Last summer, more than 2,000 new students participated in IntroDUCKtion, and this year’s projected number of 2,300 to 2,400 students will make it the biggest session ever.
IntroDUCKtion is the summer orientation and registration program for new students entering the University. The sessions give new students the opportunity for academic advising, placement tests and further exploration of the many facets of University life.
The Student Orientation Staff began planning the event in early fall and have been working since to get faculty and student groups involved in the event. New students are notified by mail of the event to reserve a spot.
IntroDUCKtion is part of a series of events designed to smooth the transition for new students to the University, said Heather Dumas, assistant director of the Student Orientation programs. Week of Welcome — a week-long program aimed at freshmen the week before fall classes start — is another event planned by the SOS.
In order to meet the needs of a variety of students, the sessions have been divided to best accommodate the different groups. The first session on July 7 was only for incoming freshmen from Lane County. The second session, held Monday, was a day-long event only for transfer students.
“There’s an equal balance between community colleges and four-year schools,” said Jack Bennett, Learning Communities Director of the students attending IntroDUCKtion’s Transfer Day. “About one-third to one-half of the students participating are from out of state.”
For transfer students, the draw to the University from their previous schools ranged from academic needs to sports to personal reasons.
“This school has so much more to offer than Western did,” Lori Hartt said as she waited to meet with her academic advisor. Hartt, a junior transfer student from Western Oregon University, made the move to be near her boyfriend, who will be attending the University’s Law School in the fall.
For junior John Ellis, a transfer from Gavilan Community College in California, the reason to transfer was an opportunity to play on Oregon’s golf team.
“I visited in October last year and it was in the 70s,” Ellis said. Since his move to Oregon, people have continually asked him how he’ll deal with the rain.
“It’s just a little water,” he said.
After checking in, new students have the opportunity to attend workshops, such as “IntroDUCKtion to Academics at the UO,” which cover everything from the University’s learning communities to selecting classes. Meeting with advisers is also an integral part of the day.
“I’m hoping to get more in-depth advising from attending this event,” said William Ivanoff, a transfer student from Lane Community College. Ivanoff will be majoring in planning, public policy and management.
During lunch, transfer students had the opportunity to browse the Information Fair, a multitude of booths set up outside the EMU by different campus programs and organizations. While providing an opportunity for students to learn more about the services the University has to offer, it also gave campus groups a chance to educate and recruit for fall.
“The goal is to capture people interested in the outdoors the moment they set foot on campus,” said Suzanne Hanlon, the assistant director of the University’s Outdoor Program. “We’re here promoting primarily for our summer activities and new student orientation trips.”