students get to know each other and make friends, lets students know where they may obtain help for problems associated with alcohol or sexual violence, and encourages Clarion pride.

Discovery: Goals and Outcomes

Discovery reinforces and enhances information presented at Orientation that will be critical to the students during the first week of classes, ensures that students know how to get around in Clarion and on the campus, ensures that students know where their classrooms are, helps students get to know each other and make friends, lets students know where they may obtain help for problems with alcohol or sexual violence, and encourages Clarion pride.  Outcomes and assessments associated with the goals of Transitions are outlined below.

 Cement students’ and families’ commitment to Clarion University.

Outcomes

·        Families and students will participate in social experiences that bond them to the university community (e.g., “Welcome Barbeque for New Students and Families”).

·        Families will feel that they are valued partners in their students’ experiences at Clarion.

·        Students will participate in activities that encourage them to be “Clarion Proud” (e.g., “CU Spirit Rally”).

Assessment

·        Communications from the Parents/Family Services Office will survey parents regarding their experiences during move-in day, particularly suggestions for how the day might have been improved.

·        A Discovery Evaluation Survey will assess students’ pride in Clarion University.

 Forge positive and active relationships among students, and among students, faculty and staff.

             Outcomes

·        Students will get to know each other and their RAs, CAs, or Commuter Leaders through activities such as an Ice Cream Social, Residence Hall floor meetings, Reinhard Village meetings, commuting students meetings, and interactive activities.

·     Students will feel that they know other students well enough that they will not be nervous about meeting new people at Clarion University.

·      Students will meet professional staff and faculty and will feel a part of the educational community through participation in Academic Convocation and the reception afterwards.

·      Students will have opportunity to use iClarion and ask questions about how to access various communication venues within iClarion.

 Assessment

·        Students will eat their meals during Discovery with at least one other new person.

·        A student satisfaction survey will ask if students enjoyed Discovery Weekend. Responses will show an acceptable level of satisfaction to be defined by the Transitions team.

·        90% of students will attend Academic Convocation and reception.

·        A student survey will assess students’ levels of anxiety about specific aspects of starting at the university.  It is anticipated that levels of anxiety will be highest regarding academic performance, and will show lower levels regarding loneliness and abilities to make friends.

Guide family members as they support their students during the transition from home to college and from college to work.

            Outcomes

·        Family members will leave with written information (Parent/Family Services) about how to support their students and help their students deal with homesickness during the first year.

·        Family members will be encouraged to call the Families Services Office if they have questions about their student’s first year.

             Assessment

·        Communications from the Families Office will ask parents about their use and satisfaction with the Families Office and the written materials that were provided during Discovery.

·        The Families Services Office will track the kinds of questions that they receive, answers provided, and when questions were received during the semester.  Analysis will provide a basis for written materials to be provided via a newsletter, as well as training to be provided for Families Services Office staff.

 Ensure that students are informed self advocates who accept personal responsibility for their education.

             Outcomes

·        Residence Hall/Reinhard Village/Commuter meetings will inform students of their rights and responsibilities as members of a residential community.

·        Students will know where their classrooms are for the upcoming semester by finding their classrooms with the help of student and staff guides.

·        Students will print their schedules, update their PDFs and purchase their books.

·        Students will attend Academic Convocation.

·        Students will attend Sexual Assault Awareness presentation where they  will learn techniques for making responsible decisions about sex and alcohol, and they will learn about agencies and people who can provide help.

Assessment

·        At least 35% of the new students will work with guides to find their classrooms.

·        On a student survey, at least 75% of students will indicate that they mostly know where their classrooms are. 

·        At least 90% of the new students will print their schedules and buy their books.

·        99% of new students will attend Academic Convocation and take the academic pledge.

·        99% of new students will attend the Sexual Assault Awareness presentation

·        Students will be able to articulate at least one agency or person that they might approach if they or a friend has a problem with alcohol or sexual assault.

 Engage students in productive co-curricular and extra-curricular activities.

            Outcomes

·        Students will participate in “getting involved” sessions during Discovery weekend.

            Assessment

·        Student participation during Activities Day will be encouraged and tracked.  50% of new students will visit at least one RSO table during Activities Day. 

Clarion University of Pennsylvania, Clarion, PA 16214
800-672-7171 or 814-393-2000

© 2006 Clarion University of Pennsylvania